Christian alternatives to Goosebumps et al.?
HPrill
have him read Goosebumps and similar series. I dropped into a Christian
bookstore and saw that there are "Christian" series books. Can anyone
recommend any of these? Thanks.
Lois R. Markiewicz
are appealing to children interested in Goosebumps type of books. Bruce
considers himself a Christian and per Madeleine L'Engle "Christian art is
art that is done by Christians", IMO.
Lois
HPrill <hpr...@aol.com> wrote in article
<199807171804...@ladder03.news.aol.com>...
Bruce N. Hietbrink
Markiewicz" <lois.r.m...@unisys.com> wrote:
> While not specifically Christian, Bruce Coville has a number of books that
> are appealing to children interested in Goosebumps type of books. Bruce
> considers himself a Christian and per Madeleine L'Engle "Christian art is
> art that is done by Christians", IMO.
>
> Lois
>
I don't know if I'd agree with your interpretation of Madeline. Is
this a quote? The reason I ask is that her book _Walking on
Water: Reflections on Christianity and Art_ she spends the whole
book addressing the question of what it means to be a Christian
artist. Her thesis in that book is that Christian art is what
is produced when the artist follows the leading of the Spirit,
rather than trying to enforce their own ego on the work, no
matter what the artist's own faith happens to be. She gives
examples of artists from other faiths and also artists of horrid
personal character, who yet create very important art. Oh, somewhere
in the book she defines Christian art as "incarnational" and spends
some time developing what she means by that.
Bruce Hietbrink
Kidlibr
although I would put these at a higher reading level than Goosebumps. Also
very popular is the Wally McDougal series (this is the character's name not the
author's which, unfortunately, escapes me at the moment); this series has very
catchy cover art and titles such as "My Life as a Toasted Time Traveler", "My
Life as Reindeer Road Kill", "My Life as a Bigfoot Breath Mint", etc. Some
of the Christian series are very girl-oriented like the Mandie series and the
Grandma's Attic series. Also, I have heard (but haven't read first hand) that
the Trailblazer series (which is historical fiction with a Christian
underpinning) is very boring. Recently the Sugarcreek Gang Christian mystery
series was released with a more updated look----he may find these appealing
because of the suspence. If you homeschool you might try the Homeschool
Detectives series----not found very often in stores but available through
Christian Books Distributors by mail. A lot, though, will depend on his age
and reading level since most of these are aimed at fifth grade and up (although
a younger strong reader could enjoy them). If you try any of them or any
others write us back with his comments......Angela
Hardyboy01
http://members.aol.com/Hardyboy01/index.html
Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Tom Swift, Doc Savage & more!
100's Of Affordable Series Books & Collectibles For Sale.
Susan Harding
archaeologist who go on exotic adventures. For a while there were only 4 books,
but I heard he was writing more of them. (Then again, I heard he was dead, so go
figure.) I second the Wally McDougal series, though I can't remember the author
either (starts with a M? starts with a W? I sound like a bad psychic.) It's
funny and not overly didactic, which I find is sometimes a problem.
lvi...@cas.org
According to Hardyboy01 <hardy...@aol.com>:
:Can you please tell us what is not "Christian" about Goosebumps?
There are those of us, Christian or not, who prefer not to have our kids
reading about ghosts, ghouls, zombies, vampires, the undead, etc. Shrug.
As for series books Frank Peretti (spelling is wrong) has a series of mystery
books that are not bad. Corvell, which was mentioned earlier in the thread,
has a series of mysteries where the heros are a group of genius kids.
KA Applegate has the Animorph series which, while at times are a bit violent,
are quite popular (and are even spinning off into a tv series on Nickelodeon
in August). The Focus on the Family group has several series that I like -
the Adventures in Odeyssy ones i have read, but the others look interesting.
There is a series of books which, if you don't mind silliness, is fun - the
Sideways School series. If you don't mind the kids reading biting satire,
Roald Dahl's books, not technically a series, are all quite good (James and
the Giant Peach, Matilda, etc.).
--
<URL:mailto:lvi...@cas.org> Quote: In heaven, there is no panic,
<*> O- <URL:http://www.teraform.com/%7Elvirden/> only planning.
Unless explicitly stated to the contrary, nothing in this posting
should be construed as representing my employer's opinions.
PSierut
Roald Dahl's books, not technically a series, are all quite good (James and the
Giant Peach, Matilda, etc.).>>
Fascinating that Roald Dahl is now considered quite acceptable for kids. Back
in the 1970s there was a real uproar over his books (see the sniping back and
forth between Dahl and author/critic Eleanor Cameron which appeared in several
issues of the Horn Book during that era) Well, one thing that can be said for
Dahl is that his books are still being read twenty years later; Goosebumps
seems to be losing steam fast. (Though I expect there will be mini-revivals in
its popularity every now and then for many years into the future.)
