Today I am reviewing Hope in the Ashes by Marianne Hering & Marshall Younger out 1 Sept 2026.
Book Description
When young readers step into the Imagination Station, they travel back in time and around the world with cousins Patrick and Beth. Each book is thoroughly researched, and readers will grow in their faith and knowledge of history as they race through each exciting story.
In Hope in the Ashes, Patrick and Beth time travel to Chicago in 1871, just as flames begin to consume the city. As the Great Chicago Fire rages, the cousins race to help those in danger and find themselves in the company of famed evangelist Dwight L. Moody. Can they lend a hand to save lives–and souls–before it’s too late?
- Hope in the Ashes is book #36 in the beloved Christian kids’ series from the creators of Adventures in Odyssey
- Imagination Stations books are filled with clean action and biblical values, so parents and grandparents can hand them to children without any worries
- Early readers will learn about American history and trusting God, even when it’s hard
With a unique blend of historical research and edge-of-your-seat excitement, the Imagination Station series keeps kids sprinting through the pages. The key to adventure lies within your imagination!
Book Review:
Thanks to Netgalley for my review copy.
This is the first book I have read in this series but it didn’t take long to follow along. I feel although it is in a series most of the book is complete on its own. It has left me wanting to read more books in the series.
The book features cousins Beth and Patrick and an older cousin who has an Imagination Station that takes them to historical events. This book is set during the great Chicago Fire. They arrive to a scene where people are running and it quick to see it’s during the great fire. Throughout the book we are introduced to real people such as D.L. Moody and Anna Hudlin. I did know who D.L. Moody was, but I did have to look up Anna Hudlin. She and her husband were the first coloured people to own a house in Chicago. She worked with the underground railway and also helped many families of all colours during the great fire.
Seeing the history coming to life through the eyes of the cousins made it feel real to me. I learnt about this time and about how God worked during this tragedy. The cousins we able to help and learn also which helped with a problem in the current time. These are the books I would have loved as a child and I can see them being popular with children now also.
If you are looking for Christian children’s fiction with some history written in a way children will enjoy, give this book and the whole series a go. As I mentioned I haven’t read the other books in the series but it easy to understand who is who.