The Wooden Ox [Paperback]

LeAnne Hardy (Author)

Book Description

Keri is a typical teenager who lives in war-torn Mozambique, Africa. This is the powerful story of a young teenager's crisis of faith in the midst of the worst trouble imaginable. (20040603)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Wooden Ox is rich in detail, dialogue, and the thoughts and questions . . . Powerful and captivating, both for adults as well as for middle schoolers and teens. (Christian Library Journal )

. . . A realistic account of children in crisis, both missionary and local, snagged in the terror of tribal and political conflict. (SIM International )

From the Back Cover

The sound of her brother’s scream echoed on and on in her head as though it would never end. “Let me go!” she demanded stupidly in English. The African boy dug his nails into Keri’s arm and brought the knife closer to her face.

Civil war is tearing Mozambique, Africa, apart. And whether she realizes it or not the war is about to become very real to Keri Anderson.

While bringing food and clothes to a village in desperate need, the Anderson family is stranded in the middle of enemy territory and kidnapped by armed rebels.

By night, the Andersons and some friendly villagers are forced to march deep into the jungle. When Vovô, Keri’s African “grandfather,” is left behind on the trail to die, Keri is furious with her dad for letting it happen and terrified for her own safety.

What if the rebels decided she was holding them up? What if they left her behind as well? Would Dad protect her? Or would he abandon her like Vovô?

Who do you trust when no one can protect you and even God doesn’t seem to care?

LeAnne Hardy has traveled the world responding to God’s call to be a missionary, a call that has taken her to Africa, South America, and Eastern Europe. The diverse settings and plots in her books have been inspired by her real-life encounters there. Much of The Wooden Ox comes from her family’s experience in Mozambique or is based on true stories of others.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications (September 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825427940
• ISBN-13: 978-0825427947
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #903,334 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Although she grew up in the American Midwest in the 1950s and 60s, LeAnne Hardy has lived in six countries on four continents as a missionary librarian. She has sipped cream tea in Oxfordshire, eaten stewed goat at a Mozambican wedding, slid down rocks in a Mato Grosso river and shopped at Mall of America. Her books for children and young people come out of her cross-cultural experiences and her passion to use story to convey spiritual truths in a form that will permeate lives.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping Account of American Family in Mozambique, April 9, 2003

By 

Christian Observer (Manassas, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wooden Ox (Paperback)

This is a fictional account of an American family who went to distribute relief food and clothes to people in war-torn Mozambique. The story is told by Keri, the older of the two children. It details the danger, fear, and faith the Andersons experienced as they were capture and then brought to safety.

This is a story which will linger in one's memory and give insight into the experiences reported in the daily news as well as reminding readers of what faces many missionaries in Africa during these unsettled times.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Adventure in War Torn Africa, April 17, 2003

By 

Sharon Dunn (Bozeman, Montana USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wooden Ox (Paperback)

LeAnne Hardy creates a powerful picture of the devastation of civil war in Mozambique Africa. The story follows a kidnapped missionary family and is written from the point of view of 13 year old Keri. Rather than focus on the larger political machinations of the warring factions, Hardy emphasizes the trauma and devastation for the individuals caught in the war. She shows how war splits the personalities of people, making a little boy an angry warrior and a loving father into a soldier. The Wooden Ox is realistic, tightly plotted and does not back down from the hard questions of the Christian faith. Although intended for a young adult audience, older readers would enjoy as well.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great first book, January 15, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Wooden Ox (Paperback)

This story is easy to get into, easy to follow, and hard to put down. Although it's a work of fiction, the questions of faith are real, and the characters believable. Hardy's style is great for young and early-teen readers. Definitely recommended!