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The Amazing Tales of Max & Liz #2
The Dreamer, the Schemer, and the Robe
After saving Noah and family from the evil stowaway Charlatan aboard the ark in The Ark, the Reed, & the Fire Cloud, heroes Max and Liz, along with faithful mates Kate and Al, earn immortality and a directive from God to serve as His envoys for pivotal points in human history. They have waited for centuries for a word from the Maker; now they learn they are to work behind the scenes in the life of Joseph. In
The Dreamer, the Schemer, & the Robe,
the fate of an entire nation rests in their paws.
All looks hopeless for the young teenager as Joseph's brothers sell him into slavery in Egypt. Has Charlatan returned to Egypt to once again stop Max and Liz from accomplishing their mission? With the help of two new characters, a British archeologist mouse and a forlorn camel, they must combat the forces of evil that are out to thwart their plans, leading them into mysterious adventures with pyramids and mummies. If Max and Liz fail in this mission, all of Egypt will suffer from famine, and the Hebrew nation will never be born.
Abounding in life lessons on struggle, enduring trials, forgiveness, and redemption, The Dreamer, the Schemer, & the Robe is a nonstop thriller filled with twists and turns, side-splitting humor, treachery and heartache, hope and forgiveness.
All looks hopeless for the young teenager as Joseph's brothers sell him into slavery in Egypt. Has Charlatan returned to Egypt to once again stop Max and Liz from accomplishing their mission? With the help of two new characters, a British archeologist mouse and a forlorn camel, they must combat the forces of evil that are out to thwart their plans, leading them into mysterious adventures with pyramids and mummies. If Max and Liz fail in this mission, all of Egypt will suffer from famine, and the Hebrew nation will never be born.
Abounding in life lessons on struggle, enduring trials, forgiveness, and redemption, The Dreamer, the Schemer, & the Robe is a nonstop thriller filled with twists and turns, side-splitting humor, treachery and heartache, hope and forgiveness.
400 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2009
50 people are currently reading
345 people want to read
About the author
Jenny L. Cote
26 books155 followersAward winning author, speaker and producer Jenny L. Cote developed an early passion for God, history and young people, and beautifully blends these passions together in her two fantasy fiction series, The Amazing Tales of Max and Liz® and Epic Order of the Seven®. Likened to C.S. Lewis by book reviewers and bloggers, Jenny L. Cote opens up the world of creative writing for students of all ages and reading levels through fun, highly interactive workshops. Jenny has appeared to over 30,000 students at lower, middle, high school and universities in the US and abroad. Jenny's passion for research has taken her to London (with unprecedented access to Handel House Museum to write in Handel's composing room), Oxford (to stay in the home of C.S. Lewis, 'the Kilns', and interview Lewis' secretary, Walter Hooper), Ireland, Paris, Normandy, Rome, Israel, and Egypt. Her books are available online and in stores around the world, as well as in multiple e-book formats (Kindle, Nook, etc.). Jenny holds two marketing degrees from the University of Georgia and Georgia State University. She lives in Roswell, Georgia, with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
April 22, 2024
Cute retelling of the story of Joseph. This one flowed a lot better than book one, but I think she struggles with balancing the storytelling and educational info dumps. All the characters are usually pretty perfect too so there's not much in terms of character development. And the book is long! But nothing heretical in the animals are cute.
March 9, 2019
Another fantastic read aloud! The only reason I gave it 4 stars was because the necessary backstory and names were difficult for my younger kids to keep straight--but as the story progressed it became clearer to us all.
July 8, 2025
I think it was very good. I highly recommend it. These books are AMAZING!
June 2, 2010
This book was just as good as the first and is even better due to the fact that it is set in Ancient Egypt. When will the third book come out?
December 10, 2025
OMG. OMG. I loved this too much. It was so fun! My favorite part was definitely when Joseph revealed who he was to his brothers!! That is not a spoiler, because if you've read the story of Joseph in the Bible, you should remember that part. But, this added so much more, and now everytime I picture the story of Joseph, this is what I picture happening, and it totally makes me love Bible stories more, because I feel like I KNOW the characters personally. And, the animal friends obviously added fun to it, but i really don't think animals were the messengers in the real story... but why not imagine? You will not be disappointed if you read this.... this was totally better than the first book... but the first book was still good... but this was more fun!!!!!!
