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Elli's Heroes of Faith Booklist

5/27/2021

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Heroes of Faith Booklist for the whole family
​The concept of “story” is vital to the human race. Mankind is the only species that can create and perpetuate tales and we have been doing so since the beginning of our existence. Today, stories have taken a different form than ever before. Many children’s first experience with story is not around a fire or a kitchen table, but from a screen. And when books are given and read to young children, they are often mediocre and fail to spark imagination or inspiration of any kind.

We have to recognize that story holds much more importance than we acknowledge. Through media, literature and even the supermarket tabloid, our culture is shaped by story. As our children hear, see and experience story everywhere they go, we have the beautiful opportunity (and responsibility) to provide them with excellent ones first. To reference the educator Charlotte Mason, we can lay before them a delicious feast that will make lesser stories seem like sawdust.

Today’s children are in dire need of stories of faith and true courage. Starting with the Bible and adding tales of bravery and purpose, we can give children a context for their future. Before they even recognize it, they will begin to have questions about good and evil in the world around them, even in themselves. In order to answer their questions, a book needs to come alive to a child. A textbook on church history would never do.

True, well-written stories of those who have gone before and proven that the battle can be fought in the strength of God’s might, that he has shown up in miraculous ways and he holds us in his hands to the end and beyond will nourish and strengthen their souls! I can imagine not only a well rounded meal, but a protein shake to pump up their soul muscles as well. I also personally believe that wonderfully written fiction can do the same. Story itself is a gift from God and I believe he intended word-craft to enrich our lives and serve his purposes.
"One more thing is
​of vital importance; 
children must have books, living books. The best is not too good for them; anything less than the best is not good enough. And if it is needful to exercise economy, let go everything that belongs to soft and luxurious living before letting go the duty of supplying the books, and the frequent changes of books, which are necessary for the constant stimulation of the child’s intellectual life.” - Charlotte Mason
​As a parent, I know that it’s easy to question whether a child is “ready” for the brutality and violence in some stories, especially in true stories of martyrs. I’m going to reference C.S. Lewis on this topic:

“Those who say that children must not be frightened may mean two things. They may mean (1) that we must not do anything likely to give the child those haunting, disabling, pathological fears against which ordinary courage is helpless: in fact, phobias. His mind must, if possible, be kept clear of things he can’t bear to think of. Or they may mean (2) that we must try to keep out of his mind the knowledge that he is born into a world of death, violence, wounds, adventure, heroism and cowardice, good and evil. If they mean the first I agree with them: but not if they mean the second. The second would indeed be to give children a false impression and feed them on escapism in the bad sense. There is something ludicrous in the idea of so educating a generation which is born to the Ogpu [State Police in the USSR] and the atomic bomb. ​
Since it is so likely that they will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise you are making their destiny not brighter but darker. Nor do most of us find that violence and bloodshed, in a story, produce any haunting dread in the minds of children. As far as that goes, I side impenitently with the human race against the modern reformer. Let there be wicked kings and beheadings, battles and dungeons, giants and dragons, and let villains be soundly killed at the end of the book. Nothing will persuade me that this causes an ordinary child any kind or degree of fear beyond what it wants, and needs, to feel. For, of course, it wants to be a little frightened.”

I will admit that there have been times in our children's’ lives during which I had to sensor more cautiously. Sensitive periods of grieving, battling fear or stress on the family warrant some heedfulness to the individual heart. But abstinence completely from tales of faithful men to their faithful God will do more harm than good.
Heroes of Faith Booklist for the whole family
Before I share with you a list of books to get you started, I want to mention one more thing: age, specifically reading comprehension level. It is very difficult to tell you which of these stories is right for your child. Instead I’ll remind you of a few things that have helped me: 
  1. If you spoke ye’ olde English (ok or any language foreign to them), your child would learn to understand it. If you read your child books with beautiful, but difficult language, they will learn to understand it and likely use it some day.  Don’t be afraid to read books with “lots of words” to your preschooler.
  2. A book does not need to be finished in one sitting, even a picture book. There is no shame, in fact there is great gain, in reading only what your child is able to adequately digest in one sitting. Have them help you make bookmarks and look forward to finding your spot and picking the story back up again.
  3. On pictures: if you’re choosing a story with illustrations, let them be beautiful. Just because a book does not have pictures does not mean a young child cannot enjoy it. Conversely, just because a book does have illustrations, doesn’t mean it’s a quick or easy read. Martin Luther, listed below was my lesson learned on this.
  4. Just because your child can read, doesn’t mean you should stop reading to them. We even enjoy reading great books as a whole family, even if the littlest ones build blocks at our feet the whole time. It’s a completely different experience to be able to hear & process together.
  5. I’m including some fiction, noted separately in the list. I did my very best to keep those sections short so I only included ones that I deemed very relevant to the “heroes of faith” topic. Ignore them if you want to focus on biographies for now. On the other hand if can’t get enough hand want more ideas, shoot me an email. :)
  6. Your child doesn’t need to master or learn everything there is to gain from a book at any time. Let the story do it’s work and God will use it in the future!
Please note: ​Warrior Hearted Mom occasionally uses affiliate links. This means we will get a small percentage from your purchase. This does not add any cost to your purchase, and helps us keep our blog up and running. WHM is an affiliate of Amazon.com. Read our full disclosure here.

Okay, with no further ado: the books!

Picture books:
St Francis of Assisi by Joyce Denham 
The Very First Christians by Paul L Maier Illustrated by Francisco Ordaz 
Martin Luther A Man Who Changed The World by Paul L Maier Illustrated by Greg Copeland 
Joan of Arc by Diane Stanley 
Banner Board Books such as this one on George Whitefield are ok. 
Little Lights on various church heroes. There are box sets of various Christian heroes, but also one each to inspire boys and girls specifically. 
Christian Biographies For Young Readers 

​Relevant Fiction:
Dangerous Journey (Pilgrims’ Progress abridged) 
What Would Jesus Do? By Mack Thomas Illustrated by Denis Mortenson This is a children’s version of In His Steps by Charles M Sheldon. It has simple discussion questions after each chapter. This was very influential in my childhood, learning to do the right thing when no one was looking. If the price isn’t great on Amazon, try thrift books or other used book seller. There is more than one version and the newer illustrations are gorgeous, but as long as you have the correct author it’s worth the $. 
The Squire and the Scroll by Jennie Bishop illustrated by Preston McDaniels 
Saint George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman 

Smaller Chapter Books:
History Lives Series by Mindy and Brandon Withrow. I highly recommend these; each one covers a different period of history. 
YWAM Christian Heroes Then & Now Series 
Trial & Triumph by Richard Hannula 
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom et al 
The People Who Couldn’t Be Stopped by Ethel Barrett (Written in a conversational style that might take some getting used to, but so worth it!)
Missionary Stories with the Millers 
Torchlighter Series

Relevant Fiction:
The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan 
Also several versions available to listen for free here. 
Twice Freed by Patricia St John 
The Promise Land series by Hope Auer  
Victory on the Walls: A Story of Nehemiah by Frieda Clark Hyman or others in the living history library. 
An inspiring booklist for the whole family
​Larger/More Difficult Books
God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew et al 
Martin Luther and Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxis 
Gay Girl Good God by Jackie Hill Perry  This is book about a woman redeemed from homosexuality has difficult content and should be pre-read! If/when you are already discussing sexual issues with your older teenager, this is a beautiful story of redemption and purpose. The author is a modern hero of faith.

Relevant Fiction:
C S Lewis’ Space Trilogy (Spiritual Warfare)  

"To introduce children to literature is to instal them in a very rich and glorious kingdom, to bring a continual holiday to their doors, to lay before them a feast exquisitely served. But they must learn to know literature by being familiar with it from the very first. A child's intercourse must always be with good books, the best that we can find.” - Charlotte Mason

Elli Johnson

Elli lives with her husband and children at the foot of the Rocky Mountains on their small farm. She spends her time hunting down the most meaningful way to live life and writes about what she learns about on the way. She recently published her first book, Called to Belong.

