These family-friendly books have been divided into categories. Use the Table of Contents to jump to the desired category. It is recommended that you review books before letting your child read them.
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Table of Contents
Audiobooks
Free Audible Trial: Prefer listening to reading? Then Audible is your way to go.
Christy Unabridged Audiobook on CD >> Amazon
Biography
Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story
Gifted Hands, Revised Kids Edition: The Ben Carson Story
I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World (Young Readers Edition)
Lightkeepers Boys Box Set: Ten Boys
Lightkeepers Girls Box Set: Ten Girls
No Better Friend: Young Readers Edition: A Man, a Dog, and Their Incredible True Story of Friendship and Survival in World War II
Ten Boys Who Changed the World (Lightkeepers)
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader’s Edition: Based on a true story
The Long Walk to Water Based on a true story
The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
Trailblazer Americans Box Set 7 (Trail Blazers)
Trailblazer Heroes & Heroines Box Set 5
Unbroken (The Young Adult Adaptation): An Olympian’s Journey from Airman to Castaway to Captive
Books for Teen Boys
7 Men: And the Secret of their Greatness
An Elephant in the Garden Based on a true story
Chronicles of Narnia Box Set A C.S. Lewis Classic
George Washington’s Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the World
- Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War That Changed American History
- Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans: The Battle That Shaped America’s Destiny
How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading
Lightkeepers Boys Box Set: Ten Boys
Lord of the Rings A Tolkien classic!
Rush Revere Set Patriotic series for children and teens
Ten Boys Who Changed the World (Lightkeepers)
The Boy Scout Handbook, 1st Edition
The Dream Giver Part parable, part inspiration, this book will inspire teens and adults alike!
The Giver: A Newbery Award Winner
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens
The Hobbit A Tolkien classic!
The Long Walk to Water Based on a true story
Shaken: Fighting to Stand Strong No Matter What Comes Your Way
Shaken (Young Reader’s Edition): Fighting to Stand Strong No Matter What Comes Your Way by Tim Tebow (football player)
Treasure Island >> Book / Comprehensive Guide
Wild at Heart (Adult preview suggested, as some parts may not be deemed appropriate for certain ages)
You Have a Brain: A Teen’s Guide to T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G.
Books for Teen Girls
Hitty: Her First Hundred Years Travel through time with Hitty, the doll
Lightkeepers Girls Box Set: Ten Girls
Millie Keith Series A favorite series for girls! Christian series based in 1800’s
The Complete Works of Jane Austen
The Giver: A Newbery Award Winner
You Have a Brain: A Teen’s Guide to T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G.
Children’s Books
ABC Redwoods: Discover life in the Redwoods (See also Colors Redwoods: colors throughout the Redwoods)
A is for Annabelle: A Doll’s Alphabet by Tasha Tudor
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in 20 Minutes a Day
A Year At Maple Hill Farm by Tasha Tudor
Baby Einstein Playful Discoveries >> ChristianBook / Board Book Set
Character Quest: A twenty-nine track story and song collection about building Godly character. Includes Speak, Lord, Faithful Friend, You Go First, and more. >> ChristianBook
Corgiville Fair by Tasha Tudor
Cowardly Clyde A book about courage
Down The Colorado The discovery of the Colorado River
Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall: I love children’s books with captivating storylines and illustrations, and this book has both. The story is told in one sentence (one loooong sentence!), and the illustrations are incredibly unique, and so much fun to learn about. The jacket cover is different than the cover of the actual book. This was a fun surprise to discover. I shared this book with my teens and they loved it, too. This is a book that will be passed down for generations.
Good Night Redwoods: explore the Redwoods
Gramma’s Stories and Rhymes for Little Christians
Grandma’s Attic Treasury A family favorite!
Henry Builds a Cabin Based on the life of Henry David Thoreau
If You Go Down to the Woods Today
Just In Case You Ever Feel Alone
Kamishibai Man A Japanese story
Red Knit Cap Girl and the Reading Tree Colorful pictures!
Redwoods: an extraordinary trip to the great ancient forests
Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrams A patriotic series for children and teens
Tall Tall Tree: a tribute to the last remaining old-growth redwood forests
The Children’s Object Book A beautifully illustrated book from the 1800’s
The Complete Adventures of the Borrowers A delightful series of children’s books
The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings A classic by J. R. R. Tolkien
The Little House by Virginia Burton >> ChristianBook / Amazon
The Wind in the Willows A children’s classic
This Land Is Your Land: based on the beloved song
Sing a Song of Seasons: A Nature Poem for Each Day of the Year
Winnie The Pooh A join Pooh bear and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood
Sir Cumference and the First Round Table Making math fun!
