Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.
Do you have a student who loves airplanes or studying about World War II? I would like to recommend Christian Heroes: Then and Now Missionary Story about Jacob DeShazer. from YWAM Publishing. This is the inspiring story of Army Gunner and Engineer, Jacob DeShazer, who was able to forgive his enemy after being taken as a prisoner of war by the Japanese.
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My son loves airplanes and he loves to read. We had the opportunity to review a book and unit study from YWAM Publishing called Christian Heroes: Then & Now Jacob DeShazer. My son really enjoyed the book. The book begins with DeShazer’s exciting parachute jump from an airplane running out of fuel. The chapter ends right before he lands in China. The next chapter begins with his childhood. Then the book goes on to tell the story of DeShazer ‘s childhood and how he became a soldier.
My son could relate to DeShazer’s childhood growing up in a large family, on a farm with many chores to do. DeShazer also loved to play baseball and football, but he could not join the school teams because the farm work came first. There was always too much work to do. My children can relate to that as well.
YWAM Publishing
We are big fans of YWAM Publishing. YWAM publishing materials are extremely flexible. The books work as read alone titles. They are also great as family read-alouds appreciated by both younger children and adults. The unit studies can be used as integrated supplementally into other curricula (English, geography, history, inspiration), and the Heroes of History as a stand-alone curriculum.
There are so many wonderful books to choose from. There are 6 titles offered in Christian Heroes: Then & Now.
- Betty Greene
- C.S. Lewis
- Gladys Aylward
- Jacob DeShazer
- Amy Carmichael
- Corrie Ten Boom
There is also a series of books called Heroes of History. It includes 26 titles in the series.
- Christopher Columbus
- William Bradford
- Cpt. John Smith
- William Penn
- Benjamin Rush
- Benjamin Franklin
- George Washington
- John Adams
- Meriwether Lewis
- Daniel Boone
- Davy Crockett
- Abraham Lincoln
- Harriet Tubman
- Clara Barton
- Thomas Edison
- Theodore Roosevelt
- Milton Hershey
- George Washington Carver
- Laura Ingalls Wilder
- Orville Wright
- Douglas MacArthur
- Louis Zamperini
- Alan Shepard
- Ronald Reagan
- Billy Graham
- Ben Carson
How We Used the Book
My son and I also used the unit study to discuss the book, Forgive Your Enemies. I appreciated the questions that required my son to think and put himself in the shoes of DeShazer. Questions like:
- What would you be thinking about if you were bailing out of a plane over enemy territory?
- Jake admired his parents’ faith but saw Jesus as only a historical figure. What do you believe about Jesus?
The Rest of Jacob DeShazer’s Story
After being captured by the Japanese, DeShazerwas a prisoner of war for over 40 months. At which time, he came to know Christ as his personal Savior. After he was released, he served as a missionary to his former enemy for over 30 years. This true story demonstrates the power of the gospel. DeShazer was tortured and starved. Yet he was able to forgive his enemy and love them enough to serve them his entire life. That is the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This book encouraged my son to consider how he can serve Christ now and in his future endeavors. This is a powerful story that makes each one of us consider how we can serve Christ better. I highly recommend this book and accompanying unit study for your family either as a family read-aloud or individual study for older children.
You can read more reviews about DeShazer and other Christian Heroes here.
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