Book Reviews

The 101 Coolest Simple Science Experiments by Miller, Homer, and Harrington

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 31, 2016

There's no excuse to be bored with this book lying around: chemistry, physics, the natural world, and even the human body are just a page ...

*Calvin by Martine Leavitt

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 30, 2016

A schizophrenic teen embarks on a quest for self-discovery and truth that becomes a struggle for survival. Calvin by Martine Leavitt. Farrar Strauss and Giroux, ...

A Complicated Case by Ulf Nilsson

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 30, 2016

A funny, chapter book mystery for newly independent readers! A Complicated Case (Detective Gordon) by Ulf Nilsson and illustrated by Gittee Spee. Gecko Press, 2016. ...

Katie Friedman Gives up Texting by Tommy Greenwald

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 29, 2016

Middle-graders who swear of texting for one week have to discover other means of communication, with mixed results. Katie Friedman Gives up Texting by Tommy ...

Emma and Julia Love Ballet by Barbara McClintock

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 29, 2016

Emma, a young ballet student, and Julia, a professional dancer, simultaneously dance their way through a typical day in this sweet picture book. Emma and ...

*The Biggest Story by Kevin DeYoung

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 27, 2016

A vibrantly illustrated retelling of the story of the Bible: Jesus's redemption of God's people. *The Biggest Story: How the Snake Crusher Brings Us Back to the ...

Bible Review: *HCSB Essential Teen Study Bible

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 27, 2016

The HCSB Essential Teen Study Bible presents 99 “Essential Doctrines” with extensive scriptural backup and application. *The HCSB Essential Teen Study Bible. B&H Kids, 2016, 1312 ...

*When Green Becomes Tomatoes by Julie Fogliano

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 26, 2016

Short, free verse poems as journal entries over the course of a year capture the feel of changing seasons in this well-illustrated book for elementary ...

Quiet Power: the Secret Strengths of Introverts by Susan Cain

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 26, 2016

Susan Cain adapts her adult best-seller Quiet for a younger audience, sharing thoughts and tips on making the most of an introverted nature. Quiet Power: ...

This Is My Home, This Is My School by Jonathan Bean

By Megan Saben | Aug 25, 2016

A boy shares an honest, somewhat chaotic day (or perhaps a week!) in the life of homeschooling. This Is My Home, This Is My School ...

School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 25, 2016

The back-to-school narrative is flipped on its head in this colorful picture book as School, himself, is the main character! School’s First Day of School ...

Josh Baxter Levels Up by Gavin Brown

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 24, 2016

A 12-year-old video gamer learns to “level up” his academic and social skills to meet real-life challenges. Josh Baxter Levels Up by Gavin Brown. Scholastic, ...

Science Experiments You Can Eat by Vicki Cobb

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 24, 2016

Kids will love getting to eat their science projects in this clever, well organized book all about science. Science Experiments You Can Eat, Revised and ...

It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel by Firoozah Dumas

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 23, 2016

An Iranian girl in a California middle school struggles to bridge cultures in this compelling, semi-autobiographical narrative. It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel by Firoozah Dumas. ...

*Frank and Lucky Get Schooled by Lynn Rae Perkins

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 23, 2016

Frank and Lucky’s close friendship leads them into countless adventures in learning, where “school subjects” never see the inside of a classroom. *Frank and Lucky ...

*Spot, the Cat by Henry Cole

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 22, 2016

Can you spot the cat with the spot in this cleverly illustrated black-and-white wordless picture book? *Spot, the Cat by Henry Cole. Little Simon, 2016. ...

*The Boy Who Became Buffalo Bill by Andrea Warren

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 22, 2016

This accessible biography reveals the extraordinary, historically significant, and surprisingly admirable life of an American legend. *The Boy Who Became Buffalo Bill: Growing Up Billy ...

Back-to-School Backpack List (2016)

By The Redeemed Shall Read | Aug 17, 2016

Just in time for the start of a new school year with new pencils, new protractors, new textbooks: our Back-to-School Backpack Booklist! As is our ...

