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Best Books for Young Skeptics
By an Amazon.com customer
What About Gods? (Skeptic's Bookshelf Series)What About Gods? (Skeptic's Bookshelf Series) by Chris Brockman
Buy new: $12.98 / Used from: $11.07
Introduction to atheism, one of the very few available for younger children.
Sasquatches from Outer Space : Exploring the Weirdest Mysteries EverSasquatches from Outer Space : Exploring the Weirdest Mysteries Ever by Tim Yule
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $2.33
Critical examination of the arguments for the existence of Big Foot, etc.
How Do You Know It's True?: Discovering the Difference Between Science and SuperstitionHow Do You Know It's True?: Discovering the Difference Between Science and Superstition by Hyman Ruchlis
Buy new: $17.08 / Used from: $6.40
Introduction to critical thinking for young adults or advanced younger readers.
Humanism, What's That?: A Book for Curious KidsHumanism, What's That?: A Book for Curious Kids by Helen Bennett
Buy new: $10.06 / Used from: $8.48
A conversation between Mrs. Green, a science teacher, and her students forms the basis of this thoughtful work. Starting with the historic concept of separation of church and state, the curious youngsters' insistent questions lead to a conversation of philosophic issues.
Alexander Fox and the Amazing Mind ReaderAlexander Fox and the Amazing Mind Reader by John C. Clayton
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $9.25
Fiction dealing with critical thinking and miraculous claims. Skeptical young Alexander Fox sets out to debunk a psychic's claims.
Flat Earth? Round Earth?Flat Earth? Round Earth? by Theresa Martin
Buy new: $11.68 / Used from: $8.40
Fiction about believing in something despite all evidence. The main character must prove that the Earth is round to another character who stubbornly insists it is flat.
Maybe Yes, Maybe No: A Guide for Young SkepticsMaybe Yes, Maybe No: A Guide for Young Skeptics by Dan Barker
Buy new: $12.23 / Used from: $11.62
Introduction to skepticism for younger readers.
Maybe Right, Maybe Wrong: A Guide for Young ThinkersMaybe Right, Maybe Wrong: A Guide for Young Thinkers by Dan Barker
Buy new: $15.37 / Used from: $10.90
This book addresses morality and ethics and making moral choices.
The Little Book of Big QuestionsThe Little Book of Big Questions by Jackie French
Buy new: $9.95 / Used from: $0.29
Though the book takes something of a wishy-washy stance on the subject of deities, the thought-provoking questions included are sure to stimulate young minds.
The Evolution BookThe Evolution Book by Sara Stein
Buy used from: $0.35
There's a wealth of scientific information here, much of it quite complex. This book is best for middle school or advanced upper elementary readers. Lots of interesting activities complement the text.
Bringing Ufos Down to Earth (Young Readers (New York, N.Y.).)Bringing Ufos Down to Earth (Young Readers (New York, N.Y.).) by Philip J. Klass
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $1.70
Critical examination of UFOS, abductions and other claims involving aliens from outer space.
The Usborne Book of World Religions (World Religions Series)The Usborne Book of World Religions (World Religions Series) by Susan Meredith
Buy used from: $0.01
A nice, balanced resource with plenty of information on world religions. It also includes a blurb on atheism, agnosticism & humanism and doesn't shy away from mentioning negative impacts of religion.
How Whales Walked into the SeaHow Whales Walked into the Sea by Faith McNulty
Buy used from: $2.23
Traces the evolution of whales in a picture book format, making it more appropriate for younger children than 'The Evolution Book' mentioned above.
The Tree Of Life: The Wonders Of EvolutionThe Tree Of Life: The Wonders Of Evolution by Ellen Jackson
Buy new: $11.95 / Used from: $6.95
Introduction to evolution, also in a picture-book format. Would be a good companion book for 'How Whales Walked Into the Sea' for younger readers.
LifetimesLifetimes by Bryan Mellonie
Buy new: $10.08 / Used from: $1.89
Included for its naturalistic, nonmystical view of death. It mentions that nothing lives forever and every living thing has a lifetime of only so many years.
A Solstice Tree for Jenny (Young Readers)A Solstice Tree for Jenny (Young Readers) by Karen Shragg
Buy new: $11.18 / Used from: $4.99
While few secular families eschew the holidays as Jenny's family does, this picture book presents an alternative point of view and affirms children whose parents desire a totally secular holiday.
