Posts by Janie Cheaney
Bob by Wendy Maas and Rebecca Stead
Two popular authors team up to write this quirky story about a lovable creature named—of course—Bob. Bob by Wendy Maas and Rebecca Stead. Feiwel & Friends, 2018, 201 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-12 independent readers; ages 6-12 as a family read-aloud Olivia (Livy) doesn’t remember much about her Gran’s…
Read More“Watch Your Expletives!” by Gladys Hunt
In the twelfth in our series of previously-unpublished posts, Gladys Hunt cautions about “those words” our kids pick up at school, at play–and increasingly in books. Watch Your Expletives! by Gladys Hunt I try not to be the family grammarian, but I have teased my granddaughter (in-love) about the way she adds at to questions…
Read More*Brother Hugo and the Bear by Katy Beebe
A cryptic aside in a medieval letter is the springboard for this charming story of a monk, a manuscript, and a bear. *Brother Hugo and the Bear by Katy Beebe, illustrated by S. D. Schindler. Eerdmans, 2014, 28 pages. Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 7-10 Recommended for: ages 5-up Brother Hugo is in the kind…
Read MoreA Colorful Past by William Boekestein
A coloring book for elementary through middle grades offers a sweeping view of church history, from the first century to the twentieth. A Colorful Past: a Coloring Book of Church History by William Boekestein, drawings by Naomi Kamphuis. Reformation Heritage, 2018, 44 pages Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: Ages 6-12 October is…
Read More*John Newton by Simonetta Carr
John Newton’s colorful life is a welcome addition to the Reformation Heritage series of Christian biographies. *John Newton by Simonetta Carr. Reformation Heritage, 2018, 63 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-14 Most of our readers—I assume—know that John Newton participated in the odious slave trade before he was redeemed by Christ. …
Read More“Second Guessing the Message” by Gladys Hunt
In the tenth of our previously-unpublished posts by Gladys Hunt, she begins a series on the value of language by reflecting on nonverbal communication. Years ago when we visited France for the first time, someone gave us tickets to see Marcel Marceau, the world-famous mime. It was a delight! Partly because we didn’t have to…
Read MoreAmal Unbound by Alisha Saeed
Amal, a Pakistani girl with dreams of an education, finds her dreams derailed in this engaging story for middle graders. Amal Unbound by Alisha Saeed. Penguin (Nancy Paulsen), 2018, 226 pages Reading Level: middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-15 Maybe, if Amal’s mother had given birth to a boy instead of a fifth…
Read MoreBuried beneath the Baobab Tree by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani
Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree is a tough but vital read for thoughtful Christian teens. Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani. HarperCollins, 2018, 327 pages Reading level: Teen, ages 12-15 Recommended for: ages 16-up Our nameless protagonist, the only girl in a family of five brothers, has dreams: saving up to buy…
Read MoreToaff’s Way by Cynthia Voight
A squirrel with a mind of his own navigates the seasons of his first year in this gentle animal story. Toaff’s Way by Cynthia Voight. Knopf, 2018, 256 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 5-10 as a read-aloud, 8-12 as a read-alone Squirrels like to talk more than they like to…
Read MoreBlack Rock Brothers by S. J. Dahlstrom
Wilder Good, now thirteen, continues his outdoor adventures with his biggest challenge yet. Black Rock Brothers (Wilder Good #5) by S. J. Dahlstrom. Paul Dry Books, 2018, 212 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 8-15, especially boys We first encountered young Wilder Good in Elk Hunt, his first-ever big game hunting…
Read More“Born to Read” by Gladys Hunt
Gladys Hunt reflects on the importance of reading in a child’s life and shares some of her favorite books for encouraging kids to read. This is the eighth in our series of previously-unpublished blogposts by the author of Honey For a Child’s Heart. Born to Read by Gladys Hunt Reading to children, taking them to the…
Read More“Reading Intentionally” by Gladys Hunt
Gladys Hunt recommends reading aloud not just a a way of bonding with family but as a way of making and keeping friends. This is the sixth in our series of previously-unpublished posts by the author of Honey for a Child’s Heart. The title was added. Reading Intentionally by Gladys Hunt “How do people know…
Read MoreThe Dollar Kids by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
How a sensitive boy handles death and guilt is the subject of The Dollar Kids: one of our “discussion starter” titles. Ages 10-15 The Dollar Kids by Jennifer Richard Jacobson. Candlewick, 2018, 403 pags. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 12-15 Lowen’s ambition is to draw comics, and he takes it seriously. …
Read More*Spooked! by Gail Jarrow
The Mercury Theater broadcast of “War of the Worlds,” a fascinating footnote from American history, has interesting implications for today. Ages 10-15 *Spooked! How a Radio Broadcast and the War of the Worlds Sparked the 1938 Invasion of America by Gail Jarrow. Calkins Creek, 2018, 139 pages. Reading level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for:…
Read MoreThe Wright Brothers: Nose-Diving into History by Ben Thompson
A new series about advances in technology begins with the indomitable spirit of the Wright Brothers. The Wright Brothers: Nose-Diving into History (Epic Fails #1) by Ben Thompson and Eric Slader, with illustrations by Tim Foley. Roaring Brook Press, 2018, 128 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-12 “If at first…
Read MoreRedeemed Readers, Rejoice!
