Great Reads For Christmas

I am often asked about series of books that would be good gifts for young people at Christmas. There are a lot to choose from but not all are appropriate for our children. We want to get them off to a good start on a lifetime of reading. Here are a few that I recommend.

For ages 8-10

3 Cousins Mysteries by Elspeth Campbell Murphy

They are available in three categories: The Ten Commandment Series (10 books); The Detective Club (20 books); and The Beatitude Mysteries (8 books). As evident, each book bases its mystery on a Biblical principle. These are very short stories and will hold the readers interest to the end.

To Purchase: Amazon

For ages 9-14

Nathan Riggins Western Adventure Series by Stephen Bly

There are six books in this series, all based upon the adventures of a boy in Old Nevada and the incidents that happen to him as he grows up and the lessons that God teaches him through each one. They are filled with the amusing high jinks of children growing up in the Wild West.

To Purchase: Amazon

For the Sports Minded ages 10-16

Sigmund Brouwer’s Sports Mystery Series

Books 1-5 relate stories about, soccer, football, basketball, stock-car racing, and baseball. These examine the moral dilemmas that young people face combined with mystery and humor. These are mainly for the boys but I enjoyed them when I read them.

To Purchase: Amazon or Thomas Nelson

For girls 16 and up

Elsie Dinsmore by Martha Finley

There are 28 books in an entire set. Since this series was written over 100 years ago one can expect them to lean heavily on good family values. Elsie grows older in each successive book starting as a very young girl through becoming a grandmother.

To Purchase: Amazon or Vision Forum (sometimes Vision Forum will put the whole set at 50% off so watch for those times)

For both boys and girls 16 and older

The Kingdom Series by Chuck Black

This author lives in our own Williston, North Dakota. He has written an allegory of Bible events in a six book series. Though by no means extensive these books take some key themes of the Bible and set them in medieval times with knights, swords and dragons. Without using sorcery the author depicts the fight of good over evil with true good winning out in the end.

To Purchase: Lamp Lighter Publishing

As our children are bombarded with television and video games it gets harder and harder to entice them with a book. The gift of a book is an age old tradition in all cultures. We can continue this tradition in our families by searching out what is available and being discerning in our purchases. I will try to have more selections next month.