Posts by Betsy Farquhar
Heroes of WWII: A Book List for Tweens and Teens
World War II is perennially interesting and not just to history buffs! We’ve focused on church history the past couple of years during October, first on the early church and general church history in 2016 and then Reformation church history in 2017. This year, we’re honing in on Christians–and other heroes–during World War II in this…
Read MoreThe Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller
Natalie is desperate to win an egg drop contest so she can use the prize money to help cure her mom’s depression in this sweet middle grades novel. The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller. Random House, 2018. 304 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Step 1: Observe…
Read More“Sarah, Plain and Tall Series” by Gladys Hunt
We’ve got another post from Gladys Hunt for you today about a series beloved to many. For the other posts in this series, please check out The Hive for a complete list to date. “Sarah, Plain and Tall Series” by Gladys Hunt The nine-to-twelve year old readers are getting heavy-duty reading lists from librarians across…
Read More"Words That Build People" by Gladys Hunt
Gladys Hunt gently reminds us that our words make a big impact on our children; let us use words that build up instead of tear down. This is part of our series of previously-unpublished blogposts by the author of Honey For a Child’s Heart. “Words that Build People” by Gladys Hunt The other day I heard a…
Read MoreGladys Hunt: Grammar Does Matter
Gladys Hunt reflects on the importance of grammar, plain and simple, in this essay. It’s not as hard as you might think! This is the next in our series of blogposts by the author of Honey For a Child’s Heart. “Grammar Does Matter” by Gladys Hunt Every family has its own way of speaking. It’s partly…
Read MoreReading as "Mother Culture": A Bibliographic Essay
Mother Culture In September, I was privileged to give a talk on the practice of reading as it relates to “Mother Culture” at a Charlotte Mason retreat. The phrase “mother culture” is a popular one in Charlotte Mason educational circles, but it should be practiced by everyone, particularly those of us who tend to pour…
Read MoreJohn McCain: An American Hero by John Perritano
John McCain had more guts and more patriotism than most of his American contemporaries–read all about him in this detailed young adult biography. John McCain: An American Hero by John Perritano. Sterling, 2018. 192 pages. Reading Level: Young Adult, Ages 12-15 Recommended For: Young adults and history buffs, ages 12+ John McCain left his mark on…
Read MoreGladys Hunt: Early Literacy with Preschoolers
Gladys Hunt shares some tips for encouraging early literacy in young children in this latest post. For more in our Gladys Hunt series, see The Hive. Please note: the title for this post was created by Redeemed Reader since Hunt didn’t title it. Preschoolers develop an awareness and an interest in reading at different times. A child’s…
Read MoreSave Me A Seat: Book Club Tips and Questions
Readers, it’s almost October! Let me pour myself some Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea. (You can have your pumpkin spice lattes!) Are you reading along with my kids and me for the Love Your Neighbor Book Club? We read Save Me a Seat for September, and it was a fantastic choice for the start…
Read More“Boys and Books” by Gladys Hunt
This latest in our Gladys Hunt series, which we affectionately call The Hive, looks at the types of books boys enjoy and muses over why so many boys quit reading as they grow older. “Boys and Books” by Gladys Hunt Little boys like books as much as little girls! There’s no gender issue in books for…
Read MoreLively Lists: a Key Part of the New Redeemed Reader Companion!
Readers, we’ve been hinting at our upcoming Redeemed Reader Companion on social media, our newsletter, and, finally, an official post here on the website…. Wait. You’re not following us on social media or getting our newsletter? You should fix that! We update Instagram and Facebook when posts are published as well as the occasional platform-only…
Read More“A Good Book is a Magic Gateway” by Gladys Hunt
This latest in our Gladys Hunt series, which we affectionately call The Hive, looks at the possibilities inherent in book discussions and how books can help us educate our children about big ideas. The title for this post below, “A Good Book is a Magic Gateway,” is our title. Her original blog post below was…
Read More*Tending the Heart of Virtue by Vigen Guroian
How do the classic children’s stories awaken a child’s moral imagination? And how does that awakening contribute to their spiritual development and training in virtue? *Tending the Heart of Virtue: How Classic Stories Awaken a Child’s Moral Imagination by Vigen Guroian. Oxford UP, 1998. 198 pages. Reading Level: Adult Recommended For: Adults interested in the…
Read MoreBooks and Stories: Reflections by Gladys Hunt
Readers, we are beyond thrilled to bring you some of Gladys Hunt’s last writing on books! See The Hive for more information on this opportunity. We’ll also be linking to her books in each of these posts as well as other titles she mentioned in the post. The title for this post below, “Books and…
Read More“The Mystery of the Library” by Gladys Hunt
Readers, we are beyond thrilled to bring you some of Gladys Hunt’s last writing on books! See The Hive for more information on this opportunity. We’ll also be linking to her books in each of these posts as well as other titles she mentioned in the post. The Mystery of the Library by Gladys Hunt…
Read MoreThe Hive: A List of Resources from Gladys Hunt
The Hive is exclusive content from the late Gladys Hunt that we are privileged to feature on Redeemed Reader.
Read MoreThe Lost Books: The Scroll of Kings by Sarah Prineas
An entertaining middle grades fantasy in which the books are alive, the librarian is a snarky but smart kid, and the queen isn’t sure what she thinks. The Lost Books (The Scroll of Kings) by Sarah Prineas. HarperCollins, 2018. 304 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Book lovers and fantasy fans, ages 10…
Read MoreThe Love Your Neighbor Book Club: Its Beginnings
Love God. Love your neighbor. Those, in brief, are the two greatest commandments, the commandments that sum up all the Law and the Prophets. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord…
Read MoreGreat History Authors for Kids
With school back in session, let’s talk history books for kids! No matter who or what your kids or students are studying this year in history, there’s a book out there on the same subject. But are they good books? Are they interesting books? Are they worth reading for their own sake and not just because they…
Read More*A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
This popular middle grades story poignantly recounts the stories of a young boy and a young girl in Africa as one flees civil war and the other hauls water. *A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story by Linda Sue Park. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2010. Reading Level: Ages 10-12 Recommended For:…
Read MoreInside Out and Back Again by Thanha Lai
Inside Out and Back Again is a beautiful, timely middle grades verse novel about a young Vietnamese girl’s refugee experience. Inside Out and Back Again by Thanha Lai. HarperCollins, 2013 (reprint). 288 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Middle grades, ages 10-12, and up! 10-year-old Hà and her family desperately flee South…
Read MoreCode Word Courage by Kirby Larson
Code Word Courage highlights the important contribution of the Navajo Code Talkers during WWII as Billie and her dog Bear find comfort back home. Middle grades. Code Word Courage (Dogs of World War II) by Kirby Larson. Scholastic, 2018. 252 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-10 Recommended For: Middle grades, ages 8-12 Billie feels bereft: her…
Read MorePicture Book Round-Up: Back to School Picture Books!
Back-to-School time means new pencils, new lunchboxes, new classrooms (or a new look for the dining room table!), and… new emotions. Scared and excited students, anxious and eager teachers, sad and glad parents, new kids, returning kids…. Check out one of these back to school picture books from your local library (or buy it for…
Read MoreBook Party Idea: Swallows and Amazons Forever!
