Cultural Diversity
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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*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 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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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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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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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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*Wonderfully, Marvelously Brown by Xochitl Dixon
By Betsy Farquhar |
So much of God's creation is wonderfully, marvelously brown, including people! *Wonderfully, Marvelously Brown by Xochitl Dixon, illustrated by Sara Palacios. WaterBrook, 2024. 40 pages. ...
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What Color Is God’s Love? by Xochitl Dixon
By Betsy Farquhar |
God created this world to be full of color. Have you ever wondered what color is God's love? What Color Is God's Love? by Xochitl ...
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*Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry
By Hayley Morell |
In evocative, lyrical prose, Jackie Hill Perry shares her spiritual journey in Gay Girl, Good God. *Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I ...
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*The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser
By Janie Cheaney |
The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli takes readers on parallel quests through 8th-century China and New York’s Depression-Era Chinatown. *The Nine Moons of ...
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*The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson
By Betsy Farquhar |
Clover isn't supposed to play on the other side of the fence, but what about climbing to the top to meet a new friend? *The ...
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The Keeper of Stories by Caroline Kusin Pritchard
By Hayley Morell |
In The Keeper of Stories, lyrical prose and engaging mixed media illustrations tell the story of the 1966 fire in New York's Jewish Theological Seminary ...
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Spelling It Out by Margaret Finnegan
By Janie Cheaney |
In Spelling It Out, a competitive speller discovers his own strengths as well as the value of family. Spelling It Out by Margaret Finnegan. Atheneum, ...
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*The Watcher: Inspired by Psalm 121 by Nikki Grimes
By Betsy Farquhar |
Two children learn much about the Watcher who watches over them in this poignant picture book. *The Watcher: Inspired by Psalm 121 by Nikki Grimes, ...
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Blended by Sharon Draper
By Betsy Farquhar |
Isabella is blended: half-white, half-black. Soon, she's going to be in a blended family, too. How do you find your identity when you're all mixed ...
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One Crazy Summer: The Graphic Novel by Rita Williams-Garcia
By Betsy Farquhar |
This graphic novel version of One Crazy Summer adds terrific visual impact to a thought-provoking story. One Crazy Summer: The Graphic Novel by Rita Williams-Garcia, ...
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Wagon Wheels by Barbara Brenner
By Hayley Morell |
Wagon Wheels, a classic from the I Can Read series, introduces young readers to the Black pioneer experience. Wagon Wheels by Barbara Brenner, illustrated by ...
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Makeda Makes Series by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
By Megan Saben |
The Makeda Makes series brings relatable stories about a girl with plenty of creative inspiration to newly independent readers. Makeda Makes Series (I Can Read! ...
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The Playmakers by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown
By Janie Cheaney |
In The Playmakers, three underdogs work hard to boost their game to the next level. The Playmakers by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown. Shadow Mountain, ...
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A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur
By Betsy Farquhar |
Iseul is determined to rescue her sister from the predatory ruler of 1506 Joseon (Korea) in this edgy historical fiction thriller. A Crane Among Wolves ...
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The Pecan Sheller by Lupe Ruiz-Flores
By Janie Cheaney |
In The Pecan Sheller, a spirited 13-year-old girl learns to stand up for herself against an oppressive factory system. The Pecan Sheller by Lupe Ruiz-Flores. ...
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*Once a Castle by Sarah Arthur
By Hayley Morell |
Readers return to Sarah Arthur's fantasy world with a whole new adventure and cast of characters in Once a Castle. *Once a Castle by Sarah ...
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*The Blossoming Summer by Anna Rose Johnson
By Hayley Morell |
1940, England: as war threatens, one family journeys to Wisconsin for a fresh start in The Blossoming Summer. *The Blossoming Summer by Anna Rose Johnson. ...
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*Luli and the Language of Tea by Andrea Wang
By Megan Saben |
It's hard for Luli to play with other children when none of them can understand one another until she practices the common language of hospitality. ...
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*A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim
By Hayley Morell |
Beauty and the Beast, with echoes of other fairytales, is spun together with Chinese folklore in an an excellent YA fantasy: A Forgery of Fate. ...
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Rise and Fall: Great Empires That Shaped the World by Peter Allen
By Janie Cheaney |
Rise and Fall introduces young readers to world empires that don’t receive as much attention in the history books. Rise and Fall: Great Empires That ...
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The Summer of the Bone Horses by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve
By Janie Cheaney |
The Summer of the Bone Horses recalls a boy’s sojourn with his Dakota grandparents on the Rosebud Reservation. The Summer of the Bone Horses by ...
