The Bookcase: Matthew is a powerful and imaginative retelling of the Gospel of Matthew-through the eyes, hearts, and questions of five twelve-year-old friends: Amos, Silas, Eli, Miriam, and Marah. What begins as an ordinary gathering among kids quickly turns extraordinary when they discover that they're not just reading about Jesus's life-they're living it. Transported into the heart of biblical events, the children find themselves walking beside Jesus during His ministry, witnessing His miracles, hearing His teachings, and watching history unfold with every chapter. But this isn't just a time-travel story. It's a soul-travel experience, where each child begins to understand that the Bible isn't just a book-it's their story too. From the moment they reflect on the prophecy and wonder of Jesus's birth, they realize something profound is happening. With childlike curiosity and courage, they lean into the world of Matthew's Gospel, exploring the visit of the wise men, the escape to Egypt, and the ministry of John the Baptist. When Jesus is baptized and declared God's beloved Son, they feel the gravity of the moment and begin to grasp the meaning of His mission.

As Jesus teaches on the mountainside, the children listen. They don't just hear the Beatitudes-they try to live them. They wrestle with humility, mercy, and faith. They memorize the Lord's Prayer and recite it together, learning to trust God not just in theory but in daily practice. When Jesus calms the storm and heals the sick, the friends are amazed-but more than that, they're changed. They begin to understand that Jesus's power isn't just something to watch; it's something to believe in. They learn to serve others, to forgive each other, and to include the ones society pushes aside-just as Jesus did with Matthew the tax collector and the Canaanite woman. As the story moves toward the crucifixion, the children experience the heartbreak of betrayal, the weight of sacrifice, and the magnitude of love.

And when the stone is rolled away and the news of the resurrection spreads, they're filled with hope-not just for the characters in the story, but for themselves and their future.