I’m very fortunate to have three children who love reading–I know too many people whose teens either don’t like reading, or they have difficulty finding novels that are edifying. A number of people have asked me for teen-reading advice, so I went to the source: my kids.
For the next three Book Talk Tuesdays I’ll be spotlighting books / series / authors that my teens have enjoyed or are currently reading. If your teens have discovered novels / authors that meet your parental approval, please share them here.
My daughter left the teens behind two years ago, but she still remembers her favorites. Like her mother :), she prefers an edgier read, but I believe that’s the norm for teens nowadays. I would endorse all of her suggestions:
Diary of a Teenage Girl series by Melody Carlson – This series follows four separate teen girls as they go through life. Very relatable for teens.
True Colors series by Melody Carlson – Each book covers a different difficult issue faced by modern day teens i.e. suicide, eating disorders, and cutting.
Rock Star Chronicles by Creston Mapes – Follows the life of a famous rock star who becomes a Christian.
Forbidden Doors series by Bill Myers – Follows a family as they battle with spiritual warfare.
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Although some might think it’s for middle schoolers, I highly recommend Robert Liparulo’s The Dreamhouse Kings Series. It has 3 siblings: one teen boy, a younger boy, and a younger girl who experience the weirdness and danger of their new home in a new place. It’s fascinating, fantastical, speculative, lots of action, emotion, and I think it captures the nuances of their ages and specifics of their trials very well. To keep me interested in books like these is quite a tribute, and these were that good.
Great suggestion, Nicole. I haven’t read Liparulo’s teen books, but I’ve loved his *adult* books. I’m certain these wouldn’t disappoint.