New Children’s Chapter Books — Perfect for Children’s Biblical Literacy

by | Feb 24, 2026 | Book Reviews | 0 comments

This post is sponsored by @Zonderkidz and includes a gifted copy of the book. While this resource was kindly provided to me, all opinions, reflections, and experiences shared here are entirely my own. I only share books and resources I genuinely read, enjoy, and believe can be a blessing and encouragement to you as well.

Hidden scrolls

The mystery of the ancient Map

Book reviewer, Priscilla holding Uncomplicate It

About the book

The Hidden Scrolls series by M. J. Thomas is an exciting new adventure for young readers. The Mystery of the Ancient Map follows Peter, Mary, and their dog Hank as they uncover an ancient map marked with mysterious red Xs—each one leading to a new hidden scroll and a journey back to pivotal moments in Biblical history.

In The Brave Queen, the first book in the series, what begins as a trip to Israel for Great Uncle Solomon’s archaeology award quickly turns into another time-travel mission. After receiving a mysterious ancient map, Peter and Mary are transported back to Persia during the time of Queen Esther. There, they meet Esther, Mordecai, and the villainous Haman while working to uncover the secret of the scroll.

In The Big Fish, another red X on the ancient map leads Peter, Mary, and Hank to the sea. After discovering a new hidden scroll, they are transported back in time and find themselves aboard a ship headed into a violent storm. There, they meet Jonah and experience the unforgettable moment of being swallowed by a giant fish. As they journey toward Nineveh, they work to uncover the secret of the scroll while witnessing a powerful moment from Biblical history.

With fast-paced storytelling and engaging action, this series helps children grow in Biblical literacy while bringing Scripture to life in an imaginative and accessible way.

Let me share my personal thoughts with you!

My Personal Thoughts & Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you are raising—or know—a child ages 6–9 (roughly 2nd–3rd grade), The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls by M. J. Thomas is an engaging adventure series. These books catapult young readers into mystery, action, and Biblical history in a way that feels exciting rather than intimidating.

What makes this series stand out to me is its strong Biblical focus. The stories place children right into key moments in Scripture, helping them not just hear about Biblical events, but truly experience them through the adventure.

I also really appreciate the illustrations woven throughout the chapters. The images, every few pages, help bring the story to life and support a child’s imagination as they picture the scenes unfolding.

Most of all, I love that this series teaches Biblical history in an enjoyable and understandable way. It offers young readers clean, educational literary entertainment that families can feel good about.

Dive Deeper & Grab your copy

Let’s go deeper!

I’d love to hear from you! If you’re curious about anything I mentioned in this review or want to know more before picking up a copy, drop your questions below, and I’ll gladly share. If this book feels like something you could benefit from in this season, you can purchase your copy using the here for The Brave Queen and here for The Big Fish. May it bring peace, encouragement, and freedom in your walk with God.

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