Many of you have asked for a list of books to help in raising girls and help guide their hearts toward God and a life that honors Him. We want them to grow to be highly capable of living in the world – but not be a part of it.
One thing parents can do in raising girls to be adult women full of integrity and wisdom is to read books (with and to them) that sow the seeds of those character qualities you wish to develop.
Start at a young age, drawing her to know Christ and how He would have her live.
Raising Girls
Raising girls in this culture is challenging.
I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. We home-educated, and so I began mixing academic lessons with character-building content. It kept our school days interesting and full of good things to discuss mother and daughter.
Starting Out Early Raising Girls
Appealing to both boys and girls, the Miller Family series
Although we are not Amish, our children have said these books will be read with their little ones someday – they are a tool to reinforce discussions that we aren’t sure how to approach with our children. So well written, they grab your heart.
They speak to your heart as well as to your head. They touch on deep feelings and classic themes that all of humanity can relate to ~ injustice, mercy, forgiveness, friendship, reality, honesty, hope.
Hunting For Great Books
I had a growing desire to provide the richest content in books that I could afford, so I started to shop all the old bookstores I knew of. I shopped the homeschool convention resources and worked extra hard to cut corners to save extra money for character books.
I was purposeful, praying for direction before I left to look. The Lord seemed to guide me to some great finds for raising girls.
I asked my husband if all my Christmas and birthday gifts could be cash to be spent on books. Here is what my wonderful, creative man did for me over 14 years ago:
If you have not yet read Why Have We Stopped Protecting Our Daughters?, see why these culture-correcting reads are so vital to the emotional health of our girls.
And we wonder why we have girls dealing with depression and eating disorders – why they feel they can’t measure up to the world’s elusive definition of beauty!
Why Have We stopped Protecting Our Daughters? Visit this post for more ^^
Specific Books For Little Girls
For the little girls,
• Companion Book Life Lessons to do with mom or a mentor
I read these to my daughter as a young girl (she wanted to hear them over and over), and I believe they were instrumental in her heart development.
Raising Girls, Tweens and Teens
Looking for relevant books for raising girls and older daughters? (see other lists below)
These books talk directly to older girls about what authentic, true beauty is and how they (God willing) can experience a romance that will transform every part of their existence and fulfill the deepest longings of their feminine heart.
Help them see that they no longer have to look to human relationships to meet needs that only Jesus Christ was meant to fill.
B
eautiful Girlhood and The Companion Guide to Beautiful Girlhood are ideally to be read with Mom up until approximately age 13 -there will be overlap of age appropriateness.
Set-Apart Femininity and Authentic Beauty are for a bit older (14 and up to adult), and both have companion guides (see below). All of them are very helpful for us moms, too!
• The Lost Art of True Beauty~ The Companion Guide to Set-Apart Femininity
• Authentic Beauty, Going Deeper: A Study Guide for the Set-Apart Young Woman
Kristen Clark and Bethany Beal help single women of all ages discover a radically better approach to navigating their love lives.
• Girl Defined: God’s Radical Design for Beauty, Femininity, and Identity
• Sex, Purity, and the Longings of a Girl’s Heart
For a older daughter (14 and up) that feels pulled to date casually, there is When God
Writes Your Love Story (Expanded Edition): The Ultimate Guide to Guy/Girl Relationships, by both Eric and Leslie Ludy.
• 31 Days of Prayer for your Future Husband: (Princess in Preparation: Devotionals)
• A Lineage of Grace, Francine Rivers
• Redeeming Love, A Novel by Francine Rivers (perhaps the most transformational book I have ever read as a young Christian!)
• Becoming a Proverbs 31 Woman: A 21 Day Devotional for Her
And as for Evidence Not Seen (in photo above)~ it is both my daughter’s and my favorite adult book. Darlene Rose and her terrible and triumphant story will likely change your daughter’s (and your) life. It is a true story about courage, steadfastness, hope, miracles, and love for people. We give the book an A+ – even that rating seems a trifle to me – there should be something higher.
