Boone: The Ordinary

Books of the Gardener #1

by Lauren H. Brandenburg

Boone Tackett is okay with ordinary. He has eaten at the same restaurant, had the same friends and attended the same church for as long as he could remember. When a most out of the ordinary daydream takes him into the reality of a small town legend, he is faced with a quest for truth that forces him to question the life he has always known. With his childhood friends Case and Wayne, along with the new girl Noel Peterson, Boone finds himself using hidden symbols to unearth a secret from long ago. They must use the clues disguised in the symbols to lead them on an epic journey of adventure to a forgotten world that will set Boone face to face with an enemy and a decision that could change his ordinary life forever. Ages 8+

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Christian Fiction, Christian

197 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Lauren H. Brandenburg is a mentor, speaker, and author who happily blurs the lines between traditional genres in both middle-grade and cozy women's fiction. Her fourth book in The Books of the Gardener series, Orlo: The Created, was a finalist for the Selah Award middle-grade novel of the year. The Death of Mungo Blackwell, a humorous family fiction (Lion Hudson publishing) was longlisted for the People's Book Prize in the United Kingdom and won the ACFW award for contemporary fiction. Lauren is a former junior high and high school English teacher who stepped away from her profession to raise and homeschool her two children. She currently lives with her husband, Jamie, and their children in a lovely little town just south of Nashville, Tennessee where they eat and laugh a lot. www.LaurenHBrandenburg.com

Reviews

[D.T. Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting portrayal of the church and how important it is for everyone to do what God has called them to. There were a couple things I didn't personally agree with, but overall, it was an intriguing start to this middle grade Contemporary fantasy series.

I'd love to see this get a line edit and proofread as there are several typos and the prose could be stronger.

[Lesley · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is the first in a series of Christian science fiction for kids with a target audience of maybe 4th-8th graders. It had an appealing premise (and cover), but sadly, it didn't deliver. The storytelling has pacing and consistency problems, and the allegory is just too heavy handed. I was bothered by the works righteousness bent of the theology in this book, especially given the impressionable nature of the target age group. It also had numerous spelling errors. I can forgive some in self-published ebooks, but this felt unedited.

[Trent Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome story! This book was written by a childhood friends wife. I related to this story really well since the church we attended as children was a small one like in the book and constantly referenced the differance in big "Ohio" churches I attended later in life. All this plus a great "mystic Christianity" story written at a simple young reader level made this an easy to recommend book!

[Bill Tillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boone is a tale which takes a different path to illumination. Boone Tackett, Noel Peterson, Wayne Adams, Jeff, Case and Reed the Sunday school teacher are just some of the characters you will meet. Mishpacah is a mysterious land that is legend in the Great Crossing Baptist Church in rural Kentucky. Follow Boone and his friends on a wild adventure.

[Jamie Brandenburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

[Tracy Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband's cousin wrote this book. It's really good!

[Lindsay Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

This inspired book is truly for anyone from age 12-120 who has a desire to engage adventure and soak up discovery. Lauren H. Brandenburg divinely captures the essence of a group of young friends as they learn about themselves, each other, and what God can hide in plain sight. While the book does contain a handful of technical hiccups, it is nothing less than a powerful depiction of God's Kingdom. All aspects of Boone's world point toward a dynamic, biblically-based, saga of Promise.

[Tracy Wainwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected

Boone is a book that draws you in to the life of an ordinary teen boy. That He starts an adventure is to be expected, but where that adventure leads him and his friends is not.

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! Great reed!

[Lynda Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable reading!

I would definitely recommend this book for all ages, although it is geared more to youth. I really liked Boone and all of his friends. What a marvelous adventure!

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story about learning how to follow God and hear His voice and turning away from yourself and doing what God wants you to do.

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different than what I normally read

I try to read different types of writing in order to not get into a reading rut, as well as learn of different authors

[Bill Hofacre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for kids and families. The author does a good job of making God come alive for everyone.