The Winter SolsticeThe Winter Solstice by Ellen Jackson
Buy new: $7.95 / Used from: $4.24
Customs, science, history, and folklore behind the Winter Solstice. Also check out Jackson's companion books for the Spring and Fall Equinoxes and the Summer Solstice.
The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter SolsticeThe Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer
Buy new: $12.23 / Used from: $13.50
This picture book explains what the winter solstice is and how it has been observed by various cultures throughout history.
Four Corners of the Sky: Creation Stories and Cosmologies from Around the WorldFour Corners of the Sky: Creation Stories and Cosmologies from Around the World by Steve Zeitlin
Buy used from: $0.90
Creation stories for older readers introduce 16 cosmologies from ancient cultures, including Maori, Egyptian, Greek, Hebrew, Inca, Jain, Desana Indian, Haitian, Iroquois, Fon, Chumash, and Chinese.
Illustrated Book of MythsIllustrated Book of Myths by Neil Philip
Buy used from: $6.90
Wonderful myths from many diverse cultures! Although the biblical god is not included in any of them, freethinking parents can point out the sheer number of other deities people used to believe in.
The Philosophers' ClubThe Philosophers' Club by Christopher Phillips
Buy used from: $34.93
Introduction to Philosophy and other big questions for younger children, sure to inspire lots of thought.
Young Person's Guide to PhilosophyYoung Person's Guide to Philosophy by Jeremy Weate
Buy used from: $6.66
Introduces over twenty-five of the world's greatest philosophers and presents a simple version of the tenets of philosophy.
Wise Guy: The Life and Philosophy of SocratesWise Guy: The Life and Philosophy of Socrates by M. D. Usher
Buy new: $10.88 / Used from: $6.82
A biography of Socrates, a philosopher and teacher in ancient Greece who held that wisdom comes from questioning ideas and values rather than simply accepting what is passed on by parents and teachers.
Test Your Science IQTest Your Science IQ by Charles Cazeau
Buy new: $21.98 / Used from: $0.21
Hundreds of addictive questions and answers covering both science and pseudoscience. For young adults and advanced younger readers.
George's Secret Key to the UniverseGeorge's Secret Key to the Universe by Stephen Hawking
Buy new: $12.91 / Used from: $4.25
Follows the adventures of a young boy and his neighbor friend as they travel through a computer portal into outer space, where they explore such mysteries as black holes and the origins of the universe, while trying to evade an evil scientist.
How Come? Every Kid's Science Questions ExplainedHow Come? Every Kid's Science Questions Explained by Kathy Wollard
Buy new: $9.32 / Used from: $0.01
For every kid who really wants to know, here is a lively collection of explanations to the most frequently asked questions about our world.
Nibbling on Einstein's Brain: The Good, the Bad and the Bogus in ScienceNibbling on Einstein's Brain: The Good, the Bad and the Bogus in Science by Diane Swanson
Buy used from: $1.44
Swanson offers analysis and many, many examples of vague theories, poor logic, badly designed experiments, biased scientific spokespersons, wild advertising claims, and irresponsible journalism.
Big BangBig Bang by Nigel Henbest
Buy used from: $0.08
Explores the Big Bang theory of how the universe may have begun.
Wonder-Workers! How They Perform the ImpossibleWonder-Workers! How They Perform the Impossible by Joe Nickell
Buy new: $18.98 / Used from: $0.01
Critical examination of miraculous claims.
Gullible's TravelsGullible's Travels by Steve Allen
Buy new: $22.98 / Used from: $0.45
An audio book for younger listeners about Gullible, a man who believes everything he hears.
Creation: Read-Aloud Stories from Many LandsCreation: Read-Aloud Stories from Many Lands by Ann Pilling
Buy used from: $4.25
Creation myths presented in picture book format. This collection is well-suited to reading aloud and is the only book I've seen where the biblical account is given equal weight with other myths.
The Magic Detectives: Join Them in Solving Strange MysteriesThe Magic Detectives: Join Them in Solving Strange Mysteries by Joe Nickell
Buy new: $14.38 / Used from: $5.64
30 mysteries encourage readers to think for themselves before the solution is offered. Historical ghost incidents, Mummy’s Curse, UFO creatures, Holy shroud, Loch Ness, and more
Just Pretend: A Freethought Book for ChildrenJust Pretend: A Freethought Book for Children by Dan Barker
Buy new: $15.00 / Used from: $999.99
Introduction to freethought.