Book Reviews

3 Irresistible Picture Books for Boys

By Megan Saben | Mar 14, 2016

Pop quiz: What’s the funniest word in the English language? What competition is the fiercest? Do machines that are massive and gloriously noisy EVER have ...

Indiana Jones has Nothing on Vesper Holly!

By Hayley Morell | Feb 26, 2016

This post is brought to you from Redeemed Reader's archives; please enjoy! Ginger-haired, green-eyed, and very determined, 16-year-old Vesper Holly is ready for anything, especially an adventure. Possessing ...

Good Reading for Teens–Except for One Thing . . .

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 24, 2016

Lately I read two books for teens, one fiction and one nonfiction, that conformed to time-honored, even classic, storylines. The novel, A Step toward Falling, ...

Three Recent Board Books to Share With Little Ones

By Megan Saben | Feb 22, 2016

Little ones need access to plenty of sturdy board books so they can participate in family read-aloud gatherings. Here are three titles to pick up ...

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 17, 2016

Though probably the most honored children's writer of her generation, Katherine Paterson hasn't seen many of her books translated to film. This weekend will be ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 15, 2016

Our regular readers have no doubt noticed a dearth of book reviews recently covering new releases. We're still offering up great lists, commentary, reviews of older ...

Romance + Reading = Love

By Hayley Morell | Feb 12, 2016

Once Upon a Time... ... there was a little girl who loved stories and fairytales. She discovered Andrew Lang’s colored fairy books and read through them—pretty ...

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 10, 2016

Last week I set forth some reasons why older children (ages 12-18) have not outgrown the benefits of reading aloud. If you’re convinced about the ...

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 3, 2016

The last time I talked to my daughter on the phone, she said, “Guess what Adriel is doing now.” That’s my nine-year-old granddaughter, and of ...

5 Fun Fairy Tale Reads for February

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 1, 2016

Love is in the air! Or is it? Despite the myriad of hearts, chocolates, and flowers festooning every available merchandising spot, not everyone wants to ...

Five Family Read Alouds

By Hayley Morell | Jan 29, 2016

Long winter nights and the occasional snow day make for excellent read-aloud weather. Here are five favorites that can be enjoyed by the whole family. ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 27, 2016

North to Freedom (I Am David) by Anne Holm. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1963 (first edition), 256 pages. Reading Level: 10-12 Appropriate for: ages 12-up Bottom ...

By Megan Saben | Jan 25, 2016

Snowbound? Wishing you were? Here are some titles to enjoy with a cup of hot chocolate. Supertruck by Stephen Savage. Roaring Brook, 2015. 32 pages. ...

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 20, 2016

In most science fiction, technological advances are not shown to advance humanity. However, it would be tough to find a more negative view of ...

The 2016 ALA Youth Media Awards–What happened??

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 13, 2016

As we were saying last Saturday . . . you just can’t predict what the Newbery committee is going to do. Trends have been toward ...

Caldecott Buzz and Possible Picks

By Megan Saben | Jan 9, 2016

Book award committees have such a delightfully difficult task. The ALA Caldecott awards will be announced, among others, on Monday, January 11, and there is ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 9, 2016

On Monday, the American Library Association will announce the winners of their annual Youth Media Awards. The oldest and most prominent of these is the ...

Newberry Buzz: Orbiting Jupiter by Gary Schmidt

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 6, 2016

Today wraps up our discussion of middle-grade novels being touted as possible contenders for the 2016 Newbery Award. The awards will be announced early this ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 29, 2015

Continuing our series of discussions about "buzz" books, this time Janie and Betsy look at a nonfiction work in graphic novel format. Betsy: Drowned City: Hurricane ...

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 26, 2015

Continuing our series of discussions on contenders for the 2016 Newbery Award, Janie and Betsy turn their attention to a previous honor winner . . ...

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 19, 2015

Betsy and Janie are continuing their discussion of possible 2016 Newbery Award winners. On deck today is a novel by a debut author which has ...

Septimus Heap

By Hayley Morell | Dec 18, 2015

Originally published a couple years ago, this post explores one fantasy series for middle grade readers. You know you have a good book . ...

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 16, 2015

Continuing our series of middle-grade fiction touted as possible Newbery winners: Janie: Kenneth Oppel is best known for light-hearted steampunk fantasy, like the Airborn series ...

The Nutcracker: This is That Time of Year

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 14, 2015

The Nutcracker ballet is part of many Americans' yearly cultural celebration of Christmas. The music plays everywhere, and even young children often recognize the strains ...

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 12, 2015

It's that time again! Less than a month before the American Library Association announces their Youth Media Awards, and chief among them is the coveted ...

By Megan Saben | Dec 6, 2015

*Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss. Random House, 1949. 56 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, Ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-8 Bartholomew and the ...

By Alysha | Dec 4, 2015

One of the high school classes I teach is devoted to helping students become discerning readers. Modern young adult fiction can be a minefield of ...

Have an Awesome Thanksgiving

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 23, 2015

In honor of this week's holiday, a book review post from a few years back: *Sarah Gives Thanks: How Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday, by ...

*Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace

By Hayley Morell | Nov 20, 2015

Coming-of-age, romance, and historical fiction is combined in a little-known novel, Emily of Deep Valley, by a classic American author. *Emily of Deep Valley by Maud ...

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 18, 2015

Do little kids love fantasy? NPR recently reported on a study done by three academic psychologists on the subject of children and fiction. They asked ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 16, 2015

Prolific author Jean Fritz turns 100 today! During her long life, she has written numerous books--mostly biographies--for children. Before picture book biographies were so prevalent, ...

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 11, 2015

As a book reviewer, I have stars in my eyes. That is, I watch for stars when scanning book review journals, because they are an ...

By Megan Saben | Nov 9, 2015

I'm delighted to introduce our readers to Jonathan Bean, author and illustrator of a recently published picture book about homeschooling based on his childhood experience: ...

By Alysha | Nov 6, 2015

As a teacher, I’ve had various conversations with parents about how to get their children engaged in reading. The flip side of that conversation comes ...

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 4, 2015

We live in the Age of Narrative. And increasingly, novels stop telling stories and become about story, gazing at themselves with calm adoration. This is ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 2, 2015

Do Picture Books Retire? Petunia, that silly goose, is turning the ripe old age of 65 this year, the same age as my father-in-law who ...

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 29, 2015

Yesterday I made a distinction between “terror” stories and “horror” stories—the latter based squarely on our elemental fear of death, often with buckets of blood ...

Phoebe the Spy by Judith Griffin, illustrated by Margot Tomes

By Megan Saben | Oct 26, 2015

Phoebe the Spy by Judith Griffin, illustrated by Margot Tomes. Puffin Books, 2002. 48 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, Ages 8-10 Recommended For: Ages 8-10, ...

By Hayley Morell | Oct 23, 2015

The Last Dragonslayer: The Chronicles of Kazam, Book 1 by Jasper Fforde. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2013. 306 pages Reading Level: Young Adult, ages 12-15 ...

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 21, 2015

The Doll People Series, by Ann Martin and Laura Godwin. Disney/Hyperion Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 7-12 (mostly girls) Bottom Line: ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 18, 2015

Janie's newest novel for young folks, I Don't Know How the Story Ends, hit store shelves this month, and she's been busy signing copies and ...

By Alysha | Oct 16, 2015

Five years ago I picked up a middle grade fantasy book called The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan and was hooked by the end of ...

By Megan Saben | Oct 12, 2015

Brick Flicks: A comprehensive guide to making your own stop-motion Lego movies by Sarah Herman. Skyhorse Publishing, 2014. 206 pages. Reading Level: Young Adult, Ages ...

By Alysha | Sep 30, 2015

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George. Bloomsbury USA Childrens, 2009. 352 pages Reading Level: Young Adult, ages 12-15 Recommended for: Ages 16-up ...

A Chocolate Moose for Dinner by Fred Gwynne

By Megan Saben | Sep 28, 2015

A Chocolate Moose for Dinner is a whimsical, unique classic that invites readers to play with words as it explores idioms. A Chocolate Moose for ...

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 23, 2015

Matthew Muddles Through (Matthew in the Middle #1) by Glenda Mathes. CreateSpace, 2014, 220 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-12 ...

By Hayley Morell | Sep 18, 2015

This review is brought to us by Ann Rees Berry, who has now finished an internship with Redeemed Reader. Thank you, Ann! Red Rising by ...

By Hayley Morell | Sep 18, 2015

Oliver and the Seawigs by Philip Reeve. Random House, Reading Level: Middle Grades, Ages 8-10 Recommended For: Ages 8-10 Bottom Line: A rollicking chapter book adventure with ...

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 16, 2015

Since its publication in 2006, 13 Reasons Why has become the go-to novel on the subject of teen suicide, but it’s more sensational than useful. ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 3, 2015

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the closed doors of a book award committee's deliberations? How a group of people can, with confidence, ...

Story Tea: Picture Books of the Year (+printable)

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 1, 2015

World magazine has just announced their Children's Books of the Year! Both the Children's Book of the Year and the Picture Book of the ...

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 31, 2015

World Magazine has chosen a "book of the year" for at least twenty years. In 2013, the magazine diversified a little and chose three books ...

Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

By Hayley Morell | Aug 24, 2015

Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw. Puffin, 1985, 288 pages Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-14 Recommended for: Ages 12-up Bottom Line: Ancient ...

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 21, 2015

Lilliput by Sam Gayton, Illustrated by Alice Ratterree. Peachtree, 2015. 252 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 10-12 Bottom Line: Lilliput ...

Boats for Papa by Jessixa Bagley

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 20, 2015

Boats for Papa by Jessixa Bagley. Roaring Brook Press, 2015. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-8 Buckley, a young ...

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 14, 2015

The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club by Phillip Hoose. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2015. 198 pages including appendices Reading Level: Middle ...

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 7, 2015

Ranger in Time: Rescue on the Oregon Trail and Danger in Ancient Rome by Kate Messner. Scholastic, 2015. About 125 pages, plus author note. Reading ...

*Water is Water by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Jason Chin

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 6, 2015

*Water is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Jason Chin. Roaring Brook Press, 2015. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture ...

By Megan Saben | Aug 5, 2015

20 Ways to Draw a…: A Sketchbook for Artists, Designers and Doodlers by various authors. Quarry Books. 95 pages. Reading Level: Ages 4-8 and up Recommended ...

Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 4, 2015

Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead. Wendy Lamb Books, 2015. 304 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12Recommended For: Ages 12-15 Bottom Line: Three best friends attempt ...

*Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 31, 2015

*Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley. Dial, 2015, 304 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, age 10-12 Recommended for: all ages Bottom Line: Circus Mirandus, a magical ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 28, 2015

SIX by M. M. Vaughan. Simon & Shuster (Margaret K. Elderberry Books), 2015. 361 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: Ages 10-14 ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 24, 2015

Fort by Cynthia DeFelice. Farrar Strauss Giroux, 2015. 200 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 10-12 (especially boys and reluctant readers) ...

Illusionarium by Heather Dixon

By Hayley Morell | Jul 19, 2015

Illusionarium by Heather Dixon. Greenwillow Books, 2015. 368 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Recommended for: Ages 15 and up Bottom Line: A darker steam-punk fantasy, Illusionarium ...

A+ Attitude (Morgan Love Series) by Stephanie Perry Moore

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 16, 2015

A+ Attitude (Morgan Love Series #1) by Stephanie Perry Moore. Lift Every Voice Books (a Moody Imprint), 2011. 144 pages. Reading Level: Chapter Books, ages ...

Just Jump! (Double Dutch Series #1) by Mabel Elizabeth Singletary

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 16, 2015

Just Jump! (Double Dutch Series #1) by Mabel Elizabeth Singletary. Lift Every Voice Books (a Moody Imprint), 2007. 160 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages ...

Making the Team by Stephanie Perry Moore and Derrick Moore

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 16, 2015

Making the Team by Stephanie Perry Moore and Derrick Moore. Alec London Series. Lift Every Voice Books (a Moody Imprint), 2011. 160 pages. Reading Level: Middle ...

By Megan Saben | Jul 15, 2015

The Golden Plate is a picture book about Isobel, who struggles to hide her sin, and the relief of confession in restoring her friendship with ...

McSweeney’s The Goods, vol. 1

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 13, 2015

The Goods, vol. 1 by McSweeney's. Big Picture Press, 2013. 96 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12 Recommended For: Ages 8 and up Bottom ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 10, 2015

The Chosen Prince by Diane Stanley. Harper, 2015, 357 pages. Reading Level: Young Adult, 12-15 Recommended for: ages 14 and up Bottom Line: A prince ...

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 7, 2015

William Kamkwamba's own story of his efforts to bring reliable electrical power to his impoverished African village makes fascinating reading, especially for mechanically-minded middle-graders. The ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 3, 2015

The Founding Fathers! Those Horse-Ridin',Fiddle-Playin', Book-Readin', Gun Totin' Gentlemen Who Started America, by Jonah Winter, Illustration by Barry Blitt. Atheneum, 2015. 40 pages Reading Level: ...

*Gingerbread for Liberty! by Mara Rockliff and illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 2, 2015

*Gingerbread for Liberty! How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution by Mara Rockliff and illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch. HMH Books, 2015. 32 ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 30, 2015

The Fog Diver by Joel Ross. Harper, 2015. 323 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-16 Bottom Line: The Fog Diver ...

*The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 29, 2015

*The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney. Little, Brown, 2009. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended For: All Ages Stunning illustrations, a vast ...

*The Grasshopper and the Ants by Jerry Pinkney

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 29, 2015

*The Grasshopper and the Ants by Jerry Pinkney. Little, Brown, 2015. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-8 Vibrant, colorful ...

The Tortoise and the Hare by Jerry Pinkney

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 29, 2015

The Tortoise and the Hare by Jerry Pinkney. Little, Brown, 2013. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended For: All Ages Slow and ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 26, 2015

Woof (a Bowser and Birdie Novel) by Spencer Quinn. Scholastic, 2015. 293 pages Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 9-13 Bottom Line: ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 23, 2015

Hammer of the Huguenots by Douglas Bond. P&R, 2015. 215 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades,ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10 and up Bottom Line: Douglas ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 22, 2015

If you recognize names such as Jack and Annie or Patrick and Beth, know that mysteries can be ordered A to Z, or believe in ...

*Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 19, 2015

*Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot. Tenderly House, 1981 (reprint, orig. 1957). 274 pages. Reading Level: Young adult (ages 12 and up)Recommended For: ages 10 and ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 19, 2015

Fleabrain Loves Franny by Joanne Rocklin. Amulet Books, 2015. 268 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-12 Bottom Line: After Franny ...

By Megan Saben | Jun 17, 2015

*Sidewalk Flowers by JonArno Lawson and Sydney Smith. Groundwood Books, 2015. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture books, Ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-8 A little ...

By Hayley Morell | Jun 16, 2015

This review is brought to us by Malachi Stade, who just finished a semester internship with Redeemed Reader. Thank you, Malachi! Salamandastron (Redwall series, Book ...

By Hayley Morell | Jun 16, 2015

Goblins by Philip Reeve. Scholastic Press, 2012. 340 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Recommended for: Ages 12 and up Bottom Line: The Hobbit meets Septimus Heap, with a ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 16, 2015

Fallout (Lois Lane) by Gwenda Bond. Capstone, 2015. 202 pages Reading Level: Young adults, ages 12-15 Recommended for: ages 12 and up Bottom Line: Fallout ...

Yard Sale by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Lauren Castillo

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 15, 2015

Yard Sale by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Lauren Castillo. Candlewick, 2015. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-10 Yard sales: ...

Pilipinto’s Happiness by Valerie Elliot Shepard

By Megan Saben | Jun 15, 2015

*This post is revisited from the archives in honor of Elisabeth Elliot's passing into glory. Pilipinto's Happiness: The Jungle Childhood of Valerie Elliot, by Valerie ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 12, 2015

Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper. Atheneum, 2015. 320 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-12 Bottom Line: Stella by ...

*If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 11, 2015

*If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson. Blazer + Bray, 2015. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 0-4 Recommended For: Ages 0-8 If you plant a ...

*Mr. Squirrel and the Moon by Sebastian Meschenmoser

By Megan Saben | Jun 10, 2015

Mr. Squirrel and the Moon is a delight for the ears and the eyes. This picture book is highly recommended! *Mr. Squirrel and the Moon ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 9, 2015

Ellie’s Story: a Dog’s Purpose Novel by W. Bruce Cameron. Tom Doherty Associates, 2014. 205 pages, including notes and classroom discussion guide Reading Level: Middle ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 8, 2015

*Unfortunately, it looks like this program is no longer available. Consider this review a source of inspiration! If you create something like this, be sure ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 5, 2015

Wilder Boys by Brandon Wallace. Aladdin, 2015. 220 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-14 (especially boys) Bottom Line: Questionable premises ...

By Alysha | Jun 4, 2015

Dragons at Crumbling Castle: And Other Tales by Terry Pratchett, illustrated by Mark Beech. Clarion, 2015. 352 pages Reading Level: Upper Elementary and Middle Grades, ...

By Megan Saben | Jun 3, 2015

Everything a Child Should Know About God by Kenneth N. Taylor, illustrated by Jenny Brake. 10Publishing, 2014. 188 pages. Reading Level: Picture books, Ages 0-4 ...

By Hayley Morell | Jun 2, 2015

Hostage Run (The MindWar Trilogy, Book 2) by Andrew Klavan. Thomas Nelson, 2015. 352 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Recommended for: Ages 12 and up Bottom Line: In ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 2, 2015

*Mikis and the Donkey by Bibi Dumon Tak, illustrated by Philip Hopman. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2014. 89 pages Reading Level: Chapter Books, ages ...

By Janie Cheaney | May 29, 2015

The Whisperer by Fiona McIntosh. Knopf, 2014. 390 pages Reading level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-14 Bottom line: The Whisperer spins a ...

Ling and Ting books by Grace Lin

By Betsy Farquhar | May 28, 2015

A delightful early reader series about Asian American twins, Ling and Ting. Ling and Ting books by Grace Lin. LB Kids, 2011 (and to the ...

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