Abigail and the Fear Fix

Abigail is looking forward to going to church camp for the first time, but then one of her friends gets injured and can't attend camp with her. She starts worrying about all the things that could go wrong at camp, and her friend's injury introduces new fears. Throughout this story, Abigail learns how to take her fears to Jesus. She learns that even though fear can help keep us safe, it can also get in the way of the life God wants us to live. 

"Abigail and the Fear Fix" has fun autumn vibes, and kids will enjoy reading about Abigail's church camp adventures. On the publisher's website, parents and church workers can download an activity pack to recreate some of the games and activities for kids. This is the sixth book in the Abigail series, but you do not have to read the books in order.

I appreciate how this book normalizes fearful worries as part of the human experience. Fictional stories about anxiety disorders can be clarifying and encouraging for readers with the same struggles, but when books only present anxiety experiences through the lens of pathology, kids can come away with the idea that any experience of fear is a mental health problem that requires professional treatment. I like that this book shows a child realistically coping with and overcoming fears, with the encouragement of her parents and support system.

"Abigail and the Fear Fix" is a fast-paced, fun read that will appeal to Christian kids, especially girls. This chapter book makes a great family read-aloud or book club choice, and there are discussion questions in the back. This one offers especially rich and timely discussion opportunities for families, and I appreciate how this book can speak to kids who deal with minor, occasional fears, and to kids who deal with more serious, ongoing anxiety.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! Initially, I had planned to make it a read aloud with my kids, but I’m glad I decided to read it on my own first.

In the story, we meet Abigail, who is excited about going to camp with her friends, but fear starts to creep in and overshadow her excitement. Before she even makes it to camp, things at home have her worrying about all kinds of things.

I loved when her mother explained that fear can protect us and keep us safe, but it can also cause us to miss out on what God has planned for us. At camp, Abigail and her friends face things that bring even more fear, but she learns to draw on her trust in God, allowing her to take back her joy and enjoy camp with God by her side.

I thought this was such a sweet story. My only caution would be that I think it would be best enjoyed with a child who already struggles with fear rather than a child who isn’t in that stage. Abigail puts words to many different fears, and I wouldn’t want to introduce new fears to a child by giving them possibilities to worry about. I’ll be saving this one for when I feel my kids need it or are ready for it.

I received a complimentary copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.