Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith

Reach for this book when your teenager is navigating the difficult bridge between their upbringing and their emerging personal beliefs. It is an ideal resource for the child who feels they must choose between being a person of science and a person of faith, or for the student struggling to maintain a close relationship with someone who holds fundamentally different worldview. The book explores the real-life marriage of Charles Darwin, a burgeoning agnostic, and his wife Emma, a devout Christian. Through their personal letters, it shows how they handled deep intellectual disagreements with profound respect and tenderness. It also provides a sensitive window into Victorian life, including the common but devastating experience of losing children to illness. Parents will find this a sophisticated tool for normalizing the idea that love and integrity can coexist with doubt and differing opinions. It is best suited for mature middle schoolers and high school students who are ready for a nuanced, non-judgmental look at the intersection of religion, science, and family life.