Cold Case Christianity for Kids by J. Warner Wallace and Susie Wallace

Cold Case Christianity for Kids is the children’s version of the bestselling book Cold Case Christianity. It explores the case for Christ in the same manner a detective would investigate a criminal case. The author is a real-life cold case detective who used his detective skills to research Christianity as an unbeliever, ultimately concluding that it must be true.

The plot follows a group of children in a weekly training class for student detectives. A senior detective leads the class and teaches them to think like detectives, focusing on how to think instead of what to think.

The kids investigate the mystery of a found skateboard as the detective trains them to research humbly and without bias while using inference and logic to separate fact from fiction. He covers issues such as witnesses, chain of custody, and even conspiracy theories. Among other topics, the kids research and examine the evidence for a Creator, existence of miracles, truth of the Gospels, and reality of the resurrection.

Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Read Aloud Age: 9+

This book is very engaging and uses investigation tactics and weaves in Biblical truths. It flows well and teaches big ideas in a simple, fun way.
The illustrations and diagrams in the book are helpful and well done. Most pages incorporate a useful definition or research tip. There are worksheets in the back and side notes including Bible verses with blanks to complete. There is a companion website containing worksheets, videos, and activities expanding the topics covered.

This book is extremely clean and totally age appropriate with just one questionable situation. A girl keeps a skateboard that she knows her mother did not want her to have. She immediately feels guilty and later tells her parents.

Note: Though the book contains Biblical themes throughout, it does not present the Gospel until the very end. The detective tells the children that trusting in Jesus is a personal decision they each must make on their own and encourages them to “give it some thought and then tell God what you’ve decided.” Just a few pages later, the epilogue contains a challenge from the author to “get in the game” and share your faith because “you’re a member of God’s family” now.

It is not an amazing Gospel presentation, and the book is a bit light on theology. This is not the author’s main goal, however. It is a great resource for logically investigating the evidence for God, but it is perhaps best used supplementally for children who already know the basics!

This review is written by Good Book Mom contributor, Kate Anderson. To learn more about Kate, click HERE.

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