Posts by Janie Cheaney
Newbery Honor: Iveliz Explains it All by Andrea Beatriz Arango
Iveliz Explains It All follows a 13-year-old girl into depression following a traumatic event, with signs of hope toward the end.
Read More2023 Newbery Winner: Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson
Freewater, this year’s Newbery Medal winner, is as much an adventure tale as little-known history.
Read MoreGladys Hunt on the Music (and Magic) of Words
We wrap up this month’s -Honey for a Child’s Heart Read-along with two meditations on the unique power of language to the human soul.
Read MoreThe Lost Year by Katherine Marsh
The Lost Year uses multiple voices to narrate a sad chapter of history: Stalin’s deliberate starving of Ukraine.
Read MoreGladys Hunt on Raising Readers
“Literacy” begins long before a child can read for herself. Here, Gladys Hunt muses about how to take those first steps.
Read MoreThe Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum
“Hoodie Rosen” introduces teen readers to the Orthodox Jewish world and the reality of antisemitism.
Read MoreCaldecott Honor Roundup: Ain’t Burned All the Bright, Berry Song, Choosing Brave, and Knight Owl
This year’s Caldecott honor books explore a range of moods from wistful to whimsical.
Read MoreGladys Hunt on Enjoying Poetry with Children
Children have a natural love of poetry that can easily be encouraged.
Read MoreThe British Are Coming (Young Reader Ed.) by Rick Atkinson
The British Are Coming recounts the first 4 years of the American Revolution in an engaging style, capturing substance and detail.
Read MoreMr. Lincoln Sits for His Portrait by Leonard S. Marcus
Mr. Lincoln Sits for His Portrait is an unusual and touching look at our nation’s 16th president through the then-new medium of photography.
Read MoreToo Small Tola and the Three Fine Girls by Atinuke
“Too Small Tola” returns in a second volume of this warm-hearted series of Nigerian family life.
Read MoreLove and Laughter Book List
A Valentine’s Day list of books that celebrate family love and wholesome romance
Read MoreGladys Hunt on Choosing Mother Goose
With so many excellent editions of Mother Goose out there, how do you choose?
Read MoreWindswept by Margi Preus
Windswept is a lovely fantasy/fairy tale of children learning to take on the responsibility of stewardship through story, service, and sacrifice.
Read MoreGladys Hunt on Enduring Value
Enduring books are created by enduring authors!
Read More2023 Newbery Buzz Roundup #2: Frizzy, How to Build a Human, and Attack of the Black Rectangles
We take one more stab at some highly-praised books and their chance for winning children’s literature’s top prize.
Read MoreGladys Hunt on Award-Winning Books
On Monday, the American Library Association announces its annual Youth Media Awards But how many of the honored books will still be read 10 years from now?
Read More2023 Newbery Buzz #3: Northwind
Might Gary Paulsen’s last novel be a sentimental favorite for Newbery recognition?
Read MoreNewbery Roundup #1: Freestyle, Swim Team, and Maizy Chen’s Last Chance
Three novels for middle-grades that may be under consideration for this year’s top prize
Read More2023 Newbery Buzz #2: The Door of No Return
Back for our second buzz, Janie and Betsy talk over a troubling but moving verse novel.
Read MoreGladys Hunt on Metaphor and Imagination
Must literature be “real” to be “true”?
Read MoreThe Lucky Ones by Linda Williams Jackson
In The Lucky Ones, an impoverished family in the rural south takes a big step up during the Civil Rights struggles of the 1960s.
Read More2023 Newbery Buzz #1: A Rover’s Story
In which we discuss books that are likely under consideration by this year’s Newbery committee.
Read MoreGladys Hunt on the Value of Fantasy
Editor’s Note: We kick off the New Year, and Month #5 of our Honey for a Child’s Heart Read-along, with one of the most popular and venerable genres in children’s books. George the Dragon-Slayer Originally published on the Tumblon website May 19, 2009 “A serious attack on the fairy tale as children’s literature comes from…
Read MoreThe Real Dada Mother Goose by Jon Scieszka
In The Real Dada Mother Goose, popular humorist Jon Scieszka subjects familiar nursery rhymes to every possible variation.
Read MoreOut of Range by Heidi Lang
Out of Range puts three warring sisters into a life-or-death situation that will destroy their bond—and perhaps their lives—or restore it.
Read MoreBelittled Women by Amanda Sellet
Belittled Woman features a contemporary Meg, Jo, and Amy reluctantly participating in their mother’s pet project: a tourist attraction reenacting scenes from a certain 19th-century novel.
Read MoreGladys Hunt on Little Golden Books
Gladys Hunt recalls the origin of a book series that adorned almost every American home.
Read MoreLooking for True by Tricia Springstubb
In Looking for True, A lonely boy and a frustrated girl find common cause in rescuing a dog from its neglectful owner.
Read MoreGladys Hunt on Reading Together
If 2023 the year you’ll be more intentional about family read-alouds?
Read More*Berliners by Vesper Stamper
Berliners is the story of a family scarred by war, politics, and false ideology in postwar Germany.
Read MoreAgent Most Wanted by Sonia Purnell
Virginia Hall, one of history’s most effective spies, is the subject of this engrossing biography.
Read MoreUnbreakable by Rebecca Barone
Unbreakable makes the complicated story of unlocking the Enigma code accessible for young readers.
Read MoreGladys Hunt on Book-Gifting
How to think twice before purchasing that Disney adaptation
Read MorePeace Is a Chain Reaction by Tanya Lee Stone
Peace Is a Chain Reaction tells a little-known story of World War II and how former enemies of opposite sides of an ocean came together in forgiveness.
Read MoreHaven: A Small Cat’s Big Adventure by Megan Wagner Lloyd
Haven: A Small Cat’s Big Adventure is a realistic but heartwarming animal tale of loyalty and friendship.
Read MoreGladys Hunt on Christmas Books
Here’s a list of books to read under the Christmas tree, from a lady who has field-tested each one.
Read MoreThe Rat Queen by Pete Hautman
Though not for every reader, The Rat Queen effectively exposes the harm caused to individual souls by hiding or excusing their own sins.
Read MoreA Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga
A Rover’s Story employs an unusual protagonist to celebrate science, space exploration, and humanity.
Read MoreGladys Hunt on Enjoying Picture Books–at Any Age
Did that picture book make you laugh out loud at Barnes & Noble? Pause a moment before buying it for your grandson . . .
Read MoreThe Way of Birds: Duet and Feathers Together
Duet and Feathers Together present two notable bird species: the northern mockingbird and the white stork.
Read MoreGladys Hunt on The Scent of Thanksgiving
Gladys Hunt shares some wonderful, evocative picture books for family Thanksgiving gatherings.
Read MoreThe Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander
The Door of No Return uses beautifully modulated verse to communicate the humanity of the Ashanti people and the horrors of the African slave trade.
Read MoreGladys Hunt on the Art of the Picture Book
“We take for granted the amazing combination of words and pictures in story books for children.”
Read MoreBlack Bird, Blue Road by Sofiya Pasternack
Black Bird, Blue Road is set in a neglected period of world history and explores the subject of death through a lens of Jewish mythology.
Read MoreGladys Hunt on Literary Excellence
Editor’s Note: This month, our “Honey for a Child’s Heart Read-Along” partners are thinking about Chapters 3, 13, and 14. The latter two chapters are about picture books, as is fitting for Picture Book Month. Chapter 3 asks what makes a good book, a question Gladys Hunt explored further in today’s blog post. What Makes…
Read MoreAre Cozy Animal Stories Cozying up to Gay Ideology?
One of our readers alerted us to Katherine Applegate’s latest book, as it seemed to her to feature a lesbian relationship. Odder, picturing a beyond-cute protagonist on the cover, is a novel-in-verse about a female sea otter who was born with an extra “spark”: a questing spirit, a taste for adventure. After a storm separates…
Read MoreThe Holy Ghost by John Hendrix
In The Holy Ghost, author/illustrator John Hendrix freely exercises his imaginative powers while contemplating the third Person of the Trinity.
Read MoreContending for the Faith by Joel Beeke and William Boekestein
Contending for the Faith takes readers back to the English Reformation and the origins of the Westminster Confession.
Read MoreWildoak by C. C. Harrington
Wildoak is a gentle story about a girl finding a voice and a cause in the natural world.
Read MoreGladys Hunt on Nursery Rhymes
“Nursery rhymes” don’t stop with Mother Goose.!
