Official Review: Matthew and the Magical Star

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MsH2k
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Official Review: Matthew and the Magical Star

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[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Matthew and the Magical Star" by Kurt D Miller.]
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4 out of 4 stars
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Matthew and the Magical Star by Kurt D. Miller is a Christmas book for children. Most biblically based Christmas books present the gospel account by telling Jesus’ birth from the point of view of people on Earth. This creative book portrays the story from heaven’s vantage point.

Matthew is in heaven waiting to be assigned a date for his birth on Earth. He and his best friend Adam are very excited when his date is finally announced. On the day he is scheduled to find out about his family, the plans change. The people on Earth have forgotten about honoring God and keeping his commandments, so God is sending his son Jesus to Earth to remind them. Jesus will be born on December 25, and as a result, all other births scheduled for that date - including Matthew’s - have been cancelled. A devastated Matthew goes away to a remote cloud and pouts. Doesn’t God care about him? Does he have a purpose?

What I liked most about this book was that it offered a different view of a familiar story. In sixteen pages, the author covers topics such as God’s plan for each person, life in heaven, and the reason for the birth of Jesus. The illustrations are colorful and engaging, although the drawings of God confused me because he looked like Jesus. I was wondering why Jesus was fully grown while directing plans for his own birth, then I realized it was God. I think this may confuse other readers as well.

I appreciate that this book is imaginative while remaining biblically accurate. The only notable exception to this was in the beginning. The story opens with people arriving in heaven after their time on Earth is complete. The narrative shares that in heaven they would “study to be angels,” which scripture does not corroborate.

I rate Matthew and the Magical Star 4 out of 4 stars. I did not notice any grammatical errors in this book. It is a refreshing take on the Christmas story from a heavenly perspective. This book’s blurb references Matthew encountering a fallen angel, but that is not part of this story. I applaud the author for not including that storyline because it would have detracted from the central theme of the birth of Jesus.

I recommend this book to anyone who would enjoy a biblically based Christmas read. The target audience is primarily children ages four to ten (or those who are a child at heart). I do not recommend this book to those who would not enjoy a Christ-centric Christmas story. I also do not recommend this book to Christians who would rather not get too creative with the traditional biblical text on the Nativity, although I thought the book balanced this well.

******
Matthew and the Magical Star
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Post by spencermack »

A great time of year to break out these books! Great review
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spencermack wrote: 29 Nov 2019, 10:07 A great time of year to break out these books! Great review
Yes it is. Thanks for stopping by!
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Post by tristenb »

This book sounds totally adorable and is something perfect for the Christmas season. I think the illustrations of God as Jesus was likely an oversight by the illustrator, but I think it could be very confusing. I guess we have no way of knowing what God might look like anyway.
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Post by MsH2k »

tristenb wrote: 29 Nov 2019, 15:55 This book sounds totally adorable and is something perfect for the Christmas season. I think the illustrations of God as Jesus was likely an oversight by the illustrator, but I think it could be very confusing. I guess we have no way of knowing what God might look like anyway.
The illustrations might be a good conversation starter... :eusa-think:
Thanks for your comment!
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Post by Niv123 »

Great review. I didn't have much expectations for this book, but your review has changed my mind
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Post by MsH2k »

Nivi Gideon wrote: 30 Nov 2019, 02:41 Great review. I didn't have much expectations for this book, but your review has changed my mind
I’m glad you’re reconsidering this book. Thank you for stopping by!
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Post by Adina Lutinger »

What a creative idea the author had! Thanks for the engaging review.
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SomeoneInTheWorld wrote: 02 Dec 2019, 08:36 What a creative idea the author had! Thanks for the engaging review.
This book is just the right length, and it has some great discussion opportunities. Thanks for stopping by!
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Post by Mbrooks2518 »

What a creative twist on a familiar story. Great review!
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Post by raquel_frescia »

I had been looking for a book to buy for my cousin and this one seems very appropriate. It is sometimes difficult to choose a book since reviews rarely contain enough objective information, so I am very grateful for yours.
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Post by MsH2k »

Mbrooks2518 wrote: 02 Dec 2019, 14:17 What a creative twist on a familiar story. Great review!
I was pleasantly surprised. Thanks for stopping by!
"Knowing what must be done does away with fear."
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MsH2k
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Post by MsH2k »

raquel_frescia wrote: 02 Dec 2019, 16:48 I had been looking for a book to buy for my cousin and this one seems very appropriate. It is sometimes difficult to choose a book since reviews rarely contain enough objective information, so I am very grateful for yours.
I hope your cousin enjoys this wonderful book. Thank you for your kind comment.
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Post by LeDiplomatique »

I love that the author considered giving us the heavenly perspective of the story. This seems like a great book for the little ones. Thank you for the great review.
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Post by MsH2k »

LeDiplomatique wrote: 04 Dec 2019, 02:40 I love that the author considered giving us the heavenly perspective of the story. This seems like a great book for the little ones. Thank you for the great review.
It really is a unique book that incorporates several interesting perspectives. Thanks for stopping by!
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