Announcing a valuable resource for our fellow “Redeemed Readers,” and anyone with an interest in quality children’s literature. Hard as it is to believe, this is Redeemed Reader’s eighth year online. We’ve had personnel changes, a serious hack, three major re-designs, and resultant glitches. We’ve featured read-alongs, giveaways, summer reading programs, and interviews with well-known…
Read More“Building a Child’s Personal Library” by Gladys Hunt
How do you know which books you just have to own? In her fourth post of our series, Gladys Hunt offers tips on recognizing “the keepers.” After enthusiastic praise of libraries, should anyone bother to buy books? How many books should a child own? A library book is a wonderful discovery, a taste treat to…
Read MoreScience Ideas in 30 Seconds by Mike Goldsmith
In spite of some outdated ideas about science and faith, these 30-second explanations form an interesting tour of science history. Ages 8-15 Science Ideas in 30 Seconds: 30 Breakthrough Theories for Junior Geniuses Explained in Half a Minute by Dr. Mike Goldsmith. Ivy Press, 2016, 96 pages, including index Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-10…
Read MoreThe Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair by Amy Makechnie
A girl struggles to reconcile her needs with her mother’s severe mental illness, in this winsome story with some unforgettable characters. Ages 10-15 The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair by Amy Makechnie. Athenaeum, 2018, 322 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-15 “My father said that some people were harder to love,…
Read MoreA Stitch in Time by Dalphne Kalmer
A Stitch in time, a quiet story about death, grieving, and change, takes place in the Vermont countryside of 1920. Ages 10-15 A Stitch in Time by Daphne Kalmer. Feiwel & Friends, 2018, 167 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-15 It was only two weeks ago that her father was…
Read More“Make Your Own Life Bigger” by Gladys Hunt
According to Gladys Hunt, developing an appreciation for the public library in your child begins with YOU. This is the second in our series of previously-unpublished blog posts by the author of Honey For a Child’s Heart. Make Your Own Life Bigger Your own experience with the library–or lack of it–may be the biggest hindrance…
Read MoreIllegal by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin
Illegal, a graphic novel, puts readers into the perils of a refugee from Africa while stimulating important questions about refugees worldwide. Ages 12-15 Illegal by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin, artwork by Giovanni Rigano. Sourcebooks, 2018, 122 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 12-15 Ebo, his brother Kwame, and their sister…
Read MoreThe Continuing Legacy of Gladys Hunt
Announcing a series of NEW posts from Gladys Hunt, author of Honey for a Child’s Heart and Honey for a Teen’s Heart. Several months ago, we at Redeemed Reader were offered a golden opportunity. Yes, we know–“Golden opportunity” is a cliché attached to everything from timeshares to scams, but how often does a website get…
Read More*The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden by Karina van Glaser
The five Vanderbeeker children are back, with irrepressible high spirits, good intentions and miscalculations intact. *The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden by Karina van Glaser. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018, 322 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 8-14 It’s mid-summer, six months after their introductory adventure, and the five Vanderbeeker kids are…
Read MoreMulticultural Graphic Novels: Akissi and the Dragon Slayer
Two graphic novels give readers a glimpse of life and culture in Africa and South America. Ages 7-12 Akissi: Tales of Mischief by Marguerite Abouet and Mattieu Sapin. Flying Eye Books, 2018, 181 pages. Akissi lives with her big brother Fofana, her teenage sister Victorinne, her mom and dad and countless aunts and uncles in…
Read MoreCan You Identify the Five Nonfiction Categories?
The Juvenile nonfiction designation has exploded, especially since the push for Common Core standards was supposed to increase factual reading. Common Core seems to be quietly fading away, but nonfiction is still growing in every age category. Expansion always leads to categories and sub-categories, as anyone can see who regularly reviews it. A helpful article…
Read MoreBoy Bites Bug by Rebecca Petruck
In Boy Bites Bug, a single incident develops into a school-wide situation and an insightful look at fading friendship. Ages 10-15 Boy Bites Bug by Rebecca Petruck. Amulet, 2018, 250 pages (plus recipes) Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-15 Who could have thought an absurd incident would blow up to such…
Read MoreBack to School with Babymouse and Og the Frog
Two back-to-school series for different ages tickle the funny bone, satirize social conventions, and even stimulate sympathy for others. Ages 6-12 Life According to Og the Frog by Getty G. Birney. Putnam, 2018, 160 pages. Reading Level: Chapter Book, ages 7-9 Recommended for: ages 6-10 Og was enjoying life in the marsh (Think. Float. Doze.…
Read MoreAl Capone Throws Me a Curve by Gennifer Choldenko
The latest installment in the “Tales from Alcatraz” series deals with mature themes in a sympathetic, engaging way. Ages 12-15 Al Capone Throws Me a Curve by Gennifer Choldenko. Penguin Random House, 2018, 240 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 12-15 Matthew Flanagan, better known as Moose, didn’t want to move…
Read MoreThe Language of Spells by Garret Weyr
Pensive and quiet, The Language of Spells casts its own spell for thoughtful readers—who like dragons. Ages 10-15 The Language of Spells by Garret Weyr, with illustrations by Katie Harnett. Chronicle, 2018, 299 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-15 “Back when the world was long ago and far away, deep…
Read MoreThe Legend of Greg by Chris Rylander
A humorous and action-packed take on the updated-legend genre (a la Percy Jackson) also offers interesting characters and conflict dynamics. Ages 12-15. The Legend of Greg (An Epic Series of Failures, #1) by Chris Rylander. Putnam, 2018, 338 pages. Reading Level: 10-12 Recommended for: 12-15 Greg always knew he was weird—in the normal, overweight, socially-awkward…
Read MoreUp & Down by Don Brown
Graphic novelist Don Brown offers a fascinating picture book about early hydrogen ballooning. Ages 5-10 Up & Down: The Adventures of John Jeffries, First American to Fly by Don Brown. Charlesbridge, 2018, 39 pages Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 5-up Dr. John Jeffries of Boston picked the wrong side in the…
Read MorePass Go and Collect $200 by Tanya Lee Stone
Pass Go and Collect $200 is fun, relatable social history for Monopoly fans and anyone who ever had a great idea. Ages 6-up Pass Go and Collect $200: the Real Story of How Monopoly Was Invented by Tanya Lee Stone, Illustrated by Steven Salerno. Henry Holt, 2018, 40 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10…
Read MoreHouse of Dreams: the Life of L.M. Montgomery by Liz Rosenberg
L.M. Montgomery’s life was overshadowed by sadness, but this biography shows how she was able to give the world one of its most beloved literary figures. Ages 16-up House of Dreams: the Life of L. M. Montgomery by Liz Rosenberg, with illustrations by Julie Morstad. Candlewick, 3028, 338 pages, including bibliography and index. Reading Level:…
Read MoreSid Fleischman Biographies
Near the end of his prolific career, Newbery medalist Sid Fleischman published remarkable biographies of three remarkable men. Samuel Clemens (a.k.a. Mark Twain, 1835-1910), Ehrich Weiss (a.k.a. Harry Houdini, 1873-1926) and Charles Spencer Chaplin (1889-1978) shared little in common except an outsized persona, a talent for entertaining audiences, and lifespans that overlapped in interesting ways. …
Read More*The Sky at Our Feet by Nadia Hashimi
The Sky at Our Feet treats the immigration issue fairly and compassionately, through the perspective of an Afghan-American boy on the run. Ages 10-15 *The Sky at Our Feet by Nadia Hashimi. Harper, 2018, 291 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grade, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-15 Even though his mother calls him by his Afghan…
Read MoreCleopatra and Ancient Egypt for Kids by Simonetta Carr
Christian biographer Simonetta Carr explores the life of Cleopatra, one of the most fascinating and mysterious women in history. Ages 10-16 Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt for Kids: Her Life and World, with 21 Activities by Simonetta Carr. Chicago Review, 2018, 132 pages, including appendices. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-16 For…
Read MoreThe Flood of Noah by Bodie Hodge & Laura Welch
Was there a worldwide flood? The various legends of such a phenomenon are explored and compared in this interactive history book. All ages The Flood of Noah: Legends and Lore of Survival by Bodie Hodge and Laura Welch, illustrated by Bill Looney. New Leaf Publishing, 2014, 24 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended…
Read MoreThe Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle by Christina Uss
A ‘girl called Bicycle’s” improbable adventures during a cross-country bike trip shape the narrative of this fictional exploration of luck. Ages 10-14 The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle by Christina Uss. Holiday House, 2018, 303 pages Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-13 The girl is called Bicycle because, when she…
Read MoreScience Picture-Book Roundup
Four new science picture books entertain while informing young readers about microbes, sparrows, hawks, and deep-sea exploration. Ages 6-10 The Bacteria Book: the BIG World of Really Tiny Microbes by Steve Mould. DK, 2018, 71 pages including index. The “yuck” factor is always in play when learning about the bacterial world, especially when it comes…
Read More50 Wacky Things Animals Do by Tricia Wagner
“Wacky facts” about 50 animals introduce young readers to the amazing variety of creation. Ages 6-10 50 Wacky Things Animals Do: Weird and Amazing Animal Facts by Tricia Martineau Wagner, illustrated by Carles Ballesteros. Walter Foster Jr. Books, 2018, 103 pages. Reading level: Middle Grades, 8-10 Recommended for: ages 6-10 Did you know . .…
Read MoreThe Hyena Scientist by Sy Montgomery
The Hyena Scientist takes readers on safari to observe a misunderstood species. Ages 8-14 The Hyena Scientist by Sy Montgomery, photography by Nic Bishop. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018, 71 pages including index. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 8-14 Hyenas get a bad rap as vicious scavengers, grave-robbers, and cowardly thieves. Most…
Read MoreFighting the Patriarchy, One Review at a Time
Float is a fun summer read about boys being boys, but some of the reviewers had a problem with that. The protagonist of Float, by Laura Martin (HarperCollins, 2018) is a 13-year-old boy classified as a RISK—that is, one who is afflicted with Recurring Incidents of the Strange Kind. Emerson is RISK Category 5 because…
Read More*Hope in the Holler by Lisa Lewis Tyre
In this lively novel, a recently-orphaned girl finds “hope and a future” in the midst of poverty and bereavement. Ages 10-14. *Hope in the Holler by Lisa Lewis Tyre. Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin/Random House), 2018, 209 pages Reading Level: 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-14 (8 to 14 as a read-aloud) Wavie Conley and her mother…
Read MoreThe American Revolution by Ben Thompson
The latest addition to the “Guts and Glory” series is a readable and engaging history of the American Revolution for middle graders. Ages 10-15 The American Revolution (Guts and Glory #4) by Ben Thompson, illustrations by C. M. Butzer. Little Brown, 2017, 320 pages including appendix Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-15…
Read MoreImpossible Inventions by the Mizielinskis
Impossible Inventions, by the same team who brought you Maps, is quirky, informative, and possibly inspiring. Ages 8-12 Impossible Inventions: Ideas that Shouldn’t Work by Matgorzata Mycielska and Aleksandra and Daniel Mizielinski. Gecko Press, 2017, 119 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-12 “It begins with a dream or a need—a…
Read MoreCalling All Minds by Temple Grandin
A well-known scientist and autism advocate challenges middle-graders to put down their phones and make something. Ages 10-15 Calling all Minds: How o Think and Create Like an Inventor by Temple Grandin. Penguin, 2018, 230 pages Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-15 Temple Grandin was diagnosed with autism in the 1950s,…
Read MoreRick Riordan Presents: A Pagan State of Mind
Three new series bearing the Rick Riordan name share an interest in pagan deities and a neo-pagan worldview. When Rick Riordan introduced his signature character, Percy Jackson, over a decade ago, he immediately established himself as a one of the best-selling authors ever in the category of middle-grade fantasy. Percy Jackson, as every parent of…
Read MoreSecret Sisters of the Salty Sea by Lynn Rae Perkins
Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea is a beach vacation between two covers, told from an artless childlike perspective. Ages 7-10 Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea by Lynn Rae Perkins. Greenwillow, 2018, 323 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 7-10, or 6-10 as a read-aloud The Treffreys are packing up…
Read MorePower Forward by Hena Khan
Zayd’s dream of playing basketball on his school’s A-team clashes with his Muslim family’s goals for him. Ages 6-10 Power Forward (Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream #1) by Hena Khan. Simon & Shuster, 2018, 126 pages. Reading Level: Chapter Book, ages 7-9 Recommended for: Ages 6-10 Meet Zayd, a third-generation Pakistani-American with a loving Muslim…
Read MoreThe Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty
A lightning strike turns a 13-year-old girl into a math genius, but she has a lot to learn about human relationships and living in the real world. Ages 12-15 The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty. Random House, 2018, 287 pages. Reading Level:, Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 12-15 Nana + Uncle…
Read MoreThe Orphan Band of Springdale by Anne Nesbet
Three “orphans” find their place in their community through music, forgiveness, and doing the right thing. Ages 10-15 The Orphan Band of Springdale by Anne Nesbet. Candlewick, 2018, 435 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grade, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-14 Augusta Newbronner was not especially surprised when her father had to disappear on the train…
Read More*Sunny by Jason Reynolds
Sunny takes us into the interior life of a track runner who doesn’t want to run–so how can he stay on the team? Ages 10-14 *Sunny by Jason Reynolds (Defenders Track Team #3). Atheneum, 2018, 159 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-14 Sunny Lancaster is “Master of the Mile.” When…
Read MoreLook at the Weather by Britta Techentrup
This picture book for all ages encourages readers to “look at the weather” while learning the basic causes of it. Look at the Weather by Britta Techentrup, translated and adapted by Shelly Tanaka. Owl Kids Books (Canada), 2018 141 pages. Reading Level: Picture book, ages 4-8 Recommended for: all ages Sun, Rain, Snow and Ice,…
Read More*How Sweet the Sound by Carole Boston Weatherford
How Sweet the Sound tells the story of “Amazing Grace” in rhyming couplets and dramatic illustrations. Ages 6-10 *How Sweet the Sound: the Story of Amazing Grace by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison. Atheneum, 2018, 34 pages. Reading Level: Picture book, ages 4-8 Recommended for: ages 6-10 Slaveship Greyhound, ocean-faring;/Young John, homeward, brawling,…
Read MoreSuperGifted by Gordon Korman
A “super-gifted” boy genius bites off more than he can chew in this middle school story told from multiple perspectives. Ages 10-15 SuperGifted by Gordon Korman. Balzer & Bray, 2018, 297 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: 10-15 In UnGifted, middle school troublemaker Donovan Curtis was accidentally classified as “gifted and talented”…
Read MoreThe Traitor’s Game by Jennifer Nielsen
This YA fantasy adventure places a spunky nobleman’s daughter in the middle of a “traitor’s game” between her corrupt father and a compromised opposition. Ages 12-15 The Traitor’s Game by Jennifer A. Nielsen. Scholastic, 2018, 400 pages. Reading Level: Teen, ages 12-15 Recommended for: ages 14-18 Kestra Dallisor, the only child of Sir Henry, governor…
Read MoreRethinking School by Susan Wise Bauer
In Rethinking School, Susan Wise Bauer offers practical suggestions and background information for crafting the best education for your unique child. Rethinking School: How to Take Charge of Your Child’s Education by Susan Wise Bauer. Norton, 2018, 227 pages. Recommended for: Adults, especially parents of school-age children. If you’ve been homeschooling for a while, you…
Read MoreThe Mad Wolf’s Daughter by Diane Magras
A teenage “Mad Wolf’s Daughter” in late medieval Scotland stakes her claim to legendary status. Ages 10-14 The Mad Wolf’s Daughter by Diane Magras. Penguin 2018, 256 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-14 On the night the invaders came to raid the Mad Wolf’s camp, only one of the war chief’s…
Read MoreA School for Brides by Patrice Kindl
A fun romantic read for Jane Austen fans, A School for Brides is also very positive about marriage. Ages 12-18 A School for Brides by Patrice Kindl. Viking, 2015, 250 pages. Reading Level: Young adults, ages 12-15 Recommended for: ages 12-16 (especially girls) Winthrop Hopkins Female Academy in Lesser Hoo, Yorkshire, exists to “finish” young…
Read MoreThe Monarchs Are Missing: A Butterfly Mystery by Rebecca Hirsch
Why is the population of Monarch butterflies declining? This book invites readers to ponder the mystery, and participate in the solution. The Monarchs Are Missing: a Butterfly Mystery by Rebecca Hirsch. Millbrook Press, 2018, 56 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-12 Where do Monarch butterflies go in the winter? Until…
Read MoreHow Does My Home Work? by Chris Butterworth
This engaging picture book explains in simple terms the complex system that makes a house “work” How Does My Home Work? by Chris Butterworth, illustrated by Lucia Gaggiotti. Candlewick, 2017, 26 pages Reading Level: Picture books, ages 4-8 Recommended for: ages 4-8 We all take for granted things like light switches, running water, and instant…
Read MoreTransgender Confusion
In the March 31 issue of World Magazine, reporter Emily Belz wrote at length about the slow incursion of books supporting transgenderism into school libraries and awards list (“Battle over Books”). The centerpiece of the article is Oregon’s Battle of the Books competition for 2018-19. Many states and local districts sponsor these reading events, where…
Read MoreVoices of the Second World War
A compendium of recollection from men and women who experienced World War II as children brings the past up close and personal. Voices of the Second World War: Stories of War as Told to the Children of Today, edited by Jeremy Vine. Candlewick, 2018 (American edition), 320 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, 10-12 Recommended for:…
Read MoreThe Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
A young girl in the middle of the Indian partition of 1947 shares poignant thoughts and fears in The Night Diary. Ages 12-15 The Night Diaries by Veera Hiranandani. Dial, 2018, 264 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 12-15 All births are not happy. Like me and Amil. Ours wasn’t. We…
Read MoreStuck in the Stone Age by Geoff Rodkey
Stuck in the Stone Age offers a short course in story writing as well as a wacky time-travel adventure. Ages 8-12 Stuck in the Stone Age by Geoff Rodkey. Rodele Kids, 2018, 267 pages Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-12 Story Pirates is a “motley crew of artists, teachers, and comedians”…
Read More*New Shoes by Sara Varon
A delightful journey into the jungle awaits Francis the Donkey on his quest to make new shoes for his favorite Calypso singer. *New Shoes by Sara Varon. First Second, 2018, 208 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 4-8 (as a read-aloud) “Francis had wanted to be a shoemaker since he was…
Read MoreRaffie on the Run by Jacqueline Resnick
Raffie, an intrepid subway rat, embarks on a fearsome quest to rescue his little brother in this lively animal adventure with memorable characters. Ages 8-12 Raffie on the Run by Jacqueline Resnick. Roaring Brook, 2018, 299 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 8-12 for independent reading, 5-10 for read-aloud It’s not…
Read MoreWith My Hands by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
With My Hands, a poetry collection for ages 5-10, celebrates the endless creativity of humans from the earliest ages. With My Hands: Poems about Making Things by Amy Ludwig VanDerater, illustrated by Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson. Clarion, 2018, 24 pages. Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 4-8 Recommended for: ages 5-10 A maker creates something…
Read MoreIt’s National Poetry Month – Let’s Write a Poem! (Free Download)
In honor of National poetry month, here’s a sample lesson from Wordsmith Apprentice to help reluctant writers produce original verse. “Poetry” is a scary word to too many schoolchildren–and their parents. That’s a shame, because poetry is the earliest form of literature, dating back to the smoky halls and sunlit amphitheaters of the ancient world. …
Read MoreThe Wishmakers by Tyler Whitesides
This fantasy series opener sends one young “wishmaker” and his personal genie on a wild ride to save the world—with consequences attached. The Wishmakers by Tyler Whitesides (illustrated by Jessica Warrick). Harper, 2018, 325 pages. Reading level: Middle Grades, 10-12 Recommended for: ages 8-12 For Ace, it all started when he opened the peanut-butter jar. …
Read MoreThe 11:11 Wish by Kim Tomsic
A wish-granting clock is the unique agent in this tweener story about forming one’s principles against the desire to be popular. The 11:11 Wish by Kim Tomsic. HarperCollins, 2018, 361 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-14 Megan is starting afresh at Saguaro Prep Middle School, a life change at the…
Read More*Sled Dog School by Terry Lynn Johnson
An academically-challenged boy gains confidence and learns responsibility when he opens a sled dog school. *Sled Dog School by Terry Lynn Johnson. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017, 195 pages Reading level: Middle grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-12 Mathew Misco isn’t very good at school. There’s a lot he doesn’t get, especially in math class. …
Read MoreStrongheart by Candace Fleming
Strongheart, a real movie-star dog, acts out a movie scenario in this fun tale. Ages 7-11 Strongheart: Wonder Dog of the Silver Screen by Candace Fleming with illustrations by Eric Rohman. Schwartz & Wade, 2018, 233 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages7-11 Once he was a puppy, cuddled with his mother…
Read MoreMega List of Bible Reviews!
Here in one handy post are all the children’s Bibles reviewed over the last six years by RedeemedReader, with links. I (Janie) started reviewing children’s Bibles five years ago, never imagining what an involved task it would be. The first post, “Sorting Out the Children’s Bible Market,” was one of our top-rated posts ever, which…
Read MoreBible Review: NIV Kids’ Quiz Bible
The NIV Quiz Bible challenges readers with over 1000 questions to answer from the text. NIV Kids’ Quiz Bible. Zonderkidz, 2018, 1795 pages Recommended for: ages 8-14 With its flashy metallic cover, this is a version serious Bible students may be tempted to pass by, but not so fast—it could have its uses. For a…
Read MoreBible Review: NIrV Adventures in Odyssey
Though mostly for die-hard Odyssey fans, this edition of the NIrV includes some valuable kid-friendly features. NIrV Adventures in Odyssey Bible. Focus on the Family, 2017, 1568 pages. Recommended for: ages 5-10 If your kids have spent any time at Whit’s End, they’ll recognize old friends right away. Odyssey characters pepper the pages of this…
Read MoreBible Review: CSB Read-to-Me Bible
Designed for parents of preschoolers, the CBS Read-to-me Bible offers a straight path from familiar Bible stories to the text itself. CSB Read-to-Me Bible. B&H Kids, 2017, 1696 pages. Recommended for: ages 0-6 (and their parents) With 1696 pages and a 5 x 8.5” cover dimension, this Bible makes quite a little chunk, and is…
Read MoreBible Review: CSB Kids’ Bible
The CSB Kids’ Bible, in various formats, provides ease of reading with helpful inserts. Ages 8-12 CSB Kids’ Bible. B&H Kids, 2018, 1568 pages. Recommended for: ages 8-12 If you like a clean and uncrowded look, along with CSB readability, check out the several editions of Holman’s children’s Bibles for upper-elementary grades. Rather than interspersed…
Read MoreBible Review: CSB Big Picture Interactive Bible
The CSB Big Picture Interactive Bible presents an update of a respected translation with study helps and a story-telling app. Ages 6-10 CSB Big Picture Interactive Bible. B&H Kids, 2017, 1350 pages. Recommended for: ages 6-10 It’s the year of the CSB! The Christian Standard Bible debuted last year, but it’s actually an update of the…
Read MoreChasing King’s Killer by James L. Swanson
The life-paths of Martin Luther King and James Earl Ray converge on a fatal day in Memphis, in this gripping account of a manhunt. Ages 10-15 Chasing King’s Killer by James L. Swanson. Scholastic, 2017, 255 pages plus 109-page appendix. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-15 Though the title is specific…
Read MoreBible Review: NIrV Seek and Explore Holy Bible
The NIrV Seek & Explore Bible takes a learning-styles approach that will be helpful for some kids but distracting for others. Ages 6-10 NIrV Seek and Explore Holy Bible: Hunting for God’s Treasure. Zonderkidz, 2018, 1824 pages. Recommended for: ages 7-10 This edition of the NIrV (simplified translation for primary grades) is brand-new, and it…
Read MoreBible Review: NIV Kids’ Visual Study Bible
The NIV Kids’ Visual Study Bible presents helpful notes, illustrations, and infographics in a unique layout. Ages 8-12 NIV Kids’ Visual Study Bible, Zonderkidz, 2017, 1952 pages. Recommended for: ages 8-12 The New International Version (NIV) has slipped a bit from its near-universal pulpit dominance in the 1980s and 90s (does anyone remember memorizing whole…
Read More*Big Picture Bible Crafts by Gail Schoonmaker
A great resource for Sunday school or art class, these Bible crafts will help kids learn while they create. All ages *Big Picture Bible Crafts: 101 Simple and Amazing Crafts to Help Teach Children the Bible by Gail Schoonmaker. Crossway, 2018, 251 pages. Recommended for: ages 3-10 (learning), 11-up (teaching) Gail Schoonmaker, illustrator of the…
Read More*Bible Review: ESV Big Picture Bible
The ESV Big Picture Bible for pre-through-primary ages, features over 315 age-appropriate illustrations of unusual perspective and appeal. ESV Big Picture Bible. Crossway, 2015, 1375 pages. Recommended for: ages 5-8 The ESV Big Picture Bible has been out for a few years, but I’m just now catching up. It’s the full-text edition spinoff of the Big…
Read More*God’s Timeline by Linda Finlayson
God’s Timeline is a valuable resource that pulls together the entire sweep of church history from the Resurrection to the early twenty-first century. *God’s Timeline: the Big Book of Church History by Linda Finlayson. Christian Focus, 2018, 79 pages plus foldout chart. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-up How many times…
Read More*Exploring the Bible by David Murray
Exploring the Bible, a “DIY” guide for 8-12 year-olds, introduces a practical, workable way for kids to start studying the Bible for themselves. *Exploring the Bible: a Bible Reading Plan for Kids by David Murray. Crossway, 2017, 219 pages Reading Level: Middle grades, 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-12 The author begins with a dramatic true…
Read More8 Great Smarts by Kathy Koch
8 Great Smarts shows parents how to recognize, encourage, and build on their child’s particular kinds of “smart.” 8 Great Smarts: Discover and Nurture Your Child’s Intelligences by Kathy Koch. Moody, 2016, 236 pages including notes and appendices. Recommended for: adults, especially parents and teachers I first encountered the notion of “learning styles” when my…
Read MoreLittle Activists Raising Little Fists
Yesterday’s post on Leadership asked the question: “What, exactly, is leadership?” It’s not as easy a definition as it looks, but you might not know that from current political rhetoric. With children earning kudos for walking out of school and marching on Washington to demand change (today it’s gun control, tomorrow it’s LGBT rights or…
Read MoreLearning to Lead: Another RedeemedReader Booklist!
In his Confessions, Augustine wrote this on the subject of “time”: “I understand well enough what time is, so long as no one asks me.” In the same way, we recognize leadership but find it hard to define. “Leadership” takes different forms in different circumstances, and it has many components. The best leaders are also…
Read MoreThe Thrifty Guide to the American Revolution by Jonathan Stokes
This jokey introduction to the American Revolution, latest in the “Thrifty Guide” series, presents accurate history along with the laughs. Ages 10-15 The Thrifty Guide to the American Revolution by Jonathan W. Stokes, illustrated by David Sossella. Viking, 2018, 137 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-15 Suppose you’re walking along…
Read More*The Book of Boy by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
The Book of Boy breathes life into the squalor and splendor of the late middle ages, with the tale of a parentless child and a mysterious pilgrim on a search for relics. Ages 10-up *The Book of Boy by Katherine Gilbert Murdock. HarperCollins, 2018, 273 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, 10-12 Recommended for: 10-up This…
Read MoreBecoming Madeleine by Charlotte Jones Voiklis and Lena Roy
This biography by Madeleine L’Engle’s granddaughters draws on the author’s scrapbooks, journals, and memories to recount her life. Ages 12-up Becoming Madeleine by Charlotte Jones Vioklis and Lena Roy. Farrar Strauss Giroux, 2018, 159 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 12-up Being the only child of two talented, passionate people can…
Read MoreThe Vanishing American Adult by Ben Sasse
U.S. Senator Ben Sasse diagnoses a serious problem with today’s young adults and writes a prescription for restoring the American spirit. The Vanishing American Adult: Our Coming-of-Age Crisis and How to Rebuild a Culture of Self-Reliance by Ben Sasse. St. Martins Press, 2017, 306 pages, including index and bibliography. Recommended for: ages 18-up When the…
Read MoreA Wrinkle in Time at Fifty Years
A Wrinkle in Time was published 55 years ago and gets the full movie-treatment this month. In this repost from 2012 Janie wonders how well it holds up. Madeline L’Engle was a little-known novelist and mother of three when she and her actor husband, Hugh Franklin, decided to move from rural Connecticut back to New…
Read MoreSurvivor Diaries by Terry Lynn Johnson
The Survivor Diaries series present 10-and-11 year olds in life-threatening situations, who find the courage to persevere and . . . survive! Ages 7-11 Survivor Diaries: Overboard! and Avalanche! by Terry Lynn Johnson. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017, about 100 pages. Reading Level: Chapter books, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 7-11 Each book in this series begins…
Read MoreClassic Reads: The Story of the Treasure Seekers by E. Nesbit
This often-overlooked classic by the beloved fantasy writer introduces six children with lively imaginations and not much prudence. Ages 10-14 The Story of the Treasure Seekers by E. Nesbit. Puffin Books, 1986 (originally published 1899), 208 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 8-14 or 6-12 as a read-aloud There are some…
Read MoreGrand Canyon by Jason Chin
A father-daughter hike from Phantom Ranch to the south rim of Grand Canyon reveals its geological wonders. Grand Canyon by Jason Chin. Roaring Brook, 2017, 56 pages. Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 8-10 Recommended for: Ages 8-up In the opening pages of this beautiful picture book, a mountain lion makes its way down from the…
Read MoreInvictus by Ryan Graudin
Invictus takes science-fiction to the max with a wild ride that involves time travel, doppelgangers, and parallel universes. Ages 15-up Invictus by Ryan Graudin. Little, Brown, 2017, 454 words. Reading Level: teen, ages 12-15 Recommended for: Ages 15-up Time travel is dicey, as everyone knows. And, as everyone knows, you must never fall in love…
Read MoreEvery Day by David Levithan
The movie version of Every Day, based on David Levithan’s YA novel of the same title, opens today. Here’s our review from 2012 that addresses some of the interesting questions raised by the book. Every Day, by David Levithan. Knopf, 2012, 322 pages. Age/interest level: 14-up “We all contain mysteries, especially when seen from the…
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