The King Is Born

The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls #7

by M.J. Thomas

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.When Peter and Mary travel back in time for their seventh adventure, they find themselves somewhere familiar-Bethlehem. Hundreds of years after David's fight with Goliath, the small town is bustling with people who've returned home for the census. Follow along as the time-traveling trio visits a newborn King, uses the stars to help a group of wise men navigate, and faces off against a thief with a hidden agenda. Young readers familiar with the Christmas story have never heard it told like this. Packed with thrilling action and suspense, this adventure will have kids racing to reach the final showdown.

Genres: Childrens, Chapter Books, Christian, Fiction, 2nd Grade, Faith, Religion

128 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2019

About the author

Librarian 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.

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter and Mary are taken back in time, showing up in Bethlehem with their dog, Hank. Bustling and crowded, Peter and Mary have to find their way in Bethlehem while everyone else is back in town for the Census. While out in the fields with their new shepherd friend Luke, the kids meet the angel, Michael. Michael tells the the rules of their new adventure. Will Peter and Mary be able to finish the task given to them in time?

Another time traveling adventure for Peter and Mary to the birth of Jesus. I like how this is written. It's done in such a way that the Biblical narrative is not lost to the creative license the author took to make the story interesting and fun.

[Allison Gerrish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a fun chapter book to read during Christmas time with kiddos. Peter and Mary go back in time and experience the nativity scene. I enjoyed reading this one with my son. It also brought out some really fun discussion questions with him: can you imagine seeing Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus? What would you do if you knew King Herod was on his way to find Jesus? What gift would you bring if you were a Magi?

[Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good! Exciting Middle Grade adventure book!

I can’t say it’s entiiiiirely Biblically accurate in that the Shepherds and Magi visited baby Jesus within days of each other instead of years, but hey! That would be hard to do, storyline-wise so it’s totally fine.

They cut out right before the babies are killed so it is not mentioned, but it also isn’t denied.

Well done!

[Mary T · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 7yo son and I are really enjoying this series. We read the first one to understand the overarching plot but read this one out of order since it's Christmas time. Reminded us of Superbook. An excellent Christian book option for kids!

[Lanelle D. Stumf · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you for such an amazing uplifting story about Christ

Thank you for such a good story on how to tell the Bible children. thank you for really tapping into our imagine the show how likely is it to the kids

[Jacob & · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finish reading Book 7: the King is Born. This book to the kids, it is a great introduction to the nativity story of God with us!! This is book 7 of 9. We have been reading through all the series, and each one does not disappoint.

[Nay Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giving this a 4.5 star rating. I enjoyed seeing Peter and Mary meet Luke and get to be around the Magi and baby Jesus. This was well done. I just think the ending with the reveal of who the commander was and the "action" bits were a bit lack luster. However, I still enjoyed this!

[Nay Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giving this a 4.5 star rating. I enjoyed seeing Peter and Mary meet Luke and get to be around the Magi and baby Jesus. This was well done. I just think the ending with the reveal of who the commander was and the "action" bits were a bit lack luster. However, I still enjoyed this!

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The girls and I really enjoyed this seventh book in the series particularly imagining what it was like to live during the days of Jesus’ birth.

[Wynona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how they get to meet the different bible characters.

[Kourtnie Neighbarger]

good

[Leah Wead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biblically accurate with just enough embellishment to make it interesting for kids and parents alike. Truly one of our favorite series.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one in the set!!

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because how the kids help them with finding the baby Jesus and they solve their secret word.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love this series.

[Bailey T. Hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would be a great elementary aged advent read

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun series for kids

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only 2 books remaining in the series. I guess when we finish we’ll start over with #1 because my daughter loves these for her bedtime read aloud. Every night she gets excited to read “Peter and Mary books” and I appreciate the content of an adventure book set in Biblical times pulling events from Scripture to reinforce our theological teaching.

Second time through and still a hit.
*Third time. Still love the series.

[Amber]

Lunch read aloud. This is a repeat read for us and we love every Hidden Scrolls book! A fun growth point for me to see was my oldest growing in his ability and knowledge to decipher what parts of the story we know to be true from the Bible and where the author took creative liberties.

[Noelani · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars.