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The Cooper Kids Adventures #3
The Tombs of Anak
When Jay and Lila Cooper enter the cave-tombs of Anak with their archaeologist father, they hope to find a co-worker who has unaccountably disappeared. Instead, they stumble onto a frightening religion and new mysteries that soon put them all in incredible danger. The third book of the Cooper Kids Adventures.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
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1002 people want to read
About the author
Frank E. Peretti
85 books3,833 followersFROM HIS WEBSITE:
With more than 12 million novels in print, Frank Peretti is nothing short of a publishing phenomenon and has been called “America’s hottest Christian novelist.”
Peretti is a natural storyteller who, as a youngster in Seattle, regularly gathered the neighborhood children for animated storytelling sessions. After graduating from high school, he began playing banjo with a local bluegrass group. He and his wife were married in 1972, and Peretti soon moved from touring with a pop band to launching a modest Christian music ministry. Peretti later spent time studying English, screen writing and film at UCLA and then assisted his father in pastoring a small Assembly of God church. In 1983, he gave up his pastoring position and began taking construction jobs to make ends meet. While working at a local ski factory, he began writing This Present Darkness, the book that would catapult him into the public eye. After numerous rejections from publishers and a slow start in sales, word-of-mouth enthusiasm finally lifted This Present Darkness onto a tidal wave of interest in spiritual warfare. The book appeared on Bookstore Journal’s bestseller list every month for more than eight years. Peretti’s two spiritual warfare novels, This Present Darkness (1998) and Piercing the Darkness (1989), captivated readers, together selling more than 3.5 million copies. The Oath was awarded the 1996 Gold Medallion Award for best fiction.
For kids, Peretti wrote The Cooper Kids Adventure Series (Crossways and Tommy Nelson), which remains a best-selling series for children with sales exceeding 1 million copies. In August 2000, Peretti released the hilarious children’s audiocassette series titled Wild and Wacky Totally True Bible Stories, reprising his role as Mr. Henry, the offbeat substitute Sunday School teacher found in two Visual Bible for Kids videos.
Peretti released his first-ever non-fiction book, The Wounded Spirit in 2000, which quickly became a best-seller. The book addresses the pain of “wounded spirits” and was written as a result of painful childhood experiences.
Frank Peretti and his wife, Barbara Jean, live in the Western U.S. In spite of sudden fame and notoriety, Frank still lives a simple, well-rounded life that includes carpentry, banjo making, sculpturing, bicycling and hiking. He is also an avid pilot.
With more than 12 million novels in print, Frank Peretti is nothing short of a publishing phenomenon and has been called “America’s hottest Christian novelist.”
Peretti is a natural storyteller who, as a youngster in Seattle, regularly gathered the neighborhood children for animated storytelling sessions. After graduating from high school, he began playing banjo with a local bluegrass group. He and his wife were married in 1972, and Peretti soon moved from touring with a pop band to launching a modest Christian music ministry. Peretti later spent time studying English, screen writing and film at UCLA and then assisted his father in pastoring a small Assembly of God church. In 1983, he gave up his pastoring position and began taking construction jobs to make ends meet. While working at a local ski factory, he began writing This Present Darkness, the book that would catapult him into the public eye. After numerous rejections from publishers and a slow start in sales, word-of-mouth enthusiasm finally lifted This Present Darkness onto a tidal wave of interest in spiritual warfare. The book appeared on Bookstore Journal’s bestseller list every month for more than eight years. Peretti’s two spiritual warfare novels, This Present Darkness (1998) and Piercing the Darkness (1989), captivated readers, together selling more than 3.5 million copies. The Oath was awarded the 1996 Gold Medallion Award for best fiction.
For kids, Peretti wrote The Cooper Kids Adventure Series (Crossways and Tommy Nelson), which remains a best-selling series for children with sales exceeding 1 million copies. In August 2000, Peretti released the hilarious children’s audiocassette series titled Wild and Wacky Totally True Bible Stories, reprising his role as Mr. Henry, the offbeat substitute Sunday School teacher found in two Visual Bible for Kids videos.
