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Sefer Yehoshua is the first book of Navi (Prophets) in the Tanach series (Torah, Navi, Kesuvim). It is also a book that is replete with miracles that have been understated. Hashem parted the Jordan River for Bnei Yisrael, much like He did at the Sea of Reeds. This fact is not well-publicised and should be.

The study of Sefer Yehoshua is recommended in the 4th or 5th grade level in a Limudei Kodesh curriculum, of a typical Hebrew Day School. I am learning this along with my child, using the following texts.

• The Little Midrash Says - Volume 1 - Yehoshua, by Rabbi Moshe Weissman of Bnay Yakov Publishing, and
• The Metsudah Tanach Series - the Linear Sefer Yehoshua by Rabbi Avrohom Davis.

The former, I would even recommend to early readers as early as age 6 or 7. But for the latter, one should already have a good grasp of Hebrew from studying Chumash Hebrew in the first few grades. The Linear Translation of Sefer Yehoshua is a must, along with Rashi's commentary.

A caveat with Linear Translation from the Metsudah Series :

• I don't have the latest versions for the Metsudah Chumash series, so I cannot comment on this version, but the version I have which is more than 10 years old, do contain translation errors. There is a varying style of translation in various chapters such that it appears that more than one translator is used.
• Do yourself a favor and learn Hebrew and learn to translate yourself and check with the published translations out there -- Morah Moriah's Linear Chumash, Metsudah, Artscroll, Living Torah. A beginner will surely appreciate a more inter/linear translation to begin with.

Chapter 2 of Sefer Yehoshua concerns Rachav, a lady of ill-repute, and you may address her character with your children in a subtle way. Rashi describes her as an inn-keeper and has additional commentary that your children might not be ready for.

The Little Midrash version is appropriate, I think, for children because it is edited and written for children, but the actual text in scripture is אמת (truth) and I would advise parents to use their discretion on how to transmit sensitive information.

Sefer Yehoshua is indeed a good resource to learn about how the land of Israel was apportioned to the twelve tribes of Israel. A great deal of geography, the names of the cities, rivers, landscape and the order of apportionment can be studied in great detail. One needs to have a comprehensive atlas of Israel to find all these places mentioned in the sefer. A good place to start is the book, "Eleh Masei" by Dan Schwarz. This is the English translation of the Hebrew original. It is by no means comprehensive, but a good reference book for other information as well.

In Sefer Yehoshua we learn that the Jews didn't completely drive out the Canaanim from the land, and hence, we will learn about the troubles to befall Israel in the later books of Navi, due to this weakness.

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