From the time I was in elementary, my mom tried to get us to read over the summer break. She’d loaded us into the van and took us to our small country library. The smell of old musty books hit you as you entered the front door. There were books everywhere… just books. No blocks, no computers, no cozy rugs on the floor, or no small chairs and tables with games and puzzle. The problem wasn’t my mom’s ambition or bribery (one dollar per book), but it was selection. We grabbed a book off the shelf that looked interesting, but we knew nothing about it except for the title and back description. If we were going to dedicate precious time away from playing outside, it had to be good. It had to be more than just a book. What we really needed were summer reading lists for Christian kids!
Have you felt this with your children too? There is good news for you: we have made Summer Reading Lists for Christian Kids! These are great summer reading selections from Biblically Minded authors that we trust. I have divided these lists according to grade level, but I know that many children (even my own) do not necessarily fall into nice categories. Do your own homework, but this list is a great place to start when collecting books for this summer. Also, it would be great for these books to be read-alouds with your whole family, with children of all ages.
Summer Reading Lists, Ages 6-8
#1 Imagination Station Series by Paul McCusker and Marianne Hering
This book series is based on the Adventures in Odyssey, the beloved kids’ audio program from Focus on the Family. These books whisk cousins Patrick and Beth on thrilling time-traveling adventures. Each story finds them in a different historical period. They have the task of solving a mystery or aiding a historical figure. They learn Christian principles along the way.
#2 Lightkeeper Girls Series by Irene Howat
God used these ten girls to do amazing things for Him. These girls include Mary Slessor, Joni Eareckson (Tada), and Corrie Ten Boom. Each book highlights their bravery, cleverness, and faith. They will inspire readers to look to the God who worked through each of them. (There is also a series for boys.)
#3 Little Pilgrims Progress by Helen L. Taylor
This book is an adaptation of John Bunyan’s classic “Pilgrim’s Progress,” designed for children ages 6 to 12. It is both an exciting adventure story and a profound allegory of the Christian journey through life. The book features pretty pictures and aims to help kids engage with its themes in an enjoyable way.
#4 Sugar Creek Gang by Paul Hutchens
Sugar Creek Gang has 36 Christian-themed books. The series chronicles the faith-building adventures of a group of fun-loving, courageous Christian boys. The adventures include fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, meeting a boy evangelist in a tent meeting, and chasing a criminal through a grapefruit grove.
Summer Reading Lists, Ages 9-12
#1 The Chronicles of Narnia (CS Lewis)
“The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven fantasy novels by C.S. Lewis. The magical land of Narnia is the setting for this series. It begins with the creation of Narnia in The Magician’s Nephew and follows the adventures of children who enter this world, particularly focusing on the battle against the evil White Witch in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Other notable books include Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and The Last Battle, each exploring themes of good versus evil, friendship, and redemption. The series is known for its allegorical elements, drawing parallels to Christian themes and moral lessons.”
#2 Viking Quest
“Viking raiders capture Bree and Devin and take them from their home in Ireland. After being freed by the young Viking prince Mikkel, they embark on separate journeys to courage, with Bree sailing to Norway on a Viking ship and Devin traveling the dangerous road home. The series spans five books and takes readers to various locations, incorporating the fascinating culture of the people in those places.”
#3 Little House on the Prairie
“Little House on the Prairie is book series about the Ingalls family who left their house in Wisconsin. They moved to the west to find a new place for home. This series is a beloved story of a family and their hardships moving west and settling in a new land. They learn valuable lessons along the way.”
#4 The Dragons Series by Ted Dekker
“And They Found Dragons is a three-book, middle-grade series (for ages 9 to 99) from award-winning authors Ted and Rachelle Dekker. They are sure to thrill and inspire kids of all ages. Your children to learn to stand with great conviction and fierce love in these changing times.”
#5 Trailblazers Series by Various Authors
“These action-packed historical fiction books introduce us to great Christian heroes. Each page-turner portrays a significant period in a hero or heroine’s life and ministry as seen through the eyes of a young protagonist.”
#6 Pilgrim Progress by John Bunyan
“John Bunyan wrote Pilgrim’s Progress as a religious allegory. The novel was published in two parts in 1678 and 1684. The story follows a man named Christian as he leaves the City of Destruction and journeys to a place called the Celestial City, encountering all sorts of roadblocks and fearsome creatures along the way. The novel is an allegory for a vision of the pilgrimage of a good man through life. It is the most famous Christian allegory still in print.”
#7 Case for Christ for Kids
“Packed full of well-researched, reliable, and eye-opening investigations of some of the biggest questions you have, The Case for Christ for Kids brings Christ to life by addressing the miracles, ministry, family, and existence of Jesus of Nazareth.” There are also other books in this series for kids.
#8 Wingfeather Saga
“The Wingfeather Saga is a series of four books that follows the lives of the Igiby family. The story takes place in the land of Aerwiar, nine years after a nameless evil named Gnag the Nameless has devastated all that is good and fair. The family discovers secrets of their family history. They run from the evil Fangs of Dang who are occupying the country of Skree. They combat Gnag the Nameless, the master of the Fangs.”
