
I’d like to thank Christian Focus Publications for giving me a copy of Frances Ridley Havergal by Lucille Travis in return for my honest review.
Frances Ridley Havergal Biography
Frances Ridley Havergal: The Girl Who Loved Mountains by Lucille Travis (Christian Focus 4 Kids, 2014) is a new addition to the 48-book Trailblazers series. Our family loves these narrative Christian biographies for children ages 8-14.
While many of the people written about in the Trailblazers series lived historically pivotal lives of outsized faith, Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879) lived a quiet life.
She was a poet, hymnist and children’s author with an affinity for sharing the gospel. Though Frances Havergal struggled with the gospel as a child, once committed to Christ, she spent her life telling others about her Savior.
Frances R Havergal
Frances Ridley Havergal lost her mother at an early age, then contracted a terrible skin disease. She lived, but spent the remainder of her life plagued with poor health, fevers, and serious bouts of illness. Frances Havergal never married, but spent time with her sisters and their families, traveled to the mountains in Switzerland a number of times, and wrote. Much of her work was published after her death at the age of 42.
Frances Havergal was convinced of God’s sovereign hand on her life, and she felt her illness was no surprise to Him. Lucille Travis does a wonderful job conveying this truth in the book.
Though Frances was frustrated by the need to rest (both to avoid acute illness and in the face of her frequent illness), she saw God’s hand even in this. She submitted to him in illness and in health. I found that inspiring. When healthy, she persisted in working for the Lord, though it would likely have been easier to resign herself to an inactive life. I also found her cheerful evangelism and loving care of all she met inspiring.
I personally was touched by the story.
Frances Ridley Havergal is a wonderful story of a young lady committed to serving God with the gifts He gave her, in the strength He provided. It’s a worthwhile addition to the Trailblazers line.
Frances Havergal Hymns
I found a nice version of one of Frances Havergal’s best known hymns, Take My Life and Let It Be. Maybe you know it?
Frances Ridley Havergal: The Girl Who Loved Mountains coordinates with studies involving:
- The 19th Century
- Perseverance in Illness and Suffering
- Hymns
- Writing as a Vocation
- Evangelism
Purchase Frances Ridley Havergal: The Girl Who Loved Mountains
Frances Ridley Havergal: The Girl Who Loved Mountains (Trail Blazers)
OR, at Christian Book:
More Christian Focus Trail Blazers Books for Your Kids
Our family loves the Christian Focus Trail Blazers books. They’re perfect for ages 7-14. We read them as we studied history! Check them out.
Eric Liddell: Finish the RaceJohn Chrysostom: The Preacher in the Emperor’s Court
Samuel Rutherford: The Law, the Prince and the Scribe
Francis & Edith Schaeffer: Taking on the World
Titanic: The Ship of Dreams
William Tyndale: The Smuggler’s Flame
Wilfred Grenfell: Courageous Doctor
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: A Spoke in the Wheel
Elisabeth Elliot: Do the Next Thing
Betty Greene: Courage Has Wings
Ulrich Zwingli: Shepherd Warrior
Lilias Trotter: Daring in the Desert
Isobel Kuhn: Lights in Lisuland
Jim Elliot: He Is No Fool
George Müller: The Children’s Champion
Adoniram Judson: Danger on the Streets of Gold
Patricia St. John: The Story Behind the Stories
Helen Roseveare: On His Majesty’s Service
John Newton: A Slave Set Free
John Calvin: After Darkness Light
John Knox: The Sharpened Sword
Billy Graham: Just get up out of your Seat
Richard Wurmbrand: A Voice in the Dark
Mary Slessor: Servant to the Slave
Joni Eareckson Tada: Swimming Against the Tide
Hudson Taylor: An Adventure Begins
Augustine: The Truth Seeker
Patrick of Ireland: The Boy Who Forgave
Brother Andrew: Behind Enemy Lines
Lottie Moon: Changing China for Christ
D L Moody: One Devoted Man
Nate Saint: Operation Auca
John Welch: The Man Who Couldn’t Be Stopped
Michael Faraday: Spiritual Dynamo
William Wilberforce: The Freedom Fighter
C. S. Lewis: The Story Teller: Trailblazers Series
Jonathan Edwards: America’s Genius
Charles Spurgeon: Prince of Preachers
George Müller: The Children’s Champion
George Whitefield: Voice That Woke the World
Amy Carmichael: Rescuer By Night
Mary of Orange: At the Mercy of Kings
Martyn Lloyd-Jones: From Wales to Westminster
Hannah More: The Woman Who Wouldn’t Stop Writing
Fanny Crosby: The Blind Girl’s Song
Paul Brand: The Shoes That Love Made
Frances Ridley Havergal: The Girl Who Loved Mountains
Corrie Ten Boom: The Watchmaker’s Daughter
Gladys Aylward: No Mountain Too High
John Bunyan: Journey of a Pilgrim
David Brainerd: A Love for the Lost
John G. Paton: South Sea Island Rescue
Billy Bray: Saved From the Deepest Pit
John Stott: The Humble Leader
Bill Bright: Dare to be Different
Charles Simeon: For Christ in Cambridge (Trail Blazers)
William Carey: Expecting Great Things (Trail Blazers)
Jack Turner: Truth in the Arctic (Trail Blazers)
Elaine Townsend: At Home Around the World (Trail Blazers)
Thomas Clarkson: The Giant With One Idea (Trailblazers)
John and Betty Stam: To Die is Gain (Trail Blazers)
Maud Kells: Fearless in the Forest (Trail Blazers)
Jim Elliot: He Is No Fool (Trail Blazers)
Elizabeth Prentiss: More Love (Trailblazers)
Polycarp: Faithful unto Death (Trail Blazers)
Thomas Cranmer: The King’s Ambassador (Trailblazers)
Olaudah Equiano: A Man of Many Names (Trail Blazers)
John Wycliffe: According to the Word (Trail Blazers)
Learn more about the Who What Why series and get your FREE Abolition Lapbooks here.
Bible Resources for Your Kids
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Christian Biographies for Kids | Christian History for Kids | Theology for Kids
Christian History Matters for Our Kids.
History matters. Now, more than ever, we see how important it is for our children to know and understand history and the Bible.
Here’s why:
- God is the sovereign ruler of all things. It’s important for our kids to see his hand in the history of nations and in the lives of both peasants and kings.
- Christian history is the story of our family history. Our kids get to see how people who love Jesus follow him.
- Understanding history can help our kids learn historic and biblical theology. They learn what the Bible says and what that means for us. They also see when the study of Scripture has taken important turns that have changed the Church.
- Reading Christian biographies and history can be a wonderful way for kids to think outside their own time and culture. God’s Church spans centuries and includes people from every nation.
- Christian biographies help kids consider their own faith, walk with Jesus, and the impact their witness may one day have on others–and on history.
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