Fun, absorbing novel that helps kids aged 7+ to explore the challenges and joys of sharing Jesus' love with others.
Part of the Abigail series.
What does it look like for kids to share the gospel with their friends? Join 10-year-old Abigail as she discovers God's power to save and learns about showing Christ's love to others in word and deed.
In this relatable story, Abigail is delighted to spend her summer hanging out with elegant, imaginative, up-for-anything Maggie! But, to Abigail's disappointment, Maggie isn't allowed to come to Bible Club. In fact, it turns out that talking about Jesus is banned in Maggie's house. So how can Abigail share Jesus' love with Maggie in other ways? Alongside Abigail, readers will…
Kids will be inspired to consider the challenges and joys of sharing faith with others, as well as to be fervent in prayer and persevering in hope as they participate in the Great Commission. This fun, exciting novel is the fifth in the Abigail series!
Visit the Abigail series website for free downloads, worksheets from the book, games and more!
1. The Summer Situation
2. Fairies vs. Pirates
3. Backyard Surprises
4. An Invitation Interrupted
5. Trouble
6. The Queen Says No
7. Why?!
8. A Man Named Zacchaeus
9. The Lighthouse Contest
10. Let’s Play
11. Splash!
12. Walk That Plank
13. Plain Clay Jars
14. Ye Old Paul
15. Pirate Problems
16. Hot, Hot, Hot
17. The Last Night
18. And the Winner Is…
19. Ice Cream!
20. Jesus’ Love Shines
A Note from the Author
Book-Club Questions
A Sneak Peek
| Age range: | 7+ |
|---|---|
| Contributors | Bethany McIlrath, Katie Saunders |
| ISBN | 9781802543933 |
| Format | eBook |
| First published | May 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | The Good Book Company |
“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.”
Bethany has created a delightful series that helps young readers connect their faith with their everyday life. Abigail’s adventures are fun and relatable, delivering valuable lessons for all kids and making this series a great one to add to your bookshelf.
Abigail is back, and that will make young readers and their families very happy! That’s because Bethany McIlrath’s entire series also makes kids feel as if they are part of Abigail’s story. Plus, these fun, cheerful, and meaningful books help kids become more deeply aware of the grander story God is writing in their own lives.
This is a summer must read! It makes for a fun read aloud that will lead to lively and thought-provoking conversations. Or a great book for the independent reader, ages 8+.
This is book five in the Abigail series and it may just be my favorite one yet! It tackles an important topic- how do we treat those who don’t know and love Jesus?
As always, to answer this question, the author does a beautiful job of turning to scripture. The key verse used is 1 John 4:19: “We love because he first loved us.” The author also does a great job of using examples (Zacchaeus, Paul, and Lydia) and analogies (Jesus’s light shining compared to a lighthouse) to make this topic comprehensible to all ages.
In this book Abigail finds herself desperate for a friend for summer break. God answers her prayer by bringing Maggie into her life. But then Abigail discovers that Maggie doesn’t believe in God. It’s even a rule in Maggie’s house to not talk about “Jesus stuff.”“God can still show Maggie who he is and how much he loves her through your friendship,” Abigail’s dad teaches her.
I have never found another series as wonderful for young girls at Abigail! The Abigail series teaches kids the gospel and gives kids practical advice on how to live as Christian’s in today’s world. If you have never read an Abigail book, I highly recommend you add this series to your home library. Your family will be blessed by sweet Abigail and the everyday trials she overcomes.
*I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
My daughter and I loved reading this book together. Abigail’s character is such a sweetheart and was very relatable to my 8 year old. I loved how this book walked us through real life situations of being a good witness for Christ. I cannot recommend enough!
This cute middle-grade novel is the fifth in a series, but it also works as a standalone, since the author reintroduces all of the characters. In this story, Abigail is facing a summer filled with loneliness while her friends are away, but a surprise connection with someone she doesn't know well leads to a new friendship. Abigail's new friendship with Maggie is a source of fun and excitement, but it also introduces new tensions, especially after Abigail invites Maggie to her Bible Club. Maggie's mom won't allow her daughter to go to any kind of church event, and doesn't allow any conversations about Jesus.
“Abigail and the Summer Situation” has a great message about showing Jesus's love to people while also respecting their boundaries. Abigail's thought processes and conversations with her parents about this feel very realistic and natural, representing common experiences for Christian kids her age. The book follows dual storylines about Abigail's friendship with Maggie and her adventures at Bible Club, and what Abigail learns at Bible Club helps her deal with multiple challenging situations.
Author Bethany McIlrath is great at weaving Christian teaching and life lessons into these stories without making them feel preachy, and kids will enjoy reading about the fun activities and games at Bible Club. On the publisher's website, parents and church workers can download an activity pack to recreate some of these experiences for kids.
“Abigail and the Summer Situation” is a fun, fast-paced story that will appeal to middle-grade girls. This chapter book makes a great family read-aloud or book club choice, and there are discussion questions in the back. I recommend this book and the whole Abigail series to Christian families looking for faith-based novels that authentically represent a young girl's experience following Jesus.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Thank you to the author and publisher for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
This is the perfect summer read for young girls. It talks about swimming, ice cream, and more importantly the Gospel. I loved how the setting included a Vacation Bible School event. The Gospel was very prevalent throughout the story. I loved how well written this book was. Highly recommend!
If you’re looking for a wholesome series for your daughter, introduce her to Abigail and her adventures!
This story features a hard situation that is real for so many kids - what to do with a difficult friend and how to let the love of Jesus shine through us.
This is a series I am thrilled that my 6-year-old daughter loves because it is wholesome, biblical, and tons of fun!
Best for:
• independent readers ages 6-12
• girls who love imagination, creativity, and learning about God
Why we love it:
• Abigail is sweet and spunky, she loves her family, and she engages the world around her with energy and enthusiasm. We loved seeing Abigail navigate a challenging friendship in a way that let God’s love shine.
• Abigail is a character who is strongly relatable for young girls; she faces hardships and temptations, and she works through them with Scripture, her parents, and trusted adults as her guide. She’s the wholesome and encouraging friend we all want for our daughters
What it teaches:
As Abigail learns through studying Zaccheus and 1 John 4:19, because God first loved us, we can love others, imperfectly share Jesus with them, and always pray for them to know Jesus as their Savior.
Thank you to thegoodbookcompanyusa for a complimentary book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
