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Bethany House has many excellent Christian books for teens. I work at
parochial school and we order many books from them. I don't remember the
ages of your students, but if they enjoy historical fiction and reading at
the 7th or 8th grade level Bodie and Brock Thoene are excellent authors.
Michael Phillips is another author that our students enjoy. The favorite
author for the students is Bill Meyers. The series that is checked out the
most is the Wally McDoogle series. Bethany House does give a small
discount to libraries. They are one of the more reputable publishers in
the Christian field. I am not saying everything they publish is excellent
quality, but their service is excellent and prices are very competitive.
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Over the summer I reviewed a book for School Library Journal called, Cosmos
Coyote and William the Nice. by Jim Heynen...... (I hope I remembered that
right)....Anyway, It's about a city kid named Cosmos who has gotten into some
minor trouble and the judge okays a change of scenery for him. He is sent to
live with his aunt and uncle on a farm in Iowa, who are very religious. He
attends the Christian high school there and is feeling a bit of a culture
shock. When a rash of burglaries occur, he is the first suspect....... but
his aunt and uncle, and a girl he meets there, never waiver from their love
and support. He attempts to solve the crime himself to be vindicated.
NOTE FROM ME: I ordered this 3 months ago--hasn't arrived yet. :(
**************************************************
I would recommend books by Janette Oke (Love Comes Softly series,
Seasons of the Heart series, Canadian West series and others) for girls.
These are published by Bethany House and are Christian fiction. The 7th
and 8th grade girls at my school enjoy these books. Also, they are
Accelerated Reader titles.
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I find the books by Frank Peretti are popular. They are Christian-based
fantasy/science fiction. Not my cup of tea at all, but the girls like them
and they are Christian.
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Two authors are Frank Peretti and Jeanette Oke
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have several by Janette Oke (historical, romance) & a couple by
Frank Peretti. There are reviews occasionally in Booklist of
Christian fiction.
**********************************
Bethany House is one of the more respected publishers. The _Boundaries_
series by Townsend of which I believe they have one now for teens are good.
The Tasteberries for Teens and the Chicken Soup books are obvious choices.
Ceder River Daydreams series by Baer are popular is you don't have the
series, but they're older, so you run the risk of their already having read
them. For the older girls who like romances, Lori Wick can't be
beat...there's one series in particular that's about a girl who has to take
care of her younger brothers and sisters that's good.
Tell them to try _Hind's Feet in High Places_, probably in your 240's. It's
a good one...a metaphorical tale along the lines of Pilgrim's Progress but
easier to read and more enjoyable to me.
Also those Nixon's Orphan Train...not exactly "Christian" but there's
nothing objectionable that I can remember.
Plus go to Christian Book Distributers at
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/specialty_sub/23785278?theme=10
23&category=High+School&file=Offshoot/high_school.html&event=SP
This page has links on the right hand side of the page to books "Especially
for Girls" which includes more series besides Christy and to Middle School
Readers.
The reason why you're not getting a lot of books in the collection is
because, quite frankly, christian books for teens don't get a lot of press
in secular ordering mags. Mainly because, as you are concerned about,
they're not the best quality material if you're talking about literary-wise.
They are not meant to be. They are meant to inspire a love of the saviour
and devotion to the christian life. So, be gentle in your quest for reviews
because you won't find any on the most part. Order a couple out of the
series and make sure to tell the kids who are asking for them to tell you if
they like them, otherwise you won't order any more in the series on the
assumption that they're not good.
Mostly, Peretti and McDowell will go with them.
Hope this helps...
**************************************
Here are a few ideas of authors to look at:
J. Scott Bell
Janette Oke
Gilbert Morris
Luke Thoene
Lorraine Snelling
Beverly Lewis
Francine Rivers
Lori Wick
Hope this helps. Not all of them are shining examples of
literary wonder, but neither are a lot of authors in other
genres!!!
If you need specific titles, let me know. This is just off
the top of my head, so I'm sure there are many more
really good ones I'm missing!
***********************************
I read your post, and I'd like to suggest the
following titles and authors. Please note that I've
not read every author, but I see these authors in the
Christian Book store or have heard my friends talk
about the authors.
Papa's Wife and Papa's Daughter by Thyra Ferre Bjorn
Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Sci-fi Trilogy by C.S. Lewis
(starts with Out of the Silent Planet)
***I read all of these titles when I was in middle
school and high school.***
Authors:
Max Lucado (mostly non-fic, but some fiction)
Bodie and Brock Thoene (historical fiction)
Gilbert Morris (historical fiction)
Grace Livingston Hill (romance)
Ellen Gunderson Traylor (historical fiction/biography)
Francine Rivers
Frank Peretti (Mystery/Sci-fi?)
Thank you for trying to accommodate this type of genre
even though it is not your favorite. Good Luck and
please feel free to contact me again if you have any
further questions.
********************************
Dawn Sardes
YA Librarian
Euclid Public Library
Euclid, OH 44123
dmsardes@aol.com
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