Abigail and the Big Start Over

In this winsome novel for children ages 7 to 10, author Bethany McIlrath introduces 9-year-old Abigail, a creative, sensitive child who is facing a major transition. Her family has just moved across town and now Abigail must enter the fourth grade at a different school.

But Abigail is undaunted. She’s ready to make new friends! And Abigail is excited because her mother has promised to create another Adventure Central in Abigail’s new bedroom, like the one she had to leave behind, “an awesome space where you can stick your notes, and decorate, and dream, and plan all your coolest, craziest games and stories with your friends!”

But all of Abigail’s plans go awry—her efforts to befriend her new classmates are plagued with pitfalls, her dream Adventure Central is beset with mishaps, her relationship with her mother becomes strained, and her efforts to hide her lies, carelessness, and guilt overwhelm her.

When the big start over begins to feel like a big mess that she can’t fix, Abigail learns that God is filled with grace and mercy, and offers new beginnings. And Abigail understands that she is called to offer grace to others, even as she accepts grace from them.

Illustrator Kate Saunders’s charming, playful artwork is a highlight in this first book in a two-part series—the second book, Abigail and the Career Day Catastrophe, will be released later this year. Children will enjoy Abigail’s lively personality, learn from her spiritual struggles, and discover how Jesus offered grace to his disciple Peter. He still does so today when his children call on him for forgiveness. (The Good Book Company)