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Choosing the Christian Fiction For Your 7 to 12 Year Old Boys to read – and know they’ll read it, isn’t easy. They don’t want to be seen with the ‘kid’s stuff’ that younger boys carry around, but they're not quite ready for what teens and older are reading.
When boys move through primary and toward secondary schools, reading tastes can alter drastically. They demand more of the fiction they consume, and their peers turn up the pressure on what to read and what to ditch.
Of course, you want them to read fiction that will build their faith, but you also know that if they suspect you of an attempt to teach them something, they'll assert their emerging independence by not reading it.
So how do you choose faith based fiction that boys 7 to 12 will read? Here's what to look for when you make your choice:
Look at the Covers of What They're Reading Already
The good news is that you can judge a book by its cover. Take a look at the covers of the books your boys are already reading. Then scan Eden’s pages for Fiction for Boys 7 to 12 for authors whose book covers look pretty much the same.
That way you’ll know you’re on track with the kind fiction he likes to read, and know there are Christian authors who can match style with substance by offering wholesome, Bible based themes and content.
Look For Titles in an On-going Series of Books
You don’t want their reading of Christian themed fiction to be a one off experience. So choose books by an author with a track record of early teen focused writing.
Ideally, choose the first book in a series - though you might want to start with the latest. This will lead into a desire to read the sequels - and any 'prequels', sparking a collection of faith based novels.
Do check the Eden reader reviews. Comments and criticism from someone like you, also looking to encourage, satisfy and train 7 to 12 year old boys – and keep them safe, is always the best recommendation you can get.
Trust the Authors – Look for Good Stories; Good Teaching Will Follow
It’s a good idea to avoid any fiction that clearly has a teaching or moral agenda. You’re buying recreational reading, not instructional – though a well written story will achieve both.
Christian Fiction Authors, more than any other writers, are known by their works. If they don’t deliver, they don’t last long. So trust them, and let them do their faith enhancing work through the reader’s imagination. After all, it is what Jesus did.
Look Out For Graphic and Illustrated Novels
Boys develop reading skills at different rates and don’t respond well to being pushed too fast. Graphic novels – with image based stories, are the best encouragement to read more, and are a clearly defined art form in themselves.
Many popular text based novels, such as Ted Dekker's Lost Series, are also published in easier to follow graphic format, so readers of all interests and abilities can share the excitement and join the conversation.
Being realistic about reading and language skills might make graphic novels a good option. And don’t overlook the graphic novels which can give even the most familiar Bible stories a new and exciting make over.
Six Christian Authors Who Tick All the Boxes
For gifts, prizes and just an encouragement to read more, here’s six bestselling faith based fiction series for boys:
Jon S. Lewis The C.H.A.O.S. Series - Book 2 Alienation: Cyber-tech retelling of Saul’s attempts on David’s life, the tension Jonathan faces between his father and his best friend and the raising of the Mighty Men.
Evan Angler’s SWIPE Series - Book 1: Follows the adventures of three early teens caught in a conflict they didn’t know existed. Now they’re on the run from a government that would mark and control them.
J. P. Taylor's The Dopple Ganger - The First Escape: A fast moving adventure from the author of 'Shadowmancer' follows Sadie and Saskia Dopple and Erik Morrisey Ganger through a web of secrets and decisions about who to trust.
Bryan Davis’ Dragons in Our Midst Series - Book 1 Raising Dragons: Modern fantasy series that inspires young people to pursue faith, courage, and love, to dig deep within to find their God-given strengths no matter how difficult the circumstances.
Ted Dekker’s Lost Series – Book 1 Chosen (The Visual Edition): Graphic novel version of how Thomas Hunter and his faithful band of four must find the seven lost Books of History that control the destiny of the world.
Give them stories that they want to read, and in book covers they’ll carry with pride, and your Boys 7 to 12 will be less likely to ditch Christian themed fiction for the kind of books their peers might be reading.