February 15, 2023
This series is interesting to say the least. A lot of liberty is taken in weaving the tale with a scriptural backing and I don’t find myself being a fan of just how much liberty Jenny chooses to take. The back of her books liken her to C.S. Lewis, which I highly dispute. Large portions of her chapters almost read as a text book and I don’t enjoy the continuous write-out of accents. However, these are quick reads and you will learn something of history. Be ready for drawn out teaching and unnecessary repetition. Even so, I will continue on in this series. It is creating good conversation between my eldest and me to point of fallacies in the retelling of scripture.
August 25, 2024
WOW! This book really is amazing. The entire story was incredibly engaging even though I have read the narrative in Genesis. I am fascinated as Cote allows the animals to learn about the culture and impact even the most minute details, which in turn lead to dramatic impacts on the story. Cote clearly put the work in for the exegetical and historical research necessary to make this story come alive.
October 26, 2020
Honestly, this was my favorite book in the series by itself. The one before was great, but somehow the sequel was even better! I don't understand why there are two series for the same set of books, but okay. I love this book. Need to re-read when I get it back from friends I recommended the series to.
Thank you, Mrs. Cote!
#dexonthecover2021
Thank you, Mrs. Cote!
#dexonthecover2021
June 8, 2019
I LOVED reading this to my kids. I loved hearing them giggle, snuggling, crying, and the wonderful conversations we had about Joseph, an amazing man of God. Every time I turn around my kids are asking, “Mom! Can you read to us?!?!” Thank you Jenny Cote! We started the third book tonight!
March 5, 2022
To make THIS clear, it was the best animal/biblical series I have read as a kid. Like how Jenny L. Cote follows the story in the bible while having additional interesting plots to keep the reader hyped. Overall, it is a great book for children from yr 5-7
August 28, 2022
Okay this was much better than the first book. Still slightly flawed theology and history but I welcomed a little creative additions. I loved meeting Nigel and that a bit of a plot hole was filled as well as some unique explanations. I can’t wait to read more
July 6, 2024
Just love these sweet reads! Endearing characters, biblically solid themes, engaging reading. She always inspires me to think more deeply about the emotions and perspectives of biblical figures in a way that adds depth, beauty, and insight to my understanding of myself, God, and the Bible.
March 27, 2025
I LOVED this book! The author makes the story of Joseph come alive and honestly made me want to go and pick up the Bible and read the Joseph story myself! One of my favorite series now ( maybe even my first favorite ) .
February 22, 2018
Fun Read
I love the story of Joseph and this book brings the story to life. I enjoyed all of the plot twists and turns. I would recommend this book for both young and old.
I love the story of Joseph and this book brings the story to life. I enjoyed all of the plot twists and turns. I would recommend this book for both young and old.
February 13, 2020
I really enjoyed this, probably equal to "The Prophet ... " (Book 3?).
Had the same issues as I had with the first in this series, but it irked me a lot less.
Had the same issues as I had with the first in this series, but it irked me a lot less.
September 25, 2020
A very enjoyable read. This gave me and my 3 children some greater insight into and appreciation for the life of Joseph.
December 1, 2021
Awesome book, you should read it!
February 18, 2022
Excellent
January 14, 2023
This was so much fun to listen to! I love the delightful addition of Nigel, and greatly appreciate Jenny's attention to detail. Historically inspired fiction is my favorite fiction to read/listen to.
October 6, 2023
Our homeschool loved this book!
January 11, 2024
This was a fun look into the life of Joseph.
May 24, 2024
look i understand this is a kids book but hear me out hear me out hear me out…it made my childhood. like my baby children are gonna grow up on this so
July 17, 2024
hmmm, it wasn't the "best" book in the world, but I still enjoyed reading it! The book got a little boring and repetive, a tad to much for my taste, but overall, I'm glad I read it!
February 23, 2025
I think I like this one even more than the first book!
October 17, 2025
Interesting story - really enjoyed parts of it and other bits were so-so
November 20, 2020
Let me begin by saying that I think it is impossible for Jenny L. Cote to write a bad book. Her writing style is so engaging, her characters leap right off the pages, and she weaves an incredible story. Most of all, she lets God drive her writing. The Dreamer, The Schemer, and the Robe is especially filled to the brim with awe inspiring stories, connections, and words that all have the thumbprint of God on it.