All That Glitters Is Not Gold!
My daughter’s favorite childhood book (A Peep Behind the Scenes) opened her mind to the fact that ‘all that glitters is not gold’.
Here are just a few (there are many others here) that can have a huge impact on character formation in a developing young lady (for reading together aloud or alone, and for varying ages):
• Jessica’s First Prayer, Lamplighter Books
• More Story Times with Grandma
• Pollyanna, Eleanor H. Porter
• Dr. Oma
• Ester Ried (or Ester Ried’s Awakening), Isabella Alden
• Yet Speaking, Isabella Alden
• A Peep Behind the Scenes (above), Lamplighter Books (Perhaps the MOST influential during a difficult time in my daughter’s life (age 10-12)
Moms, I now have 2 posts available on character-building books for boys (that they will enjoy reading) here and here.
Again, raising girls isn’t easy, but inspiring our daughters through great books as early in her life as possible will open her eyes to truths she might not internalize otherwise.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” ~Matthew 19: 14
*Sigh* This has been a rough day…I think Satan does not want this list of books for raising girls to be shared for some reason…Hmm. Why do you think that is?!?
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Nabila Grace
Thank you so much for this list! What a treasure it is! I can’t wait until you share your list for boys! I’m so thankful that you were impressed to share this with everyone. 🙂
Jacqueline
Hi, Nabila!
It has been on my heart for a while, but I am having a learning curve on all the links!! Glad it is helpful, dearie!! God bless you and your family~
Toni
I’m sure this post will be a light to many parents who’d like a little help instilling Godly values in their children. Our children are grown, but we still keep a library of wholesome reading material for ourselves and our granddaughters when they visit. I agree, the Lamplighter books are excellent. Thank you for the list.
Renee
GREAT POST! Thank you for sharing!!!
JES
Oh, you love the Pansy books too!!! I just finished the Ester Reid series last week as a proofread for our family and realized I had so much to learn myself from them (LOVED THEM)! I was planning on writing about them soon… And… this was my topic for the guest post, “living books”! Guess I need to change it up now 🙂 We have 90% of the books you mentioned so I will definitely look to add the other 10% dearie 🙂 My daughter loves the Peep Behind the Scenes too… She listens to the audio version when she folds the never ending stack of laundry.
Jacqueline
JES, WE love ALL of the Lamplighter Audio books! They had them on a huge promo a while back…it was crazy (14 books for $14.00) or something like that!! Now that is primary car listening material for us :] Give your family our warm greetings, please! 🙂
Katie@simplefoody
Thank you so much for posting this. I only have two daughters as of now (ages 6 and 3…and two boys, looking forward to the other book list :)), and have written down each and every title on an index card to keep in my wallet so that I can purchase them over the next couple years.
meaganv
Very excited for this! Thank you! Would you happen to have recommendations for boy book lists as well? 🙂
Tracey
Our family has LOVED the Miller family series! I just wish there were more of them! 😉
Jacqueline
Tracey, did you see what Kelly just shared? There is a new one!!
Elizabeth@Warrior Wives
One of the books that stands out to me from when I was a high school homeschooler is Elizabeth Prentiss’ Stepping Heavenward. My mom used it as a character-building book and I recently re-read it a few years ago and was as convicted now as I remember being then.
Also, Mary Kassian has a book for high school (and older) girls – Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild which covers everything from dress to habits to body language to speech and many other areas.
Jacqueline
Thank you for the reminder about Stepping Heavenward…I took a photo and forgot to put it in the post :-] Blessings!
Joy
Thank you for sharing such wonderful resources. Many of these are our favorites as well! I am looking forward to reading some of these that are new to us, too.
May I share the link with the other moms in my home school group?