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*Benny on the Case by Wesley King
By Janie Cheaney |
Benny on the Case introduces a sleuth with Mosaic Down Syndrome and an indomitable, loyal partner. *Benny on the Case by Wesley King. Simon & ...
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*Bright Stars of Black British History by J. T. Williams
By Hayley Morell |
A beautifully illustrated, well-written guide to the Bright Stars of Black British History for middle grades. *Bright Stars of Black British History by J. T. ...
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City Spies Series by James Ponti
By Betsy Farquhar |
Fun and engaging, the middle grades-level City Spies series is like Mission Impossible with teenagers. City Spies Series by James Ponti. Aladdin. Reading Level: Middle ...
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Death in the Jungle by Candace Fleming
By Janie Cheaney |
Death in the Jungle tells the harrowing story of the “Reverend” Jim Jones and the tragic fate of his followers. Death in the Jungle: Murder, ...
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Amari and the Despicable Wonders by B. B. Alston
By Betsy Farquhar |
Will finding, and wielding, the Despicable Wonders help Amari save her world? Amari and the Despicable Wonders (Supernatural Investigations #3) by B. B. Alston. Balzer ...
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Amari and the Great Game by B. B. Alston
By Betsy Farquhar |
Amari is back and playing the most dangerous game she's played in her eventful young life! Amari and the Great Game (Supernatural Investigations #2) by ...
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A Day at the Beach by Gary D. Schmidt and Ron Koertge
By Janie Cheaney |
A Day at the Beach delivers on its title: snapshots of a variety of 11-13 year-olds during a single day on the Jersey shore. A ...
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The Cartoonists Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud
By Janie Cheaney |
The Cartoonists Club introduces young readers to the techniques and rationale of sequential graphic storytelling. The Cartoonists Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud. Scholastic ...
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Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham
By Betsy Farquhar |
Lunar New Year Love Story is a terrific example of a graphic novel for mature teens: artistic, layered, and storied. Lunar New Year Love Story ...
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Lola by Karla Arenas Valenti
By Betsy Farquhar |
Lola is a sensitive exploration of loss with striking visual imagery and an unusual plot. Lola by Karla Arenas Valenti. Knopf Books for Young Readers, ...
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Pilgrim Codex by Vivian Mansour
By Janie Cheaney |
Pilgrim Codex is a story about Mexican immigration told in Aztec-inspired artwork and text. Pilgrim Codex by Vivian Mansour, illustrated by Emmanuel Valtierra, translated by ...
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The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace Lin
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon blends folklore, contemporary fantasy, and painting into a lovely work of art. The Gate, the Girl, and the ...
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Gladiola Garden by Effie Lee Newsome
By Betsy Farquhar |
Reprinted from the original, Gladiola Garden is a sweet poetry anthology featuring black children in its illustrations (and written by a black woman). Gladiola Garden ...
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Black Culture Roundup: *When I Hear Spirituals, How Sweet the Sound, *Everywhere Beauty is Harlem
By Janie Cheaney |
Three picture books about African American culture can open windows of understanding a wider world. *When I Hear Spirituals by Cheryl Willis Hudson, illustrated by ...
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The Girl Who Lost a Leopard by Nizrana Farook
By Megan Saben |
In The Girl Who Lost a Leopard, free-spirited Selvi desires nothing more than to protect the leopard, Lokka, until she realizes that she can't do ...
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*Will’s Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes
By Janie Cheaney |
Will’s Race for Home is a classic coming-of-age story set during the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889. *Will’s Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes. ...
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2025 Sibert Honor Books: Call Me Roberto, The Girl Who Sang, The Enigma Girls, and Wings of an Eagle
By Janie Cheaney |
This year's Sibert honor books for excellence in nonfiction include two minority sports heroes, a very young Holocaust survivor, and a World War II espionage ...
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2025 Caldecott Honor Books: *Home in a Lunchbox, My Daddy Is a Cowboy, *Noodles on a Bicycle, and Up Up Ever Up
By Janie Cheaney |
This year's Caldecott honor books feature warm family ties, amazing skills and ambitions fulfilled. Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo. Penguin Workshop, 2024, 32 ...
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2025 Caldecott Medal: Chooch Helped by Andrea L. Rogers
By Janie Cheaney |
Chooch Helped is a loving depiction of a Cherokee girl's little-brother issues. Chooch Helped by Andrea L. Rogers, illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz. Levine Querido, ...
