William Levi, a Messianic believer from an African Hebrew tribal group, grew up as a refugee in the wilderness of Uganda. As a teen he returned to his homeland, only to face persecution, arrest, and torture. His miraculous escape from jihad forces was the first in an odyssey that ultimately led to a new life in the United States. What tools should Christians use to fight the war in Sudan and other Muslim countries, the Bible or the axe? Learn the depths of forgiveness and the power of Christ’s love to triumph in the most desperate circumstances. Parent pre-read recommended – some mention of prostitution. Read Alone age 14+; Read Aloud age 10+

by Jessica Woodis, revised by Sandi Queen

The time of the Tudors was a fascinating time in English history, full of interesting characters. This collection of descriptive accounts of the lives of England’s major figures during this period will give a good picture of what it was like to live during this time in history.  This book is written from a Christian point of view providing a guarded narrative of the Tudors not easily obtainable.  Ten chapters cover from Henry VII to Elizabeth I, including a chapter on Catherine of Aragon. Suited to children aged 12+, 90p.

This book is wonderful for all students of nature. High school biology students and college zoology students, will also benefit highly from this book .  This scientific colouring book teaches the structure and function of the major animal groups, from simple to complex. Brief, informative texts accompany each drawing, this book will take your students beyond your average Biology textbook. (Not a children’s colouring book). PB 240p, 540g.

Sample Page.

All Salem Ridge books are softcover unless stated otherwise.

Story Setting: Rome and Arabia in 594 – 632 A.D. The Rise of Islam

Read the First Chapter! 
Originally published in 1877; 272 pages; For Ages 12 – Adult

At a Syrian market two Christian women are sold as slaves. One of the slaves ends up in Rome where Bishop Gregory is teaching his new doctrine of “purgatory” and the need for Christians to finish paying for their own sins. The other slave travels with her new master, Mohammed, back to Arabia, where Mohammed eventually declares himself to be the prophet of God. In Rome and Arabia, the two women and countless others fall into the bondage of man-made religions—will they learn at last to find true freedom in the Lord Jesus Christ alone?The story of the rise of Islam from the perspective of several differing characters. The reader is first introduced to a searching Mohammed, who hears the gospel but considers it foolishness. From a sincere searcher, he gradually becomes an ostracized spokesman of strange, yet pacifist beliefs, and he finally emerges as the violent and charismatic leader of a new religion. Ms. Leslie traces the response of a disillusioned Jew, an Arab slave girl, a blind, prophetess who wholeheartedly seeks God, and a Roman woman who knows only religious tradition, as they come into contact with the self-proclaimed prophet. It is a unique and eye-opening intertwining of historical fact and entertaining fiction.

This book also has page end notes of any difficult words and their meanings, thus developing your child’s vocabulary as he/she reads!
Emma Leslie (1837-1909), whose actual name was Emma Dixon, was a prolific Victorian children’s author who wrote well over 100 books. Emma Leslie brought a strong Christian emphasis into her writing and many of her books were originally published by the Religious Tract Society.

See The Old Schoolhouse magazine review.

Story Setting: Athens in 59 – 64 A.D. A Tale of Athens in the First Century

In this book the author has portrayed some of the many difficulties that Christianity had to contend with in the 1st century AD; not only paganism and philosophy, but from every mode of life and tone of thought then prevailing. Christianity was planted amongst a culture of corrupt, luxurious, cruel pleasure-seekers and proud, self-satisfied and disdainful philosophers – sounds familiar, doesn’t it?  The insights into ancient Greece gained from this story are relevant and helpful in understaniding our present age.  A must read if you studying Ancient Greece.

Read the First Chapter!
Originally published in 1874; 270 pages; For Ages 10 – Adult After the death of her father, Glaucia is sold to a wealthy Roman family to pay his debts. She tries hard to adjust to her new life but longs to find a God who can love even a slave. Meanwhile, her brother, Laon, struggles to find her and to earn enough money to buy her freedom. But what is the mystery that surrounds their mother’s disappearance years earlier and will they ever be able to read the message in the parchments she left for them?

This book also has page end notes of any difficult words and their meanings, thus developing your child’s vocabulary as he/she reads!