*A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielsen

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 12, 2016

The building of the Berlin Wall pits lovers of freedom against an oppressive regime in this gripping novel for middle graders. *A Night Divided by ...

Mayday by Karen Harrington

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 10, 2016

In Mayday, 13-year-old Wayne discovers that even a plane crash can have a silver lining, and treasures may hide under life’s hard knocks. Mayday by ...

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 6, 2016

The rough, tough world of girls' roller derby is the setting for this surprisingly sweet depiction of friendship, breakup, and change. Roller Girl by Victoria ...

Fantastic Frame #1: Danger! Tiger Crossing by Lin Oliver

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 3, 2016

The Fantastic Frame chapter-book series introduces early-elementary-age readers to great works of art. Fantastic Frame #1: Danger! Tiger Crossing by Lin Oliver, illustrated by Samantha ...

Commander in Cheese #1: the Big Move by Lindsey Leavitt

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 3, 2016

Commander in Cheese, a new series for beginning readers, pairs a mouse family in the White House with the family of a brand-new president. Commander ...

What Elephants Know by Erick Dinerstein

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 29, 2016

Lowland Tibet is the exotic setting for this coming-of-age story featuring an 11-year-old boy and the elephants he loves. What Elephants Know by Erick Dinerstein. ...

Talking about Books That Talk about Race

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 23, 2016

Not a "Newbery Buzz" post because these titles were published before 2016 and are already award winners! But, for similar posts in which Janie and Betsy ...

When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 20, 2016

A black teen in the 'hood struggles to maintain his focus when his best friend takes a wrong turn with potentially serious consequences. When I ...

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 20, 2016

Rashad (a black guy) and Quinn (a white guy) take turns narrating this timely and moving young adult realistic fiction story about police brutality and ...

Hilo: Saving the Whole Wide World by Judd Winick

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 15, 2016

The exuberant boy-robot Hilo is back from “the void,” pursuing his mission to destroy his arch-enemy Razorwark and discover his own origin and purpose. Hilo ...

The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 13, 2016

In this series opener, four sixth-grade girls discover that reading the classics can change contemporary attitudes. The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick. Simon ...

The Mother-Daughter Book Camp by Heather Vogel Frederick

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 13, 2016

The Mother-Daughter Book Club series wraps up with all five members of the club serving as camp counselors together before launching their adult lives. The ...

Cooking Up Fun: ‘Roald Dahl’s Revolting Recipes’

By emily | Jul 7, 2016

Roald Dahl's Revolting Recipes by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake. Puffin, 1997. 32 pages. Reading Level: Ages 8-10 Recommended For: all ages ...

Reading Roald Dahl Redemptively: Two Thoughts

By Megan Saben | Jul 5, 2016

First posted in 2013. Summer is a great time for relaxing and reading of all kinds of fun books not usually assigned in literature class, ...

The BFG by Roald Dahl

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 5, 2016

After the BFG snatches Sophie from her orphanage, she learns a lot about giants and the BFG makes a new friend in this quirky, British romp. ...

The Revolutionary War by Mort Kunstler

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 4, 2016

Key events of the American Revolution are celebrated by one of our nation’s preeminent historical painters. The Revolutionary War 1775-1783 (See American History Series) by ...

The Big Dark by Rodman Philbrick

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 29, 2016

A small England Community fights for survival when a solar flare wipes out all sources of power, in this taut thriller with a 12-year-old hero. ...

The Double Cross by Jackson Pearce

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 29, 2016

A 12-year-old spy trainee proves his calling in spite of obvious physical drawbacks, in this entertaining middle-grade adventure. The Double Cross, and Other Skills I ...

Ask a Librarian: Peter Pan

By Megan Saben | Jun 27, 2016

We love hearing from our readers! Ask-a-Librarian is an occasional feature in which we answer a reader’s email query. There are plenty of books we ...

Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee

By Hayley Morell | Jun 24, 2016

In Under a Painted Sky, the events of one day change Sammy from a moody teenage girl to a fugitive striking out into the west. ...

The Magic Mirror by Susan Hill Long

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 22, 2016

A few language cautions aside, this medieval fantasy tale illustrates some profound truths about finding oneself in the journey. The Magic Mirror: Concerning a ...

Retro Reads: Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 20, 2016

In this British children's classic, the brave Swallows (four siblings) are at war with the piratical Amazons (two sisters) in one glorious summer of sailing, ...

The Trials of Apollo Book 1: The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan

By Alysha | Jun 17, 2016

This storyline of the series, which focuses on the now mortal god Apollo, is great in theory, but the first book is lackluster and inappropriate ...

The Goblin’s Puzzle by Andrew S. Chilton

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 15, 2016

This lively tale combines a fairy-tale plot and likeable characters—even a likeable dragon—with philosophical musings. The Goblin’s Puzzle: Being the Adventures of a Boy ...

Little Dee and the Penguin by Christopher Baldwin

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 15, 2016

Sunny and warm, this graphic novel combines a wildly implausible plot with distinct personalities—and lots of laughs. Little Dee and the Penguin by Christopher Baldwin. ...

The Eye of Midnight by Andrew Brumbach

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 8, 2016

A thrilling tale set in 1920s New York pits three children against a foe that bears an uncanny resemblance to modern-day Islamism. The Eye of ...

Astrotwins: Project Blastoff by Mark Kelly

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 8, 2016

Solid science fiction is delivered by an author who knows his stuff, though the materialist worldview is worth talking about. Astrotwins: Project Blastoff by Mark ...

The Unmapped Sea (Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place #5) by Maryrose Wood

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 6, 2016

Miss Penelope Lumley starts to solve some of the Ashton Place mysteries while on holiday by the sea in this fifth volume of the series. ...

The Interrupted Tale (Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place #4) by Maryrose Wood

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 6, 2016

Volume 4 of this funny middle grades series has Penelope, Alexander, Beowulf, and Cassiopeia back in London attempting to save the Swanburne School for Poor ...

The Unseen Guest (Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place #3) by Maryrose Wood

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 6, 2016

Volume 3 of this funny middle grades series has Penelope, Alexander, Beowulf, and Cassiopeia back in London attempting to save the Swanburne School for Poor ...

The Hidden Gallery (The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place #2) by Maryrose Wood

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 6, 2016

Miss Penelope Lumley and her three young charges are off to London in this humorous, satisfying follow-up to the first in the series. The Hidden ...

Frank Einstein and the Anti-Matter Motor by Jon Schieszka

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 1, 2016

Though not to be taken at all seriously, this wacky series by Jon Schieszka threads some real science into its far-out storylines. Frank Einstein and ...

The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 1, 2016

A fifth-grade prankster meets his match, joining forces with his rival to pull off the greatest fifth-grade prank of all time. The Terrible Two by ...

By Megan Saben | May 30, 2016

This post is part of our "Summer of Great Family Reads" series. Don't miss the initial post full of more excellent recommendations! McBroom’s Wonderful One-Acre ...

The Summer of Great Family Reads

By Betsy Farquhar | May 27, 2016

For Everything, There is a Season There are patterns in Scripture of both the Lord and his people resting from their labors. Summer is such ...

The Pirate Jamboree

By Betsy Farquhar | May 23, 2016

The Pirate Jamboree by Mark Teague. Orchard Books, 2013. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8Recommended for: Ages 0-8 Bottom Line: The neighborhood kids are ...

Captain Jack and the Pirates by Peter Bentley and Helen Oxenbury

By Betsy Farquhar | May 23, 2016

Captain Jack and the Pirates by Peter Bentley and Helen Oxenbury. Dial Books for Young Readers, 2016. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture books, ages 4-8Recommended ...

Terror at Bottle Creek by Watt Key

By Janie Cheaney | May 18, 2016

In a fast, thrilling read, a 13-year-old boy must display courage, ingenuity, and persistence in extremely dangerous circumstances. Terror at Bottle Creek by Watt Key. ...

Soar by Joan Bauer

By Janie Cheaney | May 18, 2016

In this cozy sports story, Jeremiah has learned through difficulty, but may not be able to pass the lessons on to his teammates. Soar by ...

Charley Harper’s Book of Colors by Zoe Burke and Charley Harper

By Megan Saben | May 16, 2016

Charley Harper’s Book of Colors by Zoe Burke, illustrated by Charley Harper. Pomegranate Kids, 2015. 24 pages. Reading Level: Board books Recommended for: Ages 0-4 ...

Sunny Side Up by Jennifer Holm

By Janie Cheaney | May 11, 2016

In this graphic novel with a bittersweet twist, Sunny's disappointing “vacation” in her grandfather’s retirement community conceals some family secrets. Sunny Side Up by Jennifer ...

My Life in Pictures by Deborah Zemke

By Janie Cheaney | May 11, 2016

Bea Garcia learns to deal with disappointment and make the most of her artistic gifts in this first cartoon-illustrated installment of a series. My Life ...

Ask-a-Librarian: 30 Great “New” Books

By Betsy Farquhar | May 9, 2016

Ask-a-Librarian is an occasional feature in which we answer a reader's email query. Here at Redeemed Reader, we love children's books from all eras and all ...

By Janie Cheaney | May 4, 2016

Sweet Home Alaska by Carole Estby Dagg. Penguin, February 2016, 296 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-14 Bottom Line: An ...

By Janie Cheaney | May 4, 2016

Tru and Nelle by G. Neri. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016, 336 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-12 Bottom Line: Based ...

By Megan Saben | May 2, 2016

What do you do when spring is shining and the kids are squirming? If you have a child who is enthusiastic about Legos, enrich their time ...

Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 29, 2016

Three 10-year-old girls cope with life’s ups and downs by learning to rely on each other, in a story with "magical" elements. Raymie Nightingale by ...

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 26, 2016

*NLT Jesus-Centered Bible. Group Publishing, 2015, 1440 pages. (Available in hard- and soft-cover editions.) Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 12-17 Bottom ...

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 26, 2016

NIV Bible for Teen Girls: Growing in Faith, Hope and Love. Zondervan, 2015, 1728 pages. (available in hard- and soft-cover editions) Reading Level: Middle Grades, ...

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 22, 2016

NIV Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible. Zonderkidz, 2016, 1344 pages. (Soft- and hardcover editions available) Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Hardcover edition Recommended for: ...

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 21, 2016

NKJV Courage Bible/NKJV Faith Bible. Holman Bible Publishers, 2014, 1568 pages Reading Level: Young Adult, ages 12-15 Recommended for: ages 10-15 Bottom Line: An accurate, ...

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 21, 2016

NKJV Study Bible for Kids. Thomas Nelson, 2015, 1536 pages. Hardcover edition Reading Level: Young Adult, ages 12-15 Recommended for: ages 10-12 Bottom Line: The ...

Bible Review NIrV Faith Builders/ NIrV Under the Sea

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 19, 2016

We're back!! Thanks again for your patience while we cleared up our site hack problems. You'll notice a rather stripped-down version of RedeemedReader, but be ...

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 19, 2016

NIrV Study Bible for Kids. Zonderkidz, 2015, 1789 pages. Available in hardcover, soft cover and ebook editions Hardcover edition Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-10 ...

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 28, 2016

The Michael J. Prinz medal is awarded every year by the ALA for excellence in YA literature. "Excellent," to the ALA, often means edgy, trendy, ...

Allegiant: It Was a Book First!

By Hayley Morell | Mar 18, 2016

The Divergent series by Veronica Roth, a self-avowed Christian, lives on as Allegiant hits theaters this week. Below, Hayley reflects Allegiant in book form. Allegiant, by Veronica Roth. Katherine ...

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 ...

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