Hi Ladies,
I have 2 teenagers that I am Christmas shopping for. (A niece and a nephew)Every year I give them gift cards or cash, but this year, I would like to give them each a book that would be inspirational to them. Can any of you recommend a book that a teen in your family has loved? I am really interested in a Christian-based book that they can learn life lessons from.
Thank you in advance,
EM
Thank you Ladies for such great ideas! Based on your responses, I think I know what books to purchase for my niece and nephew. I may even read a few of the books suggested, myself. :)
Thanks again!!!
My 17 year old daughter is reading a book called Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It is a love story based on the story of Hosea and she has been wrapped up with this book the last few weeks. All of her friends are reading it and love it as well. It is a thick book but one of her friends has read it 4 times!
The Bodie Thoene series about families living through the prewar and 2nd WWar are fantastic. My daughter and I and most of her friends vied for months trying to get them at the library. My daughter is a human rights and international law attorney and she probably started forming that occupational direction reading these books. The Zion Cronicls and the Zion Covenant. I can't remember which comes first. The books cover their lives in Germany and resettlement in Israel. I don't remember what the series about the men were. I think there are perhaps five or six books in the series. Also they put several of the books in a condensed version but you really want to read each one. They also have covered the american men who entered into the stories in another series. These were great historical fiction with the strength of relationship with the Lord throughout. I gave each of my brothers kids this set and it is a favorite of all. Hope it is still in print. These are historical fiction and The Hiding Place is one they will want to read also along the same theme but biographical. Jack Thoene has written boys series but I have not read them. Read the Thoene family advice on Dyslexia at their Shiloh Foundation website. and www.Thoenebooks.com for more about the books.
My all time favorite book, that shaped my life in a really powerful way is The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. It's a true story, it's historical, it's interesting and even exciting, and it's Christian based. I started reading it when I was in 5th grade and read it once a year until after I graduated highschool. I've given the book to A LOT of my adult friends and they think it's very good, too. There's a movie as well, but that's awfully hard to find.
In a nutshell, Corrie and her family were living in Holland when it was taken over by nazis. It deals with seeing how things change bit by bit until you suddenly find yourself in total darkness. It deals with trying to live Christian ideals even when not popular (or what society would deem wise), and then the family finds themselves working for the Dutch underground trying to save Jewish people, then their experiences in concentration camps and how God carried them through.
For the girl - I strongly recommend anything written by Karen Kingsbury. She writes Christian romance novels. 'nough said.
I also got this in my email - which sounds like an absolutely fabulous gift for this age set.
Give a Gift with Personality
If you're looking for a unique gift this holiday season, one that will have a great deal of meaning for both you and your recipient, I have an idea for you. It's called a "Journal in a Jar." ...
go here for more details. http://www.cheapskatemonthly.com//mary_webdesk.asp?ID=39322
Right now we as female youth leaders are going through Lies Young Women Believe so we can go through it with our girls during the summer. It is so good and goes through realistic things that teens are dealing with nowadays. I highly recommend it.
I don't know if this would be what you are looking for but I read a book called "The Sword, The Ring, The Parchment" by Ed Dunlop. It is the first book in The Terrestria Chronicles. It is a VERY good book and I want to get the rest in the set. It if geared toward teens. Here is what the back says.
"And then Josiah saw the King. A tall, commanding figure arrayed in an elegant scarlte robe, the King had eyes that burned like fire, and his smile radiated love and concern. Josiah gazed in wonder at the Kings's countenance. Never before had he seen such a kind face.
Josiah stole a glance at Argamor, and to his amazement, saw that the cruel blacksmith and his two henchmen were trembling. Who is this King? Josiah wondered in astonishment. I wouldn't have known that Argamor was afraid of anyone!
"I have come for the lad," the King said quietly.
Travel back in time to the kingdom of Terrestria, the realm of good King Emmanuel, where knights and their ladies live in castles and where dragons still roam (occasionally). Yet the land is at war, Evil, cruel Argamor wants the throne. And he has loyal followers placed strategically throughout the kingdom. Who will win the battle for Terrestria, and on which side will Josiah find himself"
Alive with fast-pasted action in a medieval setting, the Terrestrea allegory series encourages the reader to live as a child of the King."
You could get the whole set and the two could share it.
"Do Hard Things" by Alex and Brett Harris. You can read about it at http://www.therebelution.com/dohardthings/
I plan on giving it to my son who is 15.
M.
I dont know if they would be too old for this but they have the NEW TESTAMENT in magazine form. I got one when I was younger and I loved it! You can find it at any christian book store.
"Everything I need to know, I learned in Kindergarten" is a great book. It's not teen based, but anyone can enjoy it. Also, the purpose driven life is good.
Hi E.,
I would recommend checking out these websites: www.familylife.com and www.lifeway.com .
On these sites you can search "books for teens".
Merry Christmas!
Facing the Giants is a wonderful movie for anyone. I am sure they have a book on it. Since this is based around football, this would be great for your nephew.
Not sure about your neice. I suggest you go to your local Christian book store and I am sure they can give you tons of advice.
Good luck and God Bless.
A little about me:
Mother of 3 girls, working for home and LOVE it!
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul was one that both of my daughter enjoyed. In fact, I still see them reading from it occasionally.
Guideposts has a great magazine for different ages, with fun things besides problem solvers for peer pressure etc. and is inspirational. I know this isn't a book, but a magazine subscription may be second best . You can get on the web and find out more about it and price etc.
Chicken Soup for the Soul has a lot of great books. I would check them out. I think they have a lot of teen related books as well and I know they have a teen journal/book.
My almost 14 yr old loves the chicken soup books. There are several that a good for teens.
She also loves the Twilight series but it is not Christain based. Great books though!
Janette Oke writes very good Christian fiction for teen girls. Also, the best book I've ever read was "Eve's Daughters" by Lynn Austin and it is Christian based. Josh McDowell is a good Christian author, but I can't think of any of his book titles. You could google him. Good luck!
I read Shadowmancer by G P Taylor and thought it was good. I got it a few years ago for my then younger teens.... but it's one of those books some people love and some people hate. Read the reviews on Amazon and see what you think.
There's always classics, like CS Lewis' the Screwtape Letters (which I LOVED!) which is thoroughly Christian and extremely entertaining and well written.