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Strangers & Sojourners: A Redeemed Reader Booklist about the Refugee and Immigrant Experience
By Hayley Morell |
We've reviewed many books about refugees and the immigrant experience over the years at Redeemed Reader. In 2018 and 2019, our summer reading challenges supported ...
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*Words By Heart by Ouida Sebestyen
By Megan Saben |
Words By Heart is a powerful and nuanced Story full of Truth, laid on the firm foundation that it is not enough to hide Scripture ...
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Mendel the Mess-Up by Terry LaBan
By Janie Cheaney |
In Mendel the Mess-Up, an accident-prone Jewish boy turns his weaknesses into strengths against rampaging Cossacks. Mendel the Mess-Up by Terry LaBan. Holiday House, 2024, ...
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*Noodles on a Bicycle by Kyo Maclear
By Megan Saben |
Oh, the joy of noodle delivery when acrobatics are involved! *Noodles on a Bicycle by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Gracey Zhang. Random House, 2024. ...
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*Go Forth and Tell by Breanna J. McDaniel
By Betsy Farquhar |
Lively and inspirational, Go Forth and Tell shows a woman who took her calling as a storyteller seriously. Go Forth and Tell: The Life of ...
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Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King by Coretta Scott King
By Betsy Farquhar |
Coretta herself tells the story of her life with Martin Luther King, Jr., in this beautifully illustrated picture book biography. Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. ...
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My Block Looks Like by Janelle Harper
By Betsy Farquhar |
Dynamic and vibrant, My Block Looks Like is a fun ode to life in the big city. My Block Looks Like by Janelle Harper and ...
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Newbery Buzz #2: One Big Open Sky
By Janie Cheaney |
Today Betsy, Janie, and Hayley discuss a verse novel we all loved. (See our starred review.) Janie: When we picture wagon trains moving west, we ...
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José Feeds the World by David Unger
By Betsy Farquhar |
José Feeds the World is a cheerfully-illustrated picture book biography about a servant-heart who feeds those in need. José Feeds the World: How a Famous ...
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King & Kayla Series by Dori Hillestad Butler
By Betsy Farquhar |
The King & Kayla series offers up warm, winsome humor (and mysteries, too!) for newly independent readers. King & Kayla Series by Dori Hillstad Butler ...
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National Book Award Winner: Kareem Between
By Janie Cheaney |
Kareem Between is a sympathetic portrait of a 7th-grader born to Syrian refugees, who can’t feel himself fully American or fully Syrian. Kareem Between by ...
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Three 2024 YA Romantic Fantasy Novels
By Hayley Morell |
Dragonfruit, What Monstrous Gods, and The Hedgewitch of Foxhall: three 2024 YA romantic fantasy novels by authors we have enjoyed in the past. Dragonfruit by ...
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Lost in the Empire City by Avi
By Janie Cheaney |
Lost in the Empire City takes readers to 19th century New York, where a young immigrant from Italy attempts to find his way. Lost in ...
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Amazing Asia by Rashmi Sirdeshpande
By Janie Cheaney |
Amazing Asia takes readers on a whirlwind tour of the geography, basic history, ethnicities and cultures of the world’s largest and most varied continent. Amazing ...
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*Mishka by Edward van de Vendel
By Janie Cheaney |
Mishka is the gentle, heartwarming story of refugees and rabbits finding home. *Miskha by Edward van de Vendel and Anoush Elman, illustrated by Annet Schaap ...
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Art All around Us by Xiao Situ
By Janie Cheaney |
Art All Around Us introduces young readers to the nearly infinite variety of art and its meaning in ordinary life. Art All around Us: A ...
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Two Cozy Chapter Books: Beti and the Little Round House and Stella & Marigold
By Janie Cheaney |
Two new Chapter Books about Beti, Stella, and Marigold celebrate the simple joys of seasons and siblings. Beti and the Little Round House by Atinuke, ...
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The Found Boys by S. D. Smith
By Janie Cheaney |
The “Found Boys” find trouble in their West Virginia small town, but also deepen their understanding of grace and forgiveness. The Found Boys by S. ...
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The Best This World Can Do: Thoughts about “Not Nothing” by Gayle Forman
By Janie Cheaney |
Christian book reviewers face certain challenges. We could review only Christian books and be reasonably assured that we won’t run into glaring content problems like ...
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The Science of Friendship by Tanita S. Davis
By Janie Cheaney |
In The Science of Friendship, an 8th-grade girl takes an analytical approach to keeping friends and discovers some important truths about herself. The Science of ...
