Chronicles of Courage

From ChariotVictor Publishing

Danger, moral dilemas in new historical series

Financial Depression in 1934 -- Parents lost in the aftermath of war in 1945 -- Polio outbreak in 1952. Drawn from earlier decades, these are not situations for upbeat kids's stories. But in the new Chronicles of Courage series by Dorothy Harrison, they become the historical backdrops for ageless moral dilemmas that kids must face as they grow up.

In A Better Tomorrow?, Janet Larson, her parents, who are first-generation Swedish-Americans, and her younger brother and sister move into a rented apartment after her father's grocery closes in the Depression. Mrs. Cooper, the landlord, has some very stiff rules, but with 14 million people out of work, the Larsons have little choice. Janet loves animals and has kept one treasure in the move -- a fishbowl. She makes friends with neighbor boys and their pet mice. Then she finds a snake, and decides to give their cranky old landlord a scare. It works better than Janet had imagined, she discovers Mrs. Cooper's secret, and has to act quickly to save her.

The series moves to post-World-War II Germany for Operation Morningstar. Based on a true story, it relates the eight-day journey of five sisters and brothers across the country to find their father and younger sisters before they leave for America. With very little food and money, they race against time. The oldest, Katrina, almost 15, leads the Muellers through road blocks, unfriendly American soldiers, and a night in jail. But they also meet Frau Schmidt, who gives them shelter, the Red Cross, and a farmer who gives them a ride in his wagon. Courage and compassion fill this story.

Gold in the Garden takes place in the early fifties and opens with the gripping scene of a young girl at the funeral of her best friend. Worse than that, Kathy Jordan believes her friend's death is her fault. In spite of being told not to go swimming and risk catching polio, the two had sneaked into the community pool one hot July day. After Susan's death from polio, Kathy is overcome with guilt and cannot face her friend's parents. Her only consolation is working in the garden with an old neighbor man where she learns about composting, the healing that time brings, and confession and forgiveness as well.

Besides being well written, this new series gives a taste of twentieth-century history that may be as remote as the early days of America for today's young readers. It will help them understand God's timeless lessons that everyone must learn. Dorothy Harrison's experience as a mother and teacher combine with her love of stories to make this a top-notch series for kids, ages 10-up.

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