The Hidden Jewel

Trailblazer Books (Chronological) #34

by Dave Jackson, Neta Jackson

Introducing Amy Carmichael From the moment he and his mother arrived from England, everything about India shouted adventure to fourteen-year-old John Knight. Crowds of people swarmed in the streets, temple elephants paraded about, monkeys scolded at passers-by—this was easily the most exciting place John had ever been. If only his father, a British government official sent to south India in 1909, will allow him to explore it. But John and his mother are not prepared for what they discover when they befriend an Irish missionary named Amy Carmichael. With a heart for justice, John is shocked to learn that a young Indian girl rescued by Carmichael is a "child bride" being legally forced by her wicked uncle to marry an elderly man! Is it possible that John’s father might be called upon to uphold this horrible law? What will happen if John does not act? Who will save Jewel? Will all the fears mirrored in Jewel’s eyes come to pass? An adventure story, ideal for readers 8-12 years of age.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Childrens, Christian Fiction, Juvenile, Middle Grade

138 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 13, 2011

About the author

Dave and Neta Jackson are a full-time husband/wife writing team who have authored and co-authored many books on marriage and family, the church, relationships, and other subjects. Their books for children include the TRAILBLAZER series and Hero Tales, volumes I,II, III, and IV. The Jacksons make their home in Evanston, Illinois.

Reviews

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have fond memories of my mom reading these books to us over lunch. And we’d beg her to keep going when lunch was over too, because we just had to know what happened! Well told, engaging, adventuresome and you learn about a famous Christian in history.

Ages: 7+

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[Rebekah Barkman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this to Judson; he actually really enjoyed it! I remember this series being really impactful to me as a child so I’m excited to introduce my children to them as well.

[hhhhhhhhh]

Good thing whitey shows up to protect Hindu girls from child marriage, thank God for the British, pip pip, let's Save the Pagans.

The most glaring error was the Indian couple who wear white at their wedding, the color for mourning.

Stereotypical portrayals, although the writing style isn't bad.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will start reading this chapter book early for CC1 wk7 our study on India..krb 10/14/15

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with my 9 year old as part of his missionary lit study on Amy Carmichael. We both enjoyed the book but agreed it should not be read as a sole focus on Amy Carmichael because the main storyline is a fictional storyline that runs adjacent to some factual portions of Amy's life. It was enjoyable for us as we've studied Amy but it would have felt confusing had this been our first introduction to her life.

[Catherine Gillespie · Rating 3 out of 5]

We will be learning about Amy Carmichael during the first couple of weeks of school (which starts August 3 for us!) so Hannah and I pre-read The Hidden Jewel, a biography of sorts that mixed some fiction in with real events from Carmichael’s life in India. I didn’t try to read this one aloud because we’ve had mixed results from this series, but I thought it was fine from a personal reading perspective. The pictures, as with all of the books in this series of missionary biographies, are terrible. But the content is accessible and engaging and it’s a good introduction to Carmichael’s work, putting her mission to help children in context of the prevailing customs in that part of India at the time. I do think these authors do a good job of pointing out the ways that the missionaries they profile loved the people and cultures they served–dressing, acting, and speaking like their adopted cultures–while challenging the negative and dark aspects of that culture (in this case, selling small children into temple prostitution–don’t worry, this is glossed in the book–treating girls like chattel, etc). I like how this approach reinforces to kids that Christianity is not a western religion, and that all cultures, including our own, have good points as well as areas that need to be redeemed.

{Find more great read-alouds and books for kids at A Spirited Mind}

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun series for the kids to read. They're short and provide some interesting information about some historical figures although it's a fictional story line. I think they're good read alouds if you're looking for something quick, interesting, and filled with situations to talk about faith and decision making. We'll continue with the series. I also like that each book in the series stands alone. No worries about having to read them in order.

[Heather Hartman]

I liked this biography, because it really focused on an event on Amy Carmichael's life and those that surrounded her. So it was not like reading the same stuff I had already read. It was an more of an in depth account of a certain period. I read it for a girls book club I am doing with my oldest and enjoyed the vivid picture it painted of India and her culture.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story but I wish it had more real people in it rather than the fictional story of the boy as the narrator.
I will be looking for more information on Amy Carmichael as well as sharing this book with my children.

[Joshua inoma · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to read to the girls. The children enjoyed learning about Amy Carmichael and the culture of India. This was a well written story, and we look forward to reading other Trailblazer books.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

An english boy helps Amy Carmichael rescue an indian girl named Jewel from being forced to become a child bride(a child forced to mary an adult).

[John Yelverton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent historical fiction book about Amy Carmichael and her missionary work.

[H.M.R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book I'm not sure if I should review cause I read it right after like my favorite series and compared it to the series. but I do like the book

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

See the first book in the series (Spy for the Night Riders) for a full review.

[Madison Long · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had to read these books for school as a kid. Recently found a box of them and flipped back through. These books are racist AF! There is literally a scene where the white British boy smears used coffee grounds on his skin to disguise himself as Indian. And the most laughable part is Indian characters actually believe he is Indian as well just because he smeared brown coffee on his face. The kid is basically in blackface and they act like it’s a passing resemblance?! WTF! This book is riddled with white savior complex. Obviously child marriage is deplorable and missionaries have done great work, but this book paints Hindu girls as helpless save for the kind white boy who saves them. And it depicts all Indian men as apathetic abusers. These books are disgusting and far better children’s books about missionaries exist. Burn anything written by Dave and Neta Jackson.

[Tina Roos · Rating 5 out of 5]

We started the home school year with a plan to read as many biographies/stories of Christian missionaries and martyrs as possible, and this was the first book the kids chose from our new stash. We all really enjoyed it. Each chapter was suspenseful, and it was a bummer when we had to stop reading to get on with the rest of our school day. Everyone wanted to keep reading. The story is technically part historical fiction, part biography of Amy Carmichael, but there is an epilogue of sorts at the end that is purely biographical about her life. We have several more of the books from Trailblazers, and I hope they’re all as good as this one.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 8yo (though she’s now a 9yo!) asked that I read this. It is an enjoyable read - it pulled me through on a day I had lots of reading time available - and I appreciate seeing this view of Amy Carmichael. That said, much like my daughter, it’s disappointing to read about some people who are real while others are fiction, so I’d rather read biographies over this half-truth. 3.5 stars, I think.

[Stephen Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something along the lines of an historical fiction or the novelization of events from Amy Carmichael’s missionary work in India.

Besides being introduced to a significant Christian missionary figure, your child, like the young protagonist, will be confronted with concepts of Child brides and the Indian caste system from the early 1900’s.

⚠️Parental Warning ⚠️
None

[Lisa Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent audiobook about Amy Carmichael’s life in India helping young girls and boys escaping temple prostitution. Appropriate for even young children! This is a delightfully done recording that is edge of your seat interesting for young and old alike. I highly recommend this audiobook!

[Grace Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Assigned to read this whole series in middle school, and I learned a lot. Great educational read!

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book! But best for older kids. Little kids don’t understand the plot.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so cool! It was a bit of a "hidden jewel" itself in that I did not expect to like it as much as I did when I picked it up

[Blythe Moseman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy and quick read for an adult. Excellent read aloud for those 7+

[Brooke Kinabrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up reading this story - it was one book that fanned the flame of my love for Amy Carmichael. It was sweet to share with my boys as a read out loud.

[Katrina Koehler · Rating 4 out of 5]

formational childhood read

[Jones Family · Rating 4 out of 5]

It made me want to go to India and do what Amy Carmichael was doing . It was great!

[Ashley Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an awesome book