Posts by emily
How to Throw a Book-themed Party for Kids
Beat the summer boredom with a book-themed party!
Read MoreCooking Up Fun: ‘Roald Dahl’s Revolting Recipes’
Roald Dahl’s Revolting Recipes by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake. Puffin, 1997. 32 pages. Reading Level: Ages 8-10 Recommended For: all ages Bottom Line: Illustrated by Quentin Blake, this extraordinary cookbook includes outlandish food from Dahl’s books, fleshed out into real recipes you can be revolted by in your own kitchen! Roald Dahl…
Read MoreWarning: Site Hacked
Our site has been hacked. We are working on fixing the problem. Please bear with us (and pray for us!). “Like” us on Facebook for updates.
Read MoreSummer Reading Lite
Growing Pains Our regular readers know we’ve been promising big changes for a while. But this time we mean it! We are working on a redesign for the fall, and that means that we just can’t do a Summer Reading Challenge this year. So, no prizes, no writing contest, no worldview building material, and no…
Read MoreA Download: Kids’ Guide to Pilgrim’s Progress
It’s finally here! The edited, downloadable version of our read-along of Pilgrim’s Progress for families. Last fall, Janie and I took the journey with Christian to the Celestial City, and since then, we’ve edited my part, added snazzy illustrations from artist Carl Dean White, and reformatted all 42 pages of our Pilgrim’s Progress goodness. And…
Read MoreCinderella Radio Review: Listen Here!
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/195843489″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /] Thanks to Megan Saben, Betsy Farquhar, Kristen Eicher (producer!) and my daughter, Rebecca, for making this review possible!
Read More50 Shades Trilogy: The Tim Challies Interview
(This interview was originally published Aug 7, 2012. We have repubbed today in preparation for the movie’s release this Valentine’s Day weekend.) NEW TO REDEEMEDREADER.COM? Like our Facebook page or sign up for our newsletter (see right-hand corner of the homepage) to get more updates on 5o Shades and other significant book trends! Introduction Despite…
Read MoreFifty Shades Roundtable with WORLD’s Megan Basham
(This interview was originally published Aug 8, 2012. We are republishing today in preparation for the movie’s release Valentine’s Day weekend 2015.) Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James is the first in a trilogy of novels labeled erotica by its publisher Random House. The novels were released in 2011 and besides topping the…
Read More*The Green Ember by S. D. Smith
The Green Ember is animal fantasy at its best, filled with gripping action and heartwarming rabbits, all deeply informed by the Christian worldview of its author. *The Green Ember by S. D. Smith, illustrated by Zach Franzen. Story Warren Books, 2014. 368 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 9-12 Recommended for: ages 9 and up…
Read More*Rise by Trip Lee
*Rise: Get Up and Live in God’s Great Story by Trip Lee. Thomas Nelson, 2014. 240 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 and up Maturity Level: 4 (ages 11-12) and up Bottom Line: Trip Lee’s Rise is a gospel-based, conversational book set to a hip-hop album soundtrack in which Lee challenges young adults to rise above low expectations and “get up and live” for God’s glory. Early in…
Read MoreWinter Book Fair 2014
Looking for Christmas gifts for the kids and teens in your life? Redeemed Reader has pulled together our best picks in our annual Winter Book Fair. WANT A PRINTABLE LIST OF OUR PICKS? Try these .pdf files: 1) Titles and Descriptions. 2) Titles Only. A New Tradition Last year about this time, we held a Winter Book…
Read MoreA Christmas Carol Watch-Along Guide
How many versions of Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol have you seen? It seems like every cultural figure has done a version of it, Klingons, and Dr. Who, along with at least two Broadway musical productions and uncounted movies. Whatever your favorite movie version, if a viewing of A Christmas Carol is on your family…
Read MoreMockingjay, Part One: Emily’s TW&E Radio Review
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/177935219″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /] Thanks to Kristen Eicher for her help with sound editing! Thanks also to Dana and Chris Cowherd for sharing their thoughts. READ MORE from Dana Cowherd in our recent post, 5 Hints for Discussing Mockingjay with Teens. Or check out , a teen discussion series regarding the first…
Read More5 Ideas for Discussing Mockingjay with Teens: A Mars Hill Approach
Don’t forget to check out our Winter Book Fair with 50+ gift book recommendations for kids and teens! INTRODUCTION I recently sat down with Christian and homeschool mom Dana Cowherd and her son, Chris, for a discussion about The Hunger Games trilogy. I felt Dana had quite a bit of wisdom to share on the…
Read MoreReviewing School Book Lists, Part Four: Reading is Spiritual Warfare
Reviewing School Book Lists: Part One. Part Two. Part Three. Part Four. This post by Emily Whitten, co-founder of Redeemed Reader, is the final installment in a series about the senior high school student Nathan Austin and the role literature played in his death. A Picture of Reading A child. Curled up in a couch. Nestled…
Read MoreReviewing School Book Lists, Part Three: The List
Reviewing School Book Lists: Part One. Part Two. Part Three. Part Four. In the previous part of this series, I acquainted our readers with a young man named Nathan Austin. Nathan was negatively influenced by the books he read his senior year of high school, and because of that influence along with other factors, he ended up…
Read MoreFall Book Lists! Books to Lighten Your Kids’ Book Bags.
