Posts by Hayley Morell
*The Smell of Wet Dog by Barney Saltzberg
Canine-loving poetry enthusiasts will actually enjoy The Smell of Wet Dog.
Read More*All Creation Waits by Gayle Boss
Each day of Advent, beautifully illustrated poems about animals of the Northwoods remind children that All Creation Waits for our Lord.
Read MoreThe Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Gray
Mr. Jonathan Darcy and Miss Juliet Tilney once again join forces, this time facing the perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
Read MoreThe Rushworth Family Plot by Claudia Gray
In the latest Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney mystery, the characters of Mansfield Park are catapulted into the Rushworth Family Plot
Read MoreThe Unlikely Intrusion of Adams Klein by John Greco
Time travel and small town America collide in The Unlikely Intrusion of Adams Klein, an action-packed series starter to the TimeFall Trilogy.
Read MoreThe Green Kingdom by Cornelia Funke and Tammi Hartung
Caspia is not excited by an unexpected summer in New York City until she discovers letters that unlock a Green Kingdom in this middle grades realistic fiction.
Read MoreCicely Tyson by Renee Watson
Lyrical prose and vibrant collage illustrations introduce young readers to Cicely Tyson.
Read MoreTo Walk the Sky by Patricia Morris Buckley
In To Walk the Sky, young readers learn how Iroquois men became steelworkers.
Read More*Wild Honey from the Moon by Kenneth Kraegel
Nothing will stop Mother Shrew’s quest to fetch Wild Honey from the Moon for her sick son, Hugo.
Read MoreI Love You From Fingertip to Fingertip by Elisabeth Blaker Brown
Told in a parent’s voice, a sweet, faith-filled picture book reminding a child “I love you from fingertip to fingertip.”
Read More*Bee-bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park
Cheerful rhyming illustrations celebrate the making of Bee-bim Bop!
Read MoreHow Do You Eat Color? by Mabi David (trans. Karen Llagas)
Two children wander through a day finding the answer to the question: how do you eat color?
Read More*The Traveling Taco by Mia Wenjen
Young readers will learn more about the origins of their favorite foods in the Traveling Taco!
Read More*Three Tales of My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
Young readers are invited by a narrator into Three Tales of My Father’s Dragon.
Read MoreSaving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear by Trang Nguyen
A young Vietnamese wildlife Conservationist sets out on a quest to help one special sun bear return to the rainforest in Saving Sorya, a vibrant graphic novel for middle grade readers.
Read More*The Black Mambas: The World’s First All-Woman Anti-Poaching Unit by Kelly Crull
Young readers are introduced to The Black Mambas: The World’s First All Women Anti-poaching Unit.
Read MoreIt Is Okay by Ye Guo
Two unlikely friends discover It Is Okay to have both common interests and differences.
Read MoreOur Friendly Farmhouse by Melissa Ferguson
Sweet illustrations and cheerful text introduce readers to our friendly farmhouse.
Read More*Peek-A-Boo! by Allan Ahlberg
Rhyming text invites young listeners into a game of peek-a-boo with a British baby boy in 1940s England.
Read More*Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry
In evocative, lyrical prose, Jackie Hill Perry shares her spiritual journey in Gay Girl, Good God.
Read MoreBack Porch Book Chat with Becky Dean (YA author)
Back Porch Book Chat: a casual conversation about books and writing. Today we’re visiting with Becky Dean, author of four YA romances including Love and Other Great Expectations, and most recently Love Unmasked. Per her author bio: Becky “is a fan of adventures both real and fictional. When she’s not writing or traveling, she can…
Read MorePicture-Perfect Boyfriend by Becky Dean
A family trip to Hawaii is complicated for Kenzie Reed by the arrival of her picture-perfect boyfriend -who is supposed to be fictitious!
Read MoreThe Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin
While a series starter, The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine is a fun, contained, YA fantasy.
Read MoreLove Unmasked by Becky Dean
A fun YA romance about a trip to Venice that will end with Love Unmasked.
