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Top 10 Religion Books for Youth

Although it happened by chance, this year’s Top 10 list represents almost every religion, with books about Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. Several of the picture books refer not to a specific religion but to the power and the promise that is God. Reviews of the books selected as top choices appeared in Booklist from October 1, 2001, through September 15, 2002. —Ilene Cooper

Bolden, Tonya. Rock of Ages. Knopf/Borzoi, $16.95 (0-679-89485-3); lib. ed., $18.99 (0-669-99485-8).
K–Gr. 3. With rhythmic words and pictures, this stirring picture book about the role of the black church connects leaders and ordinary people. The vivid imagery travels through American history, showing the church as a cradle for “creative fire” in both artistic endeavors and civil rights.

Carlstrom, Nancy White. Glory. Illus by Debra Reid Jenkins. 2001. Eerdmans, $17 (0-8028- 5143-6).
PreS–Gr. 2. Glorious words and whimsical art leave children with a sense of the exhilaration that comes with the knowledge of Creation. Whether it’s a wide swath of red tumbling across the golden pages or the poetic text, this lovely jumble captures the feeling of life in motion.

Hest, Amy. Friday Nights of Nana. Illus. by Claire A. Nivola. 2001. Candlewick, $15.99 (0-7636-0658-8).
PreS–Gr. 2. As satisfying and sustaining as a Sabbath dinner, Hest’s story is narrated by a young girl who spends Friday with her grandmother, helping to prepare for the weekly gathering. Softly shaded watercolors have a clean look that reflects the child’s pleasure in the orderly preparations.

Hoyt-Goldsmith, Diane. Celebrating Ramadan. Illus. by Lawrence Migdale. 2001 Holiday, $16.95 (0-8234-1581-3).
Gr. 2–5. This sensitive introduction to Ramadan follows fourth-grader Ibraheem through the Islamic holy month. The high-quality photographs, which capture the boy as he plays with friends, fasts, and prays, and the intriguing, informative overview of the faith make this a particularly fine offering.

Kerr, M. E. Slap Your Sides. 2001. HarperCollins, $15.95 (0-06-029481-7); lib. ed., $15.89 (0-06-029482-5).
Gr. 7–10. As a Quaker during WW II, Jubal Shoemaker is a pacifist. But life intervenes, and a shock makes Jubal reconsider all that has come before. The ideas are gripping and the characters are complicated, arguing with themselves and each other as they try to find answers to life’s hardest questions.

Lindbergh, Reeve. On Morning Wings. illus. Candlewick, $15.95 (0-7636-1106-9).
PreS–Gr. 1. Lindbergh’s original poem, based on Psalm 139, is rhythmic, rhyming, and, above all, reassuring as it addresses God as an omnipresent friend and defender. Capturing the spirit of the verse, the cut-paper collage and watercolor art adds to the feeling of simplicity and grace.

Mitchell, Stephen. Jesus: What He Really Said and Did. 2001. HarperCollins, $15.95 (0-06-623836-6); lib ed., $15.98 (0-06-000707-9).
Gr. 8–12. Mitchell’s theses are controversial. For example, he says Jesus never intended to start a new religion. Although many will disagree, it is obvious that Mitchell has great respect for his audience and allows them to make their own decisions. By capturing the love and kindness in Jesus’ words and linking them to ideas of other great religious leaders, Mitchell enlarges Jesus rather than diminishing him.

Religion in America. Ed. By William Dudley. 2001. illus. Gale/Greenhaven, lib ed., $31.20 (1-56510-003-4); paper, $19.95 (1-56510-002-6).
Gr. 7–12. With thoughtful, provocative offerings, this Opposing Viewpoints volume takes on questions such as, Is America a religious nation? What should be done to accommodate religious freedom? Essayists range from Christian conservatives to Alan Dershowitz.

Rockwell, Anne. The Prince Who Ran Away. Illus.by Fahimeh Amiri. 2001. Knopf, $16.95 (0-679-89188-9).
Gr. 4–6, younger for reading aloud. This picture-book biography for older children deftly re-creates the life of the Buddha. By using traditional elements and eschewing more contemporary, historically based investigations, Rockwell establishes a smoothly flowing narrative and presents Buddhism as the Buddha might have seen it. Bright, expressive illustrations illuminate the text.

Teen Sunshine Reflections: Words for the Heart and Soul. Ed. by June Cotner. 2002. HarperTrophy, $10 (0-06-000527-0).
Gr. 6–12. Cotner worked with poets as well as teen collectors to compile an anthology with selections from many eras and faiths. All will inspire teens to believe in their own worth, sustained by their faith in their god and the beauty of the world around them.

(Booklist/October 1, 2002)