First, when I look back on the books I read as a kid, Hurry Home, Candy by Meindert DeJong always comes to mind. I honestly can't say for sure why it had such an impact on me, but it was the first book that didn't end the way I wanted it to, so in hindsight I see that it taught me to look at the big picture. We don't always get what we want, but what we want is not always best.Second, Cloak of the Light by Chuck Black. This one (and its series) gave me a whole new perspective on spiritual warfare, and while the book contains a lot of speculation on spiritual matters, I believe it's kept within the realm of possibility. This book gave me a deeper appreciation for prayer as well as everything I can't see - what God is doing for His children on a moment-by-moment basis.
Rebekah Morris ~ I have read so many fiction books that I don’t think I can pick one book that has had the greatest impact on my life. I do know that Ester Ried’s Awakening, The King’s Daughter and New Graft on the Family Tree all by Isabella Alden, were some of the first strong Christian fiction books I had ever read. They gave me a taste of something better, something higher than just the normal action, adventure and excitement young teens usually enjoy. I discovered a completely new style of book where Christ wasn’t put in as an afterthought or to make it “christian,” but was the focus and center of the story. No, these books didn’t preach, but the characters lived lives that made me want more of what they had.
Claire Banschbach ~ The fiction book that most impacted my lift would probably be C.S. Lewis’ The Horse and His Boy. It’s the book that really kick started my imagination and helped to inspire the story that would become my first book.
Sarah Brown ~ Wow, that's hard to decide! I was debating between Heidi by Johanna Spyri, Paula the Waldensian by Eva Lecomte, and The New Amplified Pilgrim's Progress by Jim Pappas, but I think I would have to go with the latter. The New Amplified Pilgrim's Progress is such an gripping retelling of the ancient Old English version--rigidly true to the original, and yet so much more meaningful with its modern English and dialogical story-format. Check out my blog for a full review.
My mom just discovered Meindert DeJong, but I have yet to read him. He sounds like he would write that kind of book. That's a big lesson for kids to learn! Cloak of Light sounds powerful.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Rebekah Morris about Ester Reid and similar books!
Narnia has always been special to me, too, and I loved all three of the books Sarah Brown mentioned!
The Narnia series and also Tolkien's works are the books that impacted me most. Especially Voyage of the Dawntreader. :)
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