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I too have hesitated to buy "Christian" fiction. Although
I am Christian and an active church member, I find much
of it is propaganda to sway readers to the viewpoint of the
author. I worry about causing confusion within different
denominations. Some of it is just too syrupy and poorly
written.
I read the first Left Behind book for adults. I didn't find it
particularly well written and it didn't follow the historical
theological interpretation of the Revelation according to
classes I took. I found it sensationalized. Maybe I'm
censoring by selection or non selection. Idon't know.
This is an interesting thread.
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Janet Oke writes good historical Christian fiction.
Library Journal regularly has a column reviewing Christian
fiction, most recently, Nov. 1, 2000.
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My middle school students love the Janette Oke series
and the Left Behind series by LaHaye/Jenkins.
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I enjoy reading the books by Lori Wick ... they are nice,
clean "romance" stories that don't get too preachy, but
whose characters are Christian.
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Teens would enjoy the original Left Behind series. My
13 year old loves them. Janette Oke is also a popular
(and quite prolific)Christian author who writes fiction
suitable for teens. Older teens might enjoy books by
Lori Wick (historical fiction/romance), T. Davis Bunn, or Larry
Burkett (suspense/thriller). Frank Peretti is another well-known
Christian author who writes adult novels suitable for older/mature
teens. He also has written books for younger teens and children
but the series name escapes me at the moment.
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These recommendations are based on what I have read and
from working in a friends bookstore several years ago.
Joshua series by Joseph Girzone
This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti
Chronicles of narnia by C. S. lewis
Out of the Silent Planet by C. S. lewis
anything by Janette Oke, for the girls.
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Janet Oke's books are popular. I find them very repetitive,
but they are not too didactic.
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I read your inquiry with interest. I think we should be thankful
that our young people are asking for Contemporary Christian
fiction for a change rather than for Stephen King and others
of his genre, Goosebumps, babysitter's club, etc. - any of which
fall under the "dreadful" and "hokey" category. The old addage,
"To each his own" is certainly no better brought to life than in
reading, still given the condition of the world in which we live,
anything that has a positive, hopeful message and speaks to
our children of Christ should be welcome. I do agree, however,
that some author's are better at their craft than others!
It's apparent that you try to monitor what you purchase. Given
the frame of reference so many writers of young people's fiction
seem to think necessary to sell their books, none of us can afford
to purchase ANY fiction book without some pretty close monitoring.
The Left Behind series is wonderful . . . the others you mentioned
are certainly good. Didn't remember any mention of age level, but
the Peretti series is good and includes the classic "battle between
good and evil" complete with angelic forces from both sides. C.S.
Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia which you probably already have.
***************************************
I don't as a rule go looking for Christian fiction, but I happened across
a series that I believe fits what you're looking for and provides a good
story as
well. It is Beverly Lewis's Heritage of Lancaster County series (The
Shunning,
The Confession, and The Reckoning). It has the old order Amish culture as a
background and contains the kinds of plot elements that young people are sure
to
enjoy (young protagonist who feels different than her surroundings, but can't
tell why, romance, young love lost, a quest for identity, resistance to the
status quo, etc., etc.). I really enjoyed the series, and one learns a great
deal about the Amish into the bargain.
I believe Lewis has written other books besides this series, and seems
to specialize in the Amish culture as a backdrop. I believe her works
might be worth a close look for your collection. Interestingly, they are
published by Bethany House. Fortunately, I did not pay attention to
the publisher when I picked up the books, or it might have caused me
to pass them by for the same reason you stated, that much of this
genre tends to be pretty bad. Lewis's are an exception, I feel.
***************************************
You might try anything by Lori Wick. She is an excellent author of
Christian fiction. Her books are well written. Particularly, try to find
the "Kensington Chronicles" series. I would also recommend the
"Left Behind" series.
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If you haven't considered the Madeleine L'Engle teen-type titles, I'd
call them "Christian Fiction". They often consider issues of faith in
a Christian context, and they're well received.
************************************
The Janette Oke books are not great literature but they are nice,
tame love stories and were popular with the girls at a Christian
school where I taught. I think they may be from Bethany House.
Do you have C.S. Lewis's Narnia tales and Perelandra trilogy?
Oh, I know... another batch of wonderful stories were by George
MacDonald who was C.S. Lewis's mentor, I believe. They are
also from Bethany House. There are titles with names like The
Baron's Aprenticeship, The Fisherman's Lady... probably a
dozen of those, which have been republished in modern language
without the Scottish dialect edited by Michael Phillips. I loved the
ones I read. There are also the Curdie books for a slightly younger
audience... delightful. And one called At the Back of the North
Wind which I discovered when a teacher had me hunt it down
because it had been her adult daughter's favorite book as a child.
Macdonald also has some fantasies... one is called Phantastes I
think. You can't go wrong with his work. I'll probably think of more
later, but this is what comes to mind right now.
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For older teens (9th+) you might consider the adult Left
Behind series. My comunity loves them. Also, for girls,
there are three series I would recommend: Beverly Lewis'
Heritage of Lancaster County (1-Shunning)--about an Amish
girl who finds out she was adopted Lynn Morris' Cheney
Duval series (1-Stars for a light)--about a girl who wants to
be a doctor.
Kristen Heitzmann's Rocky Mountain Legacy series
(1- Honor's Pledge) about awoman and her husband who
go out west to start a farm. I have read all three series and
enjoy them. The girls in my school also read them if they
are directed to them.
*********************************
'm in a middle school library, public school. I've purchased
some Christian fiction every year for the past 8 or 9 years.
Reason #1: my patrons want it. Reason #2: selection
works both ways---can't buy all ghostly horror stuff and no
balance. Other libraries not having any SHOULD give you
a red flag---their collection either isn't balanced or they aren't
meeting needs of patrons!
I have lots by Bethany House which my students really enjoy,
and ask for more. Some are the Cedar River Daydreams by
Baer, SpringSong books (titles are all female names), Jennie
McGrady Mysteries by Rushford, and Golden Filly series by
Snelling. I also have a series by J. Oke and Lee Roddy which
don't circulate much, as my students don't care much for
historical fiction! Some have complained that the SpringSong
books are to Yuppie, but not too preachy. The other titles
aren't preachy either. Bethany House seems to meet needs
of students nicely!
I would encourage you to purchase the first in a few series to
see where interest lies. Feel free to email if you have more
questions.
*******************************
Dawn Sardes
YA Librarian
Euclid Public Library
Euclid, OH 44123
dmsardes@aol.com
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