This imaginative and biblically faithful retelling of the story of Ruth helps children 8+ to engage with God’s word.The Bible story of Ruth is imaginatively brought to life in this biblically faithful chapter book that helps kids 8+ engage with God’s word. Readers will find themselves immersed in the hearts and minds of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz as they experience difficulty, uncertainty, danger, and rescue.
With an emphasis on God's relationship with his people, this retelling is careful to depict human relationships appropriately and in light of God’s love for his people. Kids will learn that God’s providence, provision, and kindness extend to all kinds of people, even to those who are outsiders.
Includes a Bible-reading plan and notes that differentiate the known facts from the imaginative parts.
Makes a wonderful gift for children 8+ years. A discussion guide is also included, making it ideal for book clubs and homeschool co-ops.
Written by Katy Morgan, author of faithful, imaginative bible The Promise and the Light and The Songs of a Warrior.
Katy Morgan is an Editor at The Good Book Company. She is a member of Chessington Evangelical Church in Surrey, UK, where she lives. She holds a master's degree in classical Greek literature, and previously worked in a ministry role as part of a school chaplaincy.
This imaginative retelling of the story of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz is biblically faithful and perfect for any age! I love what it revealed about the kindness of God toward outsiders.
“It was really interesting learning about what could have been Ruth’s background. I recommend it for all Christian little girls. I think somebody that is not a Christian might get confused with the story if she didn’t already know the story of Ruth. I loved the ending the best.”
Kindly gifted to me by Tom from the Good Book Company my during my recent UK trip. We were discussing the Ember and Wingfeather books and Tom said, “Well you should read ‘The Outsider’!” Unlike those other books, this one is not a Christian fantasy/allegory.
It’s a kid’s book and it does what it says on the cover. The story of Ruth is retold by Katy Morgan with sensitivity and tenderness - it’s very carefully semi-fictionalised and the appendix helpfully includes the author’s explanation of what is drawn more directly from the account in scripture and what is speculative. This immediately feels like parents are being welcomed into the reading and sharing of this book, which is brilliant.
As someone committed to the authority and divine authorship of the Bible, Morgan handles the scriptural nature of her source material with care. She clearly and purposefully - in the end - connects Ruth’s story to the gospel story. That restraint is refreshing, since she could have self-consciously shoehorned Jesus into Ruth’s story. As King David’s grandma, Ruth’s story helps us see the humanity and drama that weaves its way through the genealogy of our Saviour, Jesus.
The upshot is a really nice, readable and at times moving little book that retells the story of Ruth, is true to the facts, committed to the intent and, whilst written primarily for kids, is a nice read for adults who want to enter afresh - and with a pinch of imagination - into the wonderful story of God’s kindness to - and through - Ruth.
In a world of fart fiction and slapstick graphical stupidity, this is a thoughtful and refreshing book for kids that will draw them into the drama and timeless grace of Ruth’s story -and her significant part in God’s bigger story.
This was my third biblical retelling, and if I’m being completely transparent—sometimes I struggle with retellings, especially when reading with my children. I always want to be sure my girls can clearly understand what is Truth and what comes from the creative imagination of the author. That said, Katy Morgan did a wonderful job with this story!
We read it each night after dinner with a goal of two chapters, but almost every time, my girls would ask, “One more chapter?” And honestly, I felt the same. We were all so eager to see what would happen next.
Morgan truly brought this story to life in a way that made us feel like we were right there with young Ruth and Orpah in their village, traveling the road to Bethlehem with Naomi, gleaning in the fields, and watching Boaz step into his role as redeemer.
As much as I loved how immersive it was, what I loved even more were the gospel threads clearly woven throughout—the reminder of God’s care and faithfulness, the comfort of being protected under His wings, and the call to care for the widow and orphan.
I also really appreciated the author’s notes at the end and how she breaks down each chapter—pointing out what is drawn directly from Scripture and what elements are fictionalized.
🍎 WHO IS THIS FOR? Though recommended for ages 8+, I read it aloud to all my girls (my youngest is 5). If you’re reading it as a family, I’d suggest pre-reading, as some themes like idol worship and death may feel a bit heavy for younger listeners.
And with discussion questions included in the back, this would be a great pick for book clubs and homeschool co-ops.
📚 Content to consider: Mentions of idol worship and false gods, death, “less beautiful,” “good-for-nothing brother,” “cursing inwardly,” and “stupid” (3x).
Thank you, @thegoodbookcompanyusa, for my copy in exchange for an honest review!
If you are looking for a book for young girls, this one is a retelling of the Bible story of Ruth. The author uses her imagination at times and takes some liberties with the story while still staying faithful to the text and story. I appreciated the notes at the end of the book for each chapter you can flip and read the notes as you read the story. In the notes, she clarifies what is imaginative and what she has taken liberties with to fill in the blanks and some of the historical background as well. There are also discussion questions at the end of the book. This book makes the story more relatable for young readers and immersive. While I have mixed thoughts on adaptions such as these to the Bible stories, I was pleasantly surprised at how well this one was done and how faithfully it was executed. I enjoyed reading this one and look forward to reading this one together with my children when they are ready. I loved how at the end, the author points readers to the greater Boaz, Jesus.
