5 Christian Book Series Every Teen Should Read - A Pastor’s Perspective and Parent Guide
Before I share these five remarkable series with you, let me speak to you as a pastor and a father:
We live in a world overflowing with stories, but not all stories are equal. Some merely entertain, while others quietly shape the hearts of our children—teaching them what to love, who to trust, and how to live with courage. Over more than two decades in ministry, I’ve seen again and again that the right book at the right time can open a young person’s eyes to truth in a way sermons and lessons sometimes cannot.
The five series I’m about to share are among the most powerful tools I’ve found for nurturing faith, sparking imagination, and grounding teenagers in the hope of the gospel. Whether you read them aloud as a family or let your teen discover them on their own, these stories have the power to plant seeds that will last a lifetime.
The Wingfeather Saga
By Andrew Peterson
Wingfeather Saga Boxed Set: On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness; North! Or Be Eaten; The Monster in the Hollows; The Warden and the Wolf King (The Wingfeather Saga)
Wingfeather Saga Series Summary
Step into Aerwiar, a world where ordinary children become heroes in a quest brimming with mystery, humor, danger, and faith. The Wingfeather Saga follows the Igiby siblings—Janner, Tink, and Leeli—as they uncover secrets about their past and battle the sinister Fangs of Dang. Packed with quirky creatures (like the toothy cows) and rich lore, this series balances rollicking adventure with profound spiritual themes of sacrifice and identity.
Pastoral Reflection
In all my years of ministry, I’ve rarely encountered a fantasy series that so artfully captures the ache and hope of redemption. Peterson writes with warmth and whimsy reminiscent of Tolkien but grounded in a Christian worldview. These books help teens wrestle honestly with fear, calling, and belonging.
Why Parents Love It
The story is both captivating and nourishing. Younger readers will laugh at the silly names and creatures. Teens will wrestle with the same big questions as Janner: Who am I? What is my purpose? How can I be brave when I feel afraid? Parents tell me these books sparked some of their richest family conversations.
Wingfeather Saga Reviews
- “As a mom, I love how this series weaves faith into an epic fantasy without feeling preachy.” —Rachel T.
- “Andrew Peterson creates a world as vivid as Narnia but with more humor. The character growth is phenomenal.” —Marcus B.
- “I cried and laughed and held my breath. The Wingfeather Saga is the best Christian fantasy series I’ve read.” —Lily G.
How It Builds Faith
- Shows that God can redeem the most broken stories
- Models servant leadership
- Reinforces the truth that no darkness is too deep for grace
Practical Parent Tip
Family Read-Aloud: Read a chapter together each night. Use discussion questions or simply ask, “What would you have done in Janner’s place?” These moments are often more formative than any formal curriculum.
Why You Should Get It
If you want a series that ignites imagination and gently points readers to deeper truths about courage and calling, The Wingfeather Saga is unforgettable.
The Noland Kids Adventure Series
By Meredith Curtis
The Key House (The Noland Kids Adventure Series)
The Noland Kids Adventure Series Summary
Follow the Noland kids—six siblings who stumble into exciting, faith-building adventures in their Florida town. Each mystery challenges them to rely on God and each other, weaving lessons of honesty, integrity, and courage into page-turning plots. This series is clean, contemporary, and grounded in practical Christian living.
Pastoral Reflection
These stories are wonderful for showing faith in action in the modern world. The Nolands feel like neighbors you’d love your kids to know—curious, flawed, but committed to doing what’s right. They’re especially helpful for families who want an alternative to mainstream middle-grade fiction without sacrificing relatable characters or suspense.
Why Parents Love It
Parents love that these books feel current while staying firmly rooted in biblical values. The mysteries are accessible for younger teens and preteens, making them ideal for family read-alouds or independent reading.
The Noland Kids Adventure Reviews
- “This series is like The Boxcar Children meets Nancy Drew with a Christian heart.” —Angela F.
- “The Noland Kids feel real—like people you’d actually want to be friends with.” —Josh C.
- “These stories are wholesome without being boring.” —Emily W.
How It Builds Faith
- Encourages kids to see God’s hand in everyday life
- Models integrity and honesty
- Reinforces the importance of family unity
Practical Parent Tip
Family Book Club: After each book, gather for a snack and discuss what your family would have done in the same situation.
Why You Should Get It
If you want modern, relatable stories that champion faith and character, this series will inspire your family.
