Posts by Betsy Farquhar
Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret by Bob Shea
Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret by Bob Shea. Disney-Hyperion, 2015. 56 pages. Reading Level: Easy Reader, ages 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 4-8 Shea, creator of the Dinosaur vs. Book series and Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great, “gets” kids. His books are universal kid pleasers, and this new easy reader series is sure to find loyal fans.…
Read MoreThe Cowboy by Hildegard Muller
The Cowboy (I Like to Read Series) by Hildegard Muller. Holiday House, 2015. 24 pages. Reading Level: Easy Readers, ages 4-8 Recommended For: new readers, ages 4-8, and young listeners, ages 0-4 The Cowboy is a German imprint that, like Holiday House’s other I Like to Read books, is shaped more like a picture book than…
Read MoreTime Together: Me and Grandpa by Maria Catherine, illustrated by Pascal Campion
Time Together: Me and Grandpa by Maria Catherine, illustrated by Pascal Campion. Picture Window Books, 2015. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books (ages 0-4) Recommended for: Ages 0-4 Stylized art and a simple text show children spending time with their grandfathers in a variety of activities. Each two-page spread features one child with his or…
Read MoreAvengers: Age of Ultron Resources! (+ Printable)
Emily reviewed Avengers: Age of Ultron at Worldmag.com. If you’ll click “Listen” at the bottom of that post, you can also hear hints from Kevin Harvey, author of All You Want to Know About the Bible in Pop Culture. We had a great response to our “cheatsheet” for Cinderella a month ago. Today we…
Read MoreQueen of the Diamond by Emily Arnold McCully
Queen of the Diamond: The Lizzie Murphy Story by Emily Arnold McCully. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2015. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 4-8, especially girls Baseball is the all-American sport. And great picture book biographies of famous baseball players are in good supply. Understandably, many biographies of early baseball players…
Read MoreSilent Star by Bill Wise, illustrated by Adam Gustavson
Silent Star: The Story of Deaf Major Leaguer William Hoy by Bill Wise, illustrated by Adam Gustavson. Lee and Low, 2012. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 8-10 Recommended for: Ages 8-10 Baseball games are full of distinctive sounds: the crack as the ball and bat make contact, the roar of the crowd, the umpire’s…
Read MoreNew Shoes by Susan Lynn Meyer, illustrated by Eric Velasquez
New Shoes by Susan Lynn Meyer, illustrated by Eric Velasquez. Holiday House, 2015. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 4-8 It’s difficult for contemporary children to really “get” the effects of segregation and Jim Crow laws in the South in the first half of the twentieth century. But contemporary children…
Read MoreSwing Sisters by Karen Deans, illustrated by Joe Cepeda
Swing Sisters: The Story of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm by Karen Deans, illustrated by Joe Cepeda. Holiday House, 2015. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-10 Recommended for: Ages 4-10 Did you know there was an all-female, interracial jazz band in the early 20th century? A little-known slice of music history comes to life in…
Read More*The Father Brown Reader: Stories from Chesterton adapted by Nancy Carpentier Brown
*The Father Brown Reader: Stories from Chesterton adapted by Nancy Carpentier Brown, illustrated by Ted Schluenderfritz. Hillside Education, 2007. 147 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12 Recommended for: Ages 8-12 Bottom Line: This well-done adaptation of four famous Father Brown stories preserves the original lively spirit of Chesterton’s famous sleuth. The Father Brown Reader is a collection…
Read MoreAh! by Geraldine Collet, illustrated by Estelle Billon Spagnol
Ah! by Géraldine Collet, illustrated by Estelle Billon Spagnol. Holiday House, 2015. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 0-4 (plus older readers—see review) Recommended for: All ages Ah! by Géraldine Collet is a French import about two little rabbits…and two little spiders. A little rabbit, following cryptic signs, runs into a spider. Eek! He busily…
Read More*Lulu and the Rabbit Next Door by Hilary McKay
