Joshua and the Children

Joshua #2

by Joseph F. Girzone

The Story Continues...
Joseph F. Girzone has woven another magical story, a modern-day parable, in Joshua and the Children, which gracefully continues the teachings and inspirations from his previous bestseller, Joshua. A stronger Joshua arrives in a deceptively ordinary village only to witness the doings of unscrupulous leaders and violent people. The children are the first to recognize that something is quite different about this stranger who has come seemingly from nowhere. It is through the villagers' children that Joshua is able to restore a sense of peacefulness and honesty. "A new day had dawned, a new spirit spread throughout the land, and it all seemed to have happened because of the simple, unassuming goodness of one gentle stranger who knew only how to love."

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Religion, Spirituality, Christianity, Faith

240 pages, Paperback

First published August 10, 1989

About the author

FROM PUBLISHER:
JOSEPH F. GIRZONE retired from the active priesthood in 1981 due to health reasons, and embarked on a second career as a writer and speaker.

In 1995 he established the Joshua Foundation, an organization dedicated to making Jesus better known throughout the world.

His bestselling books include Joshua, A Portrait of Jesus, and Never Alone. He lives in Altamont, New York.

Reviews

[Joanna Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps some of you would find his book cheesy. If you can get past the fact that it is a Christian book you can get a lot out of it, not as a Christian but as a person. But I think they offer a lot. A lot of good insight and practical application. A very good read where wisdom accidently falls into your lap.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

My fourth Joshua book. Joshua goes to a thinly-veiled Northern Ireland and brings peace and happiness by teaching children to love one and other. A gentle parable. I enjoy these books. They are so...nice. And sometimes nice is okay.

[Dan Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of Girzone's "Joshua" books, but it could very well stand alone. That there are several passages in which Joshua states very clearly and concisely what he sees as what humans are doing according to God's will - or not... is really quite refreshing. A good review of how different denominations could see through their differences and even how different faiths could also....

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast, quick read on what it would look like if Jesus walked now - what would he say to the Christians now (or in the late 80s, early 90s when this was written) who claim to know and follow Him. Convicted!

There's a powerful side story of an Arabic boy who is blinded by a blast (yes, I know the Arab family was supplying radicals with weapons. I know it sounds stereotypical). The thing is Joshua ("Jesus") doesn't ask him if he's a Christian, doesn't try to "convert" him, or anything that would be manipulation. Joshua simply asks this boy, "Do you believe I can heal you?" THAT'S IT. It's so simple. And yet, we (I) make it so complex. The boy wants to be healed. Does he believe that he can be and the fact that Joshua is willing to meet this boy where he's at. He doesn't force his way. Oh that Christian's claiming to follow Him would be the same.Oh that I would be the same.

As Gandhi famously said, I like your Jesus, not your followers. Or sth like that.

Good quick read.

[Joshua Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another amazing book by Joseph F. Girzone that to me captures the essence of God's love for his wayward children. In the story, the titular character, Joshua embarks on a mission to change the hearts of the people from hatred of one another to loving each other through their children.

It's through their children and ultimately his Christ-like death that Joshua's mission spreads throughout the world. I feel that this book is one that every Christian should read regardless of denomination because that is another theme in the story: Quarrelling denominations that fostered hatred towards the other.

[Doris Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice relaxing story. Even Joshua's death at the end was handled with compassion and brightness for the future. Joshua came to this village (I suspect it was in Ireland) and proceeded to attract the children by listening to them, doing things with them, and not differentiating between Catholics and Protestants with even a Moslem thrown in for good measure. He slowly taught them to see beneath their respective religions, and they became friends. He taught them to look beneath the outward signs and see a human being under it all. The children slowly enlisted their parents to do the same. Hopefully, this was passed on to all of us.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Joshua book as it was given to me when I became involved in children's ministries. Joshua brings children together of various backgrounds in an attempt to bring peace to a volatile community. My main takeaway from this read is to always leave people better than you found them. In other words, be a light in this dark world. Let God's love shine through you. An easy going, uplifting read that I would recommend to anyone.

