This sharp looking little book from the Lamplighter Collection ranks among my favorites. It is short, sweet and deals with real-life problems in real-life ways. It does tend to take a “God helps those who help themselves” angle, so remember that that idea is not really the whole picture.
Nevertheless, just as Nehemiah had to physically rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, Jack has to conquer his problems in practical ways. You see, our ten-year-old hero lives with his aunt who is poor and doesn’t care what he does or where he goes so long as he doesn’t cost her anything. He can wander around town, climb trees, run in the fields, and be as dirty as he likes all day long. But his clothes are very ragged, he doesn’t get much to eat, and he has no one to teach him. So, Jack, after finding out that this is not good, must “resolve well and persevere” alone.
He’s not truly alone for long though. His willingness to try things soon wins him friends. With their help and Providence, Jack not only learns to be clean, work diligently, and read but more also. It really is fun to read about his adventures! Perhaps one of the best parts is how he manages to have his one and only set of clothes mended! His patience and diligence and the kind wisdom of his friends form an impressive model for children and adults to keep in mind as they conquer their own challenges.
Title: Jack the Conqueror
Author: Mrs. C.E. Bowen
Setting: Bushgrove, England
Main Character: Jack Harold
First Printed: 1869
This Printing: September 2011
Publisher: Lamplighter Publishing
ISBN: 1-58474-187-2
ISBN13: 978-1-58474-187-9
Chapters: 15
Pages: 127
Pages/Chapter: ~ 8
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