The Ivan series will have children on the edge of their seats as they experience a different culture, historical period and a different world of just 30 years ago! But they will see that in one sense, these two worlds aren't that different. Christian children in any era or country will identify with Ivan ns Katya's struggles to stay faithful despite the name-calling, teasing and enmity of their fellow classmates. They'll also see the other side of persecution--the separation from families, the secrecy, fear of discovery, interrogations and injustice of a communist/atheistic society.
In Ivan and the Hidden Bible, Ivan may not be the most popular boy in the school but he is the best football player they have. However, some of the other boys think that Ivan should not be allowed to play on the school team because he is a Christian. The teasing and the bullying continue and Ivan struggles on. Things begin to look up when Ivan and his sister Katya get the chance to travel to the Lenin Collective Farm to help with the harvest. It will be great to have a break from school with plenty of fresh air and exercise. But there's another reason Ivan and Katya can't wait to get there--there just might be a hidden Bible somewhere on the farm, which is the farm that once belonged to Ivan and Katya's Grandfather! Recommended for ages 9 to 12.