ESV Grow! Bible

Every once in awhile I receive a "surprise" package from Crossway with something inside to check out and review. Middlest was quite excited that this time it was a new Bible that seemed to be a great fit for him, the ESV GROW Bible. The version we received was the hardcover, but it also comes in a blue or purple trutone (Pleather?) binding.

Right off the bat, Middlest appreciated the readability of the Bible, and I liked the way that each chapter or sometimes section has a little "Title" set apart with a different color background~ just makes it that much easier to find what you're looking for (I particularly noticed this in the Psalms).

There are some other features that are pretty neat, in addition to the more typical "Articles" and charts that are also included:

• 775 Who, What, When, Where, Why questions ~ for instance Joshua 4:1-24 talks about "WHAT were memorial stones?"
• 90 "4U" boxes that give examples of Scripture application (Like Nehemiah  rebuilding the city of Jerusalem, and church projects rebuilding homes for those who were displaced by fire, etc... something 4U to do or think about)
• The beginning of each book has an introduction and a timeline that shows what was happening during the time the book was written (There are more complete timelines in the back of the Bible) 
• 45 "Cross Connections" throughout the Bible illustrate how the entire Bible points to Jesus, which is such an important concept, that many don't understand. That history, and Bible history in particular are really HIS story. 

Middlest has enjoyed using this Bible to answer his AWANA work,  and for reading at night before he goes to sleep. He told me to say that he likes it very much. :) This is his first experience with an ESV Bible. He has memorized in both KJV and NKJV (AWANA), and we have NIV and NASV Bibles for use around the house, so this is a good one to add to the mix! :)

You can visit the Crossway blog for some insightful posts (The most recent ones relate to March Madness), and while you're there, you can see what other Bibles they have to offer. 

As always, I hope that this review was useful to you, especially if you are on a mission to find a good solid Bible for your elementary/tween-aged Bible student.

Blessings~

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this/these item(s)/service for free from  Crossway. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."