A Novel to Make Faith Real for Gen Z Teens
‘Ruth looked around. The building was bordered by trees that grew up a steep bank directly behind. She scrambled up to the nearest one and swung herself onto a low branch. Then a higher one and another, until her legs were trembling and her lungs felt fit to burst. At last, she could actually see through the small crack of broken window. There was a closed cubicle door and someone – a man – was standing outside it. He turned slightly. Zak!’
(Family Matters, extract)
Gen Zers are turning to God. The Times reports 62% of the older cohort saying they are ‘fairly’ or ‘very’ spiritual, and church leaders across the UK are seeing signs of God being at work. But what does faith look like for young teens, and where can they look for guidance?
Family Matters, CRT award-shortlisted author Helen Parker’s third YA novel, offers accessible and relatable answers – all while telling a gripping story that addresses very present social issues that any teenager might face. In her previous novels, Helen introduced us to Ruth and Chris, two young teens who are looking to live out their nascent Christian faith in the day-to-day realities of school and family life in Scotland. The books dealt with challenges arising from the refugee crisis and bullying, and standalone novel Family Matters continues their story while exploring the all-too-common, and yet so often hidden, issue of domestic violence.
‘Many adults enjoy reading books for children and young people, and I’m no exception,’ says Helen. ‘Among the books I’ve read with faith-based themes, I’ve found lots of beautifully retold Bible stories and a number of allegorical fantasy or superhero books, but I haven’t found many stories about “normal” young people in realistic situations. I hope that each young reader can find him or herself in my books, and their family set-ups too. And ”normal” families may include step-parents and partners, single and widowed parents, brothers and half-sisters, disabled or mixed-race teens.
‘The protagonists from my first two novels are growing up! They’re conscious of body image, family background and financial status; about friendship, loyalty and keeping promises. They get excited and confused, hopeful and fearful, delighted or angry. What does the Bible have to say and how can they put its teaching into practice? And when a crisis rears its ugly head, how do you know if it’s time to speak out?’
If you know a young Gen Zer who is growing in their Christian faith, or might be open to exploring what it looks like in action, then Family Matters might just be the book for them!
Island Treasure, Helen Parker’s second novel in the series, was shortlisted for the Christian Resources Together Children/Youth book of the Year Award 2023
Family Matters by Helen Parker (ISBN: 9781912726882) is published by Instant Apostle and is available on 21st March 2025 from bookshops and online retailers. Young Adult, paperback, 208pp, £10.99.