What do you think?
Rate this book
The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls #4
Journey to Jericho
The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls series follows siblings Peter and Mary and their dog, Hank, as they discover ancient scrolls that transport them back to key moments in biblical history. In this fourth adventure, the time-traveling trio journeys to an ancient desert and finds the Israelites preparing to enter the Promised Land. With limited time to solve the secret of the scroll, Peter and Mary join Israelite spies on a reconnaissance mission to Jericho; sneak Rahab to safety; and ultimately face the scheming man in black as the walls of the city begin to crumble. Fans of the series will love this whirlwind adventure that brings the Bible to life.
128 pages, Paperback
Published August 7, 2018
28 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Thomas
16 books26 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Mike Thomas grew up in Florida playing sports and riding his bike to the library and an arcade named the Cosmic Cowboy. He graduated from Liberty University, earning a bachelor's degree in Bible Studies. When his son Peter was nine years old, Mike went searching for books that would teach Peter about the Bible in a fun, imaginative way. Finding none, he decided to write his own series. Mike Thomas lives in Tennessee with his wife, Lori; two sons, Payton and Peter; and their dog, Hank.
Mike Thomas grew up in Florida playing sports and riding his bike to the library and an arcade named the Cosmic Cowboy. He graduated from Liberty University, earning a bachelor's degree in Bible Studies. When his son Peter was nine years old, Mike went searching for books that would teach Peter about the Bible in a fun, imaginative way. Finding none, he decided to write his own series. Mike Thomas lives in Tennessee with his wife, Lori; two sons, Payton and Peter; and their dog, Hank.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 2, 2018
Super cute! Can't wait for more.
August 30, 2018
Summer of 2017 saw the launch of the children's series "The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls" which is Biblically based and highly readable for kids ages 6 to 9. Now Book #4 in the series "Journey to Jericho" is out and ready for great reading fun.
Written in a type of escapism the stories still capture the essence of the Biblical time and place and the actual persons and activities of the story being told. In "Jericho" we venture forth with siblings Peter and Mary in a bit of "time travel."
First of all, this is a far-fetched and fun story that places a modern pair of kids smack into a Biblical event thousands of years ago. They don't enter this realm as kids of that time and place; no, they enter as spies that help Joshua (remember the Ram's horn was blown 7 times before the walls of Jericho fell). They converse with Joshua. They have the help of the Angel Michael. They fight an evil man in black identified as Satan.
So you may have to help you child understand that while the Bible event did happen and did happen very much as it is written into this story, there was no Peter or Mary (or cute Hank, their dog) present to help matters along.
They are hidden by Rahab when she hides the spies from Jericho men coming to look for spies. Of course, Rahab really did hide the spies, this book just includes Peter and Mary in the adventure.
The reading is good and very age appropriate. It is an adventure with really eye catching illustrations sprinkled throughout. A cute book. I would advise parents, though, to be sure they help their child understand the difference between this one and the actual Biblical account. At the end of the book, there is a nice listing of where in the Bible to find the specific events. This is a real help.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine alone and are freely given. #WorthyKids/Ideals
Written in a type of escapism the stories still capture the essence of the Biblical time and place and the actual persons and activities of the story being told. In "Jericho" we venture forth with siblings Peter and Mary in a bit of "time travel."
First of all, this is a far-fetched and fun story that places a modern pair of kids smack into a Biblical event thousands of years ago. They don't enter this realm as kids of that time and place; no, they enter as spies that help Joshua (remember the Ram's horn was blown 7 times before the walls of Jericho fell). They converse with Joshua. They have the help of the Angel Michael. They fight an evil man in black identified as Satan.
So you may have to help you child understand that while the Bible event did happen and did happen very much as it is written into this story, there was no Peter or Mary (or cute Hank, their dog) present to help matters along.
They are hidden by Rahab when she hides the spies from Jericho men coming to look for spies. Of course, Rahab really did hide the spies, this book just includes Peter and Mary in the adventure.
The reading is good and very age appropriate. It is an adventure with really eye catching illustrations sprinkled throughout. A cute book. I would advise parents, though, to be sure they help their child understand the difference between this one and the actual Biblical account. At the end of the book, there is a nice listing of where in the Bible to find the specific events. This is a real help.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine alone and are freely given. #WorthyKids/Ideals
August 6, 2018
My eleven-year-old has been enjoying these books since they came out, yes, he is above the age, but enjoyment has no age.
I think having the dog in the story is one of the things he really loves, as he tells me about Hank and what he is doing in the story.
For me I love the idea of my child reading bible stories, but written so he can enjoy the story all the while learning.
We have the dog, but also a young brother and sister, and while visiting their great uncle they have the wondrous adventures traveling back in time, all the while trying to solve the mystery of the scroll that they have in their possession, and I could hear mine trying to solve the puzzle ahead of time!
I received this book through the Publisher Worthy/Kids Ideals, and was not required to give a positive review.
I think having the dog in the story is one of the things he really loves, as he tells me about Hank and what he is doing in the story.
For me I love the idea of my child reading bible stories, but written so he can enjoy the story all the while learning.
We have the dog, but also a young brother and sister, and while visiting their great uncle they have the wondrous adventures traveling back in time, all the while trying to solve the mystery of the scroll that they have in their possession, and I could hear mine trying to solve the puzzle ahead of time!
I received this book through the Publisher Worthy/Kids Ideals, and was not required to give a positive review.
September 9, 2018
This book is recommended for ages 5-8. It has easy to read chapters. My 7 year old who is an avid reader really enjoyed this book. One of the things that Colton enjoys when he is reading this series is the fact that he is learning more about God's word. This series brings God's word to ways that they can understand. He also is Hanks number 1 fan. He just loves that dog. As always, well written characters, wonderful story line. He cannot wait to read more.
I received a copy of this book through Worthy Publishing - all thoughts are my own.
I received a copy of this book through Worthy Publishing - all thoughts are my own.
August 23, 2018
Bringing a fresh perspective to Biblical stories — that’s what M. J. Thomas’ The Secret of The Hidden Scrolls series does for kids. In the fourth book of the series, Journey to Jericho, Peter, Mary, and their dog Hank find themselves with Joshua and the whole company of the Hebrew people on the cusp of entering the land God had promised them. Peter and Mary soon find themselves in the middle of the action, and your child will be too as they gain insight into the familiar Bible story. This book is a good way to get kids excited about reading the Bible. Recommended.
Peter and Mary are visiting their great uncle Solomon for a month. An archaeologist by trade, Solomon has found a way for his young niece and nephew to visit the Holy Land — back in time. Ancient scrolls take the two kids away to many adventures. In Journey to Jericho, they not only witness history, but are a part of it as they become spies. They encounter Biblical figures such as Joshua and Rahab as they search for a message of God’s truth. I liked the way Thomas brings the story to a kid’s level adding adventure to the historical record. But Peter and Mary’s trip to the past is fraught with danger, and they are guided and protected by the angel Michael. There is also a man in black (definitely NOT Johnny Cash 😉 ) that they are warned to look out for. Satan is always on the scene seeking to thwart God’s plans. That is a good lesson for kids as well. But parents, you may want to read the book first in order to be ready for questions your child may have about the power Satan has in the world. The book opens up all kinds of discussion — life in ancient Israel, the struggles of God’s people, and the promises He always keeps. At the end of the book there is a helpful outline of the book of Joshua to guide the discussion back to God’s word.
All in all, I really liked Journey to Jericho. The book is a good choice for family reading time or for kids to practice their reading skills. Make sure to check out the other books in the series as well.
Recommended.
Audience: children ages 6-9.
(Thanks to Worthy Kids for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Peter and Mary are visiting their great uncle Solomon for a month. An archaeologist by trade, Solomon has found a way for his young niece and nephew to visit the Holy Land — back in time. Ancient scrolls take the two kids away to many adventures. In Journey to Jericho, they not only witness history, but are a part of it as they become spies. They encounter Biblical figures such as Joshua and Rahab as they search for a message of God’s truth. I liked the way Thomas brings the story to a kid’s level adding adventure to the historical record. But Peter and Mary’s trip to the past is fraught with danger, and they are guided and protected by the angel Michael. There is also a man in black (definitely NOT Johnny Cash 😉 ) that they are warned to look out for. Satan is always on the scene seeking to thwart God’s plans. That is a good lesson for kids as well. But parents, you may want to read the book first in order to be ready for questions your child may have about the power Satan has in the world. The book opens up all kinds of discussion — life in ancient Israel, the struggles of God’s people, and the promises He always keeps. At the end of the book there is a helpful outline of the book of Joshua to guide the discussion back to God’s word.