Jacqueline
Joy,
Thank you! I would be very appreciative. The post that still grabs my heart (and caused me to write it), though, is this one: https://deeprootsathome.com/why-have-we-stopped-protecting-our-daughters/
God bless you, dear Mama~
Kelly
We love the Miller books. Did you know their is a new one! Growing With the Millers. (Even though my boys are 15 and 21 I bought it to go with the rest of our collection.) You can find it here…
http://www.clp.org/product/growing_with_the_millers_2953
Jacqueline
No, Kelly, I didn’t! That is exciting as we will order it to add to the series 🙂 I wonder if we will be able to freely order these excellent Christian materials for much longer…I am ‘stocking up’!! Thank you!
Amanda Jones
I just pinned this post, I love all these great references. Thank you!
Tamara Wilkins
Thank you so much for sharing! I’m really looking forward to your list for boys. I was encouraged to see that we have some of the books already, and excited to see more that I can add to our library. It is hard to sort through all the options to make sure you get something truly Biblical, thanks for helping!
Christy C
The Miller Family series!! These have been the favorite of our family! Even now the older nesters will ask is we can use Wisdom and the Millers for devotions! When we tell them we are having devotions in Proberbs they always ask if we are doing Wisdom and the Millers! When we are approaching Missions Conference at church Missionary Stories and the Millers is the must read of the evening! So many precious memories! Thanks for posting the wonderful list! I will be looking forward to your list for boys/young men!
Amy Lee Ellis
Love this list! I still remember reading Pollyanna with my grandmother when I was a girl, and I did a Beautiful Girlhood study with Mom when I was about 12 or so. We loved the What Katy Did books, too. I’ll have to remember some of these for the mother/daughter group at church.
Amy
We’ve read a few of those Miller books (I think because you recommended them) and they are great. I look forward to checking out some of your other recommendations. I always love it when people link-up book lists =)
Meghan Carver
Thank you so much for this list. I always seem to have a list of books I want to buy. Several of these will be added. We got the Lamplighter audio collection (all of them) for $10 last November on that special deal. Now, every time we get in the van….. 🙂
Erin
Thank you so much for sharing all of these. Many we have read, but lots of new ones, too. Found your blog through a friend sharing this post. So glad to be here. 🙂 ~Erin
BUSY MOM IN AL
We have a lot of these! I just ordered five of the ones we don’t have. I love to read and feel very blessed that God has led our family to pick very carefully when it comes to what we put before our children’s eyes and hearts. It is so very important and they become able to discern by our direction when they are young. Thank you for your wise advice, Mrs. Jacqueline! I pray that you will have a better day today.
BUSY MOM IN AL
Wow! I am thankful to hear you and your family are okay after the lightning strike! Be faithful! You are a wonderful encouragement to me and many others!
I just wanted to post some of our favorite books that others might like. We have enjoyed the Moody Family Series by Sarah Maxwell. It is about a homeschooling family and their desire to honor their parents and get along as a family.
We devour ANYTHING by Douglas Bond.
We have read through Ten Peas in A Pod about a homeschooling family in the 1950s as a family and laughed out loud!
Librivox has several G.A. Henty and R.M. Ballantyne audio books available for free download. These are great historical fiction and have been favorite lunchtime books to listen to for years!
Jacqueline
Thanks for these wonderful additions, Busy Mom!! We know of them (LOVE Bond, Henty, Baantyne, and will have to check out Sarah Maxwell) and agree…I just had to stop somewhere, and maybe will do another post someday in addition 🙂
momstheword
I am so pleased to see these suggestions for when someone asks me if I have any ideas on character building books for girls. We never had any girls although I have heard of “Beautiful Girlhood” and could recommend that one.
Character was important to us as well and we did character training when the boys were little as well as went through books with them, etc.
Thanks so much for linking up to “Making Your Home Sing Monday” today!
Sarah
My daughters are 8 and 9. Already talking about boy friends and such. What age do you think is appropriate to start reading “Beautiful Girlhood”? I was looking through it the other day, and thought I don’t know if this would be over their head or not?
