Tennis Shoes Adventure Series
Encyclopedia
The Tennis Shoes Adventure Series is a series of LDS fiction
novels written by Chris Heimerdinger
and most widely read by young adult members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
There are eleven books in the series so far:
) by means of a cave in Wyoming
called "Frost Cave" (a real cave on the Spirit Mountain in Cody, Wyoming
) in the United States
. They feature both Book of Mormon
and Bible
themes.
The first four books feature Jim Hawkins as the main character: first as a teenager, then as a young man in college
and in the third and fourth as a father of three children.
* People from Mormon scriptural records who appear in the series.
† Characters based on other historical records.
In an announcement published on his official blog on November 22, 2009, however, Heimerdinger said that because of the complexities involved with the book he is currently writing, there will likely be 2 more volumes in the current adventure. Heimerdinger said that tentative plans are for book 11 (Sorcerers and Seers) to be published in early fall in 2010, with volume 12 (more appropriately named Thorns of Glory) to be published 6–12 months after book 11.
Later in his official blog, Heimerdinger says that he has submitted the draft to his publisher, and he doesn't know how far into the editing process they are. He did say, however, that "as of now the publisher's plan is to release the book this fall—September, if I understood them correctly. Things can change, but as of now, that's the intent."
LDS fiction
LDS fiction is an American niche market of fiction novels featuring themes related to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
novels written by Chris Heimerdinger
Chris Heimerdinger
Chris Heimerdinger is an American author and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who has written sixteen novels for young people and adults, the Tennis Shoes Adventure Series, most of which center on religious themes familiar to Latter-day Saints.-Early life:Heimerdinger's...
and most widely read by young adult members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
There are eleven books in the series so far:
- Tennis Shoes among the Nephites (1989)
- Gadiantons and the Silver Sword (1991)
- Tennis Shoes and the Feathered Serpent (1995)
- Tennis Shoes and the Feathered Serpent, Part Two (1996)
- The Sacred Quest (formerly Tennis Shoes and the Seven Churches) (1997)
- The Lost Scrolls (1998)
- The Golden Crown (1999)
- Warriors of Cumorah (2001)
- Tower of Thunder (2003)
- Kingdoms and Conquerors (2005)
- Sorcerers and Seers (2010)
- Thorns of Glory (2012)
General synopsis
The main characters of the series are Jim Hawkins and, later, his family and friends. The novels involve people from modern times being transported to the past (at various times and locations described in the Standard WorksStandard Works
The Standard Works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are the four books that currently constitute its open scriptural canon.* The Holy Bible * The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ...
) by means of a cave in Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
called "Frost Cave" (a real cave on the Spirit Mountain in Cody, Wyoming
Cody, Wyoming
Cody is a city in Park County, Wyoming, United States. It is named after William Frederick Cody, primarily known as Buffalo Bill, from William Cody's part in the creation of the original town. The population was 9,520 at the 2010 census...
) in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. They feature both Book of Mormon
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
and Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
themes.
The first four books feature Jim Hawkins as the main character: first as a teenager, then as a young man in college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
and in the third and fourth as a father of three children.
- In book 1, Jim, his friend, Garth, and his younger sister, Jennifer, discover a time passage and spend two months in the time of the NephiteNephiteAccording to the Book of Mormon, a Nephite is a member of one of the four main groups of settlers of the ancient Americas. The other three groups are the Lamanites, Jaredites and Mulekites. In the Book of Mormon, the Nephites were a group of people descended from or associated with Nephi, the...
s, at the time of HelamanHelamanAccording to the Book of Mormon, Helaman was a Nephite prophet and soldier who lived around the 1st century BC. He is perhaps best known in LDS theology for leading into battle an army of two thousand young warriors, which he referred to as his two thousand sons...
around 67 B.C. - In book 2 (Gadiantons and the Silver Sword), a few inhabitants of Book of MormonBook of MormonThe Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
times travel to the present day in search of an evil sword, the Sword of Coriantimur, an infamous sword that continuously pops up in the lives of the family, throughout many of the books. It ends with Jim destroying it, in modern times. - Books 3 and 4 are two parts of the same story, when Jim Hawkins' 16 year-old daughter, Melody, is kidnapped and Jim takes his other two children, Steffanie and Harry, with him to early first-century Book of Mormon times to rescue her. They are caught in the maelstrom of the Savior's death, while in the Americas and are there to witness Jesus Christ's coming to the people of the Americas after his resurrection. These are also the first books in the series to be written in somebody besides Jim's point of view. The 3rd and 4th books are written in dual person, about half in Jim's point of view and the rest in Melody's point of view.
