Outlaws of Ravenhurst is hands-down one of my favorite children’s books. Fervently Catholic, thoroughly Scottish, and deeply moving, this is not a dumbed-down book. It is a fantastic read for adults and children alike—especially when it is read aloud!
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What is This Book About?
Outlaws of Ravenhurst follows the adventures of a young boy who is brought to live with a 17th-century American pioneer family as an infant, only to be found and returned to his native home in Scotland eight years later. There he discovers that he is the heir to a throne: he is Lord Rock Raven, Earl of Ravenhurst. The ancient earldom, however, is troubled by the same conflicts that riddle all of Scotland. Protestants have usurped authority, while Catholic rulers have been ousted, killed, or forced into hiding. Between these forces, the young heir must decide: What price is the throne of Ravenhurst worth?
What Do We Like About This Book?
The characters of Outlaws of Ravenhurst are very believable. The boys think and talk like boys, the lords comport themselves like lords, and the Scots speak like Scots (which makes for some fun reading!). The struggles of faith within a young lad’s soul are extremely relatable, making this an excellent read for boys ages 8 to 12. I find, however, that people of all ages love and appreciate this book.
Rather than give away all the details of the story, let me just say that I find this book inspiring—the sort of story that makes you want to rise to the heights of virtue and fight for the good to the very end. Some may say that it is caricatured to emphasize Catholic moral values in an unrealistic way. I think, however, that such religious fervor is not only real, it is necessary for the Church today. We are used to a low standard of holiness. The examples set forth in this book are hardly known in our time, but it is time we start living up to their standard, a standard that does not compromise on the truth or settle for mediocre pleasantries.
Bonus: There’s an Audio Recording!
A friend of mine has put together an excellent recording of this tale. He was even told by some Scots that his accent was completely believable! Take a listen here!
Rating: 5 Stars
From bears and traitors to dungeons and secret paths, Outlaws of Ravenhurst has all the elements you could hope to find in a book of adventure. But it has still more to offer. It does not shy away from showing the perils and trials of living for Christ. Instead, it lifts our hearts upwards to desire not the treasures of this life, but of the life to come.
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