Legend of the Star Runner is an Illustrated Timmi Tobbson Adventure: This is a “solve them yourself mysteries adventure.”
by J.I. Wagner / Illustrated by C. Froehlich
I am updating this post as there has been a change to the book. The author contacted me and informed me, the newer version of the book has removed the Lord’s name in vain! Isn’t that awesome! I am so thankful that the author was willing to make the change and contact me about the changes. I also did read it with my 6-year-old and updated my post to reflect this as well.
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Think fast to unravel each ‘solve-them-yourself picture mystery’ and uncover the Legend of the Star Runner: Following the clues concealed within a centuries-old family legacy, Timmi Tobbson and his friends hope to save a dear friend. But only twenty-four hours remain to unravel the legend of a long-lost pirate ship, buried somewhere deep beneath the city streets. Unbeknownst to them, their search awakens a mystical dark power, sworn to protect what is hidden on board the once famous Star Runner.
Mysteries to Solve: The adventure is divided into 31 concise chapters, each of which ends with a puzzle to be solved by finding and interpreting visual clues concealed within a beautiful color illustration. Suited for explorers and sleuths young and old.
Parental thoughts:
This book came up on my Amazon account as a recommendation. The age given for this book from Amazon is 8-12 years. I thought my 11 year-old-daughter would like this book as she likes to solve riddles and puzzles. We didn’t read this book together, and she was able to finish it in about 2 hours. I read it with my 6-year-old. We did a few chapters a night, and it was enjoyable.
I also picked this book because I wanted a fun book to review. My children do complain that I make “EVERYTHING a teachable moment,” especially when it comes to morals and religion. Sometimes it is great to read for fun and enjoy the moment. It was entertaining to discuss the clues and images with my child. I enjoyed seeing his thought process and what aspects of the clues from the storyline he incorporated into the pictures. When we couldn’t agree on the answer, my 11-year-old would give us a hint. This book was an excellent way for all of us to enjoy the same book and allowed us to discuss the characters and storyline.
In the original print, one character took the Lord’s name in vain. As I have mentioned above, this is no longer the case. I would still like to discuss how I wouldn’t have recognized it if my daughter didn’t point it out to me. I hope she continues to have this virtue.
I have spiritual blindness when it comes to taking the Lord’s name in vain. I am not proud of this, but I understand how it came to be. Adults take the Lord’s name in vain regularly. It is allowed on daytime television! However, this sin is so great that it gets a place as one of the ten commandments all on its own: Dt 5:11, “You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain. For the Lord will not leave unpunished him who takes his name in vain.”
Me not recognizing this reminds me of the proliferation of sin: “Sin creates a proclivity to sin; it engenders vice by repetition of the same acts. This results in perverse inclinations which cloud conscience and corrupt the concrete judgment of good and evil. Thus sin tends to reproduce itself and reinforce itself, but it cannot destroy the moral sense at its root. (CCC 1865).
This sin is so abundant in our culture that it is easy to become blind to it:
2 Cor 4:4: “in whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they may not see the light of the gospel. . .”
John 12:40, “He blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might not see with their eyes and understand with their heart. . .”
2 Thes 2:11, “Therefore, God is sending them a deceiving power so that they may believe the lie, that all who have not believed the truth but have approved wrongdoing may be condemned.”
I have gotten to a point in my life where I have approved of this wrongdoing and have picked it up myself occasionally. With God, there is always hope, and I pray with Romans 12:2, “Do not conform yourself to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”
I need to renew my mind.
What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church teach us about the second commandment?
2143 Among all the words of Revelation, there is one which is unique: the revealed name of God. God confides his name to those who believe in him; he reveals himself to them in his personal mystery. The gift of a name belongs to the order of trust and intimacy. “The Lord’s name is holy.” For this reason man must not abuse it. He must keep it in mind in silent, loving adoration. He will not introduce it into his own speech except to bless, praise, and glorify it.
2144 Respect for his name is an expression of the respect owed to the mystery of God himself and to the whole sacred reality it evokes.
This commandment also extends to promises and oaths in God’s name (2147, 2149), and all types of blasphemy (2148). We are reminded that our names are for eternity (2159), and everyone’s name is sacred as God calls us each by name (2158).
What Can My Kids Read? 
With almost everything that seems to be developing throughout this specific area, your points of view are actually quite refreshing. Even so, I am sorry, because I do not subscribe to your whole strategy, all be it radical none the less. It seems to everyone that your comments are not totally justified and in reality you are generally yourself not even totally confident of the argument. In any event I did take pleasure in looking at it.
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Thanks for the comment Jovan. It would be impossible for anyone to “subscribe” to another’s strategy 100%, this is what makes us all unique. I am glad you took pleasure in looking at my blog. Come back anytime!
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