Learn more about Elli and read her other posts here.

​Connect with Elli:

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Warrior Hearted Mom is a community of moms passionate about raising their children for the glory of Jesus. We believe that Jesus has called us to parenting, equipped us to walk in that calling, and through Him, we are victorious warriors. We offer a subscription that includes Bible Studies, small groups, Bible materials for you and your kids, ebooks, Scripture reading/memory challenges, and more. We open up for new members three times a year - the first week of January, last week of May, and the last week of September. Join our mailing list below to stay up to date! If membership is not currently open, you can shop our store, buy the book, and visit our YouTube channel! Meet our team members here.
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Stefani's Heroes of Faith Booklist

5/6/2021

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Heroes of Faith Booklist for the whole family
I had some pretty amazing adventures as a child, especially considering I simply grew up in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains of Missouri.

I snuck into Hindu temples with my skin stained brown from coffee beans. I hid in a small cave, holding my breath as the King's soldier went by, looking for heretics. I watched God feed dozens of children even though our cupboards were bare. I sat in a Native American teepee and carefully translated Bible stories into their language. Every day was full of adventure, heroism, passion for Jesus, and faith, thanks to the constant stream of books I devoured with my heart and mind.

My mom worked hard to feed that appetite and our book cases were always loaded with good, faith-building biographies and stories. And now I'm ready to pass that heritage on to my kids. However, this can be easier said than done. That's why we're declaring this the Heroes of Faith Summer in our home and here at WHM!
Heroes of Faith Summer Booklist
To say I'm excited about this reading theme for our Summer would be an understatement. I can hardly wait to share some of my favorite childhood memories with my kids as we read some amazing books together.

I'll be sharing our favorite reads on Instagram (and so will Elli! If you're not following WHM on Insta, you should be. ;) ) throughout the Summer and I'm putting together a list here as well! I hope you find a few good reads to add to your bookshelf.

Please note that some of the links shared below are affiliate links, which means, if you purchase through our links, we will get a small amount back from Amazon. Warrior Hearted Mom is an affiliate for Amazon.com This does not raise your cost in anyway and simply helps us cover some of the expenses of running this website. Thank you for your support! Read our full disclosure here.

So, without anymore chatter, here are a few favs:

For elementary - middle school

Hero Tales tells the stories of many different men and women of faith, including well known people like Amy Carmichael and heroes we hear of less, like Samuel Morris. 
Featuring an introduction to each person, along with three stories, questions, and Bible verses, this books is perfect for reading together with your kids. This is going to be our main Summer read aloud, with a few of the others available for the kids to read on their own.
You can also get:  Volume 2,  Volume 3, and Volume 4, along with Heroes of Black History (which I have not read but plan to).
With Daring Faith - speaking of Amy Carmichael, this biography of her is the best! I read it over and over again as a child. The reading level is elementary, but I enjoyed it well into my teen years and my kids loved when I read it aloud to them when they were in kindergarten and first grade. Amy's story is told with humor and passion, which fits her personality well! It starts with her childhood, which engaged my kid's attention right away. A must-have for every library!
Captive Treasure - while this book is actually fiction, it fanned a flame within me as a child. Caroline Talbot was 9 or 10 when she was captured by a war party while traveling with her missionary parents. She was holding her family's Bible when she fell out of the covered wagon and bravely taught it's truth to anyone that would listen as she spent several seasons with a Native American tribe. This is a captivating, fun, and easy to read book you'll enjoy reading with your kids, or they can read it on their own.