- Books 5–7 are another multi-part story, in which many members of Jim Hawkins' now-large family visit the land of IsraelIsraelThe State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
in late first-century Biblical timesBibleThe Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
. - Book 5 (The Sacred Quest) starts with Harry setting off with his stepsister to be, Meagan, to Ancient Roman times and save the only existing copy of the Book of Matthew.
- Book 6 (the Lost Scrolls) has Harry and Meagan, finding more "Lost Scrolls" and saving them from the evil Sorcerer, Simon Magus, who wants to destroy the sacred books.
- Book 7 (The Golden Crown) Harry gets stranded on a Greek island in 73 A.D., with Micah, but get off with the help of a Fisherman. While Harry and Gidgiddoniah are trying to save Jesse and Mary from Epigonus, an evil Greek councilman, Gid is killed. Meagan and Garth take Apollus to the present day, and come back with Jim, Sabrina, and Steffanie to find Harry and meet John the Beloved and MaryMary (mother of Jesus)Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
, the mother of Jesus. They all go home, expecting a peaceful life back home. - Books 8 and 10 involve fourth-century NephiteNephiteAccording to the Book of Mormon, a Nephite is a member of one of the four main groups of settlers of the ancient Americas. The other three groups are the Lamanites, Jaredites and Mulekites. In the Book of Mormon, the Nephites were a group of people descended from or associated with Nephi, the...
settings, and book 9 (Tower of Thunder), the early-Biblical time of AbrahamAbrahamAbraham , whose birth name was Abram, is the eponym of the Abrahamic religions, among which are Judaism, Christianity and Islam...
and NoahNoahNoah was, according to the Hebrew Bible, the tenth and last of the antediluvian Patriarchs. The biblical story of Noah is contained in chapters 6–9 of the book of Genesis, where he saves his family and representatives of all animals from the flood by constructing an ark...
(close to 3000 B.C.) - Book 8 (Warriors of Cumorah) starts with Todd Finlay, a man who tried to kill Jim and Garth back in book 2, kidnapping Josh and Becky, to use as leverage. Apollus, Meagan, Ryan, Mary, and eventually, Becky, dash through the caves after Todd and Josh. Apollus, Ryan, and Meagan get sent close to end of the world of the Nephites. Mary, Josh, and Becky get sent to Israel in 1830. It ends with Harry, fresh off his mission. Harry, Marcos, Garth, and Jim all set out to find everyone else. Jim goes back to protect Sabrina, Melody, Jenny, and the little kids, while, Marcos and Garth go to the same era as Apollus, Meagan and Ryan. Harry, as he's about to go by himself, meets up with his sister, Steffanie, and they go to Ancient Biblical times to find everyone.
Protagonists
- Jamie "Jim" Hawkins: father of Melody, Steffanie, and Harrison. Best friend of Garth Plimpton, known among the Nephites as "Jimhawkins". Brother of Jenny, and original character from Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites.
- Renae Fenimore Hawkins: Wife of Jim, introduced in book 2 and deceased as of Book 3. Mother of Melody, Steffanie and Harrison.
- Garth Plimpton: Friend of Jim, known among the Nephites as "Garplimpton". Husband of Jennifer, original character. Father of Rebecca and Joshua.
- Jennifer "Jenny" Hawkins Plimpton: Sister of Jim, wife of Garth, original character and mother of Rebecca and Joshua.