Read MoreViolet and Jobie in the Wild by Lynne Rae Perkins
Mouse siblings Violet and Jobie must suddenly fend for themselves in a world both terrifying and lovely.
Read More*Church History by Simonetta Carr
Simonetta Carr’s Church History is a must-have for Christian families, good for years of reference and encouragement.
Read MoreGladys Hunt on Recognizing the Good
Let Gladys Hunt help you choose some good books!
Read MorePicture Books about Houses: Farmhouse and House Finds a Home
Farmhouse and House Finds a Home honor the ordinary structures that shelter and sustain growing families.
Read MoreOur Hymns, Our Heritage by David and Barbara Leeman
The Leeman’s excellent student hymnal has been republished by Moody Press, with additional songs and supplements
Read MoreGladys Hunt on Your Family’s “Honey Ratio”
Did you ever wonder where Gladys Hunt got the idea of “Honey”? This post should give you a clue.
Read MoreBig Theology for Little Hearts
Crossway’s Big Theology for Little Hearts series attempts to introduce important Christian concepts through the medium of board books.
Read MoreGladys Hunt on the Very Earliest Readers
Gladys Hunt writes, “Don’t underestimate what a child can learn from this kind of book.” What kind of book?
Read MoreAmerican Shoes by Rosemarie Lengsfeld Turke
American Shoes is the memoir of a young girl trapped in Nazi Germany with her family as the world is convulsed with war.
Read MoreGladys Hunt on Longing for Home
Editor’s Note: Four years ago, Redeemed Reader obtained the rights to republish several original blogs by the late Gladys Hunt, author of the classic children’s literature guide, Honey for a Child’s Heart. This year, in connection with our Honey Read-Along, we are honored to publish more of Gladys’ blogs, many originally published on the now-defunct…
Read MoreThe Vanderbeekers on the Road by Karina Yan Glaser
The Vanderbeekrs, one of our favorite families, is on the road to discovery, opportunity, and possibly romance.
Read MoreRide On by Faith Erin Hicks
Ride On is an equestrian graphic novel that horse aficionados will devour.
Read MoreHummingbird by Natalie Lloyd
Hummingbird features a plucky protagonist with a debilitating bone disease—who doesn’t see herself as debilitated.
Read MoreGraphic Novels: Invisible and Twin Cities
Invisible and Twin Cities present mind-broadening views of Latin American immigrants and nationals.
Read MoreYonder by Ali Standish
Yonder is a thoughtful and moving historical novel about the nature of heroism
Read More*The Song that Moves the Sun by Anna Bright
The Song that Moves the Sun takes four teens through the cosmos of Dante, with revelations on harmony, love, and friendship.
Read MoreLines of Courage by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Lines of Courage follows five young protagonists through the epoch-making carnage of World War I.
Read MoreThe Visible Hand by Matthew Hennessey
The Visible Hand introduces teens to basic free-market economics in a way that’s accessible and entertaining.
Read MoreBrand New Kid by David Almond
Brand New Boy explores the “humanity” of manufactured humans through the eyes of curious middle-school students.
Read MoreScience Picture Books: *The Beak Book, Nano, and Building
Three outstanding picture books offer windows into nano technology, beaver life, and the beauty and variety of beak design.
Read MoreQuick Summer Reads: Treasure Tracks, High Score, and Wretched Waterpark
Three entertaining novels for the adventure-seeker, the heist-lover, and the doom-aficionado.
Read MoreJust Look Around: Sato the Rabbit, One Boy Watching, and The Boy Who Loved Maps
Two picture books, Sato the Rabbit and One Boy Watching, are about using imagination and paying attention.
Read More*Marshmallow Clouds by Ted Kooser and Connie Wanek
In Marshmallow Clouds, two poets look at the world, both the sublime and the mundane, through expressive wordplay.
Read MoreThe Islanders: Search for Treasure by Mary Alice Monroe
The Islanders Series features three friends spending enlightening and adventure-filled summers on an island off the coast of South Carolina.
Read MoreThe Homework Squad’s ADHD Guide to School Success by Joshua Shifrin
The “Homework Squad” shows attention-challenged students how to study smarter.
Read MoreThe Fort by Gordon Korman
Five boys find an unexpected place to come to terms with troubling life issues: The Fort.
