The Chosen Path: Book Five in The Pearls of Wisdom Series: Stories Inspired by a Biblical Proverb

The Pearls of Wisdom Series #5

by Catherine Ann Russell, Candice Broersma (Illustrator)

When every path demands a choice, only the heart knows the way.

After unknowingly disrupting an ancient order, Princess Journee sets powerful forces into motion that now demand a final and severe reckoning. To restore what was broken, she must face her greatest test one that will determine not only her destiny, but the fate of the entire kingdom.

At a mysterious fork in the trail, Princess Journee is forced to choose between two paths. Once the choice is made, there is no turning back.

Stripped of comfort and separated from those she loves, Princess Journee enters the darkest night of her soul, only to discover that this is no longer a battle of strength or skill, but of surrender, forgiveness, and faith.

Across the land, good and evil, love and forgiveness, hope and despair, hang in the balance. Will Princess Journee endure the trial? Or will her choice mark the end of the Chokmahdon Kingdom?

The Chosen Path is the breathtaking finale of the multiple-award-winning Pearls of Wisdom Series. Perfect for upper middle grade readers ages 9–14, this Christian fantasy adventure will resonate with fans of The Chronicles of Narnia, Redwall, The Wingfeather Saga, and The Green Ember.

Inspired by the Biblical
“Lady Wisdom will be your close friend, and Brother Knowledge your pleasant companion. Good Sense will scout ahead for danger, Insight will keep an eye out for you.” -Proverbs 2:10-11 MSG

Percent proceeds from each book sale go to help support infants and children in need, through Catherine's Basketful Relief Project.

________________“Richly imaginative and beautifully tender, The Chosen Path is a powerful conclusion to a beloved series. It brims with adventure, heart, and deep spiritual truth, sweeping children into a world of courage and wonder. This finale captures the power of wisdom, the beauty of forgiveness, and the value of perseverance in a way young readers will carry with them for life.” ––Kim S. Kinney, award- winning author of The Glory Series
________________

Explore all of the books in The Pearls of Wisdom

Book The Pond of Reflection
Book The Hyrax Song
Book The Zoe-Chai
Book The Last Storyteller
Book The Chosen Path

144 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2026

About the author

Catherine Ann Russell (catherineannrussell.com) is a multiple-award-winning children’s book author and the founder of the Basketful Relief Project (BRP).

She has published four children’s picture books and a five-book children’s Christian fantasy adventure series—The Pearls of Wisdom Series: Stories Inspired by a Biblical Proverb.

Catherine founded the Basketful Relief Project in 2019 to help address infant and child famine crises. Percent proceeds from the sale of each book directly support reputable organizations established to distribute food and medicine to children experiencing war, food scarcity, or catastrophe displacement.

Catherine lives in Lyons, Colorado, with her husband, Ed, and several farm animals, including two burros named Nikki and Norman.

Reviews

[Kim Kinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Beautiful and Meaningful Finale to a Rich, Faith-Filled Journey

After reading the first four books in the series, I have been looking forward to the release of the finale. And it was every bit as wonderful and engaging as I hoped it would be.

Richly imaginative and beautifully tender, The Chosen Path is a powerful conclusion to a beloved series. It brims with adventure, heart, and deep spiritual truth, sweeping children into a world of courage and wonder. This finale captures the power of wisdom, the beauty of forgiveness, and the value of perseverance in a way young readers will carry with them for life.

The beloved heroine, Princess Journee, faces the greatest trial of her young life. It will require deep courage and unwavering determination to restore what was broken. And the stakes couldn’t be higher. The future of the kingdom hangs in the balance.

This story will have youngsters and adults alike turning the pages, not wanting to stop reading. Rooted in biblical truth and inspired by Proverbs, it is one of those rare books that doesn’t just tell a story, but gently shapes your character as you grow in courage, wisdom, and trust as you read.

This is a series you will keep to hand down to future generations. A beautiful conclusion to a truly special series. Highly recommend.

