Blog Rec: Breakpoint’s Youth Reads

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Many parents throughout our Gracepoint churches ask me about social issues in books, what age is appropriate for a specific title, and so forth. Part of my job is to stay up on these things and communicate with you regarding new books* and trends in youth literature and culture. But for some of you who are interested and have the time to read up on your own, I will recommend websites and blogs from time to time.

Today I want to let you all know about Youth Reads, a column housed on the Breakpoint website.

Youth_Reads_Menu_Top_2014

There you’ll find reviews, recommendations, and polls, and more.

You may have read or heard the recent Breakpoint Commentary by Eric Metaxas. In it he references a book that was reviewed on Youth Reads. Reviews do consider things like sexual ethics, mental health issues, religion and worldview issues, and diversity in YA literature from a Christian perspective.

*Yep, I am aware that the new Rick Riordan book comes out tomorrow. I will do my best to read it super fast so I can provide a review of what will hopefully be an original series that doesn’t merely graft his character archetypes into the next mythology (this time Norse).

 

Bibliopolis Beautification Day

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Some of you who aren’t physically at Gracepoint Berkeley church have requested more photos of Bibliopolis. Yesterday, Auntie Jenny and the 3rd grade girls (aka Kangaroos) converted a dirt patch into a lovely draught-friendly stone garden. It’s awesome seeing them take ownership and constantly thinking of ways to make our space more inviting!

Pre-construction design meeting (looks forreal) led by Auntie Jenny, whose pose is decidedly Thinker-esque.

If we had a bigger space, we could make an actual labyrinth for people to reflect or pray! #gardengoals

“Collaboration is Our Destination,” as they say.

Tada! Our garden is a work-in-progress, but it’s already lovely! (Logs aren’t just for bonfires, but useful for garden borders)

 

Coming soon: the Bibliopolis Community Garden Project. My gardeners hope to grow green onions, perilla leaves, tomatoes, strawberries (Justin), and more. They want to sell them as fundraisers for more books!

Caring for plants, and growing fruits and vegetables have so much in common with fostering the love of reading. They both involve patience and struggle. You learn some deep lessons about what it takes to cultivate your mind to be good soil. How you need diligence to be on the lookout for weeds, pests, and other mangy animals that might destroy what you’ve been working hard at growing. You experience the joys of growth, too!

 

Favorite Friday: “The C.S. Lewis Five” (a one-scene screenplay)

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gbc[The Scene: Pastor Ed Kang‘s office hours at Golden Bear Cafe. The year: let’s just say it’s around the turn of the century. I know you’re surprised I was in college at the time, but you have to remember I started college when I was 8*. ]

Mind you, this was a gazillion years ago, so I’ve used creative license liberally in the following screenplay. But I do remember this encounter, and how I wanted to show Pastor Ed I was interested in conversing about things like books and literature — so above the fray of the typical college student. Ha!

HEK:  Pastor Ed, I love to read. What Christian books do you recommend I read? (hopeful this opens up the way to talk shop about books we have in common.)

EHK: Have you read C.S. Lewis?

HEK: (smiling, because The Chronicles of Narnia was a childhood favorite). Yes, I just love Lewis’ ability to explore spiritual truths through what seems to be an innocent children’s story. I do love me some Narnia.

EHK: (smiling graciously) Ah yes, Narnia is splendiferous, to be sure. Now, have you read Mere Christianity?

HEK: (puzzled because it seems kind of strange to call Christianity mere…) …um…

EHK: (fatherly chuckle, if Yoda chuckled) Much to learn, you still have, young padawan.

HEK: (Yes! I know this one!) Haha, Star Wars! I just love Star Wars…

EHK: (leaning forward, voice hushed as though preparing to reveal the secret to life) Here are the five must reads by C.S. Lewis. After you read them, then we can talk about other Christian books.

HEK: (takes out actual notebook and pen, because smartphones with notepad apps didn’t exist yet.) I’m ready!

EHK: Mere Christianity, The Problem of Pain, Miracles, The Screwtape Letters, and The Abolition of Man. In that order.

HEK:  Golly gee willikers, thanks a bunch. This is nifty! (Sorry, 1990’s, not 1950’s). Awesome! (that word has been used as a filler to express a wide range of emotion for a long time.)

So there you have it. Did you miss it? Pastor Ed’s short list is what I’ve since then thought of as “The C.S. Lewis Five”. I’ve passed that list on to many a padawan at Gracepoint Berkeley church myself.

  1. Mere Christianity
  2. The Problem of Pain**
  3. Miracles
  4. The Screwtape Letters***
  5. The Abolition of Man
six by lewis

photo of this ancient relic courtesy of an amazon.com customer

I was too excited I had this list to be embarrassed. Only in retrospect do I shake my head. Proof that once a teacher’s pet always a teacher’s pet! And how happy was I (mixed with embarrassed) when I went home to my parents’ house and saw this exact set of books sitting right alongside my Narnia set. (It was actually Six by Lewis, because The Great Divorce was thrown in as a bonus, I guess.)

How about you? Have you read “The C.S. Lewis Five”? Which one is your favorite?

*J/K.

**My personal favorite.

***Or maybe this one is.