KID STUFF - Fall 1999
resources for effective children's ministry
Just as it is important to read excellent books to young children, it is also important to provide books for children to read once they learn to read. There are a variety of excellent books for elementary age children - books that will both help kids learn important truths as well as help develop an enjoyment for reading in young readers. We will take a look at some of my top picks for elementary age readers. As with the children's books each of these books/series are excellent and I recommend all of them for use at home and in church.
Adventures Down Under
Escape to Murray River
Captive at Kangaroo Springs
Rescue at Boomerang Bend
Dingo Creek Challenge
Race to Wallaby Bay
Firestorm at Kookaburra Station
Koala Beach Outbreak
Panic at Emu Flat
Author - Robert Elmer
Publisher - Bethany House Publishers
Ages - 8 - 13
Favorite Features:
- historical fiction for kids - story is built around actual settings and times so kids learn at the same time they enjoy a fiction story
- interesting characters
- exciting mystery stories
- teaches character traits
- historical information in back to help readers learn more about the setting
These books are well written and will be enjoyed by both boys and girls - they will want to read the entire series. I especially like how the books reinforce the value of family and clearly shows there are differences between right and wrong. Extremely well done Robert and Bethany House!
Bloodhounds, Inc.
The Ghost of KRZY
The Mystery of the Invisible Knight
Phantom of the Haunted Church
Invasion of the UFOs
Fangs for the Memories
The Case of the Missing Minds
Author - Bill Myers
Publisher - Bethany House Publishers
Ages - 8 - 13
Favorite Features:
- fun, exciting mystery books with a crazy twist
- interesting characters
- encourage kids to apply the Bible to their daily lives
Kids will truly enjoy reading these books - they will want to read all of them! I always selected books for my children to read that would be fun, but would also reinforce the truths their dad and I taught them as well - these books are an excellent choice for parents and teachers looking for books to do just that. Extremely well done Bill and Bethany House!
Left Behind>The Kids<
The Vanishings
Second Chance
Through The Flames
Facing The Future
Nicolae High
The Underground
Authors - Jerry Jenkins & Tim LaHaye
Publisher - Tyndale Kids
Ages - 8 - 13
Favorite Features:
- kid's version of the popular "Left Behind" series for youth and adults
- exciting story lines communicate effectively about end times in a way kids will be able to understand
- interesting characters
- explain salvation so kids will understand
- encourage conversation between parents, teachers and children
These books are ones kids will enjoy and look forward to each new addition to find out what happens next to the characters. They are well written and effectively communicate what could happen in the end times so kids will understand. I encourage parents and teachers to make a point of talking with kids as they read these books to find out if they have any questions. Extremely well done Jerry, Tim and Tyndale Kids!
MisAdventures of Willie Plummet
Invasion from Planet X
Submarine Sandwiched
Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better
Ballistic Bugs
Battle of the Bands
Gold Flakes for Breakfast
Tidal Wave
Shooting Stars
Hail to the Chump
The Monopoly
Heads I Win, Tails You Lose
Ask Willie
Stuck on You
Dog Days
Authors - Paul Buchanan & Rod Randall
Publisher - Concordia Publishing House
Ages - 8 - 12
Favorite Features:
- extremely well written with loads of humor
- each book teaches Bible truth in ways kids will understand and remember
- interesting and crazy characters
These are some of the best elementary age fiction books I have had the pleasure to read. They are so funny and yet do an extremely excellent job of teaching kids to trust God and rely on Him! Kids will love and want to read each book in the series. Extremely well done Paul, Rod and Concordia!
TrailBlazer Books
Abandoned on the Wild Frontier - Cartwright
Ambushed in Jaguar Swamp - Grubb
Assassins in the Cathedral - Kivengere
Attack in the Rye Grass - Whitman
The Bandit of Ashley Downs - Muller
The Betrayer's Fortune - Simons
The Chimney Sweep's Ransom - Wesley
Danger on the Flying Trapeze - Moody
Defeat of the Ghost Riders - Bethune
The Drummer Boy's Battle - Nightingale
Escape From The Slave Traders - Livingstone
The Fate of the Yellow Woodbee - Saint
Flight of the Fugitives - Aylward
The Gold Miners' Rescue - Jackson
The Hidden Jewel - Carmichael
Imprisoned in the Golden City - Judson
Kidnapped by River Rats - Booth
Listen for the Whippoorwill - Tubman
Mask of the Wolf Boy - Goforth
The Mayflower Secret - Bradford
The Queen's Smuggler - Tyndale
Quest for the Lost Prince - Morris
Race for the Record - Ridderhof
The Runaway's Revenge - Newton
Shanghaied to China - Taylor
Spy for the Night Riders - Luther
The Thieves of Tyburn Square - Fry
The Traitor in the Tower - Bunyan
Trial by Poison - Slessor
The Warrior's Challenge - Zeisberger
Authors - Dave & Neta Jackson
Publisher - Bethany House Publishers
Ages - 8 - 13
Favorite Features:
- uses fictional children to tell about missionaries from around the world
- interesting and exciting stories will keep the attention of elementary age readers
- curriculum guides will be available soon
- fun way to learn about both history and missions
These books are excellent for use at home, home school, church and school as children will learn and enjoy reading at the same time. There are so many excellent books stories in the series there is bound to be at lead one for any reader to enjoy. Extremely well done Dave, Neta and Bethany House!
As with the youth and adult books, since each of these excellent series include a number of books, my top picks for elementary readers will be these five series. I highly recommend these books be a part of every home and/or church library as they are well written books kids will want to read and will learn from at the same time. These books also encourage conversation between kids, parents and teachers. Extremely well done!