[Lincoln Loo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most novels try to keep you turning pages—this one made me stop and reflect on my own choices.

Catherine Anne Russell writes with quiet precision, exploring how a life is shaped—not by dramatic moments—but by the small, steady decisions we barely notice until much later.

There’s no excess here. No forced emotion. Just a clear, honest portrayal of what it means to choose, and to live with those choices.

I found myself recognizing parts of my own thinking in the characters—the slow weighing of direction, the tension between clarity and uncertainty.

The characters feel real because their struggles are real: purpose, responsibility, and the realization that the life you’re building is the result of what you keep saying yes—and no—to.

This isn’t a fast read, and it doesn’t try to be. But if you value depth over noise—if you want a story that reflects something true back to you—this book delivers.

The Chosen Path doesn’t just tell a story. It lingers quietly, and then it stays.
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[Eric F · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Chosen Path by Catherine Ann Russell, it’s more than just a fantasy story. Yeah, it’s about a mouse named Journeyman going on a mission with his friends, but it really feels like it’s about real life too. It kind of hit me because it reminded me of those moments when you choose something, thinking it’s the right path, and then later it gets hard and you start doubting everything. That feeling is all over this book.
I liked how simple it is, but still meaningful. The whole idea of choosing the path every day felt very real to me. Also, the friendships were a nice part of the story. It shows you can’t really do things alone, and sometimes you need people around you to keep going. And the world itself is easy to imagine, so it’s a pretty chill read overall.

[Heidi Ochis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written, heart-stirring journey!

"The Chosen Path" is one of those rare books that manages to be both a page-turner and a deeply reflective experience. Catherine Russell does a masterful job of creating characters that feel like real people—flawed, brave, and incredibly easy to root for.
I was particularly struck by how the book explores the themes of personal choice and resilience. The prose is elegant and the pacing is perfect, making it hard to put down. It’s an inspiring, emotional, and ultimately uplifting story that I’ll be recommending to all my friends. Truly a 5-star read!

[Steven Finkelstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the Pearls of Wisdom series. In this one, Princess Journee comes to a fork in the trail. She knows she can only choose to go one way, and when she does, it will ultimately determine the fate of the Chokmahdon Kingdom that she loves so much. Which path will she take?

This is the final installment in this series. It’s getting rave reviews, and rightly so. It’s young adult fiction that’s fanciful, full of unforgettable characters, and perfect for preteens. It is similar to the Redwall series and teaches about courage, resilience, and fortitude. It’s rooted in Biblical teachings and has many excellent lessons that young readers can apply to their daily lives.

[Charlie R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading this series to my kids, and finishing it together felt like the right kind of ending, a little bittersweet, mostly satisfying, and genuinely moving in a few places we didn't expect. Journee's story has always been about more than adventure. It's about what it costs to grow up, to forgive people who hurt you, and to find out who you are when the path you thought was clear suddenly isn't. This final book leans fully into that, and Russell doesn't rush it. What I liked most is that the ending respects both younger readers and the adults reading alongside them. It's warm and hopeful without being naive.

[Chico's Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for kids; it reminds me so much of the books I read when I was little. It is very whimsical and has an interesting story. Characters like Abisai and Toby are people you want in your corner. I would love to be Princess Journee. I love the illustrations in the book. I wish there were more of them. It would be a great addition to a school library or a present for a preteen, and having the full series would be great. I would still read it to younger kids with an explanation. It's such a great story with many valuable lessons, and it could help build character in kids.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a really loving and satisfying conclusion to Princess Journee's journey. By leading the way with love and faith, Cat's cast of characters encourage the reader to think introspectively about the choices we make in our own lives and how we can encourage and uplift others.

[Kelsey Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me in a joyful suspense with advice and adventures from our beloved characters from the other books. I loved every part from the beginning to the end. In the end I took away such biblical knowledge and reminders that I truly will hold onto.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good thoughtful book. My 10 year old twins really enjoyed this book