[.ca] The Tinker's Daughter: A Story Based on the Life of Mary ... (ISBN 0802440991)

Very moving, tenderly written. I loved it.:
Born blind, Mary Bunyan depended on others to paint visual pictures for her mind's eye to see. She felt there was no-one better able to do this than her father, John Bunyan. But when he is arrested for preaching, Mary, at age 10, is left without her picture stories. She is the oldest of the Bunyan children, and she becomes the one to carry supper to her father in jail every evening, but is tormented by a young boy who seems to concentrate all his mean and vicious tricks on Mary. Her favorite Bible quote, and one she chants to herself constantly, is "I can do all things...I can do all things..." but she fails to remember the rest of the passage. She begins to think she can do it all and resents anyone suggesting that she may need help. But she does need help, and through a series of events Mary finally remembers the rest of that Bible verse '...through Christ! who strengthens me." Though little is really known about Mary Bunyan, because she died so young, Wendy Lawton has done a great deal of research into the history of the time and has put together some logical sequences, a masterful blend of fact and fiction without ever losing sight of the character of Mary Bunyan as Wendy sees her. And it is very plausible. That Mary existed there is no doubt. Yes, her father John Bunyan was arrested for preaching and spent close to 14 years in jail. The episode with the gypsies is fiction, though Wendy states that they were quite prevalent in the area during this time period, so it is believable. I loved this book, and Wendy has skillfully blended what known facts are available on Mary Bunyan with other research information about the times and area and has created a very moving story about a young girl thrown into situations no 10-year-old should have to face. Well done!

The Tinker's Daughter:
In the Tinker's Daughter, I didn't expect the story to relate to my life at all. But as you read further into the book, you discover an independent but also scared little girl who just wants her father back. It is her who takes the journey everyday to visit and feed her father in prison, and her who makes sure the house is running smoothly. But you will learn, as she does, that being independent is good up to a point, but to really survive you need God's help. I would reccomend this book to anyone in the ages of 10-14 who likes historical fiction and is looking for a good story for a rainy day.

The Most emotional and icredible book I've ever read!!!!:
The Tinker's Daughter is one of the most incredible books I've ever read. I would give this book a five star rating. It has so much feeling and emotion and such strong faith for God, it makes yhou feel like you're actually standing there on the sidelines watching this story happen. The story is about a young girl naemd Mary Bunyan who was born blind. The book shows this girls independentcy and such strong faith for God. It also is about how she shows people that just because she's bllind doesn't mean she can't do anything she wants to. The story also shows this amazing love she has for her father and how she helps him out in his time of need. So if your a Christain or somedbodey who is just struggling in life right now I 100 percent recomend this book for you because I gaurantee you, you'll love it!

Interesting and Easy Reading:
The Tinker's Daughter started a bit slow; built up speed; and finished with a flurry. By the end of the book I wanted more to read on Mary Bunyan. Easy reading. Vocabulary section in back of book allows young readers a chance to easily become familiar with terms used in Mrs. Lawton's writing.

Another Hit:
I'm not sure why we've stopped caring about history, but as evidenced in recent polls, it is clear that many of us are unfamiliar with the people and events that shaped our nation and the world. Along comes Wendy Lawton with books like "The Tinker's Daughter" in her "Daughters of Faith Series." I'm excited about this series and about this book. Most people have probably heard of John Bunyan, author of "Pilgrim's Progress," but how many people know that he had a blind daughter named Mary who brought food to him daily while he was imprisoned in England for "unlawful preaching" during the 17th century? I certainly didn't. As with the other books in this series, Lawton brings history to life in "The Tinker's Daughter" and she gives us a glimpse into what life would have been like in the Bunyan household as John is persecuted for his faith. From struggling to put food on the table, to Mary's struggle to place her faith in Christ, Lawton gives us rich details about John's life through the eyes of his beloved daughter Mary. Pick this book up for the child(ren) in your life. My copy is going to my niece.