Paul Brand: Helping Hands

Paul Brand: Helping Hands is an intriguing missionary biography that shows young readers the value of working hard to develop a skill and using it to make much of God and serve others selflessly.

Brief overview: 

As a missionary kid from India, Paul's biography traces his own journey of following God through many difficulties and how God guided his work every step along the way. Paul's faith and hard work were used by God to bring dignity and medical advances to lepers, a huge group of people overlooked by the medical world.

Recommended age range: 10 and up

Strengths: 

• Engages kids with the science behind Paul's leprosy research.
  
• Shows how God opened many doors for Paul and how Paul never had to force his way forward.
• Highlights the importance of developing a skill and using it for the Lord.
• Traces the worth of each person created in the image of God and how Paul and his family lived that out in their ministry.

Weaknesses:

• Sometimes the explanation of medical terms (although done well for kids) can slow down the story pacing.
• While not the focus of the book, readers don't glean much about the Indian culture.
• We learn very little about Paul's spiritual ministry in India as a result of his work. 

Additional Notes:

• I read this with my six and nine-year-old and it held their interest.
• This book inspires readers to think carefully (and prayerfully) about the different ways God can use His people to serve others.

Overall rating: 7 (out of 10)