Starred Reviews

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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

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 ...

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 ...

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

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

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 ...

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 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 ...

An aspiring magician discovers the real magic in "Super Jake," his special-needs little brother. *Super Jake and the King of Chaos by Naomi Milliner. Running ...

Rebecca McLaughlin confronts some of the hardest questions faced by Christians today with thoughtful, engaging responses rooted in Scripture. *Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for ...

Transformed by Truth offers a lifelong approach to Bible study with practical helps for teens and adults. *Transformed by Truth: Why and How to Study ...

A conniving traitor who plots to overthrow the throne by dispatching one family member after another is threatened by a heroic young squirrel who drops ...

Sparky & Spike is about a boy and his dog and the genesis of the world's best-loved comic strip. *Sparky & Spike: Charles Schulz and ...

O Captain, My Captain encapsulates the Civil War through the eyes of its most famous poet. *O Captain, My Captain: Walt Whitman, Abraham Lincoln, and ...

Four homeless children in India find their own "bridge home" in this engaging novel for middle grades. *The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman.  Random House ...

A disgruntled boy gifted with "time sight" discovers a way back into his own family's history. *Time Sight by Lynne Jonell.  Henry Holt, 2019, 389 ...

Gareth Hinds' adaptation of The Iliad is an excellent introduction to Homer's classic for middle graders and teens. *The Iliad: a Graphic Novel Adaptation by ...

Nine Months shows the development of human life, from embryo to newborn, in gentle rhymes and beautiful paintings. Nine Months: before a Baby Is Born ...

Meet Mercy Watson, the Porcine Wonder My kids and I first met Mercy Watson, the porcine wonder, in the pages of her first book: Mercy ...

Lovely War is a satisfying romance that will leave readers with much to think about. Lovely War by Julie Berry.  Viking, 2019, 451 pages. Reading ...

A beautiful, artistic representation of the story of Easter using rocks set against a black backdrop. Starred review for He is Risen. *He is Risen: ...

Mitali Perkins' latest novel takes two conflicted teens to India to confront human trafficking and challenges to their Christian faith. *Forward Me Back to You ...

Jack and Praiseworthy must use their wits and resourcefulness if they are to strike it rich in California's goldfields in this funny middle grades novel. ...

Holling Hoodhood comes to appreciate more than Shakespeare in this humorous historical fiction middle school novel. Starred review for The Wednesday Wars! *The Wednesday Wars ...

Chiko and Tu Reh learn to face challenges and love their enemies in modern day, war-torn Burma in this realistic fiction novel for teens. Starred ...

To "pay attention" to the world around you is rule #1 of a life well lived, as this winning middle-grade novel shows. *Pay Attention, Carter ...

A beleaguered planet, flight school, and one young woman's quest to prove herself and clear her family honor combine in this excellent YA. Skyward by Brandon Sanderson. Delacorte Press, ...

*The Promise of Change: One Girl's Story in the Fight for School Equality by JoAnn Allen Boyce and Debbie Levy. Bloomsbury, 2019, 309 pages including ...

Me: "That school must be named after Lise Meitner. Didn't she do something with uranium?" {the school in question was on a TV show and ...

Foundling, Lamplighter, and Factotum by D. M. Cornish. G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2006-2010. Ages 12 & up. Reading Level: Young Adult, ages 12-14 Recommended for: ages 12 & ...

*Broken Pieces and the God Who Mends Them: Schizophrenia Through a Mother's Eyes by Simonetta Carr.  Presbyterian & Reformed, 2019, 359 pages. Reading Level: Adult Recommended for: ...

The Young Man's Guide to Awesomeness is a well-organized, humorous, straight-talking guide for young men as they mature into godly adults. *The Young Man's Guide to Awesomeness: How to Guard Your Heart, Get the Girl, and Save the World by Barrett Johnson. INFO For Families, 2017. 158 pages. Reading Level: Teen, ages 12 and up Recommended For: Upper middle grades and up (ages 10+) Growing up is never easy. There are physical changes, ...

Moving and beautiful, this post-Holocaust novel offers hope after horror. *What the Night Sings by Vesper Stamper.  Knopf, 2018, 249 pages. Reading Level: Teen, ages ...