My only note of concern would be one quote that was made at the end of the book that was very theologically unclear sounding.
"Jesus was born to save people. Not just to look after them in their old age, but to look after them forever. Not just to make them apart of His family, but to make them part of God's family."
While I think I know what she meant, it could sound like she is saying Jesus isn't God from the unclear wording. I would just clarify this quote with my children to make it more clear.
Beautiful imagining of the story of Ruth but still faithful to the Bible and so good at recounting Gods faithfulness through the Old Testament leading up to the events in Ruth. I read this aloud to my 6 year old daughter, Cora. She loves to read and devours books but rarely lets me read to her any more since she’s so proficient on her own. I bought several books, this one included, that was high up on a shelf and she couldn’t read it by herself, I had to read it with her. She begged for more every time I finished reading. When we were about 80% done with the book she went to bed one night and the next morning woke up and told me she had gone to her room and read the whole book of Ruth in her CSB Bible upstairs because she wanted to know how it ended 😂
I got this for my daughter, but pre-read it to make sure it would be age appropriate.
I cannot say enough good things about this book! It was delightful and riveting, and so hard to put down! Though I am familiar with the story of Ruth, I felt like I needed to see what would happen next! I have become a fan, and will also get the other books by the author.
I really enjoyed this book of Ruth. I don't imagine Ruth with quite as much edge, but I can see it appealing to many young women. I really appreciate that the author has notes pertaining to each chapter and clearly indicated what parts were based on the actual event described in the Bible and what were of her own invention for the sake of the re-telling. The cover art is absolutely beautiful!
Interestingly enough, Goodreads allows you to rate books you haven’t read, or in this case, aren’t yet published. I am confident, however, that 5 stars will be an accurate rating for another of Katy’s books.
This book was soooo gooood I loved it! And how it puts all the Bible’s emotions and gives more depth into what is happening in the story line I can’t wait to read the two other books by this author!!! ♥️
“Be kind.” “Raise kind humans.” “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” These are all popular slogans of today’s culture, but what does “kind” really mean? The godly standard of kindness is much deeper and multifaceted than the worlds.
The Outsider by Katy Morgan, beautifully retells the story of Ruth, displaying God’s kindness as all-encompassing of love, mercy, generosity, and forgiveness, which leads to faith and repentance. “Could a god be so kind as that?” Ruth speculates. Ruth is not use to gods who love and care for her. “What is a redeemer,” she wonders.
We have the privilege of knowing how Ruth’s story ends, but it is important to remember that she remained faithful even though she didn’t know the outcome. Ruth is a brief four chapters of the Bible, and it is fascinating to think about what else may have been happening during this time. Katy Morgan gives her creative spin on events, while always remaining faithful to the accounts in the Bible. If Morgan took creative licenses on anything, she has included it in her notes in the back of the book. Mainly, she added characters so we might understand how Ruth may have been treated as a Moabite in Bethlehem.
We see Ruth have doubt and anger after following Naomi to Bethlehem with little reward or kindness from her mother-in-law. The people show her disdain, and no one wants anything to do with the Moabite girl. We see her fear as she goes out looking for a field to glean in. Morgan gives us a highly plausible walk in Ruth shoes, which makes you look at the story with a new sense of awe. Ruth didn’t know Boaz would redeem her, and that she would be in the bloodline of Jesus, the worlds Redeemer. She didn’t know that she would be taken under God’s wings like a mother hen, but she trusted God, and God showed her kindness unlike anything she ever knew. God used Ruth, an outsider, to take care of His people.
This is Morgan’s third book in her Biblical fiction series geared towards ages 8-13. They are all fantastic! And while they may be for kids, I always learn something new too. After this one, I have a greater grasp on the customs and laws of the time; also, I never knew why Ruth uncovered Boaz’s feet (this sent me down a rabbit hole).
These stories help younger kids grasp harder concepts in the Bible, while making them comprehensible without watering them down. Kids will walk away with a new meaning of kindness, and an incredible example of what it looks like to trust in God and His plan.
*I was sent a copy of this book by The Good Book Company in exchange for my honest review.
This is the third book in Katy Morgan's biblical fiction series. It retells the story of Ruth for a middle-grade audience, and it is faithful to the Scriptural narrative while also including fictionalized elements. The imagined details fit with the story's historical and cultural context, and they build on the story's themes about loyalty, kindness, and God's hand at work in difficult circumstances.