Jacqueline
Sarah, I would start by scaning the index, choosing the most needed topic (which means it is timely), and remain diligent to not be sidetracked through the years…looking back, I wish I had remained as intentional as I was at first…I allowed myself to be distracted and lost focus several times. It is never too early to be discussing these topics…obviously it isn’t too early for the world to get their attention for its agenda. May God bless you in your desire to teach your daughters to guard their hearts…you must do it now and teach them how to intentionally do it themselves when you are not able to. 🙂
Sarah
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. 🙂 I appreciate it.
Jennifer N
I am absolutely so thankful that I found your blog about a year ago! I always pray for Titus 2 women in my life. Bless you!!
Jacqueline
Thank you SO much for that encouraging word, Jennifer. I am blessed to pray for you younger gals that are busy raising up your young children. May the dear Lord fill you with His Holy spirit and give you strength and wisdom for each day. Remember to love on your man, dear one! He needs the confidence only you can give him!
Cool Mom (Christine M.)
What an amazing list of books. I will check some of these out. I adore your husband’s gift certificate. Stopping by on the Kid Lit Blog Hop. Thank you for joining!
Christine M./Cool Mom
Techie for Stanley & Katrina
Nicole Hewitt
Thanks for this great list of books for girls. My 9-year-old daughter is at that perfect age to really start thinking about these types of influences.
Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews
Having a 10 year-old daughter myself, I just love your list! Thank you for sharing all of these wonderful recommendations in the Kid Lit Blog Hop. You have a lovely blog and I’m now following you via FB and by email. Looking forward to getting to know you better. Best,
Renee
http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com
Jacqueline
Thank you, Renee~~ I love to ‘meet’ new friends and like-minded Moms 🙂 Blessings to you and your family!
PragmaticMom
Saving this post. Thanks for a great list for girls!
Elizabeth
Just this afternoon I finished reading “Evidence Not Seen” after first learning about it here! What an adventure that was! Her story was fascinating, gripping, sorrowful, and over-all epic. And her faith in Christ Jesus was terrifically inspiring to say the least. Thank you for the wonderful recommendation!
Jacqueline
Oh, Elizabeth! I am thrilled you got it and had the same blessing! To me it is one to read once a year for encouragement and perspective, if nothing else 🙂 God bless you, sweet sister!
Kacy
From a dedicated mother guiding four beautiful young girls through the storms of this world… Thank you for this inspiring and informative post (and your blog)!
Jacqueline
It is my pleasure, Kacy!! God bless you, dear Mama!!
Tara
I have been trying to get the Millers books for ages, but they are so hard to find. If I want to ship them in from the US it’s going to cost an arm and a leg. I saw one on ebay the other day with something like $77 postage, so the book would have been almost $90. :/
I shall keep trying to find them however, because I’ve heard they are really good.
Thanks for the list of the other books too, I’m about to order a couple now from The Book Depository. 😀
Jacqueline
That shipping is outrageous, Tara! Are you in Australia or New Zealand? Wow! Well, I pray that the Lord opens up a source for you, because they are foundational and so well written for the younger child that children want to hear them over and over and go deep into their ready and waiting hearts! May the Lord bless your efforts and energies, Mama 🙂
Tara
I don’t know for sure, but that could have been bogus, just to get more money from the postage. I am in Australia, and most shipping from the US is expensive. I usually use the Book Depository, but they don’t have those titles either.
(There is a lady here who has them, but she is about (at least) an hours drive away. Hopefully I’ll be heading down her way in a few weeks and I’ll be able to get them then, but if not, I’ll just have to keep searching.)
I’ve just ordered Thee, Hanna (which was $22) and Beautiful Girlhood from the Book Dep.. I can’t wait to get them and start reading them with my girls. 😀
Thanks for your posts I enjoy reading them and I like to share them on facebook also. They resonate with me so much, especially the ones about how our young girls are being brought up these days.