Read MoreGraphic-Novel History: History Comics and Who HQ
Telling history and science through pictures is an obvious way to teach, but watch out when a series attempts to do more than communicate the facts.
Read MoreSpineless by Samantha San Miguel
A sickly young man finds both adventure and wisdom in Spineless, an enjoyable debut novel set in turn-of-the-century Florida.
Read MoreMr. Lemoncello’s Very First Game by Chris Grabenstein
Fans of Mr. Lemoncello’s world of puzzles and games will enjoy this story of how he got his start.
Read More*Love and Other Great Expectations by Becky Dean
Love and Other Great Expectations puts romance in its place as part of life’s great adventure (but not all of it).
Read MoreSkandar and the Unicorn Thief by A. F. Steadman
The much-hyped fantasy series opener Skandar and the Unicorn Thief breaks new ground in unicorn lore.
Read MoreYour Pal Fred by Michael Rex
A fun graphic novel for young middle-graders, Your Pal Fred pictures a dystopian world startled by kindness.
Read MorePicture Books about Nature: Be Thankful for Trees, Yoshi and the Ocean, and The Whale Who Swam Through Time
The Blessing of a Tree Be Thankful for Trees by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Brian Fitzgerald. Red Comet Press, 2022, 80 pages. Reading Level: Picture book, ages 0-4 Recommended for: ages 2-5 The subtitle is, “A tribute to the many and surprising ways trees relate to our lives.” So let’s count the ways: trees contribute…
Read MoreNew From Here by Kelly Yang
New from Here looks at the recent pandemic through the perspective of an Asian-American family hoping to escape the virus in California.
Read MoreTrapped in Terror Bay by Sigmund Brouwer
Trapped in Terror Bay takes readers into the mystery of the ill-fated Arctic voyage of the Franklin Expedition, 1845.
Read MoreCookies & Milk by Shawn Amos
Cookies & Milk is an enjoyable fictionalized account of the world’s first chocolate-chip cookie store and the launch of a “famous” business.
Read MoreCrazy Horse and Custer: Born Enemies by S. D. Nelson
Crazy Horse and Custer: Born Enemies addresses the bloody and complex history of the U.S. Indian Wars with honesty and clarity.
Read MoreThe Shelter and the Fence by Herman H. Finkelstein
The Shelter and the Fence relates the heartening history of how nearly 1000 Jewish refugees found welcome in America during World War II.
Read MoreMy Own Lightning by Lauren Wolk
My Own Lightning follows the author’s previous Newbery-honored novel, Wolf Hollow, with a more hopeful conclusion.
Read MoreRip to the Rescue
Rip to the Rescue is a true-to-life World War II adventure featuring heroic teens and one heroic dog.
Read More*Watership Down by Richard Adams
Watership Down, a modern classic, employs noble themes of vision, courage, and sacrifice among some of the most humble and ordinary of animals in their quest for a home.
Read MoreEach of Us a Universe by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo
Two girls with big problems draw resilience from each other and the “Magic” of the Universe.
Read MoreThe Dragon and the Stone (Dreamkeeper Saga #1) by Kathryn Butler
The Dreamkeeper Saga weaves Christian themes, Arthurian legend, and reliable fantasy tropes into a promising series for middle-graders
Read More*The Sower by Scott James
The Sower employs biblical allegories of seeds and planting to recap the story of the Bible and its effect on human history—and on us.
Read MorePolly and the Screen Time Overload by Betsy Childs Howard
Polly and the Screen Time Overload gently points young children away from electronic fascinations to the quieter joys of real life
Read More*God’s Attributes by Jill Nelson
God’s Attributes is an accessible, kid-friendly way to approach the greatness of God as we learn to trust Him.
Read MoreEndlessly Ever After by Laurel Snyder and Dan Santat
Endlessly Ever After allows readers to mix and match traditional tales to the tune of catchy rhymes and lavish illustrations
Read MoreThe Woman Who Split the Atom by Marissa Moss
Brilliant physicist Lise Meitner, overlooked by history, receives her due in this well-written and -illustrated biography.
Read MoreBestselling YA: A Look at the 2022 Market
Aside from one graphic novel romance series, novels about death and murder dominate the current YA scene. Where’s hope?
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