“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak…” –Matthew 12:36
In an age where things that used to make people gasp and blush are now commonplace in literature—even, and maybe especially, young adult literature—it’s great to see a thriving “clean” YA fiction market. This means enough readers still demand virtue and integrity in their media. And if you’re a Christian,… Read More »The Problem With Clean YA Fiction For Christian Teens
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 As acknowledged in my last post, When You Can’t Escape Temptation, Take a Sword to It, sometimes you simply cannot flee temptation. Sometimes it comes hand-in-hand with your daily life. You have an addiction to sweets, and you work… Read More »Fight When You Can’t Flee: A Battle Plan For Temptation
In my last post Is YA Christian Fiction Ever Christian Enough? I urged readers to lay-off their overall criticism of Christian fiction. YA Christian novels offer a great alternative for conscientious readers looking for clean entertainment that encourages faith, and we should never look at them as a replacement for… Read More »6 Red Flags to Watch For in YA Christian Fiction
What makes a Christian stand out from his peers? What might the world see in him that sets him apart from everyone else? Obviously, it isn’t the cross necklace, as 50 Cent, LL Cool J, and Eminem have so vehemently proven. And for that matter, it isn’t enough to eschew… Read More »Why Fit in When You Were Made to Stand Out?
Ever play with magnets as a kid? They’re fascinating. Some repel as if a real, physical object holds them apart while others attract and become near inseparable. When it comes to romantic analogies, we love magnets. We say things like “opposites attract” and “Johnny is a girl magnet.” But magnetism… Read More »Tired of the same old sin? Keep pulling the weeds!
What if you had a friend who treated you like her bestie one day a week, then ignored you for the other six? And what if, on those other six days, she blushed whenever your name was brought up, laughed when others joked about you, and only called you when… Read More »Not Just On Sunday: How to Be a Christian Every Day
Ever met a person who seemed too perfect? What did you think of her? She probably isn’t your best friend because nobody wants to hang out with someone who has absolutely no flaws. (Unless we’re talking about Jesus.) Nobody wants to read about characters with perfect virtue either. As an… Read More »Christian YA Fiction Spotlight: Author Jenny B. Jones
Reading is more than just a pastime, as discussed in my last post, 5 Reasons Why Christian Teens Should Read. But for Christian teens, finding captivating, well-written books that eschew the vulgar language and sexuality common in the YA genre is a gargantuan headache. When you pluck something from the… Read More »Clean YA Fiction Spotlight: Author Kasie West