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Trailblazer Books (Chronological) #2
The Queen's Smuggler
Sarah Poyntz is the daughter of an English merchant who operates a shipping business from Antwerp, Belgium, in 1535. Her father is very interested in the ideas of William Tyndale, who has fled England as a condemned outlaw for refusing to stop his translation work of the English Bible. Tyndale believes that the Word of God should be read by the common people in their own language, a belief shared by the Poyntz family.
But when Tyndale is captured and imprisoned, Sarah becomes the only hope for saving his life. If she can successfully smuggle a copy of Tyndale's New Testament into the hands of the king's wife, Queen Anne, perhaps she can persuade him to save Tyndale's life.
If Sarah's desperate mission fails, her family is in peril of their lives.
Will she have the courage to go through with it? Can Tyndale's life be spared?
But when Tyndale is captured and imprisoned, Sarah becomes the only hope for saving his life. If she can successfully smuggle a copy of Tyndale's New Testament into the hands of the king's wife, Queen Anne, perhaps she can persuade him to save Tyndale's life.
If Sarah's desperate mission fails, her family is in peril of their lives.
Will she have the courage to go through with it? Can Tyndale's life be spared?
120 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1991
20 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Dave Jackson
233 books70 followersDave and Neta Jackson are a full-time husband/wife writing team who have authored and co-authored many books on marriage and family, the church, relationships, and other subjects. Their books for children include the TRAILBLAZER series and Hero Tales, volumes I,II, III, and IV. The Jacksons make their home in Evanston, Illinois.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 31, 2024
I have fond memories of my mom reading these books to us over lunch. And we’d beg her to keep going when lunch was over too, because we just had to know what happened! Well told, engaging, adventuresome and you learn about a famous Christian in history.
Ages: 7+
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So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! You’ll see my updates as I’m reading and know which books I’m liking and what I’m not finishing and why. You’ll also be able to utilize my library for looking up titles to see whether the book you’re thinking about reading next has any objectionable content or not. From swear words, to romance, to bad attitudes (in children’s books), I cover it all!
Ages: 7+
**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! You’ll see my updates as I’m reading and know which books I’m liking and what I’m not finishing and why. You’ll also be able to utilize my library for looking up titles to see whether the book you’re thinking about reading next has any objectionable content or not. From swear words, to romance, to bad attitudes (in children’s books), I cover it all!
November 7, 2023
These books were my jam as a kid...and no surprise that I turned out to be a church historian! I am impressed with the Jacksons' research efforts, and how they shape their stories to suit the facts, rather than the other way around. Of course, certain passages read as triumphalist Protestant, but I would not go so far as to call this one anti-Catholic either. I also realized this was probably my first fictional exposure to Anne Boleyn, and I was pleased to see her portrayed here as spunky and kind, not as the scheming shrew she is sometimes made out to be. Looking forward to revisiting some of the other books in this series down the line.
December 30, 2012
Great children's historical fiction book with a Christian message to boot.
July 13, 2018
An insightful story about William Tyndale’s translation of the Bible into the common man’s language of English.
May 28, 2023
I recently reunited via text message and e-mail with a friend from my youth. She was going through her childhood books and toys and was going to get rid of this book, not because she didn't like it, but because you love a book, you pass it on, right?! So she took a pic of it and texted me and me, the book lover, the big read, of course replied, "Okay! I'll see if I can get my hands on it." I was able to find a copy through our library's consortium. I read it and it was pretty good! I didn't think I would be able to get into it very much, so I kept not even starting to read it, for some reason, when I received it. Then it was getting to be due back at the library and I decided I should at least try. I'm glad I did. It was a super-quick read and I was able to pretty much immediately get into the story. It would be awful to read if you didn't already know about Christian persecution. Like if your kiddo hadn't been to church or learned about some really dreadfully terrible things that happen to Christians, it would be too much for a younger child. But it's not too much for a younger child who knows the Truth and knows God and can understand the sacrifice. My kids would've been fine reading it when they were little, but I would've definitely wanted to chat with them and maybe learn some more, but I think that's what the writers and publishers have in mind as well when they print books like this. It definitely adds a good bit at the end about actual events, because remember, this is like a juvenile historical fiction, and then you could branch out from there and read more in the series or other books, and definitely the Bible, as companions to this book or your next steps in your reading journey. It was a good reminder for me as a grownup Christian about how to obey God. He asks us to do simple things--and he does miraculous things with that obedience, in us and in others, and in the world. I really liked the climax of the book too, but it was so funny because that's actually a point when I had to stop reading, so I had to laugh, because of course~! And then the next day I was able to get back into it and finish it off and see what happened after all of that "Oh no!" and excitement. Thanks, Lauren! It was a good read.
March 8, 2024
We are studying the middle ages for history, so I knew when I found this book at a Thrift store that we would HAVE to read it!
It turned out to be appreciated by all three of my children, which is not easy to do since we span kindergarten-5th grade. But the story was action-packed enough to keep my boys hooked, and relational enough to intrigue my daughter. I'm amazed at how naturally the story fits into the factual aspects of Tyndale's life.
It turned out to be appreciated by all three of my children, which is not easy to do since we span kindergarten-5th grade. But the story was action-packed enough to keep my boys hooked, and relational enough to intrigue my daughter. I'm amazed at how naturally the story fits into the factual aspects of Tyndale's life.
May 28, 2018
A good young persons novel that serves as a testament to William Tyndale and his struggle and perseverance to gifting the people the English translation of the Bible. The story is based on a true story but is told in a format that allows a young person to become more involved in the story.
July 25, 2024
My girls loved it.
