The Tinker's Daughter is a story based on the life of Mary Bunyan. John Bunyan, the puritan preacher who wrote Pilgrim's Progress, had 10 children. Only the name of one of them is known, Mary. It is also known that she was blind from birth. This story is loosely based upon those few facts and what can be known about what life was like for the Puritans. At the beginning of the story, John has been taken to Prison and his second wife Elizabeth is expecting her first child. Mary sets out at the beginning to find a way to provide for their family while her father is in prison.

There are several things I love about this story.

-It is well written. Attention was paid to details--even in how color was described in terms of sound or touch, which is appropriate when speaking to someone who has never seen color (or at least that's what I found when I researched it).

-I like the use of the glossary at the back and the italicized words to help readers know which words are explained in the glossary. It is very helpful and makes the story more sound more feasible.

-The story of how Mary came to truly trust God to take care of her and her family was a sweet, hopeful, and encouraging story.

-I am glad that the author explained at the end what is and isn't known about Mary Bunyan. This will help readers understand that this is historical fiction--but it is not a biography. Just as many movies say they are based upon a real story, so are many books. These adaptations are not 100% true to the real story, but they resemble what is known.

I did ask my daugher, who is 7, to read it and she acquiesced, but she didn't get into it. I think this is because though she can read the book, she still wants a few pictures. This would be a great book for 4th-8th grade girls. It is listed in Heart of Dakota's history read alouds for 6-8th grades.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book from Moody Publishing for review.

The Tinker's Daughter is a great book. It is the true story of a blind child whose father gets put in prison for preaching. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat. I think its one of the best books Wendy Lawton has ever written! By Suzanne Alvernaz (12 years)

The Tinkers Daughter: Based on the Life of Mary Bunyan, written by Wendy Lawton, is as the title says a story about Mary Bunyan, the daughter of the well-known John Bunyan, author of Pilgrims Progress.When her father is sent to prison for unlawful preaching, 10-year-old Mary feels the burden of her fathers absence. Although she is blind from birth, takes food everyday to her father while he is in prison. This creates problems for her as she is harassed by a neighborhood bully who picks on her because she is blind. Because the family is poor and needs an income, Mary also feels like she has to help her family financially. Even though she is unable to make money on her own, she plans and schemes to devise a way for her father to earn money while he is behind bars. Marys mother died when she was young and her father remarried, so Mary doesnt have to do everything herself, but because she is so fiercely independent she feels like she should. Her father has always told her she doesnt need to do everything herself, she can call upon God for help and let Him carry her burdens. But, Mary is not one to readily rely on other people and especially not on some unseen God shes not sure even exists. She figures she can do things better her way. But, as mentioned, she runs into many difficulties when she tries to go it alone. Its not until she accepts the fact she needs assistance that she really learns how to live independently.What I Like: Everything. As Ive mentioned several times, I enjoyed historical fiction, especially when its well-written like this story is. Also, the author gives the reader valuable insight into the family life of John Bunyan, a subject about which little has been written.

Excellent read for individuals of all ages containing a very clear and biblical gospel message. Wonderful message of grace and true conversion.

I found Mary Bunyan's story very interesting. She was a blind girl, and she had an independent spirit. This book is only a fictional account of her life. Her papa, the famous John Bunyan (author of Pilgrims' Progress) was a preacher. Mary is proud to say he is her father, even when he gets in trouble with the authorities and is sent to prison, because he is doing good works. Mary believes in God, but she also thinks she can handle life by herself, without extra guidance. However, that is not where this story steers Mary. Someone new steps into her life to teach her a lesson.