The Captain's Clue by Brock Eastman & Shaun Stevenson

A hilarious action-adventure series for Christian kids set in a town where the parables of Jesus literally come to life.

Anthony and his friends have barely caught their breath after escaping wild vines and dive-bombing birds when Parable Port is hit with the storm of the century. The rain won’t stop. The waters are rising. And something about it feels… biblical.

Turns out, the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders has gone haywire—and the whole town is in danger of being washed away. Teaming up with Grace and Duck, Anthony sets out to track down the mysterious lighthouse keeper, Captain David, who just might hold the key to saving Parable Port.

Meanwhile, budding podcaster J.R. is starstruck by a quirky new celebrity journalist in town. But when chasing a big story starts costing her real friendships, J.R. must decide what matters likes and listeners, or truth and loyalty.

As electric eels zap through flooded streets and homes crumble like sandcastles, the gang must decode clues, face tough choices, and learn what it really means to build your life on a solid foundation.

Can they reach Captain David before the storm destroys everything—or will Parable Port be lost beneath the waves?

This Christian book series A map of Parable Port―Follow along as the kids run around town to solve the mystery Chapter opener illustrations―Comedic and engaging artwork brings the story to life Spiritual lessons―At the back of the book, enjoy a kid-friendly devotional that explains the Parable of the Wise & Foolish Builder Penguin cast podcast―QR code for J.R.’s boots-on-the-ground interviews and analysis A fast-paced story line filled with suspense that makes it perfect for reluctant readers Hilarious antics Perfect for boys and girls ages 8-12.

Kindle Edition, 210 pages

Audiobook, 4 hours, 19 minutes

Published June 9, 2026

 by Tyndale Kids

3.5/5 stars

The Captain's Clue is the second book in a Christian fiction middle grade series built around the theme of parables, it released last month. If you have a middle grade reader in your life who enjoys adventure with a faith-based message woven through, this one is worth the read.

Though I am not the targeted audience it was an enjoyable read. And I do recommend reading book 1, The Sower's Seed, first.  Just as a nice introduction to the characters.

The Captain's Clue is loosely based on the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders, there is lots of adventure and layers going on. It's a story of friendship and mystery.

 I appreciated the discussion notes included at the end of the story. They open the door for  conversation between young readers and the adults in their lives, which is always a welcome addition to books in this category.

My thanks to Tyndale Kids (via NetGalley) for both the digital ARC and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The Sower's Secret by Brock Eastman & Shaun Stevenson

A hilarious action-adventure series for Christian kids set in a town where the parables of Jesus literally come to life.

When Anthony and his mom move to the seaside town of Parable Port, they’re just hoping for a fresh start. Anthony soon finds out that there’s something unusual about this little it’s a place where Jesus’ parables come to life in surprising ways.

The adventure begins when a flock of orange birds stalks Anthony and flowering vines grow everywhere, knocking people out cold with their pollen. In the good old days, the living parables would help the town to flourish. But now? Something or someone is messing with the Parable of the Sower and causing chaos.

With the help of his new friends Duck, J.R., Grace, and Brooklyn, Anthony must uncover clues, decipher riddles, and stay one step ahead of the birds and vines to save the town—before it’s too late.

This Christian book series for middle schoolers. A map of Parable Port—Follow along as the kids run around town to solve the mystery. 

Kindle Edition, 208 pages

Expected publication March 3, 2026 

by Tyndale Kids

3.5/5 stars

The Sower’s Secret, releasing in March, is the first book in a new middle-grade series inspired by the parables of the Bible. This opening story focuses on the parable of the mustard seed and the idea that even the smallest beginnings can grow into something significant.

This story follows Anthony and his mom as they move to Parable Port. It's here where Anthony  makes new friends - Duck, JR, Grace and Brooklyn. Not long after settling in strange things begin happening around town, and Anthony and his friends find themselves pulled into a mystery they don’t fully understand. Their journey to uncover what’s really going on adds an engaging sense of adventure while reinforcing the book’s central message about faith, patience and the small acts making a big impact.

The writing is clear, making this a good fit for middle-grade readers, families and even classrooms and church group settings. The plot is fairly straightforward and the lesson is easy to identify, but it’s handled in a way that feels age-appropriate rather than heavy-handed. The notes at the end outline the meaning of the Parable of the Mustard Seed, easy to follow and opening the opportunity for discussion.

My thanks to Tyndale Kids for a digital arc in exchange for honest review.