Shepherds to the Rescue

Gospel Time Trekkers #1

by Maria Grace Dateno, Paul Cunningham (Illustrator)

In this first volume of the Gospel Time Trekkers series, children ages 6-9 are taken on a journey that imaginatively retraces the birth of Jesus through the experiences of modern siblings Hannah, Caleb, and Noah.

Genres: Childrens

80 pages, Paperback

First published July 18, 2013

About the author

Sister Maria Grace Dateno is a member of the religious congregation of the Daughters of St. Paul, and is currently an acquisitions editor at Pauline Books & Media, the publishing house of the community. She works with adult titles in the areas of faith formation, theology of the body, spirituality, personal growth, and lives of saints. She is also part of the acquisitions team for children’s titles.
Sister Maria Grace has an M.A. in theology from The Catholic University of America. She has served as the manager of the Pauline Books & Media Center in Alexandria, Virginia, and in several Pauline Books & Media Centers around the country.
Originally from northern Virginia, Sister Maria Grace has five siblings and and 24 nieces and nephews, who inspire her writing. She is the author of the six-book Gospel Time Trekkers series, which are time-travel adventures for ages six to nine. She also writes catechetical books for children, including The Mass Explained for Kids (co-author) and I Pray the Stations of the Cross.

Reviews

[Jacquie Stricklind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another set of books I was checking out for my grandson, they have some mystery and a good message. Caleb, Hannah, and Noah go for a bike ride and end up back in time and meet a shepherd boy, Benjamin who tells them about meeting Jesus, so naturally all three want to see Jesus. While trying to find Jesus they stay with Benjamin's father, Eldad outside of Bethlehem. In a couple of days they were back to their house and it was like no time had passed. They still didn't find Jesus, so they were hoping that they would have another adventure.

[Leslea Wahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Siblings Hannah, Noah, and Caleb think they’re going on a normal bike ride but somehow end up in ancient Bethlehem. When they meet a young shepherd boy they embark on a most exciting adventure tracking sheep, fending off wolves, and getting a first-hand account of the blessed night that changed the world.
The Gospel Time Trekkers is a series of six books by Sr. Maria Grace Dateno that brings some bible stories to life in a most exciting way.

[Charlotte Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My little sister got this series for her birthday, (she loved it) and I've finally gotten around to reading the first book. I would've really liked this when I was younger and in my 'I only want to read Magic Tree House books' phase, but I still enjoyed reading this delightful story and look forward to reading the rest!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow!!! Read this book and see the birth of Jesus come alive in the shepherd’s retelling! What a perfect explanation of how Jesus is our good Shepherd! Yeah, this is for kids, but I think that us grown-up kids can learn from it as well, lol. Very well done!!!

[Eileen W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book that I read to my 2nd grader in the car during a rainy Sunday afternoon track meet. Recommended by my cousin Holly!

[Katharine Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was perfect for my 7-year-old. She asked for me to read it every night once we started and now she wants me to get the next one. Think I will.

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story involves three siblings named Hannah, Caleb, and Noah. It is told from the perspective of Caleb, but that doesn't necessarily make it a story just for boys. One day the three siblings are transported back in time to 30 years after Jesus' birth. The children spend a lot of time with a shepherd boy named Benjamin and his family. They also come to a better understanding of Jesus through a story told to them by Benjamin's grandfather, Eldad. I won't spoil the story for you, but you and your kids will absolutely love it.

At approximately 70 pages, this book is a quick read. The font is a nice size for children and each chapter is five to six pages long, so your child will have easy stopping points if they want to take a break from the book. More than likely, you'll have to pry the book from them as the story is just that captivating. There's about one illustration every two chapters, meaning your six year old will still be engaged while reading it to them, but your nine year old won't think this is a book for babies.

I particularly love the feature at the end titled, "Where is that in the Bible?" In this section, your child reads the Scripture passage that serves as the basis for this book. This ties a neat little bow on the package and helps catechize and reinforce what they just read. At $5.95, this 5 star book is a steal, and I can't wait to read the rest of the Gospel Time Trekkers series.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 7 year old son got this for Easter and is looking forward to the rest of the series. This will be grade 2-3 for us.

[Shannon]

Gospel Time Trekkers series, for age 7ish