Christian Heroes Then and Now: Corrie ten Boom {Book Review}
I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.
Corrie ten Boom is someone I consider one of my personal Christian heroes. I was thrilled to share her story with my daughter when reviewing Corrie ten Boom: Keeper of the Angels’ Den from YWAM Publishing’s Christian Heroes Then and Now series.
About Corrie ten Boom:
Raised in a Christian home, which was located over her father’s watch shop, Corrie ten Boom lived an ordered life. That all changed when Germany invaded Holland in World War II.
When the ten Boom family saw their Jewish neighbors face persecution, they were determined to help. Their love for God’s chosen people quickly involved them in an underground group hiding and aiding Jews.
Corrie and her family were eventually arrested for their convictions. She faced unimaginable hardship and loss. Throughout her ordeal, she was sustained by the amazing power of God.
The Book:
The softcover book contains 15 chapters. The first chapter begins with the arrest of the ten Boom family and immediately pulls the reader in. Chapter two takes the reader back to Corrie’s earlier years for a short overview of her upbringing. Each chapter then progresses chronologically and explains the events leading up to the family’s arrest. The remainder of the book tells of Corrie’s experience as a prisoner, God’s presence in a harrowing place, and finding forgiveness in the midst of unthinkable cruelty.
Unit Study and Curriculum Guide:
A downloadable unit study is available that can be used individually or in a group setting. It provides suggestions and resources for instruction in:
- History
- Geography
- Essay writing
- Creative writing
- Reading comprehension
- Public speaking
- Drama
- Art
The parent/teacher can choose how they want to use the study guide. The activities can be utilized for a range of students about 10-15 years old.
Our Experience:
I read the book with my daughter Johanna. We read a chapter per day followed by discussion. The chapter questions in the study guide were good support to our conversations.
I have read books about Corrie ten Boom written for an adult reader. I was glad the authors included many memorable accounts Corrie had of experiencing God’s provision and presence.
The book is recommended for ages 10+. This is an appropriate age recommendation. Parents with students on the low end of the age suggestion, or especially sensitive children, may want to preread the book. I felt the writers did a good job of presenting merciless events at a student-level while maintaining the integrity of the facts.
I would have liked the book to have provided more about the ten Boom’s convictions to help the Jews. An account in the book tells of Corrie keeping quiet while the Gestapo forcibly attempted to get information from her sister. Johanna struggled when considering what she would do in such a situation. It was a good discussion point for us, but I feel a student reading the book alone would benefit from more context.
Johanna’s Review:
I love this book! I already knew a little bit about Corrie ten Boom, but had not known a lot of details of what she went through. The book gave me a better understanding of who she was and her amazing faith during an unbelievable trial.
My favorite part in the book was when God did a miracle. All of the female prisoners were required to strip, shower, and put on new clothes. Corrie found a way to hide both a sweater for her sister and their Bible. She retrieved and hid the items under her new clothes before realizing everyone was being searched. While in line she prayed for God to protect the Bible. She knew they could face anything if they just had the Bible. When it was her turn to be searched, the guard passed over her. Corrie later learned she was the only prisoner that was not searched.
I was inspired by this book. Sometimes Corrie got discouraged and complained, but she was reminded of God’s faithfulness and kept trusting Him.
My favorite quote from the book is, “There is no pit so deep that God’s love cannot reach it.”
This was not our first time reviewing a book from YWAM Publishing. Previously we read C.S. Lewis: Master Storyteller and Billy Graham: America’s Pastor.
Corrie ten Boom: Keeper of the Angels’ Den is a book I would definitely recommend. Visit the Homeschool Review Crew to read other reviews from the Christian Heroes: Then and Now Series from YWAM Publishing.