Thanks, I’ll consider that. I forgot to mention that they don’t read English very well, so that edition would definitely help. However, I was also thinking of something with more pictures and special features (letters, advices, things to think about, etc.). Someone gave me that kind of Bible when I was their age and I was always flipping through it even though I couldn’t understand it, so I was hoping to give them a similar effect.
the same publisher, St Mary’s Press, that has the Catholic Youth Bible NAB and NRSV-CE, also has a Good News translation for middle grade children/youth, it has a name which I have forgotten, but it has anime style illustrations, sidebars to explain many points, is an easy to use translation for that reading level (grades 5-6 roughly). Parents have bought these for middle grade kids in our our post-communion bible study class, and the kids are wildly enthusiastic, and are all asking for them (some go them as Christmas presents). We let them use these in class, although I am not about to make an investment in them at this time, price is too high for us.
If these kids are at mid-grade reading level, or not native English speakers, this would be the best translation for them, and the version seems very kid friendly.
I have reservations about both the CYB and this, mainly in that those preparing the supplementary material buy into the dominant modern trends in bible interpretation and exegis, but that by itself does not put them outside the mind of the Church. CYB has some sidebar articles that are somewhat trendy and PC, but it is still a good bible for teens if it gets them reading and praying with the bible.
www.smp.org is the link but it is not working right now, saint marys press.
the classroom bible we use for elementary classes is the Catholic Picture Bible with traditional illustrations, because it comes in both English and Spanish versions (this is the yellow hardcover with a picture of Jesus and the children on the front), it has each story with a picture on one page. In my opinion the traditional Catholic thinking, that grade school children are not yet ready to tackle the bible “as is”, especially the OT, is still sound, and this edition is a good intro for them to get the basic bible stories and the progression of salvation history.
if your 13 & 11 yr old are reading a bit below grade level, this would be a good first bible, and they would find it very enjoyable.
there is also an Illustrated Children’s Bible in most Christian bookstores, which is produced, I think, by Zondervan, and although not Catholic is very reliable in general, does not color the bible stories and notes with anti-Catholic shading, and has a multitude of illustrations such as maps, showing what people wore, ate, used, played with, worked with etc. at the time. For instance, if the story is about wine or grapes or farming it shows pictures of the farming practices at the time, or fishing or carpentry or whatever it is. Fascinating stuff like illustration of the Temple, very good detail. My kids just love this book.
I’ve bought them for high school classes in the past(on first impression they seemed nice) but I dont think any more. I think they were 30-35 dollars ordered online, discount if you order in bulk. But I haven’t found a youth Bible that grabs me like I would hope.
(I also have a pocket RSV-CE.)
)