The Betrayer's Fortune: Introducing Menno Simons

Trailblazer Books #14

by Dave Jackson, Neta Jackson

THE BETRAYER'S FORTUNE Introducing Menno Simons Adriaen Wens was frightened-for his own life and for his mother's. In 1543, many Christians in northeastern Europe were suffering cruel persecution, even execution, for following the beliefs of Menno Simons, the leader of a group called the Anabaptists. When Adriaen's mother was arrested, he had to flee during the night with Menno, knowing that to stay in the city would mean his own arrest. Soon after, Adriaen discovered there was a reward of a hundred gold pieces for the capture of Menno Simons. With so much gold, Adriaen could free his mother and rescue his family from the city! But could he turn in the underground church leader, even if it meant the man's execution? If Adriaen betrays the leader, his family will go free!

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Childrens, Historical, Juvenile

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1994

About the author

Dave and Neta Jackson are a full-time husband/wife writing team who have authored and co-authored many books on marriage and family, the church, relationships, and other subjects. Their books for children include the TRAILBLAZER series and Hero Tales, volumes I,II, III, and IV. The Jacksons make their home in Evanston, Illinois.

Reviews

[Jenna]

This book had a good ending.

[Grace Lynch]

Assigned to read this whole series in middle school, and I learned a lot. Great educational read!

[Astra]

Menno Simons was an anabaptist priest, but actually the main character wasn't him. The main character's Adriaen. His goal is to free his mother who is in jail for being an anabaptist. The story takes place during the Reformation. (The Reformation [and the Renaissance:] is sort of what freed us from the Middle Ages.)

I believe people should be free to believe in any god, goddess or many gods and goddesses that they want to believe in. The people who put Adriaen's mother in jail believed in the same god but the anabaptists differed because they thought that people should be able to choose when they wanted to be baptized.

In the story, anybody who has information on where Menno Simons is will get a reward. The family of the person who has information will get a pardon on any crime their family member has done. Adriaen has to decide whether he's going to betray Menno Simons or have his mother stay in jail.

If I had been able to decide, then I would not have chosen to betray Menno Simons because my mother would want me to have integrity.