Jessica's First Prayer

by Hesba Stretton

Book Overview

A tale of Victorian life. The story of a neglected street urchin Jessica, and the outcome of her simple faith when hearing about the hope of Christ. How do we react to the poor and needy? What does it... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0981750524
• ISBN13: 9780981750521
• Release Date: November 2008
• Publisher: Curiosmith
• Length: 56 Pages
• Weight: 0.24 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

an excellent challenging read

When I read this book aloud to my children I was challenged as well. It is very well written and has layers of meaning....something modern writings do not generally possess. The value of good character building is infused in "Jessica's First Prayer". We cannot wait to read the sequel...The Rescue of Jessica's Mother on London Bridge. A VERY worthy read!!

A powerful Victorian message that rings true today

Do not be mislead by the beautiful typeface and paper of this book - this popular Victorian story had an unsettling message when it was first published in the 1860's and its message is just as powerful today. How does one explain to a hungry and cold child, living by their own wits on the street, that God cares when they pray and that the message of the Gospel is for everyone? What does it mean for a minister to be a servant of God? Is our faith something to be worn for Sunday or integrated into our daily lives and identities? As magazine editor, Charles Dickens was the first to publish Hesba Stretton's or Sarah Small's (her real name) work. She became a popular and well-loved Victorian novelist, Jessica's Prayer sold over 500,000 copies. A slim book, it raises many of the same theological and social questions found in George Eliot's Silas Marner and Adam Bede and Charles Dickens' a Christmas Carol. This story would make an excellent gift for a child aged seven or older; for a person of any age, who was exploring Christianity and prayer; for clergy reflecting on their vocations; and for people curious about Victorian London, and the life of a street urchin.