Peretti released his first-ever non-fiction book, The Wounded Spirit in 2000, which quickly became a best-seller. The book addresses the pain of “wounded spirits” and was written as a result of painful childhood experiences.
Frank Peretti and his wife, Barbara Jean, live in the Western U.S. In spite of sudden fame and notoriety, Frank still lives a simple, well-rounded life that includes carpentry, banjo making, sculpturing, bicycling and hiking. He is also an avid pilot.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
January 2, 2022
Fun and exciting...but kind of edgy for a kids' book.
EDIT: While I agree with the sentence above, I wanted to go into more detail. Like a Saturday morning adventure serial, this book delivers action, thrills, and suspense. However, it's also rather scary at times. While Mr. Peretti is known for frightening fiction--This Present Darkness, anyone?--it seems a bit intense for a piece of literature aimed at younger readers. If you're prone to nightmares about what you read, this may not be the best choice...regardless of how old you are.
EDIT: While I agree with the sentence above, I wanted to go into more detail. Like a Saturday morning adventure serial, this book delivers action, thrills, and suspense. However, it's also rather scary at times. While Mr. Peretti is known for frightening fiction--This Present Darkness, anyone?--it seems a bit intense for a piece of literature aimed at younger readers. If you're prone to nightmares about what you read, this may not be the best choice...regardless of how old you are.
May 19, 2023
Reread in May 2023
The drama! The action! The cheese! Is it biblical? No. Is it a classic? No. Is it the most skilled writing worthy of awards? No. But I liked it when I was a kid, and I can still appreciate it now.
Take it for what it is: Respects the reader enough to offer background, setup, and payoff. Fascinating settings with hints of complex culture. The two-dimensional characters give off a shade of something deeper. Lots of good hype in the third act. Indiana Jones-light. Good, clean fun. Glad my reread didn't destroy the nostalgia I have for the series.
This one had slightly less action scenes and more dialogue, exploration, and strategy than the others. Just look at the cover art: the bump-it in Lila's hair... gotta love it.
On to book four: Trapped at the Bottom of the Sea.
The drama! The action! The cheese! Is it biblical? No. Is it a classic? No. Is it the most skilled writing worthy of awards? No. But I liked it when I was a kid, and I can still appreciate it now.
Take it for what it is: Respects the reader enough to offer background, setup, and payoff. Fascinating settings with hints of complex culture. The two-dimensional characters give off a shade of something deeper. Lots of good hype in the third act. Indiana Jones-light. Good, clean fun. Glad my reread didn't destroy the nostalgia I have for the series.
This one had slightly less action scenes and more dialogue, exploration, and strategy than the others. Just look at the cover art: the bump-it in Lila's hair... gotta love it.
On to book four: Trapped at the Bottom of the Sea.
November 17, 2019
Yet again another great adventure story the plot line was a good one.
July 2, 2023
My twelfth birthday was definitely one for the books (figuratively and literally!). I think I got five book series to read - and this was one of them!
The Cooper Kids series are the perfect thrillers for a twelve year old - or at least for me when I was twelve. I would find myself starting to get decently spooked and wanting to put the book down, but at the same time unable to tear myself away. Uh, it was agony for sure, but it was sure fun agony, if you know what I mean. (My second go around of reading these as an adult has me smirking at my young self - I scared easily I guess, ha!).
Peretti does a fabulous job of taking a couple of Bible passages, mixing them with some pretend legends/superstitions and wrapping them up in a tween’s Indiana Jones styled adventure story.
I highly recommend these! This particular title was a favorite in the series!
Ages: 10+
Cleanliness: there are mentions of superstitions, false gods, pagan rituals, witchcraft, and evil spirits. A lady is a sorceress and it’s know she practices witchcraft - you don’t see/hear her do any of it though. A leader claiming to be a god murders a couple of people - not detailed. Possible discussion point: does believing in Jesus save you from danger or bad things happening? Some incidents in the story could make a kid believe this is true; although Peretti does also mention that the mom of the main characters died in a tomb cave in.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
The Cooper Kids series are the perfect thrillers for a twelve year old - or at least for me when I was twelve. I would find myself starting to get decently spooked and wanting to put the book down, but at the same time unable to tear myself away. Uh, it was agony for sure, but it was sure fun agony, if you know what I mean. (My second go around of reading these as an adult has me smirking at my young self - I scared easily I guess, ha!).
