The Hidden Message by Lois Walfrid Johnson

The Hidden Message, book 2 of Adventures of the Northwoods by Lois Walfrid Johnson was copyrighted in 1990. This Christian historical mystery was published by Bethany House Publishers has 142 pages and is for children 8-12.

Kate, Anders and Erik decide they need to solve the mystery of Josie’s family’s missing steer and Erik’s family’s canned goods. They discover it is their prime suspect, Stretch, but they never knew he did it because he was hungry. New brother and sister, Kate and Anders, need to help Mama while Papa during the winter of 1906 in rural Wisconsin. Kate and Anders along with Erik begin to suspect Stretch of taking the canned goods when Kate sees him with blue hands. Papa once told Erik that you should always believe in someone until proven otherwise. Anders and Kate both take that into consideration, but Kate has problems with it, because Stretch left her in the frozen lake to drown. Kate lies to her mother about almost drowning and she is send to her room every afternoon for a week. She sneaks out and little sister, Tina, tries to follow and almost falls out of a tree. Kate tells her mother, who forgives her. Now she just needs to ask God for his forgiveness. When they are visiting the Berglund’s and Kate sees the extra food in their cellar. They get Big Gust and go to see Stretch, who admits to taking the food and the steer, because his father left. Kate forgives Stretch as God forgave her. Kate, Anders and Erik learn to forgive and God is on their side. They need not fear when he is with us.

Lois Walfrid Johnson is well known and has a won a Gold Medallion for her series Lets-talk-about-it. She has written some pre-teen devotionals, which are bestsellers. She has a husband and three children and lives in rural Wisconsin. She included acknowledgements in the back of the book to all those who help and were there for her.

There are three clear issues in this story; God sent His Son to save us, believe in someone until proven differently, and God forgives us. I thought these were important to everybody, because we all need to be reminded about what God has done for us. We can so easily forget in this busy world what life should be about and this book show us what we should be thinking about. It is nice to be reminded that our sins are forgiven and not to worry any more.

I did not like how Kate did not always listen to Anders. She should listen to him because he has lived in the area longer, so he knows the area and the people. I liked how Kate took the time to learn special organs songs for Tina and Papa.

I would recommend this book, because we all need to remember to forgive others and that God is with us. It is always fun to read a good mystery.

The Disappearing Stranger by Lois Walfrid Johnson

Book one the Adventure of the Northwoods series, The Disappearing Stranger, was copyrighted by Lois Walfrid Johnson in 1990. Bethany House Publishers published it. This Christian mystery has 142 pages and is for kids ages 8-12.

Kate’s mama marries Mr. Nordstrom in 1906 and they go to his home in Wisconsin. His son, Anders, and Kate solve the mystery of the strange man and the box. When Kate first moves to Wisconsin she does not get along well with Anders. Kate comes across a man burying a box. She enlists the help of Anders to get the box and then solve the mystery when the box goes missing. When they come across a syrup pail in their well they know something is going on. They decide to stay up all night to watch to see if somebody takes the pail from its new spot. The stranger comes and Kate sneaks into his wagon. Anders comes to her rescue the next day with the help of Big Gust. They catch the thief, Mr. Eberly a traveling salesman. Kate and Anders receive an award, which enables both of them to get what they really want, Kate and organ and Anders a horse. Kate realizes that after being chased by a bull, being lost in the woods and strong winds that God is always with her. She just needs accept him, like she needs enjoy acceptance into her new blended family.

Lois Walfrid Johnson is a well-known author who has won a Gold Medallion award and her teen devotionals are bestsellers. Her setting is historically accurate as is the addition of Big Gust. At the end of the book Mrs. Johnson acknowledges the people who helped her with her book.

I, like Kate, need to make Psalm 46 my mantra. We need to all open our hearts to God and he will be there always. He is our refuge.

I liked how Mr. Nordstrom slowly made friends with Kate. I also liked how Kate realized that God is there for her. I did not like how Kate listened to Sarah and made negative assumptions about Wisconsin.

I would recommend this paperback book, because we all need to know that God is always there for us.