12 Excellent Christian Books For Tweens to Read

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Since we can’t always rely on the library to have clean books that are appropriate for our young people, try reading these 12 excellent Christian books for your tweens. These great reads, by Christian authors, will help instill values that have a positive influence on your child during this most impressionable age of life. 

As a mom of ten with 14 years of homeschooling experience, these are books that I have either read aloud to my kids or that they have read and highly recommend. This list includes Christian fiction, devotionals, allegories, and biographies. 

Depending on your child’s reading level, the recommended age for this list is about ages 9-13. 

Most of the books have fewer overall pages. Also, many of these books are interlaced with lovely illustrations which make them perfect for tweens. 

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The Little  Pilgrim’s Progress Helen L. Taylor

Young readers will love this retelling of the classic story of Pilgrim’s Progress. The captivating illustrations by Joe Sutphin (also illustrator of Wingfeather Saga Series) that adorn almost every page are beautiful. Follow the main character, Little Christian, as he encounters the Slough of Despond, Giant Despair, Vanity Fair, the Valley of Humility, and finally, the Celestial City. I read this book aloud to all my kids from preschool up through high school. This is a great resource for children of all ages! 

Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Follow Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy through the wardrobe to the land of Narnia. This allegory is full of adventure highlighting the stark contrast between good and evil. In this book series, the White Witch wants to keep it winter forever, but never Christmas. However, Narnians have nothing to fear because Aslan is on the move. My favorite thing to do after reading these books was to watch the movies with the kids. This book series is a must-read for every tween boy and girl! 

The Building on the Rock Series by Joel R. Beeke and Diana Kleyn

These are good books for a tween boy or girl to use as their own daily devotionals. What I love most about these books is that they have short chapters with a Bible verse and thought-provoking questions at the end. This would make them ideas to use as Bible studies or as a devotional for the entire family.

 Each chapter is about a different Christian hero. The beginning of the book even has a section which shows which chapters are longer and which are shorter. My son loved these so much, he wanted to get every book in the series. 

How God Used a Thunderstorm

How God Stopped the Pirates

How God Used a Snowdrift

How God Used a Drought and an Umbrella

How God Sent a Dog to Save a Family

Wingfeather Saga Series by Andrew Peterson

Christian writer Andrew Peterson outdoes himself in this endearing series that follows the Igiby children as they discover that they are heirs to the kingdom of Anniera. They must run for their lives from the Fangs of Dang who are trying to capture them. Throughout their flight, they encounter many adventures and interesting people and places along the way. As the characters struggle with sin, jealousy, and bitterness in their journey, your kids will learn how to respond to the same temptations. Christian themes are woven throughout the books. 

The books are a little lengthy (300-400 pages long), but the story is so captivating, your kids won’t be able to put them down!

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

North! Or Be Eaten

The Monster in the Hollows

The Warden and the Wolf King

Sugar Creek Gang by Paul Hutchens

Follow the Sugar Creek Gang on many adventures and mysteries that help build their faith. This series covers many Christian themes giving practical advice on specific topics that average kids struggle with every day. Similar to the Hardy Boys style, this is a perfect books series for tween boys! My oldest son loved The Swamp Robber. He asked me to read it aloud to everyone during our afternoon read aloud time. All my kids were on the edge of their seats at the end of each chapter to find out what would happen to the Sugar Creek Gang boys next! 

Each book is about 100-124 pages long, so these are books that would definitely be doable for any reluctant readers. 

Trailblazer Series by Dave and Neta Jackson

These biographies, featuring young men and women of the faith, are a wonderful way to introduce your kids to wonderful heroes of the Christian faith. Each short chapter book portrays the story of a different Christian hero with thirty-two biographies in all. I love the catchy titles for these books. Nice illustrations are sprinkled throughout the books which is helpful for this age. Since they are only 100-150 pages in length, they are an easy read for tweens. 

