The Window in the Wall
Title: The Window in the Wall
Author: Ginny Merritt
Pages: 78
Grade Level: 3&4th
Ever imagine what it would be like to live in a bible story? This special story is told from the perspective of Talia, Rahab’s niece. Talia is a normal child who lives in Jericho. She speaks proudly of the thick walls that always protect Jericho from any intruders.
Talia is a normal child. She has chores to do like any one else. Her chores are getting water at the well and helping her father weed the flax fields. She also helps her mother and cares for her younger brother.
The book opens during the Harvest Festival. She and her cousin Havilah help their uncle sell his olives and honey. When the Harvest Festival is over, the winter rains begin. This means that Talia is stuck inside the city of Jericho. During this time, the story flashes back to when Heth dies. Heth was Talia’s cousin, Havilah’s twin and Rahab’s son. After Heth dies, Rahab becomes very angry and bitter. She forsakes the gods of Jericho since they didn’t heal her son. Rahab is very ill and is making bad choices, so Havilah comes to live with Talia’s family.
The whole city of Jericho is full of stories of a strange hoard of people that are on the move toward their city. Most are frighten, but all believe in the thick walls of Jericho. Soon the family receives word that Rahab has housed some interesting men in her inn. Talia’s father visits Rahab and hears how the two men have made a covenant with Rahab. The men agreed to spare anyone who is in her house when the city is overtaken.
A few days later, all the city gates are shut and the people of Jericho watch the hoard of people march around the city. Talia’s family moves into Rahab’s home and together they wait for the Israelites to take over the city. On the seventh day, the walls fall and they are rescued. They are all taken to Israelite camp where they are welcomed warmly and they find a new home.
I was delighted to find a smaller chapter book that I thought my second graders could read. I struggle to find chapter books that have an international theme. It’s also set in Bible times, so I was happy for that aspect as well. The story of Rahab is one of my favorite bible stories; it’s a wonderful story of redemption. That said, I felt the plot line was a little hard to follow. The first several chapters don’t really flow together well. They seem a bit disjointed. The later part of story did flow a bit better. I know that it’s a children’s book, but somehow the research lack a bit and the story watered down a bit. Overall, it’s a fine book that brings in a biblical perspective.
