Posts by Janie Cheaney
The Clockwork Crow by Catherine Fisher
Fans of Victorian fantasy will enjoy The Clockwork Crow, a series opener with fairies, automatons, and mystery.
Read MoreDancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder
Raw, funny, and honest, Dancing at the Pity Party is a close look at grief after the loss of a mother.
Read MoreThe 2021 ALA Youth Media Awards–How Did We Do?
The big winners and runners-up from the most prestidgious awards in children’s literature
Read MoreThe Hour Approaches–Our Newbery Predictions!
Janie and Betsy peer into their crystal ball and try to outguess the 2021 Newbery Committee before the big announcement on Monday.
Read More2021 Newbery Buzz #6: Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk
We wrap up our Newbery Buzz series for this year with a discussion of Echo Mountain a historical novel set during the Great Depression
Read MoreCaldecott-Buzzy Picture Books
The Barnabus Project, Our Little Kitchen, and I Am Every Good Thing are all contenders for this year’s Caldecott award for illustration
Read More2021 Newbery Roundup #2: When You Trap a Tiger, Efren Divided, Magnificent Monsters of Cedar Street
Three more possible Newbery contenders we never got around to reviewing.
Read More2021 Newbery Buzz #5: Stamped by Jason Reynolds.
Continuing our discussion of possible Newbery winners, we pick up a book that has everybody talking
Read More2021 Newbery Buzz #4: Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri
Everything Sad Is Untrue is one of the most amazing books we’ve read this year. But does it stand a chance with the Newbery committee?
Read MoreAll Thirteen by Christina Soontornvat
All Thirteen gives the rescue of the Thai boys’ soccer team the drama and excitement it deserves.
Read MoreThe Next President by Kate Messner
The Next President takes a unique approach to the list of presidents by looking at their backgrounds–and speculating on the future.
Read More2021 Newbery Roundup #1: Rick, Clean Getaway, A Game of Fox and Squirrels
Three middle-grade novels that may be considered Newbery-worthy.
Read MoreBecoming Muhammad Ali by James Patterson and Kwame Alexander
In verse and prose, Becoming Muhammad Ali traces the early life of Cassius Clay, “The greatest” heavyweight boxer ever.
Read MoreBlack Brother, Black Brother by Jewel Parker Rhodes
Donte, the “Black Brother” of a biracial family, must decide if his identity will be based on his color or on his character.
Read More2021 Newbery Buzz #1: King and the Dragonflies
King and the Dragonflies has already won a prestigious award and is a strong contender for Newbery honors–but it has serious thematic problems.
Read MoreA Year of Everyday Wonders by Cheryl Klein
A Year of Everyday Wonders paces a traditional family through small milestones and seasonal turnings.
Read MoreThree New Christmas Picture Books: The Night Before Christmas, The Christmas Feast, and Native-American Night Before Christmas
Two versions of “The Night before Christmas” and one classic trickster tale make great additions to under-the-tree reading. Fun for ages 4-up.
Read MoreWishes and Wellingtons by Julie Berry
Wishes andWellingtons is a light-hearted Victorian fantasy about being careful what you wish for.
Read MoreThe Epic Bible
The Epic Bible tells the entire story of the Bible in graphic format and dramatic style, with some embellishment.
Read MoreCourageous World Changers by Shirley Rae Redmond
Courageous World Changers briefly covers the lives of 50 women throughout the world and history who lived for Christ.
Read MoreA Hopeful Heart by Deborah Noyes
A Hopeful Heart engagingly presents the life of one of America’s first best-selling authors: Louisa May Alcott.
Read More*A Long Road on a Short Day by Gary Schmidt
The unspoken bond of family comes through in this gentle winter’s tale by Gary Schmidt and his late wife Elizabeth Stickney.
Read MoreWilla the Wisp by Jonathan Auxier
With Willa the Wisp, Jonathan Auxier introduces a magical chapter book series.
Read MoreBee Fearless by Mikaila Ullmer
In Bee Fearless, Mikaila Ulmer tells how she grew a multimillion-dollar business out of a lemonade stand–but not by herself.
Read MoreChance: Escape from the Holocaust by Uri Shulevitz
In Chance: Escape from the Holocaust, a Caldecott-winning illustrator recalls his harrowing wartime childhood.
Read MoreThe Best of Iggy by Annie Barrows
Iggy learns not all bad deeds are created equal in this humorous tour of relative morality.
Read MoreFly on the Wall by Remy Lai
The hero of Fly on the Wall hatches a daring scheme to remake his self-image.
Read MorePicture Books for Young Writers: My Pencil and Me and How to Write a Story
Two new picture books encourage new writers in the early grades.
Read MoreThe Vanderbeekers Lost and Found by Karina Yan Glaser
The Vanderbeekers are back, with all the humor and good-heartedness that makes their family so loveable.
Read MorePremeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth Bunce
Premeditated Myrtle introduces a precocious 12-year-old Victorian detective with a trusty governess sidekick.
Read MoreFinally, Something Mysterious by Doug Cornett
Finally, Something Mysterious kicks off a middle-grader mystery series set in Bellwood, a small town with more than its share of eccentrics.
Read MoreHave You Seen the Redeemed Reader Quarterly?
Redeemed Reader is bringing back the golden age of print journals (in our own small way)
Read MoreHow We Got to the Moon by John Rocco
How We Got to the Moon details the almost overwhelming amount of expertise and problem-solving required to accomplish one human footprint.
Read MoreA Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat
A Wish in the Dark pits literal darkness against light in a unique Asian setting.
Read MoreOn the Horizon by Lois Lowry
On the Horizon recalls two pivotal events of World War II through the eyes of witnesses, victims, and two children who would meet much later.
Read More*Through the Wardrobe by Lina Maslo.
This C.S. Lewis biography, accessible to 5-year-olds, includes fascinating details for Narnia fans of all ages
Read MoreLittle Bird by Cynthia Voigt
Little Bird, a young crow, embarks on a quest that will expand her world and reward her curious mind.
Read MoreBefore the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson
Jacqueline Woodson’s poignant verse novel explores the cost of professional athletics to some families.
Read MoreThe Runaways by Ulf Stark
A boy and his crotchety grandfather hatch an elaborate escape plan to enjoy one last day together.
Read MoreBrother’s Keeper by Julie Lee
Tense and dramatic, this story of escape from North Korea in the early days of the Korean War is based on actual characters and true events.
Read MoreThe Time of Green Magic by Hilary McKay
“Green Magic” lurks in an ivy-covered house, in this delightful MG fantasy.
Read MorePB Roundup: Your Place in the Universe, If You Came to Earth, and I Talk Like a River
Three critically-acclaimed picture books tackle big subjects like the size of the universe, the scope of humanity, and the power of words
Read More*Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri
In this one-of-a-kind, richly evocative memoir, “Everything Sad” disguises an otherworldly joy
Read MoreRaising Lumie by Joan Bauer
In Raising Lumie, a grieving girl gets a new family and a dog-owning dream fulfilled.
Read MoreThe Nerviest Girl in the World by Melissa Wiley
Ranch girl Pearl discovers the brand-new technology of moving pictures in this fun read for early middle-graders.
Read MoreFighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley: a Discussion
Fighting Words takes on a difficult topic with a feisty, flawed, brave protagonist.
Read MorePippa Park Raises Her Game by Erin Yun
Pippa Park tries to “raise her game” at an exclusive private school, in this middle-grade retelling of Great Expectations.
Read MoreThe Magic in Changing Your Stars by Leah Henderson
An aspiring dancer has a chance to “change the stars” for his grandfather when he is transported back to 1930s Harlem.
Read MoreIsaiah Dunn Is My Hero by Kelly J. Baptist
Isaiah Dunn’s life has been trending downward, but the power of words and the discipline of work may pull him back up.
Read MoreComics: Easy as ABC! by Ivan Brunetti
Comics: Easy as ABC! is an accessible introduction to drawing for young artists, but the content includes one big misstep.
Read MoreSuperman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang
This latest iteration of the Superman legend by Gene Luen Yang includes familiar faces, social commentary, and historical context–also one big misstep.
Read MoreThe Turnover by Mike Lupica
The Turnover uses basketball as the background for a boy’s crisis of faith in his grandfather
Read MoreBeast by Watt Key
Beast: Face-to-Face with the Florida Bigfoot is a chilling, gripping tale of survival in the unknown.
Read MoreRunning Wild: Awesome Animals in Motion by Galadriel Watson
Running Wild gives readers ages 6-10 new appreciation for the immense variety and careful design evidenced in animal motion.
Read MoreCubs in the Tub by Candace Fleming
Cubs in the Tub is a warm-hearted true story that will be irresistible to baby animal lovers
Read MoreOrphan Eleven by Gennifer Choldenko
Orphan Eleven combines historical events and a timeless theme to craft an engrossing story of orphans running away to join the circus!
Read MoreBox by Carole Boston Weatherford
Box is the remarkable true story of one man’s bold plan to free himself from slavery.
Read MoreNot All Stories Are Created Equal
The “Power of Story” is an article of faith among authors, librarians, and other bookish people. But beware its limitations.
Read MoreShirley & Jamila Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerz
Shirley & Jamila are an odd couple who learn a lot about friendship while solving neighborhood crimes.
Read MoreHow to Be a Person by Catherine Newman
How to Be a Person humorously introduces middle-graders to life skills both practical and thoughtful.
Read MoreA Ceiling Made of Eggshells by Gail Carson Levine
A Ceiling Made of Eggshells is popular author Gail Carson Levine’s tribute to her own Sephardic-Jewish heritage
Read MoreDaring Darleen, Queen of the Screen by Anne Nesbet
Daring Darleen, heroine of Saturday serials, stumbles into a real-life adventure in this clever saga from the early days of photoplays.
Read MoreMy Name Is Tani by Tanitoluwa Adewumi
My Name is Tani is the hopeful (and true) story of a young boy who finds a place and a passion in America.
Read More*When Stars Are Scattered by Omar Mohammed
The new graphic novel When Stars Are Scattered brings the refugee experience into sharp yet sympathetic focus
Read MoreThe Asterix Series, American-style
The now-classic Asterix comic series receives an American gloss in a new edition published by Papercutz
Read MoreWink by Rob Harrell
Wink, a highly-praised novel for middle-graders, offers a realistic yet engaging look at coping with cancer.
Read MoreA World of Discovery by James Brown and Richard Platt
A World of Discovery introduces pre-teens to the basics of technology and invention.
Read MoreEverybody Counts by Kristin Roskifte
Everybody Counts is more than a counting book: it includes big numbers and big thoughts.
Read MoreThe One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate
The One and Only Bob stars the cynical, lovable mutt from Katherine Applegate’s 2012 Newbery-award-winning novel.
Read MoreStand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim
Yumi Chung faces the classic teen dilemma: honor your parents or follow your dream?
Read MoreDragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang
Dragon Hoops turns a high-school basketball championship season into a close-up look at life’s changes and choices.
Read MoreAmerican Lives: a Picture Book Roundup
For Spacious Skies, Most Wanted, and Thomas Paine and the Dangerous Word feature the promise of the American experiment
Read MoreThe Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman
The Blackbird Girls takes readers to the shadow of Chernobyl and the world’s worst nuclear disaster.
Read MoreGold Rush Girl by Avi
An independent-minded young teen seeks adventure and finds maturity in Gold Rush Girl.
Read MoreThe Littlest Voyageur by Margi Preus
A Canadian red squirrel takes to the river in The Littlest Voyageur, a charming animal story by a Newbery honor author.
Read MoreMy Fourth of July by Jerry Spinelli
My Fourth of July by Jerry Spinelli, illustration by Larry Day. Holiday House, 2019, 38 pages. Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 4-8 Recommended for: ages 3-7 What’s the best day of summer—maybe even the best day of the whole year? For our nameless protagonist, it’s the Fourth. Banners waving, kids marching, horns blowing—all of it…
Read MoreA Ben of All Trades by Michael J. Rosen
A Ben of All Trades: the Most Inventive Boyhood of Benjamin Franklin by Michael J. Rosen, illustrated by Matt Tavares. Candlewick, 2020, 30 pages. Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 4-8 Recommended for: ages 5-10 Ben likes books because they are all different. He does not like candlemaking because they are all the same. But candlemaking…
Read MoreWe Could Be Heroes by Margaret Finnegan
We Could Be Heroes puts together two “neurodiverse” youngsters in a misguided quest that results in real friendship.
Read MoreStamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
Stamped, a young-reader version of Ibram Kendi’s Stamped from the Beginning, is an engaging but one-sided picture of racism in America’s past.
Read MoreShow Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte
Show Me a Sign explores a little-known chapter of American history from the perspective of a Deaf protagonist.
Read MoreThe Boy Who Grew Dragons by Andy Shepherd
Growing dragons in Grandad’s garden leads to predictable hijinks in this light-hearted series opener.
Read MoreWays to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson
Ryan Hart, a next-generation Ramona Quimby, makes sunshine out of challenges in this warm-hearted series opener.
Read MoreHey, Water! by Antoinette Portis
Hey, Water! pictures the gift of water in all its forms, providing an accessible explanation of the water cycle for preschoolers.
Read MorePrairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park
Prairie Lotus, by Newbery author Linda Sue Park, offers a hopeful look at overcoming racism in the 19th-century American west.
Read MorePirates by David Harrison and Dan Burr
In Pirates, a collection of poems by David Harrison, adventure on the high seas was only a small part of life. The rest was boredom, bullets, and brutality.
Read MoreTwo Years before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana
Published 180 years ago, Two Years before the Mast remains a vivid portrait of 19th-century seafaring in early America.
Read MoreDear Class of 2020
What opportunities are opening up for graduating seniors in a pandemic world?
Read MoreLongitude by Dava Sobel
Longitude, a recommended book for our “Hope on the Horizon” summer reading challenge, is a classic true tale of persistence rewarded.
Read MoreRetro Reads: The Velveteen Rabbit and *Edward Tulane
The classic story of the Velveteen Rabbit and more recent story of Edward Tulane demonstrate the nature of true love.
Read MoreWhen Is It Okay to Mess with the Classics?
An upcoming retelling of Jane Eyre seems, at the very least, ill-advised. But why? Just because of our prejudices?
Read MoreMañanaland by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Mañanaland presents a dreamlike Latin-American landscape and a young boy taking a giant step toward adulthood.
Read MoreHere in the Real World by Sara Pennypacker
“The Real World” poses a creative challenge to a pair of enterprising middle-graders with conflicting motives.
Read MoreWhy Is Writing So Hard to Teach?
How I didn’t know what I didn’t know Back in the early years of the 1980s, I took up the challenge offered by Dr. James Dobson and his personal homeschool guru, Dr. Raymond Moore. Reading Dr. Moore’s book, Home Grown Kids, convicted me as no words outside of the Bible ever have: I needed to…
Read MoreVillage of Scoundrels by Margi Preus
Village of Scoundrels fictionalizes a true tale of heroism from World War II.
Read MoreThings Seen from Above by Shelley Pearsall
For much needed perspective in middle-school, try looking at “Things seen from above.”
Read More*Epic by Tim Challies
Epic takes readers around the globe tracking down fascinating artifacts of Church history.
Read MoreBible Review: NIV Heart of Gold Bible
NIV Heart of Gold Bible. Zondervan, 2019, 1088 pages (9 point font) Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 8-12 Though “girls” is not in the title, this edition is clearly aimed at girls, from the gold-hearty cover to the back-cover heading: “Calling all daughters of the King!” And all the pink-tinted pages…
Read MoreBible Review: NIV Ultimate Bible for Girls
NIV Ultimate Bible for Girls. Zonderban, 2019, 1504 pages (9 point font) Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 8-12 The Ultimate Bible for Girls is actually a re-packaging of the NIV Faithgirlz Bible, and the content hasn’t changed much, if at all. In-text features include “Treasure This” (key verses), “Dream Girl” (imagining…
Read MoreBible Review: NIV Artisan Collection Bible for Girls
NIV Artisan Collection Bible for Girls. Zondervan, 2019, 1600 pages (9.9 point font) Reading level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 12-up The title is a little suspect—I don’t see anything especially artisan-y about it—but it makes an attractive “gift Bible” or “journaling Bible.” There are no in-text features or unique study materials, just…
Read MoreBible Review: NIrV Illustrated Holy Bible for Kids
NIrV Illustrated Holy Bible for Kids. Zondervan, 2019, 1632 pages (8 point font) Reading Level: 3rd grade Recommended for: Ages 4-8 This new edition of the NIrV is marketed as a transition Bible from storybooks to the actual text, and that seems about right. Almost 750 full-color illustrations of varying sizes draw attention to familiar…
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