YA for the Wise

This is a little deviation from the normal books that are posted here due to the younger target audience, but it is worth noting as a "Juvenile Fiction for the Wise."


The Lightlings, while not Young Adult fiction, is worth having as part of your collection to minister to youngsters in your life-- kids you babysit, or young cousins, nieces and nephews, siblings... or to prepare a Wise library for future children of your own (which is my aim.)

There is no objectionable passage in the book, and not only is it free from conspicuously evil content, it is biblically sound, with Parent Follow-up questions in the back which point families to the True and Faithful Light of the World through scripture and heart-examination.

The Lightlings,
R.C. Sproul
Beautifully illustrated by Justin Gerard

42 pages
Summary: When Charlie asks why he is afraid of the dark, his grandfather takes the opportunity to illuminate with charming allegory why many people are actually afraid of the light.

THEMES: Creation, Kingship, sin, fear, worship, redemption, trust, image-bearers



REFERENCES TO AND GENERAL ATTITUDE TOWARD GOD: In this allegory, God is portrayed as the King of Light, and His Son, whom the King of Light sent to become a lightling to save the lost, would grow up to be known as the Light of the World. The general regard for the holiness and worthiness of the King to be worshiped, adored and obeyed, is commendable and the follow-up questions as a springboard for further discussion and Biblical study is a great tool in the hands of parents who want to raise up their children in the fear and admonition of the LORD.


FREE Logo Generator!

Create Free Logos with our logo generator

Although I am quite partial to the depth and the charm of The Pilgrim's Progress, Steven James' Quest for Celestia was different enough to stand on its own two feet without needing to piggy-back off of Bunyan's classic.

Quest for Celestia draws a Wise rating for presenting a story which is entertaining, suspenseful, and inspiring without being tarnished with immoral or dishonorable elements.



Quest for Celestia, A Reimagining of The Pilgrim's Progress,
by Steven James
269 pages

Summary: Kadin meets with a wizard in a dark alley one fateful night who tells him that he is chosen. He gives Kadin a brown, leather bound book, old and worn. On its cover is a drop of crimson. It is a Book of Blood, a book of life. He is called to leave his hometown of Abbadon and journey to Celestia. He soon becomes aware of a deeply rooted, infected black lump on his neck for which he at first blames the Book of Blood. He must figure out whether he has it in him to venture to Celestia and how to get rid of the painful growth. THEMES: faith; testing; journey; friendship; social pressure; temptation

FOUL LANGUAGE: ZERO occurrences

SOFT LANGUAGE (heard on cable TV): ZERO occurrences

VIOLENCE: Nothing of concern.

SEXUAL CONTENT: None.

DRUG USE: ZERO occurrences

BLASPHEMIES: ZERO occurrences of God's name used in vain.

REFERENCES TO AND GENERAL ATTITUDE TOWARD GOD: In this allegory, God is portrayed in the character of King Kiral. He is kind and gracious and good, but that doesn't mean that His followers do not experience hardship and adversity in this life. As the Bible, our Book of Blood, tells us that the heirs of God suffer with Christ so that we may be glorified with Him. (Romans 8:17)

And consider this: "the suffering of this present age are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18)
[See also 1 Cor. 1:5; 2 Tim. 2:3; 1 Peter 3:17, 4:12,16, 5:10 ]

"For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake" Philippians 1:29

Read Wisely!

FREE Logo Generator!
Create Free Logos with our logo generator

This book is the first of a trilogy and other than the careless use of God's name at the beginning of the book, I enjoyed this book and will follow up with the other two once I've read them.

I would have liked to rate this book Wise, but biblically we cannot view blasphemy as a small thing, after all, the third commandment states: "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain." (Exodus 20:7, also Deuteronomy 5:11) May we not forget to take this seriously and honor the name of the LORD.

Therefore the book earns itself a Use Discernment rating.


Things Not Seen,
by Andrew Clements
251 pages

Summary: Bobby Phillips wakes up invisible one February morning-- what follows are an array of adventures every teen would love to have, if only. But once the fun runs out, Bobby has to figure out how to be seen again, with the help of a new friend, Alicia.

THEMES: friendship, investigation, self-awareness, identity

FOUL LANGUAGE: ZERO occurrences

SOFT LANGUAGE (heard on cable TV): ZERO occurrences

VIOLENCE: none.

SEXUAL CONTENT: none. There are some scenes where you feel the vulnerability of the character in his striving to not be seen and the danger of whether he suddenly were to become visible, but there is nothing objectionable in and of itself.

DRUG USE: ZERO occurrences

BLASPHEMIES: 3 occurrences of God's name used in vain all on page 5 when Bobby's mom realizes that he is invisible. The problem with this is that the Lord's name is used in shock and surprise rather than in prayer, and then He is thoroughly ignored for the rest of the book.

REFERENCES TO AND GENERAL ATTITUDE TOWARD GOD:Again, not mentioned for the remainder of the book.

Read Wisely!


FREE Logo Generator!
Create Free Logos with our logo generator