The Black Star of Kingston by S.D. Smith

Rating: My Bookshelf

Reading: Level: Mid-late Elementary

Who can argue with rabbits with swords?

Possible Concerns:

• Screeching Monsters. Most of the book is dark and littered with echoes of screeching monsters. –
• Ominous tones. The whole story has quite ominous tones. It’s a short book, though, so readers can get through it to the victorious ending soon enough without spending too long in a bleak mood.
• Violence. There also is some violence that may be too much for more sensitive readers (birds of prey attack the rabbits, killing some and marring the main character).

Things I liked:

• Gospel themes. The story has strong Gospel themes of forgiveness and leaving the 99 to rescue the one, and redemption.
• Vigilance. The main character is committed to vigilance
• Honoring veterans and war heroes. There are themes of honoring those who have given their lives for the sakes of others
• Character. The main character is honorable & faithful and never gives up— even when his dearest friend does.

There are so many things to love about S.D. Smith’s prequel to his Green Ember series.