Ruth lives with her Aunt, Uncle & bother Phillip while her parents are away in India. Ruth struggles with anger and laziness, this short story is about her overcoming her anger and laziness when she finds out about the "Good Shepherd". A great read perfect for just about any age. I love children's books and this is one that's been added to my 'favorites' list.

Ruth tries to get out of every chore possible and when she does actually get a chore done she only does it halfheartedly, half dried dishes, sweeping everything under the rug...

Ruth & her brother meet a young boy, Terry while playing out in the woods one day. They grow to love the boy and they all become great friends & play together all the time.

One day in a rage Ruth 'runs away'. She tires after 3 miles or so and ends up sleeping in a cold empty church. In the morning she is found by the clergyman and he shares the gospel with her. That the beginning of her journey of following the Good Shepherd. She returns home and apologizes to her aunt for her behavior and for running away. She diligently begins reading her Bible and starts to learn to heed the voice of the Shepherd when the temptation of laziness or anger came up. With work she becomes a new girl and everyone notices the difference in her life.

An accident happens and the boy, Terry becomes very sick and will never be able to play again. He is stuck in bed everyday living with his mother in a small, dark and stuffy cottage until one day Ruth's Aunt goes and visits him and invites Terry & his mother to come and live in her home. Terry & his mother moves in with Ruth and the family. Terry is cared for there by everyone and passes away. Ruth struggles with understanding death and why the Lord didn't heal Terry but took him to heaven instead. A local christian shepherd is able to explain to her the Terry's life here on earth was over and it was all part of the Lords plan.

Towards the end of the book Ruth's parents come home, just in time for Christmas. It ends with a wonderful Christmas celebration inviting several injured children to come and celebrate with them. This book was an easy and fun read that any child would love! The gospel is taught throughout the book in a very child-friendly way.

* Disclaimer - I received this book free from Moody Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

5 of the 6 books we purchased by Patricia M. St.John were Revised by Mary Mills; the 6th was not revised; were wonderful reading for the whole family...

They Were: WHERE THE RIVER BEGINS

STAR OF LIGHT

THE SECRET AT PHEASANT COTTAGE

RAINBOW GARDEN

THE TANGLEWOODS' SECRET

TREASURES OF THE SNOW

Each one is full of Valuable Vingettes of Solid Principles For Christian Living, Simple Yet Profoundly Written, Making them Easily Applicable To Every Aged Reader !!!

THANKS PATRICIA M. ST.JOHN, MARY MILLS AND MOODY PRESS...GOD BLESS!!

Walt Stewart

This is a very interesting book about a girl (Ruth) who struggles with her temper. When she learns about the Savior part way through the book, she thinks hard about it and finally gives her life to Him. The remainder of the book is about the impact this decision has on her brother and other friends and family. I read this aloud to our two children (ages 7 and 9) and they found it very interesting and could really relate to her learning to control her temper. This book does have a sad, but well handled part about a little boy who has a fall and later gives his life to Jesus before he dies. The book had the characters talk about his death and explained to children in simple terms about what happens when a Christian dies. Our children liked the good that God accomplished out of the death of the boy. A nice ending.

Very good book for children. My daugther enjoy it.

This is a beautiful story! My kids look forward to reading a chapter a day. It has so many thought provoking things in it, that I have started calling it our conversation starter. It has character building lessons all the way through.