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Growing Up under a Red Flag by Ying Chang Compestine
By Janie Cheaney |
Growing Up under a Red Flag introduces China’s Cultural Revolution in a way picture-book readers can understand. Growing Up under a Red Flag: A Memoir ...
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Build a House by Rhiannon Giddens
By Megan Saben |
Build a House shows the resilience and hope of human nature through a story about a family who perseveres in building a house, setting down ...
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Mama’s Chicken and Dumplings by Dionna L. Mann
By Janie Cheaney |
Mama’s Chicken and Dumplings features a winsome protagonist trying her hand at parental matchmaking. Mama’s Chicken and Dumplings by Dionna L. Mann. Holiday House/Margaret Ferguson ...
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*Ben Washington Is the Newbie on the Block by Jasmine Mullen
By Janie Cheaney |
Young Ben Washington, the star of this new middle-grade series, is funny, flawed, and fully relatable. *Ben Washington Is . . . the Newbie on ...
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The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry
By Hayley Morell |
A sweet middle-grade historical fiction recounting some of the Luminous Life of Lucy Landry, an Ojibwe orphan. The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry, Anna Rose ...
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With Just One Wing by Brenda Woods
By Janie Cheaney |
An adopted boy comes to identify with an orphaned mockingbird With Just One Wing. With Just One Wing by Brenda Woods. Nancy Paulsen Books (PRH), ...
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*Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton
By Betsy Farquhar |
A modern classic, Cry, the Beloved Country movingly illustrates how faith and culture intersect in Apartheid-era South Africa. Note: this is one of our featured ...
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Born Naughty by Jin Wang
By Janie Cheaney |
Born Naughty introduces us to Jin Wang, a lively little girl growing up in Inner Mongolia. Born Naughty: My Childhood in China by Jin Wang ...
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*Indescribable Atlas Adventures by Louie Giglio
By Betsy Farquhar |
Indescribable Atlas Adventures is a large format picture book full of interesting details about the world God made, including people, places, and animals. *Indescribable Atlas ...
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How Do You Spell Unfair? by Carole Boston Weatherford
By Betsy Farquhar |
In this award-winning picture book, we learn about MacNolia and her fight for the National Spelling Bee championship as a Black girl in 1936. How ...
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Built to Last by Dan Santat and Minh Lê
By Betsy Farquhar |
In this beautiful picture book, two boys want to build something that will last, but their final product is not what they first expect. Built ...
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*Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All by Chanel Miller
By Janie Cheaney |
Magnolia Wu finds adventure in her own neighborhood while chasing down the owners of orphan socks. *Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All by Chanel Miller. Philomel, ...
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What the World Eats: A Roundup of Global Food Books
By Betsy Farquhar |
Do you know what people eat around the world? What do those missionaries from your church eat when they move to Ghana or Gambia or ...
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*Wang Mingdao by Simonetta Carr
By Janie Cheaney |
The latest volume of the Christian Biographies series introduces Wang Mingdao, a father of the Chinese evangelical church, to young readers. *Wang Mingdao by Simonetta ...
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Kailani’s Gift by Dorian Lazo Gilmore-Young
By Betsy Farquhar |
Kailani's Gift features a young girl who wants to honor her grandparents for their 50th wedding anniversary by learning tinikling. Kailani's Gift by Dorian Lazo ...
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Global Prayer Resources: Operation World and Window on the World and More
By Betsy Farquhar |
How can we better pray for our brothers and sisters around the world? Operation World and Window on the World help us pray for God's ...
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*Rwendigo Tales by J. A. Myhre
By Betsy Farquhar |
Dr. Myhre wrote the engaging Rwendigo Tales, a middle grades series with spiritual overtones, based upon her experience as a doctor serving in Africa. Note: ...
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Picture Books about Making a Difference in Print: Amazing Abe and Holding Her Own
By Janie Cheaney |
Two recent picture books show how trailblazing newspaper writers gave a voice to racial and ethnic minorities in America. Amazing Abe: How Abraham Cahan’s Newspaper ...
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*Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
By Betsy Farquhar |
We've updated our review of this gem: a lovely story about gratitude and Chinese mythology for middle grades. Note: this is one of our featured ...
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This Day in History for Kids by Dan Bova
By Janie Cheaney |
This Day in History for Kids is a year-long tour through historical events political and cultural, trivial and profound. This Day in History for Kids: ...
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