Book Reviews
Kindred Dragons (Book 1) by Sarah Mensinga
By Janie Cheaney |
The graphic novel Kindred Dragons introduces young fantasy-lovers to a plucky heroine and a classic setting. Kindred Dragons (Book 1) by Sarah Mensinga. Abrams, 2025. ...
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Newbery Buzz 2026: The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest
By Betsy Farquhar |
Our final Newbery Buzz discussion for 2026: Janie and Betsy discuss The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman (read our starred review here). ...
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*Radiant by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
By Betsy Farquhar |
Cooper Dale wants to be radiant - but between bullies, racism, and a mean teacher, she's not sure she'll ever shine. *Radiant by Vaunda Micheaux ...
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*Tuesday’s Bear by Alexandra Davis
By Hayley Morell |
A sweet, cozy picture book, Tuesday's Bear is a tale of lost and found. *Tuesday's Bear: A Tale of the Lost and Found by Alexandra ...
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The Frances Series by Russell Hoban: Picture Books or Easy Readers?
By Megan Saben |
Does it matter whether your child reads an easy reader adaptation of a picture book rather than the original? Among my family's top all-time favorite ...
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Newbery Roundup #1: The Poetry of Car Mechanics, A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation, and Outside
By Janie Cheaney |
Newbery buzz among librarians begins early in the year, and all three of these books have appeared on speculation lists. All are worthy of some ...
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World War II Close Up: They Battled in Blizzards by Deborah Hopkinson
By Janie Cheaney |
They Battled in Blizzards introduces middle-graders to the complexity of World War II’s “Battle of the Bulge.” World War Two Close Up: They Battled in ...
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Newbery Buzz 2026: The Teacher of Nomad Land by Daniel Nayeri
By Betsy Farquhar |
Our third Newbery Buzz discussion for 2026: Hayley and Betsy discuss The Teacher of Nomad Land by Daniel Nayeri (read our starred review here). To ...
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Newbery Buzz 2026: The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner
By Janie Cheaney |
The ALA Youth Media announcements are less than two weeks away! Today, Janie and Megan mull what we both consider to be a strong contender. ...
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The Seventh Wish by Kate Reynolds
By Betsy Farquhar |
When a magic fish grants Charlie wishes, she thinks hard about what to wish for; the seventh wish is the most significant... or is it? ...
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Maptastic! Reimagine the World One Map at a Time by DK Publishing
By Janie Cheaney |
Maptastic! takes readers on a tour, not just of countries and geographic features, but of populations, comparisons, and much more. Maptastic! Reimagine the World, One ...
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*A Book of Maps for You by Lourdes Heuer
By Janie Cheaney |
A Book of Maps for You introduces very young children to the concept of mapping, and to all the places of home. *A Book of ...
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How to Say Goodby in Cuban by Daniel Miyares
By Janie Cheaney |
How to Say Goodbye in Cuban is the true story of one family’s escape from Castro’s oppression. How to Say Goodbye in Cuban by Daniel ...
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Newbery Buzz 2026: Will’s Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes
By Betsy Farquhar |
Our second Newbery Buzz discussion for 2026: Janie and Betsy discuss Will's Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes (read our starred review here). To ...
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*Rock Paper Incisors by Amy Timberlake
By Janie Cheaney |
In Rock Paper Incisors, Skunk and Badger add two rambunctious rats to their household. *Rock Paper Incisors by Amy Timberlake, illustrated by Jon Klaasen. Little, ...
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*The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli
By Betsy Farquhar |
What happens if you eat a watermelon seed by accident? Does it grow? Will you explode? The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli. Little, Brown, 2013. ...
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Take Heart for Teens by David Powlison
By Betsy Farquhar |
Take Heart for Teens is a one-year devotional for teens that has been adapted from the adult Take Heart devotional. Take Heart for Teens: Daily ...
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Newbery Buzz 2026: The Song of the Stone Tiger by Glenn McCarty
By Betsy Farquhar |
January brings children's literature award fervor to a fever pitch as we anticipate the American Library Association's Youth Media Awards at the end of the ...
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Middle and High School Small Group Devotionals Round Up
By Betsy Farquhar |
Small group devotionals for middle school and high school worth checking out in the New Year. The Gospel-Centered Community for Teens by Robert H. Thune ...
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Tales from Shakespeare by Marcia Williams
By Megan Saben |
Tales From Shakespeare by Marcia Williams presents seven great plays in brief, dramatic, visual format. Tales from Shakespeare by Marcia Williams. Candlewick, 2004. 40 pages. ...
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Three Fun Christmas Books: The 13th Day of Christmas, Interrupting Chicken Saves the Nutcracker, and Lowly Worm Saves Christmas
By Janie Cheaney |
The 13th Day of Christmas by Adam Rex. Neal Porter Books (Simon & Schuster) 2025, 50 pages. Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 4-8 Recommended for: ...
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*The One We’re Waiting For by Taylor Combs
By Megan Saben |
The One We're Waiting For is a lovely Advent devotional with ornaments to help families remember the promises of God to send the Savior we ...
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Holding On for Dear Life by Dusti Bowling
By Janie Cheaney |
Holding on for Dear Life features a boy driven to rodeo bull-riding to please his difficult father. Holding On For Dear Life by Dusti Bowling. ...
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*Hymns for Little Ones Series from HarvestKids
By Megan Saben |
Four favorite hymns visually come to life in these board books that are delightful to look at and handy for singing. *Hymns for Little Ones ...
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The Mango Tree (La Mata de Mango) by Eden Rodriguez
By Megan Saben |
Based on a fantastical version of the author/illustrator's personal experience, The Mango Tree is a hopeful, though bittersweet, story of friendship and resilience. The Mango ...
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Coach by Jason Reynolds
By Janie Cheaney |
Coach rounds out Jason Reynold’s track series with a look at how the team’s coach developed his own character. Coach (Track series #5) by Jason ...
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Storybook Bibles and Story Bibles: A Redeemed Reader Booklist
By Betsy Farquhar |
Storybook Bible vs. Story Bible: What's the difference? At the risk of splitting hairs, a quick Google search indicates that the primary difference is that ...
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The Life of Chesterton by Holly Geiger Lee
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Life of Chesterton is a well-written, entertaining biography of a man larger than life. The Life of Chesterton: The Man Who Carried a Swordstick ...
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The Amazing Generation by Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price
By Janie Cheaney |
The Amazing Generation informs middle-graders and early teens of the dangers of excessive screen use, while steering them in more productive directions The Amazing Generation: ...
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God’s Colorful Kingdom Bible Storybook by Esau McCaulley
By Betsy Farquhar |
Vibrantly illustrated, God's Colorful Kingdom Storybook Bible emphasizes God's love for the diverse family He has created and redeemed as well as His care for ...
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*The Kingdom and the King Storybook Bible by Bob Hartman
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Kingdom and the King is a well-written, well-illustrated storybook Bible that looks at the kingship of Christ and His work on behalf of His ...
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*A Knot Is Not a Tangle by Daniel Nayeri
By Betsy Farquhar |
A young boy learns from his grandmother to make a knot from a tangle and that no rug is perfect. That's not its purpose. *A ...
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*All About… Bible Animals by Simona Piscioneri
By Betsy Farquhar |
Your children will learn all about Bible animals in this visually-engaging, thoughtful picture book. *All About... Bible Animals by Simona Piscioneri. Good Book Company, 2023. ...
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The Christmas Sweater by Jan Brett
By Betsy Farquhar |
A sweet tale of a boy and his dog and one ill-fated Christmas sweater by the author of the beloved book, The Mitten. The Christmas ...
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*No Purchase Necessary by Maria Marianayagam
By Janie Cheaney |
The protagonist of No Purchase Necessary is a young man of Sri Lankan heritage faced with his first great moral challenge. *No Purchase Necessary by ...
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*The Smell of Wet Dog by Barney Saltzberg
By Hayley Morell |
Canine-loving poetry enthusiasts will actually enjoy The Smell of Wet Dog. *The Smell of Wet Dog: And Other Dog Poems and Drawings by Barney Saltzberg. ...
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*The Poisoned King by Katherine Rundell
By Janie Cheaney |
The Poisoned King is the second installment in Katherine Rundell’s Impossible Creatures series, with some old friends and new characters. *The Poisoned King by Katherine ...
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*Dance in the Desert by Madeleine L’Engle
By Janie Cheaney |
Dance in the Desert, a classic nativity story by Madeleine L’Engle, gets a new look in this 2025 revision. *Dance in the Desert by Madeleine ...
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The Songs of a Warrior: Saul and David: A Retelling by Katy Morgan
By Betsy Farquhar |
The stories of Saul and David come to life in this biblical fiction for middle grades. The Songs of a Warrior: Saul and David: A ...
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If Looks Could Kill by Julie Berry
By Janie Cheaney |
If Looks Could Kill asks important questions about violence against women, pulling no punches on the way to a hopeful conclusion. If Looks Could Kill ...
