MOSES

Hodges retells some of the key events from the life of Moses in a well-written, fluid style that makes the ancient stories come alive for young readers or listeners. The introduction establishes why the Hebrews were in Egypt, leading to the story of Moses in his basket in the river and his discovery by the Pharaoh’s daughter. The story of his life continues in chronological fashion through the ten plagues of Egypt and the Exodus. After the parting of the Red Sea and the return to Canaan, the rest is condensed into just one page, leaving out the story of the Golden Calf, the breaking of the tablets and the Covenant with the Jewish people. The final spread shows the stone tablets with the commandments in ancient Hebrew next to the commandments in English and in modern Hebrew. Moser’s full-page watercolor illustrations on every other page create a strong visual personality for Moses as he ages from confident prince to elderly prophet. (Nonfiction. 6-10)