Are your kids’ book bags feeling heavy this fall? How bout a few enjoyable reads to lighten the load? Thanks to each of the Redeemedreader writers who helped me put this list together! We very much hope you and your kids will appreciate this short list of fun yet faith-friendly backpack additions. Picture Books (Ages…
Read MoreReviewing School Book Lists, Part Two: Death of a Son
Reviewing School Book Lists: Part One. Part Two. Part Three. Part Four. (SUICIDE LIFELINE: 1-800-273-8255) Death of a Son On Monday morning, rumors swirled at Westwood High School that Nathan Austin, a senior, had died. Perhaps even taken his own life. Several teachers hurried to the principal’s office to find out the truth and put such…
Read MoreReviewing School Book Lists, Part One
Reviewing School Book Lists: Part One. Part Two. Part Three.Part Four. This post by Emily Whitten, co-founder of Redeemed Reader, is part of a series about the senior high school student Nathan Austin and the role literature played in his death. And the Winner Is…A Clockwork Orange? Since Janie Cheaney and I founded this website…
Read MoreSRC Week 6, Teen List: The Giver and Genesis in Space and Time
Other Summer Reading Challenge posts: Introduction, Week One: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Two: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Three: off Week Four: 1) Kids. 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Five: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Six: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Welcome to our discussion of our final…
Read MoreSRC, Week 6: Time Travel Devotional (Finale!)
Other Summer Reading Challenge posts: Introduction, Week One: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Two: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Three: off Week Four: 1) Kids. 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Five: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Six: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. TIME TRAVEL DEVOTIONAL #5: Jesus, the…
Read MoreSRC Week 5, Teen List: The Giver and Genesis in Space and Time
Other Summer Reading Challenge posts: Introduction, Week One: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Two: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Three: off Week Four: 1) Kids. 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Five: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Six: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Welcome to Week 5! Okay, guys,…
Read MoreSRC, Week 5: Time Travel Devotional
Other Summer Reading Challenge posts: Introduction, Week One: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Two: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Three: off Week Four: 1) Kids. 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Five: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Six: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Thanks to Christie Hart for today’s Bible…
Read MoreSRC, Week 4: Time Travel Devotional
Other Summer Reading Challenge posts: Introduction, Week One: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Two: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Three: off Week Four: 1) Kids. 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Five: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Six: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. TIME TRAVEL DEVOTIONAL, Week #4: Jesus the…
Read MoreThe Story of Owen: Review and Discussion
It’s officially an off-week here at Redeemedreader. But we’ve put together one “extra” post for your holiday weekend: a review of The Story of Owen: Dragon Slayer of Trondhiem. As you’ll recall, we originally chose Owen for our Summer Reading Challenge. But after giving it extra scrutiny, we realized it was not the book we…
Read MoreSRC Week 2, Teen List: Dragon’s Tooth Discussion
Other Summer Reading Challenge posts: Introduction, Week One: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Two: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Three: off Week Four: 1) Kids. 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Five: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Six: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Hey all! I’ve finally wrapped up the…
Read MoreParents, Teachers: How Does Your Christianity Change How and What Your Teens Read?