Emma Leslie (1837-1909), whose actual name was Emma Dixon, was a prolific Victorian children’s author who wrote well over 100 books. Emma Leslie brought a strong Christian emphasis into her writing and many of her books were originally published by the Religious Tract Society.

See The Old Schoolhouse review.

Read the First Chapter!

Story Setting: Roman England in 66 – 67 A.D.

Originally published in 1873; 169 pages; For Ages 12 – AdultThe Druid priests are as cold and cruel as the forest spirits they claim to represent, and Guntra, the chief of her tribe of Britons, must make a desperate deal with them to protect those she loves. Unaware of Guntra’s struggles, Jugurtha, her son, longs to drive the hated Roman conquerors from the land. When he encounters the Christian Centurion, Marcinius, Jugurtha mocks the idea of a God of love and kindness, but there comes a day when he is in need of love and kindness for himself and his beloved little sister. Will he allow Marcinius to help him? And will the gospel of Jesus Christ ever penetrate the brutal religion of the proud Britons?

This book also has page end notes of any difficult words and their meanings, thus developing your child’s vocabulary as he/she reads!

Emma Leslie (1837-1909), whose actual name was Emma Dixon, was a prolific Victorian children’s author who wrote well over 100 books. Emma Leslie brought a strong Christian emphasis into her writing and many of her books were originally published by the Religious Tract Society.

See The Old Schoolhouse review.

Read the First Chapter!

Story Setting: Saxon England in 1053 – 1066 A.D.
Originally published in 1885; 222 pages; For Ages 10 – Adult

Having discovered God’s love for her, Gytha, a young slave, longs to escape the violence and cruelty of the world and devote herself to learning more about this God of love. Instead she lives in a Saxon household that despises the name of Christ. Her simple faith and devoted service bring hope and purpose to those around her, especially during the dark days when England is defeated by William the Conqueror. Through all of her trials, can Gytha learn to trust that God often has greater work for us to do in the world than out of it?
This book also has page end notes of any difficult words and their meanings, thus developing your child’s vocabulary as he/she reads!

“All in all, Gytha’s Message is an excellent piece of children’s historical fiction with strong moral themes, including faith through hardship and the bonds of family.” ~ Kathy Gelzer, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Read the full review

Read the First Chapter! 

Story Setting:  Danish England in 879 – 883 A.D.
Originally published in 1886; 266 pages; For Ages 12 – Adult

Knowing full well they may die in the attempt, a small band of monks sets out to convert the savage Danes who have laid waste to the surrounding countryside year after year. The monks’ faith is sorely tested as they face opposition from the angry Priest of Odin as well as doubts, sickness and starvation, but their leader, Osric, is unwavering in his attempts to share the “White Christ” with those who reject Him. Then the monks discover a young Christian woman who has escaped being sacrificed to the Danish gods—can she help reach those who had enslaved her and tried to kill her?

This book has page end notes with difficult words and their meanings, thus developing your child’s vocabulary as he/she reads.

Emma Leslie (1837-1909), whose actual name was Emma Dixon, was a prolific Victorian children’s author who wrote well over 100 books. Emma Leslie brought a strong Christian emphasis into her writing and many of her books were originally published by the Religious Tract Society.

Related titles:

In the Days of Alfre the Great

The Ancient Vikings

Historical Atlas of the Viking World

Read the First Chapter!

Story Setting: Asia Minor in 163 – 166 A.D.
Originally published in 1875; 265 pages; For Ages 12 – Adult

When Flaminius, a high Roman official, takes his wife, Flavia, to the Colosseum to see Christians thrown to the lions, he has no idea the effect it will have. Flavia cannot forget the faith of the martyrs, and finally, to protect her from complete disgrace or even danger, Flaminius requests a transfer to a more remote government post. As he and his family travel to the seven cities of Asia Minor mentioned in Revelation, he sees the various responses of the churches to persecution. His attitude toward the despised Christians begins to change, but does he dare forsake the gods of Rome and embrace the Lord Jesus Christ?

This book also has page end notes of any difficult words and their meanings, thus developing your child’s vocabulary as he/she reads!

Emma Leslie (1837-1909), whose actual name was Emma Dixon, was a prolific Victorian children’s author who wrote well over 100 books. Emma Leslie brought a strong Christian emphasis into her writing and many of her books were originally published by the Religious Tract Society.