Posts by Janie Cheaney
*The Swallow’s Flight by Hilary McKay
The Swallow’s Flight gracefully unfolds the lives of two English girls and two German boys against the backdrop of World War II.
Read MoreThe Woman All Spies Fear by Amy Butler Greenfield
The little-known story of code breaker Elizebeth Smith Friedman gets full and masterful treatment.
Read More*The Genius under the Table by Eugene Yelchin
Eugene Yelchin’s memoir of his Soviet childhood is surreal, sad, and hilarious.
Read MoreCuba in My Pocket by Adrianna Cuevas
A 12-year-old refugee flees Cuba for a better life but can’t forget his home and people.
Read MoreAcross the Desert by Dusti Bowling
Across the Desert is a harrowing survival tale of determination and hope, as one girl attempts a dangerous rescue.
Read MoreThe Vanderbeekers Make a Wish by Karina Van Glaser
The lively Vanderbeeker kids deepen their family roots in the fifth volume of the popular series.
Read MoreVoyage of the Sparrowhawk by Natasha Farrant
In Voyage of the Sparrowhawk, two youngsters undertake a dangerous journey to find relatives missing after World War I.
Read MoreHow to Find a Fox by Kate Gardner
Beautiful nature photography distinguishes How to Find a Fox.
Read MorePax, Journey Home by Sara Pennypacker
The two central characters of Pax, a “best of” book from 2016, work their way back to each other with a more positive resolution.
Read MoreStowaway by John David Anderson
Stowaway offers nonstop action, interesting characters, and food for thought with classic science fiction tropes.
Read MoreGood News of Great Joy by John Piper
John Piper examines why the new is really and eternally good, in the attractive volume of short advent readings.
Read MoreOne Kid’s Trash by Jamie Sumner
In One Kid’s Trash, an unusual talent leads to sudden popularity and unfortunate consequences.
Read MoreCRT Isn’t Always CRT
Christians need to distinguish between what’s “controversial” and what isn’t.
Read MoreThe Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo
Two heavyweights of the children’s book world collaborate on The Beatryce Prophesy, a quasi-medieval tale of treachery and hope.
Read MoreWhat about the Tuttle Twins?
Are the much-hyped Tuttle Twins books (and curriculum) profitable for Christian families?
Read MoreChurch History from Kingstone
Three publications by Kingstone Media inform readers about Luther, Vladimir, and Martyrs of the 1st-3rd centuries.
Read MoreThe Legend of Hobart by Heather Mullaly
The Legend of Hobart pays affectionate tribute to fairy-tale tropes in a story about becoming a true hero.
Read MoreSparrow Rising by Jessica Khoury
Sparrow Rising, the first volume of a promising new fantasy series for middle-graders, depicts a race of winged humans.
Read MoreErik Vs. Everything by Christina Uss
Erik, who fears Everything, learns to live up to his Viking heritage with the help of his Norse-struck family.
Read MoreThe Thing I’m Most Afraid Of by Kristin Levine
An American girl learns to overcome her fears against the background of the Bosnian Civil War.
Read MoreFriends Forever by Shannon Hale
Shannon Hale wraps up her “Friends” trilogy with a heartfelt graphic memoir of eighth grade anxiety.
Read MoreWalls by L. M. Elliot
In this YA novel, an American “army brat ” lives the history that led up to the building of the Berlin Wall.
Read MoreBanned Books 2021
What gets “banned” in today’s overwrought culture conflicts?
Read More*Linked by Gordon Korman
The 7th-graders of a small western town discover that the Holocaust is “linked” to aspects of their own history.
Read MoreAmazing Rivers by Julie Agnone
This information-packed picture book introduces young middle-graders to the wide world of waterways
Read MoreThe Gilded Girl by Alyssa Colman
The Gilded Girl, a magical take on A Little Princess, takes readers to an alternative turn-of-the-century New York City.
Read MoreDead Wednesday by Jerry Spinelli
“Dead Wednesday” is supposed to be the day middle-schoolers contemplate their own mortality, but for one 8th-grader it’s a turning point in his life.
