“Then Jesus told them this parable . . .” -Luke 15:3
Some people think teen boys don’t read fiction. I say that’s hogwash. Voracious Harry Potter fans don’t suddenly become allergic to books the day they begin shaving. Even the most hands-on, let’s-build-a-rocket-stove guy will sit down and enjoy a good historical or fantasy adventure, IF he can find one. The… Read More »Clean YA Fiction for Teen Boys Who Want Awesome, Not Awkward
I’ll be honest, I haven’t always been a fan of historical fiction. That’s largely due to not realizing exactly what historical fiction could encompass. Regency romances like Pride and Prejudice, where young ladies are floating about society with the singular goal of snagging a man? Yeah, not my thing. But… Read More »Tales Through Time: Clean Historical YA Fiction For Christian Teens
In its broadest sense, young adult fiction is geared toward readers ages 13 through 18, featuring characters in this age range and topics teens can relate to. But here’s the problem: There’s a big difference between a 13-year-old and an 18-year-old. Thirteen-year-olds are still navigating puberty and gearing up for… Read More »YA Fiction For Younger Teens: 10+ Books to Enjoy Now!
Have you ever noticed how hard it is to find low-violence YA books without swinging wide into romance territory? I discovered this intriguing phenomenon early in my search for clean YA fiction recommendations: You either have kissing or blood. As I said in Violence in Clean YA Fiction: How Much… Read More »9+ Low-Violence YA Books (That Aren’t Just Romance)
Reading is supposed to be relaxing, like a walk on a soft, sandy beach or a cup of hot cocoa during a snowstorm. When you pick up a book, you should be allowed to sink fully into the world in which your characters live and forget your own for a… Read More »Sweet, Not Spicy: 23+ Squeaky-Clean YA Romance Novels
With the popularity of YA fiction novels like The Hunger Games and All American Boys, you could say violence is on the minds of many young readers. Not surprising, given the rise of violence in our culture. I still remember how horror swept the country for months after the Columbine… Read More »Violence in Clean YA Fiction: How Much is Too Much?
When it comes to young adult literature, sci-fi, fantasy, and dystopia continue to be strong-selling genres even as diversity gains traction in the YA scene. There’s something about stretching the boundaries of reality that appeals to teens (and the many adult readers of YA literature). But of course, finding suitable… Read More »Books for Christian Teens: Clean YA Sci-Fi, Fantasy, & Dystopia
What defines classic literature? It pretty much boils down to one premise: Works of classic literature transcend time. More than just brilliant writing, classics generally offer revelatory insight into universal themes like love, morality, and adversity, and often include a gripping plot or intensely evocative time period or place. Many… Read More »Great YA Literature: Clean Classic Books For Teens