Customer Reviews

Keeping Holiday

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I started and finished reading this book in one day and loved every minute of it! Much as in real life, Dylan realizes that there must be more to the Holiday celebration than presents, eating, & being with others. He longs to understand what the underlying "more" is, and sets out to find the missing element. On his journey, very key biblical elements are introduced, including the doctrine of election, God's sovereignty, His providential care, the folly of works salvation, and even the realization that salvation is not passed from generation to generation. I was very impressed with this book and highly recommend it!

Not satisfied with what turns out to be a mere foretaste of the city of Holiday, two children Dylan and Clare set out on a journey to find the real one. Severe difficulties along the way do not deter their resolution, but on the contrary, not only solidify it, but also lead them to their true longing beyond living in the city; a greater longing to know the Founder. As they press on to find the Founder, however, over and over again, they are reminded by the people, talking inanimate objects and creatures they encounter that they do not find the Founder, but the Founder find them; He is not only the Founder, but also the Finder. The search for Holiday and its Founder reveals to them their own nature, the nature of the Founder Himself, the inhabitants of Holiday and the Founder's enemy; represented by the unsuspecting Mr. Smith.

In this story, Starr Meade teaches at least three cardinal Christian doctrines. First, the nature of gospel salvation; that is, salvation is initiated, acted and secured by God alone. The fact one seeks God is because God foreknew, i.e., fore-loved that person first before the foundation of the world. The linchpin of salvation is the atonement of sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, though she only vaguely alludes to this. Second, what Dylan and Clare go through illustrates a true persistent cross-bearing nature of the Christian life. This is tremendously necessary to answer the heresy of "Your Best Life Now" theology, whose effects not only ruin adults, but also potentially, if not already, children. Third, the sovereign providence and faithfulness of God who is not only the Creator of the universe but also the Ruler of it, who directs every person and event throughout history since the beginning of time with meticulous details, whose execution is guaranteed according to His immutable will.

If I were to offer some constructive criticism, it would be first, "Keeping Holiday" could have expanded the story to include a clearer illustration of the cross of Christ. Second, the description of the city of Holiday, if it were to represent heaven, sounds a little too worldly. And third, the ending is somewhat weak. Nevertheless, in case "The Pilgrim's Progress" is too difficult to grasp for young children, they can start by reading "Keeping Holiday" since there are some significant similarities between the two.

First, it is a good story. Once our family started reading it, the kids were very eager to get back to it and find out what happened with Dylan and Clare and their quest.

Second, the theological truths Meade communicates are profound. There is a lot here that you won't find in other Christian children's book.

The comparison to Bunyan and Lewis is appropriate and becomes obvious as the story unfolds. However, don't expect writing and storytelling on the level of those classic authors. If you've ever read the "Magic Treehouse" series of books with your kids, the writing is about on that level. It is good, but I don't think people will be reading it 50 or 350 years from now.

Keeping Holiday, by Starr Meade, Illustrations by Justin Gerard, Ages 9-12, Crossway Books, 2008, 192 Pages, ISBN-13: 978-1433501425, $14.99

When Dylan's parents tell Dylan and his cousin Clare they must pay close attention to what they see and hear in Holiday, they are puzzled. When they add the children might be called away for four days, they are mystified. They wait to learn more, but no further explanation is added.

As usual, their travels take them through miles of long traffic jams, but no one complains and tempers don't flare. Other motorists even smile and wave while they wait their turns to proceed. Caught up in the festive atmosphere, the youngsters anticipate their arrival where everything is "better than anywhere else," and they soon forget the parent's mysterious words.

When they arrive, the aroma of roasted meats, pies, and sugary sweets fill the air. Strings of twinkling street lights adorn quaint shops and promise Christmas magic. After they've settled into their hotel rooms, Clare finds an old black book in the dresser drawer and shows it to Dylan. He reads the title, "A Guide to Holiday for Visitors and Residents," and tells Clare it must be meant for them.

Inside the book they learn the history of the town of Holiday. They read how the town was once ruled by powerful bullies until a strong, kind king overthrew the tyrants and rescued the townspeople. Instead of building a thanksgiving monument, the townspeople transformed their restored city into a "world-renowned center of beauty and joy," where guests with temporary passes could visit four-days. For extended stays, visitors needed official authorization from the Founder.

The book also directed the youngsters to the information rack in the Holiday Visitors' Center to obtain temporary passes. While Dylan was at the center he asked where to find the Founder, and learned, "You don't find the Founder; he finds you. He's not just the Founder; he's the Finder too."

When the cousins find the small, white gate in back of the church, additional directions tell them to open the gate with their passes and walk down the winding path into the forest of majestic, evergreen trees where their life-changing quest begins. On their journey through the trees from the "forest of life," they meet trees that talk. If they cut off a small branch from one of these trees, they have "proof of life."

They also visit the "place of evil," where they learn that the Founder paid an enormous fine to grant them personalized passes. They also meet delightful Missy Mistletoe and learn why the Mistletoe was first known as the "plant of peace."

Next, they talk to the galaxy of stars in the night sky who tell them their job now is to announce who the "Founder is," where centuries before, one bright star pointed the way to the Founder. Add talking penguins and magical "Winterland Manufacturing, Inc." and this delightful story will enchant young and old alike.

Dylan and Clare's adventures lead them to insightful truths about the Founder of Holiday, with real-life examples of heavenly issues, and earthly choices. Where readers learn it's important to help others, act with kindness and forgiveness and pay back good for evil--and most important, to rejoice in and show respect to the Founder.

Mead's imaginative writing has been compared with C.S. Lewis and John Bunyan. When I finished reading the book I understood why. Although young readers can read the book alone, consider reading it aloud as a family. The books creative message will remind everyone of the real meaning of Christmas. Justin Gerard's well-done, black and white illustrations depict story scenes and characters and are sprinkled throughout the book.

Starr Meade's Christmas-themed narrative for young readers is destined to join other cherished Christian classics like the Narnia Chronicles, and Pilgrim's Progress. Meade blends fantasy and allegory together to tell the story of two young cousins, and their adventurous quest to experience the meaning of Christmas, and the Incarnation all year long. It has been years since I've read such an enjoyable, truth-centered fiction book. The book can be purchased at Amazon.com, or from www.crossway.org/blog

We read this for the Christmas season to our two boys, 6 and 4, after receiving a recommendation from a friend. It reads like a mystery, and is very exciting! Our older son was begging me to please read one more chapter each time we ended one. We will make this a tradition year after year. Given the allegory, I expect them to understand more each year, but it is such a fantastic book! Just as an aside, there are a few parts that are highly suspenseful, and if you have children that are frightened easily, you may want to read it in the daytime.

The book is a wonderful children's journey we can all relate to. It takes you thru life's ups & downs and you begin to see how God is searching for us all the time. You don't find Him, He finds you!