Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites (Tennis Shoes, #1)

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Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites (Tennis Shoes #1)

by Chris Heimerdinger

4.08 of 5 stars 4.08 · rating details · 7,346 ratings · 533 reviews

Paperback, 268 pages

Published June 28th 1999 by Covenant Communications (first published June 1989)

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Jun 06, 2009 Cara rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: LDS members

Shelves: series, male-protagonist

Excellent. This was the first word that came to my mind when I finished. Granted this book really isn't for everybody. It's geared towards middle school aged boys, but I can say (at least in my case) it didn't lessen my enjoyment of the book. I should also mention that this is really a book for people who already are LDS members. Of course you can read it if your aren't but I doubt that it would be as entertaining. A lot of the funny moments wouldn't make sense and it's always a shame not to get...more

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Mar 18, 2010 Teresa rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: EVERYONE! All ages will enjoy it.

Recommended to Teresa by: My parents bought it for me when I was 14.

My fourth time "listening" to this book as we did it for our book club this month (all the other women who read it also liked it) so I'll be starting the series again. I usually do every few years so since it's been 1 1/2 years... I can't read them anymore because they're too addicting. Listening I still can clean and do things. Here's my review before if anyone's interested:

You have to read this series! VERY ADDICTING! After staying up all night to read the first three in a few days time I had...more

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Apr 21, 2010 Kaylee rated it 2 of 5 stars

it makes you think how lucky we are to have the book of mormon.

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Aug 12, 2010 Rebecca rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: all-time-favorites, sci-fi-fantasy

I absolutely love this series. I have read them several times and I never get bored with the story. The narration is both humorous and adventurous at the same time. I haven't read these since before I was in college and my more advanced literary eye noticed some things this most recent reading. Heimerdinger has a great voice. It's as if the main character is your friend talking to you about his adventures, rather than you reading a narrative. Heimerdinger's story concepts are original, but I fee...more

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Feb 12, 2009 Trina rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: youth-literature

My daughter loves this series and begged me to start them. I did enjoy many things about this book. I always like reading things that Kami and I can discuss, especially books that she is excited about. Perhaps because I know the excitement I feel when I give her a good one I've found. I liked the effort the author put into making the Nephite society real and varied. At times it's easy to read the Book of Mormon as good guys and bad guys, but of course there was a lot of gray in between and I fee...more

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Jan 08, 2013 07MitchN rated it 5 of 5 stars

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury: I intend to prove that, Tennis Shoes among the Nephites by Chris Heimerdinger, is a really good book for young adults, especially teenagers interested in ancient civilizations. Narrated in first-person, Jim Hawkins along with his soon to be best friend, Garth Plimpton, discovers the Rainbow Room located within Frosts Cave. This discovery takes the exploring duo to an ancient land where they learn about loyalty, freedom, and what it takes to be a great leader. Th...more Ladies and gentlemen of the jury: I intend to prove that, Tennis Shoes among the Nephites by Chris Heimerdinger, is a really good book for young adults, especially teenagers interested in ancient civilizations. Narrated in first-person, Jim Hawkins along with his soon to be best friend, Garth Plimpton, discovers the Rainbow Room located within Frosts Cave. This discovery takes the exploring duo to an ancient land where they learn about loyalty, freedom, and what it takes to be a great leader. The main issue addressed in this novel is how Jim and Garth help the Nephite people kill the wicked King Amalickiah in exchange for help in finding their way back home.

There were a few small problems with this novel. One problem is all the different, weird, ancient names of people that Jim and Garth soon meet. Names like Amalickiah, Hagoth, Teancum, Moriancum, and Melek. Even though there is not much background information given on all of these characters, it takes some concentration at first to understand and keep straight who all of these characters are. Another problem with the story is that the boys are traveling throughout the entire book, visiting ancient civilizations that today’s teenagers do not understand. It is a world of hunting for food, hand to hand combat, and the only mode of transportation is walking. No cell phones, Ipods, or computers are found in this ancient land. However, with the intriguing story of battle, assassination, and kidnappings, every teenager will enjoy this adventure.

“For my son,” said Teancum as he kills the wicked king Amalickiah in his sleep. Teancum is the leader of the righteous Nephite people. He had a deep faith in God and tried to lead his people to be God fearing people as well. Teancum was a courageous and strong man. Rather than continuing the bloody war where 1,000’s of men were being killed daily, Teancum shows his bravery by sneaking into the enemies encampment by night and killed the wicked king single handedly, saving more men from dying. It is not hard to see why teenagers would really enjoy this story. Although the story is fiction, it inspires young adults be good, god fearing people.
“…oh, this is a beautiful place,” Jim said. Although there is a lot of dusty trails and winding paths traveled throughout the story, Jim and Garth are able to see beautiful and ancient cities that are very foreign to their modern day lives. While entering the Rainbow Room Jim said, “A new wonder of the world laid before us, we walked with the same breathlessness that an astronaut must have had when he first stood on the surface of the moon.” The book is very descriptive of the surrounding beauty, smells, and sights that keep the attention of the reader as they learn about places they have never seen, even though the story deals with issues that are foreign to the everyday teenager.

