“Are we there yet? I want to be home now!”

Rueben, Rebecca, Susan, Abraham, Sarah, Joshua, Emily, and Anna continue their journey to find a home in the west and fulfill their Pa’s dream. At last arriving in Colorado Territory, it seems the adventure will not slow down!

Unexpected friends bring surprises and leap to the task of helping the family settle in the beautiful and untamed Whistling Creek.

Wildfire threatens their uncle’s property while wolves and bears press into the land Rueben hopes will be their own. Will the Ross family be able to overcome the obstacles and make Colorado Territory home? Will their faith stand in fiery trials?

The Ross Family Adventures continue – and they just keep getting better! Whistling Creek and Dear Augusta by Rachel Grace are flavorful, eventful, and delightful!

The illustrations (pictures) in both books are consistently sweet and pure. I was grateful she chose to draw the Native American with a full buckskin outfit. While it may not be the most historically accurate, it was certainly considerate of young readers’ minds.

Again, my concerns are mild-to-none. No language or adult content. There is a hint of romance, as in, a guy and girl like each other; they are of age, they dance at a party, mention of courtship, no kissing. Naturally, there’s action and danger (wild fire, encounters with wild animals). A few injuries (boy goes partially blind, girl gets fever and faints) and children grapple with the fear of a sibling dying. The tonality of the stories keeps it adventurous, not intense.

Whistling Creek is double the size of the previous adventures. The last leg of the journey to Colorado country and the beginning of their new homestead fill the pages.

I really enjoyed the new cast of characters that came into the book. Judah Johnson is my favorite addition! He is helpful, sincere, and speaks German (a language I personally love). The return of a certain character from book one adds a layer of homey-ness.

The familial love between the siblings grows, too, showing itself in honest conversations, comforting gestures, prayers, and humorous games of all kinds! Music becomes even more dear to the family in this chapter of their lives.

On a historical note, this third installment was rich with daily details of life in the 1860s in Colorado Territory. References to people, places, traditions, and the on-going War were interesting and gentle ways to place this story where it belongs.

The subtle and sincere themes of this book were spoken in childlike faith that touched my heart. The one that stands out most in my memory is summed up in a character’s words: “God always knows what’s best for us. So why would I need to be mad or sad or stressed when He has it all in His hands?”

Hallelu Yah! Our heavenly Father is loving and good to all those who seek Him. He is trustworthy! Even in the midst of pain or loss, He is our constant Comforter, Father, and loving King who orchestrates everything for His glory and our good! (Lamentations 3:25)

Dear Augusta was a charming trip back to the previous hometown of the beloved Ross Family. Each chapter features a friend of the Ross family. We see the continuing adventures through the pages of letters in this story. It has a cozy, by-the-fire feel.

The focus is on getting to know the characters better. I really enjoyed how the faith of the Ross siblings came through the pages of their letters to impact their friends. Not only is their faith growing, but now they are building up the faith of others!

Hallelu Yah! We can encourage one another in the faith, as long as it is called today, because He is our God of encouragement! (Hebrews 3:13, Romans 15:5)

It is definitely worth joining the next Ross Family Adventures. Will you?