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Lightkeepers
Ten Girls Who Didn't Give In: Inspiring stories of martyrs
These ten girls grew up to become women who didn’t give in. Living as a Christian was difficult. They chose to do the right thing instead of the easy thing. Would you give in or would you resist? In a world where we give in too easily – be inspired by those who didn’t! These women chose eternal life, love, and joy, through obedience, hardship, and life–threatening – and life–taking, danger.
157 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2005
10 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Irene Howat
92 books34 followersIrene Howat is an award-winning author who has many titles, for adults and children, to her name. She is married to a retired minister and they have a grown up family. She is also a talented artist and now stays in Ayrshire, Scotland. She especially enjoys letters from children and replies to all of them!
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 28, 2025
Interesting
January 24, 2022
The second entry into the girls' series is better than the first. For this "Give In" portion, the girls described are probably lesser known and written a little less violent than the boy's version. Yet the impact of the stories is still strong.
In this volume, ten boys which include Blandina, Perpetua, Lady Jane Grey, Anna Askew, Lysken Dirks, Marian Harvey, Margaret Wilson, Judith Werghburg, Betty Stam and Esther John follow a similar story pattern of about 15 pages each. The sections starts off with a childhood and family setting and move to either some early important events or through to teenage and college-age and then into adulthood of what they're known for. The stories include mostly fictional conversations so as to give young readers more than just facts to remember. The conversation are in the spirit of learning about the person. Each person also has a focus on their Christian faith and it usually inspires the conclusion of the story as a way to glorify God. At the end there is a "FACT" of the story expanded upon, a "KEYNOTE" that focuses on the aspect of the story to think about God, a "THINK" area in which a challenge question is presented for discussion, and a "PRAYER" section.
Where I cautioned the probable need for parents to read alongside their children with these stories as they involved slightly graphic accountings (without details leading to grotesque details), these stories don't have as much but parents should still take caution depending on the age and maturity of the child.
I'm still so impressed the author can boil down a lot of history into 15 pages while understanding there isn't going to be full coverage of the topic. One of the best ones that had to be the hardest but were the most enjoyable to read was Lady Jane Grey. The focus on her story could easily be lost in providing the history or wanting to include more detail or greater impact. The older stories taken form earlier times of Church history may cause some to be wanting as details like coming to Christ or childhood specifics aren't really known. The author also has a bigger slant towards English side martyrdom stories as some involve multiple tales from the Scottish Covenanters era. That's neither a positive nor a negative. The balance and tie-ins from the other areas of the girls' life for the stories is a lot better done here than in the Girls Who Used Their Talents book that I thought really missed the mark.
Another good installment in a total series I would recommend. A short snippet of Church history that gives you a quick read on many people that you could take and read more on. Final Grade - A-
In this volume, ten boys which include Blandina, Perpetua, Lady Jane Grey, Anna Askew, Lysken Dirks, Marian Harvey, Margaret Wilson, Judith Werghburg, Betty Stam and Esther John follow a similar story pattern of about 15 pages each. The sections starts off with a childhood and family setting and move to either some early important events or through to teenage and college-age and then into adulthood of what they're known for. The stories include mostly fictional conversations so as to give young readers more than just facts to remember. The conversation are in the spirit of learning about the person. Each person also has a focus on their Christian faith and it usually inspires the conclusion of the story as a way to glorify God. At the end there is a "FACT" of the story expanded upon, a "KEYNOTE" that focuses on the aspect of the story to think about God, a "THINK" area in which a challenge question is presented for discussion, and a "PRAYER" section.
Where I cautioned the probable need for parents to read alongside their children with these stories as they involved slightly graphic accountings (without details leading to grotesque details), these stories don't have as much but parents should still take caution depending on the age and maturity of the child.
I'm still so impressed the author can boil down a lot of history into 15 pages while understanding there isn't going to be full coverage of the topic. One of the best ones that had to be the hardest but were the most enjoyable to read was Lady Jane Grey. The focus on her story could easily be lost in providing the history or wanting to include more detail or greater impact. The older stories taken form earlier times of Church history may cause some to be wanting as details like coming to Christ or childhood specifics aren't really known. The author also has a bigger slant towards English side martyrdom stories as some involve multiple tales from the Scottish Covenanters era. That's neither a positive nor a negative. The balance and tie-ins from the other areas of the girls' life for the stories is a lot better done here than in the Girls Who Used Their Talents book that I thought really missed the mark.
Another good installment in a total series I would recommend. A short snippet of Church history that gives you a quick read on many people that you could take and read more on. Final Grade - A-
June 1, 2024
The story was about 10 girls that were brave and fought there own decisions. I loved it!
August 6, 2017
'I looked at my father', she (Perpetua) wrote on, then pointed to a jug that was close to him. "What would you call that?" I asked him. "It's a jug," he replied. "Would you not call it by another name?" I asked. "No," Father said. "I can't call it anything other than what it is. And it's a jug." So i said to my father, "I am a Christian. I can't call myself anything else because that is what I am."
These 10 women's stories of faith have inspired me, and made me realize the strength and determination God passes on to His children in hard times. Because of their trust in their Heavenly Father and willingness to do anything for the spread of the gospel, these stories can be passed on as a continued blessing to show other believers that true determination can prosper, by choosing to do the hard things!
These 10 women's stories of faith have inspired me, and made me realize the strength and determination God passes on to His children in hard times. Because of their trust in their Heavenly Father and willingness to do anything for the spread of the gospel, these stories can be passed on as a continued blessing to show other believers that true determination can prosper, by choosing to do the hard things!
December 29, 2020
Each story had a terrible ending for each girl, but as they are stories of martyrs that is to be expected. I think it is important to remember those who were murdered for their faith. These are aimed at children so there isn't anything too graphic and can be handled by older children.
I found all ten girls to be very inspirational.
I found all ten girls to be very inspirational.
April 23, 2019
This book in the series was quite terrible, especially for young girls. It inappropriately talks openly about torture, political child brides, and uses history to openly critique the Catholic Church and transubstantiation. This book showed they had to find stories of 10 girl martyrs, but felt more like cheap propaganda. I disliked this book considerably.
May 26, 2016
these women were so courageous!!
March 3, 2023
Number of pages: 150
Genre: Non-fiction Missionary Biographies
Series: Ten Girls Series (order is unimportant)
Age recommendation: 6-12
Summary: Each book in the series gives a short biography of ten different Christian ‘girls’ who used their lives for God. Ten Girls Who Didn’t Give In tells the stories of Blandina, Perpetua, Lady Jane Grey, Anne Askew, Lysken Dirks, Marion Harvey, Margaret Wilson, Judith Weinberg, Betty Stam, and Esther John.
My thoughts: Since this whole series is pretty similar, I’m just going to review the series all together. When I was in elementary school this was one of my favourite missionary series. I thought it was cool what all the girls were able to accomplish. I especially liked reading about the girls that were married to very famous preachers because often we don’t see both sides of the story.
Ten Girls Who Didn’t Give In was probably my favourite book in this series when I was in grade six. I distinctly remember doing a project for school on one martyred young woman, Margaret Wilson. I’m not sure what my teacher thought (for context, I go to public school, and as an 11-year-old, I was talking about a girl drowned for being a covenanter and not going to the “official” church). At that point, I wasn’t thinking of what my teacher would think, I just really admired Margaret’s courage and wanted to share it with everyone.
My only criticisms of these are that they’re kind of short (which is the point to make them easier for younger girls to read), and I know that the writing isn’t very good (though I mostly ignore it and still enjoy it the way I did when I was 8; they bring back so many good memories for me😊). Overall, I loved all these stories and the different women I got to learn about. I would definitely recommend this series to young girls.
My personal rating: 5/5 stars.
Link to blog: https://karinaschristianreads.wordpre...
Genre: Non-fiction Missionary Biographies
Series: Ten Girls Series (order is unimportant)
Age recommendation: 6-12
Summary: Each book in the series gives a short biography of ten different Christian ‘girls’ who used their lives for God. Ten Girls Who Didn’t Give In tells the stories of Blandina, Perpetua, Lady Jane Grey, Anne Askew, Lysken Dirks, Marion Harvey, Margaret Wilson, Judith Weinberg, Betty Stam, and Esther John.
My thoughts: Since this whole series is pretty similar, I’m just going to review the series all together. When I was in elementary school this was one of my favourite missionary series. I thought it was cool what all the girls were able to accomplish. I especially liked reading about the girls that were married to very famous preachers because often we don’t see both sides of the story.
