Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

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A new African folk tale: Review of A Chameleon, a Boy and a Quest by J.A. Myhre

Because I can’t get enough of Africa and Africa-themed reading, I took a chance on this book, a children’s tale set in East Africa, written by a missionary mom for her children while they lived there. With a to-read pile that is about to bury me, A Chameleon, a Boy and a Quest isn’t the kind of book I would usually agree to review (I received a copy from the publisher through Litfuse Publicity Group). But I’m glad I did.

Think of it as a Lord-of-the-Rings style adventure–shorter, for sure, and not as well developed–but if your kids are into adventure stories that illustrate spiritual truths and point to redemption, then add it to your library.

Watch this video teaser of the book to get an idea of the author’s intent and the scope of the story.

By a few chapters in, I was hooked on Mu’s quest, the choices he had to make to survive, and the challenges he faced as this unexpected quest grew longer.

At its heart, the book is a story of identity, and I’m a big fan of stories that help children see themselves as unique and valuable, created by God for a purpose. One of my favorite exchanges in the book between Mu and the chameleon is this:

Mu, the boy, says, “Forgive my questioning, but I do not see how I could possibly have enemies interested in my whereabouts. … I cannot imagine who would be looking for me.”

The chameleon replies, “That is because you cannot imagine  who you truly are.” (p. 77) chameleon boy quest

A Chameleon, a Boy and a Quest is a story that will engage kids’ imaginations and open conversations about home, identity and how choices bring consequences. But it’s also a story that addresses some of the harsh realities African children face: some chapters include themes of trafficking and the actions of child soldiers. These aren’t to be avoided in a realistic conversation about Africa but should be approached with caution and open discussion depending on the ages and personalities of the children reading.

Mu’s quest made me miss the beautiful landscapes of Kenya I saw earlier this summer, and it reminded me that for many children in Africa, Mu’s story isn’t fiction.

You can learn more about the book and the author here.

Uncovering family secrets: Review of Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor by Melanie Dobson

One of my favorite types of fiction is a story that blends past and present storylines, and though I’d never read anything by Melanie Dobson before, the premise of her new book, Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor, was one I couldn’t pass up. (Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book through Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my review.) ladenbrooke

In the book, Heather Toulson, an art restorer living in Portland, returns to her family cottage in the Cotswolds of England to pack up her family’s belongings after the death of her father. Heather’s life is full of strained and tense relationships, past and present, and her goal is to clean out the cottage and sell it as fast as possible and move on with her life. Her newly married daughter Ella joins her and as they sift through the contents, Heather uncovers questions about the older sister she never knew and the boy next door who died long ago.

The historical storyline, set in the 1950s and later, follows Maggie Doyle, Heather’s mum, through an unexpected circumstance and consequent marriage to Walter Doyle. Maggie’s daughter, Libby, is the sister Heather never knew, and though she loves butterflies, she does not interact with the rest of the world in the same way as others, except the boy next door, Oliver Croft, son of the Lord and Lady Croft of Ladenbrooke Manor.

There is a lot to sort out as the book starts out, but once it gets rolling, the plot unravels like a ball of string leading from one place to the next. For me, this book was a study in how to write about family secrets revealed across generations because the novel I’m working on contains similar themes. I enjoyed it as a story, as well. Dobson doesn’t reveal too much too soon, but partway through, readers gets a sense of what’s happening. I especially appreciated the themes of restoring what is broken in relationships.

And Dobson gives Libby a unique personality–something along the lines of the autism spectrum, which would have been undiagnosed in the 1950s. It was fascinating to consider how people would have viewed her and interacted with her.

If you’ve never read a dual timeline story, this is a good one to start with. And if you like family mysteries, you’ll enjoy the way secrets are uncovered.

More about the author

dobsonMelanie Dobson is the award-winning author of thirteen historical romance, suspense, and contemporary novels. Two of her novels won Carol Awards in 2011, and Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana won Best Novel of Indiana in 2010. Melanie lives with her husband Jon and two daughters near Portland, Oregon.Find Melanie online: website, Twitter, Facebook