The book of Ruth in the Bible is about four pages long, and this novel is 158 pages long. As a result, there's a lot of added detail! However, none of the fictionalized aspects change the substance of the story. They just flesh out the details of what Ruth and Naomi might have been thinking and feeling, add some other supporting characters to the story, and more fully dramatize things that Scripture summarized within a compressed timeline. At the end of the novel, there are detailed notes that specify what the the author got directly from the Bible, versus what she made up. She also includes some additional cultural and historical explanations here. There is also a discussion guide at the end, which is great for family use or for book clubs.
The Outsider is an engaging, well-written novel that builds upon a familiar story with additional details, and which offers deep reflections about God's love and kindness. This book will appeal to people who enjoy biblical fiction and TV shows like The Chosen, and even though the publisher is marketing this book for kids, it is a gripping story for all ages.
I received a free copy from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This is a wonderfully imaginative retelling of the biblical story of Ruth! Katy Morgan's engaging descriptions allow young readers to immerse themselves in the landscapes of the Bible, from the fields of Moab to the bustling streets of Bethlehem.
I loved how Katy gives readers a glimpse into Ruth's girlhood and imagines what it must have felt like when she decided to leave behind everything she had ever known to follow her mother-in-law Naomi and wholeheartedly embrace her new faith in God.
This retelling not only provides a fresh look at this well-known biblical account but also serves as a wonderful reminder that God's love and faithfulness encompass His people in times of change and uncertainty. The story highlights the themes of courage, loyalty, and the blessings that come from serving a kind and generous God.
Additionally, the inclusion of study notes at the end of the book provides a great resource for families and educators who would like to delve deeper into the lessons of Ruth. These notes can serve to foster meaningful discussions and encourage children to engage with this powerful story in a thoughtful way.
Overall, Morgan's retelling captures the essence of Ruth's journey with beauty and grace, ensuring that her story resonates with readers of all ages! 🌾📔✨
The Outsider by Katy Morgan is a re-telling of the Biblical book of Ruth for young people over the age of eight.
Ruth risks everything and goes with her mother-in-law Naomi after her husband and Naomi's husband have died in Ruth's country of Moab. They go back to Naomi's home country of Israel with the one true God. God takes care of Ruth and Naomi in ways that are unexpected to them through a kinsman-redeemer.
I thought The Outsider was well told. It was fast paced and it felt like I was right there in the Bible times with Ruth and Naomi. There is also a section of Notes from the Bible in the back as well as a book club discussion guide. This could be a good book to read as part of a home school curriculum. It could also be good in a Sunday school class or other church group to read in this age group.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own.
What a delightful retelling of the biblical account of Ruth! The characterizations of Boaz, Ruth, and Naomi are so well done, and it’s really one of the most faithful Bible retellings I’ve read! It would be such a lovely one to read to/with a kid. Ruth has been my favorite since I was a little girl, and I always read any books about her I can get my hands on (I even copied out her book of the Bible into one of my notebooks as a kid). I listened to the audiobook read by the author—she did a wonderful job narrating it & I love her book enough that I’m definitely buying a physical copy to add to my shelves! :)
Really enjoyed this one! It provided some great imagery for Ruth’s story. It did talk a lot at the beginning about the gods that the Moabites worshipped. Just a warning if younger kiddos are wanting to read it! The author provides notes in the back explaining what is true and what was made up which I always love! There’s also discussion questions included. A great read for a better understanding of the story of Ruth and how she was redeemed. It also ties in beautifully to how Jesus is our ultimate redeemer!
I thought this was a sweet retelling of a story from the Bible, because I feel there are some stories from the Bible that are not retold as often as others. There was some parts of Ruth's story that I was interested in on how this was going to go, especially when Ruth's approach Boaz in threshing room.
Verdict: I think this is a fresh retelling that is driven by one of the characters from the Bible. This also had plot that was driven by Ruth, which is contrast to two juvenile Bible-based fiction I read where a convenient plot device was used way too much, in my opinion.
This was a beautiful retelling of Ruth’s story and an awesome illustration of the gospel. It really pointed to the whole narrative of scripture. I felt like it was biblically consistent with the historical fiction details being aligned with culture and time period. It really drew us in and kept our attention. It was helpful for my children to think through experiences, emotions, and details to further understand just how incredible God’s work in Ruth is.
A sweet, redemptive journey, drenched in mercy with each step and what it means to belong. Told from biblical Ruth’s perspective, the narration is faithful to the source material and thoughtfully fills in the gaps with arresting drama and warm imagery.
A retelling of the book of Ruth, appropriate for children and rich with old testament history. Highly recommend for 3rd grade and up, and don’t miss the notes section in the back.
What an entertaining and interesting retelling of the story of Ruth for middle grades. It definitely gives readers an idea of what Ruth’s life and upbringing could have looked like in Moab.
I love that this author is writing these Bible story retellings with a middle grade audience in mind.
I will definitely checkout the other books in the Bible Retellings collection:
Other books in this collection includes: The Song a Warrior: David and Saul: a retelling The Promise and the Light: A Captivating Retelling of the Christmas Story