Morality Tales

No one wants their kids reading complete trash. It's pretty widely understood that what goes in comes out, and if kids consume a steady diet of books with bad morals, chances are they're going to retain those attitudes, regardless of the instruction they get at home. Wouldn't it be better to have them read books with clear messages of Christian virtue and well-behaved main characters?

Yes and no—obviously, we want good examples set for our children, and character-building stories often provide them. At the same time, they have a tendency to portray their heroes and heroines as too good, so that kids see a completely unrealistic picture of childhood which they consequently reject, if not at home, then later in life when it matters even more.

In the Bible, of course, Jesus Himself is presented as our example for leading a godly life. The difference is that these books are supposed to be representations of ordinary people, not the Son of God. To suggest that human beings (especially children!) can attain a state of near-sinless perfection is dangerously close to heresy.

That said, even stories of this kind are better than a lot of the available reading material for youngsters. If the goal is to raise children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, giving them an unattainable standard is superior to giving them one far too easily achieved, or none at all. Stories about selfish kiddos, kiddos who get their way, kiddos who are more wise than adults—these aren't the kind of stories our impressionable tykes need to read.

With that in mind, we offer this collection of morality tales, or wholesome fiction. A lot of these books are Victorian-era novels highly influenced by the moralist tones of the period, but many are also more recent ventures (and also a little more realistic). We suggest you not make a steady diet of these sorts of books (they don't typically feature the best writing), but every now and then it's not a bad idea to refresh your children's pool of good examples.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.
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123 Items found Print
Active Filters: 9th grade (Ages 14-15)
America Is Born
A History for Peter #1
by Gerald W. Johnson
from Yesterday's Classics
for 7th-12th grade
1960 Newbery Honor Book
in History Spines & Surveys (Location: HISRF-SPINE)
Arthur Erskine's Story
Reformation Trail Series #14
by Deborah Alcock
from Inheritance Publications
for 9th-Adult
in Reformation Trail Series (Location: FIC-WH06)
$25.95
Book of Discovery
by M. B. Synge
from Yesterday's Classics
for 7th-12th grade
in History Spines & Surveys (Location: HISRF-SPINE)
$20.95
Book of Genesis
The Bible for School and Home #1
by J. Patterson Smyth
from Yesterday's Classics
for 8th-12th grade
in Bible for School and Home (Location: BIB-YC)
Burning of Rome
by Alfred J. Church
from Yesterday's Classics
for 6th-9th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$14.95
By Far Euphrates
by Deborah Alcock
from Inheritance Publications
Historical Fiction for 9th-12th grade
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$14.95
Coronation of Glory
Reformation Trail Series #12
by Deborah Meroff
from Inheritance Publications
Biography for 8th-10th grade
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$17.95
Countryside Rambles
by W.S. Furneaux
from Yesterday's Classics
for 7th-12th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$14.95
Cross Triumphant
Lamplighter Rare Collector Series
by Florence Morse Kingsley
from Lamplighter Publishing
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in Lamplighter Rare Collector Series (Location: FIC-WH04)
Crushed Yet Conquering
Reformation Trail Series #02
by Deborah Alcock
from Inheritance Publications
Historical Fiction for 9th-12th grade
in Reformation Trail Series (Location: FIC-WH06)
Czar, The
by Deborah Alcock
from Inheritance Publications
Historical Fiction for 6th-10th grade
in Inheritance Fiction (Location: FIC-WH03)
$19.95
Daisy Chain
