Ida Scudder: Missionary Doctor

by Terri B. Kelly

Ida Scudder: Missionary Doctor is a biography of Dr. Ida Sophia Scudder, a woman who served God faithfully as a medical missionary in India. Ida Scudder was born in Ranipet, India but promised herself she would never return as a missionary like her parents. India was a place of spiders, snakes, sickness, and death. But when her mother becomes ill, Ida is forced to return. As she grows to love the people of India, Dr. Ida sees that her dreams of a comfortable life wearing beautiful dresses are nothing compared to the plans God has for her life.

184 pages, Paperback

Published August 17, 2021

Reviews

[Rachel B · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging kids' book about a woman who becomes a doctor in order to serve the people of India - in particular, the women who were not able to be treated by male doctors, per local custom.

Frustratingly, several typos interrupted the reading experience.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written for children, but I was interested in reading it partially because I'd like to write something like this some day. (Some day. . . . .) Interesting details. The pacing seemed rushed at the end, but maybe that's more typical of a children's book. The book contained a number of spiritual lessons and truths in the first half, but that dropped off in the second. I was a little concerned about a doctrinal matter at one point. And I found at least one typo, very untypical of a Journeyforth book. :-)

[Doreen Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

IDA SCUDDER-Terri B. Kelly

I received this FREE from Net Galley for the purpose of review. This is a junior edition written for 8-12 year old children.

However, I enjoyed reading the Kindle application for the book. It was inspiring and I learned about a young woman who truly gave up her dreams for the work of God in India. Miss Scudder had returned to India, briefly in her mind, to help her father in the work they had in India.

She went with not the best attitude and not wanting to stay any longer than necessary. BUT GOD, did an amazing work in her heart and she spends her life in India.

Great book for students and adults alike.

#Net Galley #Goodreads #Ida Scudder-youth edition

[IrenesBookReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read some of this missionary's story before, but this book had so much more about her life then I knew. I learned while I was enjoying reading, a great combination! You will read about her difficult family relationships and how they influenced her work and the many lives she influenced as she spread the gospel. She was a woman who obeyed the Lord's calling despite the hardships. The book flowed well from one stage of her life to another. The writing was a mix of dialog and retelling of events. It would be a great book for a book report or a Sunday School class or anyone interested in missionary work.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher BJU Press JourneyForth, for the temporary digital ARC that I read and gave my honest opinion of.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ida Scudder didn't want to return to India as a missionary with her family. But God had other plans. During a visit with her parents, Ida realized that women needed a female doctor. Otherwise, the women were suffering and even dying since the cultural norms prevented males from seeing women in private, even for childbirth or serious illness. Ida decided to fulfill this role. This book tells her story. She worked in a school, helped her doctor father and worked hard during medical school - in a time when women doctors were not the norm.
I did enjoy reading this story. It flows well. But I do wish it was longer. I wanted to hear more stories. However, the book sparked my desire to research Dr. Scudder's life and accomplishments. It also renewed my faith in waiting for God's timing.

[WendyL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ida Scudder never wanted to be a missionary. A fun-loving and mischievous girl, she dreamed of parties and dates, getting married, and having a family. After spending time in India with her missionary parents, she certainly never intended to go back there. But God had other plans for her.

Ida Scudder: Missionary Doctor follows the journey of a young American woman from high school hijinks to the founding of a women’s medical school in Vellore, India. The road is filled with challenges and answered prayers that are both amazing and faith building. Ida Scudder’s life is a story well worth reading.

[Emma Filbrun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would not consider this book to be exactly a biography of Ida Scudder,  but more of a novelized story of her life. I found it quite engrossing, and I am planning to read it to my children soon. I know they will enjoy it as much as I did. There are illustrations here and there throughout the book, which add to the experience and help to bring the story to life. There were two scenes that parents may want to be aware of before they give the book to their children. In one place, three mothers die, and in another, a girl is thrown into a well as a sacrifice to the goddess.
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

[katescleanreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never read about Ida Scudder before and was very inspired by her story. It was a good reminder not to tell God your plans.
The target audience for this book is middle school, but I still enjoyed reading it. For biographies, however, I would much rather read one by YWAM. Their books are my go-to for homeschooling, and this book was not as clear or well written.
*I received a free copy of this e-book from NetGalley and BJU Press Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[K T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I had not been familiar with Ida Scudder's story.

Her life is inspirational & all the sacrifices she gave/made to serve others is incredible. She definitely put God first, others second & herself last...as we should. She w as determined & didn't give up & made a huge difference in people's lives. She followed God's call on her life.

Thanks to Netgalley & the Publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Eddie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Fictional Story of One of God’s Servant Based On True Events

The call of God is often inconvenient, but always bears fruit. Ida’s story is a reminder that our momentary discomfort brings eternal comfort to those who would otherwise spend forever in torment. Great story. Love the writing.

[Susan Kendrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written for 9-12 year olds, and the writing felt a little like a book report at times. The story of Ida Scudder, one of the first female missionary doctors in India, was inspiring. Her ultimate goal was to create a medical school for women in India, and she was able to accomplish that.

[Michael L Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hidden gem!

[Tony Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliantly done

[Sally Matheny · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are 30, short, easy-to-read chapters in this biography. Even though the target audience is for ages 9 – 12, older readers and adults will enjoy it as well.

The story itself is worthy of 5 stars. Originally, I gave a rating of 4 stars, but that was because there were a few typos in the book. I didn't think that was fair to the author since it was an oversight of the publisher, so I changed my rating to 5 stars.

Approximately, ten pencil-sketched illustrations grace the pages. The illustrator, Guy Porfirio, did an excellent job illustrating the styles and culture of the late 1800’s – early 1900’s.

After the epilogue, there’s a page containing definitions of a few terms with which children may not be familiar.

The book is written with a Christian worldview. The scriptures quoted in the book are from the King James Version of the Bible.

You can take a sneak peek inside the book at the website of JourneyForth Books.

The author grabs readers’ attention on the first page with the pranks of Ida Scudder as a boarding student. Kelly continues to hold the readers’ interest throughout the book by moving the story along quickly and using engaging dialogue.

Born into an American family of medical missionaries, Ida had no intention of following their vocational footsteps. She spent her childhood in India and had seen the devastation there before she moved to the boarding school in America. She had no desire to return to India where her parents were still serving.

However, certain events transpire causing her to rush back to India to assist her missionary parents for a few years.

During that time, God burdened Ida’s heart for the people of India, especially the women.

There’s an amazing story about how three different times in one night, Ida was called upon to come help three women who were dying during childbirth. She explained to their husbands that she was not a doctor. Her father was the doctor and he could go. The custom was no man was to look upon another’s man’s wife—for any reason. The wives were hidden within their homes. And that’s where those three wives died because a male doctor was not allowed to come save them.

This terrible experience was a pivoting point for Ida. She accepted God’s call to become a medical missionary. She went back to America for training. Ida Scudder was one of the first female graduates of Cornell Medical and one of the first females to be licensed in America.

The book takes readers through Ida’s adventures, her joys, and her sorrows. We see how God broke new ground working in Ida’s life. Ida went back to India and started a clinic, a hospital, and a medical school for training women.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Ida Scudder: Missionary Doctor. It was educational, entertaining, and encouraging.

Since it is a nonfiction biography, I wish there was a bibliography. It would be nice for students to have for further research and related activities.

Nonetheless, I highly recommend this book for ages nine and older. Also, it could be read to younger students. However, to note, there is mention of a child abduction and sacrifice. This true story sets the tone for Ida Scudder’s environment in India. There are no graphic details, but some younger children may be sensitive to the subject matter.

Overall, readers hear lessons of courage and faith. They learn how obedience to God may not be an easy path, but if He calls, He will enable.


I received a FREE copy of this product in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.