LDS Fiction — The Growing Youth and Young Adult Market
By Michele Ashman Bell

Within the past few years we have seen a major boom in books created for LDS children of all ages.  From picture books to young adult novels, LDS publishers are flooding the market with great books for kids, some by well-known authors, others by unknown authors.

With the global success of Harry Potter books and movies, as well as Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia, there has been a huge demand for books within the LDS market filled with fun, excitement and adventure.  But, helping to differentiate LDS books from mainstream fiction, is the addition of gospel centered themes.     

So, with that in mind, where does one begin to tackle the abundant reading choices within the children’s market? 

I’ve compiled the following list of new releases and books already in print, all of which are a sure way to please even the pickiest of readers.  This list is by no means comprehensive, but it will give you an idea of what is out there and available for young readers.  And the best part is even parents can enjoy these stories along with their children.

Serpent Tide by K.L. Fogg, Covenant Communications.  NEW!

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One of the newest releases on this list, Serpent Tide, is a sure bet for fun and excitement.  The story takes place in on the coast South Carolina and is about Wesley Vandergrift, the son of the eccentric billionaire, Imogene Vandergrift. 

Up until the age of eleven, Wesley’s mother has protected him and sheltered him from the outside world.  His only real friends are the servants who work for his mother and, Amanda Perry, the daughter of Maria, the head housekeeper.  Together Amanda and Wesley find as much fun as they possibly can behind his mother’s back, but Wesley wishes he could do the things regular kids could do; like go to summer camp and have pets in the house.  Wesley’s only outlet is watching the popular television show “The Snake Stalker” starring Jack Mackey, from Australia.

Wesley’s boring and sheltered life soon turns to nail biting excitement as a series of unexpected events expose dark secrets, a dangerous kidnapping and an encounter with none other than his hero, Jack Mackey himself. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it entertaining and hard to put down.  Kids of all ages will be immediately drawn into the story and enjoy the fast-paced adventure that takes Wesley on a thrilling journey of discovery.   It is very rewarding to watch Wesley’s growth as he handles enormous changes in his life and goes from being whiny and unsure of himself, to becoming strong and confident. 

Not only is the book well written, but there is an outstanding cast of characters that are both memorable and fun.  All of them are well-developed and interesting, and even characters with small roles in the story make an impact.  My favorite was the character, Jack Mackey.  K.L. Fogg has done an outstanding job bringing him to life and making him the ideal hero who is down-to-earth and loads of fun. 

Also worth a mention is the fantastic job David Walker did on the audio version of this book.  He’s the master of accents and gives a stellar performance for each of the characters in the book.  You’ll find yourself sitting in your car listening to the story, long after you’ve arrived at your destination.   

Don’t miss Serpent Tide by K.L. Fogg.  It will leave you breathlessly waiting for book number two!

Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo by Obert Sky, 384 pages.

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Taking the market by storm is the book many have compared to the Harry Potter series. 

“Fourteen-year-old Leven Thumps is no ordinary boy, but that's exactly what Sabine and his dark shadows want him to believe. The evil forces know the fate of the world and the dreams of all mankind can be saved by only one boy with a powerful gift — a gift he has yet to understand or control.

Leven, a.k.a. "Lev," lives a wretched life at the Rolling Greens Deluxe Mobile Home Park in Burnt Culvert, Oklahoma. But his life is about to change and his destiny be fulfilled as he learns about a secret gateway that bridges two worlds — the real world and Foo, a place created at the beginning of time that makes it possible for mankind to dream and hope, aspire and imagine. "Foo is an entire realm hidden in a fold of the mind, a very real place," says author Obert Skye.

But Foo is in chaos, and three transplants from that dream world have been sent to retrieve Lev — Clover, a mischievous, fuzzy, foot-high sidekick; Winter, an odd girl who can freeze things; and Geth, the rightful heir to the monarchy of Foo. Lev's mission: to destroy the hidden gateway before Sabine can find his way out of Foo and into the real world where he plans to reign supreme.

Unfortunately, the gateway is on the other side of the world, time is running out, and reaching the gateway is only one of the ominous tasks. Destroying it will require an act of great courage and daring, something Lev is not at all certain he is up to.

Can this unique band of travelers convince Lev to do what only he can do? Can Leven even find the gateway? Will belief overcome doubt? It's a race against time to save the world . . . if only fate would step in and help.”  

Leven Thumps and the Whispered Secret, the second book in the series, is scheduled for release in October of 2006.

Book of Mormon Sleuth by C.B. Anderson, 279 pages

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“Twelve-year old Brandon is sure his summer vacation has been ruined when his parents drag him to the Midwestern farm of his mother's eccentric aunt. What the unhappy seventh grader hasn't counted on is Aunt Ella's ability to bring alive their daily reading of the Book of Mormon. From its pages she spins an intriguing game, turning her house, dairy farm and daily routines into a puzzle — a labyrinth that can be solved only by using clues taken from the scriptures.

Brandon's reward for solving the puzzle is to be a rare copy of the original edition of the Book of Mormon. But when a mysterious Dr. Anthony shows up and attempts to steal the valuable book, Brandon must use his newfound knowledge of the Book of Mormon to confront real dangers.”

Adventures of Young Joseph Williams, by Dean Hughes, three volume series

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 “Book 1:  Under the Same Stars brings the story of the Latter-day Saints' Missouri trials to life through the eyes of a young boy, Joseph Williams. His battle to understand his friends, his family, and his special mission in life is woven in a captivating work of historical fiction.

Book 2: As Wide as the River continues the story of the Williams family after their expulsion from Jackson County by an angry mob. This is the story of young Joseph's growing conflict with his family, his unsteady faith, and his longing for adventure and power as a riverboat pilot on the Missouri.

Book 3:  Facing the Enemy follows Joseph from Far West to Haun's Mill and Liberty Jail, and his hair-raising adventures along the way help him become the kind of young man the Prophet Joseph Smith expects him to be.”           

The Liahona Legacies by Tina Monson, three-volume series

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“The Timber Creek Titan's never expected to be facing a pair of escaped convicts from the local prison as their next opponents. But when they accidentally stumbled across an ancient treasure map, they were in for the game of their lives.

Following clues from the mysterious map, Hero, Bubba and the rest of the Team try to stay one step ahead of the villains. This chilling, action adventure is full of spectacular realms of twisting passages, dangerous encounters, magical discoveries and... a priceless long lost treasure.

The Team's unexpected ending leaves you wondering what will happen next in this journey of many lifetimes.”

Jimmy Fincher, A Door in the Woods, by James Dashner, Bonneville Books, 168 pages, four-volume series 

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A Door in the Woods, is a fast-paced story that sustains a high level of suspense and excitement from the very first page.  James Dashner’s writing is explosive, fun and creative and the characters range from quirky and fun, to downright terrifying. 

The story begins when one beautiful summer day, Jimmy decides to go to the woods and climb his favorite tree.  While he’s secluded up high in the tree branches he witnesses an unspeakable crime that doesn’t seem to make any sense to him.  He’s terrified when his presence is discovered by the perpetrator.  Jimmy, a quick-thinking and courageous kid, realizes that the only way to save himself is to jump.  And that is when the adventure begins, and it doesn’t stop until the last page. 

Even though the story is a bit complicated, it makes for a thrilling adventure that is filled with unexpected twists and turns.  Just when you think you can relax, something happens, and Jimmy’s off again. 

Throughout his exciting journey, Jimmy discovers that what he has believed about life and his family, up until this point, isn’t reality at all, and that an ancient legend has come to life, a legend that surrounds him and places the fate of the world upon his shoulders.  And it all has to do with a door, in the woods.  A door that leads to another world.

In each book in the series, Jimmy receives a gift to help him in his fight to save himself, his family and the world.  As he learns how to use this gift to fight against the villains from these others worlds, Jimmy grows stronger and more courageous. 

I definitely recommend this series and promise the reader the ride of a lifetime!

The CTR Club by Lisa J. Peck, four-volume series

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“It’s time for the Primary Children’s program, and Sariah McDuff knows just the thing to make it a memorable experience for all — she will be the very first Primary Diva! After all, Bethni Sharp has her videos on TV and is famous all over the world, so why can’t Sariah be famous in Primary and Church and school?