Arthur Slade
>>There are those of us, Christian or not, who prefer not to have our >>kids reading about ghosts, ghouls, zombies, vampires, the undead, etc. Shrug
Though I understand people not wanting their children to read about
ghosts, there is unfortunately a "feeling" in certain parts of society
that horror writing such as Goosebumps (or my own series for that
matter) are somehow "pagan" or even anti-Christian. Of course, my
opinion is the opposite: what could be more Christian than a good `ol
story about good versus evil? I do feel sensitive when there is an
unspoken suggestion that "horror" writing is somehow morally wrong and
subversive. I, and many other writers in my genre, strive very hard to
write stories about young teens facing a "horrifying" situation and
using their wits and spiritual strength to emerge victorious.
Art
--
*******************
Arthur G. Slade
Author of Draugr and The Haunting of Drang Island (Orca Books)
"Fright" novels for young adults
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/2898
HPrill
> I do feel sensitive when there is an
>unspoken suggestion that "horror" writing is somehow morally wrong and
>subversive. I, and many other writers in my genre, strive very hard to
>write stories about young teens facing a "horrifying" situation and
>using their wits and spiritual strength to emerge victorious.
Your point is well taken. However, I am concerned as a parent about the deluge
of gruesome, supernatural stories that some kids are exposed to. (I haven't
read your books, so these comments may not apply to you at all.) I have no
general objection to books depicting frightening situations, as long as the
kids reading them are mature enough to handle them. As a Christian, I would
like my kids to read stories where Christian faith and positive values help the
protagonist overcome the problems presented in the story--and I'd like them to
be well-written stories. On the other hand, I don't intend to strictly limit
them to "Christian" series either.
Thanks to those who responded to my inquiry.
Kathy Bennett
>
> According to Hardyboy01 <hardy...@aol.com>:
> :Can you please tell us what is not "Christian" about Goosebumps?
>
> There are those of us, Christian or not, who prefer not to have our kids
>
><snip>
There is actually a series, called SPINECHILLERS, which is marketed as
the "Christian Alternative" to Goosebumps. I have read neither the
Goosebumps nor the Spinechillers series, so I can't comment on the
quality of the books, but I just thought I'd pass on the info.
Kathy Bennett
kben...@fidnet.com
Circle Time E-zine
reviews the best books for kids!
http://www.circletime.com
readre...@my-dejanews.com
children reading "horror" per se. But I do not like the
goosebump books. I am afraid I am judging them on two books that
oldest son and I read together. I didn't like the way parents
were portrayed in either books. They were portrayed as stupid
and uncaring. Just not realistic in terms of how our family
relates to one another.
And in the mask II I think it was. The boy breaks into the
basement store and steals a mask. He plans on leaving money for
the mask but doesn't. Figures no one's around so he might as
well grab it. I don't like reading that to my son. He's too
young at this point to realize it is just a story and that you
can't do that in real life or even think about doing that in real
life.
Lea
Arthur Slade wrote:
>
> "Can you please tell us what is not "Christian" about Goosebumps?"
>
> >>There are those of us, Christian or not, who prefer not to have our >>kids reading about ghosts, ghouls, zombies, vampires, the undead, etc. Shrug
>
> Though I understand people not wanting their children to read about
> ghosts, there is unfortunately a "feeling" in certain parts of society
> that horror writing such as Goosebumps (or my own series for that
> matter) are somehow "pagan" or even anti-Christian. Of course, my
> opinion is the opposite: what could be more Christian than a good `ol
> story about good versus evil? I do feel sensitive when there is an
> unspoken suggestion that "horror" writing is somehow morally wrong and
> subversive. I, and many other writers in my genre, strive very hard to
> write stories about young teens facing a "horrifying" situation and
> using their wits and spiritual strength to emerge victorious.
>
Arthur Slade
> children reading "horror" per se. But I do not like the
> goosebump books. I am afraid I am judging them on two books that
> oldest son and I read together. I didn't like the way parents
> were portrayed in either books. They were portrayed as stupid
> and uncaring. Just not realistic in terms of how our family
> relates to one another.
I don't enjoy Goosebumps either for a variety of reasons (too many to
list here), I was just trying to point out my belief that "horror" is
not an anti-christian or amoral genre in general. It's just another
genre that people will either like or not like.
Susan Harding
(NOT for children) which was one of the scariest books I have read in a
long time, but also one of the most beautiful and compelling in its
imagery, and one with a definite moral viewpoint. As for Goosebumps, I
don't think they're necessarily anti-Christian, but they are dull,
repetitive, and sloppily written, which is enough of a moral objection
for me.
Gwen A Orel
: I enjoy horror books myself. so I don't have a problem with my
: children reading "horror" per se. But I do not like the
: goosebump books. I am afraid I am judging them on two books that
: oldest son and I read together. I didn't like the way parents
: were portrayed in either books. They were portrayed as stupid
: and uncaring. Just not realistic in terms of how our family
: relates to one another.
You know, when I was a kid, that was my pet peeve with so many
books involving magic or the supernatural-- the parents could
*never* understand or believe, they didn't even try.
There was one book, _Timothy and Two Witches_, where the
boy's mother had known the witch (who seems like a young woman)
Melinda in *her* youth, Melinda was kind of a family friend.
It was such a treat!
The convention in Mary Poppins, etc., is the parents = no imagination.
Too bad.
Gwen
--
"Live as one already dead." --Japanese saying
If one tells the truth one is sure, sooner or later, to be found out.
--Oscar Wilde
KimFore
>books involving magic or the supernatural-- the parents could
>*never* understand or believe, they didn't even try.
That's why the rare exception is always such a nice treat. In "Poor Tom's
Ghost" by Jane Louise Curry, the parents (and one is even a step-parent!) are
right in the thick of things. And at the end... (SPOILER ALERT--I'LL SKIP DOWN
SEVERAL SPACES FOR THOSE WHO MAY WANT TO READ THIS BOOK THEMSELVES)
....the parents are instrumental in figuring out what happened with the
haunting of their house, without the usual protests and pretenses that they
must have just imagined it or whatever. It's a wonderful ghost story/time
travel book, by the way--I highly recommend it.
Kim in California, whose boss thinks she's working...
James D. Keeline
>
> >You know, when I was a kid, that was my pet peeve with so many
> >books involving magic or the supernatural-- the parents could
> >*never* understand or believe, they didn't even try.
>
> That's why the rare exception is always such a nice treat.
>
Another interesting exception is Edward Ormondroyd's TIME AT THE TOP
and ALL IN GOOD TIME. In it, the girl's father actively participates
in the time travel adventure.
James
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Katherine Rossner
>You know, when I was a kid, that was my pet peeve with so many
>books involving magic or the supernatural-- the parents could
>*never* understand or believe, they didn't even try.
Whereas I think it was one of the things I liked most about such
books: the parents' complete lack of interest/comprehension reflected
my own experience rather well...
Katherine Rossner
Autoreply will not work. Replies to ookpik (at) mindspring (dot) com, please.
Lenci Doll
always loved John Bellairs' books....they were all pretty spooky, and had
a lot more in the way of plot/interest/character development than the
Goosebumps books seem to have....though there weren't as many of them, and
they might be on a higher reading level....
Good luck.
Marseille
mb...@wam.umd.edu
Wendy E. Betts
Lenci Doll <mb...@wam.umd.edu> wrote:
>I don't know what you all are considering Christian alternatives, but I
>always loved John Bellairs' books....they were all pretty spooky, and had
>a lot more in the way of plot/interest/character development than the
>Goosebumps books seem to have....though there weren't as many of them, and
>they might be on a higher reading level....
I suspect Bellairs wouldn't appeal to those seeking Christian books
because of the strong emphasis on the occult. They are however very
moral books, in the sense that they involve battles between good and
evil and conscious decision making by the characters about moral
choices. I hope that doesn't make them sound unbelievably dull, but in
my experience, fantasy and horror books that take a moral stance are
always the most interesting.
--
Wendy E. Betts, Editor, "Notes from the Windowsill." web at armory.com
"among them was a particularly hideous little monster, a so-called
book grump...these little spirits normally spend their lives grumping
about books. Research has not yet determined why such creatures exist."
Ernest Sjogren
>There's also the Cooper Kids Adventures by Frank Peretti--they're children of an
>archaeologist who go on exotic adventures. For a while there were only 4 books,
>but I heard he was writing more of them. (Then again, I heard he was dead, so go
>figure.) I second the Wally McDougal series, though I can't remember the author
>either (starts with a M? starts with a W? I sound like a bad psychic.) It's
>funny and not overly didactic, which I find is sometimes a problem.
>
I would not recommend Cooper Kids if the one I read (the title of
which escapes me) is at all representative. Christian or not, the
father has a reckless disregard for the safety of his children that
made my blood boil. This man was supposed to be a role model? Not in
my book. You would do well to read the books before you give them to
your child, if other series are like Peretti's.
-- Ernie Sjogren
Ernest Sjogren
>gao...@pitt.edu (Gwen A Orel) wrote:
>
>>You know, when I was a kid, that was my pet peeve with so many
>>books involving magic or the supernatural-- the parents could
>>*never* understand or believe, they didn't even try.
