
Scott O'Dell's historical fiction novel, "The Hawk that Dare Not Hunt by Day," transports readers to 16th-century Europe, a time of intense religious and political upheaval. The story follows Tom Barton, a young man accustomed to a life of smuggling with his uncle. Their lives take a dramatic turn when they are asked to transport William Tyndale's forbidden English Bibles. As they face increasing dangers from authorities and a society resistant to change, Tom must grapple with a profound moral choice: continue his comfortable, albeit illicit, life or risk everything for a cause he believes in. This book is ideal for children aged 8-12, offering a compelling narrative that explores themes of courage, integrity, and the fight for accessible knowledge. Parents should be prepared to discuss historical persecution and the importance of standing up for one's convictions.
The Hawk That Dare Not Hunt by Day by award-winning author Scott O'Dell is historical fiction set in Europe during the 1500s. In this Christian fiction book Tom Barton and his uncle Jack are smugglers who are used to breaking the law. With quick wits and secret cargo holds, they have managed to make a comfortable living. And then William Tyndale asks them to carry English Bibles along with their usual cargo. As enemy after enemy rises to oppose Tyndale's Bible translation, Tom is confronted with a choice between what he wants and what he knows to be true