Join seven-year-old Sariah, sister Margaret and their bewildered parents, as Sariah tries to become the quintessential singing star with purple sequins and a head microphone, but learns instead that music can be so much more than just a way to be the center of attention.

Lee Ann Setzer tells the funny stories of larger-than-life Sariah McDuff — a young lady with lots of energy and unusual ideas! Fun reading for parents and children alike, Sariah McDuff, Primary Diva is only the first of many misadventures and heartfelt lessons for our LDS heroine.”

Kids on a Mission: Escape from Germany by Sian Ann Bessey, 186 pages.  2 books in the series, another scheduled for the end of 2006

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“When Matt and Emily Williams stumble into a forgotten shed on the grounds of the MTC they can’t believe what they find. Inside a mysterious envelope on the floor is a mission call…with their names on it! They have been called to serve with the Lord’s missionaries in Germany… back in 1940!

As Adolf Hitler and the Nazis seize power leading up to war, President Heber J. Grant orders all missionaries out of Germany. But Matt and Emily learn there are elders still trapped in safe-houses under Nazi surveillance.  Emily and Matt have to avoid the wicked Gestapo agent who is hot on their trail, help rescue the stranded missionaries, and make it back to the twenty-first century before time runs out.” 

Both books in the Kids on a Mission are exciting, education and inspirational.  Sian Ann Bessey writes in such a way that kids will become immediately engrossed in the story and won’t want to stop reading until the end.  These stories come alive with vibrant descriptions that set the stage for wonderful characters and exciting adventures. 

Definitely do not miss Kids on a Mission.  A third book in the series tentatively scheduled for release December of 2006.

Ravenspell, #1: Of Mice and Magic: by David Farland, 276 pages.

“More than anything, Benjamin Ravenspell wants a pet. But when he buys a mouse named Amber, he gets more than he bargained for. No sooner does Ben take her home, than Amber turns him into a mouse too. You see, Amber has magical abilities, and it so happens that Ben is a familiar — a creature that stores magical energy. Together they each form half of a powerful wizard. Alone, they're just vermin.

Soon Ben and Amber will find themselves pitted in an epic battle against a magical enemy who is as crazed as he is evil — and the fate of the world will rest on them learning to work together.”

Note:   Ravenspell, #1:  Of Mice and Magic is written by David Farland, who also writes under the name, David Wolverton.  He’s a New York Times best-selling author and his book, Runelords, is currently being made into an epic motion picture.

Kevin Kirk Chronicles:  My Mom’s a Mortician by Patricia Wiles

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“Poor Kevin. It’s hard enough to move to a new house far away, let alone to a funeral home. Worst of all, his parents kept it a secret from him until the last possible moment. The thought of sleeping in the same house with dead bodies doesn’t thrill Kevin, nor does the prospect of helping run the family business. But when one of the “deceased” starts appearing to him and giving him advice, Kevin really has his hands full.   

Cletus McCulley, the dead man in question, was a Mormon and an avid fisherman. And before long, he has Kevin “fishing” into other people’s secrets. There’s the junior-high-school bully, Chuck, who needs to be taught a lesson. And then there’s his own family secret: Kevin’s parents used to be Mormons, just like Cletus, until a family tragedy drove them away from God. But what can Kevin do about it? With Cletus’s help, he’ll see.”

Latter-day Spies:  Spyhunt, by Michele Ashman Bell, series, with Latter-day Spies:  Rescue, to be released April 2006.

“Eleven-year-old twins Seth and Sadie Fletcher are all set for a fun and relaxing summer in Frankfurt, Germany, where their father is a U.S. Ambassador. They are especially excited about having time to play their favorite game, Spyhunt, which takes them all over the city, riding busses, streetcars, and subways in search of imaginary adventures. But for some reason, Seth and Sadie’s parents are more concerned than usual about the twins’ safety. To make matters worse, they announce that a blind boy named Fami is going to spend several weeks with them. The twins are afraid their fun will be over before it begins.

Then they discover that Fami is a great kid who enjoys doing the things they like best. In the midst of their fun, the children spot a mysterious man who seems to pop up everywhere they go. Soon Seth, Sadie, and Fami will have an opportunity to play Spyhunt for real—in a dangerous game that puts their lives in jeopardy.”