>
>Whereas I think it was one of the things I liked most about such
>books: the parents' complete lack of interest/comprehension reflected
>my own experience rather well...
>
Seems to me that "adult as unfeeling clod" (or even "monster," as with
Roald Dahl, often) is attractive to children for just the reason you
state. Like PSierut I was surprised to see Dahl recommended in this
thread -- scores of librarians, teachers, and book reviewers in the
sixites and seventies would not have agreed at all. FWIW, I think
Dahl exaggerates to make a point, and his point is well taken by
children. We adults aren't always as wonderful as children want and
need us to be, not to mention that some adults are nasty, and the
little egoists resent it.
However, I don't disagree with Gwen A. Orel, either, as so often in
childrens' books the stupidity of adults is _unbelievable_ -- which,
to my mind is more the result of a writer's not caring enough about
his or her audience to depict a credible character.
Of course, often we adults are distracted and rather obtuse, but not
usually, as in many kids' books, when we have our noses rubbed in it,
as I think GAO was perhaps describing.
And there are those wonderful books where the child protagonist
convincingly comes to learn, as the book progresses, that perhaps his
(or her) parent was not quite so utterly stupid as he (or she) seemed.
:)
-- Ernie Sjogren
Ernest Sjogren
>My son is becoming interested in series books, and I would really rather not
>have him read Goosebumps and similar series. I dropped into a Christian
>bookstore and saw that there are "Christian" series books. Can anyone
>recommend any of these? Thanks.
Do you prefer not to have your son read these books because you _know_
they are objectionable, or has someone simply warned you about them?
Trust your own opinion, not someone else's. It only takes an hour or
so to read one of them.
If you must listen to others, only, be sure that they themselves know
what they're talking about. I've been warned about several books or
tv shows that not only did I find passable when I read or viewed them
but that the person who warned my obviously knew _nothing_ about --
had unquestionably never read or viewed himself.
Personally I wasn't impressed very favorably by the 1/2 of a
_Goosebumps_ I read, but I would have allowed my children to read it.
-- Ernie Sjogren
Ernest Sjogren
Witches, by Kate Gilmore. A very charming and well told book, if you
don't mind witches.
-- Ernie Sjogren
kim...@aol.com (KimFore) wrote:
>>You know, when I was a kid, that was my pet peeve with so many
>>books involving magic or the supernatural-- the parents could
>>*never* understand or believe, they didn't even try.
>
>That's why the rare exception is always such a nice treat. In "Poor Tom's
>Ghost" by Jane Louise Curry, the parents (and one is even a step-parent!) are
>right in the thick of things. And at the end... (SPOILER ALERT--I'LL SKIP DOWN
>SEVERAL SPACES FOR THOSE WHO MAY WANT TO READ THIS BOOK THEMSELVES)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>....the parents are instrumental in figuring out what happened with the
>haunting of their house, without the usual protests and pretenses that they
>must have just imagined it or whatever. It's a wonderful ghost story/time
>travel book, by the way--I highly recommend it.
>
Leah M. Oppenheim
> hpr...@aol.com (HPrill) wrote:
>
> >My son is becoming interested in series books, and I would really rather not
> >have him read Goosebumps and similar series. I dropped into a Christian
> >bookstore and saw that there are "Christian" series books. Can anyone
> >recommend any of these? Thanks.
Unfortunately, my recommendation wont' help you much, since these are
unabashedly "girl" books (I nod to the thread on which this was debated,
but if you can get your son to read books about girls in the nineteenth
century, I'll be very impressed): Arleta Richardson's "Stories from
Grandma's Attic" series. Parents of daughters/enlightened sons should
check them out; they're not heavy-handed with Christian values (in fact, I
am Jewish, and my very Jewish mother bought these books for me at our
local Christian bookstore) but the values are certainly there.
A sidenote: the literary quality is also, if I remember correctly, a
damn sight higher than Goosebumps. Like that's hard. . .
Leah
*********************************************************************
The difference between us. . . that makes me an executive and you a writer, is that I have to work from knowing and you have to work from not knowing.
--E.L. Konigsburg, "Father's Arcane Daughter"
jly...@atl.mindspring.com
le...@earthlink.net (Leah M. Oppenheim) wrote:
> A sidenote: the literary quality is also, if I remember correctly, a
> damn sight higher than Goosebumps. Like that's hard. . .
The "supernatural" part of Goosebumps has never turned me off, although I
have never been a fan of any type of horror, but I've paged through these
books occasionally and wonder at the appeal: at that age I was reading
Black Beauty and Beautiful Joe and Rebecca and Donna Parker; the simplicity
of the GB prose would have turned me off immediately.
And are those GB parents ALWAYS that clueless? Ye gods...
Linda
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