In these four tales inspired by Kipling's Jungle Book, Mowgli the man-cub learns the backstories of his fellow creatures. *Into the Jungle: Stories for Mowgli ...

Astrid, the thunderbolt of Glimmerdal, charms readers as easily as she charms those around her in this delightful middle grades novel. *Astrid the Unstoppable by Maria Parr. Candlewick, 2018 (English language version). 320 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-10Recommended For: Family read aloud, ages 6 and up "Blistering badgers!" She's managed to sled —with speed and self ...

Imagination literally runs wild in Inkling, the latest middle-grade novel from popular novelist Kenneth Oppel. *Inkling by Kenneth Oppel, with illustrations by Sydney Smith.  Knopf, ...

Tales of Wonder provides parents and teachers a wonderful resource to use as they enjoy fairy tales with their students and children. *Tales of Wonder, ...

*Sing a Song of Seasons: A Nature Poem for Each Day of the Year selected by Fiona Waters, illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon. Nosy Crow, 2018, ...

Picturing America is an appealing picture-book biography of one of the originators of distinctive American Art. *Picturing America: Thomas Cole and the Birth of American ...

Adrian insists that he has a horse, but Chloe argues the obvious facts until she learns to see through his eyes. *Campbell, Marcy. Adrian Simcox ...

Wild Bells: A Literary Advent offers a beautiful Christian literary work, such as a poem, along with a reflection for each day of the Advent ...

Celebrate the birth of Christ with stories, Scripture, and song in this Advent family devotional guide, perfect for busy families or used in a classroom ...

Enjoy both Handel's Messiah and the season of Advent with this succinct-yet rich-guide to both. A good Advent family devotional option for busy families! *Hallelujah: A ...

To date this school year, our Love Your Neighbor Book Club has read Save Me a Seat and A Long Walk to Water, both of ...

Sweep combines historical fact with mythical elements to create a compelling story filled with sharp edges and surprising graces. *Sweep: The Story of a Girl ...

November is National Picture Book Month!  Here's a collection of new picture books for the whole family. We don't think you need an "excuse" to ...

Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree is a tough but vital read for thoughtful Christian teens. *Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani.  HarperCollins, ...

The Mercury Theater broadcast of "War of the Worlds," a fascinating footnote from American history, has interesting implications for today.  Ages 10-15 *Spooked! How a ...

How do the classic children's stories awaken a child's moral imagination? And how does that awakening contribute to their spiritual development and training in virtue? ...

The five Vanderbeeker children are back, with irrepressible high spirits, good intentions and miscalculations intact. *The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden by Karina van Glaser.  ...

This popular middle grades story poignantly recounts the stories of a young boy and a young girl in Africa as one flees civil war and ...

The Book of the Ancient World is just what it sounds like: an interesting book about the ancient world, including Ancient Egypt, Israel, Persia, and ...

In this lively novel, a recently-orphaned girl finds "hope and a future" in the midst of poverty and bereavement.  Ages 10-14. *Hope in the Holler ...

A well-written, engaging middle grades biography of Harriet Tubman, conductor on the Underground Railroad, that tells young readers about her life from birth to death. ...

In a beautifully written memoir full of vignettes, McCord gives readers glimpses of the people and culture of Afghanistan through her eyes as a Christian NGO. ...

Sunny takes us into the interior life of a track runner who doesn't want to run--so how can he stay on the team?  Ages 10-14 ...

A realistic sports story that is so much more than a sports story, Tangerine blends soccer, environmentalism, bullying, racism, and physical disability into a well-written, ...

How Sweet the Sound tells the story of "Amazing Grace" in rhyming couplets and dramatic illustrations.  Ages 6-10 *How Sweet the Sound: the Story of ...

A delightful journey into the jungle awaits Francis the Donkey on his quest to make new shoes for his favorite Calypso singer. *New Shoes by ...

God’s Timeline is a valuable resource that pulls together the entire sweep of church history from the Resurrection to the early twenty-first century. *God’s Timeline: ...

Exploring the Bible, a “DIY” guide for 8-12 year-olds, introduces a practical, workable way for kids to start studying the Bible for themselves. *Exploring the ...

For middle grades and up: a photographic, journalistic look at those famous twelve days in May when a group of whites and blacks bravely tried ...

