"In this book, Katherine Bell opens up a world of reality and hope. In league with the
wisdom of Jesus, she calls the adult believer to reach childward for maturity. I dare
any who doubt the principle: read this tale of special children with special needs who
teach adults this special truth. Katherine Bell's sparkling story of separated twins is a
tale of glory. David left Jonathan in the womb, but they were destined to meet again in
a ripping moment of rediscovery. Special children are even more special in those realms we
can't touch than those we can.
"Hats off to Katherine Bell! She has stared at handicaps through the eyes of Christ and
caused us to see that no child is ever disadvantaged. Only they who stop to pity them are
disadvantaged. For every special child knows a special teacher who comes unseen to teach
the special lessons of God's grace.
Katherine Bell is one of the most gifted writers of our time. She owns both a literary
talent and studied faith. Her words are the footprints of her hungry journey toward Christ.
Read and grow rich!"
Dr. Calvin Miller
Best-Selling Author of the Singer trilogy and many others
"From the first time I saw Jonathan's Journey in manuscript form, I fell in love
with it. Here is a story worth telling, and Katherine tells it well. What if the Lord
Jesus Christ came to a young boy, bound by severe handicaps and released him for a
wondrous night voyage that told him of his need for a Savior? And a marvelous review of
our sad history it is, culminating with the awesome realization that Jonathan himself
has a life and death choice to make. Jonathan's Journey is an imaginative
presentation of the gospel, but it is more than that. It also gives touching insights
into how we should understand and respond to severe mental and physical handicaps,
especially in children. We are all made in the image of God, not just those blessed with
good health. Much of Scripture deals with how we should lovingly help those truly in need.
I appreciate Katherine sharing these truths with the reader. ...Jonathan's Journey...
has much to say that we need to hear."
Frank Simon
Crossway Author
Our children hear a strong cultural message: Life with dignity means we should be healthy, clean, alert, and able to take care of ourselves. "Death with dignity" means the right to opt out when you are no longer any of the above. "Death with dignity" is coming to mean death by suicide. Not so. [Jonathan's Journey by Katherine Bell] show[s] how human suffering can be terrible, but costly care giving can be a thing of beauty, and both have great redeeming value. A big musical family prepares for a new baby, a surviving twin, the other twin having died earlier in his mother's pregnancy. Jonathan's needs (including cerebral palsy) launch his family on a journey of tears and joy. (This one is great for younger children.)
Lael F. Arrington, Worldproofing Your Kids, p. 172
Crossway Books, 1997
"An uplifting experience for the whole family!" CBD--Christian Book Distributors
"The book is the very best I've ever read! I've sold many copies and have given several to friends and relatives. All have returned and thanked me over and over for the book. What incredible insight you have to the life and times of Jesus Christ. Christians and non-Christians alike should read this book. It touches the heart and soul of every reader, young and old alike!"
Beverly
Christian Bookseller; Valdosta, Georgia
"… heart-warming … Jonathan's Journey is a refreshing, penetrating picture of Jesus through the eyes of a … child. His view of Jesus simplifies difficult theology. This book is a rare fictional treasure for children and adults. It is one of the best tools I've seen to lead a child to a sound understanding and acceptance of Jesus Christ. What a delightful way to help your children understand Scripture as one continuous story of God's incredible love. … Jonathan's Journey is a very healing story for those whose life experiences have resulted in distortions of God's love. I would highly recommend this book for children and adult's who have been wounded by abuse, disabilities or anyone looking for a wonderful panoramic picture of God's love for us."
Tallahassee Area Church News
September 1997
A wonderful Love story as if told by God! The author, Katherine Bell, must have been sitting next to God as she wove this masterpiece of the love of Jesus. You will experience joy, love, anger, anguish, and tenderness as you read this book. I experienced the recreation of creation as I took this journey with Jesus and Jonathan. Jonathan's Journey will be a blessing to all who read it. :)
A reader from New England
Awesome Presentation of the Gospel! Although fiction, this is by far the best presention of the Gospel I have ever read in a fictional novel. You will not want to put this book down. It is a book that you will highly recommend to all your friends. I am on the board of directors for the JoHir (Good News) Hungarian Literature Mission, which is translating Jonathan's Journey into the Hungarian Language to be used as an evangelistic tool, helping to spread the Gospel. This is a must read book!
Paul Meehan
Lexington, Massachusetts
Exceptional! Truly a gifted writer. She grabbed my attention from beginning to end. The way she wove her story using imagery, is phenomenal. You can't wait to see what Jonathan is going to experience next. The story draws you, as you discover a great love. A story both young and old will treasure!
A reader from Guam
"This book may have already been recommended, but a great read-to-your-kids book is one called Jonathan's Journey. The author based it on a profoundly handicapped boy she knows. In the book, he is visited one night by Jesus who takes him through the story of redemption. The last few chapters are real tear-jerkers, but in a good way. I was crying so hard when I read it to my kids that, well, I couldn't read."
found on America On-Line
in a homeschooling forum about favorite books
This reader and book reviewer, suffering from Multiple Personality Disorder and depression as a result of childhood sexual and ritual satanic abuse, found healing in the portrayal of Christ in Jonathan's Journey.
Dear Katherine, … My heart was profoundly changed reading your book … Aside from revealing God's overall redemption story and the warm nature of Jesus, Jonathan's Journey carries a healing anointing for the brokenhearted. …. This book needs to be available to the wounded in spirit! … It belongs in every home.
When I stumbled onto Jonathan's Journey, I had already integrated over 20 alters -- each one having had their own encounter with Jesus and receiving His healing love. But now, issues ran deeper for those remaining and Jesus seemed the enemy. Because of ritual memories, His blood seemed gross and fear-inducing, His love seemed untrustworthy, sacrifices made me scream and receiving communion caused flashbacks instead of joy, comfort or hope. Jonathan's Journey was the gateway for several of my alters yielding to Jesus—finally being able to grasp the whole redemption story with His tender nature intertwined. Some of Jonathan's questions to Jesus have been asked in my own sessions! Reading the book was divine provision and timing. A major shift took place and trust levels in Jesus took a flying leap. It was the same for other "multiples" I lent it to. … Within 4 days, it had been read by 4 people who share a similar abuse background and have found trusting Jesus with their whole heart just as difficult. Their lives were also changed. Jesus was invited into realms previously closed off and healing came in waves for all of us.
… I … wanted you to know God's healing anointing rests upon it and I would love to see it remain available and be valued as a healing tool as well as an evangelism or teaching tool. God has bestowed upon it far more than inspiring fiction. … I wanted you to know how God is using it here. My copy, bought on a clearance table, caused over 30 others to order one these two weeks. … I will always be grateful for your writing. My own copies will be cherished and lent to those who are seeking to love the Lord Jesus with their whole heart, mind and soul but whose past experiences have made it difficult. I pray God will use my life, words and writings to minister life to the brokenhearted and equipping of the Church to share in the sanctification process of sexual and ritual abuse survivors.
I will always be grateful for the eternal impact you have made in my life through Jonathan's Journey. May the Lord grant you yet more stories, releasing His anointing as you write for His glory.
Brenda
Tallahassee, FL
"I've thought of you often, having read and enjoyed your strong, touching book. For me, the strongest scene is... Jonathan's epiphany of grace. That's lovely, truly the discovery of us all—so familiar and yet, with your story, so freshly revealed. Thank you again, even more than I expected to feel, for this gift. I admire what you've done with this tale and with the old familiar story of Jesus and His love, as the old song says."
Dr. Walter McDonald
Professor of English, Poet-in-Residence, Texas Tech University
Author of over 15 collections of poetry and one book of fiction
"I have sincerely enjoyed it, every moment of it; actually, it's brought tears of joy to the page more times than I can count. It's been such an encouragement and blessing. . . . I feel like I can truly relate to Jonathan."
Cammie, age 17
Cancer Survivor
Dallas, TX
"Thanks so much for sharing this with me! I couldn't put it down! It clarified things I've heard all my life in each reading. What a lovely gift this young writer has..."
Rochelle
Rochester, NY
Jonathan's Journey by Katherine Bell is ... not at all what I thought it would be. I thought it was a kid's book. I suppose it could be, but it's a very simply explained synopsis of the entire Bible and the Gospel! I want to send it to my friend. She … can't seem to forget the false teachings she's heard for years! Thanks!"
DeeAnn
Alabama
"I had a chance to read [Jonathan's Journey] this week. I wanted to thank you for writing such as great story. It really meant a great deal to me. It surely helped put everything in proper order and reaffirms what we know to be true.... Thank you again for writing this book!"
Rochelle
Rochester, NY
"I want to tell you how much I enjoyed reading your book. Wow—what an inspiration! I read it in a week. (This in incredible for me since I rarely find time to read — I've been into three other books for 4-8 months!) Anyway, thank you for sharing such a wonderful blessing, so divinely written!"
Sherilyn
Temple, TX
"I just finished Jonathan's Journey and still have a tear in my eye. I enjoyed it so much! I had never thought about the correlation between the serpent on the stick and Jesus on the Cross. Neat!... I look for your next book!"
Lydia
Leonard, TX
"I wanted to thank you for the book. I am extremely impressed with your accomplishment and your message. The book is wonderful! I am reading it to my children aloud. We are all enjoying it! Outstanding job!"
Nanci
Seattle, WA
"A little note to let you know how much I have enjoyed Jonathan's Journey. It is a lovely book and deserves re-reading, which I will do after I get it back from the sisters who are enjoying it. You have a beautiful talent, and I hope you will be able to use it in writing more books."
Sister St. Lucy
Tucson, AZ
"...a wonderful book of love."
Bobbie
Irving, TX
"It is comforting to know that there are families that have been through some of the same struggles that we have just experienced.... Your book was very touching and helpful to remind us of the hope that we have. We know that our son... is happy and safe and awaiting our meeting again in heaven. I can smile and rest assured that the Lord is holding my baby in my absence.... You possess a wonderful gift! Continue to spread and share this good news."
A reader in Dallas, TX
"Thanks for letting me borrow the book Jonathan's Journey. It is my favorite book now."
Jonathan, age 8
Riverside, CA