Read MorePopulation Picture Books: *If the World Were 100 People and We Are a Garden
Two high-concept picture books present stories of people and movements in a way even small children can grasp.
Read More9/11 for Middle Graders: Ground Zero and In the Shadow of the Fallen Towers
Novelist Alan Gratz and graphic artist Dan Brown offer views of 9/11 accessible to middle-grade readers
Read MorePicture Books about 9/11: The Survivor Tree
Three new picture books about the Trade Center “Survivor Tree” help children relate to the events of 9/11.
Read MoreHappy “We Love Memoirs” Day!
Memoirs are a time-honored genre representing some of the great classics of literature.
Read MoreWeird Kid by Greg Van Eekhout
Weird Kid blends humor with the “aliens among us” theme to make an entertaining read for middle graders, (especially boys).
Read MoreFun Read-Alouds: Dakota Crumb, How to Make a Friend, and I Can Make a Train Noise
Three new picture books offer sure-fire hooks for preschoolers and primary-graders alike.
Read MoreThe Redeemed Reader Bible Pilgrimage: Click and See
Download a sample chapter from our unique journey through the Bible.
Read MoreReading Afghanistan
Good books can help children understand the background of this beleaguered nation.
Read MoreThe Redeemed Reader Bible Pilgrimage: How and Why
My Story and His I was raised in a denomination that took the Bible very seriously: “We speak where the Bible speaks, and are silent where the Bible is silent!” The advantage was, I had quite a bit of knowledge by the time I graduated high school. Not only could I name all 66 books…
Read MoreOn the Hook by Francisco X. Stork
The protagonist of Francisco Stork’s latest novel finds himself “on the hook” when his lust for revenge can’t be satisfied.
Read MoreHomer on the Case by Henry Cole
Homer, a literate homing pigeon, uses his unusual skills to solve a mystery, in this gentle story for young middle-graders.
Read MoreAven Green, Sleuthing Machine by Dusti Bowling
Chapter-book readers will enjoy meeting Aven Green, the no-armed protagonist of the “Life of a Cactus” books.
Read MoreThe Vast Wonder of the World by Mélina Mangal
The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just by Mélina Mangal. Millbrook Press, 2018, 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 4-8Recommended for: Ages 5-10 (This is a guest post by Sarah Hartman.) It’s generally common knowledge to us that a human egg (usually) only accepts one sperm before it starts growing and…
Read MoreEnduring Freedom by Jawad Arash and Trent Reedy
An American soldier and Afghan interpreter become life-long friends during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Read MoreCrossing the Stream by Elizabeth-Irene Baitie
Crossing the Stream takes us to Africa, where a young teen is facing spiritual and practical challenges.
Read MorePicture-Book Roundup: Art and Artists
Three picture-book biographies introduce children to the work of three very distinct artists: Ben Shahn, Judith Scott, and Winslow Homer.
Read MoreWombat Walkabout by Carol Diggory Shields
Wombat Walkabout features six furry siblings outwitting a hungry dingo.
Read MoreThe Republic of Birds by Jessica Miller
The Republic of Birds takes us to an alternate czarist Russia, where humans are at war with an avian nation.
Read MoreJohn Klassen and Proverbs: A Guest Post from Sarah Hartman*
John Klassen’s Hat trilogy beautifully illustrates timeless truths from the book of Proverbs
Read More*The Most Perfect Thing in the Universe by Tricia Springstubb
A shy, timid girl learns that “the most perfect thing in the universe” is right under her nose.
Read MoreBoy from Buchenwald by Robbie Waisman
Robbie Waisman, the “Boy from Buchenwald,” tells a gripping story of suffering and a hard-won peace after World War II.
Read MoreOutdoor School: Hiking and Camping by David and Blevins
The Outdoor School series offers interactive guides to experiencing, understanding, and appreciating nature.
Read MorePicture Book Roundup: Ordinary Wonders
The Night Walk, The Rescuer of Tiny Creatures, and The Lost Package focus on simple pleasures and everyday services we take for granted.
Read MoreThe Wisdom of Trees by Lita Judge
The Wisdom of Trees shows how trees function as a community in cooperation, not competition.
