Treasures of the Snow: A Must Read

Treasures of the Snow

Written by Patricia St.John

Apropriate for Ages
12 and up for independant reading
6 and up to be read aloud

I can vaguely remember reading this book as a child and so before doing a review I wanted to reread it. Let me tell you it was so much better than I remember it being. I finished it in three days!

The story is set in the mountains of Switzerland in a small village where Annette and her younger brother Dani live. One morning on the way to school Annette and Lucian, a nearby neighbor, run into each other (literally). Annette is enraged that she will be late for school and both become bitter and angry toward each other. Lucian decides to "get back" at Annette by taunting Dani which leads to a tragic acident. Annette determines that Lucian will be her enemy and finds every way possible to hurt and embarass him for what he had done.

Meanwhile Lucian learns to live with the guilt and pain. He befriends an old man farther up the mountain who teaches him to whittle. Lucian trys to make things right between himself and Annette and Dani but nothing seems to help. After getting to know the old man a little more Lucian tells of his sin and pain from the terrible accident. Eventually the man shares his own story of great sin and the pain that followed. Speaking of his sin to Lucian his says,
            "But through the lives and the words of my master and wife, I too have come to believe in the love and mercy of God and the forgiveness of sins."

He continues,
                   " You tell me there is no way to start again, but you are wrong. ... But I believe that God has forgiven me, and am spending my days woring to give back what I owe, and striving to become what God meant me to be. It is all I can do -- it is all anyone can do. Our past we must leave to God."

The old man's speach sparks something within Lucian that comes to completion later in the book. Lucian decides for now he can't fix what he has done but maybe he will get a chance to do something great.

Annette begins to realize that the bitterness she is holding inside is hurting not only Lucian but people she loves dearly. Amidst all her emotions she continue to hear her grandmother speak of love and forgiveness that can only be found in Christ Jesus. One evening when in a desperate situation she decides to let all the anger go and accept the sacrifice Christ made for her. She can not love Him and hate Lucian at the same time. At a later time she becomes tempted to allow hate a place in her heart. This is her grandmother's wisdom,
            "Everyday of your life ugly, angry, selfish thoughts will knock at the door and try to get in again. Don't try to push them back yourself; ask the Lord Jesus to meet them with His love. Think about the love of Jesus all you can. Read about the love of Jesus every day in your Bible -- and if you keep your heart full of it there just won't be room for those thoughts to stay."

I am going to stop here before I give too much away. Will Annette and Lucian reconcile? Will Lucian make up for the tragic accident he caused? You may already have an idea of the answers to these questions but the way Patricia St. John describes it brings out the biblical truths in such eye opening ways. While we may not have such extreme situations in our lives it is easy to let sin creep in and take over our thinking. The quote above says is simply, emersing yourself in Jesus is the best way to fight the desires of the flesh.

The theme of forgiveness is weaved within every chapter as you see both Annette and Lucian struggle to overcome their sins and learn to treasure the sweet love of Jesus.

Just So You Know: There is one chapter (Chap. 13) that mentions the old man's sins of gambling and drinking. I did not feel that it was excessive or out of place but wanted you to know so it didn't come as a surprise.

Treasures of the Snow (Patricia St. John Books)