Hudson Taylor: An Adventure Begins: Trailblazers

I bought this book for my son, and he enjoyed reading it. I'd put it on a 6-9th grade reading level. I've read several detailed biographies on Hudson Taylor, and was glad to see that this a good summary of his early life and ministry. The book is set up as though his mother and sisters are receiving letters from him. There is an editor's note that some of the interaction with his sisters is fictionalized to help the flow of the book, but the accounts of what he experienced are quite accurate. At the end of the book there's 7 or 8 questions that are designed to be thought provoking and several Bible verses are included for the reader to look up. It's a great addition that encourages the reader to focus on how God worked, rather than just seeing it as a bunch of neat stories. I'd definitely recommend this book.

***SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW***This is my son's review for a school project: My review on Hudson Taylor is a 5 star because I liked how the author described his life and of how Hudsons family had to go through a lot of hard times. The book started out a little confusing but got more detailed the later on it got. In the book I like how even though Hudson Taylor had lost so many loved ones he still prayed and gave thanks to the Lord. One of my favorite parts was when his daughter confessed that she placed her faith in the Lord. Hudson and his wife Maria were praising God and feeling safe because they knew their child was in heaven. Or the time when Hudson’s very own wife died he cried and mourned a bunch because he lost her but he counted his blessings and still trusted God was in control of his life. Those were my thoughts on this good detailed book.

I bought the Kindle version for me and my granddaughter (age 10) to read together. While Hudson Taylor's life was one of courage, conviction and sacrifice for his Christian faith, this was presented mainly as a love story between family members and the women in Hudson Taylors life. Do not purchase this book as an example of good writing or punctuation for your grandchildren. The author's editor needs to be fired.

I am so disappointed with this book. I have read several of the Trailblazers series to my children, and we have enjoyed them all. I will be abandoning this book after finishing about half because it does an extreme injustice to the life of Hudson Taylor. My daughter keeps asking me if the book is about Hudson Taylor or his mother/sisters. It honestly gives me a headache every time I read it - very poorly written. I will be looking for another Hudson Taylor biography.

Good job portraying the life and struggles of this faithful missionary! Good for kids (and adults) to realize the call to missions and that not all whom God calls have it easy! Declare Jesus Great Again

Wonderful , inspiring life.