Ten Girls Who Didn’t Give In was probably my favourite book in this series when I was in grade six. I distinctly remember doing a project for school on one martyred young woman, Margaret Wilson. I’m not sure what my teacher thought (for context, I go to public school, and as an 11-year-old, I was talking about a girl drowned for being a covenanter and not going to the “official” church). At that point, I wasn’t thinking of what my teacher would think, I just really admired Margaret’s courage and wanted to share it with everyone.
My only criticisms of these are that they’re kind of short (which is the point to make them easier for younger girls to read), and I know that the writing isn’t very good (though I mostly ignore it and still enjoy it the way I did when I was 8; they bring back so many good memories for me😊). Overall, I loved all these stories and the different women I got to learn about. I would definitely recommend this series to young girls.
My personal rating: 5/5 stars.
Link to blog: https://karinaschristianreads.wordpre...
May 14, 2025
If you are looking for a short, uplifting Christian book, this is for you! While this book does say it is for ages seven to twelve, I personally would recommend it to anyone.
While I was not previously familiar with the women in these stories, I was truly inspired by their testimonies. The stories are short, sweet, and motivating. As a Christian woman myself, I aspire to be more like these women who were so willing to do anything for their Savior.
My only caveat would be for younger readers. In this book, the author does describe how the women were tortured. It is not too descriptive, but I have a feeling not everyone would want their kids reading that.
My favorite part of this book was the page or two at the end of each story that gives you some facts from that time period and area, as well as a prayer.
Overall, this was a truly lovely book and helped me to learn more about the sacrifice that other people have to make in their faith, different time periods and cultures, and several more remarkable people in history!
While I was not previously familiar with the women in these stories, I was truly inspired by their testimonies. The stories are short, sweet, and motivating. As a Christian woman myself, I aspire to be more like these women who were so willing to do anything for their Savior.
My only caveat would be for younger readers. In this book, the author does describe how the women were tortured. It is not too descriptive, but I have a feeling not everyone would want their kids reading that.
My favorite part of this book was the page or two at the end of each story that gives you some facts from that time period and area, as well as a prayer.
Overall, this was a truly lovely book and helped me to learn more about the sacrifice that other people have to make in their faith, different time periods and cultures, and several more remarkable people in history!
August 11, 2024
This is a book of martyrs written for age 9+ to read to themselves. The format of each short chapter follows a pattern 1)a day in her childhood, 2)what happened later in life, 3)how she stood on faith. The moment of martyrdom is factual without being gruesome. Chapters are short enough to read one at bedtime. If one of the short chapters piqued the reader’s interest, more detailed biographies could be found for many of these figures introduced in the series; people like: Amy Carmichael, Gladys Aylward, George Washington Carver, Augustine. I’m not sure if this holds true throughout the rest of the series, but this one has been from a definitively Protestant perspective.
The print they use looks like comic sans - might be easier for beginning readers without those extra loops in the a’s and g’s.
I thought it was a good living book. The reader really gets a window into the daily life, and the inner life, and the cost of discipleship for all of these men and women. The follow up questions after the chapter help draw out the character of the individual and help the greaser make meaningful connections.
The print they use looks like comic sans - might be easier for beginning readers without those extra loops in the a’s and g’s.
I thought it was a good living book. The reader really gets a window into the daily life, and the inner life, and the cost of discipleship for all of these men and women. The follow up questions after the chapter help draw out the character of the individual and help the greaser make meaningful connections.
January 4, 2021
These stories are all very moving. I think of them often during the day. The children love hearing about all the different ladies and how they lived their lives although it is very hard reading when it comes to how some of them are treated and all of them are killed.
February 17, 2020
I read this with my 10 year old daughter. We were very challenged by the truth they had to know in order to take the stand they did. A great read! Chapters were short and digestible.
August 18, 2022
best book
December 6, 2024
An easy read for reading a loud for school. The discussion chapters after each story were great.
July 28, 2011
These girls where pretty much as brave as you can get!!
March 21, 2013
I've read the whole series and it is amazing how strong these women are. I'm quite a history nerd and I found these books fitted perfectly into my the history I knew.
September 20, 2014
IT WAS SO SAD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 17, 2025
This work is part of a great Lightkeepers series for children on Christian martyrs.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews