Cover Image: Imagine... The Ten Plagues

Imagine... The Ten Plagues

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This book about the 10 plagues mentioned in Exodus all those years ago, was a great adventure that we got to go on together. We really enjoy the imagination that this author uses in his books. This is the second book that we have read by him. When asked, my kids thought it was totally awesome!! It was a bit scary at one point, but that is what makes an adventure exciting, and really it wasn’t too bad. It has a way of drawing you into the plagues. We liked the names he used for his characters. It also has a great message on dealing with bullies in our lives. It is an encouraging read to stand up against them and not be subject to their taunting.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing, Netgalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

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In The Ten Plagues, eleven-year-old Kai Wells faces a school bully. When the confrontation turns into a fight that knocks her out, everything changes. Kai wakes up in a field in Ancient Egypt where the Israelites are enslaved. Moses goes to Pharoah to ask for their freedom, and Kai experiences the story of the ten plagues that God sends to convince Pharoah to let the Israelites go.

Koceich creates a world where a significant event is experienced through the eyes of a 8-12 year old. Like the I Survived series by Lauren Tarshish, this biblical historical fiction series allows the reader to experience history through the eyes of a young person. Historical details, engaging narrative, and a thrilling adventure await in each book.

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Great read...read this author's book for the first time and liked it so much. The story is based on the bible and my kids also read it with interest since it was historical for them

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Imagine..........The Ten Plagues Starts off with a brouhaha and then it moves on to an even bigger one from there. It takes you to mysterious adventures - a great big adventure - a great big adventure that I wish I could have seen for myself. Mr. Koceich really knows how to weave a fantastic yarn - a deep yarn. He makes the familiar characters come even more to life. Characters from The Bible woven with fictitious characters from today. The story is so very special and enjoyable - I cannot wait for his next book. His last book was so out of bounds I didn't know if this book would be able to be as good as the last ones but let me tell you this book was even better. It knows how to weave Biblical stories with everyday life - what a faintastic job. I really hope that I can do Justice to this book. I hope I have the privilege to be able to blog his next book - they are that good. I hope you have the chance to read them as well.

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Such a brilliant look at The Ten Plagues of the Bible. I'm always a bit skeptical when picking up Biblical fiction as I've been burned in the past. I'm excited to say this wasn't the case, and I ended up loving this book. This is my first time reading anything by Matt Koceich, but I will keep an eye out for more of his work in the future!

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If you haven't read my review of the first book in this series, 'The Great Flood', then check it out. Not only do I, obviously, review the book but I also talk about what started me down the path to read this series - Munchkin. As we know, access to Munch right now is about nonexistent. There are no more weekends to split with his Mom to which I can abscond with him for a few hours or even days. Trust me, I miss that. His wit, his sense of humor, even his attitude but most importantly his back rubs (kid is a MASTER!). However, I had an investment with this series and this book is sitting on my NetGalley shelf and will not read and review itself.

I'll just say it, I didn't love this book as much as the first one. Kia is being bullied at school by someone she once considered friend. With a bit of violence (for Pete's sake the other girl punched her!) and Kia finds herself back in ancient Egypt, recognizing Moses and Aaron almost immediately. She experiences the plagues, kind of, finds herself at the hands of an Egyptian bully, stands up to him, finds out about previous visitors, and returns home to some weirdness. You could say it left me with some serious mixed feelings. I didn't get the hint of spiritual understanding that I left the first book with.

The Biblical elements themselves were really glossed over, more a tell me they are happening than a show me they were happening. There was little to no interaction with how other's were experiencing them. There was no thoughts or feelings or experiences or anything that gave me depth. That and it was laid out like they happened all told in like a weeks span, which doesn't begin to feel accurate. The weird booklet that Kia was given in the temple with pictures, dates, and names of other 'visitors' was weird too. It felt forced and awkward. I mean we are only in book two of the series but apparently Corey, from the first book, was tracked by this guy all these generations later? Or was back again? Or something because he was in the book. Along with someone who visited in the 70's (our time? again how was this a thing that was so calmly understood and put in a book?). The last part I had issue with was the setup for future supernatural elements. I know spoiler but I gotta go there a minute. These three people that made it into the booklet are brought together as Kia returns and there's hints and talk of what is to come while a bird hangs out nearby (it references back to the story). First, it's a middle grade reading level so some of the glossing over I get but again it did these readers a disservice in faith growth. Second, it's a middle grade reading level, and in book two we are setting up convoluted (and forced feeling) supernatural elements to come that even to an adult reader don't make sense. Yes there is action and adventure that will draw in the younger reader but it also seems to lose track of where it all started. This book just left this cranky old woman feeling meh.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

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Imagine... The Ten Plagues
by Matt Koceich
Barbour Publishing, Inc.

Barbour Books
Children's Fiction , Christian
Pub Date 01 Mar 2018


I am reviewing a copy of Imagine...The Ten Plagues through Barbour books and Netgalley:

Kai Wells a fourth grader, remembers being surrounded by bullies on her way home from school before the world as she knew it disappeared. The next thing she knows she's running for her life in Ancient Egypt.


Imagine...The Ten Plagues is the second book in this epic Bible adventure series written by a school teacher Matt Koceich for eight to twelve year olds.



I give Imagine...The Ten Plagues five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

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The Ten Plagues is second in the Imagine series by Matt Koceich a time travel tale for youngsters. Kai is being harrassed by a school bully, trying to figure a way out of Vivian's reach, when all of sudden she finds herself in a field of tall, swaying grass in the middle of Egypt. Idyllic field, right? Wrong, it's Egypt in the time of the ten plagues. And there begins 11-year-old Kai's adventure experiencing an epic Bible story--one that will teach her how to stand up to bullies like the one she meets in Egypt. The story is not only action packed but is also threaded throughout with the truths of God's Word. Truths that will teach children that when a fearful situation comes along that God is always there and He never leaves our side. He will protect us and help us stand firm. Imagine The Ten Plagues is a great retelling of the Biblical account of the ten plagues and will help readers to know that they can become strong and courageous and not be ruled by fear. I am really looking forward to reading this with my grandkids and also for more books like this from this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions are my own.

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This is an interesting look at the ten plagues in Egypt just before the Exodus. If you want to give your child an exciting story that gives a different perspective on the Biblical account, this one would, but please make sure your child is well acquainted with the real story first. The author has taken many liberties with the Bible to write this story, and I don't believe it is altogether accurate.
I received a free ecopy from NetGalley and chose to write this review.

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I requested approval to read an e-galley of The Ten Plagues after enjoying the first of Matt Koceich's new Imagine series for ages 8-12, The Great Flood.  I was interested to see how Moses and the plagues would be experienced through a young girl who time-travels to the past.

The Ten Plagues opens, as did the first adventure, in the middle of an action scene with our young heroine, Kai, in grave peril just short of the climax of the story.  We're then taken to her present day life and the circumstances that lead up to her time-travel adventure.  An underlying theme is quickly revealed when a classmate bullies Kai.

Finding herself transported to Ancient Egypt, Kai is quickly befriended by Amenken, a man who works for Pharaoh Rameses' guards.  Amen invites her to his home and soon introduces her to a Hebrew girl, Lily, and asks for her help in protecting Lily and her family from a bully.  Horus "the Hawk" is bullying Lily, Amen, and soon Kai is also running from him.

While helping Amen and Lily, Kai observes Moses, Aaron, and the Pharaoh at a distance as the first of the plagues begin.  As the plagues progress, Kai gives out more information than she probably should as a time traveler, but also learns that she is not the first to have come from the future.

The story incorporates good messages of strength and faith, with God's supernatural influence being felt and shown.  Having some events, in particular the interactions between Kai and the bully Horus, not attributed to God's intervention made this storyline seem even less plausible and more filled with plot-holes than the prior adventure. The modern day bully scene doesn't quite ring true either, but serves it purpose for the story.

Having a modern girl as the protagonist helps to make this relatable and the fast pace of this adventure story is sure to capture the imaginations of many young readers.  What a fun way for young readers to experience the story of Moses, the Plagues, and the parting of the Red Sea!

This review refers to an e-galley read courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley.  All opinions expressed are my own.

