Lexi has always been an outsider. She lived in the Amazon and the deserts of Arizona before moving to Africa. But after their houseboy (her dear friend) was killed by soldiers, Lexi’s parents decide it is too dangerous for her to stay with them, so they send her to boarding school in the U.S. There she feels completely misunderstood as rumors spread about her strange past But she looks forward to staying at her aunt and uncle’s farm in upstate New York for the summer. She hopes to become a part of a big, happy family, but when she arrives, she quickly discovers that is not to be. Even though her two girl cousins try to include her, she does not share either their interests or their skills, and her older boy cousins spend their lives playing baseball. Only in Jeb, a year younger than Lexi, does she find a friend. A misfit himself, he is fascinated with the Indian way of life, and confides in Lexi that he has heard that a small tribe lives in the nearby mountains. He plans to run away to find the tribe and ask them to adopt him. Lexi decides to join him, and they set off down the river on a raft Jeb built. Their journey is full of mishaps but the adventure teaches both of them much about their own strengths.
Reading level: age 9-13 years
Five-year old Annie spends a month in Moscow with her parents, doctors who are working there in a hospital. When she first arrives, everything is unfamiliar – even the alphabet. Annie tries to cope with the unwelcome changes by withdrawing, but soon makes friends with Anya, a Russian girl at her daycare. Anya helps her learn Russian, and soon Annie is enjoying her new home. A touching portrayal of a child’s culture shock, especially when Annie comforts herself when overwhelmed with the Cyrillic writing around her by singing the alphabet song loudly to herself.
Reading level: age 6-9 years
Aimee is a missionary kid living in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) where it always seems like it’s going to rain but it never actually does. On her birthday she runs through the village inviting friends to her party who tell her that the rain is finally coming. They move her birthday party inside just before the rain comes pouring down. This was actually written by an MK from Zaire and she portrays the sights and sounds beautifully.
Reading level: age 3-8 years
This is a story about a Japanese boy’s first Christmas. A Japanese mother who was born and raised in California decorates a Christmas tree and shares her childhood experiences of Christmas with her young son in Japan. It’s actually the story of the author and his mother, by the same author of Grandfather’s Journey and Tea with Milk.
Reading level: age 4-9 years
Kathy is in her first year at boarding school in northern China when Japanese soldiers arrive to take the children and teachers to a prisoner of war camp, where they were to remain for several years. Kathy and her older brother face hardships, disease and discouragement, but their teachers remind them that “The soldiers cannot take God out of this camp” and encourage them to find joy in small things. During her imprisonment, Kathy befriends a Japanese guard, and they celebrate together when the war ends. Although it is not expressly stated, the girl in the story is almost certainly an MK. Her experience as a prisoner of war, of course, is not especially typical, and her friendship with the guard is not given much attention. The focus of the book is on Kathy’s courage in the midst of frightening circumstances. Questions at the end of the book can initiate discussions with elementary aged children about dealing with fear, how to live peaceably with others, and why countries have wars.
Reading level: age 8-11 years
Missionary kids John and Lisa are glad to get back to Japan after furlough in America. Although they are sad to leave their relatives, they enjoy moving into their new house, making friends with the neighbor kids, and eating familiar Japanese food. Later, their family travels from their home in Sapporo in the north all the way to the southern city of Nagasaki, visiting various cities along the way. This is basically a coloring book with a storyline about the life of two MKs. Activities are interspersed throughout the book (e.g. mazes, crosswords, word searches, Japanese character writing, dot-to-dot). There is also an accompanying Parent/Teacher Guide that gives more information on Japan and gives lesson plans for five lessons, suitable for a children’s missions conference or a similar event.
Reading level: age 6-9 years