by Charlotte Yonge
from Beautiful Feet Books
Realistic Fiction for 9th-12th grade
in Morality Tales (Location: FIC-WH05)
$16.95 $12.00 (1 in stock)
Daisy Chain
by Charlotte Yonge
from Living Book Press
Realistic Fiction for 9th-12th grade
in Morality Tales (Location: FIC-WH05)
Dark Year of Dundee
Reformation Trail Series #06
by Deborah Alcock
from Inheritance Publications
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in Reformation Trail Series (Location: FIC-WH06)
$10.95
Days of Prince Maurits
Reformation Trail Series #17
by Mary O. Nutting
from Inheritance Publications
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$25.95
Defender of the Faith
William and Mary Trilogy Volume 2
by Marjorie Bowen
from Inheritance Publications
Historical fiction for 9th-12th grade
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$13.95 $9.00 (1 in stock)
Doctor Adrian
Reformation Trail Series #13
by Deborah Alcock
from Inheritance Publications
Historical fiction for 9th-12th grade
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$15.95
Done and Dared in Old France
Huguenot Inheritance Series #7
by Deborah Alcock
from Inheritance Publications
Historical fiction for 7th-10th grade
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$14.95
Drawing, Design, and Craft-Work
by Frederick J. Glass
from Yesterday's Classics
in Art & Drawing Reference (Location: ELE-ARTREF)
$16.95
Driven into Exile
Huguenot Inheritance Series #5
by Charlotte Maria Tucker
from Inheritance Publications
Historical fiction for 7th-10th grade
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$9.95
Early Church
by George Hodges
from Yesterday's Classics
for 8th-12th grade
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
$13.95
Escape
Huguenot Inheritance Series #1
by A. Van der Jagt
from Inheritance Publications
Historical fiction for 7th-10th grade
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$10.95
Everyman: A Morality Play
by Anonymous
from Samuel French
for 9th-Adult
in Medieval Literature (Location: LIT2-MED)
$1.00 (10 in stock)
Exiles in Babylon
Lamplighter Rare Collector Series
by A.L.O.E.
from Lamplighter Publishing
for 6th-10th grade
in Lamplighter Rare Collector Series (Location: FIC-WH04)
Faithful, But Not Famous
Emma Leslie Church History Series
by Emma Leslie
from Salem Ridge Press
for 5th-9th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
Falsely Accused in the High Sierras
by Frederick Vining Fisher
from Lamplighter Publishing
for 6th-10th grade
in Lamplighter Rare Collector Series (Location: FIC-WH04)
Famous Men of the Middle Ages
by John H. Haaren & A.B. Poland
from Yesterday's Classics
Historical Reference for 5th - 10th grade
in Middle Ages (Location: HISW-MID)
$13.95
First Book in American History
by Edward Eggleston
2nd edition from Yesterday's Classics
for 7th-9th grade
in American History Reference (Location: HISA-REF)
$14.95
First Studies of Plant Life
by George F. Atkinson
from Yesterday's Classics
for 6th-9th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$14.95
Florence Nightingale
by Laura E. Richards
from Yesterday's Classics
Biography for 6th-9th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$10.95
For God and the King
William and Mary Trilogy Volume 3
by Marjorie Bowen
from Inheritance Publications
Historical fiction for 9th-12th grade
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$15.95 $10.00 (1 in stock)
Friends of Pascal
Huguenot Inheritance Series #11
by Deborah Alcock
from Inheritance Publications
for 9th-Adult
in Huguenot Inheritance Series (Location: FIC-WH02)
$18.95
Governor of England
by Marjorie Bowen
from Inheritance Publications
Biography for 9th-12th grade
in Inheritance Fiction (Location: FIC-WH03)
$17.95 $10.00 (3 in stock)
Gytha's Message
Emma Leslie Church History Series
by Emma Leslie
from Salem Ridge Press
for 5th-9th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Hannibal
Makers of History Series
by Jacob Abbott
from Yesterday's Classics
for 7th-12th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$12.95