This book is one of my favorites from Ms. Cote, if not my favorite. I have always loved the story of Joseph and whenever I have read the actual Biblical story, I would find myself wishing that it were longer. This large book more that granted that wish, but I know I will be reading The Dreamer, The Schemer, and the Robe more than once. Thank you, Ms. Cote! I can’t wait to read the next one!
This book is one of my favorites from Ms. Cote, if not my favorite. I have always loved the story of Joseph and whenever I have read the actual Biblical story, I would find myself wishing that it were longer. This large book more that granted that wish, but I know I will be reading The Dreamer, The Schemer, and the Robe more than once. Thank you, Ms. Cote! I can’t wait to read the next one!
September 11, 2020
Summary: The Dreamer, The Schemer, and the Robe is a retelling of the story of Joseph. It opens with the commission of Max, Liz, Kate, and Al, who are ready for their next mission from the Maker! (Aka God) Their commission comes in the unlikely form of Max’s friend from The Ark, The Reed, and the Fire Cloud! Gillamon the mountain goat is the team’s new messenger from the Maker. Apparently God chose to make Gillamon able to visit the team when needed, to give them help or missions. They’ll be split up. Max, Liz, and Al will go to Egypt, and Kate will go to the family of Jacob. They’ll all have different assignments, and the plot thickens as Max shadows Jospeh in prison, Liz watches over Potiphar’s house, and Al gets the posh palace assignment in Phaoroah’s court.
Strange things are happening in the mysterious land of Egypt, and the animals must step up to the challenge of protecting the future nation of Israel, struggling to begin. Charlatan’s minions are doing all they can to stop the twelve tribes
from becoming the people of God, but will the animals be able to stop them in time?
Worldviews: Again, Jenny L. Cote is a Christian author, and she has strong Biblical beliefs and worldviews. I have found nothing theologically or chronologically wrong or incorrect. She does use artistic license of course, and all the subplots are her imagination, but the rest is from the Bible! There was of course the pagan Egyptian beliefs, which I found to be extremely well researched. Of course it detailed all the “gods” like Ra, Osiris, Isis, Anubis, that sort of thing. One character also provided good details about mummification too, as well as all the rituals that accompany it. I do think I would recommend discretion to the people that want to read this, as those who are sensitive to things like death and topics like the afterlife might be disturbed by this. I personally found it fascinating and educating, because after all, this is Egyptian culture. But there was also Charlatan’s influence, and there was one scene where three of his minions did some shape shifting into different Egyptian gods to try and convince Liz that they were real. But good always prevails in the end.
Violence: Little to zero. There were a few injuries, nothing serious. There were some scenes where some snakes were threatening Al and Max, and the scene where Phaoroah orders the baker’s head chopped off, but we didn’t get that scene in detail. There were also some minor brawls, but nothing super bloody.
Foul Language: Zero. Zilch. That’s it.
Romance: This is the Joseph story, so if you have read it, you must remember the entire Potiphar’s wife scenario. It was handled very well, as in it wasn’t super descriptive or suggestive, and Cote made it clear that Zuleika was wrong, and Joseph knew it. It’s all very PG, don’t worry.
Alcohol: Joseph worked in a vineyard, and they harvested grapes to make wine, but there weren’t any scenes where people got drunk or anything.
Rating and Recommended age level: I’m going to rate this 4 stars! This also was’t my favourite out of the series, but I’m saying that from when I’ve already finished all 8 books that are out and I know what’s in them all already. But it was still very good nonetheless, I really liked it! For the age level, I’m going to put that at 10-11+, though the actual comprehensive reading level is probably good for 9, I’m just boosting it up to 10 because of the Egyptian stuff and the Zuleika drama.
I throughly enjoyed this, and recommend it for anybody really! I think that older teens or adults will enjoy the series more when it starts getting into the “bigger stuff” like the story of Jesus’s birth, life, the Acts and the birth of the church in Rome, etc, but this is a very good second book!
Strange things are happening in the mysterious land of Egypt, and the animals must step up to the challenge of protecting the future nation of Israel, struggling to begin. Charlatan’s minions are doing all they can to stop the twelve tribes
from becoming the people of God, but will the animals be able to stop them in time?
