Helpful Score: 2
My all time favorite Ballantyne! He clearly was dealing with a subject near and dear to his heart. The Killing Times were terrible, but he deals with them in a way appropriate for children, without dumbing it down. Follow a young trooper as he deserts from the dragoons, and joins the Scots, falls in love, and fights for a new found faith and way of life. These books are remarkable in that Ballantyne seeks to reveal the nature of the culture he deals with in each one. They are great for boys, 10 and up in particular. And girls too, for that fact of the matter. I read a different one out loud to a 9 y/o, a 5 y/o, and a 3 y/o. They loved it. The 9 y/o actually became so impatient to hear the rest of the story, that he finished it on his own. Then started another one. If you are familiar with Henty, I would definitely recommend Ballantyne. They are well written, captivating, humorous, heartbreaking, and God- Honoring. They support, unlike Henty, a literal 6 day creation and a salvation by Grace alone theology.
