Koncocoo

Best Teen & Young Adult Islam Books

No god but God: The Origins and Evolution of Islam
Adapted for young readers from No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam , this exploration of Islam by Reza Aslan, internationally acclaimed scholar of comparative religion, delves into the rituals and traditions of a religion that is largely misunderstood by the West. Because all religions are bound to the social, spiritual, and cultural landscapes from which they arose and in which they developed, prophets must be understood as reformers who redefine and reinterpret the existing beliefs and practices of their communities. On the contrary, by Muhammad's own admission, his message was an attempt to reform the existing religious beliefs and cultural practices of pre-Islamic Arabia so as to bring the God of the Jews and Christians to the Arab peoples. As unique and divinely inspired as the Islamic movement may have been, its origins are undoubtedly linked to the multiethnic, multireligious society that fed the Prophet's imagination as a young man and allowed him to craft his revolutionary message in a language that would have been easily recognizable to the pagan Arabs he was so desperately trying to reach. In the arid, desolate basin of Mecca, surrounded on all sides by the bare mountains of the Arabian desert, stands a small, nondescript sanctuary that the ancient Arabs refer to as the Ka'ba: the Cube. Then, in a remarkable ritual--the origins of which are a mystery--the pilgrims gather as a group and rotate around the Ka'ba seven times, some pausing to kiss each corner of the sanctuary before being captured and swept away again by the current of bodies. The Ka'ba, like the Pyramids in Egypt or the Temple in Jerusalem, may have been constructed as an axis mundi: a sacred space around which the universe revolves, the link between the earth and the solid dome of heaven. The only thing scholars can say with any certainty is that by the sixth century c.e., this small sanctuary made of mud and stone had become the center of religious life in pre-Islamic Arabia: the time known as Jahiliyyah. Traditionally, the Jahiliyyah has been defined by Muslims as an era of moral depravity and religious discord: a time when the sons of Ismail had obscured belief in the one true God and plunged the Arabian Peninsula into the darkness of idolatry.
Reviews
"Please note that this book, published under Random House's "Ember" imprint, is an abridged version of author Reza Aslan's original book, edited for teen readers."
"I bought it because of Asian's book on Jesus (Zealot: the Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth)."
"Perhaps the processes are "over simplified" but Aslan makes the Islam's internecine warfare somewhat more comprehensible."
"It is an excellent start to one's understanding of a faith with deep roots to Judaism and Christianity."
"As a graduate of programs in Middle East studies, I found this to be a well written and interesting, if opinionated, account of the origins and development of Islam."
"An easy to read book which will give you a deeper understanding of Islam and prophet Mohammad."
"Everyone should read this book to understand Islam and it's peaceful intentions, as "people of the book", embracing the Bible, Jews, Jesus and God, and living into God's love for all including women."
"Not as good as Zealot (which I loved) but the first half was very interesting to me on a religious scholarly basis."
Find Best Price at Amazon
Quran: A Reformist Translation (Koran, Kuran in Modern English)
"A bold and beautiful translation that serves as a timely reminder to all believers that the Qur'an is not a static scripture, but a living, breathing, ever-evolving text whose sacred words are as applicable today as when they were first uttered by the Prophet Muhammad fourteen centuries ago." - Kassim Ahmad, former president of Malaysian Socialist Party and head of Malaysian Quranic Society who was declared "apostate" by religious authorities for his controversial work on the Prophetic Traditions. "This translation is the best tool for those who want to understand the uncorrupted Message of Islam - justice and peace. This translation is a message of peace, justice and judgment..." - Gershom Kibrisli, theologian and communal leader, The Karaim of the Early Hebrew Scriptures, Holy Land & Benelux. It is an important discussion, however, and the editors of this book have assumed this risk to argue for a perspective that sets violence aside both in discourse and living. - Aisha Y. Musa, PhD, Professor of Islamic Studies, Florida International University; author of An Examination of Early and Contemporary Muslim Attitudes toward Hadith as Scripture (Doctoral Dissertation, Harvard University, 2004). After receiving his bachelor degrees from the University of Arizona in Philosophy and Near Eastern Studies, Edip received his law degree from the same university. from Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania in Economics, received her M.A., in Linguistics from the University of Arizona in 1990, and her Ph.D. from the same university in Near Eastern Studies - Arabic Language and Linguistics 2004.
Reviews
"Thanks to all who contributed to this translation I now consider myself a peacemaker, the one who follows the path of Peace or a real MUSLIM. The notes at the end of each section (Surah) clear all the questions in my mind and makes me think one step ahead to be a better person. Cross referencing the verses is very smart and with the help of the end notes I can easily find similar topics. If you are a Muslim you need to have this version with you at all times to learn more about Allah; If you are an atheist or deist or agnostic or skeptic or a member of any other religion read this translation with an empty bucket (objectively) to learn about the real Islam. I grew up listening religious stories that could wipe the Twilight Zone Oscars and all those things did not make sense to me."
"The existence of code 19 is completely irrelevant to the meaning of the verses and it only adds to the confusion. I think it would be better to only use examples from real life and to only refer to other verses when making your point, just like you did in the Turkish translation. My other recommendation would be to offer a transliteration of the verses with word by word translation, with all possible meanings of the root words, in order for the reader to come up with and to be convinced of the most appropriate translation/interpretation. I believe that a print version of a word by word translation would be a good idea."
"I would recommend all muslim that read this to consider that this is a translation as many as there has been."
Find Best Price at Amazon
No god but God: The Origins and Evolution of Islam
Adapted for young readers from No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam , this exploration of Islam by Reza Aslan, internationally acclaimed scholar of comparative religion, delves into the rituals and traditions of a religion that is largely misunderstood by the West. Because all religions are bound to the social, spiritual, and cultural landscapes from which they arose and in which they developed, prophets must be understood as reformers who redefine and reinterpret the existing beliefs and practices of their communities. On the contrary, by Muhammad's own admission, his message was an attempt to reform the existing religious beliefs and cultural practices of pre-Islamic Arabia so as to bring the God of the Jews and Christians to the Arab peoples. As unique and divinely inspired as the Islamic movement may have been, its origins are undoubtedly linked to the multiethnic, multireligious society that fed the Prophet's imagination as a young man and allowed him to craft his revolutionary message in a language that would have been easily recognizable to the pagan Arabs he was so desperately trying to reach. In the arid, desolate basin of Mecca, surrounded on all sides by the bare mountains of the Arabian desert, stands a small, nondescript sanctuary that the ancient Arabs refer to as the Ka'ba: the Cube. Then, in a remarkable ritual--the origins of which are a mystery--the pilgrims gather as a group and rotate around the Ka'ba seven times, some pausing to kiss each corner of the sanctuary before being captured and swept away again by the current of bodies. The Ka'ba, like the Pyramids in Egypt or the Temple in Jerusalem, may have been constructed as an axis mundi: a sacred space around which the universe revolves, the link between the earth and the solid dome of heaven. The only thing scholars can say with any certainty is that by the sixth century c.e., this small sanctuary made of mud and stone had become the center of religious life in pre-Islamic Arabia: the time known as Jahiliyyah. Traditionally, the Jahiliyyah has been defined by Muslims as an era of moral depravity and religious discord: a time when the sons of Ismail had obscured belief in the one true God and plunged the Arabian Peninsula into the darkness of idolatry. But then, like the rising of the dawn, the Prophet Muhammad emerged in Mecca at the beginning of the seventh century, preaching a message of absolute monotheism and uncompromising morality.
Reviews
"Please note that this book, published under Random House's "Ember" imprint, is an abridged version of author Reza Aslan's original book, edited for teen readers."
"I bought it because of Asian's book on Jesus (Zealot: the Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth)."
"Perhaps the processes are "over simplified" but Aslan makes the Islam's internecine warfare somewhat more comprehensible."
"It is an excellent start to one's understanding of a faith with deep roots to Judaism and Christianity."
"As a graduate of programs in Middle East studies, I found this to be a well written and interesting, if opinionated, account of the origins and development of Islam."
"An easy to read book which will give you a deeper understanding of Islam and prophet Mohammad."
"Everyone should read this book to understand Islam and it's peaceful intentions, as "people of the book", embracing the Bible, Jews, Jesus and God, and living into God's love for all including women."
"Not as good as Zealot (which I loved) but the first half was very interesting to me on a religious scholarly basis."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Teen & Young Adult Anthropology

No god but God: The Origins and Evolution of Islam
Adapted for young readers from No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam , this exploration of Islam by Reza Aslan, internationally acclaimed scholar of comparative religion, delves into the rituals and traditions of a religion that is largely misunderstood by the West. Because all religions are bound to the social, spiritual, and cultural landscapes from which they arose and in which they developed, prophets must be understood as reformers who redefine and reinterpret the existing beliefs and practices of their communities. On the contrary, by Muhammad's own admission, his message was an attempt to reform the existing religious beliefs and cultural practices of pre-Islamic Arabia so as to bring the God of the Jews and Christians to the Arab peoples. As unique and divinely inspired as the Islamic movement may have been, its origins are undoubtedly linked to the multiethnic, multireligious society that fed the Prophet's imagination as a young man and allowed him to craft his revolutionary message in a language that would have been easily recognizable to the pagan Arabs he was so desperately trying to reach. In the arid, desolate basin of Mecca, surrounded on all sides by the bare mountains of the Arabian desert, stands a small, nondescript sanctuary that the ancient Arabs refer to as the Ka'ba: the Cube. Then, in a remarkable ritual--the origins of which are a mystery--the pilgrims gather as a group and rotate around the Ka'ba seven times, some pausing to kiss each corner of the sanctuary before being captured and swept away again by the current of bodies. The Ka'ba, like the Pyramids in Egypt or the Temple in Jerusalem, may have been constructed as an axis mundi: a sacred space around which the universe revolves, the link between the earth and the solid dome of heaven. The only thing scholars can say with any certainty is that by the sixth century c.e., this small sanctuary made of mud and stone had become the center of religious life in pre-Islamic Arabia: the time known as Jahiliyyah. Traditionally, the Jahiliyyah has been defined by Muslims as an era of moral depravity and religious discord: a time when the sons of Ismail had obscured belief in the one true God and plunged the Arabian Peninsula into the darkness of idolatry.
Reviews
"And the struggles between the different belief streams are as present now as they were 14 centuries ago in the early years of the religion."
"This book is a good basic biography of the life of the prophet Mohammed, clearly written for the non-specialist who wishes to know more about the events of Mohammed's life and the environment in which Islam developed."
"Please note that this book, published under Random House's "Ember" imprint, is an abridged version of author Reza Aslan's original book, edited for teen readers."
"I bought it because of Asian's book on Jesus (Zealot: the Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth)."
"Perhaps the processes are "over simplified" but Aslan makes the Islam's internecine warfare somewhat more comprehensible."
"It is an excellent start to one's understanding of a faith with deep roots to Judaism and Christianity."
"UPDATE: Just read some of the other reviews and realized this is the abridged version... Well that's just frustrating... I read Zealot and enjoyed that and was interested in seeing what Aslan brought to a history of Islam. I wanted to understand both the history and beliefs of islam better. I know there is a balance (ie it would have been a SLOW book if every sentence was marked as history or koran).. but a chapter or two saying which was which would have been great.. 2. Very little attention is paid to how modern Islam came about (for example, s***e and sunni are mentioned, but not followed through on... seems like these are sort of a big deal in modern islam, right?)."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Teen & Young Adult Hinduism Books

Fire in the Heart: A Spiritual Guide for Teens
Whoever he is, the old man has appeared on that very day to change the boy's life. The old man gives the boy four days of "soul training," a time of riddles, tricks, parables, and incredible twists that brings out surprising answers to each of four burning questions about spirituality: "The old man with the white beard showed me the spiritual side of life," writes Deepak Chopra, "where real passion and excitement come from. The teen and Baba spend a day discussing each question; these four sections are divided into smaller lessons or chapters that end with the young man describing what he learned and how he has applied Baba's wisdom to his life. The prominent themes are consistent with those common to the genre: finding order in chaos, looking for the missing "something" in life, meaningful communication, and understanding and belief in what one cannot see.
Reviews
"Dr. Chopra knows the truth."
"I bought this book for my 14 year old sister. She read a sample of it on my ibooks and loved it."
"great book for any one that wants to look at a new perspective."
"A gift - will have to wait."
"A book for every teen and father."
"Dov was the young man who was actively listening although he was nonverbal during his early years and Tito Mukhopadhyay was the gifted poet/author who has severe autism. Communication is an inherent part of all individuals; it is listening to people on the spectrum that hopefully will create a more tolerant world and put false claims about autism permanently to rest."
"My fiancé is very picky when it comes to spiritual books like this, but when he read one random page from this book, he got hooked and I was very happy to see him want more and more of this book."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Teen & Young Adult Buddhism Books