Read MoreThe Way of the Hive by Jay Hosler
The Way of the Hive follows the life of a honeybee in clever graphic-novel style.
Read More*The Ship of Stolen Words by Fran Wilde
The Ship of Stolen Words is light, enjoyable, family-friendly fantasy anchored by a worthy theme.
Read MoreRaising Writers in Four Simple Steps
Or, the Wordsmith philosophy of teaching composition
Read MoreLaid-Back Grammar
Grammar is easier to teach if you don’t try to teach it too soon or too singularly
Read MoreAmerica My Love, America My Heart by Daria Riley
America My Love, America My Heart expresses complex emotions about the author’s home country.
Read MoreCritter Jitters by Jory John
The “Critter Jitters” series tackles the anxieties of young children in a humorous, reassuring way.
Read MoreJuneteenth Roundup
Juneteenth, our newest national holiday, commemorates the 19th of June, 1865, when slaves in Texas learned of their emancipation. These four books offer experiential perspectives on that day and its meaning.
Read MoreLuck of the Titanic by Stacey Lee
The biracial heroine of Luck of the Titanic sees dreams fulfilled just before disaster strikes, in this romantic thriller
Read MoreMad for Ads by Erica Fyvie
Mad for Ads opens the eyes of readers to the countless ways they are data-mined and targeted for advertising.
Read MoreTeaflet & Roog Make a Mess by Jeanne Birdsall
Tousle-haired siblings Teaflet & Roog narrowly avert a domestic disaster in this chapter book by Penderwicks author Jeanne Birdsall.
Read MoreAtlantis: The Accidental Invasion by Gregory Mone
This series-opener promises a clash of civilizations between Earth’s terra firma and the “lost” continent of Atlantis.
Read MoreGod Made Me for Worship by Jared Kennedy
Author Jared Kennedy uses Isaiah 6 as a model for explaining the liturgy, in God Made Me for Worship
Read MoreThe Stolen Prince of Cloudburst by Jaclyn Moriarty
The familiar “child of destiny” trope receives a fresh, funny, and magical twist in The Stolen Prince of Cloudburst.
Read MoreJane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (Awesomely Austen Series)
The “Awesomely Austen” series makes Jane Austen accessible to elementary-age readers.
Read MorePride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price
Add Pride and Premeditation, a “Jane Austen Murder Mystery” to your YA shelf for a light, amusing summertime diversion
Read MorePicture Books about Refugees: Watercress, Yang Warriors, and The Suitcase
Two memoirs and one parable show children how to have sympathy for refugees, even within their own family.
Read MoreA Shot in the Arm! by Don Brown
A Shot in the Arm traces the history of vaccination in graphic-novel format, from the 18th century to the present day.
Read MoreWe Wait for the Sun by Katie McCabe
We Wait for the Sun is a sweet recollection demonstrating how love shines through all difficult life circumstances.
Read MoreUnspeakable by Carole Boston Weatherford
Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre exposes a terrible chapter in American history but ends in hope for reconciliation.
Read MoreJonesy Flux and the Gray Legion by James Pray
Jonesy Flux is a spunky space voyager with unsuspected potential, in this action-packed science fiction debut.
Read MorePicture-book Roundup: The Floating Field, *Hugo and the Impossible Thing, Yes & No
Three outstanding new picture books demonstrate how life is better when we work together
Read MoreWar and Millie McGonigle by Karen Cushman
Millie McGonigle is an appealing 12-year-old who is struggling to deal with tough things in life, like death and war.
Read MoreThe Accidental Apprentice by Amanda Foody
The Accidental Apprentice kicks off this middle-grade fantasy series with a rush of wind and a menagerie of fantastic Beasts.
Read MoreThornwood by Leah Cypess
Thornwood recasts the tale of Sleeping Beauty as a castle-bound mystery, with twists and turns at every corner.
Read MoreThe House that Wasn’t There by Elana K. Arnold
In The House That Wasn’t There, neighbors start off on the wrong foot, but soon discover a mysterious connection.
