This book was love at first sight for me!  I love old books; I love true books; and I love books with good role models for my daughters.  Princess Adelina is all three.

This is a reprint of a book published nearly a century ago, telling the true story of a brave young Christian girl who lived 13 centuries ago.  Adelina lived a simple life as the daughter of Irish missionaries in early Germany.  Like Esther, she was pressed into marriage with an unbeliever.  Also like Esther, she was a part of the unfolding of God’s plan for the good of many people.  Adelina faced many dangers and hardships but diligently walked the path that God laid before her, and in doing so she witnessed His goodness in her life and His blessings on those around her.

I was most impressed by the way Adelina faced her many trials.  She was strong, but utterly feminine; sometimes afraid, but never ruled by fear.  She willingly obeyed her husband in everything except where he required her to sin: in those cases she humbly appealed to him and obeyed God without apology.  She witnessed and ministered tirelessly to everyone around her, and prayed without ceasing even for her harshest persecutors.

Our daughters must be meek, gentle, kind and forgiving, but they also must be bold, courageous and outspoken.  This is a high standard and a difficult balance, but the story of Adelina shows that it can be done.

Kim C. from Life in a Shoe: the methods and madness of one family of 11