Is The Kite Runner OK for 10th Graders?

cover of kite runner

Is The Kite Runner OK for 10th Graders? “My 10th grader has to read The Kite Runner for school. Do you know anything about it? Is it okay for him to read?” “My 15-year-old daughter was assigned The Kite Runner for school. I’m not comfortable with her reading it. Can you recommend a substitute?” And…

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The Arrow and the Crown by Emma Fox

Adventure meets fairy tale in this delightful fantasy read for teens (and their parents!). The Arrow and the Crown by Emma Fox. Independently published, 2019. Reading Level: Young Adult, ages 12-15 Recommended For: Ages 12 and up A poor girl and her uncle, living on the outskirts of town, can’t afford to lose their trusty…

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God Will Provide … Yes, Even the Books

My friends, have you been swapping books? Last week, I got to visit three young friends of mine (and their mother). I traded wildflowers from my yard for books from my friend. #winwin I also talked her girls into reading Farmer Boy, even though it’s not about Laura. We discussed how many books there are…

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Homeschool Resources Worth the Money

Are You Homeschooling in 2020? This school year is starting off like no other, isn’t it? My husband and I both grew up attending private schools. I earned a teaching degree in college (and later a school library degree), and I’ve worked in both public and private institutions. I love school: the traditional calendar, the…

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Gyo Fujikawa: It Began With a Page….

Gyo Fujikawa When you grow up with an author/illustrator’s books, they become part of your definition of “home” or “reading” or “friend.” Gyo Fujikawa is one of those authors for me. I remember Oh, What a Busy Day in particular. Gyo Fujikawa’s Books What makes Fujikawa’s books memorable? For starters, she was one of the…

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1493 for Young People by Charles C. Mann

A fascinating historical look at globalization that covers botany, anthropology, politics, exploration, the slave trade, and more! 1493 for Young People: From Columbus’s Voyage to Globalization by Charles C. Mann and adapted by Rebecca Stefoff. Triangle Square, 2016. 416 pages. Reading Level: Ages 12-15 Recommended For: Ages 10 and up (note considerations below) When Columbus…

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The Brotherband Chronicles by John Flanagan

Swashbuckling adventure with mythical Medieval Vikings? Sign me up. The Brotherband Chronicles by John Flanagan. Philomel, 2011-present. Reading Level: Ages 12-15 Recommended For: Ages 12 and up About the Brotherband Chronicles’ Story Hal Mikkelson is half Araluen and half Skandian. He’s all outcast. In a society of Viking-esque, burly fighters like the Skandians, a skinny…

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*This Is Our Constitution by Khizr Khan

An immigrant-become-US-citizen offers a powerful, personal explanation of our nation’s Constitution for middle grades and up. *This Is Our Constitution: What It Is and Why It Matters by Khizr Khan. Yearling, 2019. 224 pages. Reading Level: Ages 10-12 Recommended For: Ages 10 and up Khizr Khan and his wife are originally from Pakistan. They are…

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Read Aloud (or Audiobook) Activities for Big Kids

Missing Read Aloud Time During COVID-19 Quarantine? I don’t know about you, but our audiobook consumption has dropped this year. In the pre-COVID-19 era, we always had audiobooks going in the car. As a mom to two 13-year-olds and one 14-year-old, I was fully in the “chauffeur stage” of parenting. We made the most of…

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Shepherd Suspense Novels by Andrew Huff

Action-packed thrillers with a conscience and spiritual sensitivity, the Shepherd Suspense novels will hook teen readers. A Cross to Kill and Cross Shadow by Andrew Huff. Kregel Publications, 2019 and 2020. 250+ pages. Reading Level: Adult Recommended For: Ages 15 and up John Cross, ex-CIA-turned-pastor, “just happens” to be in the vicinity when journalist Christine…

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Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri

Ghetto Cowboy tells a heartwarming story of family, hard work, and horses in the midst of urban Philly. Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri and illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson. Candlewick, 2011. 224 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Teens, ages 12-15 Coltrane’s mom is driving him to his dad’s and leaving him…

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Three Picture Books illustrated by Jessica Linn Evans

Three new picture books from small publishers, perfect for young readers (and listeners). All are illustrated by Jessica Linn Evans, but the authors differ. Penguin Sets Sail by Jessica Linn Evans. Rainstorm Publishing, 2020. Wordless books should invite young readers and storytellers to tell the story while allowing for some editorial additions. Penguin Sets Sail…

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Books about Racism for Children and Teens

Books About Racism Are Important Books don’t save. Only Jesus saves. But books can be terrific discussion starters, particularly when we want to discuss current events, understand a different point of view, or simply show our children the tremendous diversity the Lord put in his creation. These are some of the books we have found…

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Back Porch Book Chat: S. D. Smith (Author)

Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all love! Our guest today is S. D. Smith from West Virginia. He chats with us about his family’s reading life, his writing (Green Ember!), and the StoryWarren website. Check out…

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Lost in the Pacific, 1942: Not a Drop to Drink by Tod Olson

8 men struggle to survive when they’re lost at sea in this “drama in real life” story for middle grades. Lost in the Pacific, 1942: Not a Drop to Drink (Lost #1) by Tod Olson. Scholastic, 2016. 176 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Middle grades (ages 8-12) and up NOTE: Lost in…

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Muppet Treasure Island: a Film Review by a Teen

A Film Review? Film reviews are not prominent here on Redeemed Reader. However, we all enjoy a good film adaption of a favorite book or series! And, we have strong Opinions on the “right” film versions of some classics. You are our people if you prefer the 1995 BBC Version of Pride and Prejudice or…

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The Brendan Voyage by Tim Severin

The Brendan Voyage is the real life adventure story of a man who tried to recreate a Medieval legend: sailing across the North Atlantic from Ireland to America in a small leather boat. The Brendan Voyage: Sailing to America in a Leather Boat to Prove the Legend of the Irish Sailor Saints by Tim Severin.…

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Sir Cumference: Math Adventures for Everyone!

Fractions Can be Your Friends Do you enjoy math? Most “readers” I’ve met have an avowed distrust of math. It seems that our cultural narrative lumps learners into humanities types (history/English/art) and STEM types (math/science). I don’t think that’s universally true, but, like all stereotypes, it contains a kernel of truth. I did just fine…

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*Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt

Turner comes to understand himself, his father, his peers, his town, and his world in this bittersweet coming-of-age story set in 1912 Maine. *Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt. Clarion, 2004. 217 pages. Reading Level: Young adult, ages 12-15 Recommended For: Teens, ages 12-15 When Turner Ernest Buckminster, III, moves to…

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Stress Reading is a Thing (for Kids, too)

Too Tired to Read? You’ve likely heard of “stress baking.” Have you thought about “stress reading”? Essentially, it’s reading differently because you’re stressed. Some will binge read light, fluffy novels while others will plow through their long list of to-read titles. But others won’t read at all. As adults, we’ve all been there: stressed over…

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Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell

In this classic survival story, Karana learns to fend for herself on an island after her tribe leaves for the mainland. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2010 (originally published 1960). 192 pages. Reading Level: Ages 10-12 Recommended For: Ages 10 and up Karana’s tribe has lived on…

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Epic Poetry: Learning to Read–and Enjoy–It in 5 Steps

Epic Poetry in School Do you remember reading (or being assigned to read) one of the following in school? The Iliad The Odyssey The Aeneid Beowulf Your teacher might even have assigned something like Longfellow’s The Song of Hiawatha or Evangeline. Perhaps you read Whittier’s Snowbound. Are you shuddering yet? Unfortunately, these lovely epic poems…

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Soul-Shaping Poetry: 2 Books for Teens and Adults

Soul-Shaping Poetry Have you ever stopped to think about how much poetry has shaped the Christian soul? Poetry is an intrinsic part of our worship services, whether through a responsive reading of a Psalm or the “singing of Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” Paul describes. Poetry occurs throughout Scripture, most notably in the Psalms, but…

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“Pandemic Patronage” = Brilliant Idea

Home Library … for your Neighborhood? With libraries everywhere shutting their doors, we readers still crave something to read. Reading can offer legitimate ways to pass the time, take a break from the news headlines, and re-connect with people. If you have books on your shelves you’ve already read, consider loaning them to friends.* Perhaps…

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20th Century Book List for Young Teens

20th Century Book List for Young Teens 20th Century: World wars. A Great Depression. First flight. Space flight. Voting Rights. Civil Rights. Communism. Terrorism. Jazz. Nuclear weapons. Computers.   The 20th Century included huge, sweeping changes, inventions, and events which, more than any century previous, connected our globe. A reader could read for years and…

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Fever Year by Don Brown

Don Brown tells the story of Spanish Influenza in three acts in this graphic novel format nonfiction book for young teens. Fever Year: The Killer Flu of 1918 by Don Brown. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2019. 96 pages. Reading Level: Ages 12-15 Recommended For: Ages 12 and up The Spanish Influenza was catastrophic, killing…

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Giant Presidents' Day Book List

Presidents' Day Book List

POTUS POTUS: President of the United States: one of the most powerful people in the world. Presidents’ Day honors George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in particular. But each of the Presidents in America’s history have exerted tremendous influence on both our nation and those around the world. Therefore, our Presidents’ Day Book List includes books…

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5 Lent Devotionals (for Protestants)

Do you observe Lent? Did you know that there are Lent devotionals written with Protestants in mind? The early church officially began marking Lent liturgically at the Council of Nicea in AD 325 (incidentally, this is the same council from which we get the Nicene Creed). The authors below assure readers that we don’t earn…

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Christmas Books Round-Up

All our reviews of Christmas books — that is, books about Christmas or set during the Christmas season — in one place! You’re sure to discover some new family favorites as well as be reminded of old familiar friends. Surely some of these will be at your local library! Christmas Picture Books One Christmas Wish…

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The Light Princess by George MacDonald {Rabbit Room edition}

A beautiful new edition of The Light Princess complete with foreword by Jennifer Trafton, afterword by Andrew Peterson, and illustrated by Ned Bustard. The Light Princess by George MacDonald. Rabbit Room Press, 2019. 102 pages. Reading Level: Ages 10-12 Recommended For: EVERYONE The story of The Light Princess is familiar to many: a king and…

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Disclosure Policy

We participate in affiliate marketing programs, where we receive a small commission when products are purchased through links on our website. We strive to correctly identify all affiliate links. We are so grateful to our many readers who have helped support Redeemed Reader over the years by choosing to click through our links. Redeemed Reader…

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Family Vacation Book List: Fun for the Whole Family

Going on vacation this summer? What about daily trips to the pool and back? Perhaps you have some summer evenings on the porch planned. Sounds like you need a good family vacation book list! The books below are all excellent choices for some family reading time this summer: enjoyable for a wide variety of ages…

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Back Porch Book Chats

Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all love! Below is a list of our Back Porch Book Chat guests to date: Virginia Lee Rogers: Bookseller and Homeschool Mom Lou Hunley: Public Librarian Melissa Deming: Bible Teacher Sarah…

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