I’m always on the alert for good book party possibilities; we throw one about once a quarter. This past Friday, we threw a lovely Swallows and Amazons book party for our summer event. (If you’ve never read Swallows and Amazons, don’t miss our review!) A Book Party? What sort of books make for good book parties,…
Read MoreBehind the Bookcase “Read-Alikes”
Unfortunately, we have removed the series “Behind the Bookcase,” but we invite you to read one of the articles below instead. They are also by Emily Whitten (author of the Behind the Bookcase series). How to Skim a Book: The Lost Medallion by Bill Muir and Alex Kendrick Home Mission: Letter to the Helpless Mom…
Read MoreThe Tragic Tale of Narcissa Whitman by Cheryl Harness
The Tragic Tale of Narcissa Whitman eloquently captures the hardships the early pioneers faced, the missionary ardor that inspired the Whitmans, and the unfortunate events that led to a terrible massacre. The Tragic Tale of Narcissa Whitman and a Faithful History of the Oregon Trail by Cheryl Harness (Cheryl Harness Histories series). National Geographic Children’s Books,…
Read MoreRetro Reads: *The Book of the Ancient World by Dorothy Mills
The Book of the Ancient World is just what it sounds like: an interesting book about the ancient world, including Ancient Egypt, Israel, Persia, and more. Perfect for middle grades! *The Book of the Ancient World by Dorothy Mills. Memoria Press, 2012 (originally published 1920s). 204 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For:…
Read MoreNew Picture Book Biographies Round-up (2018)
We love picture book biographies here at Redeemed Reader, and, thankfully, publishers seem to love them, too! Below are several new picture book biographies, some by established authors in the field (such as Demi), some stand-alone titles, and a new picture book biography series. Interestingly, TWO titles are about Marie Curie. Most of these are…
Read MoreHow to Make a Brown Paper Bag Book Cover in 10 Simple Steps
The school year is just around the corner, and you know what that means: new (to you) books! (Of course, we here at Redeemed Reader think every day is a day for new-to-you-books, ahem.) The difference between school books and leisure reading books is significant: one of those books might linger peacefully on a nightstand…
Read MoreFruit in Season: Worth the Wait
A State of Abundance I live in beautiful Washington state, in the part of the state that grows many of the cherries and apples the rest of the country enjoys. We also have grapes, berries, peaches, pears, apricots, plums, and more. From the time the cherries ripen in June to the last of the grapes…
Read MoreThe Princess Bride by William Goldman
The Princess Bride is just as delightful in book form as it is in movie form (or vice versa, depending on which you’ve already experienced!). The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern’s Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure by William Goldman. 1973. Reading Level: Ages 12-15 Recommended For: Ages 10 and up The Princess Bride book was…
Read MoreDiversity in Mini-Biographies: Refugees, African Americans, and More!
Diversity is a siren call these days, and, in regards to standard history book treatment of ethnic minorities and women, it’s often needed. Check Your History Books A quick glance back through the history of American (and Western) children’s lit shows a pretty vanilla landscape. When people of color are featured, it often isn’t through the…
Read MoreRetro Reads: The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Read Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s adventure classic, The Lost World, a book that has clear links to Jurassic Park! The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Originally published 1912. (Multiple versions available now.) Reading Level: Teens, ages 12-15 Recommended For: Middle grades and up, ages 10+ When newspaper reporter Edward Malone’s beloved Gladys refuses…
Read MoreDinosaur Book List for All Ages
Is your child keenly aware that a new Jurassic Park movie is hitting the big screen this week? As if kids needed more motivation to be interested in dinosaurs! Not to fear, we’ve got you covered: a dinosaur book list! Check out some of these fun books for a dinosaur-themed reading experience this summer, no matter what…
Read MorePhilosophy, Science, Ethics: the Need for Science Fiction
Are You a Sci-Fi Fan? Are you a Trekkie? A Star Wars fan? Perhaps you’ve faithfully watched Dr. Who, Stargate, or Battlestar Galactica. Or perhaps you are a sci-fi fan along the lines of Jurassic Park, eschewing intergalactic technology for “real world” technology? My husband and I both find sci-fi fascinating (admittedly, he is more into it than I…
Read MoreJurassic Park by Michael Crichton
The story that inspired the movie chain: Jurassic Park is more complex than the movie in every way–and not for kids. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. Ballantine, 2012 (25th anniversary edition). 464 pages. Reading Level: Ages 16 and up/adult Recommended For: Ages 16 and up/adult Summary + Review Most of us know the basic story of Jurassic…
Read More*Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad by Ann Petry
A well-written, engaging middle grades biography of Harriet Tubman, conductor on the Underground Railroad, that tells young readers about her life from birth to death. *Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad by Ann Petry. Amistad, 2018 (revised edition). 272 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Middle grades, ages 8-12, and up!…
Read MoreFairy Tales (and More!) for Summer: A Booklist for Family Read Alouds
Lovely, Literary, and Light-hearted: Fairy Tales are a Perfect Match for Summer Fun Looking for some fun, low commitment reading for this summer? Perhaps you have a beach trip planned, or you just want something for those tired afternoons after a day at the pool? Summer schedules can be delightfully irregular, but that same spontaneity…
