Thursday, 10 April 2014

Old And New Christian Books For Tweens

By Anita Ortega


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.

Several Christian publishers solicit three-novel series, which follow a main character through all three books. These are nice, in that growing-up has many transitional phases, each of which has its own challenges and lessons. Pre-teens often feel a lot of pressure to grow up too fast, and reading a fictional account of this and other real-life dilemmas can help parents and children enter into dialog relevant to their own challenges.

For boys, there are many adventure stories or series, as well as sports themes. Of course, boys can like horses, too, and enjoy reading about cowboys and the Old West. Exciting fiction doesn't have to depend on mythical creatures, science fiction, or the struggles between superheroes and world-destroying villains. Some books actually show main characters walking in faith, while others teach Biblical principles like honesty, self-sacrifice, acceptance of authority, and taking responsibility.

Sometimes family discussions can focus on principles that might be lost in the general excitement of the story. 'The Chronicles of Narnia' is an allegorical tale which has found new popularity with the recent movie version. Parental involvement in the reading experience of children is one way to keep the family strong.

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 society often ignores the fact that many influential men and women were and are Christians. Often this aspect of history is lost. However, thrilling accounts read in the formative years can help pre-teens know who they are and the heritage they have. Sermons and Sunday School lessons can be reinforced and enlivened by great literature both old and new.




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