Hedge of Thorns
Lamplighter Rare Collector Series
by John Hatchard & Mark Hamby
from Lamplighter Publishing
for 9th-Adult
in Lamplighter Rare Collector Series (Location: FIC-WH04)
Heroes of the Middle Ages
by Eva March Tappan
from Yesterday's Classics
Historical Fiction for 6th-9th grade
in Middle Ages (Location: HISW-MID)
$12.95
Hidden Hand
Lamplighter Rare Collector Series
by E.D.E.N. Southworth
from Lamplighter Publishing
for 6th-10th grade
in Lamplighter Rare Collector Series (Location: FIC-WH04)
Hidden Treasure
Reformation Trail Series #21
by Lucy Ellen Geurnsey
from Inheritance Publications
for 8th-Adult
in Reformation Trail Series (Location: FIC-WH06)
$17.95
Highlands of Galilee: When Christ Came
The Bible for School and Home #5
by J. Patterson Smyth
from Yesterday's Classics
for 8th-12th grade
in Bible for School and Home (Location: BIB-YC)
$13.95
How They Kept the Faith
Huguenot Inheritance Series #3
by Grace Raymond
from Inheritance Publications
Historical fiction for 7th-10th grade
in Huguenot Inheritance Series (Location: FIC-WH02)
$19.90
Hubert Ellerdale
Reformation Trail Series #01
by W. Oak Rhind
from Inheritance Publications
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in Reformation Trail Series (Location: FIC-WH06)
$12.95
Huguenot Inheritance Series
by Various Authors
from Inheritance Publications
Historical Fiction for 7th-10th grade
in Huguenot Inheritance Series (Location: FIC-WH02)
$112.65
I Will Maintain
William and Mary Trilogy Volume 1
by Marjorie Bowen
from Inheritance Publications
Historical Fiction for 9th-12th grade
in Inheritance Fiction (Location: FIC-WH03)
$15.95 $10.00 (1 in stock)
In His Steps
by Charles M. Sheldon
from Revell Publishing
for 9th grade-Adult
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$6.99 $3.50 (1 in stock)
In the City
Huguenot Inheritance Series #13
by Deborah Alcock
from Inheritance Publications
for 7th-10th grade
in Huguenot Inheritance Series (Location: FIC-WH02)
$13.95
In the Days of Alfred the Great
by Eva March Tappan
from Yesterday's Classics
for 6th-10th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$12.95
In the Days of Queen Elizabeth
by Eva March Tappan
from Yesterday's Classics
for 6th-10th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$12.95
In the Days of Queen Victoria
by Eva March Tappan
from Yesterday's Classics
for 6th-10th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$12.95 $7.50 (1 in stock)
In the Days of William the Conqueror
by Eva March Tappan
from Yesterday's Classics
for 6th-10th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$12.95
In the Desert
Huguenot Inheritance Series #12
by Deborah Alcock
from Inheritance Publications
in Huguenot Inheritance Series (Location: FIC-WH02)
$13.95
Ishmael
Lamplighter Rare Collector Series
by E.D.E.N. Southworth
1st edition from Lamplighter Publishing
for 6th-10th grade
in Lamplighter Rare Collector Series (Location: FIC-WH04)
John Calvin, Genius of Geneva
Reformation Trail Series #07
by Lawrence Penning
from Inheritance Publications
Biography for 6th-9th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$19.95
Joshua and the Judges
The Bible for School and Home #3
by J. Patterson Smyth
from Yesterday's Classics
for 8th-12th grade
in Bible for School and Home (Location: BIB-YC)
$7.00 (1 in stock)
King's Gold
by Mrs. Elizabeth Cheney
from Lamplighter Publishing
for 6th-10th grade
in Lamplighter Rare Collector Series (Location: FIC-WH04)
King's Service
Reformation Trail Series #18
by Deborah Alcock
from Inheritance Publications
Historical Fiction for 6th-10th grade
in Reformation Trail Series (Location: FIC-WH06)
Leofwine the Monk: Or, the Curse of the Ericsons
Emma Leslie Church History Series
by Emma Leslie
from Salem Ridge Press
for 5th-9th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$14.95
Life in the Eagle's Nest
by Charlotte Maria Tucker
from Inheritance Publications
for 9th-12th grade
in Inheritance Fiction (Location: FIC-WH03)
$9.95
Little White Farm House in Iowa
Precious Memories Book 1: The First 10 Years
