Several years ago, I read an impactful booked called “Playing for Keeps,” by Reggie Joiner and Kristen Ivy. It has significantly influenced how I parent as well as how I lead programs for the next generation at my church. The premise of this book states that kids (all kids) need six specific things over time. I’m sure there could be more, but “Playing for Keeps” created a helpful list of six. Here’s what they are:
In future articles, I’ll unpack the different needs, but for this post, let’s talk about stories. All kids need stories over time. What does that mean exactly?
The authors wrote, “Stories over time move us to imagine a world beyond ourselves.”
Stories are really important, and they are not just for kids. Have you ever noticed who Jesus taught some of his most significant truths through parables. Somehow, ideas just make more sense when told through a story.
In light of our current reality, stories can (and should) be a priority. Obviously, we have a lot more time together right now, but with all the changes impacting everyone, the stories we read, the stories we tell and the stories we listen to will help your kids get a bigger perspective. Stories help kids process the bigger world around them. More importantly, stories may help give kids and teenagers a context for a time when things won’t feel strange or scary anymore.
To help, here is a list of 50 books you might read to or with your kids:
Preschool
Feelings By Aliki
The Hat By Jan Brett
The Little House By Virginia Lee Burton
Stellaluna By Janell Cannon
The Monster At The End Of This Book By Jon Stone
Corduroy (Series) By Don Freeman
Pete The Cat (Series) By Eric Litwin And James Dean
Make Way For Ducklings By Robert Mccloskey
Little Critter (Series) By Mercer Mayer
Curious George By H.A. Rey And Margret Rey
Younger Elementary School
Beforever (Series) By American Girl
Cam Jansen And The Mystery Of The Babe Ruth Baseball By David A. Adler
Fly Guy (Series) By Tedd Arnold
Ivy + Bean (Series) By Annie Barrows
Freckle Juice Fudge-a-mania By Judy Blume
The Family Under The Bridge By Natalie Savage Carlson
Henry Huggins (Series) By Beverly Cleary
The Mouse And The Motorcycle By Beverly Cleary
Mercy Watson (Series) By Kate Dicamillo
The Tale Of Despereaux By Kate Dicamillo
Older Elementary School
The Indian In The Cupboard By Lynn Reid Banks
El Deafo By Cece Bell
Walk Two Moons By Sharon Creech
How To Train Your Dragon (Series) By Cressida Cowell
My Side Of The Mountain By Jean Craighead George
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid (Series) By Jeff Kinney
Anne Of Green Gables (Series) By L. M. Montgomery
Percy Jackson (Series) By Rick Riordan
The Invention Of Hugo Cabret By Brian Selznick
Wonderstruck By Brian Selznick
Junior High School
The True Confessions Of Charlotte Doyle By Avi
Al Capone Does My Shirts (Series) By Gennifer Choldenko
Out Of My Mind By Sharon Draper
Princess Academy (Series) By Shannon Hale
The Outsiders By S.E. Hinton
The Thing About Luck By Cynthia Kadohata
An American Plague: The True And Terrifying Story Of The Yellow Fever Epidemic Of 1793 By Jim Murphy
Eragon (Series) By Christopher Paolini
Jacob Have I Loved By Katherine Paterson
The Hobbit By J.R.R. Tolkien
High School
Uncle Tom’s Cabin By Harriet Beecher Stowe
Girl With A Pearl Earring By Tracy Chevalier
Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass By Frederick Douglass
The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Kite Runner By Khaled Hosseini
A Prayer For Owen Meany By John Irving
The Life Of Pi By Yann Martel
The Lovely Bones By Alice Sebold
The Art Of Racing In The Rain By Garth Stein
The Color Purple By Alice Walker
NextGen Pastor at MISSION Community Church
Leading in Children’s Ministry since 1997, Kenny Conley has been the NextGen Pastor (supporting youth, kids, and families) at MISSION Community Church since 2016. Kenny and his wife, Sara, live in Gilbert, AZ, and have three children (Titus, Genevieve, and Elle). Kenny loves hiking, watching movies and is always on the lookout for the perfect burger.