Hey all! I’m working on a rather lengthy article for World Magazine right now about literature for teens. I will be talking with a family tomorrow about the loss of their son to suicide, and the role his secular reading classes played in his depression. I am NOT planning to report that the literature he read CAUSED…
Read MoreSRC, Week 2: Time Travel Devotional
Other Summer Reading Challenge posts: Introduction, Week One: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Two: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Three: off Week Four: 1) Kids. 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Five: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Six: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. WELCOME! Welcome to Week 2 of our…
Read MoreSRC, Week 2: Rush Revere and the First Patriots
Other Summer Reading Challenge posts: Introduction, Week One: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Two: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Three: off Week Four: 1) Kids. 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Five: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Six: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. SUMMER READING CHALLENGE (SRC), Week 2 Welcome…
Read MoreSRC, Week 1 (Teen list): The Dragon’s Tooth by N. D. Wilson
Welcome Teens! Who’s finished the first book??! Not me!!! And that’s totally OK, because we’ve got another week before we post our discussion on The Dragon’s Tooth. And anyway, we won’t be sending report cards home to your mom…so just keep it in your bathroom or at the kitchen table and pick it up when…
Read MoreSRC, Week One: Time Travel Devotional
Other Summer Reading Challenge posts: Introduction, Week One: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Two: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Three: off Week Four: 1) Kids. 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Five: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Six: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. WELCOME! Welcome to our Summer Reading Challenge…
Read MoreThe Fault in Our Stars: Coffee and Conversations
Introduction This Friday, The Fault in Our Stars hit movie screens across America. It was a big book (Time Magazine’s #1 fiction book of 2012), and looks to be an even bigger movie. The story has been on Redeemedreader’s radar for quite sometime. Janie did a fantastic review a while back, which you can read…
Read MoreNew Teen Summer Reading Books!
New Plans After taking a second look at our teen Summer Reading Challenge books (Reading List #2), we have decided to take two of our books–The Story of Owen and Saving Juliet–and replace them with other books. If you have already bought the original books, we deeply apologize. Hopefully you’ll see the wisdom of this change…
Read More2014 Summer Reading Challenge…For the Whole Family
Other Summer Reading Challenge posts: Introduction, Week One: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Two: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Three: off Week Four: 1) Kids. 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Five: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Six: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. ***PLEASE NOTE: WE HAVE ADDED A…
Read MoreDivergent: Coffee and Conversation
A few weeks ago, Veronica Roth’s book Divergent hit the big screen. In God’s providence, that morning I also happened to be in the same town as Hayley, our intrepid intern-turned-exec-assistant, who is now a student at Boyce College. So, we slid up to the table in a local coffee house, got a couple of cups…
Read MoreC. S. Lewis at War: Radio Theatre for Teens and Adults
C. S. Lewis at War: The Dramatic Story Behind Mere Christianity (Radio Theatre) by C.S. Lewis and Paul McCusker. Tyndale Entertainment, 2013. Ages 12 and up. It’s last minute stocking stuffer time at my house! But even if you aren’t frantically looking for one last gift, this is an audiobook I think many of you…
Read MoreTruth in the Tinsel: A Family Advent Tradition
Truth in the Tinsel Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I suppose the Christmas race has officially begun now, and with that in mind, I wanted to share with you an advent devotional my kids and I will be doing this year. I know that there are many worthy Advent studies. (For instance, I…
Read MoreSci-fi Contest Winner and Podcast: From Ender’s Game to Hunger Games
To listen to our a read along with real teens or find discussion questions about Ender’s Game, please see our Ender’s Game Read Along. Also, to read the stories in our contest, see our Short Story Finalists post. Sci-fi Contest Winner Back when I was in high school, my short story contest submissions were read…
Read MoreWinter Book Fair: Gift Books to Support Redeemedreader
Dear Redeemedreaders, We appreciate you! If you have appreciated Redeemedreader this year, we’d love to have your support during the holiday season. We have narrowed down some of our best gift book recommendations for this time of year below. Plus, to make things a little more fun, we’ve recorded the Redeemedreader team talking about some…
Read MoreSci-fi Short Story Finalists: VOTE FOR A WINNER!
New to Redeemedreader? Sign up for our biweekly newsletter on our homepage! You can also like us on Facebook or follow along on Twitter to keep up with our book recommendations for kids and teens. To see who won the Writing Contest, CLICK HERE. INTRODUCTION Back in October, we invited teens to participate in a Sci-fi Writing Contest as part of our Ender’s…
Read MoreTeen Sci-Fi Writing Contest & Discussion: From Ender’s Game to Hunger Games
***NOTE: AN ANONYMOUS DONOR HAS JUST UPPED THE 2nd AND 3rd PLACE PRIZES IN THIS CONTEST TO A $30 AMAZON GIFT CARD!*** Introduction It’s been months in the making, but it’s finally here–our Teen Sci-fi Writing Contest and Finale Podcast! And not a moment too soon, since I’m going to a screening of Ender’s Game…
Read MoreEnder’s Game Read Along, Wk 4: Conclusions
Like sci-fi or dystopian stories? Check out our Sci-Fi Writing Contest for teens. You could win feedback from a sci-fi author and Thomas Nelson editor, plus lots of free books or gift cards! ENDER’S GAME POSTS: Introduction, Week 1: Sci-fi and Orson Scott Card, Week 2: Ender vs Peter, Week 3: Science of the Story,…
Read MoreAnselm: An Interview with Simonetta Carr
Anselm of Canterbury (Christian Biographies for Young Readers) by Simonetta Carr. Reformation Heritage Books, 2013. 64 pgs. Ages 8-up. Simonetta Carr recently published Anselm of Canterbury, the sixth in her Christian Biographies for Young Readers with Reformation Heritage books. The books fill an important niche in Christian publishing–picture books about church history. They are not…
Read MoreEnder’s Game Read Along, Wk 3: The Science of the Story
Like sci-fi or dystopian stories? Check out our Sci-Fi Writing Contest for teens. You could win feedback from a sci-fi author and Thomas Nelson editor, plus lots of free books or gift cards! ENDER’S GAME POSTS: Introduction, Week 1: Sci-fi and Orson Scott Card, Week 2: Ender vs Peter, Week 3: Science of the Story,…
Read MoreEnder’s Game Read Along, Wk 2: Ender vs. Peter
Like sci-fi or dystopian stories? Check out our Sci-Fi Writing Contest for teens. You could win feedback from a sci-fi author and Thomas Nelson editor, plus lots of free books or gift cards! ENDER’S GAME POSTS: Introduction, Week 1: Sci-fi and Orson Scott Card, Week 2: Ender vs Peter, Week 3: Science of the Story,…
Read MoreEnder’s Game Read Along, Wk 1: Considering Sci-fi and Orson Scott Card
Like sci-fi or dystopian stories? Check out our Sci-Fi Writing Contest for teens. You could win feedback from a sci-fi author and Thomas Nelson editor, plus lots of free books or gift cards! ENDER’S GAME POSTS: Introduction, Week 1: Sci-fi and Orson Scott Card, Week 2: Ender vs Peter, Week 3: Science of the Story,…
Read MoreMore Favorite Science Books
Welcome back to Science September at Redeemedreader! Last week, we heard from Janie on Science Biographies, as well as Betsy on some of her favorite Science Picture Books. Today, I’ll share three of my favorites, but I want to begin by introducing a guest reviewer who was kind enough to share one of her most…
Read MoreEnder’s Game Read Along: A Galactic Giveaway and Contest!
***THE GIVEAWAY PART OF THIS POST IS OVER. *** ENDER’S GAME POSTS: Introduction, Week 1: Sci-fi and Orson Scott Card, Week 2: Ender vs Peter, Week 3: Science of the Story, Week 4: Conclusions Also, see our Sci-Fi Writing Contest for Teens and our Sci-Fi Podcast Discussion coming soon. WHY READ ALONG? Ender’s Game (The…
Read MoreSpace Odyssey for Little Ones: An Interview with Kevin Luthardt
THE BOOK REVIEW When Edgar Met Cecil. Peachtree Publishers, 2013. 32 pgs. Ages 4-8. Kevin Luthardt is an author-illustrator who has had a pretty big impact on our family through his picture book entitled Larabee. (You can read about that in our 2012 interview with him.) So imagine my delight upon learning that just in time…
Read MorePodcast 34: A Kids’ Review of Amish Fiction
Big Year for Lily, A (The Adventures of Lily Lapp) by Suzanne Woods Fisher and Mary Ann Kinsinger. Revell, 2013. 272 pgs. Ages 8-up. With the popularity of Amish fiction for adults (a new Amish fiction book comes out every four days, last I heard!), it’s not too surprising that some of the genre’s authors…
Read More2013 Summer Reading Challenge
CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON OUR 2014 SUMMER READING CHALLENGE! Introduction From June 1 through July 31 of 2013, we hosted a Summer Reading Challenge for families here at Redeemedreader. While the challenge is over, you may still enjoy some of our reading lists and resources! Main Summer Reading Challenge Posts Introduction Booklists (including 100…
Read MoreHow to Skim a Book: The Lost Medallion by Bill Muir and Alex Kendrick
To Skim or Not to Skim It’s seven o’clock, and you remember you have a book review due in the morning. But alas, you haven’t read page one! What now? Before you give up and turn to book report piracy, I’d like to recommend a tool that’s been very helpful for me: skimming! Let’s admit…
Read MoreHistory Audiobooks: Middle Ages for Kids
***CONTEST CLOSED. WINNER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*** Like most families, we’re gearing up for school at our house. And like many other classical schoolers, we’re using Susan Wise Bauer’s The Story of the World as our guide for history this year. Last year, we met the Ancients, and this year (as soon as our books come…
Read MoreLemonade and Lit, Week 7: Klavan Discussion
Other Lemonade and Lit posts: Introduction, Week One: Booked, Week Two: Booked Discussion, Week Three: Beauty, Week Four: Sexuality in Booked, Week Five: Beauty Discussion, Week Six: The Last Thing I Remember, Week Seven: Klavan Discussion. Lemonade and Lit: An Adult-Teen Read Along, Week 7 It’s been a fun summer, and we’re finishing strong with…
Read MoreSummer Reading Challenge Finale: Readers, Writers and…Winners
THANK YOU It’s been a fun couple of months during our Summer Reading Challenge, and my family has enjoyed reading along with you all. We’re taking next week off to prepare for the upcoming months, but before we do, we want to say thanks for all your support during the read along. We are very…
Read MoreTwo Books about China
Little White Duck: A Childhood in China by Na Liu, Illustrated by Andres Vera Martinez. Graphic Universe TM, 2013. 96 pgs. Grades 4-7. When I found this at my local library, I was so excited I told the children’s librarian all about it. “Can you believe it? This is a graphic novel for kids about…
Read MoreLemonade and Lit, Week 6: The Last Thing I Remember by Andrew Klavan
Other Lemonade and Lit posts: Introduction, Week One: Booked, Week Two: Booked Discussion, Week Three: Beauty, Week Four: Sexuality in Booked, Week Five: Beauty Discussion, Week Six: The Last Thing I Remember, Week Seven: Klavan Discussion. Lemonade and Lit: An Adult-Teen Read Along, Week 6 Can’t believe we’re on our last book! Be sure to…
Read MoreLemonade and Lit, Week 5: Beauty Discussion
Other Lemonade and Lit posts: Introduction, Week One: Booked, Week Two: Booked Discussion, Week Three: Beauty, Week Four: Sexuality in Booked, Week Five: Beauty Discussion, Week Six: The Last Thing I Remember, Week Seven: Klavan Discussion. Lemonade and Lit: An Adult-Teen Read Along, Week 5 Hey guys! Welcome to our discussion on Robin McKinley’s Beauty. …
Read MoreLemonade and Lit, Week 4: Debate on Sexuality in Booked
Other Lemonade and Lit posts: Introduction, Week One: Booked, Week Two: Booked Discussion, Week Three: Beauty, Week Four: Sexuality in Booked, Week Five: Beauty Discussion, Week Six: The Last Thing I Remember, Week Seven: Klavan Discussion. Lemonade and Lit: An Adult-Teen Read Along, Week 4 A DEBATE WORTH HAVING This week was supposed to be…
Read MoreLemonade and Lit, Week 3: Beauty by Robin McKinley
Other Lemonade and Lit posts: Introduction, Week One: Booked, Week Two: Booked Discussion, Week Three: Beauty, Week Four: Sexuality in Booked, Week Five: Beauty Discussion, Week Six: The Last Thing I Remember, Week Seven: Klavan Discussion. Lemonade and Lit: An Adult-Teen Read Along, Week 3 This post is a little late due to some internet…
Read MoreMission Work for Kids: Sewing School and Crafts for Hope
In our Summer Reading Challenge, we’ve just read the story of Nate Saint, one of the men who entered glory alongside Jim Elliot trying to reach the Auca people in South America. And while many of us may not be called to the foreign mission field as Nate did, we certainly have many opportunities to…
Read MoreSummer Reading Challenge, Wk 3: Nate Saint: Operation Auca
Have you seen our new tab for the Summer Reading Challenge? In it, you’ll find all the links to our Summer Reading Challenge–both the main posts and all the fun extras. This week in the challenge, our intern Abby Burns who just graduated from high school leads us in reading Nate Saint: Operation Auca. If…
Read MoreLemonade and Lit Read Along, Week 2: Booked Discussion
Other Lemonade and Lit posts: Introduction, Week One: Booked, Week Two: Booked Discussion, Week Three: Beauty, Week Four: Sexuality in Booked, Week Five: Beauty Discussion, Week Six: The Last Thing I Remember, Week Seven: Klavan Discussion. Lemonade and Lit: An Adult-Teen Read Along, Week 2 Last Saturday, Gina Dalfonzo of Breakpoint Youth Reads introduced our…
Read MoreEat, Pray, Read…and Eat Again! Around the World Food Facts with Nive Burris
In our trip around the world (see our Summer Reading Challenge), what could be more fun than using food to explore different cultures? Today, Nive Burris, a Christian from India and food blogger at Handfulofjoy.com, helps us think about how food reflects culture. Plus, she offers links to recipes on her website, so you can…
Read MoreSummer Reading Challenge, Week 3: Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Introduction We’ve added a Summer Reading Challenge tab at the top of our website, to help you keep up with the posts as the summer goes on. Here’s a link if you’d like to check it out! This week in our trip Around the World in 60 Days, we’re staying in the U.S. for a…
Read MoreBook News, Freebies & Cheapies
News Happy Monday! It’s a busy week here at RR, find with Mr. Popper’s Penguins up next in our Summer Reading Challenge for kids. (Here is our post on The Middle of Somewhere and our Around the World post.) Watch for that post Tuesday, Lord willing. We’ll also have a tasty post on Thursday from…
Read MoreLemonade and Lit Read Along, Week 1: Booked by Karen Swallow Prior
Other Lemonade and Lit posts: Introduction, Week One: Booked, Week Two: Booked Discussion, Week Three: Beauty, Week Four: Sexuality in Booked, Week Five: Beauty Discussion, Week Six: The Last Thing I Remember, Week Seven: Klavan Discussion. Lemonade and Lit: An Adult-Teen Read Along, Week 1 Happy Saturday, guys! I’m sitting here at a coffee shop,…
Read MoreAdult-Teen Summer Reading, Introduction: Conversation and a Contest!
Other Lemonade and Lit posts: Introduction, Week One: Booked, Week Two: Booked Discussion, Week Three: Beauty, Week Four: Sexuality in Booked, Week Five: Beauty Discussion, Week Six: The Last Thing I Remember, Week Seven: Klavan Discussion. Adult-Teen Read Along This month has been a whirl-wind as we’ve begun our family Summer Reading Challenge. But by…
Read MoreWhat’s In the Handbag, Nelly Bly? 6 Items For Your Trip Around the World
I ran out of time in last week’s post to include my travel tips for your Summer Reading adventure. So, taking inspiration from the humorous scene of Nelly Bly packing her suitcase in Matt Phelan’s book, here are a few things you might want to pack for your journey: 1. Music: My kids and I…
Read MoreSummer Reading Challenge, Wk 1: Interview with John Branyan
It’s Thursday, and that means it’s time for our Summer Reading Challenge (SRC) extras! In case you missed it, here is the Introduction, our list of 100 Great Adventure Books for Kids, as well as week one’s Book review and discussion questions. Enjoy! A Journey of Funny Next week, Janie will introduce the SRC writing contests, including…
Read MoreSummer Reading Challenge, Week 1: Around the World by Matt Phelan
***To find out more about this challenge, see our Summer Reading Challenge introduction. Other posts related to Matt Phelan’s books include our Interview with John Branyan and What’s in Your Handbag, Nelly Bly?*** Introduction As Betsy said yesterday in her fantastic introduction (which contained our list of more than 100 Great Adventure Books for Kids),…
Read MoreWhalesong: A Review by Nathan Huffstutler
Earlier this year, when I first heard the name Robert Siegel doing research for these book reviews last April at World Magazine, I learned Siegel was a Christian poet who had recently gone home to his reward. (Not to be confused with NPR reporter Robert Siegel–same name, very different guy.) But he wasn’t just any…
Read MoreAround the World Giveaway Winner!
Congratulations to Kim, who won the Summer Reading Challenge giveaway this week! And thanks to everyone who signed up for the Challenge. Just a few more days til we kick off the fun! My kids and I are really excited to have so many neat folks along for the journey!
Read MoreAround the World in 60 Days: Summer Reading Challenge for Kids
***The Book Giveaway below is over (click here to see who won), but the reading adventure is just beginning! Feel free to enter your name in the comments to receive the read along newsletter. We have also added a section at the beginning where we will link to all the Summer Reading Challenge posts. Hopefully…
Read MoreHattie Ever After: A Review
Today, I’m happy to welcome our current intern,Hayley Schoeppler, again. You guys may recall that she did a review of Mara, Daughter of the Nile for us in March. Today, she takes a look at Hattie Ever After for us. Hattie Ever After, Kirby Larson. Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2013. 240 pgs. Ages 12+.…
Read MoreSummer Fun: Interns Needed
***This internship opportunity has been filled. See here for the winners.*** If you are a high school or college student, love literature and movies, and would like to impact the world for Christ, find then we’re looking for you. Redeemedreader is putting together a reading program for kids for the summer, and this fall, we’ll…
Read MoreWeb Newberys, News and Freebies
News Booklists, sick a Summer Reading Challenge, and one of the funniest interviewees I’ve ever met…all coming up soon on Redeemedreader! But for now, here are some of our favorite links this week. Freebies Spring Cleaning Paperback Book Giveaway: I can’t vouch for all these titles, but several are worth having, including Pibbin the Small…
Read MoreInterview with Judah Ben: Kai’Ro, Christian Rap and the Progress of Urban Pilgrims
Introduction There are very few modern books that I see as really significant. But I see the Kai’ Ro series–an urban interpretation of Pilgrim’s Progress–by youth minister, Judah Ben, as one of those series that may actually help change the landscape of Christian publishing. How you ask? His book brings the Christian rap movement–a kind…
Read MoreWeb Newberys, News, and Freebies (April 29)
News Is it possible we’re heading into May already?! That means we’ve got lots of great plans in the works for our Summer Reading Challenge (look for that announcement soon!), but in the meantime, we’re getting reading to launch what I’m calling Missionary May. That means we will be covering lots of Christian books for…
Read MorePodcast 29: What’s in Your Local Public Library?
Library Tour Introduction It’s taken us all week to pull it off, but we finally have it: a conversation with Janie Cheaney (the kids’ book author), Megan E. Saben and Betsy Farquhar (our resident librarians), and me–Emily Whitten (a former assistant editor at a kids’ book publisher). For more about us, see our About page.…
Read MoreLibrary Week, News and Freebies
Library Week It’s finally here: Library Week! Because my family homeschools, we depend on our local library quite a lot, so I’m looking forward to giving libraries and many librarians across America credit where credit is due. While the welfare office feeds hungry bellies, cure libraries feed hungry minds and souls. They open doors to…
Read MoreChurch Literacy, Part Two: Welcoming Kids and Adults with Reading Difficulties
Last week in Church Literacy, Part One, we heard from a Christian mom who dealt with dyslexia in her son. I hope that gave you a little insight into what a family faces when they deal with something like dyslexia. Of course, dyslexia is only one of the many reasons roughly 20% of any given…
Read MoreChurch Literacy, Part One: Interview with Mom of a Dyslexic Child
How Is Your Church Affected by Literacy Challenges? How many words do you read in your church worship service? 500 or more? Don’t forget to count the words of hymns, Bible readings, and bulletins. If a visitor came to your church, how many words would he read to get to the right parking lot, Sunday…
Read MoreWeb Newberys, News, and Freebies (Mar 25)
News It’s the last week of March, and RR is gearing up for some spring-a-licious posts this week. With Easter only a few days away, Janie will look at some children’s Bibles for us, as well as give some insight on Bible translations for kids. What she found may surprise you! Plus, Betsy will survey…
Read MoreEaster Picks from the New Crew
We thought we’d kick off our new partnership with Megan and Betsy with a few Easter book recommendations. (If you missed their introduction, read about them here and here.) I will qualify this list by saying just because a book is on our list, that doesn’t mean we love everything about it. In fact, we…
Read MoreMeet Our New Redeemedreaders!
