Kid's Corner & Youth Zone
This page is for youth and parents. This page is a place to find resources for youth. There will also be comments on books and other materials for parents and children to look through and study. There is also a resource list of Christian music alternatives to the contemporary artists in the secular charts, as well as a list of those current popular artists in mainstream music that are Christian. This site will also contain information about current movies for children that are coming out which are Christian-oriented.
Books
There are many Authors and books out in stores now that are very dark and deal with subjects and viewpoints that you might not want your children to read. Here are a few good authors that are either Christian or write books that deal with worthwhile subjects.
| Books and Authors to look for when getting books for your youth |
|
C. S. Lewis - Chronicles of Narnia(7 book series) Madeline L' Engle - A Wrinkle In Time, A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters, and others Lois Lowry - Number The Stars , The Giver and others Patrick Carman - Beyond the Valley of Thorns and many other books These books are similar to the Ember series below and the Narnia series. Their are fantasy elements to these stories, but there is a good message behind the story. Jeanne Duprau - The Book of Ember Series- City of Ember, People of Sparks, Prophet of Yonwood, and Diamond of Darkhold (This book series is a great story carried through various adventures of 10 to 15 year children. The books, while not specifically Christian, carry some life lessons that everyone needs to learn. Themes of forgiveness, acceptance, responsibility, and others run throughout the book series. Even adults can enjoy this lively set of stories. Look for the movie coming out in October.) Kate DiCamillo - Because of Winn-Dixie, Tales of Desperaux, and others Irene Hunt - Across Five Aprils Marion Dane Bauer - On My Honor Louis Sachar - Holes Elizabeth George Speare - The Sign of the Beaver
Other Books: Bridge to Teribithia The Whipping Boy Left Behind series for Kids Other Authors: Rebecca St. James DC Talk Max Lucado Frank Perreti (books for Kids) Books for Older Youth When God Writes Your Love Story & Faithfully - Eric & Leslie Ludy I Kissed Dating Goodbye and other books by Joshua Harris Under God & Jesus Freaks compiled by DC Talk Sister Freaks compiled by Rebecca St. James and DC Talk The Narrow Road by Brother Andrew Shine by Newsboys |
Music
To Parents and youth viewing this page,
The music in the mainstream market is in the midst of a struggle. Many Christian Music artists are making the crossover to public radio and the mainstream market. In response, the secular mainstream artists have begun to grow more deceptive in their lyrics at times, but others have grown more destructive and dirty. The lists below gives names of artists and groups that have a Christian message and will not corrupt the listener with suggestive and/or destructive messages and themes. The lists give the non-Christian artists of certain styles in bold and Christian alternatives to those styles below in Italics. This list is to show that the style of music is not the problem. The problem is the artist behind the music. These are artists who have made a decision to use what God gave them for His Glory not their own.
Current Christian artists in the mainstream market:
Switchfoot, POD, Thousand Foot Krutch, Seventh Day Slumber, Kids In The Way, Underoath, Pillar, Falling Up, Brian Littrel, Kirk Franklin, Hawk Nelson
Rap alternatives to Eminem, Fiftycent, and Nelly
Christian rappers : KJ-52, John Rueben, Grits, Toby Mac, Souljahz, T-Bone
Pop alternatives to Los Lonely Boys, Jesse McCartney, Black Eyed Peas
Christian Pop artists: Plus One, Casting Crowns, Newsboys, Jars of Clay, Rebecca St. James, Jaci Valasquez, Salvador, Aaron Shust, Brian Littrel, Nicole C. Mullen, Kirk Franklin, Ginny Owens, Andrae Crouch, Bethany Dillon, Josh Wilson, Matt Mahr
Rock/Alternative Alternatives to Creed, Nickelback
Christian Rockers: Todd Agnew, Jeremy Camp, Third Day, Tait, Barlowgirl, Superchick, Kutless, Building 429, Jeremy Riddle, Downhere, Britt Nicole
Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Alternatives to Ozzy, Hoobastank
Christian Hard Rock/ Heavy Metal Artists: Pillar, Sanctus Real, Falling Up,
Hawk Nelson, Dizmas, Decyphyr Down, FM Static, Story Side B, Disciple
Movies
The City of Ember
This movie from Walden Media is the latest of the books being made into movies. The movie may be a little much for real young children, but, if it is like the book, most children should be very interested and not get scared by anything that goes on in the movie. To learn more read the caption about the Book of Ember series above or search Walden Media's Website.
Other Titles to Watch for in Stores Now
Prince Caspian
The next book in the Chronicles of Narnia series will soon be out in stores. Like the first movie, this looks to be a visually impressive movie with a strong, uplifting message. The first movie held to the book storyline well, and this movie looks to do the same.
Hometown Legend Dreamer Joshua Iron Will Secret Garden Back to the Secret Garden The Nativity Story
Second Chance Facing the Giants SpiderMan 3 Holes (based on book by Louis Sachar) Charlotte's Web (based on book by E.B. White)
Finding Neverland (based on origin of Peter Pan) Because of Winn-Dixie (based on book by Kate Dicamillo) Bridge to Terabithia (based on book by Katherine Patterson)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (based on book by Roald Dahl) The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (based on book by C. S. Lewis)
.
Other
Helpful Resources
For the parents looking for a good resource for children approaching dating age, here are a few good authors to look for is Joshua Harris( I Kissed Dating Goodbye and others), Rebecca St. James, Eric and Leslie Ludy, and Lauren Winner. I Kissed Dating Goodbye has received high praise from all I know that have read it. I have also known it, as well as Harris' other books, to be recommended by many youth leaders and pastors.
Websites to go to for resources
Crossings.COM - This is a source for Christian books, but you must agree to buying 4 books at regular prices within a 2 to 3 year span.
Christianbook.com - This is a Christian resource site. This site carries movies, music, books, and many other Christian products. There is no membership agreement, but everything must be paid for prior to receiving the order.
Interlinc.com This is a resource link for those from college age group and down.
Radrockers.com This is a resource space for those of the older crowd to find music greats from Petra to Bloodgood. This site also has a comparison chart between 80's and early 90's secular artists and Christian artists from the same time period.
Sound-and-spirit.com This is the link to the Christian version of Columbia House Music Club. The club is a pretty good set up. Being apart of it opens access to some artists that might not be found in local store
www.Ichthus.org This Link connects you to the homepage for the Christian Music Festival now being held in June instead of April. This also gives information about other events and programs Ichthus ministries is connected with.
www.Air1.com Website for
national contemporary Christian music radio station- This site can be used to
get information about artists and music as well as playing the radio over
internet. Music ranges from past to current; from praise and worship to hard
rock/heavymetal.
www.k-love.org Website for national
contemporary Christian music radio station- This site like Air1.com is a
Christian music site that has live internet radio, but the music played does not
include the hard rock/heavymetal selections.