In some ways it seems like ages ago I was a teenager dreaming about meeting my future hubby. The world presents so many images of what love is or should be like. You watch Disney movies about princess and their princes to chick flicks and you see how the world perceives love and relationships. Thinking of raising Munchkins to be a young girl and eventually woman who loves the Lord can be daunting in a fallen world. Thankfully there are a few gems out there letting young girls still dream and also helping to point to Christ and what true love is.
I have always enjoyed reading so at age 14 when I found the Christy Miller Series by Robin Jones Gunn I was immediately hooked. The series begins when Christy Miller is 14 years old spending the summer at her aunt and uncle’s home at the beach. Over the summer she meets Todd, the tall blonde surfer dude, and his friends who are “God-Lovers”. Christy is a typical teenager figuring herself out and learning what it means to be a true “God-Lover”. I have always loved how seamlessly Gunn incorporates relevant scripture throughout the books and the character’s lives. Thankfully Gunn continued writing and there are additional series where you can continue following Christy, Todd and their friends.
In many ways I “grew up” with Christy and Todd and eagerly awaited the release of each new book. When I was reading them the series consisted of 12 books but you can now purchase them in 4 volumes. Do know your teenager may not want to put them down! I have had the joy of sharing these books with other young girls in my life and every one has been drawn in and encouraged. Although a little different from Christy’s tall blonde surfer dude, I ended up marrying my average height, brown haired, mountain adventure man, who is meeting those dreams in ways beyond my wildest expectation. I am so grateful for Gunn’s writing and helping me at tender and vulnerable time to dream of a God loving man. If you are looking for quality fiction for your daughter that will let her dream biblically, I would highly recommend the Christy Miller series.
