Jotham's Journey

With the beginning of Advent just a few days away it is time to gather your materials and make your preparations.  Get out the Advent wreath or Advent Log, fire up the CD player and take out the Advent music (more on that to follow) and assemble your reading material for the season. 

Jotham's Journey is a book I used last year and the children were delighted when they saw it in the book basket I assembled this weekend.  Ten-year old Jotham, in trying to teach his family a lesson by running away from home for a spell, has his plan back fire when he gets separated from them. The compelling tale of his journey to find his family is full of the kind of "edge of your seat adventure" that most children love. While searching for his family Jotham finds a great deal he did not expect including Child in Bethlehem that changes everything.  The concluding chapter is beautiful.

The book is set up to be read as a bedtime story every night beginning on the first Sunday of Advent.  After each story there is a meditation or explanation that corresponds to the theme of that night's installment.  The stories can be a little intense and if you have a child who is easily disturbed then it might be as well to read these during the day.

Jotham's Journey does a wonderful job of bringing to life the time period of Jesus' birth.  There is a great deal of detail and the story is well written and intricately woven.

Unfortunately Jotham's Journey is currently out of print, however it will be re-issued in time for next year's Advent season.  Click on that link for more details from the author's site.  It is available used on Amazon and it pops up on Ebay but I warn you it is expensive.  See if your library carries it and if not make a request that they do so.

Comments

[Meredith]

We loved Jotham's Journey last year too, it was our first read through and it was delightful!! I'm SO hoping we get it for a St. Nick's surprise!! I'm searching...otherwise it's the library again! Thanks for this great reivew!

[LLMom]

I have a mini unit study on this book if anyone would like it.
http://catholicmomsjourney.blogspot.com/2007/11/mini-unit-study-for-jothams-journey.html