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 all 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 the students 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, the existence of miracles, the truth of the Gospels, and the reality of the resurrection.

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

This book is very engaging and uses the investigation to weave 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 feels guilty and later tells her parents.

Note: Though the book incorporates 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 includes 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 perhaps best used supplementally for children who already know the basics.

Overall, this is a helpful book encouraging children to consider their faith logically and share it with others. It teaches actual investigation techniques that are useful in various situations, not just in a spiritual context. I think kids will love the mystery story and enjoy analyzing rational explanations of the case for Christianity!

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

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