For preteens - teenagers

Not Regina was an absolute favorite of mine as a preteen and teenager. A fictional story based on the history of the anabaptists, it has a bit of romance and plenty of intrigue to keep a young teen reading. The actual writing may feel a bit clunky, but it never bothered me when I was younger. I always felt inspired to hold onto my faith, no matter the cost, by the time I had finished it.
Thrilling Escapes by Night - this book has all the adventure a kid could hope for: secret passageways, caves, castles, midnight boat rides and, of course, thrilling escapes. But it's more than that - it's a fictional retelling of the William Tyndale's determination to translate the Bible, even though the King's men were out to kill him for it. This book would make a great read aloud for the whole family! 
Ink On His Fingers - the Bible was the center of a lot of controversy in the church as Europe emerged from the Dark Ages and into the Age of Exploration. William Tyndale believed it should be in English so any one, educated or uneducated, could read it. Johann Gutenberg believed it should be printed rather than hand-written, which would boost its availability. Ink on His Fingers is a fictional re-telling of Gutenberg's story, through the eyes of a young apprentice. 
God Planted Five Seeds is the true story of five men who sacrificed their lives so that an unreached tribe in Bolivia. They were martyred years before Jim Elliot and Nate Saint began their mission to reach a remote tribe with the gospel, yet we do not hear their story often. This book was written by one of the widows of the slain missionaries, and goes beyond her husband's martyr death to tell the story of reaching the very men who killed him. A must-read for your older kids (and you!).
A Thousand Shall Fall - Franz Hasel was a devoted Christian and pacifist when he was drafted into Hitler's army. Would it be possible to stay true to his faith and avoid prison or worse? And what about his family left at home, enduring night-time bombings, interrogations, and more? And what about the Jews Hitler wanted to eradicate? Could the Hasel family do their part to protect them? This true story, written by Franz's daughter is riveting from start to finish. It is not written for young children, but would be a great conversation piece for you and your preteens/teenagers.
Silas Diary
Titus Diary
​
Timothy Diary
First Century Diaries - I would pretty much classify these as a much-read for everyone. I love everything written by Gene Edwards, but I never get tired of reading these. This series tells the story of the Apostle Paul through the eyes of his friends. I have laughed, cried, learned, and been inspired every time I read them. The insight poured into each of these books is incredible. The cultural setting is fascinating, especially as the reader "sits" with Paul as he writes each epistle. You and your teenagers will probably not want to put these down.
I could share so many more, but I'm going to stop here for now. Maybe I'll make a follow up post. Also, be sure to check out Elli's book list. She's got some great ones too!

I had some friends ask about books for toddlers, which is when I realized I've never seen any great books for toddlers about Christian toddlers. And then I got to thinking that, while maybe unintentional in the Christian world, it's also strategic. Let's build our littlest ones up in the Word of God with Bible stories and simple passages and then supplement their inspirational diet with stories of heroes of the faith when they're a little older. My favorite Bible story book for little ones is the Jesus Storybook Bible. I know it's everyone's favorite, but seriously, there's a reason.

I'd love to hear about your favorite Heroes of Faith books. Share them in the comments!
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King's daughter, wife to the best, mom to a small army of knights, and the founder of Warrior Hearted Mom. Stefani and her family live on a small farm with a view of the Rocky Mountains, in a land that is reminiscent of Narnia under the Snow Queen. She loves outdoor adventures, indoor cozy evenings, and quality time spent with family and friends. Also, writing, of course.
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Elli's Hero of Faith Booklist
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When Faithfulness Doesn't Bring the Right Results

​Warrior Hearted Mom is a community of moms passionate about raising their children for the glory of Jesus. We believe that Jesus has called us to parenting, equipped us to walk in that calling, and through Him, we are victorious warriors. We offer a subscription that includes Bible Studies, small groups, Bible materials for you and your kids, ebooks, Scripture reading/memory challenges, and more. We open up for new members two times a year. Join our mailing list below to stay up to date! If membership is not currently open, you can shop our store, buy the book, and visit our YouTube channel! Meet our team members here.
Heroes of Faith Reading List for the whole family!
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