Synopsis
A young boy's discovery of twelve wooden soldiers that once belonged to the Brontë children leads to an exciting adventure. Awarded the 1962 Carnegie Medal.- ★★★☆☆
- ★★★★☆
- ★★★★☆
- ★★★★☆
- Max, thinking of the tiny soldiers lost in the dangerous wilderness, realizes that “to God, he, Max, seemed quite as small and needing help. He felt he would like to protect all the creatures, and wondered who did.” Who protects all the creatures? (p.68)
- Peter is not sure the toy soldiers are genuine, but he decides that if Professor Brewer is foolish enough to want to pay five thousand pounds for them, he should not stand in his way. What would you do? Would you let someone pay an extravagant amount for an item you are selling if you aren’t sure of its real value? (p.131, 132)
- Max is always hovering over the toy soldiers, ready to protect them. He decides to let them undertake their journey on their own, following them for four days (although he could have transported them in less than an hour). Why did Max make that decision? Would you have done the same? Which virtue is Max developing? (Patience and empathy). Can you think of a situation where you would need to show patience to help someone?
- Max’s family debates free will in a discussion about war. A parent mentions the idea of perfect love as the only way to end all war and conflicts. Why are there terrible wars in this life? This world is the abode of strife and struggle. Shaytan will make evil actions appear good to those who are not guarded against his whispers. There will always be conflicts and tests in this world. Our purpose in this life is to use our free will to live according to the way of the prophets, peace be upon them, to get to know and to worship our Creator in order to become better human beings. Heaven is the abode of peace and tranquility, without struggle, cruelty, or tests.
Mindful Muslim Review
This book imparts a rare virtue—illustrating how to show empathy to those who are vulnerable while preserving their dignity and pride. The sensitivity of the eight-year-old protagonist toward the tiny soldiers he is responsible for is nothing short of remarkable. Despite their size and helplessness, he consistently demonstrates thoughtful consideration for their feelings—taking care not to frighten them, going out of his way to ensure they can maintain their independence, and respecting their wishes even at a personal cost. He recognizes the importance of allowing them agency to make decisions and accomplish tasks on their own. This story fosters a profound sense of empathy and respect that will equip children with the ability to show compassion thoughtfully to young and old alike.
