Thursday, February 20, 2025

About the Book

Book: The Covenant: Book One the Messiah Brigade

Author: Terry Overton

Genre: Middle Grade Reader

Release date: November 12, 2024

Middle schooler Zeke just wants to survive school unnoticed, but his intelligence and small stature make him the target of a gang of bullies. One afternoon, he stumbles upon a mysterious old box hidden in a pile of trash. Inside are trinkets, notes, and a Bible he’s never read, all hinting at life-changing truths if he can solve the clues. With the help of new friends in the “Messiah Brigade,” Zeke embarks on a journey of faith, courage, and discovery.

Together, they hope to use what they uncover to bring positive change to their school and stop the bullies.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Terry Overton is a retired university professor of educational and school psychology. She has an Ed.D. in Special Education and a Ph.D. in Psychology. Her professional experience includes teaching public school, teaching at the university level, and being a college dean. She has two children, seven grandchildren, one great granddaughter. Her writing and publication experiences include textbook and journal articles in the fields of special education and school psychology. She seeks to answer God’s call to share the good news and grow the church by writing Christian books and devotionals. Her books have won Firebird Book Awards, American Writing Winner Awards, Bookfest Winner Awards, Reader Views Silver Reviewers Award, and International Book Award Finalist. Her books examine real world events with a Christian worldview. She enjoys writing for young children, middle grade readers, YA fiction, and adult level novels.

More from Terry

My love of history, especially the WW II era, inspired me to write this book. It was an effort to combine the history of the world, specifically the cruelty of the Nazis to the Jewish people, and how bullying can result in kids taking over the culture of a school if not stopped. The three main characters decide to try to change the culture and make it a safe place from bullies. The discovery of a mysterious box of memorabilia of the WW II era sets the curious kids on their way. They find out there were three good friends who went off to fight in WW II to stop the Nazi movement in Europe. They see the parallels between their school, taken over by bullies, and Europe when Nazi forces were running over it. They soon figure out the meaning of trinkets, scribbled notes, and Scripture and use these to steer their middle school in a better direction.

MY REVIEW

I’m hooked already on this series. Zeke is smart but stays to himself a lot. He has to deal with bullies at school which seems to happen a lot these days to others. His mom is hardworking and tries to spend Friday nights with him watching a movie. Growing up without a father sure isn’t fun for Zeke. I loved when he discovers an old box. What he finds inside will begin an adventure he won’t forget.

It was nice to see how Zeke and his new friends used the Bible to help them start to solve the mystery. As they read scriptures I could tell Zeke became interested in knowing more about the Bible. He has never been to church so maybe this will help him become involved at church. Isn’t it just like God to give us little gifts to help us learn more about Him. Zeke begins to understand the verses better which made me smile.

Throughout the book we see scriptures from the Bible. Zeke is being taught about Jesus while he is trying to solve the mystery in the box. He now has two new friends and starting to understand about forgiveness. The bullies at school need forgiveness and Zeke is going to try very hard to do that. How hard has it been for you to forgive someone?

The author does a great job of illustrating how being kind to others is what Jesus wants us all to do. Little by little Zeke and his friends reach out to those who are lonely. I loved the name they called their group and how they started inviting others to join them. One by one they will make a difference . It starts with each of us. Do you see someone sitting alone in church? Next time go introduce yourself to them. Look around and see what kid at school eats by themselves. Go sit with them. I loved how this book brings a group together to change their school. Watch out bullies.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.