Peretti does a fabulous job of taking a couple of Bible passages, mixing them with some pretend legends/superstitions and wrapping them up in a tween’s Indiana Jones styled adventure story.
I highly recommend these! This particular title was a favorite in the series!
Ages: 10+
Cleanliness: there are mentions of superstitions, false gods, pagan rituals, witchcraft, and evil spirits. A lady is a sorceress and it’s know she practices witchcraft - you don’t see/hear her do any of it though. A leader claiming to be a god murders a couple of people - not detailed. Possible discussion point: does believing in Jesus save you from danger or bad things happening? Some incidents in the story could make a kid believe this is true; although Peretti does also mention that the mom of the main characters died in a tomb cave in.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
November 19, 2015
I do really enjoy reading this fantasy series and how well Peretti uses Scripture to explain Salvation to the lost people they happen upon. Good book for teens.
April 9, 2018
The Coopers are exploring ancient Philistine ruins and encounter a modern day six-fingered giant. There are many instances of peril which could be frightening to younger readers. I listened to the audio book with my sons.
2018 A book for teens or young adults
2018 A book for teens or young adults
October 3, 2017
Still think #2 is the best. This one kind of just happened, I didn't really focus on as many main events. Quite pleased I'm not reading any more of these for a while, as they don't grab my attention. I don't consider them full books. Found it totally weird how and I'm totally over But I do like how the characters are described, and the family element to the whole thing.
October 12, 2014
I liked this one and it didn't scare me too bad, maybe because the demon-creatures in it seemed pretty bug-like and not too deeply dark and evil. Still, as an adult I have a little bit of w problem with the genre. Probably an unnecessary qualm, but the use of spiritual warfare and demons in fantastic fiction seems like it confused and unsettled me as a kid more than it should have. It seems too much a part of that branch of evangelicalism that focuses way too much on spiritual warfare and the presence of evil and not nearly enough on Christ, the Gospel, or the Christian life.
April 17, 2022
i wish i had books like this when i was younger
May 31, 2025
Mostly unbelievable and still scary.
November 10, 2022
Cooper Kids series by Frank Peretti
Recommend with some notes below.
I loved these as a kid! I don't remember how old I was when I read them, but the suggestion range on the cover is 10-14. Some of these are intense as kids books go so depending on the child some may ok earlier, but I think the stated range is probably accurate for most.
As an adult who just reread them, they aren't top tier literature. That's ok. They're still good reads & their aimed at kids. Not everything needs to be top tier.
One of my favorite things about the series is that it is solidly Christian. Not "oh we threw a prayer in over the meal so it's Christian" but scared: pray, thankful: pray, confused: pray for guidance, running for your life: pray as you run. But it's not hokey. It feels very real as a kid reading the books & is faith building!
The series is a mix of genres and this is where my age caution really comes from. If I had to categorize all of the books with one label is would be "Spiritual Thrillers (for kids)" though the adventure label definitely applies to all of them also. Breaking it out:
Book 1: Door in the Dragons Throat - spiritual thriller
Book 2: Escape from the Island of Aquarius - adventure/maybe a bit of science fiction ala Journey to the Center of the Earth
Book 3: Tombs of Anak - spiritual thriller
Book 4: Trapped at the Bottom of the Sea - adventure/"real life (unrealistic)" peril- this is the one book where you don't see the 3 Coopers getting along harmoniously & you see tensions and hurt feelings.
Book 5: Secret of the Desert Stone - adventure, definitely supernatural aspects but it's not a thriller
Book 6: Deadly Curse of Toco-Rey - thriller but not a spiritual thriller
Book 7: Legend of Annie Murphy - science fiction
Book 8: Flying Blind - adventure/realistic peril
As a kid the ones that stood out to me the most & were the scariest are books 1, 3, and 6. Book 7 was odd in a different way because of the time travel, but it wasn't scary. Book 8 was my least favorite as a kid - I almost (but not really) found it boring. That's just because they're not traveling anywhere this time. As an adult it's the only one of the books that brought tears to my eyes - it's much easier to create separation when you're looking at extremes and improbable situations like running for your life in an underground booby trapped tomb than something that feels more familiar like the possibility of an air plane crash.