Read MoreI Dared to Call Him Father by Bilquis Sheikh
A Pakistani Muslim woman recounts how God spoke to her, calling her out of her Muslim background, and how she dared to call him “Father” in this moving memoir. I Dared to Call Him Father: the Miraculous Story of a Muslim Woman’s Encounter with God by Bilquis Sheikh. Chosen Books, 2003. 192 pages. Reading Level: Adult (Ages…
Read MoreSummer Books for Refugees
One of our co-founders, Emily Whitten, has a great opportunity for you, readers, to help support a book-based ministry this summer! Read on for her project and a personal note about her experience with this program. Summer Books for Refugees Summer reading is as American as apple pie…and this summer, Servant Group International…
Read MoreCosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Liam, a super tall 12-year-old, goes on a cosmic adventure in this light-hearted British science fiction story that includes subtle emotional weight. Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce. Walden Pond Press, 2011 (reprint edition). 336 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12 Recommended For: Middle Grades, ages 8-12, especially as a book for boys and their…
Read More*Tangerine by Edward Bloor
A realistic sports story that is so much more than a sports story, Tangerine blends soccer, environmentalism, bullying, racism, and physical disability into a well-written, thought-provoking middle grades read. *Tangerine by Edward Bloor. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2006 (reprint; originally published 1997). 312 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Ages 10-15,…
Read MoreThe Penderwicks at Last by Jeanne Birdsall
Longtime readers will enjoy Birdsall’s Penderwicks at Last, a charming finale to this beloved middle grades series. The Penderwicks at Last by Jeanne Birdsall. Knopf, 2018. 304 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-12 Recommended For: All ages, especially as a read aloud or independent read for ages 8-12. Eleven year old Lydia loves to dance. Naturally,…
Read MoreSummer Fun Booklist: Full of Activities and Things to Do!
Summer Days Ahead The glorious weeks of summer are upon us (if you live in the Southeast) or soon to be (if you live in the rest of the U.S.). In my house, this means blissful visions of peaceful days with children busily and happily occupied, mom on the porch sipping tea whilst chatting on…
Read MoreHunger by Donna Jo Napoli
Hunger stalks Lorraine and her family as they struggle to cope during Ireland’s potato famine in this historical fiction middle grades novel. Hunger: A Tale of Courage by Donna Jo Napoli. Simon & Schuster, 2018. 272 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Middle grades, ages 10-12, and up Lorraine is starving. Her little brother,…
Read MoreThe Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis
Little Charlie wants to do the right thing even as he agrees to go fetch runaway slaves up north in this gritty middle grades historical fiction novel. The Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis. Scholastic, 2018. 256 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Middle grades, ages 10-12 and up Little Charlie Bobo…
Read MoreMarvelous Math for Middle Grades
The Language of the Universe The language of the universe is math. Little else in the natural world reflects such a unique combination of truth, order, and beauty–all of which point to God’s handiwork. We can praise God for math! When kids hit upper elementary, many of them suddenly start complaining about math. Let’s think…
Read MoreNavigating Early by Clare Vanderpool
Early Auden is Jack’s guide to Pi as they voyage to find the giant bear and complete their quest in this thought-provoking, intricate historical novel. Ages 12-15 Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool. Yearling, 2014 (reprint). 336 pages. Reading Level: Early teen, ages 12-15 Recommended For: Ages 12-15 (and mature 10-12 year olds) Set just at the…
Read MoreThe Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson
Matthew, housebound because of his OCD, uses his detailed observations of his neighbors to help solve the disappearance of a toddler in this middle grades mystery. Ages 10-12 The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson. Scholastic, 2017. 320 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Middle grades, ages 10-12 If someone enters Matthew’s room,…
Read MoreRebound by Kwame Alexander
Charlie is struggling to rebound after his dad’s death in this well crafted, middle grades verse novel full of comics, basketball, and a strong family center. Rebound by Kwame Alexander. HMH, 2018. 416 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Middle grades, ages 10-12 (and up!) Charlie Bell just can’t rebound after his…
Read MoreHidden City by Sarah Grace Tuttle and Amy Schimler-Safford
Hidden City is an exuberant, colorful picture book that looks at the hidden and overlooked moments of beauty around us. Hidden City: Poems of Urban Wildlife by Sarah Grace Tuttle and illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford. Eerdmans, 2018. 38 pages. Reading Level: Picture books, ages 4-8 Recommended For: All ages, particularly ages 4-8 Do you take the time to…
Read MoreMartin Rising by Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney
Martin Rising is a exuberant, poetic homage to Martin Luther King for middle grades. Martin Rising: Requiem for a King by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Brian Pinkney. Scholastic, 2018. 128 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-12 Recommended For: middle grades, ages 8-12 The Pinkneys’ formidable skills appear to great effect in this beautiful and…
Read MorePicture Book Biographies Booklist!
Picture Book Biographies = Fantastic, Diverse Resources Picture book biographies are one of the best ways to introduce a person from history. Why? They bring interesting people to life in a short, succinct, satisfying manner. Illustrations can add tremendously to the information, enabling readers to get a “feel” for the subject. Additionally, the subjects chosen…
Read More*Twelve Days in May by Larry Dane Brimner
For middle grades and up: a photographic, journalistic look at those famous twelve days in May when a group of whites and blacks bravely tried to integrate the bus system. *Twelve Days in May: Freedom Ride 1961 by Larry Dane Brimner. Calkins Creek, 2017. 112 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Ages…
Read MoreThe Girl Who Drew Butterflies by Joyce Sidman
A beautifully crafted middle grades biography of a girl who drew butterflies back in the 1600s, changing the study of natural history in the process. The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science by Joyce Sidman. HMH Books, 2018. 160 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Middle grades, ages 10…
Read More*Betty Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renée Watson
For middle grades: A compelling look into the life of Betty before X (Malcolm X) and the influence of the black church in the racially charged 1940s. *Betty Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renée Watson. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2018. 256 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-12 Recommended For: Middle grades, ages 10-12 11-year-old Betty…
Read MorePie-Themed Picture Books for Pi/Pie Day!
“Pi/Pie Day” is coming up on March 14th! Check out one of the pie-themed picture books below from your local library to enjoy with your kids on Pi Day. Be sure to make some pie to go with these tasty-looking books! How to Make a Cherry Pie and See the U. S. A. by Marjorie…
Read MoreNonfiction Picture Books Round-up: Biographies, Science, and Words
A round-up of 2018 nonfiction picture books on all sorts of subjects and for all sorts of ages! The Great Dictionary Caper by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Eric Comstock In this lively book, words become art as well as the subject: they are bored and escape the dictionary! Homophones, verbs, contractions, palindromes, and even archaic…
Read More*Abigail Adams: Witness to a Revolution by Natalie S. Bober
Starred review for this young adult biography that showcases a thoughtful–and thought-provoking–Abigail Adams against the backdrop of tumultuous American history. *Abigail Adams: Witness to a Revolution by Natalie S. Bober. Aladdin Paperback, 1998. 272 pages. Reading Level: Teen, ages 12-15 Recommended For: Ages 10 and up My dearest friend, as you have been called in…
Read More*Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes (Retro Reads)
75 years later, this Newbery-Award winning story about Johnny Tremain is still a great historical fiction read about the birth of America. *Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes. HMH Books, 2011 (originally published 1943). 320 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: All ages as a read aloud, ages 10 and up as an independent…
Read MorePicture Book Round-Up: 6 Multicultural Youth Media Award Winners
The 2018 ALA Youth Media Awards were announced last week, and children’s lit fans around the country live-streamed the event (unless they were privileged to be there in person!). The Youth Media Awards now include a full slate of awards, announced roughly in reverse chronological order: the oldest two awards–and most well known, the Caldecott…
Read MoreHello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
Four sixth graders come together in a serendipitous turn of events in this year’s Newbery award winner, Hello, Universe. Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly. Greenwillow, 2017. 320 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Middle grades, ages 8-12 Virgil hates that his parents call him “Turtle,” but the nickname does kinda fit: his…
Read MoreFacing Frederick: The Life of Frederick Douglass by Tonya Bolden
Facing Frederick is a well written, nuanced biography for middle grades that sheds light on both Frederick Douglass and the tumultuous times in which he lived. Facing Frederick: The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass by Tonya Bolden. Harry Abrams, 2018. 208 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Ages 10 and up If we…
Read MoreBlack History Month Nonfiction Book List
Black History Month Nonfiction Book List It’s a month full of book lists here at Redeemed Reader! We hope you enjoyed our Love and Laughter Book List on Valentine’s Day. Today, we’re offering a Black History Month Nonfiction Book List in honor of Black History Month! But first: don’t miss this earlier post, “Why Black…
Read MoreThe 2018 ALAYMA Results: Redeemed Reader Reacts
Hot off the press! The Newbery, Caldecott, Coretta Scot King Awards and more were announced this morning. We’ve made our predictions, and now Betsy offers a few knee-jerk thoughts on a few of the awards (as she live streamed!). For the full list of today’s awards, see the ALA announcement. We’ll be back later with…
Read MorePrognosticating the 2018 Newberys
We’re posting our best guesses for the 2018 ALA Youth Media Awards just a half hour before the awards ceremony begins. And then I (Betsy) will be reporting back on the results as soon as they’re in! We’ll see how we did… Janie predicts: as usual, I not going to state an order or preference…
Read More2018 Newbery Buzz #5: Real Friends and All’s Faire in Middle School
It’s our final Newbery Buzz of the 2018 season. Betsy and Alysha discuss two graphic novels for this last round. Graphic Novels as Newbery Winners? Graphic novels as Newbery Award winners or honors is nothing new by now. Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo, El Deafo by CeCe Bell, and Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson have earned Newbery attention before,…
Read MoreOrdinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen by Deborah Hopkinson
This sweetly illustrated biography introduces young readers to the ordinary, extraordinary Jane Austen. Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen by Deborah Hopkinson and illustrated by Qin Leng. Balzer + Bray, 2018. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture books, ages 8-10 Recommended For: Jane Austen fans! All ages Jane Austen’s childhood was fairly ordinary… for her time. Her family…
Read More2018 Newbery Buzz #4: One Last Word and I’m Just No Good at Rhyming
Betsy, Megan, and Janie continue our Newbery Buzz discussions with One Last Word and I’m Just No Good At Rhyming, poetry books that are quite different from one another. Poetry Books as Newbery Award Winners? Poetry and tea were meant to go together, even before “Poetry Teatime” was an official “thing” for the homeschool world. Back in…
Read More2018 Reading Challenge Check-In: January
Reading Challenge Check-In: January Well, readers, we’re a month into year 2018. A month!?! It seems like a good time to take the pulse of our 2018 reading challenge efforts. Humming along nicely? Haven’t started yet? Started, but already stalled out? Redeemed Reader Resources Throughout this year, we’ll be posting booklists that target various categories…
Read MoreEdge of Extinction Series by Laura Martin
Living on the edge of extinction: Cloned dinosaurs plus dystopian autocratic society plus a renegade band of treetop dwellers equals a fast-paced middle grades sci-fi adventure. Ages 8-12. Edge of Extinction Series by Laura Martin. HarperCollins. The Ark Plan. 2016. 368 pages. Code Name Flood. 2017. 352 pages. Reading Level: Ages 8-12 Recommended For: Ages…
Read MorePortrait of a Reader: The Nurturer
Portrait of a Reader is a new feature in which we try to “unpack” a particular kind of reader. The portraits will overlap; most people will fit into more than one. Rather than being a personality test, this is more of an interest-based and ability-based description. Meet the Nurturer: a Lover of Family and Community in…
Read MoreHere Be Dragons: Mega Fantasy and Sci-Fi Booklist! (All ages)
A mega fantasy and sci-fi booklist with books for all ages and all types of fantasy lovers (even those who don’t think they ARE fantasy lovers). Bonus: here be dragons. Fantasy/Sci-Fi: Love It or Hate It? Are you a fantasy or sci-fi junkie? Skip to the fantasy and sci-fi booklist below and start putting books…
Read MoreBronze and Sunflower by Cao Wenxuan
Bronze and Sunflower is a gentle, thought-provoking peek into the cultural revolution in China, its effects on two children, and the importance of sacrificing for your family. Ages 8-10 Bronze and Sunflower by Cao Wenxuan and translated from the Chinese by Helen Wang. Illustrations by Meilo So. Candlewick, 2017. 400 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-10 Recommended…
Read More2018 Newbery Buzz #2: Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder
We’re back for our second Newbery Buzz discussion of 2019. Last week, Hayley and Janie discussed Tumble and Blue. This week, Hayley and I (Betsy) discuss Orphan Island. Since we haven’t reviewed Orphan Island yet, we’ll start with a brief summary of the book. (Don’t miss our final paragraphs in which Hayley and I wax eloquent on our…
Read MoreThe River Doubt and the Amazing Amazon: 4 True Stories for All Ages
Teddy Roosevelt travels the River Doubt, Percy Fawcett hunts for the City “Z,” and a tiny fish is making headlines in conservation efforts for the Amazon. The Amazon River Basin Overflowing with vibrant life, there are countless unidentified species thriving alongside some of the most interesting lifeforms on the planet in the amazon Amazon River…
Read MoreReading Goals for the New Year
Reading Goals for the New Year It’s that time of year, folks! Everyone is making resolutions and goals for the New Year. I used to make resolutions, but a few years ago, I switched to making goals. Goals are more concrete and force me to think through specifics a bit more than the vague resolutions I’d…
Read More2018 Reading Challenge for Kids and Teens (with printable!)
The 2018 Reading Challenge for Kids and Teens Our 2018 Reading Challenge for Kids and Teens is back and better than ever! We’ve changed it up a bit from our previous yearly reading challenges to make it more accessible and flexible. Additionally, it should be easier to find relevant titles right here on Redeemed Reader,…
Read MorePoe: Stories and Poems: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Gareth Hinds
Poe: Stories and Poems is just as gripping, psychological, and scary in this well done graphic novel format as it is in the original prose. Poe: Stories and Poems: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Gareth Hinds. Candlewick, 2017. 120 pages. Reading Level: Teen, ages 12-15 Recommended For: Fans of Edgar Allan Poe, ages 12 and…
Read MoreFunny Girl: Funniest. Stories. Ever. Edited by Betsy Bird
Quirky, funny stories written with middle school girls in mind. Funny Girl: Funniest. Stories. Ever. Edited by Betsy Bird. Viking, 2017. 224 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Ages 10 and up (note cautions) Bella and Rover are a cat and dog team offering wisdom via an advice column. Trixie, using an assumed…
Read More*Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt
Honey for a Child’s Heart was one of the first books advocating for building a Christian family culture around books. *Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt. Zondervan, 2002. 256 pages. Reading Level: Adult Recommended For: Parents and all adults interested in building their family culture around books “Children and books go together in a…
Read MoreThe Literary Nightstand
The Literary Nightstand: Our Professional Reading The Literary Nightstand is a peek into what’s on our professional nightstands. Most of us here at Redeemed Reader have been reading and studying children’s literature for many years. This is our attempt to help sift the wheat from the chaff for our readers who want to learn more…
Read MoreThe Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson: the Kids Discuss….
Four middle grades kids discuss The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: what stands out in this funny, modern Christmas classic? The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. HarperCollins, 2005 (reprint; originally 1972). 128 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-10 Recommended For: Family read aloud (note cautions below) One of the delights of my job is…
Read More*Comforting, Training, and Teaching Minds: Catechism Devotionals by Starr Meade
Family devotionals centered around the Heidelberg and Shorter catechism are based on Scripture and are designed to help families memorize the catechisms. *Comforting Hearts, Teaching Minds: Family Devotionals Based on the Heidelberg Catechism by Starr Meade. P & R, 2013. *Training Hearts, Teaching Minds: Family Devotionals Based on the Shorter Catechism by Starr Meade. P & R,…
Read More*Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore
Same Kind of Different As Me is an emotional and spiritual memoir of two men who became friends despite their backgrounds, races, and preconceptions. *Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent. Thomas Nelson, 2006. 237 pages Reading Level: Adult, ages 16 and up Recommended For: Teens and adults,…
Read MoreThe Whydah by Martin W. Sandler
Fascinating middle grades nonfiction about the Whydah: a slave ship turned pirate ship turned treasure hunter glory. The Whydah: A Pirate Ship Feared, Wrecked and Found by Martin W. Sandler. Candlewick, 2017. 176 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Fans of nonfiction, nautical tales, and pirates (ages 8-15) The Whydah was once captained by…
Read MoreSinking the Sultana by Sally M. Walker
Middle grades nonfiction takes a sobering look at the sinking of the Sultana–a worse maritime tragedy even than the Titanic. Sinking the Sultana: A Civil War Story of Imprisonment, Greed, and a Doomed Journey Home by Sally M. Walker. Candlewick, 2017. 208 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Ages 10 and up…
Read MoreThe Wonder of the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp
The Wonder of the Greatest Gift offers a complete Jesse Tree experience with devotional and ornaments for the whole family to enjoy. The Wonder of the Greatest Gift: An Interactive Family Celebration of Advent by Ann Voskamp. Tyndale House, 2017. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-12 Recommended For: Ages 0-10, family read aloud/activity Based on Unwrapping…
Read More*Voices of Christmas by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Eric Velasquez
Voices of Christmas is a beautiful and poetic exploration of the different characters in the Christmas story–perfect for middle grades kids! *Voices of Christmas by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Eric Velasquez. Zonderkidz, 2009. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 8-12 Recommended For: Middle grades and family read aloud Each familiar character in the…
Read More5 New Nonfiction Picture Books
Nonfiction picture books are one of the best ways to introduce a subject/person, enrich your study of a topic, or just learn something new! Hot off the press: below are some of 2017’s most interesting nonfiction picture books, each of which is expertly illustrated by one of today’s most talented illustrators. Note: these aren’t just…
Read MoreGiant Christmas and Advent Book List for All Ages
We love Christmas and Advent at Redeemed Reader, and we’ve reviewed lots of related resources over the years. Advent begins on December 1, and the Christmas season extends through the first week of January. Are you one of those families who likes to open a “new” book each day of Advent? Perhaps you plan more…
Read MorePoetry for Young People Series
Poetry is for Children Children love poetry. They really do. And it doesn’t need to be “children’s poetry,” either. Sure, they love the silly rhymes and rhythms of poets like Seuss and Silverstein. But they also appreciate Emily Dickinson’s down-to-earth observations, Robert Louis Stevenson’s reflections on childhood, Langston Hughes’s rhythms, and Henry Wadsforth Longfellow’s patriotic…
Read MoreOne Last Word by Nikki Grimes
One Last Word showcases poems from the Harlem Renaissance alongside contemporary poems by Grimes that build on and reflect those earlier poets. One Last Word: Wisdom from the Harlem Renaissance by Nikki Grimes. Bloomsbury, 2017. 128 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Middle grades and up Well, son, I’ll tell you:/Life for me ain’t…
Read More2017 Winter Book Fair List: Books for Everyone!
2017 Winter Book Fair Books for Everyone on Your Christmas List! It’s that time of the year again: Christmas is coming, and all the special people in your life need books under that tree! This is one of our favorite book lists to put together each year. We look back over the year’s reviews, our…
Read MoreRetro Reads: *The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a modern classic with good reason: young Kit Tyler faces the questions all adolescents face as she tries to balance obedience with following her beliefs. *The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2011 (orig. 1958). 272 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages…
Read More*Echoes of Eden by Jerram Barrs
Starred review for Echoes of Eden, in which Barrs offers guidelines for evaluating art and literature from a Christian review. *Echoes of Eden: Reflections on Christianity, Literature, and the Arts by Jerram Barrs. English, 2013. 208 pages. Reading Level: Adult Recommended For: Parents, Librarians, Teachers, and Teens How should we evaluate literature (and all art) as…
Read MoreMystery Book List for Elementary, Tweens, and Teens!
Calling all mystery lovers! Mystery book list for all ages! Whether or not you’re planning to see Murder on the Orient Express this month, you likely have a mystery fan in the house. What can they read when they’ve exhausted the library’s stash of Boxcar Children, Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, and Hardy Boys? Read on! Three Lists We’re putting…
Read MoreRetro Reads: *The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
A middle grades mystery that has become a modern classic: The Westing Game is just as engaging as ever! *The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. Puffin Modern Classics, 2004. (orig. 1978). 192 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Middle grades, ages 10 and up Turtle Wexler is brave and good at figuring…
Read MoreDame Agatha: Murder on the Orient Express and And Then There Were None
A Scene of Terror Sitting alone in the dark house, I gripped the book tightly, desperate to finish and petrified at the same time. Was that a noise I just heard? Should I call my mom? When would the parents of the sleeping child down the hall return? I was twelve and covering my weekly…
Read MorePatina by Jason Reynolds
Patina gets passed the baton in more ways than one in this middle grades novel revolving around an elite track team. Patina (Track) by Jason Reynolds. Atheneum, 2017. 240 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Middle grades, ages 10-12 “Patty ain’t no junk.” Her momma might be disabled due to diabetes, her…
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