Choosing Love in a Broken World

Heidi Johnston

Johnston understands that today’s teenage girls daily encounter distorted ideas about love, sex, and marriage and it takes courage to pursue the love God outlines in the Bible. The book will help them see how God’s plan for relationships is far greater than what the world conveys and how broken relationships stem from turning love into something so much smaller than it is intended. Johnston writes with honesty, clarity, and respect, differentiating between feelings and covenantal love and addressing common myths about sex. Each chapter ends with talking points that parents can use to open communication with their daughters. (Ages 13-16)

Sex, Purity, and the Longings of a Girl’s Heart

Kristen Clark & Bethany Beal

Sisters Kristen Clark and Bethany Beal open this book by telling of their first exposure to pornography as young girls. They write candidly about their resulting questions and struggles with sexuality. The book addresses the world’s distorted and confusing messages about sex and purity, but instead of offering a formula for dating and relationships, Clark and Beal draw from Scripture and anecdotes that point girls to the gospel. They emphasize “we’re all sexually broken” and carefully address topics like porn, lust, erotica, masturbation, and same-sex attraction, concluding with discussion questions and an appendix on sexual abuse. (Ages 15-18)

Confident Moms, Confident Daughters

Maria Furlough

The pressure to look perfect keeps increasing, and Furlough believes mothers play a key role in enabling their daughters to walk securely and confidently in Christ. She shares openly about her struggles with body issues, dieting, and social media and incorporates interviews with a pediatrician, nutritionist, and a Christian counselor who offer practical tips. The book also addresses worldly lies about appearance while admonishing moms and daughters to prioritize godliness over physical goals and praise God for their bodies as His “wonderfully made” temple. (Ages 15-18)

Priceless

Jen Barrick with Linda Barrick

Jen Barrick begins this book by sharing how her life changed at age 15 when a drunk driver struck her family’s van, injuring everyone. She spent five weeks in a coma and suffered a serious brain injury that changed everything, except her love for Jesus. One consequence of Barrick’s injury is she “feels aloud,” and the book resulted from her and her mother Linda’s interactions about her emotional struggles. Formatted as a 30-day devotional, Priceless tackles common “roller coaster” emotions teenage girls face with corresponding Psalms, recitation prayers, and encouraging truths. Teen girls will appreciate Barrick’s honesty and relatability. (Ages 13-16)

AFTERWORD

In Between Us Guys (New Growth Press, 2019), Joel Fitzpatrick offers fathers and sons a guide for talking about what it means to be a man in light of the gospel. Fitzpatrick avoids moralistic messages and macho stereotypes and addresses topics like girls, sex, money, strength, and failure with a clear emphasis on creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. Geared for boys ages 6-12, the book’s short chapters are arranged for fathers and sons to read aloud together and include Scriptures, discussion questions, and suggested activities. A follow-up to Trish Donohue’s Between Us Girls (New Growth Press, 2016), this book counters current cultural beliefs about manhood and provides a starting point for fathers who struggle with talking to their sons about important topics. Fitzpatrick writes, “If we fail to ground our sons in the finished work of Jesus for them, we will miss the point.” —M.J.