Some of the books in this series:

The Bandit of Ashley Downs (George Muller)

The Chimney Sweep’s Ransom (John Wesley)

Escape from the Slave Traders (David Livingstone)

The Hidden Jewel (Amy Carmichael)

Imprisoned in the Golden City (Adoniram and Ann Judson)

Kidnapped by River Rats (William and Catherine Booth)

Listen for the Whippoorwill (Harriet Tubman)

Kingdom Dawn Series by Chuck Black

The Kingdom Series by Chuck Black is an allegory of the story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. The setting takes place during the medieval time period and is filled with adventure and Biblical symbolism. One interesting fact about these books is that they have no magic or wizardry in them. It took my kids some time to get into the first book, but they say the series gets better as it goes along. 

Kingdom’s Dawn

Kingdom’s Hope

Kingdom’s Edge

Kingdom’s Call

Kingdom’s Quest

Kingdom’s Reign

Imagination Station by Marianne Hering

Cousins Patrick and Beth travel far off lands to learn about historically accurate events. From the authors of Adventures in Odyssey, this 32 book series tells the true stories of real people who lived long ago. John Avery Whittaker invents a machine that helps the cousins travel back in time to go on adventures… exploring with Vikings, smuggling Bibles with Brother Andrew, and fighting in the Revolutionary War, just to name a few! 

All of my kids love Adventures in Odyssey and Imagination Station books are a favorite as well. If you get an Adventures in Odyssey Club Membership, the Imagination Station audio books are included. This is a membership that is well worth the price! 

Passages Books by Paul McCusker

This two-volume book series includes three stories in each book. Each story centers on a character from the Bible. Paul McCusker creates a dramatic storyline while weaving in hints from Biblical truths. This story is brought to life with adventure, action, and pure imagination. 

The characters from each story are transported into different realms ripe with suspense, packed with action, and thrilling in every dynamic. 

Volume 1: Darien’s Rise, Arin’s Judgement, Annison’s Risk 

Volume 2: Glennall’s Betrayal (Joseph), Draven’s Defiance (Elijah), Fendar’s Legacy (Moses)

Grandma’s Attic by Arleta Richardson

This is a four-book series that my young girls love! Christian author, Arleta Richardson, tells the stories that were told to her by her grandmother. As a little girl, she finds treasures in her grandma’s attic. A hoop, a quilt square, a rusty locket. When she asks Grandma about them, she learns some Bible truths and practical lessons about pride, honesty, and trusting God. The books are about 140-150 pages in length with some occasional illustrations. 

The Action Bible by David C. Cook

When young teens read The Action Bible, the Bible will come alive for them! This is the biggest story bible storybook that you will find in christian graphic novel style. Each page is full of riveting details and pictures that will young girls and boys on the edge of their seats to read just one more story! 

If your kids are into graphic novels, you need to hand them this book!

Note: Some of the illustrations can be a little graphic and gory and  might not be appropriate for younger children.

The Serpent Slayer and the Scroll of Riddles by Champ Thornton and Andrew David Naselli

The main characters in this tale, Emmet and Nomi, are twelve year old adopted siblings who are running from the new neighborhood bully, Tobias. While on the run, they find themselves time traveling through Biblical events. This book will make the stories of the Bible even more interesting to your tweens as they see them through the eyes of the main characters. Follow Emmet and Nomi as they solve riddles and follow the Serpent Slayer! 

Christian Teen Resource List 

If you are looking for a great list to use for high school Christian teens, I love these ideas from Kimberly Jones from Not Consumed. 

14 Must-Read Christian Books for Teens

Other Book List Blog Posts

11 Excellent Christian Biographies for Your Homeschool

Books of the Bible At-A-Glance Free Printable

10 Fantastic Books for Kids About George Washington

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If you are looking for some good Christian books to suggest to your middle-aged children, I hope this list gives you some ideas! It can be hard to find Christian fiction books that have a positive influence, but the books in this list will teach them Godly character and hopefully leave a lasting impression on your kids! 

What are your favorite Christian books for tweens to read?

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