The Dead Sea Squirrels
Squirreled Away (Book 1), Boy Meets Squirrels (Book 2), Nutty Study Buddies (Book 3)
The Dead Sea Squirrels by Mike Nawrocki, co-creator of VeggieTales, is a delightful early reader chapter book series for ages six through ten that explores Biblical principles and truth in a fun and engaging way. In this week’s book review, I am going to review books one through three in the series.
Book one is titled Squirreled Away. Michael, the main character, is in Israel with his father who is an archaeologist with a local university in middle Tennessee. Summer is nearing a close, and Michael, along with his best friend Justin who has been with him throughout the summer, are exploring a nearby cave near the Dead Sea. While exploring, Michael sees something up on a ledge, but with limited time left for exploration, Justin is pushing Michael to leave so they are not late returning to Michael’s dad, Dr. Gomez. After returning, Dr. Gomez explicitly tells them they are not to explore caves, especially without an expert. Undeterred, Michael awakens in the middle of the night to explore and find exactly what was on the ledge. Michael discovers two stiff squirrels, which he places in his back pack before falling and getting lost within the cave system.
Justin awakes to Michael’s absence and must determine the right course of action. Tell Dr. Gomez or cover for Michael. Justin chooses the right path and tells Dr. Gomez. Fortunately, with the help of others Michael is found and they all just happen to make their flight back to the United States. Michael also happens to smuggle the squirrels, but there is a mysterious man who seems to suspect something on the flight.
The story ends on the eve of starting 5th grade, a light rain fall, and a slight movement of a paw.
The scriptural focus for the storyline in book one is Ephesians 6:2-3, “Honor your father and mother. This is the first commandment with a promise: if you honor your father and mother, things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” Michael is not the only one learning this lesson within the story, but part of what causes Merel and Pearl (the squirrels) to end up in the cave in the first place is due to Merle not heeding advice from his father.
The story is absolutely cute for young readers with engaging characters and funny lines. After Michael is told not to return to the cave, he creates a map of their previous exploration. Justin reminds him of Dr. Gomez’s words and Michael states, “Exactly! I’ve been into that cave, and now I have a map of it. If that’s not experience, I don’t know what is!” (19).
Other notable quotes:
“When a boy’s sense of curiosity outweighs his common sense, he can sometimes find himself alone in a cave in the Middle East in the middle of the night. It doesn’t happen that often, but when it does, it usually means trouble” (21).
On page 30, I like that Justin is shown considering his options - wanting to help his friend, but also considering what is proper and best for Michael, which leads him to telling Dr. Gomez that Michael is missing.
Chapter 15 goes back in time to share with readers what happened to the squirrels to put them in their present location and situation. Pearl also uses God’s word as advice for Merle before he also leads them into the cave.
Book two is titled Boy Meets Squirrels and opens the next day at the end of the school day. The squirrels have now come to life and learn that it has been 2,000 years since they first entered the cave. The scriptural focus for this book in the series is “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you” Matthew 7:12. Edgar is a 4th grade bully and when he manages to hang Justin and Michael from a jungle gym by their underwear, Michael’s expectations of being 5th grade royalty are dashed, and he becomes consumed with revenge.
Much of the story from there is managing the squirrels without Michael’s parents finding out and plotting his planning his revenge on Edgar. In the end Michael’s plan ends up happening to himself when a 2nd grader makes a comment that Michael is Edgar’s bully. While Michael doesn’t think Edgar deserves kindness, he realizes that he doesn’t want to be a bully.
The squirrels, well, actually Pearl, is a positive voice throughout the story. She always speaks well of her husband squirrel Merle and the two of them recount Biblical truth to help Michael navigate his circumstances. The squirrels also add humor as they attend school with Michael and discover chicken nuggets and hordes of other delicious foods at the school's cafeteria.
Notable Quotes:
The chapters where the squirrels are going back in time to relay Biblical truth the chapters are labelled with “Squirrel’s-Eye View”. In this particular installment of the series, the squirrels are relaying parts of the Sermon on the Mount. “There were lots of blessings,” Merle said. “But I also remember him saying, ‘God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.’ And ‘God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God’” (65).
After Pearl reiterates the Golden Rule, it says of Michael, “Michael understood what Pearl was saying, but he didn’t like the sound of it. This would ruin his chance for payback” (68).
“Michael spent the entire afternoon devising his scheme. The thought of treating Edgar the way he himself would want to be treated seemed silly. Why would he do that? Edgar didn’t deserve it” (73).
“Michael’s heart sang. I’m no bully, he thought. I don’t like being bullied, so why would I want to bully someone else?” (94).
In the end, Michael, his friends, and a few other students choose instead to stand up to Edgar’s bullying and he ends up slinking away at lunch leaving them alone.
Again, great themes and reinforcement of how we are called to treat one another and what are practical alternatives to dealing with someone’s bullying behavior. I also like the comment about Edgar not deserving of kindness (a paraphrase on my part). I think this provides a great opportunity to discuss with young readers if there ever is a person undeserving of kindness. Ultimately, the answer is no and it offers a great door for sharing Gospel truth and our savior, Jesus Christ.
Book three is titled Nutty Study Buddies and the scriptural tie-in is Proverbs 13:4, “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper". Michael has a math test coming up, but he doesn’t think it is fair how much he has to study compared to Justin and Sadie. Pearl offers to help him study, and when Michael forgets his textbook at home the next day, Pearl spends the day learning all she can for his test. Despite her best efforts to help him, Michael has little interest and ends up failing his math test after making poor choices. Fortunately, Michael’s teacher allows him an opportunity for a retake the next day. Michael studies hard and manages to get a B.
The squirrels attempt to find a home, but all the trees around Michael’s home are taken. After a trip through the airvent, Merle ends up in Janie’s room and must outrun the cat, Nemesis. The cat is hot on their trail for the rest of the story.
The mysterious man from the airport also makes an appearance twice in this novel, and it ends with Michael’s mom coming into his room and witnessing Michael and the squirrels dancing.
Parents will appreciate the message about hard work and taking responsibility, even though Michael tries to dodge responsibility for a time being, he must ultimately face the consequences of his actions. As Michael wrestles with his academic math abilities compared to his friends, this is a great opportunity for parents to reinforce that everyone has something easier and more difficult for them. Ultimately, comparison steals joy and contentment.