[Teresa Biggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually think this book was slightly worse on plot development and dialogue then the first but again ..... teach the children and they will save the world.... just thought in the modern times.. his miracles would have been gossiped a bit more and more people would have questioned him.... a man who plays music with kids every day in the meadow would be odd at any time in history.

[Karl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was supposed to read this for youth group confirmation class 1989. I never finished the book. My youth group was a clique group. I was an outsider. I didn’t fit in the youth group expectations. I read in 2025. Honestly. The real youth group confirmation class. It was at my high boarding school. I learned to respect other people. You would not learn that in youth clique group

[Kaitlyn Townsend · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the concept and the retellings/Biblical insights but thought it was very poorly executed at times...sometimes overtly preachy or simply choppy prose. I thought “Joshua” was more finely wrought.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a parable about Jesus. It is never stated, but I think this book is set in Ireland. Joshua tries to bring peace to a village where Catholics and Protestants don't get along. The way he does this is by helping the children to become friends despite the hatred that exists among their parents.

[Steve Bender · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good parable about what it might be like if Jesus had come to Ireland in the early 231st century. He deals with the problem of violence through the children. Thoughtful story.

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good simple story of how we are to live to bring glory to God...

[Anne Galamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was better than the first Joshua in the series.

[Sammie Delboy · Rating 1 out of 5]

i wish i could’ve given this book no stars but it would let me...one of the worst books i have ever read!! DONT WASTE YOU TIME ON THIS GARBAGE!!!

[Erica Coates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stirring and profoundly simple.

[Joanne Bryant]

really good

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a joy to read. Anticipation unfolded with a beautiful story from beginning to end.

[Monique Amado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read these books years ago and still remember how wonderfully he depicted Jesus, God in human form. Some similarity to the way The Chosen series does.

[Amy Catalani · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[Carol Waters · Rating 1 out of 5]

OK, it wasn't written all that long ago. A mysterious stranger comes to town, enchants the children, goes on long walks with them, and does funny magic tricks such as asking a child to share a sandwich from a mysterious drum that has two sandwiches-- and then one more, and then one more, and then one more!!! I really felt as if there should have been a lot of exclamation points because the book read as if some junior high girl had written it, and it should have had hears over the "i" instead of dots. The sort of person who would wade through this drivel knows the Jesus story, and the sort of person who didn't know the Jesus ethos wouldn't let their kid go ten miles by foot with a strange adult. The biblical miracles are now hilarious pranks- the red ball turns into a bunny turns into a ball disappears from the baffled adults altogether and whoops it's a bunny again. Trivializes Jesus and aggravating.

I'm reading this thing because I found it among my professional workbooks with the loveliest inscription to me from the donor. I want to respect the gift. The message I've heard before, and done better, with parables that didn't take no 200 pages to get across.

130 pages in and he's eating a ham steak. Nobody has guessed even though he has made the blind kid see. What a bunch of dopes.


OK, it's two weeks later and I've had it. The guy who keeps doing "Playful" miracles like making a bunny appear and healing a blind kid manages to cause world peace. And then ooops bad guys. And we all live happily ever after. I can't figure out why the author didn't say THIS IS ABOUT THE IRISH TROUBLES because American Presbyterians and Catholics aren't into bombing each other. Maybe he didn't want to be prejudicial. But in any case the writing stunk. The plot was odiferous.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

WARNING: SPOILER ALERT (I don't go into great detail, but I do give perhaps enough information that could spoil it for some).