- Melody Constance Hawkins Sanchez: Oldest child of Jim, wife of Marcos. Ovarian Cancer survivor, adopted Mother of Carter.
- Marcos Alberto Sanchez: Husband of Melody, son of Jacob of the Moon, convert to Christianity. Adopted father of Carter, killed Ashira [Akish's queen/wife], saved the heir to the throne of King Omer.
- Carter Sanchez: Adopted son of Melody and Marcos.
- Steffanie Hawkins: Second child of Jim.
- Pagag*: Son of the Mahonri Moriancumer [Brother of Jared], in love with Steffanie. Is sent back to Jaredite times after the Gadianton Ghosts try to attack Meagan and Becky, gives up the throne.
- Harrison "Harry" Hawkins: son of Jim, has the gift to use the Seer Stone, is a falconer and swordsmen. He is stranded on an island after his ship crashed. He learns how to fight and is a leader and return missionary.
- Mary Symeon: Grand-niece of Jesus Christ.
- Sabrina (Sorenson) Hawkins: Wife of Jim [after Renae's death], is introduced in book 3, mother of Meagan from a previous marriage, mother of Gidgiddonihah.
- Gidgiddonihah "Baby Gid" Teancum Hawkins: Son of Jim and Sabrina [after Renae's death]
- Meagan Sorenson: Daughter of Sabrina from a previous marriage.
- Apollus Brutus Severillus: Fiancé of Meagan, first introduced in book 5, Centurion of the 5th Legion of Rome, goes to modern day with Garth and Meagan in book 8, leaves to go to MexicoMexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and comes back after he realizes there is danger, fights in a Nephite Gladitorial Contest against Gidgiddoniah, because both were tricked into it, heals people with the priesthood with Ryan, proposes to Meagan, is included in the delegate to go to the top of Cumorah. - Joshua "Josh" Plimpton: Son of Garth and Jennifer, Chief Captain of a portion of the Nephite Army.
- Rebecca "Becky" Plimpton: Daughter of Garth and Jennifer, has the gift to use the Seer Stone.
- Gidgiddonihah: Old Nephite warrior, veteran of Gadianton Wars, head of the Big Group, namesake of "Baby Gid", becomes Chief Captain in the Nephite Army, killed with his 10,000 warriors.
- Jesse: Jewish [from 70 A.D.], Micah and him are like brothers, orphan, adopted by Symeon but is once again orphaned when Symeon is crucified. Goes to Nephite lands and is trained by Gidgiggoniah, adopted brother of Mary, like a little brother to Harry and the rest.
- Micah: Jewish [Assine, from 70 A.D.], Harry's best friend, goes to Nephite lands and is trained by Gidgiddoniah. Jesse and him are like brothers, dies from a poisoned-tipped arrow from a Gadianton Ghost.
- Ryan Champion: Meagan's ex-boyfriend, falls in love with Tz'ikin, gets sent back to modern day time after the Gadianton Ghosts try to attack Meagan and Becky.
- Jacobah: Ryan's bodyguard, assigned to him by Prince Lamanai, convert to Christianity, breaks his leg helping Ryan & is healed, warns Ryan about losing the memories of his experiences.
- Tz'ikin: Lamanite assassin, killed by her father while trying to save Meagan.
- Quinn: Melody's ex-boyfriend, sold her out to save his own life.
- Captain TeancumTeancumAccording to the Book of Mormon, Teancum was a Nephite military leader. Found in the Book of Alma between Alma 50:35 and Alma 62:40 , his period of time shown is 67-60 BC. His major accomplishments include the assassinations of King Amalickiah in 67 BC, and the subsequent assassination of...
* - Captain MoroniCaptain MoroniAccording to the Book of Mormon, Captain Moroni was an important Nephite military commander and patriot who lived during the 1st century BC. He is perhaps best known for raising the "Title of Liberty" as a call to arms for his people to defend their country, family and religion...
* - Hamira: Female Jaredite warrior. Youngest daughter of Akish and Asherah. Granddaughter of King Jared. Great-granddaughter of Kig Omer. Sister to Nimrah.
- Ammonchi: Banner chief of the Fox Division of the Nephite Army, under the command of Captain Josh.
- Anna: Second oldest half-sister of Jesus Christ.
Antagonists
- AmalickiahAmalickiahIn the Book of Mormon, Amalickiah was a Nephite leader of a movement to reestablish a king, specifically him as the king of the Nephites. When he failed to gain power through a popular uprising he dissented to the Lamanites becoming their king and using them as a means to gain power over the...
* - Todd Finlay: Obsessed with Coriantimur's Sword, kidnaps Rebecca and Joshua at LagoonLagoon Amusement ParkLagoon is an amusement park in Farmington, Utah, United States located about seventeen miles north of Salt Lake City. It is privately owned...
. - Mehrukenah: Gadinaton Assassin
- Jacob* (of the Moon)
- Kumarcaah
- Simon MagusSimon MagusSimon the Sorcerer or Simon the Magician, in Latin Simon Magus, was a Samaritan magus or religious figure and a convert to Christianity, baptised by Philip the Apostle, whose later confrontation with Peter is recorded in . The sin of simony, or paying for position and influence in the church, is...
* - EpigonusEpigonusEpigonus of Pergamum was the chief among the court sculptors to the Attalid dynasty at Pergamum in the late third century BCE. Pliny the Elder, who offers the only surviving list of the sculptors of this influential Pergamene school, attributes to him works among the sculptures on the victory...
† - NimrodNimrod (king)Nimrod is, according to the Book of Genesis and Books of Chronicles, the son of Cush and great-grandson of Noah and the king of Shinar. He is depicted in the Tanakh as a man of power in the earth, and a mighty hunter. Extra-Biblical traditions associating him with the Tower of Babel led to his...
* - Mardon†: Son of King Nimrod
- AkishAkishAccording to the Book of Mormon, Akish was a prominent figure in the society of the Jaredites, as related in the Book of Ether. In the book's narrative, Akish first established secret combinations among the Jaredites after they came to the Promised Land. This secret combination among the Jaredites...
*: Sorcerer among the Jaredites who conspired to reinstall King Jared to the throne. Later had Jared murdered and usurped the throne. Since book 8: Warriors of Cumorah, Akish has pursued the Silver Sword. Akish created the weapon with via sorcery and believes that it will help him to defeat his enemies.
- Agath: Brother of Akish, the Jaredite sorcerer. Loyal follower and commander in his army.
- Avram: Captain of the guard in the house of Caiphas, the high priest.
- Antionum: Lamanite warrior from the village of Sielbalche, participated in the rescue of Moroni and Gigal in book 8 (Warriors of Cumorah).
- Spearthrower OwlSpearthrower Owl"Spearthrower Owl" is the name commonly given to a Mesoamerican personage from the Early Classic period, who is identified in Maya inscriptions and iconography...
† - Fireborn†
- Prince Lamanai/Prince Eagle Sky Jaguar
- Nimrah: Son of Akish
- Chief Judge Zenephi*
- Gadianton Ghosts: Assassins that blinded Meagan & killed Micah.
- Annas or Ananus: First high priest of the Sanhedrin over the newly formed province of Judea in AD 6.
† Characters based on other historical records.
Thorns of Glory books
In an interview included in The Passage to Zarahemla DVD, Heimerdinger said that volume 11 would likely be published in 2009 and called Thorns of Glory.In an announcement published on his official blog on November 22, 2009, however, Heimerdinger said that because of the complexities involved with the book he is currently writing, there will likely be 2 more volumes in the current adventure. Heimerdinger said that tentative plans are for book 11 (Sorcerers and Seers) to be published in early fall in 2010, with volume 12 (more appropriately named Thorns of Glory) to be published 6–12 months after book 11.
Later in his official blog, Heimerdinger says that he has submitted the draft to his publisher, and he doesn't know how far into the editing process they are. He did say, however, that "as of now the publisher's plan is to release the book this fall—September, if I understood them correctly. Things can change, but as of now, that's the intent."