Who Doesn't Need to be Rescued?

The Captain Sun Adventures has a new book out called Rescue Me! What Superheroes Can Teach Us About the Power of Faith, by Bryce Morgan and we have had the opportunity to review it these past few weeks.  This 34 page, paperback book is part comic book/graphic novel and part kids' devotional.  It is written at a middle school level, but can be used as a fun read aloud for a family or  in a Sunday school group situation.

With eight chapters of full color pictures, Rescue Me! will keep the interest of your most reluctant reader.  Comic books just seem to do that, don't they?  Rescue Me! introduces a superhero named Captain Sun who is searching for the recent darkness in his city.  Enter Black-Out, the evil villain who has come to "snuff out the light."  What follows is a battle of good and evil where ultimately (spoiler alert) good wins out in an unexpected way.

What makes this book different from your average comic book is the fact that it is much like an allegory of our ultimate hero- Jesus.

 From Bryce-

"So have fun with Captain Sun, but have faith in the Hero of Heroes: Jesus."

Following each chapter is a "study page" written as if from a newspaper.  There you will find a lesson tied to the chapter just read, slowly outlining the central themes of faith in Christ in simple terms that a younger child can understand.  On each lesson page you will also find a question to get their mind active.  For example- If you could have one super power, what would it be?  Why?  Each lesson also ends with a scripture verse and reference.

At the end of the book you will also find "questions to think about", two for each chapter.  

How we used this and what did we think?

As usual, as soon as this book hit our mailbox my son, age 11, (6th grade) took off with it.  This kiddo loves books, but his new favorite thing is definitely graphic novels.  Honestly, he read it in about 30 minutes!  He did admit he skipped the lesson pages the first time through because he wanted to see what happened in the end, but I did convince him to go back and read it a second time, slowing down enough to take in the lesson pages.  We have since gone back again and talked about what he read in each chapter and the discussed the questions together.  It was interesting to see what details he picked upon and those he did not.

I also imagine this would be a fun book to use with a group, reading a chapter a week, and then using the questions as a spring board to some great discussion.  

One of my favorite chapters is Chapter 4 when POWER is discussed.  In the lesson, Bryce talks to kids about how God has given us power as well- the power to love and obey God.  It's not power that simple comes from imagination, but from a God whom loves us.  What a great truth for kids!

I also love that this book stops after each chapter with a lesson, allowing a child to slow down with their reading and absorb what they are learning.  The questions are a great way to help a parent engage their children in a conversation, which, let's face it, is often a challenge with kids this age.

Colby's favorite parts, of course, are the battles!  BOYS!   He did also say he liked how Captain Sun taught not to fear darkness because Jesus was our light.  Hearing that thrilled this momma's heart as fear is something my son has struggled with in the past.  

It is great to have books that entertain children, but how much better is it when those books teach them as well?  I can think of no other lesson I would want my child to learn than they are loved by God!  Such a sweet life lesson from Rescue Me! What Superheroes Can Teach Us About the Power of Faith.