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10 comments:
Hi - I just stumbled onto your site doing some research about Magic Tree House books. Do you know of a good alternative series for boys? My first grader LOVES the MTH series and the reading level is perfect, but I'm not comfortable with the magic, etc. I just can't seem to find a good substitute - help!
Blessings, LeighAnne
Unfortunately, there are very few Christian early reader books. Those that do exist tend to appeal more to girls. The Magic School Bus early chapter book series is somewhat similar to the Magic Tree House Books, in that the reading level is about the same and they are both educational. (There are also Magic School Bus picture books.) The School Bus books are pretty un-objectionable, although they do frequently mention old earth theory timelines.
I think the search button is missing. I'm trying to help a friend find a Pslam 23 book, and wasn't sure how it'd be categorized.
I'm also looking for a good Christian series for boys. I have 3 boys and we have really come to love the habit of sitting down and reading together. Especially during school breaks and days off. Reading level is not as important to me, because typically we all gather together and I read aloud to them. Other than the Narnia series, do you know of any other series that we could start? They really love completing a book and then looking forward to the next one in the series. They grow to know the characters and it's just lots of fun. In a google search I came across the "Cul-de-sac Kids" series? Do you know anything about it? And/or do you have any other recommendations? Thanks!!!
I am not personally familiar with the Cul-de-sac series, but perhaps one of the other reviewers can help you there. What about the Imagination Station series ( http://ccbreview.blogspot.com/search?q=imagination+station )? It's similar to the Magic Tree House books, but with a Christian slant; it's also more advanced than the original MTH books.
My son enjoyed the Landon Snow series, but I forget the author. Bill Meyers also has some fun books that are heavy on the humor. (There are a number of books in Meyer's series, but they are not sequential.) If your boys are more into fantasy, my son enjoyed Wayne Batson's "The Door Within" series. (Batson also has a pirate series. I've only read the first book in that series, but I liked it.) The Wilderking triology by Jonathan Rogers was absolutely delightful, and a HILARIOUS read-aloud. I personally enjoyed Kersten Hamilton's Caleb Pascal and the Peculiar People series. (CCBR has review of all the books in both those last two series.) Finally... and I'm highly prejudiced on this next recommendation... the boys I know enjoy the Meghan Rose series. It's sort of a Christian version of Junie B. Jones or Judy Moody. :)
Jessica,
Honestly? When I was a teen, I had a couple I babysat for (and they were Christian) and the father read their boys (who were probably 7 & 8 at the time) the Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien. (Of course, they LOVED LOTR!)
While not necessarily Christian, if you can get your hands on the ORIGINAL Hardy Boys books (and I'm not talking the revisions from the 1950s--the actual 1920s/1930s/1940s books--Frank and Joe Hardy are always a good option for boys. I'm not as familiar with them as I am with Nancy Drew, so I can't say much for a spiritual aspect, but there's usually something about Nancy going to church on Sundays in the originals--it's not much, but it's something.
There was a Viking series I reviewed a book out of last year I think... we did a few of the books. I think the main character was a girl, but there was a lot of scenes from boys' points of view... I can't remember the author, but I think the book I did was "The Mystery of the Silver Coins." That may be a good option.
From most of the accounts I've heard, boys are an under-served market right now... wish it wasn't the case. :/
Hi! We just started reading Louisa May Alcott's book, Little Men! It can get a little preachy, but my kids love it. My son (almost 8) has asked for it 3 nights in a row! The chapters stand alone pretty well, too. I think it was originally published as episodes in a magazine. Happy reading! Erin
A teacher or parent suggested I have my son read these magic tree house series to improve his reading ability. BAD IDEA! We have never read the Harry Potter series and steer clear of magic and witchcraft in stories.
Red Flag #1 Morgan le Fay sounds way to much like Anton la Vey the founder and leader of the "Church of Satan" #2 the "M" that lit up the tree house floor. It reminded me of the symbol the Masonic Temple uses in its lodge, also satanic. That was only 3 pages into the story. The whole story was starting to give me a bad feeling so we put the book down and went to the computer and found this site. What I found here confirmed my gut feeling.
I am so tired of children's literature and entertainment trying to manipulate and poison the minds and souls of our children. As a Christian parent, my kids are staying away from these books.
Anonymous, Morgan le Fay is a traditional part of the King Arthur stories...going back to the oldest versions. So there is no connection to Anton la Vey.
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