Slow Down: 50 Mindful Moments in Nature Fun and colorful nature scenes
Who Pooped in the Redwoods: skat and track for kids
Christmas
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
A Treasury of Christmas Stories and Songs
Jotham’s Journey A favorite Christmas Advent Adventure Read-aloud!
The Birds’ Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin: I read this aloud to my teens in January (we ran out of time in December) and we loved it! It was such a touching story, and was filled with humor. We laughed and laughed. A fast and fun read for all ages! Perfect for a family read aloud.
The Life of Our Lord: Written for His Children During the Years 1846 to 1849
The Mitten by Jim Aylesworth A classic! I you have not read this version of the book, you are in for a treat.
The Night Before Christmas Pop-Up Makes a great Christmas coffee table book
The Nutcracker A Christmas classic!
Classics
The Complete Works of Jane Austen A Classic book set
The Real Mother Goose >> ChristianBook / Amazon
The Secret Garden: Read-With-Me Edition >> ChristianBook / Amazon
The Wind in the Willows A children’s classic!
Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington An autobiography
Devotional
Daily Joy: A Devotional For Each Day of the Year Daily joy inspiration
Devotions from the Garden: Finding Peace and Rest from Your Hurried Life Daily inspiration from the garden
Thoughts for Young Men Inspiration for boys
Read Post: 12 Latter-Day Saint Books That Draw You Closer To Christ
Family
Catch the Vision of The Well-Educated Heart: Volume One: Philosophy A philosophy of learning
The Lifegiving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming Create new home and family traditions
The Lifegiving Table: Nurturing Faith through Feasting, One Meal at a Time Learn how to make gathering around the table more meani
Finance
A Generous Life by David Green (Hobby Lobby Founder)
Generous Kids: How to Raise Financially Responsible Children and Open the Storehouses of Heaven
Giving It All Away…and Getting It Back Again: The Way of Living Generously by David Green (Hobby Lobby Founder)
Tuttle Twin Series For Kids
Health
Master Recipes from the Herbal Apothecary: 375 Tinctures, Salves, Teas, Capsules, Oils, and Washes for Whole-Body Health and Wellness
Historical Fiction
George Washington’s Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the World
- Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War That Changed American History
- Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans: The Battle That Shaped America’s Destiny
Hitty: Her First Hundred Years Travel through history with a doll and her many adventures
Patterns on the Wall Post-colonial days in New Hampshire
Rush Revere Series An adventure series
The Last Bookshop In London WWII adventure and (mild and clean) romance
History
1984 by George Orwell Dystopian novel
Abraham Lincoln by Wilbur F. Gordy (Highly recommend!!)
Adam’s Synchronological Chart or Map of History Popular chart for wall or table
Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery by Eric Metaxas
An Elephant in the Garden Based on a true story
Animal Farm Dystopian novel
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley Dystopian novel
Fahrenheit 451 Dystopian novel
First Principles: What America’s Founders Learned from the Greeks and Romans and How That Shaped Our Country
If You Can Keep It: The Forgotten Promise of American Liberty
Illustrated Uncle Tom’s Cabin and the Emancipation Proclamation: With 120 illustrations
Irena’s Children: A True Story of Courage
Irena’s Children: Young Readers Edition; A True Story of Courage
Joan of Arc by Mark Twain The life of Joan of Arc
Martin Luther by Eric Metaxas The life of Martin Luther
Martin Luther: His Life and Work ChristianBook
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius Classic inspiration
Never give in : the extraordinary character of Winston Churchill by Stephen Mansfield (Internet Archive)
Teaching Children the 28 Principles of Liberty: Principles from W. Cleon Skousen’s The 5000 Year Leap Wonderful history lessons for children
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin A favorite!
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader’s Edition: Based on a true story
The House by the Lake: One House, Five Families, and a Hundred Years of German History A favorite!
The Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer
The Long Walk to Water Based on a true story
The Pilgram Hypothesis by Timothy Ballard
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Tuttle Twin Series For Kids
Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington
Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language
Witness by Whittaker Chambers (Cold War classic)
Read Post: How History Helps Overcome Feelings of Hopelessness
Nature
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer A series of thought-provoking essays
Nature’s Engraver: A Life of Thomas Bewick by Jenny Uglow: An engaging biography, Thomas Bewick’s life story was as fascinating to me as are his famous woodcuts. I enjoyed hearing more about what life was like in England during the American Revolutionary War.:
Winter is Coming by Tony Johnston
My Wild Garden: Notes from a Writer’s Eden: I flipped through its pages at the library a few weeks ago and knew this book belonged in my home library. What a treasure it is! It’s part personal essays about the author’s life and part gardening book. The drawings and paintings inside the book are absolutely delightful.
Hospitality
The Turquoise Table: Finding Community and Connection in Your Own Front Yard
Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect
Read Post: 12 Creative Ways to Help God Work in our Neighborhoods
Read Aloud
An Old-Fashioned Girl: My son loves the book, thanks to good ‘ol Tom, who is quite the character! All my children love the story for the character lessons they are learning from sweet Polly.
Charlotte’s Web A children’s favorite
Chicken Soup For The Soul: The Dog Did What? >> ChristianBook / Amazon
Hitty: Her First Hundred Years: The life’s journey of a doll throughout the decades
Major Works of Charles Dickens
Swiss Family Robison A classic adventure!
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
The Complete Works of Jane Austen
The Long Walk to Water Based on a true story
Treasure Island >> Book / Comprehensive Guide
Relationships
199 Fun Family Activities >> ChristianBook / Amazon
35 Ways A Wife Can Bless Her Husband ChristianBook
BondsThat Make Us Free by C. Terry Warner
How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Romanced to Death by Paul de Parrie : A fascinating, and occasionally disturbing, look into the sexual seduction of American culture. I learned so much from the information shared and wish every adult would read this book!
This is Where You Belong by Melody Warnick: This book inspired me to put forth the effort to learn to love where I live. The author shared her personal journey of learning to love her small town using eleven key suggestions for engaging with one’s community. The eleven suggestions, each with their own chapter, spoke to me and inspired me to take action. A practical and engaging book!
World War II
An Elephant in the Garden Based on a true story
Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl Classic
No Better Friend: Young Readers Edition: A Man, a Dog, and Their Incredible True Story of Friendship and Survival in World War II
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom Classic
The Keeper of the Bees by Gene Stratton-Porter Classic: The story of a wounded man during WWI who found physical and emotional restoration and healing through nature, his relationship with others, and beekeeping. I learned many fascinating things about bees. The last chapters in the book reveal important truths about identity; what was shared was profound. This book had an enormous impact me due to the life lessons that were sprinkled throughout the story.
The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin Novel: A clean and engaging book that had me caught up in life London during WWII. The love story between the characters was endearing. These are the types of books our teens should be reading–books full of character and positive role models. Highly recommend!
The Sisters of Auschwitz by Roxane van Iperen: Two sisters who joined the Dutch Resistance during WWII, saved many lives, and were captured by the Nazis was filled with the love of family, suspense, and surprises. I enjoyed learning more about the role Denmark played during the war.
Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel’s Classroom A page-turner, filled will relative advice for our day.
Self-Improvement
Flourish: How The Love Of Christ Frees Us From Self-Focus >> ChristianBook / Amazon
How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading
How To Be Unlucky: Reflections on the Pursuit of Virtue
Read Post: 21 Mental Health Self-Care Tips: What is your Cow?
Leisure–The Basis of Culture and the Philosophical Act: One of the most important philosophy titles published in the twentieth century, Josef Pieper’s Leisure, the Basis of Culture is more significant, even more crucial, today than it was when it first appeared more than fifty years ago. >> ChristianBook
Love What Lasts: How to Save Your Soul From Mediocrity
Think Big: Unleashing Your Potential for Excellence
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens
Read Post: Choose To Rest: 5 Rigorous Forms of Rest
Create healthy technology habits in your life and in the lives of your children using these recommended family-friendly resources.
Grab your FREE Printable🔽🔽🔽
8 Quotes to Inspire Healthy Technology Habits
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Open Doors
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The Miracle of Affliction
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Additional Resources
Reading Gear
Handmade Natural Walnut Thumb Bookmark
Rechargeable Book Lights (for the whole family!)
Rotating Book Stand for Reading
Book-Related Posts
Games
Wildcraft: An Herbal Adventure Game Wildly popular with children and teens alike!
Tenzi The game of numbers
Yahtzee Great for math practice!
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