The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Gives Maggie's Treasure Raving Reviews

Maggie's Treasure is a delightful story about a girl who tries to make sense of her life after her mother is taken away from her at a young age. Maggie's Dad tries to do the best thing for his now-motherless daughter. Maggie doesn't understand why things have to change even more! She's shocked when her father says he's going to leave her to make money somewhere else for a while. Maggie's world seems to be closing in on her, but she'll realize God has not left her alone or without a way of escape from those dark feelings.

The new set-up her father puts her in proves to be the saving grace for Maggie as she learns to trust again. When the news of her father's supposed death comes to her, she leans heavily on that new trust and finds that God is trustworthy and cares for His children very much.

Maggie's greatest fear is finally laid to rest, and she gives herself permission to move on with her father and whatever he feels is best for her.

This story was a delightful tale, with villains scattered throughout for even more suspense. Your heart automatically goes out to Maggie, and children will be endeared to her and want her to have a happy ending. The author makes sure the heroine is taken care of in the end. Young children, especially girls, will be drawn into this tale.

This book is probably best used as a read-aloud, or it would also be an excellent choice for an independent reader. In our home school, we'll use this book as an independent reader for my two oldest children. It's so wonderful to find Godly and wholesome books to give to your children to read. You don't have to worry about language or questionable practices popping up in this book. Sandra Waggoner has proven to be a trustworthy author that you can look to for biblically sound, quality literature. The way she explains difficult concepts to children is nothing short of a gift. Your children will be in good hands when they pick up this book. I highly recommend it to every homeschool parent for their children's early novel reading.

Lyria Moore, Reviewer

BOOK REVIEWS

"I think I have always written."

WRITER OF HISTORICAL CHRISTIAN FICTION FOR YOUTH

I grew up on a farm in western Kansas. My playgrounds stretched from the yard

to the fields and out into the pasture. I climbed every tree on the place, but my favorite prairie tree was the windmill. I loved to shinny to the top and feel the wind surge through the blades and pump the water from deep within the ground. It seemed that I was in rhythm with the very heartbeat of the earth.

On my Kansas playground I became whatever our play called for--a pirate, a cowboy, an Indian, a jungle explorer, a posse rider, a member of the Jesse James Gang--this is where my stories were born.

I think that I have always written. I still have a poem that I penned around third grade. In junior high I wrote while I daydreamed in my classes. In high school I wrote for our school newspaper. I wrote while driving the tractor or the wheat truck as my dad’s farmhand. I wrote in college. I wrote. I wrote. I wrote. And I write.

In 1977 the most dashing man waltzed into my life and swept me off my feet into a world of happily ever after. God chose him to be a pastor and we have been in the ministry for twenty-six years. As a result of my husband’s ministry I have had the joy of speaking to women at meetings, Mother-Daughter teas and retreats. I have written many skits just for these occasions. Even there, God uses me to write. I didn’t know that he could do that. What wonderful surprises he has given me.

God has blessed my husband Greg and me with four children. They have been the subjects of many of my children’s picture books. It’s a joke around our house that if you do it, Mom will write about it! However, I can be bribed into adding, “The names have been changed to protect the guilty!”

I am a teacher. I love teaching, whether it is Sunday school or my fourth grade class at the elementary school. Children keep me young and dreaming. They are the best audience for my work. I read my stories to them and they critique me.

Often I hear, “Wow! Please read another chapter.” I can live with that.

The (Short) Story of My Life

I could begin this biography by telling you when I was born. Let’s just say, “Yes, I was!” Time, especially to children, means nothing. I once

remember telling my 4th grade elementary school class that I was 96. To

my horror, they believed me!