The Mandie Collection, Volume 1: Mandie and the Secret Tunnel/Mandie and the Cherokee Legend/Mandie and the Ghost Bandits/Mandie and the Forbidden Attic/Mandie and the Trunk's Secret (Mandie 1-5) [Paperback]

Lois Gladys Leppard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2007 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

A collection of best-selling Mandie books 1-5 brings readers-new and old alike-back to where it started; over 6 million sold in the series. Ages 8-13.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Some years ago, LOIS GLADYS LEPPARD was prompted to pull an old manuscript out and begin to work on Mandie's story--based on her childhood in the South and her Cherokee heritage. The rest is history and now the Mandie Books series has sold over six million copies! Lois writes from her home in Greenville, South Carolina. Enthusiastic young fans fill her mailbox with their insightful responses to her stories.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; Reprinted edition (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764204467
• ISBN-13: 978-0764204463
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,894 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lois began her first Mandie story when she was only eleven years old. But eventually the manuscript was tucked away in a drawer and forgotten. Lois went on to attend Furman University and studied music for several years in New York City where she and her sister sang professionally. Some years ago, Lois was prompted to pull that old manuscript out and began to work on Mandie's story-of her childhood in the South at the turn of the century and her Cherokee heritage. The rest is history and now the MANDIE BOOKS series have sales nearing six million copies! Lois writes from her home in South Carolina. Enthusiastic young fans fill her mailbox with their insightful responses to her stories.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Mediocre Literature, Bad Theology, May 3, 2010

By 

April Knapp (North carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mandie Collection, Volume 1: Mandie and the Secret Tunnel/Mandie and the Cherokee Legend/Mandie and the Ghost Bandits/Mandie and the Forbidden Attic/Mandie and the Trunk's Secret (Mandie 1-5) (Paperback)

I loved this series as a kid, so I decided to re-read it. Basically, each book centers on Mandie, a country-born girl from North Carolina who is reunited with her wealthy mother and uncle after her father dies. Mandie always finds some mystery adventure to solve along with her friends Celia, Joe, Jonathon, and occasionally her Cherokee kin people. The series begins when Mandie is 12, poor, and seemingly orphaned and ends with her graduating from boarding school at 16. She solves mysteries and experiences adventure in several different settings.

Accolades: The mysteries are decent and the stories are entertaining. Mandie prays to God when she is afraid.

Things I Could Live Without: BUT...I was thoroughly disappointed while reading my one-time childhood favorite. Why? The theology is terrible and extremely works-based, which is why I will no longer be saving them for my children. Yes, the books may teach some good lessons, but that is not worth the bad theology. I can find better alternatives. What's so bad about it? It's very works based. You see Mandie questioning God (aka being real) only once, when her father dies, and she immediately scolds herself. The grace of Jesus is never spoken of and you will find very little, if any, redemptive themes in these books. The villains are always labeled "bad people" and rightly punished for "being bad," but the beauty of lost sinners finding redemption-the Gospel-is never represented. This is distinct in the second book, when Mandie encounters her Cherokee cousin, who hates her and causes mischief. Uncle Ned, Mandie's old Indian friend, is heard stating several times that "T'sani is a bad Cherokee." "T'sani is a bad person." "T'sani gets what he deserves." Never, "Let's have compassion on T'sani and pray for him."

Adding to this works theology is that the protagonists are praised for their "goodness."

Also, Mandie is a total SPOILED BRAT. I never realized this when I was young. Probably because I was 12 and a brat too. The series covers a scope of four years, yet Mandie never grows up, never grows as a person, never grows spiritually or emotionally more mature. In fact, she is worse at 16 than she is at 12! Sighing, stomping her feet when she doesn't get her way, being selfish. Ugh. She also flirts and strings along at least 3 boys in these series because she can't make up her mind who she likes. Well, she's ONLY 16, Lois!

While the stories are entertaining, there is better literature out there for this age group!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable children's stories, October 11, 2008

By 

Jennifer Bogart "@ Quiverfullfamily.com" (Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mandie Collection, Volume 1: Mandie and the Secret Tunnel/Mandie and the Cherokee Legend/Mandie and the Ghost Bandits/Mandie and the Forbidden Attic/Mandie and the Trunk's Secret (Mandie 1-5) (Paperback)

My children loved this collection of Mandie books. Unfortunately I was disappointed with some unsound doctrine concerning salvation (works based), as well as the amount of youthful romance presented at such a young age.

Despite those concerns, I know that meeting Mandie and her friends has made an impact on our family's day-to-day existence. Our orange and white tabby kitten has been renamed Snowball after Mandie's white cat. When I finished reading the first five books in this volume to my children they both exclaimed, "More Mandie Mamma!" When my five-year-old catches sight of the book she asks, "Can we read Mandie again Mommy?" In conclusion I quote my eldest child once more, "Mommy, isn't Mandie the bestest bedtime story book ever?"

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great deal 4 girls classic, January 9, 2008

By 

J. Higdon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mandie Collection, Volume 1: Mandie and the Secret Tunnel/Mandie and the Cherokee Legend/Mandie and the Ghost Bandits/Mandie and the Forbidden Attic/Mandie and the Trunk's Secret (Mandie 1-5) (Paperback)

I ordered this book for my 11 year daughter. She inhaled it! She described it as the "best book, I've EVER read!" Since she's an avid reader, that is surely a compliment. She is begging for the second volume now. It is fortunate to know that there are still some wholesome, engaging materials out there for preteens. We are looking forward to more!