People exposed to good literature early in life love to read, and parents want to encourage this in their children. However, finding christian books for tweens - ten to twelve-year-olds - can be a challenge. Fortunately, books have been written for centuries that meet this need, and there are modern publishing houses which specialize in this genre. By reading short synopses and reviews, you can find suitable books to entertain your kids.
Parents of pre-teens should monitor their reading. There's so much out there that is self-centered, violent, occult, or anti-God that constant vigilance is necessary. That's one nice thing about the classics: parents are familiar with both good and bad choices. Some subjects may be off-limits for this age group; for example, parents may prefer to save romantic stories for later in life.
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.
Of course, non-fiction is great, as well. There are many accounts of Christian heroes, missionaries, doctors, nurses, and pastors that are exciting to read. Famous Christians have had great influence on history and culture, and kids should recognize the most illustrious names. It's too bad if Spiderman is more real to them than Joan of Arc.
Historical accounts of important events are fun for the whole family to read. Explorers who reached the North Pole or the top of Mount Everest, the exploits of deep-sea divers, the faith of our founding fathers, and the adventures of people who lived on the frontiers of civilization are fascinating. From the search for the Ark to the first steps on the moon, real life is better than fiction.
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.
Parents of pre-teens should monitor their reading. There's so much out there that is self-centered, violent, occult, or anti-God that constant vigilance is necessary. That's one nice thing about the classics: parents are familiar with both good and bad choices. Some subjects may be off-limits for this age group; for example, parents may prefer to save romantic stories for later in life.
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.
Of course, non-fiction is great, as well. There are many accounts of Christian heroes, missionaries, doctors, nurses, and pastors that are exciting to read. Famous Christians have had great influence on history and culture, and kids should recognize the most illustrious names. It's too bad if Spiderman is more real to them than Joan of Arc.
Historical accounts of important events are fun for the whole family to read. Explorers who reached the North Pole or the top of Mount Everest, the exploits of deep-sea divers, the faith of our founding fathers, and the adventures of people who lived on the frontiers of civilization are fascinating. From the search for the Ark to the first steps on the moon, real life is better than fiction.
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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