Can an Israelite captive, wrenched from all she loves, serve the very man who destroyed her village?
Miriam is asked to do the impossible: serve the wife of Naaman, commander of the Syrian army. Clinging to treasured memories of home and faith, Miriam faces captivity with worry and bitterness. Little does she know the Heart Changer is wooing and preparing her for a greater mission—far beyond what … beyond what she could imagine.
This middle-grade historical novel reflects the heartache and angst of a young refugee in a foreign land where all hope seems lost.
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I adore books for young readers that carry the message that, no matter what age we are, our actions, decisions, and reactions are noticed—and often influence—others. Jarm del Boccio takes it a step further by introducing young minds to a Bible story they may not have heard or paid a lot of attention to before.
When young Miriam is taken captive and put to work as a slave girl, she’s understandably angry, wondering how a loving God could tear her away from her family and deposit her in a new land with strangers. That anger is something she struggles to overcome throughout The Heart Changer. But this girl is also compassionate, caring, and courageous.
Del Boccio invites readers into an ancient place and time with her descriptions while delivering a story that draws readers in as they journey with young Miriam who is learning every day to lean into her Jehovah.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
The Heart Changer is a Middle Grade fiction read appealing to adults as well. It could have easily been turned into a full-length novel, but I recognize the intended audience which makes the length more appropriate. I often find that middle grade fiction feels more choppy simply due to reading level of the audience. Instead I was pleased that this story flowed quite smoothly and was highly capable of creating vivid imagery in my mind. Having said that, it may be better suited to more advanced middle grade readers due to some of the more advanced vocabulary woven into the piece.
This book follows Miriam, a young girl taken from her family and turned into a servant for Namaan’s wife. Hopeful of being reunited with her family in the future, she willing submits to her new authority. One thing that I love about this story is that it shows young kids that God can work through even children. Even though she had her own struggles with the Lord following her capture, she couldn’t shake His presence with her. Both afraid to speak and afraid not to speak, she trusted in God and His will. It was evident that God was with her and worked through her even at such a young age (12).
I personally enjoyed this story, and consider it an intriguing read for young tween/teen girls along with adult women. This is the author’s debut novel but I will certainly be keeping my eye out for more from her in the future!
*I received a copy of this book through JustRead. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
The Heart Changer takes you on a journey of a young girl who finds forgiveness and compassion and learns how to show it to those who have wronged her.
When faced with the reality that she may never see her family again, Miriam is heart broken and feels only hatred towards her master and his wife. But over time, she learns the importance of learning to forgive those who have hurt her and trusting God to carry out His plan in the midst of her pain. She realizes that that only He can restore hope when there is none, and only He can bring true reconciliation and forgiveness out of a heart full of anger and bitterness.
It’s a reminder to all of us that we need the Heart Changer to work in our own lives.
Historical fiction is my most favorite genre, and Biblical Fiction especially. Fiction, well written, brings to life otherwise dry facts of history. And Ms. Del Boccio has done an exceptional job of it with the story of Naaman. Even better, she has written it geared for children.
The story leapt off the pages, vibrant and colorful, and true to historical evidence and Biblical accounts.
Miriam is a delightful young girl, her emotions so real, her faith honorable, her doubts and questions understandable. Ms. Del Boccio expresses beautifully how Father God is with us, even when we feel abandoned. And how He can and will and does use us for His glory. Even a child.
I appreciated how as Miriam struggled to believe God’s promises, she still shared her faith. And in doing so, her own faith grew stronger.
The story is vivid, filled with details of life in Syria. The Hebrew faith, the household of a commander in the king’s army. I would easily recommend this book for middle grade students, and look forward to more from this author.
ROBIN’S FEATHERS
ALL | THE | FEATHERS!
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.
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The Heart Changer is a retelling of the story of Naaman and how he learns the importance of obedience told in 2 Kings chapter 5. Author Jarm Del Boccio expands the role of a young Israelite girl captured to be Naaman’s wife’s personal slave and brings light to the Biblical account for young readers. The story of Miriam and her role in Naaman’s choice to believe in and follow the God of Israel is well done and believable. A great story for all ages including those who have no interest or understanding of the Bible.
Finding freedom in captivity
The Heart Changer is a very touching and believable account of a twelve-year-old girl who has been torn from her home and forced to serve as a slave for the wife of the man responsible for her slavery and the destruction of her village. Written for a younger audience, there is not a great deal of violence, yet Miriam’s agony is clearly felt. I love the way she learned to adjust to her new environment and the struggles she experienced as she sought to trust God even in a foreign land.
The author did such a fantastic job of making me consider what it might have been like. She cleverly included details from other details of Elijah and Elisha’s lives and ministries and had set Miriam’s former home in Shunam, the site of the home of the widow whose son Elijah raised from the dead to better incorporate them into the story.
Despite my idealized version of this girl who so willingly shared the healing power of God with her enemy, the author more realistically showed her struggling against anger, resentment, and unforgiveness. And even when she had given them over to God, she continued to struggle. Does that sound like anyone you know? It sure hits home for me!
This account stayed true to the Biblical narrative and gave some interesting details about the setting of this story. The city of Damascus came to life and colorful descriptions of foods and customs enhanced the reading. While not described in detail, hints about some of the potential ways Naman and his wife might have entreated their gods were mentioned. Enough so as to give an idea of the horrible cost those idols required without becoming overly gruesome or inappropriate for children.
Another thing I appreciated about The Heart Changer is that the author didn’t dumb down the language for the intended younger audience. Even as an adult, I am sometimes insulted by the way middle-school and young adult authors simplify the language as if these readers can’t handle big words. Not so with Jarm Del Boccio
While the target audience is middle-school-aged readers, I can also see older elementary, high school and adult readers enjoying it as well.
I highly recommend this lovely story of changed hearts, and will be watching for more books from this gifted author!
Read my review of The Heart Changer by Jarm Del Boccio at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
I love a story with a great opening. Something that grabs you from the first sentence and draws you in immediately. Jarm Del Boccio’s book, ‘The Heart Changer,’ doesn’t disappoint.
At the beginning of this middle grade novel, we meet twelve-year-old Miriam as she’s desperately trying to flee a raid on her village. It’s a real heart-pounder: we feel Miriam’s terror as she runs for her life but instead is snatched by an enemy solder on horseback. As she is carried away, Miriam is uncertain about not only her and her family’s fate, but about whether God is really there for her.
Miriam’s heart is stubborn, which is understandable. She’s just been kidnapped, doesn’t know if her family survived the invasion, and had to walk across the desert to become a servant in a strange land. The fact that she asks, “Where was the Almighty anyway, when our village was attacked?” is a question I had too.
This is the beauty of The Heart Changer: Miriam represents how many of us feel and react whenever we are faced with a challenge or tragedy. We ask, “Why me? Where is God and why isn’t He doing something?” This is a story for young readers, but the lessons told serve us all: the power of faith, of softening your heart and trusting that you’re on journey and only He knows the destination.
The story takes the reader on many twists and turns that reveal Miriam’s determination, her stubbornness and her wavering heart. It’s an adventure that kids would really connect with especially since it’s told from the perspective of a child.
Miriam faces many challenges along the way. At times she’s angry with her captors, Naaman and his wife Adara, and she has a rocky relationship with Rana, the maid she’s replacing who’s also her roommate. A turning point comes when Miriam remembers her parents’ teachings. In a particularly challenging point of the story, she hears her mother’s voice tell her, “Leave no room for the devil to bury in your heart.” It’s these memories of her family’s lessons that lead to Miriam’s resolve to be faithful and to honor God by doing the best she can under the circumstances. It’s a fast-paced read that really never has a dull moment, which is great for holding the attention of younger readers. My only criticism is that I wish the ending were extended a bit so that we could see first-hand the resolution that we are told about.
Overall, the Heart Changer is a reminder to show even our worst enemies kindness, to be true to ourselves and above all to have faith that He might have something wonderful in store for us even when we’re facing great difficulties. These are powerful lessons for kids to learn, especially when conveyed through such a thrilling story.
Have you ever wanted to know more about a Bible story, the back story? That’s exactly what Jarm did with Naaman and his leprosy, the Naaman from 2 Kings 5 in the Old Testament. In second Kings, we don’t know anything about the maidservant except for the important part . . . that she believed in Yahweh and that her faith helped Naaman into the River Jordan.
Jarm started there, by giving the servant a name and a story based on historical details from this time period. For me it made the story richer, and it gave me a greater appreciation of the journey Naaman took. He didn’t want to get into the Jordan River. He said it was polluted, but he did it because of the faith of a servant.