As Janie announced yesterday in this post, we’ve got some big changes afoot here at Redeemedreader. We have the honor of welcoming Megan Saben and Betsy Farquhar to our Redeemedreader staff. Janie mentioned some of the ways they’ll be impacting our site–providing more book lists and social media outlets, for instance. But these ladies aren’t…
Read MoreOz the Great and Powerful: Discussion Questions
Introduction Last week I had the happy opportunity of watching Disney’s new Oz the Great and Powerful. I had to turn around a review that night for World Magazine–CLICK HERE to read that review. (Or see my radio review at TW&E.) I had expected a mediocre movie based on reviews I read beforehand, but I…
Read MoreClassics for Kids: The Greek and Romans
Introduction With the popularity of Rick Riordan’s Heroes of Olympus series , kids’ books containing themes and allusions to Greek and Roman mythology and culture are perhaps more plentiful than ever. It may not seem immediately apparent why Christian families would be pleased about this development. Isn’t it just paganism, repackaged for modern kids? But…
Read MoreAncient History: Mara, Daughter of the Nile
This week, we’ll be looking at several books that deal with ancient history–including Greek and Roman culture. Toward that end, I asked our intern, Hayley Schoeppler, to review one of her favorite “classic” novels dealing with the subject. Happily, she obliged with this short and sweet review of one of her favorites, Mara, Daughter of…
Read More*Greek Myths by Marcia Williams
*Greek Myths by Marcia Williams. Candlewick, 2011. Ages 4-up. Reading Level: Picture Books, Ages 4-8, Ages 8-10, Ages 10-12 Marcia Williams’ Greek Myths is a great introduction to Greek mythology. It includes a number of short story presentations, in comic book format, that allow kids to read a story and understand the plot arc in…
Read MoreCoffee and Controversy (with a cup of kindness!): Should Christians Read/Watch Stories Involving Witches and Wizards?
Next week, Lord willing, I’m headed to a screening of OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL, a new Disney movie set to hit theaters March 8. Have you seen the trailers? It’s supposedly a prequel to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz penned by Frank Baum over a century ago and immortalized in the 1939 movie starring…
Read MoreHome Mission: Letter to the Helpless Mom
Today some of my dear friends in the blogging world stop to honor and encourage a beautiful and brave woman of God. Our sweet sister-in-Christ, store Desiré from the blog When You Rise, will soon give birth to her third son, Caleb. This little boy is a precious gift from our Heavenly Father who has…
Read MoreWhat is Virtuous Romance? A Discussion with Gina Dalfonzo and Rea Berg
What is Virtuous Romance? Tonight at dinner, my husband, two daughters and I had our first conversation about…boys. They had curled up with daddy on the couch Sunday to watch a western with John Wayne, and for the first time, they were smitten with one of the young gunslingers. It didn’t seem to matter when…
Read MoreWeb Newberys (Feb 11)
Alas, it is Monday and I have a cold (again). On the upside, though, it’s Valentine’s Day week! And that means I get to talk books AND eat lots of chocolate in the next few days. So it’s not all bad! Web Newberys (Recent Book-related Stories of Interest) Book Boys of Mumbai: A heart-breaking but…
Read MoreWholehearted Romance: Living Book Library Picks
Many of you may remember our interview last fall with Liz and Emily, proprietors of the Living Books Library website. They were kind enough to do a Christmas list for us a few months ago, and it was so popular that we thought we’d tap them for some classic Valentine’s Day recommendations for the young…
Read MoreWeb Newberys and News (Feb. 4, 2013)
Hope you guys survived the Super Bowl! It’s a new month, and we’re looking forward to some great new books at Redeemedreader. Leading up to Valentine’s Day, we have some very fun guests to help us think through the idea of virtuous romance, and we’ll get lots of ideas of classic, recent, and movie versions…
Read MoreUnseduced and Unshaken: An Interview w/ Rosalie De Rosset
AN INTRODUCTION Last week, we ran a book giveaway of this book, Unseduced and Unshaken: The Place of Dignity in a Young Woman’s Choices by Dr. Rosalie De Rosset. I felt it was particularly noteworthy for our readers, considering both the author’s background and the use of classic literature as a kind of moral capital…
Read MoreValentine Books for Little Ones
VALENTINE’S DAY PRESENTS With Valentine’s Day creeping up on us, I thought I’d throw out a few of my favorite Valentine books for the little ones. These are books that I think parents and grandparents could really enjoy reading a loud, and maybe pair with a few chocolate hearts to sweeten V-day for everyone. 1)…
Read MoreContest Winners
CONTEST WINNERS Last week, we put three books up for grabs. After giving it some prayer and assigning each entrant a number, I pulled three winners from the proverbial hat. And they are as follows: 1) The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert goes to Rosa. (See Emily’s review here.) 2) Unseduced and Unshaken: The…
Read MoreSecret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert
The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield. Crown and Covenant, 2012. 154 pgs. An Anomaly In the 1990’s, Rosaria Butterfield was a feminist English professor working on a hit piece aimed at conservative Christians when she reached out to Ken Smith. Ken was the pastor in a Reformed Presbyterian church in…
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