What To Read : Suggestions From an Avid Reader

Mandie and the Secret Tunnel is the first of Leppard’s Mandie books. The series of mysteries follows Amanda Shaw and friends in the early 1900s as they travel around America and Europe solving mysteries and having adventures. As a kid and pre-teen I loved these books. I probably started reading them when I was 8, and stopped adding to my collection around the age of 14, although I still re-read them from time to time.

From an adult perspective the books do have some issues, such as the fact that no one would ever give Mandie that much freedom and punish her as little as they do. But the books work, they are a fast read, an easy read, and an entertaining read. Because they are aimed at the Christian market there is no worry about children encountering curse words, fighting with guns, drinking, smoking, etc by anyone but those considered “bad”. The Christian message is very clear, but does not detract from a good story, and is also not crucial to the plot. One does not have to be Christian to enjoy the books.

For girls who need a refreshing dose of adventure in a time that isn’t their own and isn’t going to leave them feeling peer pressured or under developed or any of the other symptoms a book in your own time period can cause, an escape with Mandie is an excellent idea.

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