If you're not familiar with Peretti please preread these books. They're pretty unique in Juevenile Fiction from my experience. If you are familiar with Peretti don't worry, he writes to kids just fine and while there are those spiritual thriller aspects theyre quite tame compared to his adult novels!
The Cooper Kids (age 13 & 14) are the only kids in the series, which I actually like & kids will too I think because they're given adult sized tasks and are responsible with them. The kids as well as thei father & various other adults pray & reference the Bible with regulararity.
The theme of the books is God is bigger, stronger, more powerful than any other religion or curse. He controls the earth. He convicts. He reveals. He works things for our good. Few kids books give that awe-some perspective in my opinion and I'm glad that these books tackle that.
Recommend with some notes below.
I loved these as a kid! I don't remember how old I was when I read them, but the suggestion range on the cover is 10-14. Some of these are intense as kids books go so depending on the child some may ok earlier, but I think the stated range is probably accurate for most.
As an adult who just reread them, they aren't top tier literature. That's ok. They're still good reads & their aimed at kids. Not everything needs to be top tier.
One of my favorite things about the series is that it is solidly Christian. Not "oh we threw a prayer in over the meal so it's Christian" but scared: pray, thankful: pray, confused: pray for guidance, running for your life: pray as you run. But it's not hokey. It feels very real as a kid reading the books & is faith building!
The series is a mix of genres and this is where my age caution really comes from. If I had to categorize all of the books with one label is would be "Spiritual Thrillers (for kids)" though the adventure label definitely applies to all of them also. Breaking it out:
Book 1: Door in the Dragons Throat - spiritual thriller
Book 2: Escape from the Island of Aquarius - adventure/maybe a bit of science fiction ala Journey to the Center of the Earth
Book 3: Tombs of Anak - spiritual thriller
Book 4: Trapped at the Bottom of the Sea - adventure/"real life (unrealistic)" peril- this is the one book where you don't see the 3 Coopers getting along harmoniously & you see tensions and hurt feelings.
Book 5: Secret of the Desert Stone - adventure, definitely supernatural aspects but it's not a thriller
Book 6: Deadly Curse of Toco-Rey - thriller but not a spiritual thriller
Book 7: Legend of Annie Murphy - science fiction
Book 8: Flying Blind - adventure/realistic peril
As a kid the ones that stood out to me the most & were the scariest are books 1, 3, and 6. Book 7 was odd in a different way because of the time travel, but it wasn't scary. Book 8 was my least favorite as a kid - I almost (but not really) found it boring. That's just because they're not traveling anywhere this time. As an adult it's the only one of the books that brought tears to my eyes - it's much easier to create separation when you're looking at extremes and improbable situations like running for your life in an underground booby trapped tomb than something that feels more familiar like the possibility of an air plane crash.
If you're not familiar with Peretti please preread these books. They're pretty unique in Juevenile Fiction from my experience. If you are familiar with Peretti don't worry, he writes to kids just fine and while there are those spiritual thriller aspects theyre quite tame compared to his adult novels!
The Cooper Kids (age 13 & 14) are the only kids in the series, which I actually like & kids will too I think because they're given adult sized tasks and are responsible with them. The kids as well as thei father & various other adults pray & reference the Bible with regulararity.
The theme of the books is God is bigger, stronger, more powerful than any other religion or curse. He controls the earth. He convicts. He reveals. He works things for our good. Few kids books give that awe-some perspective in my opinion and I'm glad that these books tackle that.
January 27, 2023
A fun read from the series and mysterious and creepy. Still nothing to really write home about. Again, I get that its for teens/young adults, but there are some banger YA books out there!
Anyway! Fun read, cool story, but for sure not going in the re-read pile, capiche?
