The best fiction books to encourage Christian teens in their faith

Why am I passionate about this?

Hey there, readers! One afternoon during my children’s naptime, I read a couldn’t-put-it-down young adult adventure story. It totally drew me in, but as much as I enjoyed it, I distinctly wished it had included Christian morals. The goal of my writing is to give God glory and encourage readers to grow in their faith. My hope is that seeing relatable characters choosing to let God’s light shine through them, even during hard situations, will inspire readers to trust God and strengthen their faith. Be inspired along with me when the characters in this book list courageously make the right choice.


I wrote...

Avalanche

By M. Liz Boyle,

Book cover of Avalanche

What is my book about?

Excitement hangs in the air as Marlee and her sisters join their friends on a daring hike up a Colorado mountain – in the middle of the night. When Sawyer first proposes the idea of a moonlit summit during the two families’ annual backpacking trip, Marlee is terrified but also hooked. Having grown up taking trips to the mountains, they’ve learned a thing or two about hiking, and Sawyer is confident they'll be back by sunrise. But when disaster strikes, their knowledge, faith, and stamina will be put to the test. Digging out of the snow is the first of many challenges, and now Marlee has to trust Sawyer, who was the brain behind the dilemma. Will their faith and friendship survive, or will they cave?

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Perfect Blindside

M. Liz Boyle Why did I love this book?

Looking for the perfect blend of friendship, adventure, and mystery?

The characters in The Perfect Blindside are lovable and realistic, and the book kept me turning pages way past my bedtime.

Jake’s and Sophie’s points of view are thoroughly enjoyable, and the snowboarding and hiking scenes made me feel like I was part of the fun. I love the Christian values and that Jake and Sophie are committed to making positive decisions.

When they stumble upon a drug trafficking ring, can they bring the truth to light? Will their rocky friendship be strengthened or smothered?

For readers 12 and up, I highly recommend this Christian mystery!

By Leslea Wahl,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Perfect Blindside as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

He's an egotistical snowboarder with a silver medal.

She's a judgmental honors student with a flair for photography.

Slashed tires.... False accusations.... A coded message.... When all they can see is each other's flaws, how can Jake and Sophie work together to figure out what's really been happening at the abandoned gold mine?

Follow Sophie and Jake into secret tunnels as they unravel the mystery and challenge each other to become who God wants them to be.

The Perfect Blindside is a Christian teen winter fiction novel about using your gifts and talents to lead others to God. This teen…


Book cover of Speak Your Mind

M. Liz Boyle Why did I love this book?

Speak Your Mind is a middle-grade/young adult book to read, learn from, discuss, reread, and start a book club with!

Victoria is exceedingly shy and has to overcome anxiety to be assertive. To top it off, Ms. Markovich singles out Victoria and verbally bullies her, paving the way for students to bully her.

At the story’s climax, Victoria needs to summon every ounce of her faith to speak the truth. Victoria’s strong character arc is very gratifying, and I absolutely love her friend Aiden.

This impressive novel takes on big topics including social anxiety, bullying, compassion, and living righteously in an unrighteous world, and leaves readers with several powerful lessons.

By Allyson Kennedy,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Speak Your Mind as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Middle school is bad enough. It's worse when you're the shy kid.

Victoria Harding has been called many names during her time at Grahamwood Junior High: Loner. Stalker. Teacher’s Pet. Kids have even joked that she’s formed an evil plot against the school, because you can never trust the quiet ones.

But Victoria is armed with nothing but her vivid imagination, content within laying low in her own little world, where she’s able to battle against the school’s dragons and trolls with her quick wit and confidence. If only that could become her reality.

Victoria finds peace in silence, but…


Book cover of Faith Under Pressure

M. Liz Boyle Why did I love this book?

While most of us won’t suddenly move from being homeschooled in an African village to attending a huge high school in California, readers can learn so much from Katie!

If you love books that emphasize strong families and congenial characters who face relevant issues, you’ll love Faith Under Pressure.

I was inspired by the respect within Katie’s family, her desire to bloom where she’s planted, and her commitment to start a Christian club at school.

When agreeing to tutor a bully threatens her new friendships, Katie faces a new level of anxiety, and her faith will be tested like never before. 

Book cover of See You Monday

M. Liz Boyle Why did I love this book?

High schooler Grace turns to Grandma “Mimi” for help with her senior project about a life-changing experience.

Mimi shares stories of her childhood with Grace, transporting readers to the 1960s and front-row seats of some very life-changing experiences.

Grace realizes that something big is happening right in her own school, on the homecoming court. But how can Grace do anything to stop a malicious prank? How bad could the prank be?

The Christian themes, hanging out with Grace and Mimi, and the author’s beautiful handling of big topics including racism, suicide risk factors, and answering the call to live God’s way make this a book with impact, and the strong morals make up for the typos.

By Kristen Terrette,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked See You Monday as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Senior year. The homestretch.
Honor student, Grace Warner, had it easy. Popularity, friends, attention from her crush, even a soccer scholarship offer—if only she can figure out her senior project to graduate on time. Getting approval to write about someone’s life-changing event, Grace recruits her sassy grandma as her mentor who can’t wait to tell the crazy story from her childhood. Events in the early sixties are words in history books to Grace, but her grandma lived them. She witnessed the civil rights movement in full swing, desegregation becoming a reality in her southern town, Martin Luther King, Jr. moving…


Book cover of A Shadow on the Snow

M. Liz Boyle Why did I love this book?

Allen’s writing style made me feel like I was right in the story with Rae.

For Rae’s intriguing backstory, read the short story “A Rose from the Ashes” found in Christmas Fiction off the Beaten Path.

Even if you don’t read the short story, you’ll be able to completely enjoy A Shadow on the Snow. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat!

I greatly appreciated the Christian themes woven throughout, how clean this book is (no swearing or sex), the way Rae’s father unconditionally loves his children, and the respect for law enforcement. 

By JPC Allen,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked A Shadow on the Snow as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Nineteen-year-old Rae Riley can barely believe her gamble paid off. After spending seven months investigating the identity of her father and whether he tried to murder her mother, Rae has been accepted by her dad, Sheriff Walter "Mal" Malinowski IV, and his immediate family with open hearts. And for the fi rst time in her life, Rae is making friends, jamming with three cute cops who play outlaw country music.

But someone is leaving Rae threatening notes, reminding her of her late mother's notorious past when Bella Rydell wrecked homes and lives during the few years she lived in rural…


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A Theory of Expanded Love

By Caitlin Hicks,

Book cover of A Theory of Expanded Love

Caitlin Hicks Author Of A Theory of Expanded Love

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

My life and work have been profoundly affected by the central circumstance of my existence: I was born into a very large military Catholic family in the United States of America. As a child surrounded by many others in the 60s, I wrote, performed, and directed family plays with my numerous brothers and sisters. Although I fell in love with a Canadian and moved to Canada, my family of origin still exerts considerable personal influence. My central struggle, coming from that place of chaos, order, and conformity, is to have the courage to live an authentic life based on my own experience of connectedness and individuality, to speak and be heard. 

Caitlin's book list on coming-of-age books that explore belonging, identity, family, and beat with an emotional and/or humorous pulse

What is my book about?

Trapped in her enormous, devout Catholic family in 1963, Annie creates a hilarious campaign of lies when the pope dies and their family friend, Cardinal Stefanucci, is unexpectedly on the shortlist to be elected the first American pope.

Driven to elevate her family to the holiest of holy rollers in the parish, Annie is tortured by her own dishonesty. But when “The Hands” visits her in her bed and when her sister finds herself facing a scandal, Annie discovers her parents will do almost anything to uphold their reputation and keep their secrets safe. 

Questioning all she has believed and torn between her own gut instinct and years of Catholic guilt, Annie takes courageous risks to wrest salvation from the tragic sequence of events set in motion by her parents’ betrayal.

A Theory of Expanded Love

By Caitlin Hicks,


5 book lists we think you will like!

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