#9 The Noland Kids Adventures by Mike Curtis
“Join Caleb and David in this fast-paced, Hardy Boys meets The Goonies, Christian mystery/adventure, as they seek a rumored treasure and clear their great-great-grandfather’s good name.”
#10 The Bronze Bow
“The Bronze Bow is a novel by Elizabeth George Speare that won the Newbery Medal in 1962. The novel tells the story of Daniel bar Jamin, a Jewish teenager living in Galilee, Israel, at the time of Jesus. After witnessing his father’s crucifixion by Roman soldiers, Daniel is consumed by hatred and joins the brutal raids of an outlaw band living in the hills outside his village. The novel is about Daniel’s journey to avenge his father’s death by driving the hated Roman legions from the land of Israel.”
#11 The Green Ember
“Four thrilling adventures following siblings Heather and Picket as they get caught up in an epic struggle for rabbit-kind’s liberation from the tyrannous preylords. Humor, heart, and hope anchor this series that centers on small rabbits battling to keep faith amid the chaos all around them.”
Summer Reading List, Ages 13+
#1 The Chronicles of Narnia
“The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven fantasy novels by C.S. Lewis, set in the magical land of Narnia, which is inhabited by mythical creatures, talking animals, and humans. The series begins with the creation of Narnia in The Magician’s Nephew and follows the adventures of children who enter this world, particularly focusing on the battle against the evil White Witch in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Other notable books include Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and The Last Battle, each exploring themes of good versus evil, friendship, and redemption. The series is known for its allegorical elements, drawing parallels to Christian themes and moral lessons.”
#2 Prince Warriors Series by Priscilla Shirer
“The Prince Warrior series is an allegorical adventure story that follows a group of kids who are drawn into the secret world of Ahoratos. There, they are given armor and learn to fight battles they never before realized existed, both in Ahoratos and in their own world.”
#3 Millie Maven By Rachelle and Ted Dekker
“Enter the world of Millie Maven, a twelve-year-old orphan who embarks on a great adventure that takes her to the distant, mysterious world of FIGS, the FarPointe Institute for Gifted Students. There, she discovers that there is more to her than she ever dared imagine or believe . . . and that there are some truths that change everything.”
#4 Christian Heroes Then and Now by Janet and Geoff Benge
“The Christian Heroes: Then & Now series is a best-selling collection of missionary biographies that chronicles the true stories of ordinary men and women whose trust in God led to extraordinary accomplishments for His kingdom. Written in an engaging adventure style, the series offers readers an exciting view of missionaries and leaders who have profoundly shaped history. It includes inspiring true stories that highlight the remarkable feats achieved through unwavering faith.” Some of our favorites are in the pack pictured below.
#5 Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
“Is there credible proof that Jesus of Nazareth really is the Son of God? In The Case for Christ, Lee Strobel, former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune and New York Times bestselling author, retraces his own spiritual journey from atheism to faith and builds a captivating case for Christ’s divinity.” There are several other books in this series which would be very informative for your teen and yourself.
#6 The Power of a Praying Teen
“The Power of a Praying Teen is designed for 14 to 18 year-olds . It addresses key issues such as purity, peer pressure, insecurity, and body/self-image. The book is supported by Scripture verses and includes true stories of teens, providing relatable content for young readers. Each chapter concludes with a prayer that teens can use as a model for their own prayers. This will help them to develop a closer relationship with God.”
#7 Recruited by the FBI (Baddorf)
“Recruited by the FBI” is a Christian Spy Action-Adventure book featuring Robin, Chad and Anika, (who work for the FBI). They embark on thrilling missions, including grappling onto the roof of a bank while dealing with a suspected terrorist. The book is aimed at a younger audience, specifically ages 10-16, and explores themes of trust and faith.”
#8 The Noland Kids Adventure Series (Curtis)
“Join Caleb and David in this fast-paced, Hardy Boys meets The Goonies, Christian mystery/adventure. They seek a rumored treasure and clear their great-great-grandfather’s good name.”
#9 The Circle series by Ted Dekker
“The Circle Series has three novels that explore themes of good versus evil, love, and redemption through a dual narrative set in both a dystopian future and contemporary Earth. The protagonist, Thomas Hunter, embarks on a journey that spans two worlds. There are pivotal figures like his sister, Kara Hunter, and Monique de Raison.”
Which books will you choose for your children’s reading list this summer? Which books would you add to our Summer Reading Lists for Christian Kids? Tell us in the comments below.
For more reading ideas for this summer, check out our Summer Bible Reading Plan. It has trackers for reading the Bible this summer for every member of your family.
[…] kids. She will keep the Scriptures in front of her children by exposing them to Christian books (see booklists here), Christian songs, and hymns. Being a Christian isn’t a part of her life, it is her whole […]