October 6, 2005
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Was at Barnes and Noble with my teenaged daughter looking through the teen book selections. Was shocked to find out that so many of the offerings there were occult in nature, or dealt with relationships that are things that she is not even ready or old enough to conceive of.
Wanted to ask you if you have any recommendations for good books for teen girls.
Preferably they should have realistic characters (human or animal), and should engage her. I would love them to be books with godly themes, but not necessarily preachy. I would love them to be books she could pass on to friends as great books.
She has read Redwall and The Lord of the Rings. Can’t quite get into the Narnia books yet.
I am thinking sort of a Francine Rivers type of book for teens. Does this make sense?
Curious if you have any ideas.
Heather
Comments (30)
What about Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Has she read all the Harry Potter books? Ask her what her friends are readings. What she wants to read.
My favorite book in high school was “Dibs in Search of Self”. It was a book about a young child with autism. No bad themes, that you wouldn’t like.
Thank you so much for the prayers. I have been trying to go to each persons site who has commented to tell them how much i appreciated it. Without the Lord i would not exist, that is no lie. Because of His grace i am still around on this world and i praise Him for all of His patience with me, and His constant uplifting and support. I am so thankful for all of the friends i have met thru this blog ring…they are super, and hopefully i can contribute in a small way to help others in their aim to the high calling of God…boy on the book issue..I wish my daughter was a reader, but sadly she is not. She struggles with staying interested long enough to finish a book. She enjoyed the series with Boxcar Children, and some of the LimonySnickets books. Aside from that she hasn’t read much. But i pray the Lord brings you to some good ones because i know they are out there, i guess it takes research on our parts.. May the Lord bless your day and growth, and blessing and strength on raising teenagers…yer ol bro…)m(
Is she too young for Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, and all those? Most of the Christian teen girls I know adore those, and being from the 19th century they’re a lot more wholesome than most of what you find being written today.
If she wants more fantasy a la Lord of the Rings, no one is better than George MacDonald. (Scottish novelist, poet, and pastor from the 19th century; overtly Christian and a favorite of C. S. Lewis.) Try The Lost Princess or The Golden Key or Phantastes or The Princess and the Goblin or a dozen others. For the Francine Rivers side of things, he (MacDonald) wrote a truckload of romantic/historical/gothic type novels as well, which are probably the most Christlike novels I’ve ever read. No shortage of “godly themes” where George MacDonald is involved!
Check Focus on the Famaly Web page or In touch ministries online also. They have recomendations for all ages.
God bless,
Maria
Huh? How can she read LOTR and Narnia still be beyond her? I’d think Narnia would be a logical extension, more overt in its allegory. LOTR is definitely the more difficult (and better written) of the two series’.
RYC – Thanks (about the picture). I’ve also thought of “waiting” on the Lord in those terms. Maybe I’m not totally nuts!
Mmm… I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the “Anne of Green Gables” series by L.M. Montgomery. I also love the classics by Bronte, Hardy, and Austen and such. I never really got into the “teenage” area of books. I went straight to the good ones : ) So… I don’t really know what you mean by teenage. For instance, I’ve been reading Francine Rivers since I was 14— LOVE LOVE LOVE her books. If she likes that historical Christian romance perspective, Janette Oke is also pretty good. But my favorites have always been the classics…
Ooh, a good non-fiction book for teenage girls is “Authentic Beauty” by Leslie Ludy.
You’re such a blessing. Keep loving Him…
I don’t know… I enjoyed Grace Livingston Hill, Louisa May Alcott, L.M. Montgomery, and a bit zanier (and more secular) Jill Barnett – Fantasy romance with fairies, wizards, etc. Point her towards Rosamunde Pilcher – fantastic and no sex or language, all take place in Scotland/England (My favorites are Gemini and Flowers in the Rain.) Lori Wick books are very good, too – she has a western series, a British series, a Pirate series, a California series… good stuff. Hrm, lemme think…
Oh, I know! Why not check out the booklists for the homeschoolers from my curriculum site? They have recommended reading lists that you might print off and try out. The lists are on the left sidebar of this linked page. BTW, Year seven is pretty much high school. These reading lists get harder and deeper as they go, so check ‘em out!
i recommend “Rachel’s Tears”–a biographical account of the girl who was shot for her faith during the Columbine incident some years back…it shows glimpses of her journal writing also, i believe. this is a good read for teenagers and adults. =)
mmm, books, CS Lewis has some good books…
ryc: How right you are, a sense of humor is very important, will have to touch on that next! Thanks!
Hi Heather,
Does your daughter like insprational shorts storeies poems ect? If she does there are tons of Chicken Soup For the Soul. Some of these include Chicken Soup for The Teenage Soul. Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul, and many others, Thanks for coming by. Oh the hug books are good too.
OHHHHHHHHH great post for me………….MISS BOOK WORM here..lol
I read CONSTANTLY….and yes I do read some teen book as well…and have some of my old ones still!~
Be leary of some Bible Book Stores…I know they sell what they ” think” is christian material but are themselves unaware………………….oh a good thing if she does not have one is A TEEN DEVOTIONAL to read daily!
here is some suggestions I have: writers like Melody Carson, and Sandra Byrd are excellent for teen girls!!! look for books with those names!!
HUGS and hope she finds someting GREAT
Thank you so much for your words.
“To be hurt deeply, you must have loved deeply. And even though the seed does not seem to be sprouting, you still planted it.”
I agree 100% accept love is not past tense in the situation. I know what is required of me, and I am trusting God with everthing I have.
Thank you so much your words are like a warm meal to someone who is hungry. May God richely bless you for blessing me.
Hi Heather – Thanks for the comment. I agree that everything needs to be done out of love.
I have one teen so far and she doesn’t read! our younger one really has liked Nancy Drew stories, the age range may not be too bad though I tend to think they are quite simple.
Tim
Hi Heather!
How old is your daughter? I was into Francine Rivers by the time I was 14, but I was a book worm! What about the Mandi books? Have you tried those? Lois Gladys Leppard was the author. They are Christian mystery novels that are set in the early 1900s (I think.) They were absolutely wonderful.
Other than that, there are always the Bill Wallace books.
If she’s already reading Tolkien, though, don’t you think she’s ready for adult writers such as Francine Rivers, Lori Wick, Janette Oke (shudders), and Frank Peretti (oooohhhh, he also has an excellent children’s series that my husband swears is intended for adults.)
Janette Oke and Lori Wick are fairly light reading, and they steer away from adult content. Francine Rivers wrote romance novels before having a change of heart, so her books tend to be a bit on the adult side at times.
Oh, and thank you for your comment. Good luck finding the perfect author for your daughter!
Hey Heather,
When my youngest was about 12-13 I wouldn’t let her get any of those popular “teen magazines”, but one of my friends from church whose daughter is a year older told me about “The American Girl.” It is a magazine but one that has fun things they can make, recipes, how to get along with your friends. If memory serves me right they also have a book that I personally suggest is a good way for you and your daughter to go over some uncomfortable things together. It does explain to them about their bodies and all the things they experience. It also has a clothes catalog where the clothes are “in style” but modest. This is just my personal suggestion.
Thanks for stopping by my site to offer words of encouragment. I hate looking for jobs, and after working at a God filled place (for the most part), it’s hard to let go and let God. I know he will provide he always has its just that limbo thing (I know patience) that I need to work on.
I so enjoy hearing from you. Thanks!!
Blessings my sister for all the love you spread and share with me and so many others!!<><
~Cathy~
Heather! Hi. LOL. Thanks for the fabulous comment – I am blessed to have people like you drop encouragement on me.
A couple of books I recommend for her (and maybe even you): “Nightmare Academy” and “Hangman’s Curse” both by Frank Peritti.
“The Chronicles of Narnia” are all excellent as well.
BE blessed!
Steve
WAS ON VACATION IN dENVER LAST WEEK, SPENT A DAY AT bARNES AND Noble, love to look at books, love to learn,
HATE tests,
major text anxiety,
Just started Beth Moore, study on fruits of spirit, tell ya what getting ready for the study, I felt like a mushed up rotten fruit in a bowl, still have some problems with certain things, but I am trying to get beyond my peerfectionist tendencies. But when asked to do something, especially having to do with the word of God, I want it perfect so people can read it all. Pastors wife says I need to become part of a team player, I just want things done right, ;not sloppy, and this project ended up sloppy.
HURTS MY FEELNGS,
Tomorrow the 7th I am having another ankle surgery, simple procedure, yea, but not their ankle.hope it s simple just afraid they going to fnd more damage.
I am getting closer to God again, GOD IS SO GOOD.
LL
***IMMEDIATE ATTENTION PLEASE***
Please pray for Chelsea McCaskey. She is a very close friend of Ben’s. Our families camped together this summer for the first time. One of those immediate bonding experiences. He was with her at World View Academy and again this summer for a week at Camp-of-the-Woods with her entire family. (They have “adopted” him.)
She was riding her bike and was hit by an SUV today. All we know at this time is that she sustained a broken collarbone and has been in a coma ever since. (Read below e-mail for details.)
Needless to say, we and they appreciate your taking the time to pray.
Thank you.
Hey! Thanks for your comment, I totally agree with what you said. I was the same way before I became a Christian.
Hey Heather,
My friends daughter is 14 and she loves this series…I’m not sure if it is the type of reading your daughter would enjoy…but when my friends daughter gets one she reads till its done…she loves them that much!
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<TD vAlign=top width=”99%”>Currently Reading
Hope Springs Eternal (Prairie River #4)
By Kristiana Gregory
suggestions on books… the Little House on the Prarie series-i love it but it was not my daughter’s favorite. one we both loved was the Elsie Dinsmore series… not preachy, but definately a Godly example. another good one for early teens in the “orphange train children” series by Joan Lowery Nixon… the first in the series is A Family Apart. it may interest your daughter as it is set in New York City during the depression. if she particularly loves animals… read “Misty of Chincoteague” by Marguerite Henry.my daughter read all of these in middle school.
my biggest suggestion is to shop for books at Family Christian Stores or Lifeway Store. if you don’t have one in your area, they are available online. my teens and i buy all of our music and books at them. i only go to b&n for the coffee.
Blessings wondering! My daughter was 13 when she started reading many books from the Christian stores. She is 16 now and still reads from there! I went in her room and grab her books that she used to talk about and shared with her friends here is a list of a few that she really enjoyed.
BEAUTY IS SOUL DEEP…..by different authors….BARBOUR publishing
THE RESCUER……………..by Dee Henderson
THE PROTECTOR………….BY Dee Henderson
THE GUARDIAN………….. by Dee Henderson
TRUE HONOR……………..by Dee Henderson
TRUE DEVOTION…………by Dee Henderson
BLINK……………………….BY: Ted Dekker
BAD GIRLS OF THE BIBLE………by: HIGGS
she really enjoyed these and kept her interest she would read them thru in just a matter of a couple/few days!
Happy reading….
Lurlene Mcdaniel has a lot of great books! But in almost all of them, somebody dies! A great book of hers though, is Garden of Angels. Another really good book is “kissed the girls and made them cry” I read that book once, and being a teenager, it’s helped me to understand the power of staying pure and remaining abstinent until marriage. It is a Christ-centered book, it was recommended in youth group, bc we did this section in youth group called “purity’s power” If your daughter is in HS, this would be a great book. I am in HS and you know how boys are……there are so many temptations that come, and that book is a great source for those kinds of temptations. A Child Called It (the series) is also a really good book. Welp I hope these help, and I hope you have a great day! God bless you!
Hi Heather,
I’ve been out of town so I hope you notice this comment. My all-time favorite author is Madeleine L’Engle. I like to say that I grew up with her, as she writes books for all ages, from small children to adults. I was in my teens when I discovered her. Her most famous novel, and the first one I read, is A Wrinkle in Time. It was a great story, and I was elated when, on a trip to the library, I discovered that she had written so many more novels. She also writes a lot of Christian anthologies, prayer books and books of poetry, as well as fiction for adults. Check her out here:
http://www.madeleinelengle.com
http://www.madeleinelengle.com/books/wrinkleInTime.htm
Happy hunting!
Kris
ryc — Please let me know if you are not able to access the info. We are glad to send them at no cost. . . but the site does give opportunity for ordering, etc. DLB
Many have listed some of my favorites. If she’s into Sci-Fi, CS Lewis’ space trilogy was really good, though the last book got really weird at points. There is one I’m surprised wasn’t mentioned yet, Judy Blume.
I personally suggest non fiction myself; why spend so much time in a book and come away with just a “story”/ every teen girl should read Passion and Purity, by Elisabeth Elliot; those of you know about missionaries, her husband Mr. elliot was one missionary amongst 6 I think that were killed by the auka indians- (african tribsemen) and the 6 wives decided to stay and complete their mission and they ended up leading to Christ the very men who killed their husbands, that’s a good book also, through gates of splendor, read sermons from dead theologins, spurgeon, a w pink, John Piper; writes cool thi;ngs He is a pastor in MN right now, he’s pretty deep though. those things I like to read.
I am taking a church history class right now; and a theology class; and reading john Piiper with a friend, and doiung a beth moore study also. not to mention trying to read the prophets in the bible, {one old T book, one New T book} can;t go wrong reading The book rather than something about the book. I would watc things like Hugs, and chick soup for soul; lot of pretty new agey stuff in them.
Anything by Elizabeth Eliot