All in all, I really liked Journey to Jericho. The book is a good choice for family reading time or for kids to practice their reading skills. Make sure to check out the other books in the series as well.
Recommended.
Audience: children ages 6-9.
(Thanks to Worthy Kids for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
August 21, 2018
Mary, Peter, and Hank's adventures continue in this 4th installment to this popular series. This time they travel to just outside Jericho to where God's chosen people are preparing to take possession of the Promised Land. Mary and Peter have 14 days to complete their mission and discover the secret message on the ancient scroll, or be stuck thousands of years in the past.
A fun, fast paced read, perfect for young juvenile readers who are just starting to gain confidence with chapter books, great for 2nd to 4th grade level readers. We have this series at our church library and it is even popular with older kids who just like the stories.
I love how these books bring history to life for children, with relatable characters, who bring humor, and a 21st century perspective to familiar stories. Mary and Peter learn to trust God, and stay out of the clutches of the evil one, by clinging to God's words.
A fun-filled adventure, with plenty of action, spies, and mystery. A great series that teaches children important lessons of faith, that goes straight to the source, with adventures that dive into scripture--literally. The stories are well written and the font size, illustrations, and chapter length are all well crafted with the target age group in mind, all while being fun and engaging. Highly recommend!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."
A fun, fast paced read, perfect for young juvenile readers who are just starting to gain confidence with chapter books, great for 2nd to 4th grade level readers. We have this series at our church library and it is even popular with older kids who just like the stories.
I love how these books bring history to life for children, with relatable characters, who bring humor, and a 21st century perspective to familiar stories. Mary and Peter learn to trust God, and stay out of the clutches of the evil one, by clinging to God's words.
A fun-filled adventure, with plenty of action, spies, and mystery. A great series that teaches children important lessons of faith, that goes straight to the source, with adventures that dive into scripture--literally. The stories are well written and the font size, illustrations, and chapter length are all well crafted with the target age group in mind, all while being fun and engaging. Highly recommend!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."
August 21, 2018
My son (age 8) LOVES this series because it's a fun to read, action packed adventure with Peter and Mary. He has read all of them so far. He said his favorite part of this book is "when the walls of Jericho fell down". He finished the book the first day and has read it several times since then.
As a mom, I love that these chapter books are age appropriate, I don't have to preview the content before he reads it, and it reinforces bible stories that he learns at church.
The author does a great job bringing bible stories to life and making it a fun adventure for kids! Geared towards ages 6-9. HIGHLY RECOMMEND this series!
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
As a mom, I love that these chapter books are age appropriate, I don't have to preview the content before he reads it, and it reinforces bible stories that he learns at church.
The author does a great job bringing bible stories to life and making it a fun adventure for kids! Geared towards ages 6-9. HIGHLY RECOMMEND this series!
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
August 26, 2018
I love this series and the story behind the idea of how the book came to be. There’s adventure, exploration, and history. The illustrations are great and I especially love how they document their experiences. Another adventure abounds as Mary and Peter and their dog Hank find themselves in Jericho in this 4th book in the Secret of the Hidden Scrolls series. Emily, age 9 says, "It is about Peter and Mary. Oh, don’t forget Hank! And the spies with them in Jericho. I liked the whole story in general! But my favorite part was when the spies told the lady to leave out the red rope. And the parts when Peter writes in the journal."
September 14, 2018
The fourth book in this children's bible based adventure series finds brother and sister duo Peter and Mary and their dog Hank transported back to ancient Jericho.
They are on a mission to solve the message in the adventure scrolls. Their Great Uncle Solomon, who is a former archeologist, encourages them in their quest.
The bible story is brought to life when they meet Joshua, Caleb, Phinehas, priests, Rahab and Michael, the archangel.
Detailed drawings will be enjoyed by young readers. The book is geared for ages 6-9 and readers from 1-3 grade.
Young readers will eagerly enjoy all these wonderful adventures.
They are on a mission to solve the message in the adventure scrolls. Their Great Uncle Solomon, who is a former archeologist, encourages them in their quest.
The bible story is brought to life when they meet Joshua, Caleb, Phinehas, priests, Rahab and Michael, the archangel.
Detailed drawings will be enjoyed by young readers. The book is geared for ages 6-9 and readers from 1-3 grade.
Young readers will eagerly enjoy all these wonderful adventures.
February 22, 2024
I just finished reading Book 4 in the Series "The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls" this book follows Peter and Mary as they travel back to help Joshua's Spies as they influltrate Jericho and befriend Rahab! An epic adventure that is sure to keep your kids enthralled!! As with the rest of the books in thos series. This one continues to capture the imagination of children and successfully teaches them about biblical events!! 10/10!
October 29, 2025
Exciting, theologically accurate, cool!
Nitpick: they make up spy names for each other.
Page 17:
Great-Uncle Solomon rubbed his chin as he studied Peter. "Your code name is The Bear, because you are strong and brave."
"What about me?" asked Mary.
"Your code name is The Monkey," said Great-Uncle Solomon, "because you are smart and curious."
I would have gone with something other than monkey, but it’s fine.
Nitpick: they make up spy names for each other.
Page 17:
Great-Uncle Solomon rubbed his chin as he studied Peter. "Your code name is The Bear, because you are strong and brave."
"What about me?" asked Mary.
"Your code name is The Monkey," said Great-Uncle Solomon, "because you are smart and curious."
I would have gone with something other than monkey, but it’s fine.
August 20, 2018
This is Book four in the series and I think they are all wonderful. I love to go on adventures with Peter, Mary and Hank, the dog. Their Great-Uncle Solomon helps to keep these adventures rolling. Each of these tales helps to bring the Bible to life. I received a copy of this book from Worthykids for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
June 11, 2023
2.5 stars. This was my least favorite of the series so far. It was boring and didn't explain what was going on at all. This is about Jericho and the Israelites overtaking it. There was no explanation of why things were happening and really it was even murky on who the good guys were. Hopefully the next one is better.
February 25, 2022
My 8yo son could read these on his own, but he enjoys having me read them to him (and I enjoy it, too!). I liked this one because of the twist in perspective at the end that I wasn't expecting and hadn't thought about. We've loved reading through this series! Only a couple more to go!
November 3, 2025
Giving this a 3.5 star rating. This was a fun read. Getting to see Jericho, Joshua, Caleb and Rahab from the eyes of Peter, Mary and Hank. I enjoyed the adventure and where it took them. I liked seeing what they learned and how much they gleaned from their time there. Truly enjoying this series.
November 3, 2025
Giving this a 3.5 star rating. This was a fun read. Getting to see Jericho, Joshua, Caleb and Rahab from the eyes of Peter, Mary and Hank. I enjoyed the adventure and where it took them. I liked seeing what they learned and how much they gleaned from their time there. Truly enjoying this series.
February 21, 2019
A great series for kids to read by themselves but also fun to read aloud! Well written and we love the storyline!
February 26, 2019
My son's favorite of the series so far! Perfect companion when studying the stories of Jericho in your bible studies!
April 3, 2020
I loved this book. I liked the part where they found the man in black. They met a girl called Rahab. Great Uncle Solomon found a golden shofar. The shofar was a new word I learned.
June 9, 2020
Another great story in this series!
April 16, 2021
Much more suspenseful than the last few.
October 15, 2022
4 stars reviewed by 8 year old. She has read this multiple times.
December 23, 2022
4.5 rounded up because I just adore this series!
March 23, 2024
These are just so cute.
August 21, 2024
fun series for kids
April 4, 2025
Well done
June 14, 2023
I like this book because how they where helpful to Joshua. They where so happy go finish their secret words.
November 27, 2022
Such an awesome book
This is such an awesome book. I love reading it to my son and I’m excited for him to read them on his own
This is such an awesome book. I love reading it to my son and I’m excited for him to read them on his own
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews