It’s not the Book of Job, but in The Book of Rodney by Angelica Asher, Satan makes a wager with the heavenly realm: if he can turn an ordinary teenager against God, he gets another thousand years to rule earth. When Rodney Simplessohn (age eighteen, though he often acts like a younger person) suddenly finds himself able to see and hear angels and demons, consternation spreads through the angelic ranks and slapstick situations ensue. Satan gets one hour per day for seven days to tempt Rodney, but this is no horror story: the demons are faintly ridiculous, including Satan in the guise of Jude Law offering cupcakes. The novel’s tone is occasionally preachy as Rodney learns the basics of spiritual warfare from his guardian angel and starts delivering others from demons. But can he save himself from the oh-so-compelling temptations Satan cooks up for him?

Best for: Middle-grade kids and older, families wanting to discuss spiritual warfare.

Discern: Sexy temptation scenes that are tasteful but may not resonate with middle-grade readers.