People exposed to good literature early in life love to read, and parents want to encourage this in their children. However, finding christian books for tweens - ten to twelve-year-olds - can be a challenge. Fortunately, books have been written for centuries that meet this need, and there are modern publishing houses which specialize in this genre. By reading short synopses and reviews, you can find suitable books to entertain your kids.

Parents of pre-teens should monitor their reading. There's so much out there that is self-centered, violent, occult, or anti-God that constant vigilance is necessary. That's one nice thing about the classics: parents are familiar with both good and bad choices. Some subjects may be off-limits for this age group; for example, parents may prefer to save romantic stories for later in life.

Girl-meets-horse is one alternative that seems to be eternally popular. There are publishing houses that ask authors for a story that continues for three volumes. This format is great for character development and teaching life lessons. Pre-teen years are transitional ones, and fictional characters will face challenges that the readers also face. Many plots will spark meaningful dialog between parents and their children.

Boys often like adventures or sports-based stories better than anything to do with horses. Of course, there are some great westerns, like 'My Friend Flicka', which deal with boys growing up in the west. Many exciting books are based on real life rather than superheroes and mega-villains. Books can show people walking out their faith or simply illustrate Christian principles.

Sometimes family discussions can focus on principles that might be lost in the general excitement of the story. 'The Chronicles of Narnia' is an allegorical tale which has found new popularity with the recent movie version. Parental involvement in the reading experience of children is one way to keep the family strong.

Of course, non-fiction is great, as well. There are many accounts of Christian heroes, missionaries, doctors, nurses, and pastors that are exciting to read. Famous Christians have had great influence on history and culture, and kids should recognize the most illustrious names. It's too bad if Spiderman is more real to them than Joan of Arc.

Historical accounts of important events are fun for the whole family to read. Explorers who reached the North Pole or the top of Mount Everest, the exploits of deep-sea divers, the faith of our founding fathers, and the adventures of people who lived on the frontiers of civilization are fascinating. From the search for the Ark to the first steps on the moon, real life is better than fiction.

Mainstream literature may ignore or even deny that many of the greatest men and women were and are Christians. Using novels and non-fiction that tell the true story or teach valuable lessons is a way to reinforce Sunday School and church messages and show kids how faith relates to their real life.