Anyway! Fun read, cool story, but for sure not going in the re-read pile, capiche?
July 25, 2010
There will always be one God that is in my heart and that I will worship and praise...♥
October 26, 2018
I read several books from the Cooper Kids series as a kid. This one I recall the most. I still vividly remember being terrified while reading The Tombs of Anak! In a good way. I think. Let's just say I may have slept with the light on for several nights while reading it. I was completely sold on this action packed suspense ride. That's why I've given it 5 stars. I still remember how it felt reading it and that was a loooong time ago. A book that sticks with you that long is special and deserves all the stars!
Rereading it as an adult, I still think it's a pretty good book. I would probably give it 3.5-4 stars. The action starts almost immediately and hooks the reader. It doesn't spend any time getting to know the main characters but it's the third installment so your familiarity is assumed. However, apart from knowing the characters, the book is stand alone and requires no previous knowledge. I am pleased to say I was not scared this time around, but I could see why I was originally. Peretti writes great suspense!
I highly recommend this to later elementary and middle school kids who like a good page turner. It would make a great read aloud as well. In fact, several kids in my life are likely getting this and other books in the series as gifts in the near future. I want them to experience the fun I did!
Rereading it as an adult, I still think it's a pretty good book. I would probably give it 3.5-4 stars. The action starts almost immediately and hooks the reader. It doesn't spend any time getting to know the main characters but it's the third installment so your familiarity is assumed. However, apart from knowing the characters, the book is stand alone and requires no previous knowledge. I am pleased to say I was not scared this time around, but I could see why I was originally. Peretti writes great suspense!
I highly recommend this to later elementary and middle school kids who like a good page turner. It would make a great read aloud as well. In fact, several kids in my life are likely getting this and other books in the series as gifts in the near future. I want them to experience the fun I did!
May 4, 2017
Another fun filled, action packed adventure starring Dr. Jacob Cooper and his two kids Jay and Lila by Frank Peretti.
There is something eerie going on in the middle of the desert. A strange hole in the ground that seems to be eating up people and a song that sends shivers up your spine. And a treasure that everyone seems to want that only few are brave to battle whatever traps are guarding it.
But Jacob Cooper, his kids, and his team aren't you everyday run-of-the-mill archaeologist. They believe in something far greater than any curse...any ghost. Soon, they come face to face with Ha-Raphah, the god of the people who are known as the Fearful. But is he a god? Is he a ghost? The answers my surprise you.
I do think that unlike the other books in this series, this one wasn't that scary. Still enjoyable but more milder than the last couple.
I recommend this book for all ages.
There is something eerie going on in the middle of the desert. A strange hole in the ground that seems to be eating up people and a song that sends shivers up your spine. And a treasure that everyone seems to want that only few are brave to battle whatever traps are guarding it.
But Jacob Cooper, his kids, and his team aren't you everyday run-of-the-mill archaeologist. They believe in something far greater than any curse...any ghost. Soon, they come face to face with Ha-Raphah, the god of the people who are known as the Fearful. But is he a god? Is he a ghost? The answers my surprise you.
I do think that unlike the other books in this series, this one wasn't that scary. Still enjoyable but more milder than the last couple.
I recommend this book for all ages.
May 23, 2024
4.5/5 Stars
The Coopers are exploring an ancient temple of Dagon, seeking knowledge while employed by those seeking treasure, when a recently undiscovered tomb opens up beneath. Suddenly, they find themselves tangled in an ancient battle for power with a hungry ghost, Anak, who demands ritual sacrifice. There is something evil beneath the sand and now the Coopers must fight to keep off its sacrificial dinner plate.
I remember this being one of my favorites in the series when I was a kid and so far, it still lands there. I enjoyed the hunt, the game of mind vs. brawn, and the desperate game of hide and seek down in the tombs. It is still exciting even though I know how it ends.
I recommend this one especially for fans of the Indiana Jones 80s era movies, it brings that excitement of treasure hunt and something evil lurking and makes it easily accessible for younger ages too. It was a fun and quick read, perfect for those light moments.
