Class 9c and the Genesis Time Machine

Content

Mr Coles and ten members of Class 9c ride in their time-travelling school minibus back to the beginning of the world and investigate how events from the book of Genesis might actually have taken place. The pupils come from different faith background - some are Muslims, some are Christians, and some own no faith at all - and each wrestles with the implications of what they see and bring insights from their own different faith backgrounds. Even the most sceptical eventually admit that they have seen the power of God at work.

Endorsements

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Author info

Mike Coles is Head of RE at Sir John Cass Church of England Secondary School, Stepney, East London. He has written five other books for BRF: The Bible in Cockney (2001), More Bible in Cockney (2002), So You Think You're A New Testament Writer (2004), God's Reality Show (2005) and Dear Bible I have a Problem (2005).

• View other titles by Mike Coles

Reviews

From: RE Today - Autumn 2007

This book does exactly what the title tells us. A mixed (and likeable) group of Year 9 students board a travelling minibus with their RE teacher to go back in time to explore a number of stories form the book of Genesis. It is an easy read, accessible to students at Key Stage 3, engaging and well written. I enjoyed reading the book through whilst remembering comments from students similar to those expressed through the characters in the book when studying narratives about the creation of the world.

Having read the book and enjoyed it, I struggled for a while to see how I could make use of this in the schools I know. I think extracts from the book could be used as a means to introduce these stories to students. Possibly its best use would be as an enrichment book for those who would like to have something different to read and think about in RE.

The author obviously believes that Genesis and scientific theories can live in harmony, and the book flags up the similarities in theology and values between Judaism, Christianity and Islam in reference to the stories covered. The Genesis stories remain unaltered, and the actual text of the story is quoted by the student characters in the book. Insights are offered into why many people of faith believe in these Genesis stories in the twenty-first century. These could be made use of in discussion work with a class.

A really good quick read. Plenty of food for thought throughout this book, and you will enjoy the conversations between the children along the way. An innovative and imaginative retelling of some stories from Genesis.

Reviewed by Claire Clinton.

Book details

• ISBN: 9781841014401
• Published: 22 September 2006
• Status:
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 128