*Lulu and the Rabbit Next Door by Hilary McKay, illustrated by Priscilla Lamont. Albert Whitman and Co., 2014. 91 pages. Reading Level: Chapter Books, ages 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 4-8 Bottom Line: Lulu and her cousin Mellie use kindness and creativity to win over their enemy—the new boy next door—in this delightful chapter book. Lulu is…
Read MoreThe House That’s Your Home by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by Jane Dyer
The House That’s Your Home by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by Jane Dyer. Schwartz and Wade, 2015. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books (ages 0-8) Recommended for: ages 0-8 Speaking directly to the young reader (listener), the text sweetly highlights the various elements of a small child’s world in this old-fashioned picture book. Beginning with the outside world…
Read MoreThe Spider (Disgusting Creatures) by Elise Gravel
The Spider (Disgusting Creatures) by Elise Gravel. Tundra Books, 2015. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 4-8 Children are fascinated by bugs and spiders, often bringing them to their more squeamish parents for a closer look. And there are plenty of picture books on these fascinating small carnivores of the animal world.…
Read MoreSpring Story Tea: Ducklings, Bunnies, and Tea with Dinosaurs! [Printable + Recipes]
It’s spring! Rain, puddles, flowers, ducklings, bunnies, new life, and tea with dinosaurs! Cuddle up with the children in your life, pour a cup of tea, and enjoy some springtime reads. (See printable with recipes here!) *note: all titles have been selected with group audiences in mind; all are suitable for a wide range of…
Read MoreFinding Good Chapter Book Friends: Junie B. Jones v. Jasper John Dooley
A Childlike Attitude My friends, there is an enormous difference between the childish and the childlike. George MacDonald famously commented that he didn’t write for children but for the childlike (no matter their “age”). This childlike essence helps explain why grown ups still read The Chronicles of Narnia or Edith Nesbit’s books with delight, and it is also part of the reason easy…
Read MoreBink and Gollie: Best Friends Forever by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee
Bink and Gollie: Best Friends Forever by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee, illustrated by Tony Fucile. Candlewick, 2013. 80 pages. Reading Level: Chapter Books, ages 4-10 Recommended for: Ages 4-10 Bink and Gollie are best friends. Like so many easy reader best friends, they are opposites on the surface and continuously overcome their differences to form a…
Read MoreFinding Spring by Carin Berger
Finding Spring by Carin Berger. Greenwillow, 2015. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 0-8 Recommended for: Ages 0-8 Maurice the bear just wants to find spring. He’ll hibernate once his mission is complete. He finally makes a glorious discovery, scoops up some “spring” into a ball to take home to his den, and settles comfortably…
Read MoreClick, Clack, Peep! by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Click, Clack, Peep! by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2015. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books (ages 0-4) Recommended for: Ages 0-4 Toddlers and preschoolers enjoy rhythm and sound effects, and this book delivers on both counts. Readers familiar with the creators’ former books (such as Click, Clack, Moo) will enjoy seeing…
Read MoreThis Book Just Ate My Dog! by Richard Byrne
This Book Just Ate My Dog! by Richard Byrne. Henry Holt and Co., 2014. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 4-8 Books that turn the book format on its head and play with the reader are fun to read to children, especially those who are experienced listeners. This Book Just Ate My…
Read MoreSeeing Christ in Othello: Is Tragedy Inevitable?
Examining School Reading Lists Emily wrote a marvelous series in the fall on the complications typicalhigh school reading lists might pose for Christians, sensitive students, or any young, impressionable reader. As a high school English teacher, I have taught many dark works; Shakespearean tragedies are a particular recurring element. Historically, I’ve often fumed: Why are…
Read MoreCaroline Starr Rose: An Interview!
