The Chosen Generation: The Teen Tyrant Takedown

It bothered me that someone was just being allowed to slander the Bible, and Jesus, and the Bible club. But there wasn’t really anything I could do about it.

Or so I thought.

The Teen Tyrant Takedown

The Teen Tyrant Takedown was published only a few weeks ago. It’s a middle-grade contemporary novella (short novel) retelling the Biblical account of David and Goliath–except, this time, it’s David and Gunnar. Also note that the book is not nearly as long as the above picture indicates, and it is not hardcover.

Plot

David is ten–or ten and three quarters, to be exact. He wants to join the church’s Bible Club, held at the local high school.

And when a towering bully named Gunnar starts disturbing the meetings, David is bewildered. Why will no one stand up to him?

Join David as he must face this giant teen in a duel of worldviews.

My favorite aspect of this book is how creatively and subtly the author works the retelling in. The characters and plot are set up in such a way that that the story makes perfect sense on its own.

However, the essential elements of the story are still included, so one who knows the original account will recognize it.

Characters

David is an overactive, hyper ten-year-old. He is a good role model, but still isn’t perfect, which makes him relatable.

The book is written in more of a first person conversational style than a narrative style. It’s different than anything else I’ve read, and it cuts the length down considerably.

Theme and Spiritual Application

This is perhaps one of the most spiritual applicable books I have reviewed. Every chapter ends with reflective questions and a Bible memory verse to bring the chapter’s lesson home.

Here’s an example from the conclusion of chapter one:

1. Sometimes we think about what it would be like to be born into a different family. God knowingly and lovingly placed you with the family you have. What is your favorite thing about your family?

2. God knew who you would be and what you would look like. What are some things about you that are unique about you? (hair color, eye color, special talents)

3. Who are you more like, your mom or your dad? (or maybe your grandma or grandpa?)

The Teen Tyrant Takedown

The entire plot of the story is based around David, with God’s help, learning to do the right thing.

Overall

If you have kids, specifically boys, who are around 8-12, this is a great read. It will make them think about what they would do in the same situation. It will lead them to want to be like David–both in the book and the in the true story.

You can find out more about it here.