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Imagine...The Ten Plagues
by Matt Koceich

Imagine...The Ten Plagues is the second release in a series for kids ages 8 to 12. I have not read the first book in the series, but I felt this story could totally stand on its own.

As a homeschooling family, we’ve always enjoyed books with a bit more meat to them and a lot less modern language/slang in them. It had nothing to do with the school scenes and bullying. My issues were more in the way the ancient people talked, the way the main character was portrayed sometimes, and some unrealistic scenes. Overall, it just didn’t have a historical fiction feel to it, and it certainly didn’t bring the Bible story to life. There was nothing to really help the reader understand the magnitude and effects of the plagues. Also, parts of it felt rushed.

The story concept certainly is not new (modern kid goes back to Biblical times), but it wasn’t done particularly well or in a way that makes me want to read any more of the series. I love historical fiction, particularly Biblical, but this is one I just really can’t recommend.

I am the librarian for our church library, and I have spent the last few years trying to find good, quality books to expand our tween and teen section. I really debated whether or not to even purchase the series to add to our tween section. In the end, I did buy the first two books, as I do believe some children might enjoy the series, but I don’t see it being a favorite series loved by many.

MY RATING: 2 stars for the attempt. It wasn’t awful; it was just “meh.”

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At my request, I received a free electronic copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions on the book, and I received no compensation for this review.

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The book had a lot of action, and my 9-year-old daughter was hooked. She begged me to read “one more chapter” every night until we finished. The beginning of the book finds Kai, a fourth-grade girl, in a sticky situation with a bully. The bully, Vivian, is about to beat her up for no apparent reason other than she doesn’t like her (as bullies often do). Right when the bully is about throw the first punch, Kai is transported to ancient Egypt during the time of Moses. As she watches the plagues happen from afar, she helps a Hebrew girl, Lily, escape from an Egyptian guard (her bully) who is trying to capture her. The entire book is a chase scene with the guard, so it was pretty exciting for my daughter. Not many middle grade fiction books have that much action, and she lapped it up.

With that being said, I was hoping this book was going to feel more like a historical fiction and show kids what it would have been like to live through the ten plagues. Instead, the plagues seemed like more of a footnote to the chase going on with the guard. Kai watched them from afar, and not much discussion was given to how it felt to live through them. I wish the author would have discussed that aspect more– how did the people react to each plague? How did it change their everyday life to live through them? How did they feel when the water turned to blood? How did they feel when locusts invaded the land? Instead of really discussing this, it felt like the author used the plagues like “road blocks” thrown at the characters during the chase to slow them down, not a real historical event that people lived through.

If you are looking for a middle grade fiction book that is exciting and entertaining, this is the book for you. If you are looking for a book that makes the Bible come alive for children, I think it falls short. I would be interested to check out other books in the series to see if the Biblical accounts are more vivid. Overall, I would rate “Imagine…The Ten Plagues” 3 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to the author, Matt Koceich, the publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in advance in exchange for my honest review.

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This book was so amazing, I read the first book, Imagine The Flood and LOVED it!! The author did such an amazing job writing about the ten plagues. The book gave me a different perspective on this Bible story. It was a lot of fun being able to follow Kai as she journeys the the story of the ten plagues, and seeing how she relates it to her life in present day 2018.

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When I requested this book, I didn't realize it was meant for a pre-teen audience. That quickly became apparent as soon as I started reading since the main character is a teen girl dealing with school and friend problems. But, I chose to keep reading because it was intriguing and I was curious to see the ten plagues come to life. While I wouldn't choose to read it again, I would definitely recommend it to children and pre-teens looking for a clean adventure book that brings the 10 plagues of Moses' time to life. It is well written and fast-paced.
This is the 2nd book in the Imagine series which brings to life epic moments in the Bible.

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I requested this book because I was really curious how it would play out. I’ve heard the story of the plagues in Sunday school most of my life.

But the bully scene it opens with seems to be written by a well-meaning adult that doesn’t have experience dealing with bullies.

This is where I should have realized this was ‘Christian’ art. Like I’ve always heard, “Christian” is a good noun; but a poor adjective.

I think the point of books like this is to make these stories seem more real. But that misses the point of the stories - the point is not to make sure everyone knows <b>they really happened exactly as described in the Bible</b>. The point is the lessons they are trying to teach.

