Fun, absorbing novel that helps kids aged 7+ to engage with the Bible as they learn that God’s grace never runs out.
New house. New school. New problems!
Like many kids, adventurous and creative 9-year-old Abigail experiences lots of ups and downs when it comes to school life, making friends and getting on with parents and siblings. Through both the humorous and serious challenges that arise, Abigail finds herself in one new mess after another. But as she learns all about how Jesus forgave Peter when he messed up again and again, she sees how Jesus can forgive her too.
Readers will explore the Bible alongside Abigail and learn that God’s love for us and his grace to us never run out. So we can start over again and again!
This fun, exciting novel for kids aged 7+ features short chapters with illustrations that really bring the story to life. It explains grace in a kid-friendly way that is relevant to their lives, and it provides a great way for kids to engage with the Bible.
This is the first book in the Abigail series, a fictional series for readers aged 7 and up that follows the adventures of 9-year-old Abigail as she figures out what faith means for her everyday life. Young readers will be inspired to read the Bible, talk to God and apply what they believe to their own lives.
Visit the Abigail series website for free downloads, worksheets from the book, games and more!
1. Hurry Up, Headband
2. Mrs. Hennig
3. Don't Forget the Fishing Pole
4. Brown, Slimy Sludge
5. Uh Oh!
6. Flora Flores
7. Big Mouths
8. A Very Good Friend
9. Kids' Club
10. Peter's Big Adventure
11. Fisher of Men
12. Nana and Grandpa's
13. Sticky-Duct-Aids
14. Walking on Water
15. Greg Again
16. We Need to Talk
17. Adventure Central
18. A Good Grace Story
19. Fantastic Flora
20. Not Such a Mess
21. Adventuring
22. Second Chances
A Note from the Author
Book Club Questions
Age range: | 7+ |
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Contributors | Bethany McIlrath |
ISBN | 9781784989064 |
Format | eBook |
First published | June 2024 |
Language | English |
Publisher | The Good Book Company |
Starting over is hard! But it’s a lesson nine-year-old Abigail is learning as she begins fourth grade at her new school. She’s also going to learn about grace—the kind we extend to others and the grace God offers his children. Fun, relatable, grounded in Scripture, and full of bold illustrations, Abigail and the Big Start Over by Bethany McIlrath is a story kids will love.
In the Abigail books, Bethany McIlrath demonstrates how a family’s commitment to their shared faith can help a nine-year-old girl navigate the everyday problems that children face. Each book not only tells a clever, funny story about Abigail but also successfully unpacks the biblical truths that Abigail discovers along the way.
In the Abigail books, Bethany McIlrath demonstrates how a family’s commitment to their shared faith can help a nine-year-old girl navigate the everyday problems that children face. Each book not only tells a clever, funny story about Abigail but also successfully unpacks the biblical truths that Abigail discovers along the way.
It is so encouraging to find chapter books that will encourage our children to grow in godliness.
The story and characters in this book are engaging, and relatable!
My daughter commented on the font size used in this book, and the ease in reading it.
I also appreciate the frequent illustrations throughout the chapter book, which is great for kids who like to visualize what they are reading.
I love the amount of biblical teachings integrated throughout the book!
We are excited to read more books from this series!
What a blessing to hand my daughter a novel that I know will encourage her in godly character development. She enjoyed the story & characters. I'm glad to see there are more Abigail books, too!
Review from my daughter, age 9:
Abigail & the big start over is a very good book. Abigail is very patient, for example when her brother mixed all her favorite colors together and poured them on the floor she was kind. She is a really awesome character- she loves adventure, reading, art, making new friends, and is really positive. I want to stand up for my friends like Abigail does. Plus the book isn’t too short and it isn’t too long. The book taught me a lot about grace and had a lot of information about the Bible. There are more books coming in the series, and I really want to read them. This is an excellent book.
Thoughts from mom:
With so many books to choose from I love the ease of handing my daughter a book from the Good Book Company. I can trust that it will be a reliable source of truth and light. Don’t forget to check out their website (at Adventure Central) for fun games & activity pages related to the Abigail series!
I provided this review in exchange for a free copy of the book.
I was beyond excited to read this book alongside my 8 year old daughter. We are always on the look out for great, christian based books for older elementary and middle school kids. They seem to be far and few between compared to young children, teen, and adult. So I was happy to see this new series and had high expectations for it.
The book is a solid chapter book and geared towards upper elementary and middle school. It's structured with twenty-two chapters, each being a reasonable length.
The story revolves around the main character, Abigail, and her journey through fourth grade. Everything Abigail goes through is relatable to every fourth grader. She goes through real life struggles and emotions and decision making but all while learning to obey and follow the Spirit.
Both my child and I thoroughly enjoyed the book all the way through.
She also includes a book club section that allows readers to come together and discuss questions relating to Abigail's journey. I appreciate this option as it provides young readers to talk about their faith together and make it normal to discuss Jesus.
We are so excited for more books to come in this series!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.