Too cutesie in spots (that is, where horrendous violence isn't taking place--maybe readers of violent materials might not think it so harsh, but the intensity seems out of place in a book like this). A tale of Joshua seeking to help end conflict in future generations by influencing children to avoid the hate of their radical elders. The level of divisiveness between Christian denominations will not be easily relatable to an American audience (it's as if it's supposed to take place elsewhere--Ireland, perhaps?) Joshua is supposed to be an average Joe wandering into town, but folks soon see he's so much more than that. It doesn't take long for him to start showing who he really is. And (most) everybody soon comes to think he's the greatest thing around (as we read, we come to agree--well, most of us, I hope). One thing I didn't like in particular are the miracles he performs, which are too much like one might read in one of those "lost books of the Bible." As for the writing itself, Girzone seems to mix story-telling with preaching, and he doesn't stay consistent with POV. Read it if you want to see something (though certainly not everything) about who Jesus is, but not if you want to read a well-told story.

[Alyssa]

The sequel to Joshua was alot more personal for me. I am still a child and can relate to what Joshua was teaching. Althought the violence isn't as extreme where I live it was a tear jerker when the children came together. I especially like the piccolos in the city. It is an easy read, with a deep message. I would recommend this book to everyone.


Joshua finds himself in a town where violence has corupted the views of elders, but are effecting the children. Joshua gathers a group of chidren who have been seperated all their lives due to religion. As the children learn to become friends and surprise the adults a group of radical people are not happy with Joshua's work. Joshua's identity is reaveled in the end, proving many readers' suspicions correct.

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

Totally disappointing tale of a village, presumable in Ireland, traumatized by violence between Catholic and Protestents instigated by outside radicals. A stranger, Joseph, comes to town with a special knack of bringing out the best in people, especially the children, though acts of simple kindness and acceptance. He soon makes it clear that his mission to defeat the forces of hate by getting all the children to play together and love each other despite the religious bigotry of many adults. As a parable of the second coming of Christ, this story failed to move me or engage me with a meaningful plot. The characters were too stereotyped and a realistic struggle with the issues was not rendered.

[Ebookwormy1 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this series as a young person. While I found it to be an interesting artistic attempt, it was simply not memorable to me.

Why would I want to read about how Jesus *might* look today when I can read about who He really was in the Bible?

The idea that believers are to follow Him is valid, but wouldn't the Bible be a better place to discover and ponder how to do that?

I couldn't resolve these questions as a young person and I cannot resolve them now. That is what made these books a one and done for me.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

"... forgiveness is the beautiful gift that Jesus gave us as the unfailing key to peace of mind" ... "We have to adopt the forgiving nature of Jesus, who never allowed himself to take offense, so we can each in his own way, reach out to heal the hurts all around us." ... "Peace cannot exist as long as people enjoy hating. Hatred can end only when individuals choose not to take offense, can overlook the meanness and limitations of others, and understand the troubles that give rise to mean things. Few people grow to be that big."

[Heidi Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read this book before, and I found it continues to inspire faith in who Jesus is as opposed to how Religion tends to portray Him. Since my first reading, I have also had my eyes opened by Bruxy Cavey’s The End of Religion. The non-fiction themes Bruxy presents mesh with the simplicity of faith Girzone portrays.

Perhaps the novel reads a bit like a sermon, but I wasn’t put off by it. I’m intrigued by the idea of seeing Jesus—Joshua—in present day life. It’s as appealing as meeting Yeshua in Dekker’s A. D. 30.

[Janine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found myself really bored with this one. I didn't actually finish it because I realized that every time I picked it up to read, I found my mind wandering off on other things. I had to keep re-reading parts where it had lost my attention. Maybe I just don't "get" the whole Catholic / Protestant thing? I don't know. I enjoyed "Joshua" very much and liked "Joshua and His Family." I'm going to try "Joshua in the Holy Land" next.

[Paul Black · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the depiction of Jesus (Joshua) as kind, confident, hard-working, bold, and good-natured. I could not agree with the notion that God doesn't care what church you attend as long as you are loving. On the other hand, I could see that too many people use their position to force others to do what they think is right. All the social drinking bothered me, too. Well written book, but I didn't feel the peaceful warmth of the spirit.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was required reading for my ninth grade Religion class. It stood in stark contrast to books assigned for English class (i.e. actual literature). It also nearly turned me off to Christianity entirely (admittedly, the teacher was already doing a pretty good job of that single-handedly, already).