For middle grades: A compelling look into the life of Betty before X (Malcolm X) and the influence of the black church in the racially charged 1940s. ...

The Book of Boy breathes life into the squalor and splendor of the late middle ages, with the tale of a parentless child and a ...

Starred review for this young adult biography that showcases a thoughtful--and thought-provoking--Abigail Adams against the backdrop of tumultuous American history. *Abigail Adams: Witness to a ...

75 years later, this Newbery-Award winning story about Johnny Tremain is still a great historical fiction read about the birth of America. *Johnny Tremain by Esther ...

Honey for a Teen’s Heart applies the wisdom of Gladys Hunt’s read-aloud approach to the adolescent years.  Adult *Honey for a Teen’s Heart: Using Books ...

If you want to read this hilarious and thoughtful poetry book, hide it from your kids or else you'll never get a turn. I'm Just ...

Honey for a Child's Heart was one of the first books advocating for building a Christian family culture around books. *Honey for a Child's Heart by ...

The Vanderbeekers, a loving family with normal unloving moments, face a Christmas-eve challenge with humor and heart. *The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan ...

Family devotionals centered around the Heidelberg and Shorter catechism are based on Scripture and are designed to help families memorize the catechisms. *Comforting Hearts, Teaching Minds: ...

Same Kind of Different As Me is an emotional and spiritual memoir of two men who became friends despite their backgrounds, races, and preconceptions. *Same Kind ...

Bottom line: When the big trucks take over the streets of New York, the pushcarts push back. Support your local vendor. The Pushcart War by ...

Voices of Christmas is a beautiful and poetic exploration of the different characters in the Christmas story--perfect for middle grades kids! *Voices of Christmas by ...

The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a modern classic with good reason: young Kit Tyler faces the questions all adolescents face as she tries to ...

Starred review for Echoes of Eden, in which Barrs offers guidelines for evaluating art and literature from a Christian review. *Echoes of Eden: Reflections on ...

A middle grades mystery that has become a modern classic: The Westing Game is just as engaging as ever! *The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. ...

Starred review for this book about a tech-wise family that is characterized by 10 commitments reflecting the proper pace of technology in a family's life ...

In this appealing multicultural novel, three generations of a Bengali family find life and love in America. *You Bring the Distant Near  by Mitali Perkins.  ...

A middle-school bully gets a chance to start from scratch—if only he can escape who he was before. *Restart by Gordon Korman.  Scholastic, 2017, 256 ...

*For Christ's Crown: Sketches of Puritans and Covenanters By Richard Hannula. Canon Press, 2014. 223 pages.  Just as the title implies, this volume is all ...

A light-hearted adventure for middle-graders combines humor and redemption. T*he Emperor’s Ostrich by Julie Berry.  Roaring Brook, 2017, 274 pages Reading Level: Middle grades, ages ...

Tony Reinke sounds a timely warning about our society’s growing addiction to electronic devices. *12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You by Tony Reinke.   Crossway, ...

Eight-year-old Cody's enthusiasm for life is contagious in this sunny chapter-book series. Cody and the Fountain of Happiness (Cody series #1) by Tricia Springstubb, illustrated ...

Just in time for Father's Day, this picture-book collection of poems celebrates the daily presence of a loving dad in the household. *My Daddy Rules ...

In this winning historical fantasy, a bright lad (fluent in the cat language) chafes at his boring life until an unexpected adventure on the high ...

This is one of the retellings of Beauty and the Beast we are featuring as part of our Beauty and the Beast Adventure. We are exploring ...

An epic middle grades fantasy series full of adventure, toothy cows, heroes and heroines, and dragons. *The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson. Rabbit Room Press. ...

A delightfully diverse collection of "tales" written and illustrated by a group of authors and illustrators who are themselves fans of the Wingfeather Saga! *Wingfeather ...

The stakes are higher than ever for Isaveth Breck, plucky heroine of A Pocketful of Murder, when the future of her city is threatened.    ...

A plucky girl sets out to prove her father's innocence —aided by a street boy— in this magical murder mystery.   A Pocket Full of Murder (Uncommon ...

Henry discovers 100 cupboards that lead to other worlds in this complex middle grades fantasy series that mirrors the creation-fall-redemption narrative framework of Scripture. 100 ...