Read More*Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox
A cheerful rhyming celebration of babies around the world, each possessing Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
Read More*A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker
Bear’s solitary existence is disrupted by a visitor for bear.
Read MoreThe Keeper of Stories by Caroline Kusin Pritchard
In The Keeper of Stories, lyrical prose and engaging mixed media illustrations tell the story of the 1966 fire in New York’s Jewish Theological Seminary Library.
Read MoreOut of School and Into Nature: The Anna Comstock Story by Suzanne Slade
A simple picture book biography, Out of School and Into Nature, introduces young readers to the fascinating life and work of artist and naturalist Anna Comstock.
Read MoreWagon Wheels by Barbara Brenner
Wagon Wheels, a classic from the I Can Read series, introduces young readers to the Black pioneer experience.
Read More*Once a Castle by Sarah Arthur
Readers return to Sarah Arthur’s fantasy world with a whole new adventure and cast of characters in Once a Castle.
Read More*The Blossoming Summer by Anna Rose Johnson
1940, England: as war threatens, one family journeys to Wisconsin for a fresh start in The Blossoming Summer.
Read More*A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim
Beauty and the Beast, with echoes of other fairytales, is spun together with Chinese folklore in an an excellent YA fantasy: A Forgery of Fate.
Read More*Bright Stars of Black British History by J. T. Williams
A beautifully illustrated, well-written guide to the Bright Stars of Black British History.
Read MoreDragon Slayers by Joyce Denham
Dragon Slayers is an earnest attempt to capture Christian theology and history as a battle between dragons and dragon slayers.
Read More2025 Reader’s Choice + Books of the Year
We are proud to present the winners of our inaugural Books of the Year Award! *Most of this content was originally published in our May 2025 Quarterly Magazine. The Redeemed Reader team has long wanted to launch our own Book of the Year Award. Why? First, we wanted to acknowledge the many excellent books written…
Read More*Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson
A charming whimsical picture book with a very important message: Don’t Trust Fish!
Read MoreStrangers & Sojourners: A Redeemed Reader Booklist about the Refugee and Immigrant Experience
A booklist about the refugee experience with titles for all ages.
Read More*Working Boats: An Inside Look at Ten Watercraft by Tom Crestodina
With engaging text, cutaway art, and beautifully detailed illustrations, Tom Crestodina introduces young readers to the world of working boats in Working Boats: An Inside Look at Ten Amazing Watercraft.
Read MoreNewbery Buzz #4: The Bletchley Riddle
Betsy and Hayley discuss The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin. (See our starred review, HERE.) Hayley: Betsy, I know you and I LOVED this book! Something I really appreciated was the brother-sibling relationship between Jakob and Lizzie. I think the authors nailed the awkward, “we used to be friends but now you’re…
Read More*The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
An intriguing, code-breaking adventure introduces young teens to the work at Bletchley Park. *The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin. Viking, 2024. 400 pages. England, 1940. Lizzie Novis, at 14, is not about to be packed off to America and the safety of her American grandmother. The first chapter finds her dodging her…
Read MoreNewbery Buzz #3: Ferris
Betsy and Hayley discuss Ferris by Kate DiCamillo, another new favorite. (See our starred review, here.) Hayley: Betsy, it’s no secret I love Ferris. In fact, I loved it so much I spent one newsletter last fall talking about it! I’m going to unashamedly steal some of what I wrote then and incorporate it into…
Read MoreThree 2024 YA Romantic Fantasy Novels
Dragonfruit, What Monstrous Gods, and The Hedgewitch of Foxhall: three 2024 YA romantic fantasy novels by authors we have enjoyed in the past. Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier. Clarion Books, 2024. 366 pages. What is a wish worth? It’s a question that has haunted Hanalei, an exile from the island of Tamarind. In this fantasy…
Read More*Knight Owl and Early Bird by Christopher Denise
Whooo goes there? It’s Knight Owl and Early Bird in this charming picture book sequel! Knight Owl and Early Bird by Christopher Denise. Christy Ottaviano Books, 2024. 48 Pages. Owl is very important. He is captain of the Knight Night Watch. One day, just as Owl is turning in, a new bird arrives at the…
Read More*Granny Smith was Not an Apple by Sarah Glenn Fortson
A beautiful picture book chronicling the origin of the Granny Smith apple variety through the life of one determined woman. *Granny Smith was Not An Apple: The Story of Orchardist Maria Ann Smith by Sarah Glenn Fortson and illustrated by Kris Aro McLeod, Peter Pauper Press, 2023. 32 pages. Crunch, crunch, crunch. A sour-faced woman…
Read MoreWormwood Abbey: A Guest Post by Gina Dalfonzo
Today we are happy to share a guest post from Gina Dalfonzo, author and fellow book reviewer. Gina has been a guest at Redeemed Reader before: don’t miss her bio and our Back Porch Book Chat with her, linked below. This review was originally published on Gina’s Substack, Dear Strange Things. Wormwood Abbey, Christina Baehr,…
Read MoreWhere Did the Ratings Go?
This post was first shared in our weekly newsletter. If you’d like to subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates: book reviews, book trivia, and bookish news, click HERE. Over the past couple months, several readers have noticed a change in our reviews. Rather than finish with a numerical rating, we have started using a bottom…
Read MoreThe Luminous Life of Lucy Landry
A sweet middle-grade historical fiction recounting some of the Luminous Life of Lucy Landry, an Ojibwe orphan. The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry, Anna Rose Johnson, Holiday House, 2024. 192 pages. When her guardian dies, Lucy Landry isn’t sure what to expect. Her active imagination is quick to fill in a number of scenarios, but…
Read MoreThe Secret Language of Birds by Lynne Kelly
A neurodivergent tween finds friends and makes an amazing discovery at summer camp. The Secret Language of Birds, Lynne Kelly, Delacorte Press, 2024. 240 Pages Nina loves birds. People though? And camp? That doesn’t sound very fun. But when Aunt Audrey, a camp director invites her to camp, Nina reluctantly accepts. At first she’s ready…
Read MoreSomething Like Home by Andrea Beatrix Arango
A poignant novel-in-verse explores the question: “What is home when your world turns upside-down?“ Something Like Home, Andrea Beatrix Arango, Random House Books for Young Readers, 2023. 256 pages. We meet Laura in a car. A social worker is driving her to her aunt’s apartment. But why? We don’t know though as the novel-in-verse progresses,…
Read MoreBig by Vashti Harrison
In Big, winner of the 2024 Caldecott medal, one young girl learns to be kind to herself, despite the words of others. Big by Vashti Harrison, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2023. 60 pages. Once upon a time there was a little girl who wasn’t so little. She was a big baby. She became…
Read MoreReading K. M. Shea’s Clean Urban Fantasy
Snarky heroines, quick banter, action, adventure, and a dash of romance are all components to K. M. Shea’s urban fantasy novels, but are they suitable for teens? For the past few years, K. M. Shea’s Magiford books have been a guilty pleasure in my free reading. Often available through Kindle Unlimited, for a while I…
Read More*Once a Queen by Sarah Arthur
Sarah Arthur’s YA fantasy novel Once a Queen imagines a world like ours where stories come to life, but individuals have to return to reality. *Once a Queen by Sarah Arthur, WaterBrook, 2024. 384 pages. What happens after stories end? Eva is arriving in England to visit a grandmother she has never met, one her…
Read More2024 Newbery Buzz #4: Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow
Simon Sort of Says was longlisted for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature. Could it win the Newbery? We’re continuing our long-running Newbery Buzz Discussion series this year with a book that was longlisted for the National Book Award: Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow. To read the rest in our series…
Read MoreYA Fantasy: Murtagh, Theft of Sunlight, & Wind Daughter
A rapid fire round up of three YA fantasy novels that belong to bigger worlds: Murtagh, A Darkness at the Door, and Wind Daughter. Murtagh by Christopher Paolini. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2023, 704 pages. Set following the Inheritance Cycle, Paolini focuses on Murtagh and his dragon Thorn, now living as fugitives. A cryptic…
Read MoreHayley’s Favorite Books, Old and New
We are excited to be partnering with Story Glory Kids for our Winter Book Fair this year! In the past, we linked to amazon for all of our Christmas gift suggestions, but this year, whenever possible, we’ll be directing you to Story Glory for your book-related shopping. Like amazon, we get a small commission. Unlike…
Read More*Bea Wolf by Zach Weinersmith & Boulet
Calvin and Hobbes meets the Nickelodeon channel to retell Beowulf in a colorful, creative, graphic novel. Bea Wolf by Zach Weinersmith & Boulet. First Second, 2023, 208 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grade, Ages 10-12 Recommended For: Ages 10 and up If you’ve read, Beowulf, you know it begins with an injunction: “Hwæt” Open the pages…
Read MoreYA Graphic Novels: Graceling, Cheshire Crossing & Lore Olympus
A rapid fire round up of three YA graphic novels for mature teen readers. Graceling by Kristin Cashore, adapted and illustrated by Gareth Hinds. Clarion Books, 2021, 272 pages. A gorgeous, lyrical graphic novel about a girl graced with a deadly gift. In Cashore’s fantasy world some people are “gracelings,” strange-eyed and possessing a magical…
Read MoreOnce There Was by Kiyash Monsef
In the tradition of Susan Cooper, a lyrical, dark fantasy for mature middle grade readers.
Read MoreQuicksilver by R. J. Anderson
In an engaging sci-fi thriller, one girl attempts to outrun her past while discovering her true identity. Quicksilver by R. J. Anderson. Carolrhoda Lab, 2013. 320 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, Ages 16-upRecommended For: Ages 16-up On June 7, the year I turned sixteen, I vanished without a trace. On September 28 of the same year I came…
Read MoreThe Most of P. G. Wodehouse by P. G. Wodehouse
An excellent introduction to P. G. Wodehouse via his short stories and one delightful novella.
Read MoreMr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mysteries (Books 1 & 2) by Claudia Gray
Mysteries involving Jane Austen characters? That is the premise of Claudia Gray’s recent mystery series suitable for mature teen readers as well as adults.
Read More*Hope in the Valley by Mitali Perkins
Hope in the Valley captures one girl’s momentous summer as she processes grief, grapples with change, and finds her own voice along the way.
Read MoreIn the Blue by Erin Hourigan
In the Blue gently explores what it is like for a child to experience the depression of a loved one.
Read MoreUnderstanding Ukraine
A year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, here is an updated booklist from Hayley’s 2014 series of posts about Ukraine. In 2014, as Russia invaded the Crimean peninsula, Redeemed Reader provided a series of posts to help readers understand Ukraine and the conflict occurring in Europe. Some of the titles were Ukrainian-specific while others helped…
Read MoreWhen Winter Robeson Came by Brenda Woods
History and a summer adventure combine in an engaging, slim, novel-in-verse for middle grade readers.
Read MoreThe 2023 ALA Youth Media Awards
The big winners and runners-up from the most prestidgious awards in children’s literature
Read More*A Dragon Used to Live Here by Annette LeBlanc Cate
In a whimsical tale within a tale, two royal children discover that their castle (and their own mother!) have a very interesting past. A Dragon Used to Live Here by Annette LeBlanc Cate. Candlewick, 2022, 256 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended For: ages 6-12 as a read-aloud, 8-12 independent readers Noble children…
Read More*The Star that Always Stays by Anna Rose Johnson
In a debut novel reminiscent of Maud Hart Lovelace and Laura Ingalls Wilder, a young girl discovers new friends, family, and hope. The Star That Always Stays is one of our Readers’ Choice Top Ten Picks for 2025! Check out the rest and be ready to cast your vote in March. *The Star that Always…
Read MoreCozy and Clever Books for Teens and Adults
During uncertain times, there’s something reassuring about a cozy book. But even better than a cozy book is a cozy, clever book . . .
Read MoreUkraine: Lessons in Liberty and Compassion, Part 1
This post was originally published in 2014, shortly after Ukraine’s Maidan Revolution. Emily’s reflections and application are still timely today. From Emily: As my kids are solidly in the middle of Medieval History in our home schooling, they haven’t had many opportunities to hear the the words, “Cold War.” But with the events unfolding over…
Read MoreGetting to Know Shirley Hughes (1927 —2022)
Quintessentially English, Shirley Hughes delighted generations with her charming stories and beautiful illustrations. Growing up near Liverpool, England in the 1930s -40s, Hughes enjoyed such illustrators as Arthur Rackam. She dreamed of being an illustrator but didn’t think the dream possible. Hughes’ family was relatively well-to-do. Her father, T. J. Hughes founded a department…
Read MoreFavorite Classics for Book Lovers
We review primarily new books here on Redeemed Reader, not because we don’t love the old books, but because resources for the new books are sometimes hard to find. We’re reading ahead for you, as it were. But we know that many of you–like us–love the old books, too! Here are some of our very…
Read MoreWhat about Aru Shah?
This is a question we often get at Redeemed Reader. In fact, there’s a whole comment thread asking if we’ve reviewed it. Part of the Rick Riordan Presents Series, Aru Shah and the End of Time welcomes readers into the dazzling and rather baffling world of Hindu mythology and reincarnation. Roshani Chokshi is a gifted…
Read MoreLooking Behind in The Hobbit
This essay was originally written by Hayley for the Redeemed Reader 2012 Writing Contest. We hope you’ll enjoy it as we revisit The Hobbit this week, just in time for Bilbo’s birthday. Looking Behind As Bilbo Baggins clings to a barrel, increasingly cold and entirely wet, he wonders if he will die. Quite a predicament,…
Read MoreJ. R. R. Tolkien for Kids by Simonetta Carr
An interactive biographical introduction to Tolkien with 21 activities, J. R. R. Tolkien for Kids is perfect for middle grade Tolkien enthusiasts. J. R. R. Tolkien for Kids: His Life and Writing with 21 Activities by Simonetta Carr. Chicago Review Press, 2021. 144 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grade (Ages 12 and up) Recommended For: Ages…
Read More*Steeped in Stories by Mitali Perkins: a Discussion
Steeped in Stories is a winsome, thought-provoking celebration of some beloved classics: a Redeemed Reader discussion. *Steeped in Stories: Timeless Children’s Novels to Refresh Our Tired Souls by Mitali Perkins. Broadleaf Books, 2021. 240 pages. Reading Level: Adult Recommended For: YA/Adult Hayley: Why read the classics? Aren’t they out of date? Let alone, how do we…
Read MoreA Visit to the Printers
Last Monday, I set off for a visit to our local printers. While I’ve written about going to the printer’s before, this time I wasn’t just picking up a proof. A Basement Tour Instead, it was time for a behind-the-scenes tour of SUN Printing with our printing contact, Carl. Past the lobby, down a corridor,…
Read More*Reading and Talking about Sexuality
*Note, this post engages with sexuality and includes conversation and books that are suitable for teens and adults. I was hiking in Europe. A French friend was telling me about a messy hook-up pseudo relationship. I listened and sympathized and then said, thoughtfully, “That kind of thing wouldn’t happen for me because I believe that…
Read MoreAnother Kingdom series by Andrew Klavan
Andrew Klavan’s recently concluded gritty fantasy trilogy is a series for adults, not teens. Another Kingdom series by Andrew Klavan. Turner Publishing. Reading Level: Adult Recommended For: *Adults (see below) As Another Kingdom begins Austin Lively is just a Hollywood wannabe closing soon on a has-been. Then, he stumbles through a portal into a kingdom…
Read MoreLearning to Find Good Books
How do we find good books? We get this question often at Redeemed Reader. Many of you are on the hunt for books: to satisfy a voracious reader, interest an apathetic reader, find a new read aloud —the list goes on and on. But how do we find good books? And how can you do it? Honestly, this…
Read MoreThought-Provoking YA Fantasy
Between the two, The Theft of Sunlight and Into the Heartless Wood take on fairytales, humanity, and the complex web of sex trafficking. Into the Heartless Wood by Joanna Ruth Meyer. Page Street Kids, 2021. 368 pages. Reading Level: Young Adult, Ages 14-17 Recommended For: Ages 15 and up Imagine a world where railways plunge…
Read MoreThe Hedgehog of Oz by Cory Leonardo
The Hedgehog of Oz is a tribute to Oz from the perspective of a very small but determined hedgehog.
Read More*A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus
Young readers will find kindred spirits in A Place to Hang the Moon, a story of three displaced children in wartime Britain. A Place to Hang the Moon is one of our Readers’ Choice Top Ten Picks for 2025! Check out the rest and be ready to cast your vote in March. *A Place to…
Read MoreThe Golden Age Detective Stories
This is an abridged version of the article Reading the Golden Age that originally appeared in our Fall 2020 Quarterly. Who murdered ____? Is it the estranged relative? The thwarted lover? The embittered neighbor? But the more immediate question for you, dear reader: what mystery to read? Let me introduce you to some of the…
Read MorePicture Book Biographies for Black History Month
Learn about Aretha Franklin, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Elgin Baylor in these new picture books biographies.
Read MoreAmari and the Night Brothers by B. B. Alston
Move over Percy Jackson and Harry Potter, there’s a new girl on the block in Amari and the Night Brothers!
Read MoreEnclave Escape Round-up: YA Fantasy & Dystopia
Two series end and one begins in this round-up from Enclave Publishing, a Christian publishing house.
Read MoreFriday Introductions: Hayley
Team Spotlight What does it look like behind the scenes at Redeemed Reader? We’re taking some time on Fridays to give you a glimpse behind the curtains. What happens when a bookworm grows up? In my case, I joined the Redeemed Reader team. I’m Hayley, staff writer and the face behind the newsletters as well…
Read More*Catherine’s War by Julia Billet
n excellent new graphic novel translated into English, Catherine’s War tells the story of one Jewish girl’s life in occupied France, often through the lens of her rolodex.
Read MoreMeet the Team: Hayley at Christmas
We wrap up our Meet the Team, Christmas 2020, with Hayley, our administrative assistant and staff writer, answering her own questions!
Read MoreMeet the Team: Megan at Christmas
Hayley plays interviewer to introduce the Redeemed Reader team. Today let’s chat with our Associate Editor and Staff Writer, Megan Saben.
Read MoreMeet the Team: Betsy at Christmas
As 2020 draws to an end, we know we’ve added a lot of new readers. So, just in time for last minute Christmas ideas, here is Meet the Team, Christmas 2020 edition!
Read More*The Simple Art of Flying by Cory Leonardo
A charming middle grade debut featuring a fractious, poetic parrot and a lonely little boy. *The Simple Art of Flying by Cory Leonardo. Aladdin, 2019. 384 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12 Recommended For: Middle Grades, ages 8-12 Alastair is bound and determined to escape the pet shop. Even though it’s the only world…
Read MoreMeet the Team: Janie at Christmas
As 2020 draws to an end, we know we’ve added a lot of new readers. So, just in time for last minute Christmas ideas, here is Meet the Team, Christmas 2020 edition!
Read MoreWhat Happens Next
A debut MG novel tackles eating disorders from the unique perspective of a younger sibling.
Read MoreTwo Excellent YA Fantasy Sequels
The second book in a series faces a lot of pressure; here are two YA fantasy follow-ups that satisfy.
Read MoreThank You, C. S. Lewis
This morning, doing devotions, I was reflecting on the resurrection. The phrase Deeper magic, before the dawn of time drifted unbidden into my reflections.
Read More*Swift by R. J. Anderson
A young piskey girl searches for truth as danger threatens her home and loved ones.
Read MoreDust by Kara Swanson
Neverland spills into modern day life and sets two young people on a collision course.
Read MoreMortal Sight by Sandra Fernandez Rhoads
Secrets, shadows, and Milton’s Paradise Lost are woven together in a YA fantasy.
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