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Read this out loud (slightly dramatized) to my boys, and they loved it. ( )

Fun adaptation of the early life of King David. I look forward to reading the rest. ( )

This book was thoroughly enjoyed during our family's "read-aloud" time. Great even for middle schoolers. ( )

My Dearest King–

You will be glad to learn that I am still available for any quest, adventure, or dangerous mission for which you might need a champion or knight-errant. I specialize in dragon-slaying, but would be happy to fight pirates or invading barbarians if circumstances require…

So begins the story of Aidan Errolson, a boy with a big imagination and an even bigger heart. The Bark of the Bog Owl, the first book of Jonathan Rogers’ Wilderking Trilogy, is at a basic level a retelling of the Old Testament story of David and Goliath, but Rogers moves far beyond this basic level in creating a unique story about a boy who is called upon to do great things flanked by a motley collection of comrades and a series of unusual occurrences.

Although there are some parallel characters, Aidan Errolson (David), King Darrow (King Saul), Bayard the Truth Speaker (Prophet Samuel), Greidawl (Goliath), Rogers also creates some original ones such as Dobro of the fascinating Feechiefolk. Even the parallel characters have been developed so that readers gain a new sense of what their experiences must have been like and the courage that it must have taken for a small boy to face not only a giant but also the derision of his own brothers and people.

When Aidan doubts himself, Bayard tells him, “Live the life that unfolds before you.” The story pits small Corenwald and the one God against the mighty Pyrthens and their many gods. As Aidan prepares to face Greidawl he proclaims, “If I am defeated tomorrow, I want to die as I have lived–a shepherd boy, with the sun on my forehead and the breeze in my hair. But if I overcome, everyone must know that the One God, and not Aidan Errolson, is the Champion of Corenwald. Neither arms nor armor can deliver Corenwald–only the arm of the One God.” Now those would make some great famous last words, but, fortunately, they aren’t his last words as everyone knows that David defeats Goliath (or in this case, Aidan defeats Greidawl).

Although Aidan’s choices and the ending are somewhat of foregone conclusions, Rogers moves the story along and keeps it interesting by throwing in some humor, adding characters, creating increasingly grand action episodes, and changing of scenery. As Aidan’s adventures increase in scope, the setting shifts easily from Tambluff Castle, to Feechiefen Swamp, to Bonifay Plain, and beyond. Plus, the inclusion of a giant helps along the cause of getting the blood pumping and the pages turning.

The first book in the Wilderking Trilogy, The Bark of the Bog Owl speaks to love for God and country, faith, bravery, and overcoming seemingly impossible odds. The remaining two books of the trilogy appear promising to do more of the same (book 2: The Secret of the Swamp King (2005) and book 3: The Way of the Wilderking (2006)). ( )