From: James Elliott <j_c_elliott>
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 18:59:13 -0500

Fiction:

The first writer to come to mind (after the late C. S. Lewis) for writing quality books that include religion is Madeline L'Engle, an Episcopalian who isn't shy about putting her beliefs about God into the story line. I just looked up "Ring of Endless Light", where Vicky Austin is at the funeral of a family friend, all the while thinking about the upcoming death of her grandfather from Lukemia:

I remembered last year when he [Leo] was on a religious kick and was telling us exactly what God is like, Grandfather had said quietly -- not rebukingly, just quietly -- "As St. Augustine says: If you think you understand, it isn't God."

Questions about God (but few answers) are all throughout L'Engle's novels for YA readers. I feel she gives younger readers PERMISSION to ask questions most adults (well, hopefull not!) would say "Don't ask foolish questions!"

Madeline L'Engle's non-fiction books on religion are readily available, as well, but most of those are more geared toward an adult reading audience.

Jim Elliott Tallahassee, FL.

"I received the fundamentals of my education in school, but that was not enough. My real education, the superstructure, the details, the true architecture, I got out of the public library. For an impoverished child whose family could not afford to buy books, the library was the open door to wonder and achievement, and I can never be sufficiently grateful that I had the wit to charge through that door and make the most of it. Now, when I read constantly about the way in which library funds are being cut and cut, I can only think that the door is closing and that American society has found one more way to destroy itself."

? I, Asimov. New York: Doubleday, 1994. Isaac ASIMOV
Received on Thu 18 Nov 2004 05:59:13 PM CST