Worldviews: Again, Jenny L. Cote is a Christian author, and she has strong Biblical beliefs and worldviews. I have found nothing theologically or chronologically wrong or incorrect. She does use artistic license of course, and all the subplots are her imagination, but the rest is from the Bible! There was of course the pagan Egyptian beliefs, which I found to be extremely well researched. Of course it detailed all the “gods” like Ra, Osiris, Isis, Anubis, that sort of thing. One character also provided good details about mummification too, as well as all the rituals that accompany it. I do think I would recommend discretion to the people that want to read this, as those who are sensitive to things like death and topics like the afterlife might be disturbed by this. I personally found it fascinating and educating, because after all, this is Egyptian culture. But there was also Charlatan’s influence, and there was one scene where three of his minions did some shape shifting into different Egyptian gods to try and convince Liz that they were real. But good always prevails in the end.
Violence: Little to zero. There were a few injuries, nothing serious. There were some scenes where some snakes were threatening Al and Max, and the scene where Phaoroah orders the baker’s head chopped off, but we didn’t get that scene in detail. There were also some minor brawls, but nothing super bloody.
Foul Language: Zero. Zilch. That’s it.
Romance: This is the Joseph story, so if you have read it, you must remember the entire Potiphar’s wife scenario. It was handled very well, as in it wasn’t super descriptive or suggestive, and Cote made it clear that Zuleika was wrong, and Joseph knew it. It’s all very PG, don’t worry.
Alcohol: Joseph worked in a vineyard, and they harvested grapes to make wine, but there weren’t any scenes where people got drunk or anything.
Rating and Recommended age level: I’m going to rate this 4 stars! This also was’t my favourite out of the series, but I’m saying that from when I’ve already finished all 8 books that are out and I know what’s in them all already. But it was still very good nonetheless, I really liked it! For the age level, I’m going to put that at 10-11+, though the actual comprehensive reading level is probably good for 9, I’m just boosting it up to 10 because of the Egyptian stuff and the Zuleika drama.
I throughly enjoyed this, and recommend it for anybody really! I think that older teens or adults will enjoy the series more when it starts getting into the “bigger stuff” like the story of Jesus’s birth, life, the Acts and the birth of the church in Rome, etc, but this is a very good second book!
April 22, 2020
This book was awesome! It wasn't as great as The Ark the Reed and the Fire Cloud but it was still amazing! Max Kate Al and Liz are watching for 8 dreams 3 schemes and 4 robes and then they know their mission is over. It starts out kind of boring but picks up speed when Joseph gets sold to Egypt. It gets more amazing when Joseph starts to speak Egyptian only on his 3 day in Egypt. He gets to be the 3 highest person in Potiphar's house. When Potiphar's wife makes Joseph's best friend Benipe blind and claims Joseph was trying to attack her, Potiphar sends Joseph to prison. He spends 5 years there until 2 of Pharaoh's highest people in his court are sent to prison. They both have dreams and Joseph interprets them. He says the baker will be executed in 3 days and the cupbearer will come back to Pharaoh's court in 3 days and, in 3 days that's what happens. The cupbearer forgets about Joseph and Joseph sits in prison for 2 more years until the Pharaoh has a dream about 7 ugly cows and 7 beautiful cows. Joseph gets out of prison to determine the Pharaoh's dream. Pharaoh makes him the 2 highest ruler in Egypt. When a big famine comes Joseph sees his brothers who sold him into slavery. Joseph planned a whole test to see if his brothers are not greedy anymore. It takes 3 months. What will happen when Joseph sees the outcome of his brothers? Will they be greedy? Will Joseph forgive them?
Read The Dreamer the Scheamer and the Robe to find out more!
Read The Dreamer the Scheamer and the Robe to find out more!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2016
My young friend (age 11) enjoyed this book so much that she lent it to me. Another great adventure with the adorable and funny creatures, Max (the Scottish terrior) and his love Kate and Liz (the French cat) and her love Albert (a glutinous ginger scaredy-cat)! Don't let the length of the story discourage you. It's a great re-telling of the Joseph and the many-colored coat. Good lessons to learn and lots of fun on the way! And and interesting new creature is introduced--Nigel, a white British mouse.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews