Finding Christian Books For Tweens

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By Anita Ortega


Many Christians want to provide literature for their children that adheres to Biblical principles as well as engaging their interest. Christian books for tweens - kids between the ages of ten and twelve - are easy to find if you research publishing houses dedicated to promoting the faith and serving families. Once you know where to look, you can then find customer reviews and excerpts of titles that might fit you needs.

Parents will have criteria for what they think acceptable. Some people feel that pre-teens are not ready for romance, while others think that this genre is OK if properly handled. If romantic novels are out, there are still many others to choose from. Horse stories are always popular with young girls, and authors find the plot of girl-meets-horse a great framework for character and plot development.

Often a publishing house will contract for three-volume series, which gives the author a chance to follow the main character through several story lines. Growing up is a transition, so following a character who is also growing both physically and in the Lord can be inspirational as well as entertaining. Pre-teens often feel pressured to grow too fast or conform to peers, and the right books can certainly spark dialog with parents on these issues.

Of course, boys sometimes like adventure or sports stories better than animal stories, as do many girls. There are lots of novels, both old and new, that are exciting without depending on mythical characters, superheroes, and world-destroying villains. Some of them portray Christian principles while others show characters that are walking out their faith.

The Chronicles of Narnia is a series that uses fictional characters and allegory to depict the life of Christ. Parents may need to explain some of the underlying truths, which is a great way to have quality family time and interaction. This is not a recent story, but the movie made of it has reawakened interest.

There are many books written on the lives of significant people - missionaries, nurses, doctors, pastors, or martyrs - to inspire children. These real-life profiles are often as exciting as fiction, especially when historical accounts are used to substantiate the story and explore the impact each famous person has had on our culture. Every child should recognize the name of Joan of Arc, for instance, and there are many more people worthy of remembrance.

Non-fiction is a whole other category that can be explored. These books are often fun and educational for the whole family; reading aloud each evening and discussing the story is a great family activity. There are great biographies, accounts of scientific discoveries, journals of world travelers, and tales about epic adventures - to the North Pole, to the top of Mount Everest, to the headwaters of the Amazon, or to the moon.

Mainstream literature may ignore or even deny that many of the greatest men and women were and are Christians. Using novels and non-fiction that tell the true story or teach valuable lessons is a way to reinforce Sunday School and church messages and show kids how faith relates to their real life.




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