We’re privileged to feature a virtual interview today with Caroline Starr Rose, author of Blue Birds (just released on March 24; read our review) and of May B. (read our review). Both are historical fiction novels in verse. Caroline resides in Albuquerque with her pastor husband and two sons. She writes about faith, writing, her books, and other thoughts at her…
Read MoreBlue Birds by Caroline Starr Rose
Blue Birds by Caroline Starr Rose. Putnam, 2015. 400 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: Ages 10-12 Bottom Line: This historical novel-in-verse delicately explores cross-cultural friendship against the backdrop of the lost Roanoke Colony in the sixteenth century. Alis lands with her family on the New World beach, eager to be off…
Read MoreJasper John Dooley: You’re in Trouble! by Caroline Adderson
Jasper John Dooley: You’re in Trouble! by Caroline Adderson and illustrated by Ben Clanton. Kids Can Press, 2015. 124 pages. Reading Level: Chapter Books, ages 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 4-8 Bottom Line: Jasper John Dooley drinks a high energy drink that makes him “Bad” in this funny, illustrated chapter book; early elementary students everywhere will…
Read MoreJasper John Dooley: Left Behind by Caroline Adderson
Jasper John Dooley: Left Behind by Caroline Adderson and illustrated by Ben Clanton. Kids Can Press, 2011. 132 pages. Reading Level: Chapter Books, ages 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 4-8 Bottom Line: A humorous illustrated chapter book that celebrates the special relationship a young boy has with his grandmother. First grader Jasper John Dooley spends every Wednesday afternoon…
Read MoreThe Charm of the Penderwicks (Janie and Betsy discuss)
Periodically, Janie and Betsy discuss great middle grades literature, trying to figure out what makes it so great. Today, the charming Penderwicks clan are held up to the microscope. [Betsy] Hey Janie! The fourth Penderwicks book is out this month, and I think it might be my favorite of the series. I know I’m not…
Read MoreThe Penderwicks in Spring by Jeanne Birdsall
The Penderwicks in Spring by Jeanne Birdsall. Knopf, 2015. 352 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12 Recommended for: Ages 8-12 Bottom Line: The best installment of the Penderwick family adventures to date features ten-year-old Batty, a new dog walking enterprise, the airing of family secrets, and new personal discoveries. Both long-time Penderwick fans and…
Read MoreThe Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall
The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall. Yearling, 2012 (originally 2011). 320 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12 Recommended for: Ages 8-12 Bottom Line: While Rosalind and the Penderwick parents are off on their own adventures, the remaining Penderwicks head to the Maine coast for a very eventful summer vacation. At the start…
Read MoreSeeing the Gospel in Cinderella (Discussion Starters!)
Why Cinderella? —a joint post from Betsy, Hayley, and Megan We at Redeemed Reader love a good fairy tale. Cinderella is perhaps the quintessential fairy tale with its rags-to-riches princess, the fairy godmother, and fancy dresses. Indeed, the Cinderella story is one of the most ubiquitous stories worldwide, appearing in nearly every culture for centuries. The…
Read MoreThe Glass Slipper by Eleanor Farjeon
The Glass Slipper by Eleanor Farjeon. Viking, 1956. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: Ages 8-10 Bottom Line: Farjeon’s classic retelling of Cinderella is a fun read and may have inspired Walt Disney himself in the making of the animated Disney version. Every now and then we remind readers of an older, out-of-print…
Read MoreCinderella Read-Alikes for Boys and Girls of All Ages
Cinderella Read-Alikes for Boys and Girls of All Ages A few of our favorite picture books, chapter books, middle grade titles, young adult reads, and some specifically Christian resources that all relate to Cinderella. Not all are strict Cinderella retellings, but all have thematic connections to this famous fairy tale. Some titles may surprise you!…
Read More*The Ordinary Princess by M. M. Kaye (Retro Reads)
*The Ordinary Princess by M. M. Kaye. Puffin, 2002 (originally published in 1980). 128 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: Ages 8-10 Bottom Line: Princess Amy, cursed with being ordinary, discovers that she quite likes being ordinary in this charming modern fairy tale. Princess Amethyst Alexandra Augusta Araminta Adelaide Aurelia Anne of…
Read MoreThe Secret Life of Squirrels by Nancy Rose
The Secret Life of Squirrels by Nancy Rose. Little, Brown, 2014. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 4-8 Squirrels are ubiquitous; big cities don’t deter them, and they seem more impervious to seasonal changes than most woodland animals. While many rue the squirrel presence in their backyards, Nancy Rose seized the…
Read MoreA Rock Can Be… by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Violetta Dabija
A Rock Can Be… by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Violetta Dabija. Millbrook Picture Books, 2015. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8Recommended for: ages 0-8 Salas and Dabija team up once again to bring us a child-friendly description of all the many things a particular item or substance can be: in this case, rocks!…
Read MoreThe Queen’s Shadow by Cybele Young
The Queen’s Shadow: A Story About How Animals See by Cybele Young. Kids Can Press, 2015. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 8-10 Recommended for: Ages 8-10 The queen is throwing a party with all of her favorite animal friends when the lights go out and her shadow goes missing! Who has stolen the…
Read MoreThe Topography of Memory
Along with actual experiences, the books we read, particularly those we “grow up with,” create a topography in our memory.
