Caleb's Quest - Chris Esseltine

by Tristi Pinkston | More from this Blogger

26 Mar 2008 08:00 AM

Do you remember the Choose Your Own Adventure Books from your childhood? I discovered them when I was about nine, and loved them. As you're reading along, you have the chance to make choices, and depending on the choice you make, the story changes. The concept was ground-breaking and soon authors from all over were capitalizing on the idea. Books for older children were soon introduced, including a line for pre-teen girls. One story really turned me off, though - if you chose not to make out with your boyfriend, the story ended. What kind of message is that?

Chris Esseltine brings a positive message to his spin-off, however. His new release "Caleb's Quest" is a Choose Your Own Adventure story that takes place in Book of Mormon times. Caleb is a thirteen-year-old boy whose father is getting ready to go off and fight in the Nephite/Lamanite war. Caleb knows his father is doing the right thing in defending the family and their religion, but he's worried about his father's safety. He decides to go off and act as a page in the army so he can keep an eye on his father and assure himself as to his father's safety.

During the journey, we have a lot of choices to make. We can choose not to go on the journey at all, but as the story is about the journey, it ends if we decide to stay home. We can decide if we should join the army, if we should travel with certain groups, if we should go this direction or that. Whenever you make a choice, you are directed to a different page, and the story continues on from there. You can go back and read all the different choices and storylines as many times as you like - the possibilities are endless.

Your child will learn about Book of Mormon times and battles from the story as well as enjoying a good read. I'd recommend it for ages 10 and up. I did wish the writing had been a little tighter, but I like what the author is doing here and hope to see another installment soon.

(This book was published in 2008 by Bonneville Books.)

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Learn more about Tristi Pinkston

I've been a blogger for Families.com since August of 2006.

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