The Baxter Family Children by Karen Kingsbury

This is a five-book middle grade fiction series from Karen Kingsbury and her son Tyler Russell. It follows the Baxter Family’s father and mother and their five children through their adventures and simple daily lives. It is a prequel to her adult Baxter Family novel, though they can be read without any context from that series. Written by a Christian author, it gives an idealized version of what a Christian family can look like. It gives perspective into different personalities, sibling dynamics and the workings of a Christion family. We see them settle into a new town with new jobs, schools and friends. Main themes are family, sibling relationships and Christian living. They lead lives to be good examples for Christ.

Reading Level: Ages 8-12
Read Aloud Age: 6+

These books are very safe and sweet, like a Hallmark movie for your tween. While it focuses more on the middle sisters Kari and Ashley, it spends time with each member of the family getting to know their dynamics and struggles. Young female readers will see themselves in one the three main sisters while males might feel a bit left out. There is a younger brother and a strong father figure though. They are told constantly that their best friends are around the dinner table and to put their sibling relationships first. There are very healthy friendships between boys and girls which I appreciated. It deals with attention from boys and how to tell a boy you want to just be friends. As the girls are middle school to upper elementary, I think this was very well done. I wish it had some actual consequences in the discipline of the children however. One daughter Ashley is downright naughty, but they seem to smile behind their hand and let her learn her lessons as they shake their heads. It would have been a great opportunity to show healthy discipline in a family setting, although it is sweet to see that every child is loved and honored for how they were made. There is a big emphasis on what they will be when they grow up. The problems these children face are very gentle and easy, but they are treated as important to them. They do meet others with struggle including persecuted families who had to leave their country for their faith, and a sick child who doesn’t get better. But nothing major happens to the Baxters.

I would happily hand my daughter these books and feel comfortable with her reading all of them. That being said, these books can give a very unrealistic ideal of family life for most. Those being raised in less than idyllic homes might find these books unrelatable. The struggles these kids go through are minimal and their life might seem easy to others. This family is wealthy, (dad is a doctor, mom stays at home) and they have everything they need. Everyone around them is also similar to them. While it gives a beautiful picture of a balanced family, I believe it is important to address that there are many without this type of family life, and that God can redeem any situation.

Language:
No questionable language.

Questionable Behavior:
One daughter seems to always get in trouble by doing what pops in her head. There does not seem to be an example of discipline in the book, just having the children learn from their own consequences.

Sexual Content:
Hugging and kissing from the married parents but not descriptive or inappropriate. Some discussion on boys as “just friends” and some flirting from the older daughter in middle school. Issues of boy attention becoming important and hurt feelings.

Things to know:
There is a sick child in the hospital that does not get better and talks of running away.

Spiritual Content:
Prayers are given to God and scripture is referenced with truth and authority. The family prays for help, guidance and perseverance. The Holy Spirit is not mentioned. The children have their own relationship with God and pray to him and also tell their friends about the Bible, they go to Sunday school and wrestle with simple doubts.

This review is written by Good Book Mom contributor, LeeAnne. To learn more about LeeAnne, click HERE.

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