Another reason why this book is engaging and fun, is because it is very adventurous. Jim said, “I was startled by a rustling on my left. Sellum stood me up and clamped one arm across my chest. In his other hand, he held a knife against my throat.” Even though this behavior is considered evil, it is very suspenseful and engaging to the young reader. Kidnapping, conspiracy, preparing for battle with bow and arrow, and spying on the enemy, is sprinkled throughout the story. Courageous and strong warrior leaders teach Jim and Garth what it takes to overcome evil and what it takes to live in a world full of danger and suspense. The best friends learn along the way what it takes to overcome their fears and stand for good, even though you might be standing alone.

Finally, Tennis Shoes among the Nephites is a great read for young teenagers because it teaches the teenage reader the moral of life, which is good vs. evil. There usually is never any neutral ground. One must choose which side they want to affiliate with. Even though the plots dealt with in this book are not familiar to the lives of Jim and Garth, they are taught what they will need to be throughout their lives, which is courageous, strong, and loyal to what they believe in. For many readers adult circumstances are boring and issues that are too big for the teenager reader. However, in Tennis Shoes among the Nephites one learns about love and hate, death and friendship, action, adventure, and exotic places in such a way that it leaves the reader wanting to read and learn more.

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Oct 29, 2012 01elizabethl rated it 5 of 5 stars

summary: this book it about when one day a boy named jim makes a new friend and they go looking for a "rainbow room", they saw on a indean hyrogliph. jims littel sister demands to go with them to look for it with them, shes the one that accually finds the tunnel leading to the room. when they found the room she falls into a river jim jumps in to save then his friend garth jumps in after to and it takes them back in time an accient world. the laminites captuer them and they escape but then are fo...more

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Jun 30, 2012 Hila rated it 3 of 5 stars

Jim is 13 years old and is about to start his first year of junior high school, where his father is the principal. Over the summer, Jim and his former group of friends have a falling out, and now Jim is starting to hang out with Garth -- the class geek and church goodie-goodie who has all the answers. But Garth is into history -- especially Book of Mormon history. And he trusts Jim with a little secret he discovered: on a rock along the river bank is an ancient painting. And Garth is sure there...more

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May 10, 2012 03davisw rated it 4 of 5 stars

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go back into past, but not necessarily your past but the past of something you knew that happened thousands of years ago? What would it be like to visit the stories that happened in your religious book? Would you be afraid? What if you didn't mean to go back into the past? Would you still be excited? Or would the weird figures, the weird setting frighten you back home? There is a story where a young boy decides to go with a friend, that wasn't rea...more Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go back into past, but not necessarily your past but the past of something you knew that happened thousands of years ago? What would it be like to visit the stories that happened in your religious book? Would you be afraid? What if you didn't mean to go back into the past? Would you still be excited? Or would the weird figures, the weird setting frighten you back home? There is a story where a young boy decides to go with a friend, that wasn't really his friend before, to a place where there is ancient hieroglyphics. Little did john know that he would end up in the past. Back to the places that he had read about in his Book of Mormon.
"Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites” is a story about a young boy that goes back into time and visits the Nephites, (people from the Book of Mormon). I like this book because I always wonder what it would be like to go back and visit the Nephites. The book was very energetic and intense as wars broke out in the land that they had been living in. My favorite part is when Jim goes with Teancum to kill the leader of the Lamanites, in his sleep.
The book was told in the view of Jim and what he was thinking and seeing, first person form you would say. It was very interesting to read about what he was thinking when the times were tough and when they were very quiet for a moment. But it was very clever of the right to intertwine the writing from the Book of Mormon with what he thought could happen if a kid had gone back into time and see this stuff. I had to laugh when it was talking about Jim getting drunk just outside of school, then getting caught by his dad, who had seen many people get drunk while he was in the Navy.
“Teancum crept toward his bed and brought the javelin over his shoulder. He paused over Amalickiah for only a moment. Then gripping the javelin before him in both hands, he uttered words I could barely distinguish: ‘For my son.’” This part toward the end of the story made the perfect ending to a great story. Ending the book with a sneak attack on the Lamanite captain and killing him in his sleep and saving their cities and people. It was a great way to end the book.
This book kept me interested the entire time I was ready. I have already started on the next book in the Tennis Shoes Adventure Series, by Chris Heimerdinger. This book was one of the best books I have ever read. Although I gave it only four stars, because at some parts it could get a little boring, it was definitely one of the best books I have ever read. My favorite part in the whole book was how it combined two differently stories into one.
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Feb 28, 2012 07PorterS rated it 5 of 5 stars

