Millie's Grand Adventure

A book review for parents

This sixth historical fiction book in the "A Life of Faith: Millie Keith" series based on the classic novel by Martha Finley is published by Zonderkidz.

Millie's Grand Adventure is written for kids ages 10 to 14. The age range reflects readability and not necessarily content appropriateness.

Plot Summary

Millie Keith is a 17-year-old girl living in a frontier town in the 1830s. She and her friend Gavi are heartbroken. During a visit to her great-uncle's plantation, Millie fell in love with a southern gentleman who proposed, but Millie refused him because he was not a Christian. She is astonished and confused when he walks into a Mercantile shop in her town. Meanwhile, Gavi is supposed to marry a young man, but he has disappeared. Millie supports her friend as they wait for word from an acquaintance, which searches for Gavi's husband-to-be. After a tornado destroys their harvest, Millie's family tries to store enough food for the winter. Millie and her family learn lessons about faithfulness, trusting in God's provision and moving forward with courage instead of disappointment.

Christian Beliefs

Millie and her family members put their faith into practice as they pray, search God's Word and trust Him for provision and direction. Millie knows Scripture well and turns to God with all of her problems and fears. The family demonstrates integrity and grace in their relationships with their neighbors and in their counsel to Gavi about marriage.

Authority Roles

Millie's father is a strong, gentle man who follows God's Word as he leads his family. His wife and children respect him.

Other Belief Systems

None

Profanity/Graphic Violence

The Keith's pet dog is killed while defending the children from a bear.

Kissing/Sex/Homosexuality

Millie and her friends take courtship and marriage seriously.

Awards

Unknown

Discussion Topics

If your children have read this book or someone has read it to them, consider these discussion topics:

• How does Fan react to the loss of her dog and the family horses?
  How is her relationship with Cyril affected?
  How does Cyril's plan strengthen Fan's confidence and help her recover from her grief?
  Have you ever suffered a loss like Fan?
  How did you deal with your grief?
  What did you learn about God in the process?
• What does Gordon's offer to search for Rayme reveal about his character?
  How might he have used the situation to further his own desires?
  Why do you think it was better for him to act with integrity?
  Have you ever been torn between following your desires and acting on what you know to be true?
  What was the consequence of your decision?
  How did it affect those around you?
  What can you do to make sure your decision reflects Christ?
• What did Millie learn about herself in the cemetery after Mrs. Simon's funeral?
  What does she bury in the grave?
  Why was it important for her to take that step before God?
  Is there anything that you need to give up?
  How can you reconcile with God's present and future plans for your life?

Book reviews cover the content, themes and worldviews of fiction books, not their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. A book's inclusion does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.