"Wee Sir Gibbie" as he is known by the locals, is the mute son of an impoverished Baronet who is unable to care for his son, and barely able to buy the ale that is slowly killing him. So, Gibbie cares for his father and finds food for himself, never complaining, never resenting. He is happy wherever he can be useful and bring happiness to others. When his father dies, Gibbie is cared for by a local innkeeper for a while, until he flees the city in fear after witnessing a murder of a dear friend. After weeks of traveling, he finds himself in the hill country where he makes friends with a shepherd boy and his family, and the daughter of an uncaring Laird. His new friends adopt him, teach him to read and write, and about a God who loves and cares for everyone. No one but God and Gibbie know his true identity until one day when someone from Gibbie's past comes looking for him.This book was written in the 1800s, translated from Old Scottish in the early 80s, and was written mainly for adults. But I would definitely read this to a mature ten year old who is accustomed to reading and being read different genres and styles of literature. George MacDonald is indeed a master storyteller. His stories are written as if he was speaking directly to the reader. You can imagine sitting at his feet, near a fireplace on a rainy day, listening to him tell this story. His beliefs about God and True Christianity are unmasked as he develops his characters through blessing, tragedy, and everyday experiences.
This book, as with all of George MacDonald's books that I have read so far, contains lessons about forgiveness, loving your enemies as you learn to see them the way God sees them, and loving your neighbor as yourself. It also contains slightly more subtle lessons on parent-child relationships and the fact that hatred and love cannot be contained in one area of your life but will define your entire character.
There is some heavy material in this book, which is why I would recommend you read it WITH your ten year old so that you can discuss things like violence. There are cruel people in this book that do cruel things. It is nothing like the graphic stuff you will read in today's books or see in today's movies, nor does not dominate the book. However, it is an important aspect of the story because one of the ways Gibbie's character is revealed is in the way that he responds to those people with love and forgiveness instead of retaliation. That said, it may not be for every ten year old. You will need to decide as a parent whether your child is ready for it at this time or if he or she should wait. If you're not sure, read it first by yourself or with your spouse and then decide. You will most assuredly enjoy the experience of reading this beautiful story of a boy who loved everybody.
My wife and I founded a group home for "emotionally disturbed teens". Some tough youth made there way to our home and stayed with us. After supper, for our devotions, we read The Baronet's Song to them. These "tough kids" the majority of whom had never had any type of book read to them were transfixed. The deal was every night we would read a chapter which was always met with "don't stop...read on". It was a joy to see their had faces soften and how we were able to come together as a family and how for a while we could forget our dysfunctionality as we all related to the beautiful character of Sir Gibby and what a model he was of gentleness in the face of provocation, hostility and limitations. Our kids who are now parents themselves recall fondly the story and my wife and I have happy memories of us all just being together and profiting from a really "feel good story" but a great message of hope and who knows what surprises might be one's lot especially if they turn to Christ and become an inheritor of the Father's promises. This story about Gibby really spoke to the needs of these abused and rejected teens.
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