A small, Little House on the Prairie
–like community finds strength and joy as they embrace the true meaning of the Resurrection in this nicely paced Easter story. Ten-year-old Caleb is thrilled to welcome his Uncle Josh, a preacher, when Josh arrives in town with a special mission—to build a church. Before long, friends, neighbors and acquaintances join forces to raise Sunrise Church, on Sunrise Hill. But two weeks prior to Easter Sunday—the day of the church's first scheduled services—lightning strikes and burns the new building to the ground. Josh feels devastated, but Caleb doesn't allow this hardship to cast a cloud over his family and community. He rallies the townspeople—including an embittered blacksmith who has lost faith—as well as Uncle Josh, to celebrate the idea of new life rising from the ashes and to begin again. Bostrom (Papa's Gift
) skillfully interprets the miracle of Easter in a context that young readers will understand. She serves up several inspirational scenes in her portrayal of a single impassioned person uniting a group of believers who share his faith. Throughout, Johnson's well-lit oil paintings focus readers' attention on warm portraits of family and townspeople. He also does justice to the ruggedly beautiful countryside and to the metaphorical and literal sunrises emphasized in the text. Ages 4-8. (Feb.)