by Carol Brands
from Inheritance Publications
for 4th-9th grade
in Inheritance Fiction (Location: FIC-WH03)
$9.00
Little Yellow Farm House in Iowa
Precious Memories Book 2: Years 11-17
by Carol Brands
from Inheritance Publications
for 4th-9th grade
in Inheritance Fiction (Location: FIC-WH03)
$9.00
Lost Clue
Lamplighter Rare Collector Series
by O. F.Walton
from Lamplighter Publishing
for 6th-10th grade
in Lamplighter Rare Collector Series (Location: FIC-WH04)
Loyal Huguenot Maid
Huguenot Inheritance Series #8
by Margaret S. Comrie
from Inheritance Publications
Historical Fiction for 7th-10th grade
in Huguenot Inheritance Series (Location: FIC-WH02)
Luther by Those Who Knew Him
Reformation Trail Series #20
by Elizabeth R. Charles
from Inheritance Publications
for 9th-Adult
in Reformation Trail Series (Location: FIC-WH06)
$19.95
Magic Runes
Emma Leslie Church History Series
by Emma Leslie
from Salem Ridge Press
for 5th-9th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$7.50 (1 in stock)
Manual of Clay Modeling
by Hermione Unwin
from Yesterday's Classics
for 1st-12th grade
in Architecture and Sculpture (Location: ELE-ARC)
$11.95
Martin Luther: The Man and His Work
Reformation Trail Series #19
by Arthur C. McGiffert
from Inheritance Publications
for 9th-Adult
in Reformation Trail Series (Location: FIC-WH06)
$19.95
Martyr of Kolin
Young Burning Hearts Series
by H. O. Ward
from Inheritance Publications
for 5th-10th grade
in Inheritance Fiction (Location: FIC-WH03)
Martyr of the Catacombs
by Anonymous Christian
from Kregel Publications
Historical Fiction for 7th-10th grade
in Morality Tales (Location: FIC-WH05)
Martyr's Victory
Emma Leslie Church History Series
by Emma Leslie
from Salem Ridge Press
for 5th-9th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$14.95
Moses and the Exodus
The Bible for School and Home #2
by J. Patterson Smyth
from Yesterday's Classics
for 8th-12th grade
in Bible for School and Home (Location: BIB-YC)
$13.95
Must I Give Him Up?
Huguenot Inheritance Series #14
by Deborah Alcock
from Inheritance Publications
for 7th-10th grade
in Huguenot Inheritance Series (Location: FIC-WH02)
$8.95
Nobody's Boy
by Hector Malot, translated by Florence Crewe Jones, illustrated by Thelma Gooch and Johnny Gruelle
from Inheritance Publications
for 6th-9th grade
in Inheritance Fiction (Location: FIC-WH03)
$14.95
Nobody's Girl
by Hector Malot, translated by Florence Crewe Jones
from Inheritance Publications
for 6th-9th grade
in Inheritance Fiction (Location: FIC-WH03)
Not for Crown or Sceptre
Reformation Trail Series #15
by Deborah Alcock
from Inheritance Publications
for 7th-10th grade
in Inheritance Fiction (Location: FIC-WH03)
$25.95
Of Skies and Seas
My Father's World
by Joanne E. De Jonge
from Eerdmans
for 7th-9th grade
in Morality Tales (Location: FIC-WH05)
$3.50 (1 in stock)
Our Empire Story
by H. E. Marshall
from Yesterday's Classics
for 4th-10th grade
in History Spines & Surveys (Location: HISRF-SPINE)
$22.95
Peep Behind the Scenes
Lamplighter Rare Collector Series
by O.F. Walton
from Lamplighter Publishing
for 9th-Adult
in Lamplighter Rare Collector Series (Location: FIC-WH04)
Prior's Tithe
Reformation Trail Series #05
by Deborah Alcock
from Inheritance Publications
for 7th-10th grade
in Reformation Trail Series (Location: FIC-WH06)
$9.95
Prisoners of Hope
Reformation Trail Series #09
by Deborah Alcock
from Inheritance Publications
for 9th-Adult
in Reformation Trail Series (Location: FIC-WH06)
$9.95
Prisoners of the Sea
from Lamplighter Publishing
for 6th-10th grade
in Morality Tales (Location: FIC-WH05)
Prophets and Kings
The Bible for School and Home #4
by J. Patterson Smyth
from Yesterday's Classics
for 8th-12th grade
in Bible for School and Home (Location: BIB-YC)
Refugees
Huguenot Inheritance Series #6
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
from Inheritance Publications
Historical fiction for 7th-10th grade
in Huguenot Inheritance Series (Location: FIC-WH02)
$19.95
Rita Comes Home
by Andrew Siegrist
from Rod & Staff Publishers, Inc.
