Timothy of the 10th Floor

Badger Hills Farm #0.5

by Jenny Phillips, Kessler Garrity (Illustrator)

Eleven-year-old Timothy Todd lives happily with his dad on the tenth floor of the Bedford Apartments building—that is, until Timothy’s cousin, Zoey, and her grandmother, Nanna Bell, come to live with them. Timothy isn’t thrilled about giving up his room or sharing his life with people he barely remembers, but he soon learns how much this homeschooled girl and her loving grandmother will change his life. This read-together book is filled with mystery, fun, and powerful messages.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens

161 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2023

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

As a Christian songwriter and music producer, Jenny Phillips has released over 27 albums and has shared her love of music across the world, speaking at over 1,100 events in 23 countries and selling over a million CDs. In order to reduce the stress and time commitments that naturally come with a music label, and so she could focus more on her young family, Jenny left her music label in 2011. She now offers her music for free on www.hislightmusic.com.

When Jenny's children began going to school, she turned toward another one of her passions—education. Jenny began homeschooling in an effort to provide a faith-based, high-academic education focused on building noble character. Not wholly satisfied with any curriculum she could find and deeply concerned about the loss of good literature in our world, she founded The Good and the Beautiful.

Jenny lives in Utah with her husband and five children. In addition to music, motherhood, and good literature, Jenny loves family history, gardening, traveling, and exercising. She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but she enjoys working with people of many faiths as she shares her multi-denominational curriculum, rejoicing in the common good that all Christians share.

(from https://www.goodandbeautiful.com/about/)

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a lot of issues with this book, and so did my daughter, so I was glad we read it together. What's interesting is that the positives of this book were handled in a way that I thought didn't do the messages justice.
First, two relatives (who Timothy doesn't remember well) move in. Having gone through something similar before, this is a REALLY difficult situation that his father does not help him through and even allows the relatives to take charge of the household. The father asks the cousin to THROW AWAY Timothy's books and take over his schooling. I obviously love homeschooling, but the careless attitude the dad has towards his son was really upsetting. My daughter was upset, too. "If his books were bad, the dad should have had a private conversation with Timothy. Timothy should've been a part of those decisions and gone through his own books." Timothy voiced concerns about homeschooling (concerns most parents and kids have before taking the leap), but Timothy's dad, again, doesn't really ease those concerns or provide solutions. Fortunately, this is fiction and not a real-life scenario, but if a non-homeschooler were reading this book it might feed into common misconceptions. Timothy should have been reassured by someone that there are CoOps and social groups galore so he can make better friends and not feel pressured into a bad group.
I think this book also feeds into the Little Orphan Annie stereotype that I find extremely harmful to families going through the trials of blending new people into a home environment. Kids need tools to get through these hard times, and the best tools for understanding and getting through a tough situation come from books.
So while I appreciate that the underlying messages were to choose your friends carefully and to choose good media, I don't think it was handled very well.

[Rowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was actully more satisfying than it looks. it was thrilling. it reminds me of my family becasue they did an activity like we once did like wanting to buy big land and do thrilling things.

[All Shades of Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet book! Me and Q enjoyed reading it together.❤️

[Britta Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read with my son for homeschool, it’s a great story :)

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We used this book as a read a loud for school and loved it! ♥️

[Heather Tinnerello · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed the story of Timothy and Zoey. However, I have issue with several scenes in the book. Some of the situations, like when Zoey and Nana Bell come to life with Timothy and John, it’s like they’re just dropped into Timothy’s life without warning. John tells him they’re coming and he has to move to the couch and give up his room. Nothing is discussed, Timothy is just expected to follow orders. His feelings are dismissed. However, Zoey does stand up for him and takes the couch. I also have issue with Timothy being the one to buy Lily an engagement ring. I feel the adults in this story are not really responsible. The kids solve all the problems and support the adults emotionally. But like I said, I liked the overall story. I just feel it needs some improvements.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very humbled by this book. I was reminded not to judge a book by its cover. When we first started it, I rolled my eyes and groaned inwardly that while this book would teach uplifting values, that maybe it would be cheesy and unrealistic. I assumed this would be a typical reader - basic plot and one dimensional characters. I don't know why I doubted Jenny Phillips - considering I LOVE her homeschool curriculum and this book was part of it. I was full on ugly crying by the end. Sophie loves it as well and has enjoyed reading the other books in the series.

[Logan Thorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story, it should be a movie!