Books like this are usually poorly written - just slammed together to try to teach kids that this is <i>historical fact</i> - missing what these stories are supposed to teach. This one isn’t really different - it doesn’t really add to the original story.

<i>The fight was over.
And so was Kai. </i>

What does that mean?

Let’s see - does this check all the boxes for popular evangelical secular Christianity?

Bible stories as literal historical recordings? Check.
Pop psychology / positive thinking buzzwords? Check. (“real character”, “confidence to believe in myself”)
The idea that god grants immediate miracles whenever you pray. Check.
The idea that god keeps you safe if you’re a good person. Check.
Getting ‘art’ out for the sake of spreading a message without caring whether it’s good art. Check.
Cool language like all the kids know. Check (“hashtag mind blown”)
A prophecy of end times. “I believe that an epic battle of good and evil is coming.”

And the message about bullies was so messed up.

In this book an 11-year-old fought off a seasoned soldier? So, this message is that you can fight off bullies as long as you pray.

This is dangerous and not true:
<i>“Well, we may have a lifetime of bullies, but we have to remember that God is always with us and He never leaves our side. He’ll protect us and help us stand up to them.”</i>b

And then in her own world she “stood up” to a bully? Well, there was a grown man standing between the 11-year-old girl and the teenage girl bully. How is that standing up to a bully? That’s brave?

Christians today - so ironic. On one end there’s this health and wealth gospel that suggests god will help you and protect you and take care of you no matter what - at the other end there’s this air of persecution, like they are being treated so poorly.

It’s too bad.

<i>Thanks to NetGalley and Barbour Books for a copy in return for an honest review.</i>

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This was a cute short story.

I like the idea of a person traveling back in time even to Biblical days and learning a lesson for when they return to the present. My only problem is that this was too short. I know this is meant for young readers but I feel like it should have been longer to really make the plot. As it was, it felt rushed.

This book is clean for all ages.

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Wow!! What a great read!!
Matt is a new author for me!!! I shall look forward to reading more from him!!!
I've really enjoyed this book but then again this is my most favorite part of the Bible! It's why I love Biblical fiction.
I love authors who can make ppl from the Bible come alive and make me feel like I'm there right along with them
I don't like bullies! Bullies are mean and hateful and I like how God showed the Egyptians who was really boss!!
Too often not we even have bulliesin today's world. From what I've beentold it most often starts in the home.
This is a young adult book. A very clean read with little violence in it.
The cover of the book and plus it was from the Bible made me want to read it.
I loved this book and strongly recommend this book.
I received this book for free. In no way required to review this book
All opinions are my own.

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This book is a good introduction for a young person who does not know much about the Biblical plagues. Kai is an 11 year old who is being bullied by Vivian, a much larger classmate who was in trouble because Kai turned her in for bullying a fellow student. Vivian throws away Kais phone, and then starts punching her - but after a second punch, Kai is transported somewhere else, to a bright sun filled place where she meets a young man named Amenken who takes her past a sea of tents that the Israelites at the time of Moses lived in.
Kai and Amenken speak about Moses,and Kai asks her to help a young woman named Lily. Lily has been taking water from the Nile (a task forbidden to the Israelites). The next day, Amenken and Kai walk past Moses, Aaron and Pharaoh and Amenken tells Kai about Moses staff turning into a snake, Kai finishes the rest of the story and Amenken is amazed. They both hear Moses tell Pharaoh about what will happen if the Israelites are not allowed to go worship God, that the water will turn into blood, and it does!
Kai tells Amenken that there will be more plagues after this one. Amenken’s wife, Betrest is walking around in fear with red water. Amenken asks Kai to go with him to find Lily, as he feels she can help them get fresh water. As they reach Lily’s tent, they find Horus, Pharaohs guard is there with another man and they are asking Lily where she got fresh water. Lily is scared, but Kai distracts the guards by telling them where to get water and she disguises her hair and clothes and tries to hide for a while.

You will have to read the story for yourself to find out what happens to Kai, Amenken and Lily, if they are able to stay away from Pharaohs guard and if Kai can return home!

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