The Chicago Adventure

Sugar Creek Gang #5

by Paul Hutchens

The tales and travels of the Sugar Creek Gang have passed the test of time, delighting young readers for more than fifty years. Great mysteries with a message for kids, The Sugar Creek Gang series chronicles the faith-building adventures of a group of fun-loving, courageous Christian boys. Your kids will be thrilled, chilled, and inspired to grow as they follow the legendary escapades of Bill Collins, Dragonfly, and the rest of the gang as they struggle with the application of their Christian faith to the adventure of life.  In this book, the Sugar Creek Gang goes to Chicago in an adventure full of ups and downs. It starts with an airplane ride over a storm. It continues with museum visits, rescue mission ministry, performing on the radio at Moody Bible Institute, and an elevated train ride. A fight between Jim and Bob Till lands one of them in the hospital in critical condition. Join the Gang as they learn again that the only way to heaven is through Jesus.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Christian Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Christian, Faith

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1941

Reviews

[M.K. Laffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short little mystery for kids! I used to love these books and highly recommend them to any kid (even though I don’t find them as enchanting any more). Great Biblical principles too.

[Adam Jarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up. The storyline kind of meanders along as is typical with SCG books, but doesn’t actually get to the point until the last two or three chapters.

I read this to my kids, and while I understand the author’s intent of putting in a strong biblical emphasis, (and normalizing godly, Christian living- which I appreciated) I cringed slightly in some places at the somewhat judgmental way in which it came across. I say that gently, because I don’t believe the author at all was trying to be judgmental, or had any malicious intentions, but the book at times, did give off some holier-than-thou vibes.

Overall, easy, short read, relaxed, fun, predictable storyline, and will continue in the series.

[Layla Gatlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

We have been enjoying the sugar Creek gang books this far. The reason I rate this one lower is because we were blindsided by two things.
1. Old earth creation view. We are a young earth family. I'm used to having to correct secular sources on this but when a Christian source mentions millions of years it confuses my kids. I just wish I'd had a heads up that it would be mentioned just a touch over halfway through the audiobook. If you're reading the print copy and hold to young earth I'm sure it'll be easier to skip.
2. My kids are still young and although I understand some Christian families don't, we still have Santa at Christmas. This book unnecessarily, as in it didn't need to be there and didn't advance the story any, announced multiple times that Santa isn't real and that anyone who believes in him probably also believes milk grows on doorsteps because it's placed there by the milkman.

I understand some people believe it's ironic we don't do old earth but do Santa. I'm not here to debate that. I just wanted to give a heads up to any other families who do also.

That said, we love the story itself, as we have all of the others. I'm not mad, just think people should have all of the info going in so they can decide what's best for their family and how to handle it.

[Debra Hahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

From airplanes to Chigcargo, to songs on radio, to wild animals in the zoo.
There's lots of adventures for the Sugar Creek Boys, and one that really tested
all of them to their very core and faith. But you will have to pick up the "The Chicago Adventure " and read it to find out. A great story, one your kids won't
want to miss out on. You can buy one at a time or in book bundles like books 1- 6
The Sugar Creek Gang.
Debra H.

[Bertina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently picked this book up at a yard sale -I was born and raised in Chicago - and remembering reading this book after my brother was done with it - Faith and Adventure - A Classic for me

[Kari McDowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good one! A thinly veiled advertisement for Moody was in there, too.

[Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian Middle Grade Fiction
For boys (or girls ;)
I love how the boys are just the right blend of taking their faith seriously while also being wild and dumb 10 year olds. Very enjoyable!

[Mark Cheathem · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved this series when I was a kid. I had all but this one, so I never read it until my wife bought me a copy to complete my collection.

Honestly, it wasn't very good.