This was the story about William Tyndale's translation of the Bible into the common man's language of English. Other characters included Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn... Characters we studied about in the past.
This was the story about William Tyndale's translation of the Bible into the common man's language of English. Other characters included Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn... Characters we studied about in the past.
May 20, 2020
Assigned to read this whole series in middle school, and I learned a lot. Great educational read!
May 21, 2021
Trailblazer book for 8-12 year old's with connections to William Tyndale.
July 2, 2022
Kids enjoyed this.
December 12, 2022
A great way to learn about an amazing man and his determination to provide the Bible translated into english for the common folk.
February 9, 2023
We love the books in the Trailblazer Series! So good!
September 18, 2025
formational childhood read
October 31, 2025
Author(s): Dave & Neta Jackson
Recommended Age: 8-11
Date Published: 1991
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary:
Sarah Poytnz is the daughter of a shipping merchant in 16th century Belgium. When her friend, William Tyndale, is captured and imprisoned for translating the Bible into English, Sarah becomes the only chance of saving his life. If she can smuggle a copy of Tyndale’s translation into the hands of King Henry’s wife, Queen Anne, she may be able to convince the King to pardon Tyndale. But if she is discovered, all hope could be lost.
Notes from The Radical Reader:
Noble Characters:
After accidentally befriending Anne Boleyn years ago, Sarah receives a letter with the request that she come as one of the queen’s ladies-in-waiting. At first Sarah declines the offer, but when she realizes that she can smuggle a Bible with her into the castle and possibly into the hands of the King of England, she finds herself wrapped into an adventure more dangerous and threatening than anything she has known before.
Captivating Plots:
Anyone found teaching, reading, or translating the Scriptures into the common language is condemned as a heretic. But William Tyndale is determined to bring a Bible to the English people. And young Sarah Poytnz knows that she can smuggle a copy into the King of England’s hands, provided she isn’t caught.
Elaborate Worlds:
Set in England and Belgium during the reign of England’s King Henry VIII, The Queen’s Smuggler shows young readers the incredible, true story of William Tyndale’s translation of the Scriptures into English that was met with controversy and hatred, yet paved the way for the English vernacular Bible.
Noteworthy Elements:
Violence:
There are a few references to men and women who were burned at the stake for reading the Bible in English. At the end of the story, William Tyndale is strangled and burned at the stake, but the details are not overly graphic.
Profanity:
Queen Anne, when learning of Sarah’s secret mission, exclaims “By God’s heaven”.
No sexual tension.
https://theradicalreader.com/the-quee...
Recommended Age: 8-11
Date Published: 1991
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary:
Sarah Poytnz is the daughter of a shipping merchant in 16th century Belgium. When her friend, William Tyndale, is captured and imprisoned for translating the Bible into English, Sarah becomes the only chance of saving his life. If she can smuggle a copy of Tyndale’s translation into the hands of King Henry’s wife, Queen Anne, she may be able to convince the King to pardon Tyndale. But if she is discovered, all hope could be lost.
Notes from The Radical Reader:
Noble Characters:
After accidentally befriending Anne Boleyn years ago, Sarah receives a letter with the request that she come as one of the queen’s ladies-in-waiting. At first Sarah declines the offer, but when she realizes that she can smuggle a Bible with her into the castle and possibly into the hands of the King of England, she finds herself wrapped into an adventure more dangerous and threatening than anything she has known before.
Captivating Plots:
Anyone found teaching, reading, or translating the Scriptures into the common language is condemned as a heretic. But William Tyndale is determined to bring a Bible to the English people. And young Sarah Poytnz knows that she can smuggle a copy into the King of England’s hands, provided she isn’t caught.
Elaborate Worlds:
Set in England and Belgium during the reign of England’s King Henry VIII, The Queen’s Smuggler shows young readers the incredible, true story of William Tyndale’s translation of the Scriptures into English that was met with controversy and hatred, yet paved the way for the English vernacular Bible.
Noteworthy Elements:
Violence:
There are a few references to men and women who were burned at the stake for reading the Bible in English. At the end of the story, William Tyndale is strangled and burned at the stake, but the details are not overly graphic.
Profanity:
Queen Anne, when learning of Sarah’s secret mission, exclaims “By God’s heaven”.
No sexual tension.
https://theradicalreader.com/the-quee...
September 2, 2016
I found this story about William Tyndale to very good and interesting with all the facts about his life written in story form by the authors.
I enjoy reading this series and this is one my favorite one that I have read so far. I think that the authors did very well with making the story of Sarah and her family being able to help William Tyndale with his work of writing the New Testament in English really come to life for the readers.
I enjoy reading this series and this is one my favorite one that I have read so far. I think that the authors did very well with making the story of Sarah and her family being able to help William Tyndale with his work of writing the New Testament in English really come to life for the readers.
Want to read
May 31, 2012This is a great series to teach History especially people who don't like it, it helps to make a interesting story and include facts.
I am an exception since I LOVE history, its my favorite subject in school.
I am an exception since I LOVE history, its my favorite subject in school.
May 13, 2015
Historical fiction set in the time of Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and William Tyndale's translation of the Bible. A good read for upper elementary ages trying to learn more about the covert translation of the Bible and the life in those times.
March 15, 2016
William Tyndale is a translator for Bibles in 1535 England, this however is illegal, so he gets caught. Sarah Poyntz, the main character, has to save his life and work by smuggling a copy of the New Testament to the Queen and hopefully save his life.
January 16, 2009
Historical fiction around the time of William Tyndale.
June 20, 2012
I found this kind of boring to read. It didn't draw me into the story. It could have been better.
October 11, 2021
See the first chronological book in the series (Spy for the Night Rider) for a full review.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews