Matthew in the Middle Series - Matthew Muddles Through

Book Description:

As the middle child in his family, Matthew Vos struggles in the middle of trouble on all sides. He shares a room with an annoying younger brother and dodges the harassment of an obnoxious older brother. A big-as-a-bear neighborhood dog targets him like a heat-seeking missile. His Cadet Club crams into the church's too-small basement, and his catechism class meets in his living room. He longs to attend the Cadet International Camporee, but will he even get the chance? How can he rescue his mom's book from the principal's "Black Hole"? And why does Mom feel so sick all the time? Join Matthew, with his active imagination and growing faith, as he muddles through all this and more.

"Matthew Muddles Through is the first book in a three-volume series that realistically portrays a specific religious and ethnic community (Dutch Reformed) as it existed in 1996 and continues to flourish within small geographical pockets in the United States and Canada. Although worship services and family devotions have changed in many places, the practices as depicted in this story are still observed by many churches and families. The setting and characters are fictional, but truthful to real-life experience. These books transport the reader into the life of an ordinary, but imaginative boy - a Preacher's Kid - surrounded by complex people and person problems that help him grow in many ways.

The novels are aimed at middle grade boys, but anyone can enjoy them. Within the context of an engaging story, readers learn about handling problems, valuing others, overcoming fears, and trusting God." - From the Author

Author:

Glenda Mathes is an author and editor who lives with her husband near Pella, Iowa. They have four adult children, two of whom are married, and five grandsons.

Endorsements:

"The real texture of life is found in ordinary, everyday occurrences, but it takes a special gift to make these seem extraordinary. Matthew is a very young Christian whose faith stretches in believable ways as he tackles the challenges of growing up. I look forward to joining him for further stages of his journey." -JANIE B. CHEANEY, Senior Writer, WORLD magazine, and author of Somebody on This Bus Is Going to Be Famous

"True-to-life characters portrayed with droll humor-a fun story with firm substance-plausibly seen from a kid's viewpoint. What a gem! Mathes is a master of making me want to read more." -Yvonne Anderson, author of The Story in the Stars, 2012 ACFW Carol Award Finalist

Additional Information: