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Coming Of Age


Cynthia

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Ok everybody - I need some ideas for a coming of age thing for a girl turning 13. We're planning on the purity ring (she wants one) and perhaps a trip through our church to help in rebuilding on the coast. I've looked at some program type things, but they tend to be too traditional for me. I'd like to add something ongoing - (maybe a daily scripture??) that I could participate in or support. She is a big reader - loves Mitch Album (Tues with Morrie & 5 People You Meet in Heaven), Chicken Soup books, history, and, of course, romance (highly censored :>). Majorly into sports.

 

Any ideas for books with a progressive tilt that she might appreciate?

 

Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!! Thanks! :D

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Any ideas for books with a progressive tilt that she might appreciate?

 

Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!!  Thanks!  :D

 

Well, congratulations. :D

 

Jeez it's been about forever since I was her age, but I still remember the card my folks gave me when I turned 13. :D Judy Bloom books were all the rage then. Remember "Are you there God, it's me Margaret"? The later Anne of Green Gables books had some romance in them, if you thnk she might enjoy those. Avalon books are safe (no, not Avonlea.. this is a Christian publishing company. :) ) Also some older Regency romances plus the perfection that was Jane Austen might do the trick, but be sure to read the Regencies. Some of them started getting a bit racier from the mid-80s on.

 

You might also sift through this list and see if there is anything appropriate for her.

http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/Arts.htm

 

As far as lessons to share, check out these resources:

 

http://www.tcpc.org/resources/articles/tcpc_kids.htm

 

http://www.alassociates.com/

 

http://www.faithandliferesources.org/

 

http://www.faithink.com/

 

http://www.simpleliving.org/

 

http://www.cokesbury.com/

 

http://www.smp.org/

 

http://www.helwys.com/

 

http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/

Edited by GreenPartyVoter
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BTW, kids are still reading Judy Blume! The Amazon reviews of "Are you there God, it's me Margaret" are 4-5 stars. Another great book for kids (boys and girls) is "Rocket Boys" by Homer Hickam. The movie October Skies is based on the book but the book is way better.

In fact, he has written a trilogy that gets rave reviews from kids. (The latter is not really a kid's book).

 

--des

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Thanks!  Great resources!! 

 

BTW, the Judy Blume book I remember passing around in Jr. High was "Wifey"  :P  Yeesh!!!!

 

/off to research!

 

You are most welcome. I have yet to read Wifey. Now that I am a wife myself I ought to read it.

 

FWIW, though, I was 14 the year I discovered the Clan of the Cave Bear books while I was babysitting. Those were a real eye-opener. *lol*

 

Let us know what you decide to get your daughter? :)

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BTW, kids are still reading Judy Blume! The Amazon reviews of "Are you there God, it's me Margaret" are 4-5 stars.

 

--des

 

 

Oh, I am not the least bit surprised Judy Bloom's books are still being read. In fact a lot of the authors I read as a kid are still being checked out of libraries these days. They are the new classics, or at least have stood the test of time. :)

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Try Way to Live:Christian Practices for Teens by Dorothy Bass- I have used numerous ideas and projects from this book with our youth group.

 

For more info, there is a website

and if you want to order:Way to Live

 

A great book for you to read as a parent of a teen is Lost and Found:Adolescence, Parenting and the Formation of Faith by Amanda Hughes

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Thanks Jasn! These look like excellent books! Have you spent much time on the website? It looks like something teens could really get into. Any opinions on how the conversations tend to go would be helpful :)

 

Just ordered both books - - - I love 1-click! (my bank account on the other hand.... :blink: )

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Cynthia

 

I have not spent much time on the website except to download the study guide for the different chapters when we have covered a topic with the youth group.

 

I've really wanted to use Amanda Hughes' book in a discussion group with parents of my youth but have never had the chance to organize a setting and time to make it happen.

 

One other website to check out is Youth Ministry and Spirituality Project I attended a symposium for the project which is completed now. Most of the info in the site is geared toward youth ministers but there is a reading list that you should check out.

YMSP recommended readings

 

I hope this helps.

 

Good luck. Mine are only 4 and 2 so I have a little time to get ready.

 

Jason

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Thanks again Jasn! That one will take some reading time - it looks wonderful.

 

This is such a neat time in our family - very much on the cusp of "put your money where your mouth is"!!! Kids and, especially teens are so eternally vigilant in seeking out hypocrisy... especially in those who set all those arbitrary rules over their lives. :P If only they knew how much we, as parents, agonize over where those lines should be drawn!!!

 

I actually wish they could make some big decisions now. They are intelligent, grounded, spiritual, and ever so logical about drugs, smoking, sex, school, God, honesty, friendships, compassion, etc! The next few years of "brain maturity" promise much more gray. sigh.

 

"Good luck. Mine are only 4 and 2 so I have a little time to get ready."

 

Don't blink!!! Mine were that age a few minutes ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :blink::P

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