Tennis shoes is a great book I am one of those people who cant get into alot of books but this one was easy. Jamie Hawkins is just a little boy who does stupid boy stuff he was only 12 and he drank and partied and did bad stuff. He was in a group of boys called the vikings, they were the bullies in school. This one boy they bullied his name was garth plimton he was a skinny freckled little boy with red hair. One day Jamie got in huge trouble and couldnt hang out with his friends but he saw them...more

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Feb 23, 2012 Brandy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: lds-stories

I had heard good things about this book and I picked it up thinking that my 10 year old son would like to read it and maybe he would get more insight into the Book of Mormon stories.

I wasn't that impressed. I am sorry I bought it. But, being out of Utah it is hard to find LDS books at the library!

First off, the kids attitude... it is so annoying! (And for those of you who live in Utah, I am sorry I am about to stereotype you right now, please don't take it personal. I am sure you are nothing lik...more

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Aug 16, 2009 Melacynthe rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is going to sound bad, but I'm not sure if I read this or not. I remember back in the day when I was part of the church I read a series where a kid time travles back to the BOM days... and this was the only series I could find via google and wikki.

I remember it having something to do with a chest or something, not a cave, so I'm not entirely sure.

If it Is the right series, I remember loving it at the time. I've always been a person to pick up and devour books and I remember borrowing the f...more

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Mar 09, 2012 01dallinc rated it 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book but this book was a LDS book if you are not LDS and you read it will not make sense. My favorite part about this book is it is a book about the ancient world of the Nephites but if you are not LDS then that will probably be your least favorite part of this book. Because many of the things said and done are LDS related. But I did enjoy this book very much it is a smaller book but if you are a slow reader like me it is an entertaining book.
Now for a quick summary of the book w...more

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Mar 27, 2012 Jeri Lane rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'm going to use this first book to give my review for the entire series. Chris Heimerdinger is AMAZING!!! I am Mormon, so naturally these books appeal to me. However, because he lists all of his references pulled from all other religions, cultures, etc...it provides a major appeal to all readers. The book is based on Book of Mormon and Bible stories, following a group of kids who find themselves traveling back in time to witness for themselves these accounts. I was astounded to learn as much as...more

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Apr 30, 2008 Patrick rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-books-with-reviews-of-entire, young-adult

This was MUCH better than I thought it was going to be. I had avoided it for years because it looked like horrible Mormon fiction. The story is mostly well done, and I loved the little politics and bringing to life of Nephite life.

The 2nd book was pretty over the top and unrealistic. (As in characters acting cheesy and stupid--not as in time traveling Book of Mormon characters.) So I don't know if I'll continue reading after Silver Sword.

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May 26, 2013 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

So I've read this entire series, a long time ago, and I remembered that this first book was my favorite. It didn't disappoint as a selection to listen to in the car on our vacation. My family loved it, and I enjoyed hearing little bits of Jim's wit and commentary that I hadn't remembered. Some CDs are terrible when the author reads his own work, but that wasn't the case with this one.

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Mar 05, 2008 Anne rated it 5 of 5 stars

I guessed the day I read this.. I think it was my junior year. I believe I read most of the series. I relaly enjoyed these books. When i read the scriptures, i would incorporate the stories and imagine what i had imagined while reading the books. It really helped to keep me interested in the scriptures. It was pretty silly when the kids that i babysat were reading the same book. :)

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Jan 18, 2012 Julia rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was OK. Interesting idea to have some children somehow end up in the time of the Nephites and meet some real heroes.
Jim has a really bad attitude and is unsure what he really believes. He is part of the "bad boy" group and enjoys mischief. Garth is fanatical about religion and studies archaeology. He is seen as wimpy and picked on. These two boys become friends and along with Jim's little sister, Jenny, embark on an amazing adventure through time.

The parts where you are meeting Helaman an...more

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May 05, 2011 Hunter rated it 4 of 5 stars

I think it was a amazing book filled with action and adventure. I would definatly recomend it for mormon kids. It's all about a kid named Jim Hawkins, his sister Jen Hawkins (nicknamed Jenny) and Garth plimpton. Garth found a rock with a drawing on it wich was kindof wierd you might say it had indians and white men racing to find a colorful room called the rainbow room. Well they found it and then they fell into a whirlpool wich to them back in time to find out that they were among the nephites...more

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Jan 26, 2010 Lori rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book is so good! I read these back in the day and decided to give them another whirl since I never finished out the series. This is an excellent book for anyone who has ever read The Book of Mormon. I love that it brings the scripture stories to life, so that it's easier to understand what the prophets and warriors were really like. I remember a few years ago watching one of my 7th graders, a boy, rush through all 10 books, and this was a kid who had never brought a book to class before. Th...more