The Coopers are exploring an ancient temple of Dagon, seeking knowledge while employed by those seeking treasure, when a recently undiscovered tomb opens up beneath. Suddenly, they find themselves tangled in an ancient battle for power with a hungry ghost, Anak, who demands ritual sacrifice. There is something evil beneath the sand and now the Coopers must fight to keep off its sacrificial dinner plate.
I remember this being one of my favorites in the series when I was a kid and so far, it still lands there. I enjoyed the hunt, the game of mind vs. brawn, and the desperate game of hide and seek down in the tombs. It is still exciting even though I know how it ends.
I recommend this one especially for fans of the Indiana Jones 80s era movies, it brings that excitement of treasure hunt and something evil lurking and makes it easily accessible for younger ages too. It was a fun and quick read, perfect for those light moments.
June 16, 2018
When Jerry Freidman, an assistant to the Coopers, disappears down a mysterious hole, the Coopers go on a daring adventure in order to find him. The Coopers are attacked, captured, almost eaten alive, and one person of their team is killed. Will Anak Ha-Raphah have his way, or will he be defeated because of his greed? Will Dr. Cooper be able to decipher the riddles Mara the Sorceress gives him, or will his children die? Who is Talmai Ben Arba? Is he really who he says he is, or is he their worse enemy?
May 8, 2022
3.5 stars. Book three of the series is my favorite so far. Teens, Jay and Lila Cooper follow their archeologist father into the caves of Anak to search for adventure and truth. They find dangerous superstition and deadly legends. It was a bit intense for young readers, but for the middle-grade novel, it was pretty interesting.
The books are short so I will most likely continue to read this series by Peretti. I do enjoy his adult fiction even more than this series, but I enjoy the spiritual dimension of these young reads.
The books are short so I will most likely continue to read this series by Peretti. I do enjoy his adult fiction even more than this series, but I enjoy the spiritual dimension of these young reads.
May 26, 2025
Came back for the nostalgia, stayed for the Philistine archaeology theme.
As many have mentioned, for some reason this story doesn't feel as "fleshed out" as some of the other Cooper Kids books-- the Deadly Curse of the Toko Rey, Escape From the Isle of Aquarius, and the Legend of Annie Murphy being some of my favorites as a kid. But, the flavor of this book is so fun, especially in the wake of renewed interest in ancient, potentially giant civilizations, that you just can't help but get sucked in again.
As many have mentioned, for some reason this story doesn't feel as "fleshed out" as some of the other Cooper Kids books-- the Deadly Curse of the Toko Rey, Escape From the Isle of Aquarius, and the Legend of Annie Murphy being some of my favorites as a kid. But, the flavor of this book is so fun, especially in the wake of renewed interest in ancient, potentially giant civilizations, that you just can't help but get sucked in again.
May 27, 2019
Not so much preaching about God in this, it was a nod to Peretti's adult works but for children. As a child, this would most certainly be a on-the-edge-of-your-seat book, with enough twists and narrow tunnels and running for you life to enthrall any child under the age of 11.
October 26, 2024
Still pretty decent for a kids book about a knock-off Christian Indians Jones. I loved this series when I was a kid, and I’m really glad this reread didn’t ruin that nostalgia. Maybe I’ll reread the series just for fun :)
December 6, 2024
It has been probably 25 years since I’ve picked this book up and it is the book I remember the most from the series. This is the masterpiece of the series. The intrigue of giants and an adventure that deals with all kinds of mystery. It is a wonderful book to read. A page turner for sure.
June 7, 2017
Full of excitement with adventure and the hope of prayer.
June 29, 2017
Just as good as I remember. Would love to see this series turned into a film series.
July 31, 2017
These ending revelations always make me cry! Great read for any age.
November 8, 2017
this book is a Christian suspense and gets fairly intense
January 18, 2018
This is the best of the Cooper Kids series.
March 5, 2018
This is a fantastic story! I loved it. The hole history about the Anakim was great!
It was godly book! I think that the 2 book was better then this one!
It was godly book! I think that the 2 book was better then this one!
March 26, 2018
I absolutely loved this book!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews