Book Reviews

Dragons and Time Fetches: More Middle-Grade Fantasy

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 21, 2014

Handbook for Dragon Slayers, by Merrie Haskell. HarperCollins, 2013, 226 pages. Age/interest level: 10-up. When our story begins, Tilda, age 13, has no interest in ...

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

By Hayley Morell | Feb 20, 2014

Cinder by Marissa Meyer. Square Fish, 2012. 387 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12 – 15 Recommended For: 6 (ages 15 – 18) and up Bottom ...

Cyborg Cinderella

By Hayley Morell | Feb 20, 2014

Cinder by Marissa Meyer. Square Fish, 2012. 387 pages. Age/interest level: 14-up. Linh Cinder is a teenage mechanic, the best mechanic in New Beijing. ...

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 18, 2014

This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by ...

Presidents Day–What the Hayes?

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 17, 2014

There didn’t used to be a Presidents Day; instead, Americans observed Lincoln (Feb. 12) and Washington (Feb. 22) separately. But since those two had thoughtfully ...

Be My Valentine: The State of Teen Romance

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 14, 2014

If you go back as far as I do, you remember the YA novels before there was any such category as “YA.” These were mostly ...

Middle Grade Fantasy: Twistrose and Jinx

By Hayley Morell | Feb 13, 2014

Fantasy for middle grades (4th-8th/ages 9-12) is ever expanding. Hayley and Betsy look at two new additions to the field, both of which look light ...

*Tommysaurus Rex by Doug TenNapel

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 11, 2014

Tommysaurus Rex by Doug TenNapel. Scholastic (Graphix), ask 2013. 238 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-10 Maturity Level: 3 (ages 8-10) and up Bottom ...

Valentine’s Day

By Megan Saben | Feb 8, 2014

As Christians we are called to practice so many forms of love besides the romantic kind. Themes for Valentine's Day can be broadened to emphasize ...

Award-Winning Science Picture Books

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 7, 2014

The Animal Book: a Collection of the Fastest, Fiercest, Toughest, Cleverest, Shyest—and Most Surprising—Animals on Earth, by Steve Jenkins. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013, 208 pages. ...

A Quick Trip around the World

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 5, 2014

Maps, by Eleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski. Candlewick, 2013, 107 pages. Age/interest level: 4-up You like maps? We’ve got maps! After a view of the ...

Ghosts: Real or Make Believe?

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 5, 2014

Ghost stories: most of us relish that slightly spooky feeling we get when an urban legend or hair-raising tall tale is well told around a ...

Walk Like an Egyptian–and a Roman

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 4, 2014

It’s nonfiction week at Redeemed Reader—or not entirely, but we’ve got a lot of nonfiction titles to review, including a quick trip around the world ...

On the Court and in the Woods: Books for Teen Boys

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 31, 2014

Will in Scarlet, by Matthew Cody. Knopf, 20134, 272 pages. Age/interest level: 12-up. We’re introduced to William Shackley as a callow, nervous 14-year-old on his ...

Second-Grade Perils: The Year of Billy Miller

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 28, 2014

The Year of Billy Miller, by Keven Henkes. Greenwillow, 2013, 229 pages. Age/interest level: 6-8. Kevin Henkes’ name on a book jacket automatically gets attention. ...

Newbery Buzz: The Truth of Me, plus one more

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 24, 2014

This is our last "buzz" post, but tomorrow Betsy and I are going to go out on a limb and make some predictions about the ...

The Spiritual World of The Hobbit + Giveaway

By Hayley Morell | Jan 23, 2014

(Giveaway is now closed) The ever-increasing popularity of Middle Earth has brought a profusion of books written about both J. R.R. Tolkien and his created ...

Newbery Buzz: True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 21, 2014

We're coming down to the wire with our Newbery discussions. The ALA Youth Media Awards (which include the Newbery and Caldecott) will be announced Monday ...

Newbery Buzz: Counting by 7’s

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 17, 2014

(Janie and Betsy are continuing their chat about some of the outstanding children's literature being touted for the coveted Newbery award--yes, there are people who ...

Twerps and Bullies: Middle Grade fun for boys

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 16, 2014

I'll admit it: I cracked up when I read Wimpy Kid. Clearly, my sense of humor is rather juvenile (or, maybe I've just spent a LOT of ...

Eyes of Lightning

By Hayley Morell | Jan 15, 2014

I have issues . . . more than I can count. I’m stubborn, prideful, a so-called religious fanatic, and a tomboy with freakish eyes. My family and upbringing ...

Tough Times: Two Middle-Grade Historical Novels for Boys

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 14, 2014

River Rats, by Leslie J. Wyatt. Royal Fireworks Press, 2013, 212 pages. Age/interest level: 10-14. Kenny Barton would be the first to admit he doesn’t ...

Newbery Buzz: The Center of Everything

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 10, 2014

Betsy and I are back to dialogue about childrens' books that the American Library Association may delight to honor. This year's ALA Youth Media Awards ...

Nurturing a young reader’s literary tastes

By Megan Saben | Jan 9, 2014

Parents with avid readers often find themselves with a dilemma: after my child has read all the age-appropriate books, where do we go from here? ...

The Case for Christ for Kids: 90-Day Devotional

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 7, 2014

The Case for Christ for Kids 90-Day Devotional, by Lee Strobel and Jesse Florea. Zonderkidz, 2013, 199 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grade, ages 8-10 Recommended ...

The Doctrines of Grace by Shane Lems

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 7, 2014

The Doctrines of Grace, Student Edition, by Shane Lems. P&R Publishing, 2013, 143 pages, included appendices. Reading Level: Young Adult, ages 12-15 Recommended for: ages ...

Who Do Men Say That I Am?

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 24, 2013

Christmas brings into focus the mystery of the incarnation, when God, in the person of Jesus Christ, took on human flesh in order to meet ...

C. S. Lewis at War: Radio Theatre for Teens and Adults

By emily | Dec 21, 2013

C. S. Lewis at War: The Dramatic Story Behind Mere Christianity (Radio Theatre) by C.S. Lewis and Paul McCusker. Tyndale Entertainment, 2013. Ages 12 and ...

Rounding Up Some Good YA Reads

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 20, 2013

As Hayley noted earlier this week, the much-heralded final volume of Veronica Roth's Divergent trilogy was a disappointment. Much-heralded final volumes often disappoint, but what's ...

Newbery Buzz: Flora & Ulysses

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 17, 2013

Newbery Award Janie and I are back to discuss another potential Newbery contender (see our discussion of The Real Boy). The prestigious Newbery and Caldecott ...

Nostalgic Christmas Picture Books

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 12, 2013

Many of our cultural Christmas celebrations are just that--cultural, not biblical. That being said, we can be Christians and still enjoy many of our cultural ...

Far as the Curse is Found: Two Novels Dealing with Death

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 11, 2013

This seems like an odd time of year to talk about death, but the joy of the Christmas season wouldn’t be joyful at all if ...

Pilgrim’s Progress adapted by Anna Trimiew

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 9, 2013

Pilgrim’s Progress: John Bunyan’s Classic Story Adapted for Children, by Anna Trimiew, illustrated by Drew Rose. Great Commissions Press, 2013, 109 pages, including glossary and ...

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 9, 2013

Pilgrim’s Progress: a Retelling, by Gary Schmidt, illustrated by Barry Moser. Eerdmans, 1994, 96 pages. Reading Level: Young Adult, Ages 12-15 Recommended for: ages 12 ...

Newbery Buzz: The Real Boy

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 5, 2013

If you have any interest in youth literature at all, you know that the Newbery Award, announced in January by the American Library Association, is ...

*Twelve Kinds of Ice by Ellen Bryan Obed

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 3, 2013

Twelve Kinds of Ice, by Ellen Bryan Obed, illustrated by Barbara McClintock. Houghton Mifflin, 2012, 64 pages. Reading level: Middle Grades, Ages 10-12 Maturity Level: ...

Call of the Klondike: a True Gold Rush Adventure by David Meissner

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 3, 2013

This middle grade history uses original letters and contemporary news accounts to recreate the drama of the Alaska Gold Rush. Call of the Klondike: a ...

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 3, 2013

The Snow Queen, by Hans Christian Anderson, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. Harpers, 2013, 34 pages. Reading level: Middle Grades, 10-12 Maturity Level: All Bottom line: ...

Truth in the Tinsel: A Family Advent Tradition

By emily | Nov 29, 2013

Truth in the Tinsel Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I suppose the Christmas race has officially begun now, and with that in mind, ...

Classics in Comics

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 26, 2013

We round out Picture-book month at Redeemed Reader with a look at some recent comic-book adaptations of enduring literary works--even though graphic novels, technically speaking, ...

The Thing About Luck: National Book Award Winner

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 25, 2013

The National Book Award Finalists were announced earlier this fall, and this past week, the winners were announced. This year's winner for Young People's Literature ...

Librarians’ List: Favorite Picture Books of 2013

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 23, 2013

It's time for another Librarians' List! Since it's picture book month, we're indulging our list-making hobbies and bringing you yet another list of our favorites. ...

November 22, 1963

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 22, 2013

Fifty years ago a president was violently assassinated. John F. Kennedy’s place in history is mostly emblematic: baby-boomers remember his ease and charm and clever ...

Reading Rapunzel

By Megan Saben | Nov 21, 2013

Today I'm going to demonstrate a close reading of one version of a classic fairy tale. My favorite book to use in demonstrating the illustrative ...

Take Me Out to the Yakyu by Aaron Meshon

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 20, 2013

Take Me Out to the Yakyu by Aaron Meshon. Atheneum, 2013. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Take Me Out to the Yakyu is a colorful, ...

Sci-fi Contest Winner and Podcast: From Ender’s Game to Hunger Games

By emily | Nov 20, 2013

To listen to our a read along with real teens or find discussion questions about Ender's Game, please see our Ender's Game Read Along. Also, ...

Character in the Midst of Diversity: 8 Titles to Note

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 20, 2013

2013 has given us lots of excellent diverse picture book titles: books about minority cultures, folktale retellings, and books by (or illustrated by) people of ...

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 19, 2013

Jane, the Fox, and Me by Fanny Britt and Isobelle Arsenault (translated from the original French). Groundwood, 2014, 101 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ...

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 18, 2013

Flood, by Alvaro F. Villa. Capstone, 2013, 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture books, ages 4-8 Recommended for: ages 8-10 It’s hard to imagine rain doing ...

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 18, 2013

Mr. Wuffles! by David Weisner. Clarion, 2013, 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture books, Ages 4-8 Recommended for: ages 4-8 and up Bottom Line: Mr. Wuffles, ...

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 18, 2013

Bluebird, by Bob Staake. Schwartz & Wade, 2013, 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 4-8 Recommended for: ages 4-8 and up Bottom Line: This ...

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 18, 2013

Journey, by Aaron Becker. Candlewick, 2013, 26 pages. Reading Level: Picture books, 4-8 Recommended for: ages 4-8 and up Bottom Line: Journey uses luminous illustrations--and ...

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 18, 2013

*Hank Finds an Egg, by Rebecca Dudley. Peter Pauper, 2013, 36 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 0-4 Recommended for: ages 0-4 and up ...

By emily | Nov 16, 2013

New to Redeemedreader? Sign up for our biweekly newsletter on our homepage! You can also like us on Facebook or follow along on Twitter to keep up with ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 15, 2013

For our purposes, wordless books are either entirely wordless or have very little text. A classic example is Peter Spier's Noah's Ark which begins with ...

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 13, 2013

*Unspoken: A Story from the Underground Railroad, by Henry Cole. Scholastic, 2012, 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Book, Ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-10 and ...

Looking Forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 12, 2013

Every holiday season brings forth a crop of shiny new picture books, and we're on the beat. Today, two for Thanksgiving and two for Christmas--the ...

Veterans Day: The Warrior’s Heart

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 11, 2013

The Warrior’s heart: Becoming a Man of Compassion and Courage, by Eric Greitens. Houghton Mifflin, 2012, 263 pages. Age/interest level: 15-up. You stand in freezing ...

How NOT to Read a Picture Book

By Megan Saben | Nov 7, 2013

Ten guaranteed ways to destroy a good picture book (without a Sharpie or a bonfire) Always read in the same tone of voice, without expression or ...

The Power of a Picture

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 5, 2013

It’s picture book month! And boy, do we have a lot of picture books to talk about. I keep hearing that the pb market is ...

Middle-Grade Losers, or, What Hath Greg Heffley Wrought?

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 1, 2013

The Wimpy Kid phenomenon keeps on going, and so far has outlasted the dystopia phenomenon, the vampire phenomenon, and the zombie phenomenon. Volume 8 in ...

History in Graphic Format

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 31, 2013

As we conclude our History Month here at RedeemedReader, I hope you've enjoyed learning about historical fiction, church history, picture book biographies, general history, and ...

Ghost Stories

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 29, 2013

Do you believe in ghosts? I discount many of the ghost stories I hear, but can’t quit discount the whole phenomenon. That is, there is ...

Teen Sci-Fi Writing Contest & Discussion: From Ender’s Game to Hunger Games

By emily | Oct 26, 2013

***NOTE: AN ANONYMOUS DONOR HAS JUST UPPED THE 2nd AND 3rd PLACE PRIZES IN THIS CONTEST TO A $30 AMAZON GIFT CARD!*** Introduction It's been ...

Hear That Lonesome Whistle: Locomotive and Train

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 26, 2013

Every year children’s publishing offers at least one major picture book related to trains, but this year we’ve been blessed with three. One of them, ...

Empire of Bones (Ashtown Burials, #3)

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 24, 2013

Empire of Bones (Ashtown Burials #3) by N. D. Wilson. Random House, 2013. 448 pages. Reading Level: Middle gradesRecommended For: age 10 and up. We've ...

The Dogs of History

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 22, 2013

Duke, by Kirby Larson. Scholastic, 2013, 229 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-12 Boy loves dog; boy loses dog. That’s what ...

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 22, 2013

Lara’s Gift, by Annemarie O’Brien. Knopf, 2013, 193pages, including appendix Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12, Young Adult, ages 12-15 Recommended for: ages 10-15 Bottom ...

Ender’s Game Read Along, Wk 4: Conclusions

By emily | Oct 19, 2013

Like sci-fi or dystopian stories? Check out our Sci-Fi Writing Contest for teens. You could win feedback from a sci-fi author and Thomas Nelson editor, ...

Early America: Friendship and War

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 18, 2013

Friends of Liberty, by Beatrice Gormley. Eermans, 2013, 184 pages. Age/interest level: 8-14. Sally Gifford, as the daughter of an honest craftsman in 18th-century Boston, ...

How God Used a Thunderstorm by Joel R. Beeke and Diana Kleyn

By Megan Saben | Oct 17, 2013

*How God Used a Thunderstorm and Other Devotional Stories by Joel R. Beeke and Diana Kleyn, illustrated by Jeff Anderson (Building on the Rock Series). ...

Anselm: An Interview with Simonetta Carr

By emily | Oct 16, 2013

Anselm of Canterbury (Christian Biographies for Young Readers) by Simonetta Carr. Reformation Heritage Books, 2013. 64 pgs. Ages 8-up. Simonetta Carr recently published Anselm of ...

Church History for Everybody

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 15, 2013

This 12-volume set documents the church from its earliest days to 2001, with lavish illustration, original source material, and literate commentary. The Christians: Their First ...

Ender’s Game Read Along, Wk 3: The Science of the Story

By emily | Oct 12, 2013

Like sci-fi or dystopian stories? Check out our Sci-Fi Writing Contest for teens. You could win feedback from a sci-fi author and Thomas Nelson editor, ...

Sugar and P.S. Be Eleven: Middle Grade Historical Fiction

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 11, 2013

It's another dual review by Janie and Betsy today! We're teaming up to bring you reviews of two middle grade historical fiction novels during our ...

*A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant and illustrated by Melissa Sweet

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 10, 2013

*A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant and illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Knopf, 2013. 32 pages. Reading Level: ...

Little Histories

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 8, 2013

One thing we’ve lost, in our modern fragmented world, is a sense of the story of history. Between the rock of political correctness on one ...

Ender’s Game Read Along, Wk 2: Ender vs. Peter

By emily | Oct 5, 2013

Like sci-fi or dystopian stories? Check out our Sci-Fi Writing Contest for teens. You could win feedback from a sci-fi author and Thomas Nelson editor, ...

Three delightful picture books based on historical events

By Megan Saben | Oct 3, 2013

Candace Fleming is blessed with a wonderful combination of skills as a writer. Since she enjoys both writing and research, as a result she writes fun ...

Fun But Not Fantastic: Mr. Lemoncello and the Family Whipple

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 1, 2013

The American tradition of the “tall tale,” which you may think died with Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill, is alive and well in a genre ...

Our Favorite Science Book Picks (and a Printable List!)

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 30, 2013

We've thrown a lot of titles at you during our Science September for science-related informational texts. Because we know many of you, like us, love ...

Ender’s Game Read Along, Wk 1: Considering Sci-fi and Orson Scott Card

By emily | Sep 28, 2013

Like sci-fi or dystopian stories? Check out our Sci-Fi Writing Contest for teens. You could win feedback from a sci-fi author and Thomas Nelson editor, ...

God in Dystopia: Captives and Aquifer

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 27, 2013

Two weeks ago Hayley, Joseph, and Abby discussed two inaugural titles from Blink, Zondervan’s new YA title. Today they’re back with two more. Both these ...

Scientific Fiction or Fictional Science? Three Genre-Busting Reads

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 26, 2013

Janie and Betsy team up once again to bring you reviews of three recent scientific fiction works! Janie does the first and Betsy the second ...

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 24, 2013

The Reluctant Assassin (W.A.R.P., #1), by Eoin Colfer. Hyperion, 2013, 352 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Appropriate for: ages 15-up Bottom Line: ...

More Favorite Science Books

By emily | Sep 23, 2013

Welcome back to Science September at Redeemedreader! Last week, we heard from Janie on Science Biographies, as well as Betsy on some of her favorite ...

Solving Mysteries with Science (and a disappointing collective biography)

By Megan Saben | Sep 19, 2013

One Minute Mysteries: 65 More Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! by Eric Yoder and Natalie Yoder. Science Naturally, 2013. When I was growing up, ...

The Enemy Stone: An Interview with Robert Treskillard

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 18, 2013

Last Friday we had a fascinating discussion with our interns about some of the first titles of a brand new YA imprint from Zondervan. One ...

The Secret Lives of Scientists

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 17, 2013

On a Beam of Light: a Story of Albert Einstein, by Jennifer Berre, illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky. Chronicle, 2013, 50 pages. Age/interest level: 6-9 Despite ...

Science Picture Books: Authors and Illustrators of Note

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 16, 2013

It's Science September at RedeemedReader! The world of picture book nonfiction (or "information books, " as nonfiction is being called now) is exploding with very ...

Ender’s Game Read Along: A Galactic Giveaway and Contest!

By emily | Sep 14, 2013

***THE GIVEAWAY PART OF THIS POST IS OVER. *** ENDER’S GAME POSTS: Introduction, Week 1: Sci-fi and Orson Scott Card, Week 2: Ender vs Peter, ...

Taking a Look at “Blink”–with Our Own YA Readers

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 13, 2013

This fall, Zondervan Publishers is introducing a new imprint called “Blink.” According to Zondervan marketing v-p Chrisynethia Floyd, “They are for anyone, regardless of faith ...

New Worlds, Spirit Animals, and Frog Warriors: New Middle-Grade Fantasy

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 12, 2013

Betsy and Janie, the middle-grade readers, are joining forces today to tell you about three brand-new fantasy series for middle-graders. Betsy reviews the first two, ...

Space Odyssey for Little Ones: An Interview with Kevin Luthardt

By emily | Sep 11, 2013

THE BOOK REVIEW When Edgar Met Cecil. Peachtree Publishers, 2013. 32 pgs. Ages 4-8. Kevin Luthardt is an author-illustrator who has had a pretty big ...

The Rithmatist, Bubble World, and A Corner of White: Science Fiction or Fantasy?

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 10, 2013

As Emily informed us yesterday, September is science and science-fiction month, featuring our read-along of Orson Scott Card's classic novel, Ender's Game. To celebrate, we're ...

*Little Britches by Ralph Moody

By Megan Saben | Sep 5, 2013

*Little Britches: Father and I Were Ranchers by Ralph Moody. Bison Books, 1991. 260 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10, ages 10-12 and upRecommended ...

Boy Overcoming

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 4, 2013

Paperboy, by Vince Vawter. Delacorte, 2013m 224 pages. Age/interest level: 10-14 "I'm typing about the stabbing for a good reason. I can't talk." Life is ...

Laboring and Resting: Books about Both!

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 2, 2013

In this digital world of ours, I can post this blog entry "on" Labor Day without having to do any work on Labor Day: I'm ...

Podcast 34: A Kids’ Review of Amish Fiction

By emily | Aug 31, 2013

Big Year for Lily, A (The Adventures of Lily Lapp) by Suzanne Woods Fisher and Mary Ann Kinsinger. Revell, 2013. 272 pgs. Ages 8-up. With ...

Getting Rich Quick: Two Novels about Sudden Fortunes

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 27, 2013

A Whole Lot of Lucky, by Danette Haworth. Walker Books, 2013, 288 pages. Age/interest level: 9-13 Hailee Richardson has plenty to complain about—her screechy old ...

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