Jacob's Ladder, Episodes 1 & 2

Jacob's Ladder—a new series spotlighting stories from the Bible—introduces a group of adolescents who come upon a lighthouse and discover that its keeper, Rafael, is able to transport them back in time to witness pivotal events in the Old Testament firsthand. The first volume contains “Gideon, Reluctant Hero” and “Gideon, Warrior by Faith,” which tell the tale of the Christian hero Gideon (forever associated with a trumpet). Jacob's Ladder does a fair job of relating the struggles faced centuries ago to contemporary issues, and while the intended middle school and junior high audience (ages 10-15) for these programs can be tough customers, the episodes are professional, engaging, and successfully bring the featured stories to life (although, rather oddly, instead of Middle Eastern sets and costumes, the recreations have the look of Middle Ages-era England). DVD extras include a behind-the-scenes segment and PDF study materials. Also newly available are Jacob's Ladder, Episodes 3 & 4, and Jacob's Ladder, Episodes 5, 6 & 7. Recommended. Aud: I, J, P. (L. Stevens)