for 6th-Adult
in Rod & Staff Fiction (Location: REA-R&S)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Roman Students
Reformation Trail Series #03
by Deborah Alcock
from Inheritance Publications
for 9th-Adult
in Reformation Trail Series (Location: FIC-WH06)
$17.95
Romance of Protestantism
Reformation Trail Series #04
by Deborah Alcock
from Inheritance Publications
for 9th-12th grade
in Reformation Trail Series (Location: FIC-WH06)
$12.95
Romulus
Makers of History series
by Jacob Abbott
from Yesterday's Classics
History for 8th-12th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$12.95 $7.50 (1 in stock)
Rules for a Knight
by Ethan Hawke, illustrated by Ryan Hawke
from Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.
for 4th-12th grade
in Morality Tales (Location: FIC-WH05)
Sabbath Readings for the Home Circle
by M. A. Vroman
from A. B. Publishing, Inc.
for 5th-Adult
in Morality Tales (Location: FIC-WH05)
$5.50 (1 in stock)
Scotland's Story
by H. E. Marshall
from Yesterday's Classics
for 5th-12th grade
in History Spines & Surveys (Location: HISRF-SPINE)
$17.95
Secret Mission
Huguenot Inheritance Series #2
by A. Van der Jagt
from Inheritance Publications
Historical Fiction for 7th-10th grade
in Huguenot Inheritance Series (Location: FIC-WH02)
$13.95 $9.00 (1 in stock)
Self-Raised
by EDEN Southworth
from Lamplighter Publishing
for 6th-10th grade
in Lamplighter Rare Collector Series (Location: FIC-WH04)
Shepherd of Bethlehem
Lamplighter Rare Collector Series
by A.L.O.E.
from Lamplighter Publishing
for 6th-10th grade
in Lamplighter Rare Collector Series (Location: FIC-WH04)
Sir Knight of the Splendid Way
Lamplighter Rare Collector Series
by W. E. Cule
from Lamplighter Publishing
for 6th-10th grade
in Lamplighter Rare Collector Series (Location: FIC-WH04)
Soldier of Virginia
by Marjorie Bowen
from Inheritance Publications
Biography for 9th-12th grade
in Inheritance Fiction (Location: FIC-WH03)
$12.95
Spanish Brothers
Reformation Trail Series #10
by Deborah Alcock
from Inheritance Publications
Historical Fiction for 9th-12th grade
in Reformation Trail Series (Location: FIC-WH06)
$14.95
Spanish Brothers
by Deborah Alcock
from Lamplighter Publishing
Historical Fiction for 9th-12th grade
in Lamplighter Rare Collector Series (Location: FIC-WH04)
St. Mark
The Bible for School and Home #8
by J. Patterson Smyth
from Yesterday's Classics
for 8th-12th grade
in Bible for School and Home (Location: BIB-YC)
St. Matthew
The Bible for School and Home #7
by J. Patterson Smyth
from Yesterday's Classics
for 8th-12th grade
in Bible for School and Home (Location: BIB-YC)
$13.95
Stepping Heavenward
by Elizabeth Prentiss
from Lamplighter Publishing
Femininity/Realistic Fiction for 8th-12th grade
in Lamplighter Rare Collector Series (Location: FIC-WH04)
Stories From Livy
by Alfred J. Church
from Yesterday's Classics
History for 6th-9th grade
in Classics Retold (Location: FIC-RET)
$11.95
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