 
THRID PLACE WINNER — 16 and UNDER CATEGORY
Molly Anderson
Of all the books in our home library that I may read, those written by G.A. Henty find themselves read and reread the most often in my spare time. Time and time again I have traveled over the Rockies in the company of Tom wade and his uncle, and have fought Malay pirates with brave, young Dick Balderson and Harry Parkhurst. Many also is the time I have fenced by the side of the talented Rupert Holliday, or have crept unnoticed by German guards as a spy with Ralph and Percy Barclay on a perilous expedition out of loyalty to France. What keeps me coming back for Henty volumes? What makes me savor a story read six times previously, and what is it that makes me tingle with anticipation as I hold in my hands for the first time an old, worn copy of By Right of Conquest? I think, to start with, one reason must be the author. There never was, or perhaps never will be, a man more able to bind history, adventure, and most importantly a Christian worldview, between the front and back of an embossed leather cover. Never was a man more able and willing to blend these three components in a desirable mixture, and put pen to paper without the words losing their impact and appeal. If Mr. Henty had not been gifted in writing literature, he would have been recognized no less as a strong, devout Christian. I thank God that He enabled Henty to be an instrument for Him.
Exhilarating is the word I find best to describe Mr. Henty’s writing style. His adventure stories are at least, if not more, exciting than those of other writers. He combines adventure wonderfully with history and constantly weaves a Christian perspective throughout. Books written by Mr. Henty can be read and reread with relish numerous times because of their depth of delight. The first time reading a Henty book I meet the characters and get well acquainted with the setting. The second time through I have become more familiar with the people and their lifestyle, and by the third time I have come to regard them as old friends, and feel almost as if I have once lived in that particular period and place. Also, each time I read a certain book I pick up some new character quality, some amazing historical fact, or some hidden aspect previously unnoticed. that is one of the many things I like in Mr. Henty’s writing-he keeps you coming back to glean more. Also, one cannot simply scan the first few chapters and have a fairly good idea of the plot, because he keeps unveiling it all the way to the end.
Another thing to be treasured from Henty’s books is their educational value. By “educational” I am not merely referring to the easy to remember historical content, but also to the different qualities to be learned and appreciated from the characters in the stories. I enjoy looking for all the particular attitudes and aspects of each person, thereby getting a more complete idea of what they are like. Even though Henty wrote with boys in mind as the primary readers of his stories, I think his novels hold fully as much benefit for me as a girl. Young women like history and adventure, though perhaps not in the same way that male youths do. Even though girls cannot, or rather, should not, imitate manly qualities; the young men characters in Henty’s books are models as to what kind of young gentlemen I should choose to associate with. Henty also does have some ladies in his stories that are good examples for me to follow.
I think Henty’s books are some of the greatest historically accurate fiction ever written, and I will continue to read his wonderful works. Not only have I learned a great deal of history, but also how to deepen my Christian character.
Thank you, Mr. Henty.
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