High school is a time when the loose opinions of childhood begin to solidify. It's a time when many Christian teens begin to stand on their own faith legs and develop a worldview that is autonomous to that of their parents. Contrary to the popular trend of extended immaturity, the teen years can be a time when God can use a person in ways that He can not use them at any other time in their lives. Teens have free schedules, growing passions, and liberal amounts of physical energy. When aimed in the right direction, a teen can do great things for the cause of Christ.
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In only a few short weeks, my daughter will launch headlong into those crucial high school years. Admittedly, I'm no mathematical genius, but I've crunched the numbers. Four years of higher learning only leaves me with 1460 days to teach her all-the-things.
As a homeschooling mother myself, I know what you're thinking. Right about now, you're forming a rebuttal to my math that goes a little something like this...
Learning is for life. You can still teach her after she graduates high school. Eighteen does not have to be the default cut-off of parental influence.
While all of that is true, I think you and I can both agree that my influence will and should look different once she leaves my home. I'll not be able to pour into her in the same way that I can right here-right now. So I've got four years left, and I plan to use them well.
The Plan
Since I choose to homeschool, I've got a leg-up on the societal influence. I get to choose what and how she learns. While I'd never want to play the part of the Holy Spirit in her life, I do think that it is my job as her mother to help train her up "in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4) One way I can disciple her towards spiritual maturity is through quality reading material.
I've curated a list of 40 books that will challenge and encourage both her faith and her character in the next four years. Since she will be using a literature rich language arts program, I've not included any fiction books, but instead have focused my efforts on books about Christian heroes, books centered around faith building, books about Christian living, and books that teach practical life skills. While some of these titles are applicable to both teen boys and teen girls, many have been specifically selected because of their predominately feminine message.
The Process
I do not expect my daughter to read through this list in its entirety. Rather, I'm laying out a buffet for her. I've added them all to my GoodReads highschool and older girls shelves. Each month, I'll expect her to peruse those two shelves and choose one title for her "mom-assigned book." This plan worked quite well during her middle school years when I put together a similar list for her monthly reading plan. I'm hoping that each book on this high school list will inspire lots of discussion and contemplation between the two of us. I've not read every title that I've included, but have vetted them through friends and trusted book lists.
The Books
Biography
Bruchko by Bruce OlsonEvidence Not Seen by Darlene Rose
Foxe's Book of Martyrs by John Foxe
God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew
In God's Underground by Richard Wurmbrand
Kisses from Katie by Kate Davis Majors
Radiant by Richard Hannula
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
Any of the Christian Heroes Then and Now series
Faith
A Young Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth GeorgeA Young Woman's Walk With God by Elizabeth George
But Don't All Religions Lead to God by Michael Green
In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson
Lies Young Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas*
Wild Grace by Max Lucado
Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin
Christian Living
Authentic Beauty by Leslie LudyBefore You Meet Prince Charming by Sarah Mally
Boundaries by Henry Cloud & John Townsend
Do Hard Things by Alex & Brett Harris
Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
Graceful by Emily Freeman
It's Not That Complicated by Anna & Elizabeth Botkin
Joyfully at Home by Jasmine Bauchman
Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung
Living in a Gray World by Preston Sprinkle
Love, Sex, and God by Bill Ameiss
Money, Greed, and God by J. W. Richards
Passion & Purity by Elisabeth Elliot
Set-Apart Femininity by Leslie Ludy
You Were Made to Make a Difference by Max Lucado
Practical Life Skills
Biblical Economics in Comics by Vic Lockman
How to Read a Book by Mortimer AdlerHow to Win Friends and Influence People for Teen Girls by Donna Gale Carnegie
Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook by Martha Stewart
Teens' Guide to College & Career Planning by Justin Munchnick
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens by Oliver DeMille
You Have a Brain by Dr. Ben Carson
*fiction title
Want a printable copy of the book list to take with you to the library? Of course, you do! Feel free to download a copy today. And don't forget to check out the companion list made for teen boys.
Looking for more lists like this?
Once a month, I email a book list to the members of the Biblio-files. Every title on the list has been personally read and vetted by me and has been compiled by age range in order to help you navigate the library with your kids. In addition, I also include a few books that you should be aware of--books that contain explicit language, sexual agenda, graphic violence, etc. so that you can make an educated decision when/if your kids should ever be interested in reading any of them. What's more, members are invited to join me in a private Facebook group where we help each other find just the right books for our kids and each other. We'd love to have you join us!
Thank you. This is a thought-provoking list!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I'm always open for more suggestions if you've got any to share!
DeleteI would add Stepping Heavenward by Elisabeth Prentiss to this list. Definitely a must read for teen girls.
ReplyDeleteI've not heard of that one, Hilary, but will definitely look into it. Thanks for the suggestion!
DeleteI was going to say the same thing! Transformational for women of all ages!
DeleteThank you so much for this list! My daughter is 11.5 and I see those teen years barreling down on us and must admit it's daunting. Thank you for these recommendations!
ReplyDeleteIt is daunting. But God is bigger than all of our fears, Alison. He has big plans for our girls. We just have to point them to Him.
DeleteAny ideas for a 6 year old girl who reads much above her level? She’s in first grade but she reads more at a third grade level.
ReplyDeleteAre you looking for non-fiction, faith-building books or just fun fiction that would be appropriate for a first grader to read?
Deletedo you have any books/series that would be good just for fun fiction that are christian?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the list, I have a few of them and will keep my eye out for the others for my girls, the oldest is 12 so she’s a good age to start these.
ReplyDeleteIn the life skills section I’d add Atomic Habits. I listened to the book twice and bought the hard-copy of the book too.
That's good to know. I started it on audio last year and couldn't really get into it. But perhaps it's worth a revisit! Thanks for the nudge.
DeleteHi thanks for the list.my girl is going to be 13.she never used to read Christian books.so can you recommend any that is more interesting and builds curiosity.
ReplyDelete