I’d like to thank Christian Focus Publications for giving me a copy of Hannah More by Sarah Allen in return for my honest review.
Hannah More
Hannah More (1745-1833) was an interesting woman.
Although Hannah More was from a poor family during a time that single women didn’t typically change society, over her lifetime she excelled as:
- A poet
- A playwright
- An abolitionist writer,
- An advocate for and instigator of Sunday Schools and education for the poor.
Hannah More’s circle of friends included abolitionist William Wilberforce, and she was an important figure in the life of Selina Mills, the woman who married abolitionist Zachary Macaulay.
Hannah More Biography
Sarah Allen has written a new book on More: Hannah More: The Woman Who Wouldn’t Stop Writing (Christian Focus 4 Kids, 2014).
The Trailblazers line of Christian biographies from Christian Focus now covers 62 Christian figures in a narrative format for kids ages 8-14. To my absolute delight, there are new biographies added every few months. We love this line, and we own them all. We read the stories regularly in our home.
Hannah More was the fourth of five girls born to a poor family. Her father was a teacher for boys from their home and it was there that Hannah learned to read, write, and study language. More and her sisters began a school for wealthy young women and Hannah pursued writing in her spare time. She was engaged to a man who never followed through on his promise to marry her. He awarded her a yearly stipend as compensation (in those days, her ability to marry was damaged by the broken engagement).
This stipend enabled Hannah More to go to London and establish a lucrative and successful playwriting career. More lived a luxurious life of parties, plays, and socializing.
Hannah More the Poet
At a low moment in her life, Hannah came to understand the gospel, repented and gave her life to Christ. It was then that Hannah More decided to write for Jesus.
The change in her life was dramatic. Her work took on a much more serious tone, educating people about the Bible and pointing to the social injustice of slavery. She left London and became friends with William Wilberforce. Through his urging, she spent much of her life instituting schools in dismally poor areas of England.
Hannah More: The Woman Who Wouldn’t Stop Writing is a good read. There is a strong redemption message, and More’s life had a profound impact on those she encountered both through her writing and through her endless work as an educator.
Her story is a reminder of the reason institutional religious education has been such a powerful tool for social and religious change throughout the centuries. I think the book is an excellent addition to the already amazing Trailblazers line.
Hannah More: The Woman Who Wouldn’t Stop Writing coordinates with studies involving
- The 18th Century and early 19th Century
- Abolitionism
- Education
- Social Justice
- Writing as a Vocation
- Sanctification
Purchase Hannah More: The Woman Who Wouldn’t Stop Writing
Hannah More: The woman who wouldn’t stop writing
OR, at Christian Book:
More Christian Focus Trail Blazers Books for Your Kids
Our family loves the Christian Focus Trail Blazers books. They’re perfect for ages 7-14. We read them as we studied history! Check them out.
Eric Liddell: Finish the RaceJohn Chrysostom: The Preacher in the Emperor’s CourtSamuel Rutherford: The Law, the Prince and the ScribeFrancis & Edith Schaeffer: Taking on the WorldTitanic: The Ship of DreamsWilliam Tyndale: The Smuggler’s FlameWilfred Grenfell: Courageous DoctorDietrich Bonhoeffer: A Spoke in the WheelElisabeth Elliot: Do the Next ThingBetty Greene: Courage Has WingsUlrich Zwingli: Shepherd WarriorLilias Trotter: Daring in the DesertIsobel Kuhn: Lights in LisulandJim Elliot: He Is No FoolGeorge Müller: The Children’s ChampionAdoniram Judson: Danger on the Streets of GoldPatricia St. John: The Story Behind the StoriesHelen Roseveare: On His Majesty’s ServiceJohn Newton: A Slave Set FreeJohn Calvin: After Darkness LightJohn Knox: The Sharpened SwordBilly Graham: Just get up out of your SeatRichard Wurmbrand: A Voice in the DarkMary Slessor: Servant to the SlaveJoni Eareckson Tada: Swimming Against the TideHudson Taylor: An Adventure BeginsAugustine: The Truth SeekerPatrick of Ireland: The Boy Who ForgaveBrother Andrew: Behind Enemy LinesLottie Moon: Changing China for ChristD L Moody: One Devoted ManNate Saint: Operation AucaJohn Welch: The Man Who Couldn’t Be StoppedMichael Faraday: Spiritual DynamoWilliam Wilberforce: The Freedom FighterC. S. Lewis: The Story Teller: Trailblazers SeriesJonathan Edwards: America’s GeniusCharles Spurgeon: Prince of PreachersGeorge Müller: The Children’s ChampionGeorge Whitefield: Voice That Woke the WorldAmy Carmichael: Rescuer By NightMary of Orange: At the Mercy of KingsMartyn Lloyd-Jones: From Wales to WestminsterHannah More: The Woman Who Wouldn’t Stop WritingFanny Crosby: The Blind Girl’s SongPaul Brand: The Shoes That Love MadeFrances Ridley Havergal: The Girl Who Loved MountainsCorrie Ten Boom: The Watchmaker’s DaughterGladys Aylward: No Mountain Too HighJohn Bunyan: Journey of a PilgrimDavid Brainerd: A Love for the LostJohn G. Paton: South Sea Island RescueBilly Bray: Saved From the Deepest PitJohn Stott: The Humble LeaderBill Bright: Dare to be DifferentCharles Simeon: For Christ in Cambridge (Trail Blazers)William Carey: Expecting Great Things (Trail Blazers)Jack Turner: Truth in the Arctic (Trail Blazers)Elaine Townsend: At Home Around the World (Trail Blazers)Thomas Clarkson: The Giant With One Idea (Trailblazers)John and Betty Stam: To Die is Gain (Trail Blazers)Maud Kells: Fearless in the Forest (Trail Blazers)Jim Elliot: He Is No Fool (Trail Blazers)Elizabeth Prentiss: More Love (Trailblazers)Polycarp: Faithful unto Death (Trail Blazers)Thomas Cranmer: The King’s Ambassador (Trailblazers)Olaudah Equiano: A Man of Many Names (Trail Blazers)
Learn more about the Who What Why series and get your FREE Abolition Lapbooks here.
Bible Resources for Your Kids
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Christian Biographies for Kids | Christian History for Kids | Theology for Kids
Christian History Matters for Our Kids.
History matters. Now, more than ever, we see how important it is for our children to know and understand history and the Bible.
Here’s why:
- God is the sovereign ruler of all things. It’s important for our kids to see his hand in the history of nations and in the lives of both peasants and kings.
- Christian history is the story of our family history. Our kids get to see how people who love Jesus follow him.
- Understanding history can help our kids learn historic and biblical theology. They learn what the Bible says and what that means for us. They also see when the study of Scripture has taken important turns that have changed the Church.
- Reading Christian biographies and history can be a wonderful way for kids to think outside their own time and culture. God’s Church spans centuries and includes people from every nation.
- Christian biographies help kids consider their own faith, walk with Jesus, and the impact their witness may one day have on others–and on history.
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I really need to get more books from this series, because I think in the not too distant future this could be a favorite set of books for my kids.
Ticia, We love this series. I use them in our history studies every year! 🙂
~ Danika
These books sound awesome, I would like to read them myself!!!!!
I have tried several of this series. I would be glad to try one from this author. I did find innacuracies in the Amy Carmichael story by Irene Howat, so would take all of them cautiously.
I find it fascinating to read about women who lived in other eras and “broke the mold”. The fact that in the midst of all that she came to know Christ makes this story even more exciting.
This sounds like a very interesting book. I love reading biographies of great people to my kids. So inspirational and instructional in an interesting way. Thank you for offering this giveaway.