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I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This by Eugene Yelchin
By Janie Cheaney |
I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This is Eugene Yelchin’s graphic-novel memoir of falling in love in the last decade of the Soviet ...
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Time Lions and the Chrono-Loop by Martin Seneviratne and Krystal Sutherland
By Janie Cheaney |
The first volume of the Time Lions series sets up a wild ride through history and mistaken attempts at changing it. Time Lions and the ...
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*Behold, the Lamb of God Has Come by Trillia Newbell
By Betsy Farquhar |
Behold, the Lamb of God Has Come is a warmly conversational Advent family devotional that invites us to rejoice that Jesus has come! *Behold, the ...
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*The Biggest Story Advent by Kevin DeYoung
By Janie Cheaney |
The Biggest Story Advent carries on Kevin DeYoung’s Biggest Story series with a lift-the-flap advent devotional for younger children. *The Biggest Story Advent by Kevin ...
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My Beloved (A Mitford Novel) by Jan Karon
By Betsy Farquhar |
Revisit the beloved town of Mitford in this sweet new story about Father Tim, Cynthia, and the rest of your favorite people. Note: this review ...
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16 Books for 16-Year-Old Girls: A Redeemed Reader Booklist
By Betsy Farquhar |
16-year-old girls are transitioning rapidly to womanhood, leaving girlhood behind. Eyes fixed ahead, wondering about marriage, college and/or vocation, perhaps even motherhood. And yet, most ...
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*All Creation Waits by Gayle Boss
By Hayley Morell |
Each day of Advent, beautifully illustrated poems about animals of the Northwoods remind children that All Creation Waits for our Lord. *All Creation Waits: The ...
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The Gift of All Gifts by Melissa B. Kruger
By Megan Saben |
The Gift of All Gifts is a picture book about anticipating Christmas and discovering which gift is the best--the Gift of all gifts? The Gift ...
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The Experiment by Rebecca Stead
By Janie Cheaney |
In The Experiment, a 12-year-old boy struggles to discover his destiny as an alien on earth. The Experiment by Rebecca Stead. Feiwel and Friends, 2025. ...
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The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Gray
By Hayley Morell |
Mr. Jonathan Darcy and Miss Juliet Tilney once again join forces, this time facing the perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. The Perils of Lady ...
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The Rushworth Family Plot by Claudia Gray
By Hayley Morell |
In the latest Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney mystery, the characters of Mansfield Park are catapulted into the Rushworth Family Plot. The Rushworth Family Plot ...
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Tully’s Christmas Mess by Jill and Paul Miller
By Betsy Farquhar |
Tully's big Christmas mess is just one more reminder of the mess Jesus came to fix at the very first Christmas. Tully's Christmas Mess by ...
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The Birds of Christmas by Olivia Armstrong
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Birds of Christmas want to honor the birth of Jesus in their own special way in this sweet folktale. The Birds of Christmas by ...
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Your Worth Never Wavers by Laura Wifler
By Betsy Farquhar |
Your Worth Never Wavers seeks to reassure young girls of their intrinsic worth as God's handiwork. Your Worth Never Wavers by Laura Wifler, illustrated by ...
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The Picasso Curse by Dan Guzman
By Janie Cheaney |
The Picasso Curse poses the question, What would you do if a million-dollar piece of artwork fell into your hands? The Picasso Curse by Dan ...
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Lost Evangeline: A Norendy Tale by Kate DiCamillo
By Janie Cheaney |
In Lost Evangeline by Kate DiCamillo, wishes are fulfilled in unexpected ways. Lost Evangeline: A Norendy Tale by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Candlewick, ...
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The Unlikely Intrusion of Adams Klein by John Greco
By Hayley Morell |
Time travel and small town America collide in The Unlikely Intrusion of Adams Klein, an action-packed series starter to the TimeFall Trilogy. The Unlikely Intrusion ...
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Adi of Boutanga by Alain Serge Dzotap
By Betsy Farquhar |
Adi of Boutanga is a gentle story about a harsh reality for young women in Cameroon (and elsewhere in the world). Adi of Boutanga: A ...
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Moonleapers by Margaret Peterson Haddix
By Betsy Farquhar |
Maisie is excited to get her first phone, but when she starts getting weird messages and hears about Moonleapers, she starts to wonder what is ...
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Where Only Storms Grow by Alyssa Colman
By Janie Cheaney |
Where Only Storms Grow brings the “Dust Bowl” of the 1930s vividly to life, as a family struggles to hold on to hope. Where Only ...
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Books About Weather and Natural Disasters: A Redeemed Reader Booklist
By Betsy Farquhar |
Books about weather and natural disasters, and their related sub-topics like hurricanes, tornadoes, and giant floods, are hot picks for the elementary school crowd. Just ...
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The Green Kingdom by Cornelia Funke and Tammi Hartung
By Hayley Morell |
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 ...
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The Story Of Martin Luther by Jared Kennedy
By Janie Cheaney |
Martin Luther headlines a new series of Christian biographies for 4th-6th graders. The Story of Martin Luther by Jared Kennedy. Crossway, 2024. 138 pages. Reading ...
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The Story Of Katie Luther by Gretchen Ronnevik
By Janie Cheaney |
Katharina Luther receives her due as the industrious helpmeet of the world-changing reformer. The Story of Katie Luther: The Nun Who Escaped to Freedom by ...
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Gracias Thanks, by Pat Mora and illustrated by John Parra
By Betsy Farquhar |
Gracias Thanks is a cheerful, childlike celebration of giving thanks in all circumstances. Gracias Thanks, by Pat Mora, illustrated by John Parra. Lee & Low ...
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*The Song of the Stone Tiger by Glenn McCarty
By Betsy Farquhar |
Magical woods, fairy stories, music, and sacrificial friendship offer Thomas and a stone tiger hope as they walk through the valley of the shadow of ...
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Cicely Tyson by Renee Watson
By Hayley Morell |
Lyrical prose and vibrant collage illustrations introduce young readers to Cicely Tyson. Cicely Tyson by Renee Watson, illustrated by Sherry Shine. Amistad Books for Young ...
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To Walk the Sky by Patricia Morris Buckley
By Hayley Morell |
In To Walk the Sky, young readers learn how Iroquois men became steelworkers. To Walk the Sky: How Iroquois Steelworkers Helped Build Towering Cities by ...
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Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate
By Janie Cheaney |
Toys come to life in Pocket Bear, featuring a tough-talking cat and a World War I mascot. Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Charles ...
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*Wild Honey from the Moon by Kenneth Kraegel
By Hayley Morell |
Nothing will stop Mother Shrew’s quest to fetch wild honey from the moon for her sick son, Hugo. *Wild Honey from the Moon by Kenneth ...
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*The Stratford Zoo Midnight Revue Presents… by Ian Lendler
By Megan Saben |
The Stratford Zoo Midnight Revue Presents...graphic novels are clever and humorous adaptations of Shakespeare's Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet. *The Stratford Zoo Midnight Revue Presents... ...
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I Love You From Fingertip to Fingertip by Elisabeth Blaker Brown
By Hayley Morell |
Told in a parent’s voice, a sweet, faith-filled picture book reminding a child “I love you from fingertip to fingertip.” I Love You From Fingertip ...
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The Outsider: Ruth: A Retelling by Katy Morgan
By Betsy Farquhar |
What was it like to be the outsider in Bethlehem? Katy Morgan explores the story of Ruth in this biblical fiction for middle grades. The ...
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Beyond the Far Horizon (Restorationists #3) by Carolyn Leiloglou
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Restorationists are back, and this time Ravi is constantly seeking what lies beyond the far horizon. Beyond the Far Horizon (Restorationists #3) by Carolyn ...
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Learning to Lead: Another Redeemed Reader Booklist! (Updated)
By Janie Cheaney |
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.” ...
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*The World Entire: A True Story of an Extraordinary World War II Rescue by Elizabeth Brown
By Janie Cheaney |
The World Entire tells the little-known story of the Portuguese diplomat who rescued almost 30,000 refugees during World War II. *The World Entire: A True ...
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The World in your Lunch Box by Claire Eamer
By Betsy Farquhar |
Those foods you think are so ordinary have interesting origins. This is the world in your lunch box.... The World in your Lunch Box: The ...
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*Bee-bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park
By Hayley Morell |
Cheerful rhyming illustrations celebrate the making of Bee-bim Bop! *Bee-bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Ho Baek Lee. Clarion Books, 2008. 32 pages. ...
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How Do You Eat Color? by Mabi David (trans. Karen Llagas)
By Hayley Morell |
Two children wander through a day finding the answer to the question: how do you eat color? How Do You Eat Color? by Mabi David, ...
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*The Traveling Taco by Mia Wenjen
By Hayley Morell |
Young readers will learn more about the origins of their favorite foods in The Traveling Taco! *The Traveling Taco: The Amazing and Surprising Journey of ...
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The Bizarre Bazaar: Mirror Town by Daniel Nayeri
By Betsy Farquhar |
Abel makes a desperate gamble for love, but when he falls into Mirror Town, he gets more than he bargained on. The Bizarre Bazaar: Mirror ...
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*The Teacher of Nomad Land by Daniel Nayeri
By Betsy Farquhar |
Balak valiantly takes up his father's mantle to be the teacher of nomad land; along the way, he himself is taught much. *The Teacher of ...
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The Forest of a Thousand Eyes by Frances Hardinge
By Janie Cheaney |
The Forest of a Thousand Eye pictures a decaying community at the mercy of nature, and one girl plunged into a desperate situation. The Forest ...
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*Earl and Worm: The Bad Idea/The Big Mess by Greg Pizzoli
By Megan Saben |
Earl and Worm are neighbors with opposite personalities who sometimes agree and sometimes don't, but manage to accommodate their differences and develop a real friendship. ...
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*The Winter of the Dollhouse by Laura Amy Schlitz
By Janie Cheaney |
The Winter of the Dollhouse is a cozy story with fantasy elements addressing generational relationship, longing, loss, and reconciliation. *The Winter of the Dollhouse by ...
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*Three Tales of My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
By Hayley Morell |
Young readers are invited by a narrator into Three Tales of My Father’s Dragon. *Three Tales of My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett, illustrated ...
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Freedom Soup by Tami Charles
By Betsy Farquhar |
How do you celebrate New Year's? Haitians celebrate by making freedom soup! Freedom Soup by Tami Charles, illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara. Candlewick, 2021. 32 pages. ...
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I’m Very Busy: A (Nearly Forgotten) Birthday Book by Oliver Jeffers
By Betsy Farquhar |
Friends would never forget your birthday, would they? Even if they were very busy? I'm Very Busy: A (Nearly Forgotten) Birthday Book by Oliver Jeffers. ...
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*Putin vs. Zelensky: The Russo-Ukrainian War by Ben Thompson
By Janie Cheaney |
Putin vs. Zelensky focuses on biography to give readers a grasp of the fraught history between Russia and Ukraine, and how the current conflict developed. ...
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The Library of Curiosities by Jenny Lundquist
By Janie Cheaney |
In The Library of Curiosities, an orphaned girl discovers her heritage as the latest of a curiosity-collecting dynasty. The Library of Curiosities by Jenny Lundquist. ...
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Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World) by Corey R. Tabor
By Megan Saben |
Tabor adds to his cast of animal characters a brave and clever crow with a secret and a mission in Cranky, Crabby Crow. Cranky, Crabby ...
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Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear by Trang Nguyen
By Hayley Morell |
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 ...
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*The Black Mambas: The World’s First All-Woman Anti-Poaching Unit by Kelly Crull
By Hayley Morell |
Young readers are introduced to The Black Mambas: The World's First All Women Anti-poaching Unit. *The Black Mambas: The World's First All-Woman Anti-Poaching Unit by ...
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*Bright Red Fruit by Safia Elhillo
By Betsy Farquhar |
An emotionally-resonant cautionary tale about the allure of bright red fruit even when signs of danger lurk alongside. Note: this book contains sensitive topics, including ...
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*The Golden Necklace by Mitali Perkins
By Betsy Farquhar |
Sona is determined to find out who stole her friend's golden necklace in order to clear her brother of suspicion in this new mystery series ...
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*Library Lion by Michelle Knudson
By Megan Saben |
Library Lion is a worthy picture book not only about libraries, but also about loving your neighbor. *Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by Kevin ...
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It Is Okay by Ye Guo
By Hayley Morell |
Two unlikely friends discover It Is Okay to have both common interests and differences. It Is Okay by Ye Guo. Eerdmans, 2024. 40 pages. Reading ...
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Fly Like a Bird by Olga Ptashnik
By Betsy Farquhar |
A little chickadee wonders how to fly like a bird in this well-illustrated picture book from Spain. Fly Like a Bird by Olga Ptashnil. Eerdmans, ...
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Consider the Birds by Jennifer Grant
By Betsy Farquhar |
This gentle picture book invites young children to consider the birds … and then consider how much God cares for his people, too. Consider the ...
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An American Immigrant by Johanna Rojas Vann
By Betsy Farquhar |
In An American Immigrant, twenty-five year old Melanie makes a pilgrimage to Colombia and discovers more about both herself and her mother, who came to ...
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