[Patrick S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Co-read with my 8-year-old daughter, this book offers a mix of challenging words for an improving reader and switches about every two times a chapter between parent and child on sections to read. That has to be a unique thread to try and weave for an author and Phillips does well enough to provide a good little mystery, emotion, and character development. While Timothy is the title character and covers some internal dialogue of his and not anyone else's, his cousin, Zoey, is an equal star to the story as well. While her character doesn't have the same arc Timothy does, she's a good character that leads him on his journey. There are some sweet moments and even some very well-done sad moments that add to the fact that this story about Christian homeschoolers who are maybe a little too good doesn't have to always have a story where everything always works out in the way you think it will. The moral of the story, not that there is only one, but that small actions can make big impacts is a great lesson for young readers to learn. My one big negative with the story is the reveal of a mysterious character who is not once alluded to or mentioned in passing before the reveal. It is a let down because it is so built up in the book as an added mystery to the other ones mentioned. Other than that, this is a sweet story with good morals and some good emotional depth to show young readers that stories can move and motivate. Final Grade - B+

[Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Timothy on the 10th Floor
Author: Jenny Phillips
Main Characters: Timothy, Zoey, Nanna Bell, Uncle John, Ms. Sanchez, Lily, Mr. Roach

This book was about two home schooled cousins named Timothy and Zoey. They were looking for the chest that Zoey's mom left for her because they wanted to buy a farm. I feel like this book made me happy. I think this was a good book. I believe that people can learn a lot from this book.

This book made me happy because they found the treasure chest that Zoey's mom gave her and Zoey stood up to the bullies to help Diego. I think these reasons made me happy. Mr. Roach was a grumpy old man but he became friends with Timothy and when he passed away he gave Timothy Badger Hills Farm.

I think that this book will be a good book for people to read!

Written By: Marcus Long Jr a 3rd Grader

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book about a boy named Timothy and his cousin Zoey. Zoey and their Nana Bell come to live with Timothy and his dad, John. Her mom died and now they need to leave the rural area to live in the city with Timothy and his dad. Nana Bell homeschools them both and they do a lot of creative things, but they also meet a man named Mr Roach who owns Badger Hills Farms. They befriend the old man and its very sweet. Otherwise, there is a mysterious woman they keep interacting with and also a mysterious chest that Zoey's mom left. The mysterious woman storyline was dull and unsatisfying, but the rest was great. Zoey's mom left her a bunch of thank you cards and taught her the lesson of gratitude. Sweet moral.

[Jessica Tingle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son and I read this together as part of our homeschool curriculum. I’ll admit in the beginning I was worried it would be a little cheesy and predictable, but I was pleasantly surprised! It was a sweet story and we looked forward to reading it each day. My son was a little disappointed that Timothy didn’t end up with the puppy he originally wanted even though he did get Sammy in the end, but I was happy to see a little dose of reality in that things don’t always work out perfectly. We are excited to read the rest of the series!

[Avigail Yess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I randomly picked up this book that my younger brother had been reading. I thought it would be a very simple story and not too entertaining, but I was in for quite the surprise! It turned out to be a super sweet and inspiring story! It was very well written and I loved all of the characters and how they all fit together in the story so well.

Morel of the story: Don't judge a book by it's cover!

P.S. Imagine what good 1,000 thank-you cards could do to your community!

[Tami Hungerford · Rating 5 out of 5]

We just love this book so much! Third time now and it’s still so cute! It was in Liam’s 3rd grade G&B curriculum AND he was gifted the entire set that follows from my future daughter in law (hahah wishful prayers on that one🤣)
And yes I cried and choked up several times.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

170 pages of optimism in the midst of hardship, love in the midst of hatred, and a very positive depiction of homeschooling. Deep and hard topics at times, but a very happy ending! I loved that the phonics exercises were right at the beginning of each chapter instead of needing another file. Colorful pictures and great font and spacing for the student reader who has increasingly more responsibility to read, verses the parent portions.

[Kim♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this with my 10 year old, and we were both surprised by how much we loved it! The book is geared towards homeschoolers, but we found that refreshing. This is the prequel to the Bader Hills Farm series.

[Cat Denmark · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son gives it 5 stars. It has rich words and good values. It’s not too predictable. I think he enjoyed that we read it together (student sections and parent sections). He wants to continue the story and get the next book in the series.

[Katie Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this with my son, and we looked forward to reading it every day. It was such a sweet story. I can't wait to order the Badger Hill Farms series and read about Zoey and Timothy's next adventures.

[Tiffany C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very wholesome, age appropriate, kind, respectful book. Great storyline that has many moving parts, and everything works out so well in the end.

My five year old said, "If I could give it ten thousand stars, I would." :)

[Danielle Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caden and I read this together, one chapter at a time, as part of his language arts curriculum. It was really great and we got so excited at the end to find out what was going to happen.

Entertainment value: 5
Moral value: 5
Educational value: 4
Literary value: 4

[Anna Furey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a quality book to read with your children, you’ve found it here.

A story of building confidence, character, and joy. A story of overcoming disappointment and difficult circumstances. A story of love and life, as well as sorrow and death.

Pick it up, it’s a worthy read.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the characters. All of them.

[Amber Kneece · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids loved this book so much!

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end made us cry.

[Jenna Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good book, fun to read and not predictable. - my 8 yo son. :)

[Rachel Drake · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story that accompanies the LA curriculum we are using for my daughter. Teaches good morals and gratitude.

[Nicole Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story that taught my daughter some great life lessons.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. T and I enjoyed this story we read for his language arts curriculum.

[Sarah Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caroline and I read for this for her school and it was delightful. She's excited to read the rest of the books in the series now.