Abraham's Journey

If I told you this review was going to be about a children's book where the main character, Abraham, finds out that his Christmas is going to be a real bummer because both of his parents have been laid off, would you want to run right out and get it?

Can you think of any of your childhood books that were realistic like that?

Me either.



But, weirdly, this book from Inspiring The American Dream called Abraham's Journey, by Robert and Kathleen Basmadjian, is uplifting and encouraging.


Weird, right?




I won't give away the whole plot, but the book's subtitle is called:

 A Celebration of the American Dream. 

And, it is.

The main character, a boy named, Abraham, travels through the past and present (via his smart phone) meeting people who truly believed in, worked hard for, and achieved the American Dream.

This book is recommended for ages 7-12, So, at first, I just tried to hand this to A-man and L-girl to read on their own.  They sort of glanced at it and set it aside for "later".....but, later never came.  Then, I decided I would just read it and see what it was all about. 

I started reading, and after the first page, thought, "What in the world?"  Especially after the first picture in the book....

(Here are the parents giving the kids the bad news about their jobs and Christmas.)

After I read it, I told the kids we were either going to do is as a read aloud or I wanted them to really read it.  They opted for a read aloud, so as we got to the various people Abraham met, we could stop and talk a bit about who they were and what they had done in history.

The book is like a little mini-history book (although it does jump around and doesn't necessarily follow a chronological path through history) about some of the people that have been important to America.  But,  even if your kids are reading this on their own and don't know some of the characters Abraham meets, there is a biography section at the back of the book that gives a little synopsis of who they are and what they are famous for....like Norman Rockwell and Melinda Gates.

This is a modern children's book that uses smart phones and social media to get its point across, but also teaches that faith, compassion and hard work are some of the most important things in life, and are key to achieving the American Dream.

It may have been unintentional, but, I thought the book conveyed the point that it is not always what you know, but who you know that leads to success.  I happen to agree with that sentiment.  I keep telling my kids.....in addition to hard work, the concept of "networking" and keeping in contact with friends and acquaintances is important.  Not that my kids will actually meet Amelia Earhart or even Mark Zuckerberg, but I think you get my point.

I sometimes feel in this day and age, the American Dream, as we have often thought of it, is dead and gone and people just want the handouts that the government can give to them.  But, this gives me hope that we are raising a new generation up to recognize their God given talents to come up with new ideas and  to persevere and put in the time and effort, take some risks to attain the.... not actually dead and gone.....American Dream.

This book is weird, but good.  And, you know me, I like weird.

You can get Abraham's Journey to help you and your children follow their own American Dream for $14.99.  Or, if you have one of those fancy Kindle thingies, you can get it for a bit less.

See what others on the TOS Review Crew thought of Abraham's Journey.



Disclaimer: I received  a physical copy of this product through the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC.