Book Reviews

20th Century Book List for Young Teens

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 16, 2020

20th Century Book List for Young Teens 20th Century: World wars. A Great Depression. First flight. Space flight. Voting Rights. Civil Rights. Communism. Terrorism. Jazz. ...

Ordinary Hazards by Nikki Grimes: a Discussion

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 14, 2020

Every now and then we read a book that seems to warrant more than a standard review—even a starred one. That was Janie and Betsy’s ...

Sunnyside Plaza by Scott Simon

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 12, 2020

The mentally-challenged adults of Sunnyside Plaza step out of their comfort zone to solve a mystery. Sunnyside Plaza by Scott Simon. Little, Brown, 2020, 192 ...

Two Graphic Novel Memoirs: Cub and Best Friends

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 10, 2020

Shannon Hale continues her middle-grade memoir with Best Friends; Cynthia Copeland tells how she became a writer in Cub. Cub by Cynthia Copeland. Algonquin, 2020, ...

The Legacy of Mildred Taylor: Roll of Thunder and the Logan Family Saga

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 9, 2020

The Legacy of Mildred Taylor Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is a "must read." Truthfully, at Redeemed Reader, we resist telling you any book ...

In the Hall With the Knife by Dana Peterfreund

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 6, 2020

In the Hall With the Knife kicks off a mystery series for teens based on the venerable board game, Clue. In the Hall with the ...

Fever Year by Don Brown

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 5, 2020

Don Brown tells the story of Spanish Influenza in three acts in this graphic novel format nonfiction book for young teens. Fever Year: The Killer ...

From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 4, 2020

Zoe Washington's peaceful life is disturbed by word from her incarcerated father--who may be innocent. From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks. HarperCollins ...

*Leaving Lymon by Lesa Cline-Ransome

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 4, 2020

Leaving Lymon is the heartfelt story of a child who feels abandoned by irresponsible parents. *Leaving Lymon by Lesa Cline-Ransome. Holiday House, 2020, 193 pages ...

China through Time by DK Publishing

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 3, 2020

China through Time offers a unique perspective of social life over centuries. China through Time: a 2,500 year journey along the World’s Greatest Canal illustrated ...

Picture Biographies Round-Up: Beverly Cleary, Aretha Franklin, George Washington Carver, and More!

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 2, 2020

Picture Book Biographies Round-Up, February 2020 edition This Picture Book Biographies Round-Up includes the following titles: Just Like Beverly (Beverly Cleary), Anna & Samia, A ...

Everything Awesome about Dinosaurs by Mike Lowery

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 22, 2020

A fact-packed and tongue-in-cheek resource for dinosaur fans, with a distinct evolutionary slant. Everything Awesome about Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Beasts by Mike Lowery. Orchard ...

Trees: a Rooted History by Socha and Grazhowski

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 22, 2020

Trees: a Rooted History explores the wonderful variety of tree life in a lavishly illustrated compendium. Trees: a Rooted History by Wojciech Grazkowski and Piotr ...

*By and By: Charles Albert Tindley by Carole Boston Weatherford

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 19, 2020

Charles Albert Tindley rose from abject poverty to preach to thousands and write the anthem of the Civil Rights movement. *By and By: Charles Albert ...

The Oldest Student by Rita Lorraine Hubbard

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 19, 2020

"The Oldest Student" tells the inspiring story of a centenarian who finally found the time to learn. The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to ...

*All in a Drop by Lori Alexander

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 18, 2020

All in a Drop communicates the wonder and excitement of the Scientific Revolution in this engaging biography of the inventor of the microscope. *All in ...

Giant Presidents' Day Book List

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 17, 2020

POTUS POTUS: President of the United States: one of the most powerful people in the world. Presidents' Day honors George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in ...

Girl Under a Red Moon by Da Chen

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 12, 2020

Girl under a Red Moon depicts life under the worst totalitarian government in modern history. Girl under a Red Moon: Growing up During China’s Cultural ...

It Rained Warm Bread by Moishe Moskowitz

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 12, 2020

The recollections of a 13-year-old Holocaust survivor find poetic expression in It Rained Warm Bread. It rained Warm Bread: Moishe Moskowitz’s Story of Hope by ...

All the Impossible Things by Lindsay Lackey

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 11, 2020

A foster child with a troubled past dares to hope for "Impossible Things" to change her course. All the Impossible Things by Lindsay Lackey. Roaring ...

5 Lent Devotionals (for Protestants)

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 10, 2020

Do you observe Lent? Did you know that there are Lent devotionals written with Protestants in mind? The early church officially began marking Lent liturgically ...

Feed by M. T. Anderson

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 10, 2020

M. T. Anderson's Feed imagines what the world would look like if we all had "feeds" (like today's smart phones) implanted in our brains. Feed ...

Allies by Alan Gratz

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 7, 2020

Allies is a fast, riveting read that communicates the urgency, complexity, and drama of D-Day, the turning point of World War II. Allies by Alan ...

Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 6, 2020

Genesis, a black girl, struggles with self-image, much of which is fostered by her own family. Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams. Caitlyn Dlough ...

Someplace to Call Home by Sandra Dallas

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 5, 2020

Three motherless siblings seek "someplace to call home" in Depression-era Kansas. Someplace to Call Home by Sandra Dallas. Sleeping Bear Press, 2019, 222 pages Reading ...

Black History Month Picture Books for Tweens and Teens

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 3, 2020

Black history month picture books are for big kids, too! Picture books aren't just for young children. Middle grades and teens benefit, too. Sometimes, a ...

2020 Newbery Buzz #5: Look Both Ways

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 22, 2020

Since his first novel was published in 2014, Jason Reynolds has been on an upward trajectory—deservedly so, for the most part. He was just named ...

2020 Newbery Buzz #4: My Jasper June and Pay Attention, Carter Jones

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 21, 2020

The American Library Association Youth Media awards will be announced in two weeks, and you can be sure the conversation is hot and heavy among ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 16, 2020

Continuing our roundup of possible contender for the 2020 Newbery Medal All the Greys on Greene Street by Laura Tucker. Viking, 320 pages. Olympia’s artist ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 14, 2020

Every January, we love to discuss the merits (or demerits) of books we’ve seen getting “Newbery buzz” in the broader children’s literature world. The actual ...

2020 Newbery Buzz #2: New Kid and Guts

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 13, 2020

Every January, we love to discuss the merits (or demerits) of books we’ve seen getting “Newbery buzz” in the broader children’s literature world. The actual ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 9, 2020

Every year at this time, children's book websites brim with speculation about what books will win or place in the American Library Association's Youth Media ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 8, 2020

The true story of John Wesley Powell, "Major Impossible" who mapped the Grand Canyon, told in graphic novel format. Major Impossible (Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 7, 2020

2019 in Review: Looking Back Do you look back over your previous year and reflect? It's a worthwhile exercise, and it's also fun. Sometimes, we ...

Newbery Roundup #1: The Line Tender, Tristan Strong, and 1919

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 6, 2020

Newbery season is upon us, culminating in the American Library Association Youth Media Awards on January 27. We've been keeping an eye on books that ...

Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 2, 2020

Song for a Whale takes us into the world of a Deaf girl on a life-defining mission. Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly. Delacorte, ...

Torpedoed by Deborah Heligman

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 31, 2019

Torpedoed is a gripping saga of disaster, heartbreak, and heroism on the open sea. Torpedoed: the True Story of the World War II Sinking of ...

Follow Your Stuff by Kevin Sylvester and Michael Hinka

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 31, 2019

Young consumers will find Follow Your Stuff a fascinating trek through the global production market. Follow Your Stuff: Who Makes It, Where Does It Come ...

The Enduring Appeal of Little Women

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 21, 2019

With the eighth major film adaptation opening on Christmas Day, I thought I’d share a few thoughts on this classic. I read it at the ...

More to the Story by Hena Khan

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 20, 2019

More to the Story closely follows Little Women, but with contemporary Muslim-American girls. More to the Story by Hena Khan. Simon and Shuster (Salaam Reads), ...

Between Us and Abuela by Mitali Perkins

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 17, 2019

Mitali Pekins offers a touching tribute to generational attachment across years and borders. Between Us and Abuela: a Family Story from the Border by Mitali ...

The Fowl Twins by Eoin Colfer

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 13, 2019

While Artemis Fowl speeds toward Mars, the Fowl Twins step to starring roles in their own adventures in this page-turning series opener. The Fowl Twins ...

*John Ronald's Dragons: The Story of J. R. R. Tolkien by Caroline McAlister

By Hayley Morell | Dec 11, 2019

Lovely illustrations and beautiful narrative prose tell the story of Tolkien, from boyhood to The Hobbit. *John Ronald's Dragons: The Story of J. R. R. ...

*Finding Narnia by Caroline McAlister

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 11, 2019

Finding Narnia takes us into the lives of two brothers whose childhood inspired one of the world’s greatest fantasy series. *Finding Narnia: the Story of ...

Migration: Incredible Animal Journeys by Mike Unwin

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 10, 2019

Migration: Incredible Animal Journeys features well-known migration patterns as well as surprising facts, in a readable picture-book format. Migration: Incredible Animal Journeys by Mike Unwin, ...

Manhattan: Mapping the Story of an Island by Jennifer Thermes

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 10, 2019

This oversize, intricately-illustrated picture book relates the story of Manhattan in a series of maps. Manhattan: Mapping the Story of an Island by Jennifer Thermes. ...

*Nya's Long Walk: A Step at a Time

By Megan Saben | Dec 4, 2019

Nya faces tough choices when her little sister falls ill near the remote water hole. Nya's Long Walk: A Step at a Time by Linda ...

*Long Ago, on a Silent Night by Julie Berry

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 3, 2019

What happened "Long Ago on a Silent Night" resonates down the ages, in this lovely, evocative picture book. *Long Ago, on a Silent Night by ...

One Christmas Wish by Katherine Rundell

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 3, 2019

A lonely boy on Christmas Eve learns the power of giving through "One Christmas Wish." One Christmas Wish by Katherine Rundell, illustrated by Emily Sutton. ...

The Night of His Birth

By Megan Saben | Nov 26, 2019

"Sing out, my soul, the wonder..." How marvelous the mystery of giving birth to the Son of God! What might have been the musings of ...

How to Raise a Reader by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 26, 2019

How to Raise a Reader focuses less on the “Why” and more on the “How” of fostering a love of literature in your own children. ...

Mighty Reader and the Big Freeze by Will Hillenbrand

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 26, 2019

Mighty Reader saves the day in this loveable picture book about learning to love books. Mighty Reader and the Big Freeze by Will Hillenbrand. Holiday ...

*Love Came Down At Christmas by Sinclair Ferguson

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 19, 2019

Love Came Down at Christmas is an excellent devotional for Advent for teens and up: meditations on 1 Corinthians 13 by Sinclair Ferguson. *Love Came ...

Briar and Rose and Jack by Katherine Coville

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 19, 2019

Briar and Rose and Jack mixes fairy-tale motifs with clear themes of good and evil in a magical and satisfying adventure. Briar and Rose and ...

*Unwrapping the Names of Jesus by Asheritah Ciuciu

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 18, 2019

Mediate on the names of Jesus during Advent with this helpful, inspiring family devotional. *Unwrapping the Names of Jesus: An Advent Devotional by Asheritah Ciuciu. ...

*Her Own Two Feet by Meredith Davis

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 15, 2019

Her Own Two Feet is the true story of a severely disabled Rwandan girl who finds hope and healing through a Christian aid organization. *Her ...

Wildfire by Rodman Philbrick

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 14, 2019

Wildfire is a fast read that will take even reluctant readers into the heart of a fast-moving catastrophe. Wildfire by Rodman Philbrick. Blue Sky (Scholastic), ...

Skyjacked by Paul Griffin

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 14, 2019

Five high school students and one air-traffic intern will be severely tested as their private plane is Skyjacked. Skyjacked by Paul Griffin. Scholastic, 2019, 227 ...

The Light Princess by George MacDonald {Rabbit Room edition}

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 13, 2019

A beautiful new edition of The Light Princess complete with foreword by Jennifer Trafton, afterword by Andrew Peterson, and illustrated by Ned Bustard. The Light ...

The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 12, 2019

The Downstairs Girl explores the social mores and prejudices of late-19th-century Atlanta through the eyes of a resourceful and gifted Chinese teen. The Downstairs Girl ...

Games of Deception by Andrew Maraniss

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 11, 2019

Games of Deception: The True Story of the First U. S. Olympic Basketball Team at the 1936 Olympics in Hitler's Germany by Andrew Maraniss. Philomel, ...

*Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 8, 2019

The “insignificant events” befalling a girl without arms throw the rough transitions of middle school into sharp, yet humorous, relief. *Insignificant Events in the Life ...

Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 8, 2019

The “momentous event" of transitioning to high school presents Aven Green, the armless girl-wonder, with new challenges. Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus ...

Noodleheads Find Something Fishy by Tedd Arnold

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 5, 2019

The Noodleheads series, by the author of Fly Guy, draws from classic simpleton stories to give early readers a chuckle. Noodleheads Find Something Fishy (Noodleheads, ...

The Good Thieves by Katherine Rundel

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 1, 2019

The Good Thieves combines compelling action and an irresistible “heist” tale with striking prose. The Good Thieves by Katherine Rundel. Simon & Schuster, 2019, 272 ...

Is Dracula Worth Reading?

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 30, 2019

I am not a vampire fan. I am not a fan of weird Halloween decorations. It's downright creepy: ghouls, spider webs, zombie costumes, and, yes, ...

White Bird by R. J. Palacio

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 30, 2019

In White Bird, a graphic novel, the best-selling author of Wonder traces the holocaust history of a Wonder character's grandmother. White Bird (a Wonder Story) ...

Words on Fire by Jennifer A. Nielsen

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 30, 2019

Words on Fire explores a little-known chapter of European history to make a case for the necessity of words, literature, and language to a culture. ...

Martin Luther and the Reformation by Lou Hunley

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 28, 2019

A great middle grades-level look at both Martin Luther in particular and the Protestant Reformation in general. Martin Luther and the Reformation by Lou Hunley. ...

Picture Books on Art and Music

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 25, 2019

Three acclaimed picture books offer young readers a fun introduction to The Magic Flute, the Giacometti Brothers, and an introduction to art styles through dinosaurs ...

Beverly, Right Here by Kate DiCamillo

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 22, 2019

Beverly Tapinski, the sharp-edged friend of Raymie Nightingale, overcomes a rough upbringing in the final volume of DiCamillo's series. Beverly, Right Here by Kate DiCamillo. ...

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 22, 2019

A displaced Muslim girl adjusts to America as a second, "Other Home" in this well-written verse novel. Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga. Balzer ...

Fenway and Hattie by Victoria Coe

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 16, 2019

The Fenway and Hattie series pits an excitable Jack Russell terrier against delivery men and treacherous flooring. Fenway and Hattie by Victoria J. Coe. Putnam, ...

A Wolf Called Wander by Roseanne Parry

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 16, 2019

A Wolf Called Wander sensitively traces the journey of a young wolf in his quest for a new home and pack. A Wolf Called Wander ...

Song of the Abyss by Makiia Lucier

By Hayley Morell | Oct 15, 2019

Song of the Abyss is a sequel that does not disappoint and yet succeeds in its own right as a standalone novel. In our Redeemed ...

“The Reading Life,” junior edition

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 11, 2019

Two picture books by much-awarded authors and illustrators celebrate the joys of books and reading—sometimes extravagantly. This Book of Mine by Sarah Stewart, Illustrated by ...

We Met Dragons: A Celebration of Children’s Literature

By Hayley Morell | Oct 10, 2019

Last week, in our newsletter, we asked our readers what books they thought of when they saw this poem by Jack Prelutsky. Photo from Division ...

Robin Hood: Twice Told

By Hayley Morell | Oct 8, 2019

There’s something appealing about Robin Hood. —Maybe even more-so to American sensibilities. Granted, we didn’t rob from the rich for the sake of the poor. ...

The Boys in the Boat (Young Readers Adaptation) by Daniel James Brown

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 7, 2019

The Boys in the Boat is a gripping nonfiction story for middle grades about teamwork, perseverance, and triumph at the Olympics. The Boys in the ...

*Butterfly Yellow by Thanhha Lai

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 4, 2019

An unlikely romance tinged by tragedy makes Butterfly Yellow a winning read for mature teens. Butterfly Yellow by Thanhha Lai. Harper, 2019, 284 pages. Reading ...

Slugs and Bugs Easy Readers

By Megan Saben | Oct 2, 2019

Who Will Play With Me? by Randall Goodman. Broadman & Holman, 2019. 57 pages. Are We Still Friends? by Randall Goodman. Broadman & Holman, 2019. ...

Titan and the Wild Boars by Susan Hood and Pathana Sorhiran

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 1, 2019

The true story of the daring rescue of the Thai Soccer team will bring its tension and drama home to young readers. Titan and the ...

Breakthrough! by Jim Murphy

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 27, 2019

Three unlikely people team up to perform a dangerous new surgery in Depression-era times in this gripping nonfiction story. Breakthrough!: How Three People Saved "Blue ...

Some Places More than Others by Renee Watson

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 26, 2019

In Some Places More than Others, a pre-teen girl tries to fill the gaps in her sense of place and family. Some Places More than ...

For Black Girls Like Me

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 26, 2019

A black girl adopted into a white family struggles with her own disability and her mother's instability. For Black Girls like Me by Mariama J. ...

The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA by Brenda Woods

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 24, 2019

This engaging historical novel reflects on the plight of Unsung Heroes—black service men in the years immediately following World War II. The Unsung Hero of ...

Go Build Something! Engineering Books for Boys (and Girls)

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 21, 2019

STEM is big in schools and publishing today, and many educators add an A to make STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Engineering ties ...

*Bolivar by Sean Rubin

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 19, 2019

This large-format graphic novel brings to life a new, lovable dinosaur while simultaneously nudging readers to be more perceptive. *Bolivar by Sean Rubin. Archaia, 2017. ...

The Seven Worst Realities About Being a Bookworm

By Megan Saben | Sep 18, 2019

The Seven Worst Realities About Being a Bookworm, according to a 10-year-old boy, are: 1. Appetite for reading surpasses appetite for meals ("H, what book ...

Time Twisters Series by Steve Sheinkin

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 17, 2019

In the “Time Twisters” series, Steve Sheinkin has fun with a discipline he usually takes seriously, starting with Abraham Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln, Pro Wrestler (Time ...

A Squirrelly Situation by Jacqueline Kelly

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 17, 2019

A series of charmingly old-fashioned chapter books set in the early 20th century features Newbery protagonist Calpurnia Tate. A Squirrelly Situation (Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet ...

4 Books About the Reading Life: a Literary Nightstand Round-Up

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 16, 2019

Book lovers love books about other book lovers. After all, we share the reading life in common: its challenges, its delights, its unique common language. ...

The Friendship War by Andrew Clements

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 13, 2019

The Friendship War puts a unique spin on a timeless theme for middle-grade fiction. The Friendship War by Andrew Clements. Random House, 2019, 208 pages ...

World Atlas: Essential Student Reference

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 12, 2019

Does your student have a world atlas at home to reference? Is your classroom or school library stocked with several? Do we even need a ...

Explorer Academy: Code-Breaking Activity Adventure

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 12, 2019

Learn to break codes like a professional sleuth in Explorer Academy: Code-Breaking Activity Adventure for middle grades. Explorer Academy: Code-Breaking Activity Adventure by Dr. Gareth ...

Stay by Bobbie Pyron

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 10, 2019

Stay, a heart-tugging dog story. also introduces young readers (in a limited way) to the plight of the homeless. Stay by Bobbie Pyron, Katherine Tegan/Harper ...

*The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue by Karina Yan Glaser

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 9, 2019

The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue continues the Vanderbeeker fun as the kids try to rescue their mom's cookie baking business. *The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue ...

Cookbooks for Kids and Teens: A Book List

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 9, 2019

Have you ever wanted to go beyond cookie baking and decorating with your kids? Did you know there are some great cookbooks for kids and ...

Laid-Back Language Arts

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 7, 2019

Do you remember your middle and high school English classes? Did you diagram sentences? Fill in endless worksheets with "S" for sentence or "F" for ...

Queen of the Sea by Dylan Meconis

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 6, 2019

An alternate version of English history drives Queen of the Sea, a lively graphic novel of political intrigue and warm personal relationships. Queen of the ...

« Previous
1
…
9
10
11
12
13
…
28
Next »