God bless you. 🙂
Tara
I’m so disappointed. I’ve just found out that the lady I was hoping to buy the Millers book from has already sold them. 🙁
I just don’t think I’ll be able to get any now, because as I mentioned before, the postage outweighs the cost of the books. :/
On a better note, the books that I have bought recently have been good. My oldest really liked Thee, Hannah!
And we are about to start on Sarah Noble soon, probably when I get over the cold that I’ve picked up.
Jacqueline
Ah, dear Tara, I am sad for you! I am praying right now that the Lord will make a way for a Miller’s Book somehow! His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches us even more!!!! May He pour out His rich blessings upon you and yours!
Tara
Thank you Jacqueline, I really appreciate your prayers. 🙂
Tara
Hi again.
I was wondering if you had heard of this book. I was purchasing something else and this was recommended.
It’s called The Mother at Home by John S.C. Abbott.
I know you have read many books and was wondering if this is something you had come across over the years and would recommend.
I was not raised in a Christian home, and am struggling trying to raise and discipline my children in a biblical way. It’s hard as I was only born again about 4 years ago (and being the sole parent), so I am still learning things myself as I’m trying to raise my children.
Thanks. 🙂
http://www.bookdepository.com/Mother-at-Home-John-Stevens-Cabot-Abbott/9781932474701
Jacqueline
Hi, again, Tara 🙂
I have not heard of it not the author John Abbott. It sounds a lot like Homemaking by JR Miller (one of my very favorites):http://amzn.to/1tZesI4 If you click on the middle box that says hard cover, you can select from used and new from 1 cent plus shipping to under $4.00 for new plus shipping, plus I like the cover of the mother and child so much more than the portrait of JR himself 😉 It speaks about marriage, and even though you are a single Momma, it will be helpful to see the ‘picture’ of what God intended for marriage. It helped me so much! J.R. Miller’s writings are just so warm and encouraging!
I hope that helps! Blessings!
Hadassah Geraci
Thank you for sharing this book list. You are the first and only person besides my husband who seems very like minded in my choice of books. I even read your last comment about J.R. Miller, another one of my favorites. : ) I cannot wait to divulge into many of the books that you have listed that we have not read or do not have for our children. Thank you again.
Jacqueline
Thank YOU, Hadassah! I think the world is getting imbedded into many more areas, but there will ALWAYS be a remnant! Stand firm, dear one, in Jesus! Blessings to your family 🙂
Susan w
Thank you so much for this post. I have looked for a list just like this for a while.
Thank you, thank you!
Jacqueline
So glad to be of help, Susan. That is the heart of my blogging…to bless and encourage wives and mothers! Praise God 🙂
Blessings and thank YOU!
Suzanne K
Hi Tara from Australia, I am from Australia and I bought a set of the Miller Books and the postage was about $20 for all the books & workbooks set. The link is here http://www.milestonebooks.com/item/20-5–/ Hope it works for you. God bless you. We love the Miller books.
Jacqueline
That is terribly expensive shipping, Suzanne K. We have friends in Canada and were recently astounded at what they pay in shipping as well!
I hope you enjoy them as much as we did!
Suzanne K
Hi, thanks for this wonderful resource. Can you please pass me the website on where to buy the lamplighter books and audio for s reasonably good price? Thanks
Jill
Thank you for taking the time to share this list! What a blessing to see the fruits of your years and years of search for character-building books.
Like others, I have had trouble locating many of these books. My library only has a few. (They don’t seem to be en vogue, which is not surprising!) I was able to find several of them on kindle for prices between $0 and $5. (A Peep Behind the Scenes was free!) For those who are hesitant to pay huge sums for shipping, give the kindle store a try!!!
Jacqueline
Yes, Jill, we are seeing wonderful old books and their availability disa[[ear right before our eyes! it is harder to find really wonderful reading for children!!
Blessings, ~J