We’re excited to be adding a fun new (but old) tradition to the Beacon Tuck Shop for summer 2019 - book suggestions from the year-round Beacon staff!

When I (Kodiak) was a camper, a whole section of the Tuck Shop was books. Tracts, Bibles, and encouraging books all held a place in the camp store. Of course, with the advent of online shopping, Beacon’s little Tuck Shop couldn’t possibly compete with Amazon - all someone had to do was quickly look up the price online and they would know that we had to charge more money because we’re so small. A number of years ago, we had to say goodbye to our book section.

But no longer! Instead of competing with Chapters for every Christian book on the market, we’re choosing six books this year, each picked by one of our year-round staff specifically because they love the book and they want you to read it too!

These books will be available in the Tuck Shop starting this summer, but we’re giving you a sneak peek today of the books that we’re going to be offering. To prove to you that Amazon does have some usefulness, we’ve included a small description from their website as well.

The very best part? We’re selling them at online prices, so you don’t have to worry about whether you’re getting the best deal or not - our price is your price!

Manga Messiah

Picked by Judy Vandervecht

Manga (pronounced “mahn-ga”) is the Japanese word for comics. It has become a huge hit with American teens and tweens. Manga has emerged as the most popular comics category and is one of the fastest growing genres in American publishing. Appealing to kids and adults, readers will find this edgy rendition of the Gospel accounts both compelling and highly engaging. This authentic, cutting-edge art style is combined with fast-paced storytelling to deliver biblical truths to an ever-changing culture that is often a challenge to penetrate. This is genuine Japanese manga style, unlike other Christian “manga” books in the marketplace.

How To Pray (R.A. Torrey)

Picked by Elisa “Brulee” Best

"How to Pray" is a riveting and compelling call to prayer. Pastor, educator, evangelist, and author R.A. Torrey delivers a no-nonsense handbook to show you that your prayer life can be what God intends it to be. He shares spiritual guidelines to prayer that includes prayer and obedience, praying in the Spirit, praying according to God's will, abiding in Christ, prayer with thanksgiving, hindrances to prayer, when to pray, prayer and revival, and more.

Radical (David Platt)

Picked by Luke “Kodiak” LaRocque

It's easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. They would, he said, leave behind security, money, convenience, even family for him. They would abandon everything for the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily...

But who do you know who lives like that? Do you?

Mere Christianity (C.S. Lewis)

Picked by Mark Vandervecht

In the classic Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis, the most important writer of the 20th century, explores the common ground upon which all of those of Christian faith stand together. Bringing together Lewis’ legendary broadcast talks during World War Two from his three previous books The Case for Christianity, Christian Behavior, and Beyond Personality, Mere Christianity provides an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear this powerful apologetic for the Christian faith.

Goodbye to Goodbyes (Lauren Chandler)

Picked by Maddie “Splenda” Hockley

In this vivid, moving and exciting retelling of the story of Lazarus, Lauren Chandler helps children understand how Jesus makes all the difference to death. Children will see that because Jesus rose from death, he has power over it and all who believe in him will also rise, just as Lazarus did.

The author, Lauren Chandler, used the story of Lazarus to help her own children come to terms with her husband's (Matt Chandler) brain tumor. Whether children are coming to terms with the illness or death of a loved one, or simply fearful of when that day might come, this book reassures them with the amazing truth that Jesus came to to say goodbye to goodbyes forever.

Reflection on the Psalms (CS Lewis)

Picked by Alyssa “Dash” LaRocque

In this wise and enlightening book, C. S. Lewis—the great British writer, scholar, lay theologian, broadcaster, Christian apologist, and bestselling author of Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, The Chronicles of Narnia, and many other beloved classics—examines the Psalms. As Lewis divines the meaning behind these timeless poetic verses, he makes clear their significance in our daily lives, and reminds us of their power to illuminate moments of grace.