Read More*Mission Accomplished: A Two-Week Family Easter Devotional
*Mission Accomplished: A Two-Week Family Easter Devotional by Scott James. New Growth Press, 2015. 64 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 4-8, ages 8-10 So often our church celebrations of the great story of Easter end with Easter morning: after attending various Passion week services, we arise early and go to…
Read More*Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink. Aladdin, 2006 (reprint; originally published 1935). 288 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12Recommended for: ages 8-12, especially girls Bottom Line: Caddie Woodlawn, one of America’s favorite pioneer girls, turns 80 this year; her adventurous story of growing up on the frontier continues to delight young readers. Based on Carol…
Read More*Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo
Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo. Clarion, 2014. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8Recommended for: ages 0-8 In this 2015 Caldecott Honor, Castillo tells the gentle story of a grandmother who cleverly helps her young grandson brave his fears and discover all the fun things there are to do and experience in the city. He…
Read MoreAll the Answers by Kate Messner
All the Answers by Kate Messner. Bloomsbury, 2015. 256 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12Recommended For: ages 10-12, especially girls Bottom Line: In this middle-grades novel, Ava finds a magic pencil that writes answers out to her questions; the question is, is that really a good discovery? In her haste one morning, Ava grabs a…
Read MoreHector Fox and the Giant Quest by Astrid Sheckels
Hector Fox and the Giant Quest (Hector and Friends) by Astrid Sheckels. FastPencil Premiere, 2014. 32 pages . Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8Recommended For: ages 0-8 If only fairy tales were real! Such a wish begins this cute picture book as Hector and his friends set out in search of a giant. Detailed illustrations bring the…
Read More*Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi
This book is a “Best of the Best” pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! *Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity by Nabeel Qureshi. Zondervan, 2014. 304 pages. Reading Level: Adult Recommended for: Ages 15 and up One-Line Summary: In this moving and convicting account, Qureshi recounts his spiritual awakening from devout…
Read MoreBad Bye, Good Bye by Deborah Underwood
Bad Bye, Good Bye by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Jonathan Bean. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2014. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 0-8Recommended for: All ages Moving, even across the street, is always a major transition. When a family moves to a new city (or state), the transition is magnified. Young children have…
Read MoreHi, Koo! by Jon Muth
Hi, Koo!: A Year of Seasons by Jon Muth. Scholastic, 2014. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 0-8Recommended for: All ages It is hard to describe a book that is simultaneously an alphabet book, an exploration of the haiku form, a beautiful collection of watercolor paintings, and the story of a playful panda (whose name is…
Read MoreWinter Poems by Barbara Rogasky and Trina Schart Hyman
Winter Poems selected by Barbara Rogasky and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. Scholastic, 1994. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books (ages 4-10)Recommended for: Ages 4 and up So many books about winter feature Christmas, New Year’s, or other “special days.” Rogasky and Hyman teamed up to create a collection of poetry that simply celebrates winter. The result…
Read More*Firefly July by Paul Janeczko and Melissa Sweet
*Firefly July: A Year of Very Short Poems selected by Paul Janeczko and illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Candlewick, 2014. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, 0-8 Recommended for: Ages 0-8 Janeczko’s 36 short poetry selections coupled with Sweet’s bright, boldly colored illustrations will delight young children who instinctively enjoy the rhythm of poetry (perhaps more…
Read MoreThe Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm
The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm. Random House, 2014. 208 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: Ages 10-12 Bottom Line: A quirky, fun, “science-y” middle grades read about the meaning and importance of life; the stars of the show are 11-year-old Ellie and her grandfather who just happens to be transformed…
Read MoreThe Beatitudes by Carole Boston Weatherford
The Beatitudes: From Slavery to Civil Rights by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Tim Ladwig. Eerdmans, 2009. 36 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8Recommended for: All ages The idea of putting the familiar lines of the beatitudes to the African American struggle for civil rights is a worthy one. How many times have those verses…
Read MoreBeautiful Moon: A Child’s Prayer by Tonya Bolden
A beautiful picture book on one boy’s prayer illustrated by award-winning illustrator Eric Velasquez.
Read More*Hosanna, Loud Hosannas by Barbara and David Leeman
*Hosanna, Loud Hosannas: Essential Hymns Every Child Should Sing compiled and written by Barbara and David Leeman, 2014. 300 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12Recommended for: All ages Part hymnal, part textbook, and part devotional, Hosanna, Loud Hosannas is a beautiful, excellent resource for Christians of all ages although it is designed for children in first…
Read MoreNew Year’s Literary Goals (and Literary Confessions)
Happy New Year! The Lord has blessed each of us on the Redeemed Reader staff—and our site as well—in 2014. We are excited to see what He will bring our way and do through us this coming year. We are humbled by His faithfulness and goodness to us, and we pray that He is using…
Read More*Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel (named Mary Anne) are just as beloved by today’s generation of children as they were in the 1930s!
Read More*Flora and the Penguin by Molly Idle
Flora and the Penguin is a strong follow up to Flora and the Flamingo.
Read More*Three Bears in a Boat by David Soman
A sweet story of sibling love, sin and forgiveness, and an adventure in between.
Read MoreHello Ninja by N. D. Wilson
A lively book for the youngest ninjas in your home.
Read MoreMiss Betsy’s Book Nook: Picking Books for Gifts
Embracing My Identity I used to try to be one of those crafty types who gives a lovingly handmade item at a baby shower, for a young relative’s Christmas gift, or even to a young couple getting married. And then I saw the light: I know books, I love books, and now I give books. People expect…
Read MoreLeroy Ninker Saddles Up by Kate DiCamillo
Jaunty, boisterous Leroy Ninker and his horse, Maybelline, star in this first volume of the Tales of Deckawoo Drive.
Read MoreThe Chicken Squad by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Kevin Cornell
The Chicken Squad is silly, yes, but a very fun early chapter book to look for at your local library.
Read More*Waiting is Not Easy! by Mo Willems
This book is a “Best of the Best” pick from ourWinter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! *Waiting Is Not Easy! by Mo Willems. Hyperion, 2014. 64 pages. Reading Level: Easy/Leveled Readers (ages 4-8) Recommended for: Ages 0-8 **Spoiler alert** Elephant & Piggie fans will just have to take our word for it and…
Read MoreFix This Mess! by Tedd Arnold
This book is a “Best of the Best” pick from ourWinter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! Fix This Mess! by Tedd Arnold. I LIKE TO READ series. Holiday House, 2014. 32 pages. Reading Level: Easy/Leveled Reader, ages 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 4-8 Belly laughs from kindergartners make reading sessions so much more enjoyable,…
Read MoreNumber One Sam by Greg Pizzoli
This book is a “Best of the Best” pick from ourWinter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! Number One Sam by Greg Pizzoli. Disney-Hyperion, 2014. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, Easy/Leveled Readers, ages 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 0-8 Pizzoli’s humorous The Watermelon Seed won the Geisel Award, which is devoted to the best…
Read MoreThe Big Fib by Tim Hamilton
The Big Fib by Tim Hamilton. I LIKE TO READ series. Holiday House, 2014. 32 pages. Reading Level: Easy/Leveled Readers, ages 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 0-8 New readers will easily be able to read the many one-syllable words in this cautionary tale full of quirky illustrations. The nameless boy and dog make creative use of their…
Read More*Christmas is Here by Lauren Castillo
This book is a “Best of the Best” pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! We are participants in the Amazon LLC affiliate program; qualifying purchases you make through affiliate links like the one below may earn us a commission Christmas is Here by Lauren Castillo. Simon & Schuster, 2010. 32 pages.…
Read MoreEvery Valley by Albert L. Blackwell
Every Valley: Advent with the Scriptures of Handel’s Messiah by Albert L. Blackwell. Westminster John Knox Press, 2014. 160 pages. Reading Level: Adults (16 and up) Recommended for: Ages 15 and up Handel’s Messiah bursts on our ears this time every year even though many of the oratorio’s texts harken to the death and resurrection of Christ. Still, the Messiah…
Read MoreI Survived True Stories: Five Epic Disasters by Lauren Tarshis
This book is a “Best of the Best” pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! I Survived True Stories: Five Epic Disasters by Lauren Tarshis. Scholastic, 2014. 176 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, 8-10 Recommended for: Ages 8-10 Fans of the popular I SURVIVED historical fiction series by Lauren…
Read More*MindWar: A Novel (The MindWar Trilogy, Book 1) by Andrew Klavan
MindWar: A Novel (The MindWar Trilogy, Book 1) by Andrew Klavan. Thomas Nelson, 2014. 336 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12 and up Recommended for: Ages 12 and up The title MindWar sums it up perfectly: Rick is fighting a mental battle that has far-reaching effects in the temporal world. A high school senior who…
Read MoreLulu and the Hedgehog in the Rain by Hilary McKay and illustrated by Priscilla Lamont
Lulu and the Hedgehog in the Rain by Hilary McKay and illustrated by Priscilla Lamont. Albert Whitman and Company, 2014. 112 pages. Reading Level: Chapter Books, ages 6-10Recommended for: Ages 4-10 In this latest Lulu installment, Lulu bravely rescues a forlorn hedgehog during the “wettest [day] in sixty-four years.” Her love for animals drives the series,…
Read MoreLulu and the Cat in the Bag by Hilary McKay and illustrated by Priscilla Lamont
Lulu and the Cat in the Bag by Hilary McKay and illustrated by Priscilla Lamont. Albert Whitman and Company, 2013. 112 pages. Reading Level: Chapter Books, ages 6-10Recommended for: Ages 4-10 Lulu and Mellie’s grandmother (Nan) is staying with them while their parents are away, and the book opens with the three of them pondering…
Read MoreLulu and the Dog from the Sea by Hilary McKay and illustrated by Priscilla Lamont
Lulu and the Dog from the Sea by Hilary McKay and illustrated by Priscilla Lamont. Albert Whitman and Company, 2014. 112 pages. (originally published in the United Kingdom, first published in the U.S. by Scholastic in 2011) Reading Level: Chapter Books, ages 6-10Recommended for: Ages 4-10 Lulu and her cousin Mellie rescue a dog from…
Read MoreLulu and the Duck in the Park by Hilary McKay and illustrated by Priscilla Lamont
This book is a “Best of the Best” pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! Lulu and the Duck in the Park by Hilary McKay and illustrated by Priscilla Lamont. Albert Whitman and Company, 2012. 112 pages. Reading Level: Chapter Books, ages 6-10Recommended for: Ages 4-10 This is Lulu’s debut, and it…
Read MoreThe Great Turkey Walk by Kathleen Karr
The Great Turkey Walk by Kathleen Karr. Square Fish, 2000 (reprint; original pub. date 1998). 208 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades (ages 10-12)Recommended for: Ages 10-14 Fifteen-year-old Simon Green has just finished third grade for the fourth time, and his beloved teacher Miss Rogers has convinced him he needs to “spread his wings” and move…
Read MoreMy Friend the Enemy by (our very own) J. B. Cheaney
My Friend the Enemy by J. B. Cheaney. Yearling, 2007 (reprint edition). 272 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades 8-12) Recommended for: Ages 8-12 If another nation bombs the U.S. on your birthday and catapults your nation into war, abruptly changing your community, you’d be mad, too. When this happens to 12-year-old Hazel Anderson, she channels her…
Read MoreNumber the Stars by Lois Lowry (25th Anniversary)
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2011 (reissue of 1989 copy). 156 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10Recommended for: Ages 8-10 Number the Stars is one of those books that carries many awards and accolades: Newbery Award (1990), National Jewish Book Award (1990), Rebecca Caudill Award (1992), and others. It has appeared on…
Read MoreDash by Kirby Larson
Dash by Kirby Larson. Scholastic, 2014. 256 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12Recommended for: Ages 8-12 Eleven-year-old Mitsi’s best friend is her little dog, Dash. She used to have some other best friends, but after the attacks on Pearl Harbor, they’ve been avoiding Mitsi because she is Japanese American. And so the story opens on…
Read MoreNational Geographic Kids Biographies: George Washington
George Washington by Caroline Crosson Gilpin. National Geographic Society, 2014. 128 pgs. Reading Level: Early reader, leveled reader (ages 4-8) Recommended for: Ages 4-8 National Geographic Kids has a series of biographies about well-known significant figures that is nicely suited to early readers. Each book contains a variety of information and good photographs about the…
Read MoreQueen Victoria’s Bathing Machine by Gloria Whelan and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
Queen Victoria’s Bathing Machine by Gloria Whelan and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. Simon and Schuster, 2014. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8Recommended for: Ages 4-8 It is hard for our modern sensibilities to understand the enormity of the social faux pas Queen Victoria would have committed had she allowed her subjects to see…
Read MoreThe Pilot and the Little Prince by Peter Sis
The Pilot and the Little Prince: The Life of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry by Peter Sis. Farrar, Straux, and Giroux, 2014. 48 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8Recommended for: Ages 4-12 Part picture book biography of the man who wrote The Little Prince and part history of early flight, this is a stunning book to read on…
Read MoreThe Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy) by Barbara Kerley and illustrated by Edward Fotheringham
The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy) by Barbara Kerley and illustrated by Edward Fotheringham. Scholastic, 2010. 48 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-10Recommended for: Ages 8-10 Like his famous Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain was a larger-than-life character. Famous during his own lifetime, Twain was the subject of much critical attention. His daughter, Susy, decided that…
Read MorePicture Book Biographies
Picture Book Biographies Picture book biographies are excellent choices for introducing students of all ages to a particular author or historical figure. Many times they are also good examples of research, characters who persevere in the midst of adversity, interesting historical anecdotes, and just plain good stories—true stories. The Criteria Essentially, a good picture book…
Read More*The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet
*The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2014. 42 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-12Recommended for: 8-12 The use of language is not confined to its being the medium through which we communicate our ideas to one another; … [it functions] as an…
Read MoreA River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams by Jen Bryant and illustrated by Melissa Sweet
A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams by Jen Bryant and illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Eerdmans, 2008. 34 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 8-12Recommended for: 4-12 Although poetry anchored William Carlos Williams, he was much more than a poet; Bryant and Sweet work seamlessly together to tell his story from his…
Read MoreExplore Gravity!: With 25 Great Projects by Cindy Blobaum and illustrated by Bryan Stone
Explore Gravity!: With 25 Great Projects by Cindy Blobaum and illustrated by Bryan Stone. Nomad Press, 2013. 96 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades (ages 8-12) Recommended for: Ages 4-8 and up Explore Gravity is part activity book, part experiment book, and part textbook that explores gravity-related concepts (cause of gravity, effects of gravity, past discoveries) and…
Read MoreGravity by Jason Chin
Gravity by Jason Chin. Roaring Brook Press, 2014. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, 0-8 Recommended for: All ages Gravity is a complex concept to explain to young children. Chin has tackled this challenge with aplomb, producing a beautifully illustrated, deceptively simple picture book that succinctly and effectively explains gravity to very young children. Illustrations…
Read MoreEye Benders: The Science of Seeing and Believing by Clive Gifford
Eye Benders: The Science of Seeing and Believing by Clive Gifford. Ivy Press, 2013 (U.K.) and 2014 (U.S.A.). 64 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, 8-12 Recommended for: All ages Eye Benders will fascinate all those who enjoy optical illusions—and the science behind them. Why do our eyes seem to play tricks on us sometimes? Why does…
Read MoreEye to Eye: How Animals See the World by Steve Jenkins
Eye to Eye: How Animals See the World by Steve Jenkins. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2014. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 8 and up Steve Jenkins generates interesting and stunning new nonfiction books on a regular basis. In this recent picture book, he uses his trademark collage style to illuminate the…
Read MoreZoobots by Helaine Becker
Zoobots: Wild Robots Inspired by Real Animals by Helaine Becker and illustrated by Alex Ries. Kids Can Press, 2014, 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Book, 8-10 Recommended for: Ages 8 and up Anthropomorphic robots are the stuff of science fiction movies, but they really exist! Zoobots is a very well-organized, well-illustrated guide to some of…
Read MoreHomer Price by Robert McCloskey
Homer Price by Robert McCloskey. Viking, 1943. 149 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, 8-10 Recommended for: Ages 8-10 McCloskey has transformed his picture book hero, Lentil, into a slightly more grown-up Homer Price. Homer lives outside the town of Centerberg and experiences small town America in all its glory. Folks know each other around town,…
Read MoreRobert McCloskey: 100th Anniversary of His Birth
Today marks the 100th anniversary of Robert McCloskey’s birth. McCloskey is the author/illustrator of such familiar American children’s books as Make Way for Ducklings, Blueberries for Sal, One Morning in Maine, and Time of Wonder. His first picture book was Lentil, which idealized his own boyhood in small-town America. This month’s issue of Horn Book Magazine features an essay on McCloskey by children’s…
Read MoreLentil by Robert McCloskey
Lentil by Robert McCloskey. First published by Viking, 1940. Reading Level: Picture Books, 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 4-8 Lentil, McCloskey’s first picture book, is now 74 years old. Readers will recognize McCloskey’s familiar style from his more well-known picture books (such as Blueberries for Sal or Make Way for Ducklings). Lentil is a young boy from the town…
Read MoreInterview with J. B. Cheaney & Giveaway!
***As of Sept. 15, this giveaway is over. Winners have been notified. Please check back for more free books!*** GIVEAWAY! Tell us a favorite bus memory, school or otherwise, in the comments below and you could win one of five giveaway copies of Janie’s new book, Somebody on This Bus is Going to Be Famous!…
Read More*Somebody on This Bus is Going to Be Famous by (our very own) J. B. Cheaney
*Somebody on This Bus Is Going to Be Famous by J. B. Cheaney. Sourcebooks, 2014. 304 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades (8-12) Recommended For: Ages 10-12 Bottom Line: A realistic fiction novel that brings together nine very different students on one bus with one school driver for one school year: who is going to be famous?…
Read MoreMama Built a Little Nest by Jennifer Ward and illustrated by Steve Jenkins
This book is a “Best of the Best” pick from ourWinter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! Mama Built a Little Nest by Jennifer Ward and illustrated by Steve Jenkins. Beach Lane Books, 2014, 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, 0-8 Recommended for: Ages 0-8 Steve Jenkins is known for his detailed collage illustrations in…
Read MoreGreenglass House by Kate Milford
Greenglass House by Kate Milford. Clarion, 2014, 384 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades (ages 10-12) Recommended for: Ages 10 and up The Greenglass House is an old inn set on a remote cliff near a smuggler’s cove and is run by Milo (an adopted boy of Asian heritage) and his parents. And in Greenglass House,…
Read MoreAchoo! Bang! Crash!: The Noisy Alphabet
Achoo! Bang! Crash!: The Noisy Alphabet by Ross MacDonald. Neal Porter Books, 2003. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 4-8 This riotous book is full of noisy words! Onomatopoeia comprises the entire text, making this a perfect read-aloud (and read with) choice for kindergarten and early elementary students. MacDonald’s illustrations have…
Read MoreCount on the Subway
Count On the Subway by Paul Dobois Jacobs and Jennifer Swender and illustrated by Dan Yaccarino. Knopf, 2014. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, 0-4 Recommended for: 0-4 Bright, colorful illustrations help young listeners count with a little girl and her mom as they walk to the subway, board the train, ride to their destination,…
Read MoreWhat in the World?: Fun-Tastic Puzzles for Curious Minds
What in the World?: Fun-Tastic Puzzles for Curious Minds by Julie Vosburgh Agnone. National Geographic Society, 2014. 48 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 4-8 Reminiscent of I Spy books, What in the World? is exactly what its subtitle says it is: fun puzzles for curious minds. Patterns from the natural world, close-ups…
Read MoreThis Plus That by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
This Plus That: Life’s Little Equations by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Jen Corace. Harper, 2011. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Book, Ages 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 4-8 Rosenthal has a knack for creating a twist on an educational subject and applying it to real life. In this deceptively simple book, various elements of life…
Read MoreOne Smart Cookie by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
One Smart Cookie: Bite-Size Lessons for the School Years and Beyond by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Jane Dyer and Brooke Dyer. Harper, 2010. 32 pgs. Reading Level: Picture BookRecommended for: Ages 4-8 Similar to Rosenthal’s other “Cookies” books, One Smart Cookie defines character traits using the metaphor of making/eating/enjoying cookies and concludes with a recipe for…cookies,…
Read MoreHickory Dickory Dog by Alison Murray
Hickory Dickory Dog by Alison Murray. Candlewick, 2014 (first published in U.K. in 2012), 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture BookRecommended for: All ages Murray applies her signature style in this bold, colorful picture book. Using the familiar nursery rhyme, “Hickory Dickory Dock,” Murray tells the story of a young boy and his dog throughout the course…
Read MorePigsticks and Harold and the Incredible Journey by Alex Milway
Pigsticks and Harold and the Incredible Journey by Alex Milway. Candlewick, 2014. Reading Level: Early Chapter Book, Ages 4-8Recommended for: All ages Charmingly illustrated with the same humorous touches James Marshall often added to his works, Pigsticks and Harold are delightful early chapter book friends you must introduce to your children. Pigsticks comes from a…
Read MoreSRC Reading List Extension! (a printable list)
Our primary Summer Reading Challenge targets “middle grade” readers (typically ages 9-12) and “teen” readers (ages 13 and up), but we know there are many of you who have younger readers. While our hope is that our middle grade titles (“List 1”) are family friendly enough that the entire family can listen to and enjoy…
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