If I have to be honest, I suppose being a children’s librarian suits me well because I still love reading children’s and young adult chapter books.  There.  I said it.  Thankfully, one of the biggest perks of my job is that I have hundreds of them at my fingertips and can read them at any time.  You know.  For research purposes.

While shelving some books last week I ran across A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. I first read this book in 6th grade (it was required) and while I had long forgot the specific details, all I could remember when I stumbled across this book last week was that I had enjoyed it and that it was the first chapter book I ever read.

It is a dark and stormy night.  Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and her mother are in the kitchen for a midnight snack when a most disturbing visitor arrives.

“Wild night are my glory.” the unearthly stranger tells them.  “I just got caught in a downdraft and blown off course.  Let me sit down for a moment and then I’ll be on my way.  Speaking of ways, by the way, there is such a thing as a tesseract.”

Meg’s father had been experimenting with this fifth-dimension of time travel when he mysteriously disappeared.  Now the time has come for Meg, her friend Calvin, and Charles Wallace to rescue him.  But can they outwit and overpower the forces of evil they will encounter on their heart-stopping journey through space?

 L’Engle has such a distinct writing style that I daresay I could pick up a book not knowng it was hers and immediately recognize the author. I just love books like that. It’s been 26 years since I read this book (which was published in 1962), and I’m really enjoying this second reading because I really didn’t recognize all of the themes and deeper meanings playing out in this book when I was only 11 years old. I was also thrilled to learn that L’Engle had written three more books using the same characters. I can’t wait to read those.

Accelerated Reader classifies this book at a reading level of 4.7 (almost a fifth grade level). If you have an eager reader who loves chapter books based on adventure and time-traveling, then this is a definite must-read classic.

Back when I worked in my aunt and uncle’s Christian bookstore, I used to think a Bible was a Bible was a Bible. I quickly learned there are many things that make each Bible different, such as translations, print size, and “extras” such as study notes,  whether reference materials are included, and even its target audience. I particularly paid close attention to the children’s Bibles because we sold so many and I also have a son and was always interested in finding what would help him get deeper into the Word someday. The most popular children’s Bible we sold was the NIV Bible. Published by Zondervan, these Bibles were always colorful and eye-catching and a big hit with the kids and parents.

I was so excited to be offered the chance to get a peek at the new NIV Boys Bible released last month by Zondervan. What makes this Bible so special for boys? It’s jam-packed with so much extra information geared towards the 9-12 pre-teen set.

Introductions to each book of the Bible
Hundreds of highlighted verses worth memorizing
What’s the Big Deal?—Need-to-know biblical stories and people
Check It Out—Interesting and fun facts about Bible times and characters
Grossology—Gross and gory stuff they never knew was in the Bible
Makin’ It Real—Help for applying Bible stories to their everyday lives

I love all of these “extras”, and let’s face it, your child is more apt to read their Bible when they can actually relate to and take away interesting information that is sometimes difficult to pull out of scripture alone. While the New International Version is a more reader-friendly translation, having these Bible stories explained in simplistic terms is extremely helpful to kids and adults alike. If I have to be completely honest, I’m also learning so much from this Bible. My son is just learning to read, but I can see that this Bible is going to be an excellent conversation-starter for us when he is old enough to read it independently.

I love that the print is easy to read and has a nice font. I was also pleased to see that in the back of the Bible there are several interesting reference materials, including a plan for reading the Bible in a year, a table of weights and measures, the ABC’s of becoming a Christian, and a list of topical Bible promises and where they can be found.

Available in hardback and Italian Duo-Tone, this is the perfect Bible for boys to help them with their spiritual growth and can assure you this is one Bible a boy would love to read.

NIV Boys Bible- Zondervan
March 2012
Hardcover- $27.99
ISBN: 9780310723080
Ages 9-12