The Tanglewoods' Secret {Book Review}

Happy New Year 2012!  I hope you all have been enjoying your new year!  I have many posts I hope to share soon! :)  First I wanted to share this book review I just finished...

The Tanglewood's Secret
By Patricia M. St. John


In a struggle to learn to overcome her fiery temper and selfish spirit, Ruth is led to the discovery of a very important Shepherd who can and does teach her how to be good. The story contains beautiful and uplifting examples of what can happen when we let ourselves be found by Him.
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Ruth lives with her Aunt, Uncle & bother Phillip while her parents are away in India.  Ruth struggles with anger and laziness, this short story is about her overcoming her anger and laziness when she finds out about the "Good Shepherd".  A great read perfect for just about any age.  I love children's books and this is one that's been added to my 'favorites' list.

Ruth tries to get out of every chore possible and when she does actually get a chore done she only does it halfheartedly, half dried dishes, sweeping everything under the rug...

Ruth & her brother meet a young boy, Terry while playing out in the woods one day.  They grow to love the boy and they all become great friends & play together all the time.

One day in a rage Ruth 'runs away'.  She tires after 3 miles or so and ends up sleeping in a cold empty church.  In the morning she is found by the clergyman and he shares the gospel with her.  That the beginning of her journey of following the Good Shepherd.  She returns home and apologizes to her aunt for her behavior and for running away.  She diligently begins reading her Bible and starts to learn to heed the voice of the Shepherd when the temptation of laziness or anger came up.  With work she becomes a new girl and everyone notices the difference in her life.

An accident happens and the boy, Terry becomes very sick and will never be able to play again.  He is stuck in bed everyday living with his mother in a small, dark and stuffy cottage until one day Ruth's Aunt goes and visits him and invites Terry & his mother to come and live in her home.  Terry & his mother moves in with Ruth and the family.  Terry is cared for there by everyone and passes away.  Ruth struggles with understanding death and why the Lord didn't heal Terry but took him to heaven instead.  A local christian shepherd is able to explain to her the Terry's life here on earth was over and it was all part of the Lords plan.

Towards the end of the book Ruth's parents come home, just in time for Christmas.  It ends with a wonderful Christmas celebration inviting several injured children to come and celebrate with them.  This book was an easy and fun read that any child would love!  The gospel is taught throughout the book in a very child-friendly way.

* Disclaimer - I received this book free from Moody Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 

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