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Badger Hills Farm #1
The Secret Door
Timothy and Zoey's family has just inherited a unique 177-acre farm. When they learn about a secret door somewhere in their home, the adventures begin! As Christmas approaches, joy is in the air, and new experiences are around every turn. But through it all, they don't forget about their quest to find the secret door. This first book in the Badger Hills Farm series is packed with feel-good messages about family and faith within an exciting, action-packed storyline.
122 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2023
6 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Phillips
133 books80 followersLibrarian 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/)
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/)
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 13, 2024
My kids were really into the mystery of the door. They gave it 3 stars
May 11, 2025
Out of all the early primer readers for the older elementary school kids books from The Good and The Beautiful, my 9-year-old and I enjoyed Timothy of the 10th Floor the most. It provided some kind characters who grew and learned and were inspired to do good through their story. The Badger Hill Farms series takes place after that story with the same characters and a promise of mystery.
The story appears to be a bit longer and the vocabulary is more for the older elementary school reader age range. There's a little more focus on character growth here, but not as much as in the prequel. Here, the adventures take center stage in that the kids, in the company of an adult caretaker, are exploring their new property as the promise of the titled, secret door. The story isn't as strong here, with a lot more jumping around in the focus. Mapping the property, rescuing a dog, trying to find the secret room, not being scared of a new place, and figuring out the kids' place in a new, blended family occur through this story. By no means does this feel too squished into the pages; only the focus of the characters seems to be not what's expected of their age range. Zoey, for example, finally has a moment where she doesn't do something perfectly and winds up with consequence,s but it does seem to happen just out of the blue. Another weak point is on the secret door aspect. When the revelation of that happened, what both my daughter and I did was groan that it wasn't much of a revelation and only there to push us onto the second book. It was a bit disappointing not to have a revelation of something more than what was there (or not there).
Overall, we did enjoy the story, and we had fun trading off the chapter readings with some familiar and well-liked characters. We will be continuing the series and hope the next secret will offer up a more satisfying revelation arc. Final Grade - B+
The story appears to be a bit longer and the vocabulary is more for the older elementary school reader age range. There's a little more focus on character growth here, but not as much as in the prequel. Here, the adventures take center stage in that the kids, in the company of an adult caretaker, are exploring their new property as the promise of the titled, secret door. The story isn't as strong here, with a lot more jumping around in the focus. Mapping the property, rescuing a dog, trying to find the secret room, not being scared of a new place, and figuring out the kids' place in a new, blended family occur through this story. By no means does this feel too squished into the pages; only the focus of the characters seems to be not what's expected of their age range. Zoey, for example, finally has a moment where she doesn't do something perfectly and winds up with consequence,s but it does seem to happen just out of the blue. Another weak point is on the secret door aspect. When the revelation of that happened, what both my daughter and I did was groan that it wasn't much of a revelation and only there to push us onto the second book. It was a bit disappointing not to have a revelation of something more than what was there (or not there).
Overall, we did enjoy the story, and we had fun trading off the chapter readings with some familiar and well-liked characters. We will be continuing the series and hope the next secret will offer up a more satisfying revelation arc. Final Grade - B+
January 9, 2026
This was such a cute cosy read. Early chapter book, it's rated as being suitable for a 3rd grade reading level. I loved the prequel to this that's part of the curriculum (so did my daughter) and this was a nice (albeit not very eventful) follow on. I loved the inclusion of prayer and how Timothy thinks about it.
CONTENT:
Book is set in the lead up to Christmas so they get a tree, read a Christmas book and prep decorations.
There are references to Bible study and prayer. It stays very Muslim-friendly.
CONTENT:
Book is set in the lead up to Christmas so they get a tree, read a Christmas book and prep decorations.
There are references to Bible study and prayer. It stays very Muslim-friendly.
January 22, 2024
We met these characters in Timothy of the Tenth Floor and are pleased to continue their journey into Badger Hills Farm. Zoe, of course, is an encouragement to shy kids and Timothy has grown leaps and bounds since we met him. We look forward to their adventures on the farm. And, yes, a lot of adventures led to the finding of the secret door, so we expect more in the next book.
May 28, 2025
Ready for book two and see what is in the secret room! I read this aloud (though he could have read it
Personally) to my 11 year old, it kept his attention.
We enjoyed getting to know the characters, Timothy, Zoey, Nanna Bell! Loved the devotion to God and sweet prayers with Timothy and his working through fear of darkness.
Personally) to my 11 year old, it kept his attention.
We enjoyed getting to know the characters, Timothy, Zoey, Nanna Bell! Loved the devotion to God and sweet prayers with Timothy and his working through fear of darkness.
October 21, 2025
Read aloud for my 5 and 6 year old...they enjoyed it, and groaned when they discovered it was over. For me, something didn't click - the overall flow of the book maybe; there are better-written stories. The illustrations were also not my favorite. Good book overall, just will not have a permanent spot on our shelves.
August 28, 2024
Such a great short book that is an easy read for kids. Great characters with honorable attitudes & actions towards parents & others. My son enjoyed this book & their journey of finding the secret door! He’s already reading the next book!
November 27, 2024
I read this book as a read aloud to my children. It was beautifully written by an author who is becoming well known in our household. We are really enjoying this series as a family and would recommend it to other Christian homeschoolers.
March 4, 2025
I love that they kept hanging the whole entire book, and then they still kept us hanging when the book was over. That's why I have got to get the next book right away. I love that they all got closer and became a big family. I love that their homeschool sounded kind of like mine. 9 yo
January 1, 2024
My grandson asked me to read this series so I am, of course. What a good and Godly story for children. I am thankful for this author and ready to read the rest of the series.
May 9, 2024
I read this with my 10 year old. It's technically below his reading level, but I'd heard such great things about this series that we tried it anyway. I'm so glad we did. It's a wonderful series!
October 23, 2024
This is a cute book for kids! It's on an elementary school reading level and it's nice there's pictures in each of the chapters. My kids have really enjoyed reading this book together!
December 3, 2024
3rd grader loves it and is ready for the next book.
December 5, 2024
I love mystery stories. This is the best mystery story I ever heard. I'm on the 3rd book right now.
March 7, 2025
Cute follow-up to Timothy on the Tenth Floor.
Physical read. March '25
Physical read. March '25
July 22, 2025
A wholesome and inspiring book! My whole family loves the entire series!
August 14, 2025
😶 wow that's sure was one adventure.
October 13, 2025
Excellent children’s book. Well written, not dumbed down language, and it was fun to read a book about homeschoolers!
December 21, 2025
Not that I read a ton of early reader chapter books, but this felt forced and was a little boring. Some of the dialogue didn't seem like something a kid would say. Not a bad concept though.
March 25, 2024
How does Jenny Phillips do this good!? I’m doing her homeschool anyway!
January 8, 2026
This was a solid little read with a good story and biblical values. I enjoyed reading it and discussing it with my 8 y/o daughter. This is book 1 of 6 in the Badger Hills series, so while I was a bit disappointed that the story ended with them only finding the secret door, I can look forward to continuing the story with the remaining books. The text is large and easy to read and the chapters are of modest length and easily digestible with nice illustrations sprinkled throughout.
December 10, 2024
Embark on this thrilling tale filled with spooky sounds, overcoming fears, and most importantly finding a secret door! Timothy just moved into a new house with his Nana and cousin Zoey. His dad got remarried and is on his honeymoon. Follow along as Timothy gets adjusted to his new home and has adventures on the way.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews