Because my oldest is 4, this section is pretty scant. Nevertheless, I want a place to share a few resources I’ve found for older kids. Please understand that this page is a work in progress!
I’m loving this new series of picture books about biblical faith heroes written by Rachel Spier Weaver and Anna Haggard! They remind me of Francine River’s Lineage of Grace stories, in that the authors imagine details only inferred by a very close reading of the Bible. For example, Deborah is introduced as a courageous young girl who warns her village of Sisera’s attack. This particular story doesn’t exist in the Bible, but we know that Deborah was a person of courageous leadership and that Sisera “oppressed the people of Israel cruelly for twenty years” (Judges 4:3). Thus, the fictionalized story of Deborah as a young girl painted a historical context that I found extremely helpful. Furthermore, it demonstrated the growth of a courageous girl into a courageous woman who God used to deliver God’s people. I could go on and on about these books. But just one more note- please don’t think these books are just for girls! My son loves the one about Deborah, and I think it’s just as important for him to hear these stories than it is for his younger sister.
Grit and Grace: Heroic Women of the Bible
I was recently reminded of the extent to which Christian heroes shaped my vision and identity in my teens and twenties. This box set of Christian Heros: Then and Now is just books 1-5 in a 30 book series written for 4th-6th graders! That said, I enjoyed reading them in my early 20s.
7 Men and the Secret of their Greatness also introduces modern readers to seven heroes from history, including George Washington, William Wilberforce, Eric Liddel, Jackie Robinson, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Pope John Paul II, and Chuck Colson. Written for adults, I think it would be very appropriate for high school students.
In addition to introducing readers to seven great women, I especially appreciate 7 Women and the Secret of their Greatness because it celebrates women’s lives and accomplishments on their own terms, as opposed to comparing them with men. In the introduction Metaxas explains, “Most of them were great for reasons that derive precisely from their being women, not in spite of it; and what made them great has nothing to do with their being measured against or competing with men. In other words, their accomplishments are not gender-neutral, but are rooted in their singularity as women” (xv). Included are Joan of Arc, Susanna Wesley, Hannah Moore, Saint Maria of Paris, Corrie ten Boom, Rosa Parks, and Mother Theresa.
Black is the first thriller in Ted Dekker’s Circle Trilogy. It’s an adult book, but my (very intelligent) nephews who love fantasy books read them as teenagers. Especially sensitive kids, though, could find them too scary, as they deal with good and evil. Ted Dekker grew up as an MK in Indonesia where he witnessed a lot of spiritual warfare that finds its way into his books.
I haven’t finished reading Eternity, but am including it because graphic novels are increasingly popular among younger people. I got it for a 10 year old in my life who enjoys this genre and whose parents are having a hard time finding Christian books that she loves. It interweaves the biblical story of the rich man and Lazarus with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. From what I’ve seen, I’m very impressed. A word of caution, though- despite my being impressed, I’m finding it difficult to read because graphic novels are NOT my native language! Thus, my struggle reminds me of how I have to really concentrate when listening to something in Spanish. So don’t discount it just because it’s hard! I’ve really appreciated the theological interpretation.
