"titanic: the ship of dreams" by robert plant

About the book: In April 1912, evangelist John Harper and his daughter Nana set sail on the Titanic. A man with a true passion for the lost, Harper took every opportunity to share the gospel with those he encountered on board, even as it became apparent he would go down with the Titanic.

My take: At first, I struggled with this book. I felt like it was taking way to long to get to the main event—the sinking of the Titanic—and I didn't find the dialog to be particularly engaging.

Then I realized my problem—I was reading this book as I read all the other books I review, with my critical adult hat firmly in place. So I stopped about halfway through the book and asked myself if I would have enjoyed this book as a child, and the answer was an unequivocal "yes." I would have loved Nana's adventures exploring the ship with her friends Eva and Charlie. I would have worried about everyone's safety. And I would have cried as John breathed his last, still proclaiming the truth of the gospel. (OK, I cried at that part as an adult!)

While Titanic: The Ship of Dreams is not a book that will interest many older children or adults, I think six- to ten-year-olds will enjoy it quite a bit. At the end of the book, five "Take Five Minutes" discussions and Bible studies are included, which parents should find helpful in discussing the story with their children. 3-1/2 stars.

About the author: Robert Plant is from a Christian Brethren (Gospel Hall) background and works as a Christian Evangelist. He has strong links with John Ritchie Ltd. He conducts about 20 series of children’s meetings each year.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Christian Focus Publications. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."