Read MoreSidney & Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World by Jacqueline Davis
The Sidney & Taylor series introduces a pair of wild-animal friends whose personalities lead them into humorous misadventures
Read MoreDoggo and Pupper by Katherine Applegate
Doggo and Pupper, a new chapter-book series, features an old dog learning new tricks and a new dog learning responsibility.
Read MoreCharacter picture books: Twenty-One Steps, Bartali’s Bicycle, and Nelson Mandela’s Plan
Three nonfiction picture books offer examples of faithful service, reconciliation, and self-sacrifice.
Read MoreThe Many Mysteries of the Finkel Family by Sarah Kepit
The Finkels, a close-knit but complicated Jewish family, pose mysteries for the two middle sisters
Read More*Surviving Religion 101 by Michael Kruger
With Surviving Religion 101, a Christian father and scholar arms his daughter against attacks on Christianity from skeptical professors and students.
Read More*Kiyoshi’s Walk by Mark Karlins
In a simple, direct way, Kioshi’s Walk answers the question, “Where do poems come from?”
Read MoreMeltdown by Dierdre Langeland
Meltdown traces the events that might have led to nuclear Armageddon in Fukishima, Japan, 2011
Read MoreAcross the Pond by Joy McCullough
A young teen who’s lost her footing at home must reestablish herself in a castle “Across the Pond.”
Read MoreBeatrix Potter, Scientist by Lindsay H. Metcalf
Her scientific ambitions were dashed, but Beatrix Potter turned the natural world into beloved art.
Read More*Amber & Clay by Laura Amy Schlitz
Amber & Clay is a fascinating immersion into classic Greek civilization, seen through the eyes of two children, Socrates the sage, and a host of gods and Greeks.
Read More*Go and Do Likewise! by John Hendrix
In Go and Do Likewise, as in Miracle Man, John Hendrix offers a fresh take on the life and teachings of Christ.
Read MoreWhat Is “Body Positivity”?
“Body Positivity,” as a whole, tries to correct a false narrative by substituting an unreal narrative.
Read MoreRescue by Jennifer A. Nielsen
In Rescue, a 12-year-old girl joins the French Resistance to free her father from the Nazis. Rescue by Jennifer A. Nielsen. Scholastic, 2021, 379 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-15 Life in occupied France isn’t bad—for some. For others, it’s a nightmare of midnight raids and friends and neighbors suddenly…
Read MoreThe One Thing You’d Save by Linda Sue Park
The One Thing You’d Save asks middle-graders in a fictional classroom to consider the value they give material objects
Read More*The Promise by Jason Helopoulos
The Promise takes readers from the beginning of God’s story through the fulfillment of his redemptive purpose, with striking illustrations and compelling prose.
Read MoreBible Infographics for Kids
Bible Infographics for Kids presents Bible facts and concepts in an entertaining, memorable way.
Read MoreBible Review: NLV Brave Boys and Courageous Girls
The Bible for Brave Boys (and Courageous Girls) are the first childrens’ versions of the New Life Translation.
Read MoreBible Review: NLT Girls Life Application Study Bible
Review of the NLT Girls Life Application Bible
Read MoreToo Small Tola by Atinuke
Too Small Tola, by the creator of Anna Hibiscus, introduces a winsome little girl growing up in Lagos, Nigeria
Read More*10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin
With Christianity increasingly under fire, apologist Rebecca McLaughlin answers 10 questions every young Christian will have to confront
Read MoreNew Picture Books: Milo Imagines the World, Outside Inside, and Off to See the Sea
Milo Imagines the World, Outside Inside, and Off to See the Sea plunge readers into a child’s eye view of public places, pandemics, and bathtime
Read More*All He Knew by Helen Frost
All He Knew pictures grace in the midst of gloom as a deaf child learns to navigate life in an institution
Read MoreThe Ambassador of Nowhere Texas by Kimberly Willis Holt
“Nowhere Texas” is better known as Antler, the small town that Zachary Beaver visited in an earlier novel that bears his name.
Read MoreNicky & Vera by Peter Sís
Nicky & Vera, by Caldecott illustrator Peter Sís, celebrates the quiet heroism of Nicholas Winton, who saved 669 Czech children from the Holocaust.
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