"Adventures in Odyssey" Captured in Print
By Campbell Freed
| Times Staff Writer
 First, the citizens of
Odyssey listened as their lives were chronicled in dramatic episodes on
cassettes featuring John Avery Whittaker (better known as Whit). Then came
the animated videos. Now, Whit and his friends at the ever-popular
"discovery emporium" called Whit's End can be found in a new series of
novels just released from Focus on the Family Publishing.
Written by "Adventures in
Odyssey" scriptwriter Paul McCusker, these generously illustrated books
contain original new stories about Mark Prescott, a young boy who moves to
Odyssey after his parents separate. Hurt and lonely, Mark faces the
difficulty of making new friends, feeling accepted and coping with the many
changes in his life. It isn't easy for him and he has to learn some
difficult lessons as he encounters Whit's Imagination Station, an unwanted
"girlfriend," a "whodunit" mystery, a mysterious gang and a secret cave.
"I was quite impressed," John
Whittaker said after reading the books. "They're a lot of fun. And I think
young people will relate to Mark and his problems. They'll also find a good
dose of hope weaving throughout, which is rare in a lot of books they read
now. Though I can't figure out how the author knew I once kept the
Imagination Station in the basement."
Tom Riley, who is mentioned in
the first novel, said that he was particularly pleased with the book's
sensitive handling of Mark's broken home. "It's about time somebody dealt
honestly with that sort of problem in a book for young people," he said. "
He added that "they're realistic, but the author never loses sight of a
basic Christian viewpoint."
"I like the pictures,
too!" one younger reader was overheard saying. Well actually, it was my
youngest daughter.
Best read in order, the first
three books in the series are: A Strange Journey Back, High Flyer
With a Flat Tire, and The Secret Cave of Robinwood. Look for them
at your local Christian bookstore and at Frapp's Books & Dry Cleaning, with
a new location now open at Trickle Lake Mall.
This
article originally appeared in "The Odyssey Times," a
special fictional newspaper produced by Focus on the Family to promote
Adventures in Odyssey.
Back to
The Odyssey Times
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