Raising Dragons (Dragons in Our Midst)
By Bryan Davis
Raising Dragons (Dragons in Our Midst)
Raising Dragons Series Summary
Billy Bannister always thought he was an ordinary teenager—until he started breathing fire. When Billy learns he’s the son of a dragon, he’s thrust into an ancient struggle between good and evil. This series mixes Arthurian legend, biblical symbolism, and high-stakes adventure in a story about courage, faith, and embracing your true identity.
Pastoral Reflection
Fantasy can feel like a risky genre for Christian families, but Bryan Davis uses it masterfully to illustrate spiritual truth. Teens drawn to dragons and epic quests find their imaginations ignited—and their hearts anchored to a clear sense of purpose.
Why Parents Love It
Many parents tell me this was the first series their teens couldn’t put down. The stories tackle identity, shame, sacrifice, and courage in a way that feels relevant without being heavy-handed.
Raising Dragons Reviews
- “My teenage sons loved these books. The action is nonstop and the spiritual themes are powerful.” —Jessica R.
- “Bryan Davis makes dragons and Christian allegory work together beautifully.” —Nathan K.
- “Raising Dragons hooked me from the first chapter.” —Samira D.
How It Builds Faith
- Helps teens grapple with identity and legacy
- Reinforces spiritual warfare as a reality
- Shows how our gifts can honor God
Practical Parent Tip
Themed Discussion Night: Have a “Dragon Night”—make themed snacks, discuss spiritual warfare, and let kids draw their own dragons as symbols of their God-given strengths.
Why You Should Get It
If your teen loves fantasy with a purpose, this series delivers a thrilling adventure rooted in faith.
The Prince Warriors
By Priscilla Shirer
The Prince Warriors Paperback Boxed Set
The Prince Warriors Series Summary
A stunning allegory of spiritual warfare, The Prince Warriors follows Xavier, Evan, Levi, and Brianna into Ahoratos—a hidden realm where they must wield the armor of God to battle darkness. Each struggle in Ahoratos echoes the challenges teens face in real life.
Pastoral Reflection
Few series have helped my students understand Ephesians 6 more vividly. The Prince Warriors is essentially discipleship disguised as an adventure. Shirer takes spiritual truths and makes them unforgettable.
Why Parents Love It
This series doesn’t just entertain—it equips. Parents tell me it gave their children a vocabulary to talk about spiritual struggles and a sense of readiness to face them.
The Prince Warriors Reviews
- “After reading these, my daughter asked if we could study Ephesians 6 together.” —Monica J.
- “Our boys play ‘Prince Warriors’ outside, pretending to wear the armor of God.” —Tony R.
- “This series is a tool for discipleship, pure and simple.” —Kara S.
How It Builds Faith
- Makes the armor of God tangible
- Shows how faith is active, not passive
- Encourages kids to stand firm in spiritual battles
Practical Parent Tip
Armor of God Craft: Build simple shields, swords, and helmets as visual reminders of the lessons in each book.
Why You Should Get It
If you want your teen to understand spiritual warfare and their place in God’s story, this is the series to buy.
The Chronicles of Narnia
By C.S. Lewis
COMPLETE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA
The Chronicles of Narnia Series Summary
The Chronicles of Narnia is the timeless classic that has shaped generations. Through wardrobes and lampposts, C.S. Lewis crafts an unforgettable allegory of redemption and hope. Aslan’s sacrifice mirrors the gospel in a way that resonates with children and adults alike.
Pastoral Reflection
I have read these books aloud to my children and countless church kids. Few stories illustrate the wonder and gravity of the gospel so gently. These tales aren’t just literature—they’re spiritual formation.
Why Parents Love It
These stories open hearts to the deeper truths of Christianity without feeling like a lesson. Families often tell me their children wept at Aslan’s sacrifice or cheered when the White Witch was defeated. That’s the power of story.
The Chronicles of Narnia Reviews
- “No other books have shaped my faith and imagination like Narnia.” —Michael L.
- “Lewis captures the beauty of truth in a way kids can understand.” —Alyssa R.
- “Narnia taught my children that courage comes from trusting Aslan—and trusting God.” —James T.
How It Builds Faith
- Shows the power of redemption
- Models sacrifice, courage, and faith
- Invites readers to see the world with wonder
Practical Parent Tip
Year of Narnia: Read one book per month and watch the film adaptation after. Discuss how the stories mirror the gospel.
Why You Should Get It
If there is one series you pass down, let it be Narnia. It is the gold standard of Christian fiction.
Final Encouragement From My Heart to Yours
Parents often ask me, “How do I help my teen grow spiritually?”
My answer is always this: fill your home with stories that spark imagination and root them in truth.
These five series aren’t just books. They’re seeds. Seeds that grow conviction, resilience, and faith that endures.
Open the first page, and see what God will do.