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Jul 17, 2009 Mackenzie rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was a really good book, i enjoyed how it helped bring the the book
of Mormon stories more to life it just seamed more real, i've always had a hard time relating with the Nephites and the Lamenites and so on since they are so different from us in ways but this book really made me think of them as more like people and how they are relate to us. For instance they say in the book they ate , slept and died just like everyone else and its true.It really made me think more about the Book of Mormon...more

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Jun 30, 2009 Sariah rated it 4 of 5 stars

I last read this when I was 12, and we bought it for Aiden (trying to find books for his ability). It's too mature for him (the beginning of the book deals with peer pressure and some things that are just beyond a 6 year old's comprehension., so we'll try again in a few years. However, I reread it and really enjoyed it. There is quite a bit of action/adventure that will really appeal to boys of that "tween" age. It makes me want to go look all these characters up in the Book of Mormon and read t...more

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Jul 03, 2008 Cmh us rated it 3 of 5 stars

just started reading it! haha i noticed that you are too, brianne!
its kinda weird i guess...i'm not that far into it, though. I just hope that Jamie (Jim, whatever!) doesn't tell somebody about the picture!

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Jul 21, 2010 Christa rated it 5 of 5 stars

I listened to these tapes (yes I said tapes -- that's how long ago) with my kids while running errands. We finished reading the Book of Mormon together as a family about 9 months ago and have started it again. It was fun to have the kids recognize some of the names and places. It also kept them from duking it out in the car while running from place it place. Peace and quiet is definitely a good thing! :) My favorite part is when they realize that Jim and Garth are from the future and they inquir...more

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Jul 16, 2012 Jonas rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-13-25

This story follows Jim and Garth, a young boy trying to fit in and another who loves Book of Mormon history. They, along with Jim's younger sister, find a passage to ancient Mesoamerica and the time of Book of Mormon heroes like Helaman and Teancum. The young trio are thrown into fictionalized renditions of actual Book of Mormon stories.
I think this book is a fun way to introduce the Book of Mormon to young readers. I had heard these on tape as a young boy and wanted to actually read it. I did n...more

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May 08, 2012 Gabriel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jim, Garth, and Jenny found the rainbow room. Jenny fell off a crytal shelf 150 feet into a river!Jim and Garth dove into the river to save Jenny. They all washed up on a Nephite beach. First, they were captured by Lamanites. Jim and Garth were almost sacrificed!! Middoni, a Lamanite traitor, saved them. He took them to Captain Teancum. They joined the Nephite army. Captain Teancum's son was killed by Amalikiah in the war. Amalikiah was assasinated. Jim, Garth, and Jenny went back home.

My favori...more

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Jul 15, 2010 Bev rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

Because I generally read what I consider the best books--nonfiction--fiction has to be great to entertain me. The author has a brilliant idea for a story and it is a good book, worth reading but not convincing or entertaining enough to be a great book. The protagonist is a 13 year old boy but the author didn't convince me, like Mark Twain convinces me, that he knows the mind and will of a young teenager. The story is science fiction or fantasy fiction but the author didn't make the absurd and fa...more

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Jul 16, 2012 Kimberly Fields rated it 4 of 5 stars

Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites is a fun, exciting chronicle of the adventures of two boys who go back in time to the world of the ancient Nephites (from the Book of Mormon). It was fun to get a feel for what life might have been like in Book of Mormon times, and to see legendary Book of Mormon heros as normal human beings.
The one thing I didn't like about this book was the beginning. I thought the part about Jim's rebellious behavior was pretty cheesy.
Still, a great adventure story, and a grea...more

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Aug 29, 2010 Marla rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, lds, series

I read this ages ago, but essentially had forgotten everything about it until this summer. My brother's mother-in-law sent to my son several books she thought he'd enjoy that she found at home gathering dust. I chose it as one of two read-alouds for my kids and I this past summer. We all enjoyed it, my son most of all. He especially enjoyed the war preparations and battle scenes, very exciting. I loved the way it allows the reader to more personally connect with important figures from The Book o...more

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Jun 29, 2008 ♥rAcHeL♥ rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: All LDS peoples

Shelves: read-and-luv-it

THE BOOK IS TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!! if you are LDS and have not read it you better!

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About Chris Heimerdinger

Chris Heimerdinger is an author and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) who has presently written sixteen adult and young adult novels, most of which center on religious themes familiar to LDS members. Most are published with Covenant Communications in American Fork, Utah. One title, A Return to Christmas was also picked up by Random House/Ballantine in 1995. When the t...more

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Books by Chris Heimerdinger

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