Merle of Nazareth

The Dead Sea Squirrels #7

by Mike Nawrocki, Luke Séguin-Magee (Illustrator)

The Dead Sea Squirrels are back! Mike Nawrocki brings his signature humor and storytelling expertise to the newest installment in the beloved series.

Merle and Pearl have been squirrelnapped and taken to Israel. Even though Michael, Justin, and Sadie have just started 5th grade, they convince their parents that a trip to Israel will be an educational experience, especially since Michael's mom is a teacher and can help them keep up with their schoolwork. Nazareth is the first stop for Merle and Pearl's squirrelnapper. The kids are able to track Merle and Pearl to Nazareth, the town where Joseph and Mary lived before the birth of Jesus. Then the squirrels learn that the black-market artifact collector will be moving them to Bethlehem and manage to leave a clue for the kids as to where they are going. Will the kids find Merle and Pearl in time, or will the squirrelnapper get away again?

Genres: Childrens, Christian Fiction, Christian, Animals, Chapter Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade

118 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 6, 2021

About the author

As co-creator of Veggie Tales, co-founder of Big Idea Entertainment, and the voice of the beloved Larry the Cucumber, Mike Nawrocki has been dedicated to helping parents pass on wholesome values to their kids through storytelling for over two decades. Mike currently serves as the artist in residence at Lipscomb University, where he is also pursuing an MFA in writing and directing for film. The Dead Sea Squirrels is Mike's first children's book series, which he has been delighted to write from the home he shares with his wife, Lisa, and their two children in Franklin, Tennessee.

Reviews

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked and highly recommend it!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book opens up with Merle and Pearl as unwilling travellers on an airplane because they have been squirrel-napped by this guy named Ruben. They are on flight to Israel, back to where the Squirrels are originally from (although it was 2000 years ago). They try to find ways to escape and they're pretty good problem solvers. In the mean time, Michael and his dad, are looking for the squirrels as well. Along the way, there's worry and frustration, and highs and lows as they get a clue as to Merle and Pearl's whereabouts, only to lose them yet again. Will the squirrels make it back to the family?

This is the 7th book in this series, but the first one I've read. It wasn't a problem at all to pick up reading at the 7th book as there is a short introduction to the two squirrels in the beginning for people like me. The book moved at a good pace and was a fun and action-filled read. When fear or worry came in, Michael and his dad would stop to pray. I really enjoyed this book even more as the Christian parts of it were not preachy but natural and fit in very well.

[Jessica Silhavy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son loves this series, he's 5 and we have read it as his bedtime read aloud. He was very sad when we had to wait for the next one from the library.

They are wonderful books for reading aloud to the younger children, and great for 2nd-ish grade reading level to read on their own.

The squirrels are charming and entertaining while teaching children great values from the Bible to live by. I highly recommend you read this series if you have not already done so, or read it again if you have.

The books do follow a plot as a whole, so you do need to read them in order.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has no dishonesty to parents in it but also has very little plot. This feels more like a middle chapter of a book than a whole book but I am actually invested in the story and want to see what happens next. It just feels like it was one story that was cut up to make it less intimidating to kids or to make more money in sales.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book required explaining as we read it together. My son (not being Catholic) hasn't heard of a Friar, Father, or Confessional. There are many geographic locations mentioned in the text as well that made the story harder for my son to follow along with as the locations changed rapidly between characters. Too much going on for a short read.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun. I liked the trip to Israel, loved the twist ending, and was really excited to see Father Phillip. This is a lot of fun. I'm excited to see where we head next.

[Laura McCarty-Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked when Father Phillip was friendly to the squirrels.

I didn't like that the man in the suit and sunglasses ended up with the squirrels.

[Barry McCarty-Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that the squirrels almost escaped.

I didn't like that Reuben caught them.

[Kyle Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it just me or is this series getting better with each book?

[Sydney Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the geography- wasn’t even bored by it at all

[Josephine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great Christian book!!

[Rikiduckgmail.com]

Appropriate for kids, series

[blueygurl2016 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! I can’t believe that reveal at the end! Their friend is the squirrel-napper? I mean I guess I’ve read enough books and seen enough movies to know not to trust people but that did surprise me lol.