Edge of the Galaxy
Summary
Edge of the Galaxy by Brock Eastman is a hybrid science fiction short story anthology and thirty-day devotional designed for middle schoolers. The story follows Gavin Greystone and his family as they prepare to be the first humans to colonize Saturn’s moon, Titan. Infusing real science, imaginative adventures, and solid lessons in faith, this devotional seeks to break down Christian concepts in a fun and engaging way.
Assessment
Edge of the Galaxy is a well-written kids’ devotional/anthology that mixes faith, science, and fiction into bite-sized pieces. Each of these three elements play off and enhance the others well; with the science not taking away from the faith, but adding to it, the faith not taking away from the fiction, but making it richer, and so on and so forth. The science element took a strong creationist stance, bringing in the wonder of a God-created universe while also acknowledging that some people (non-Christians) believe in evolution.
Theologically each devotional is really solid; while some of the stories were a bit repetitive (quite a few “Gavin didn’t obey and caused huge problems for the people around him”), the Biblical concept each story focused in on were unique and valuable. The devotions also didn’t seem to sway towards one denomination or another, but focused strictly on Scripture and what it has to say in terms of moral and ethical behavior.
In terms of cleanliness, there is some age-appropriate peril and adventure, but nothing in the way of gore or romance — maybe a tiny hint that Gavin likes one of the girls on the station his age and his parents are depicted at least once sharing a kiss. Gavin does have to face several frightening situations, but these are presented through the lens of growing stronger in his faith and managing his fear appropriately.
Light-o-Meter
Overall — 6 out of 7 Little Lights
Story: 5 out of 7 Little Lights
Prose: 5 out of 7 Little Lights
Illustrations: 6 out of 7 Little Lights
Quality: 7 out of 7 Little Lights
Theological Message: 6 out of 7 Little Lights
Age Appropriateness — Appropriate for intended audiences of 8- to 12-year-olds.
Talk
Add this to the list of books I wish I’d had as a kid!
The biggest thing that I love about this devotional is that it doesn’t compromise on any of its three main draws — the science, the Scripture, and the story (hah! Look at that alliteration!). The stories are engaging, fun, and adventurous, easily avoiding coming across as shallow or message-forward. The lessons are woven in, not just overlaid on top, so that they actually make sense to the plot and the characters. And the science is used to uplift the message of the Gospel and bring glory to God’s wonderful creation.
And, honestly, I’m so impressed by the writing that I forget it’s also wonderfully illustrated with a fun, painty/sketchy kind of style!
Theologically, there was only one day out of thirty that I thought the message was trying a little too hard to make the verse fit with it. That and the fact that Gavin literally could not seem to make the right choice (until more towards the end) at all are really my only two and relatively minor negative comments about the book.
Overall I am really impressed with Edge of the Galaxy, both as a fun story and as a faith-building tool!
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