Wide Awake: A Buddhist Guide for Teens
Many of today's teenagers are tired of the pressure to compete and consume-and are looking for a different way to live their lives. Written in a style that will have immediate appeal to young "seekers" and those wanting to understand the ancient teachings, this book addresses such relevant topics as peer pressure, emotional difficulties, stress, fostering peace, and even protecting the environment. Introducing concepts such as meditation, enlightenment, metta (lovingkindness), karma, the four noble truths and the eight worldly conditions, Winston writes accessibly but doesn't try overly hard to sound cool or relevant.
Reviews
"He loves this book and has read it 3 times."
"I have used various chapters from this book in teaching a Zen Buddhist youth group composed of younger teens."
"My 13 year old son absolutely loves this book."
"Best book of its kind that I have found."
"My fourteen years old child really enjoy this book."
"It's not about a religion, it's a frame of mind."
"Excellent intro to Buddhism for teens and pre-teens."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Teen & Young Adult Philosophy

This Book Loves You
The Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller From the mind of PewDiePie, the #1 YouTuber in the world with 40 million fans and more than 10 billion views, comes This Book Loves You , a collection of beautifully illustrated inspirational thoughts and sayings. PewDiePie is the most popular YouTuber in the world, with more than 40 million subscribers and a world record breaking 10 billion views.
Reviews
"Alright, this book has a lot of high and low points but I'm going to tell you now: This book is MEANT to make fun of those "inspirational quotes", not to actually BE them. And to parents that want to get this book for your kid, ask yourself this: Are they in High School? I've been suffering with depression for a long time, and I've read this book during my low points to pick me back up (if you can believe that, then keep reading)."
"And I agree with people who think this humor can only be understood by Bros and future Bros (?."
"I really love this book and I have been poods fan for 5 or 4 years and since I knew him on YouTube I was really happy during that day I saw him but one day my friend was feeling bad real bad , I gave her that book so she could feel better during the next day she knew about you and felt really happy with my book she wanted to give back but I told her keep it and ever since that day it made her day and im sitting here for poods replys to one of my comments on one of videos (still waiting here poods ) BROFIST :D cx."
"This book describes Pewdiepie perfectly: Funny, deep in a weird way and FABULOUS."
"Super happy with this book!"
"this book is really funny."
"Great gift for a Pewdiepie fan who also enjoys collecting books."
"Real nice book giving a lot of entertainment to children and adults."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Teen & Young Adult Eastern Religions

Wide Awake: A Buddhist Guide for Teens
Many of today's teenagers are tired of the pressure to compete and consume-and are looking for a different way to live their lives. Written in a style that will have immediate appeal to young "seekers" and those wanting to understand the ancient teachings, this book addresses such relevant topics as peer pressure, emotional difficulties, stress, fostering peace, and even protecting the environment. Introducing concepts such as meditation, enlightenment, metta (lovingkindness), karma, the four noble truths and the eight worldly conditions, Winston writes accessibly but doesn't try overly hard to sound cool or relevant.
Reviews
"He loves this book and has read it 3 times."
"I have used various chapters from this book in teaching a Zen Buddhist youth group composed of younger teens."
"My 13 year old son absolutely loves this book."
"Best book of its kind that I have found."
"My fourteen years old child really enjoy this book."
"It's not about a religion, it's a frame of mind."
"Excellent intro to Buddhism for teens and pre-teens."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Judaism for Teens & Young Adults

Four Perfect Pebbles:: A Holocaust Story
For the next six and a half years the Blumenthals were forced to live in refugee, transit, and prison camps, including Westerbork in Holland and Bergen-Belsen in Germany, before finally making it to the United States. Four Perfect Pebbles features forty archival photographs, including several new to this edition, an epilogue, a bibliography, a map, a reading group guide, an index, and a new afterword by the author. The information is solid and well presented, however, and through its personal-narrative format the book should reach readers who might not be willing to read such titles as Milton Meltzer's Never to Forget (HarperCollins, 1976). ?Louise L. Sherman, Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Reviews
"A short story and an easy read."
"Amazing book."
"Very inspiring!"
"Book had great content but seemed to lack the depth that I tend to expect."
Find Best Price at Amazon