Starred Reviews

cover of If You Plant a Seed

*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 ...
Read More →
cover of mr. squirrel and the moon

*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 ...
Read More →

*Daily Bible Reading Program for Children: 7/52 Bible Study

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 ...
Read More →

*Hostage Run by Andrew Klavan (The MindWar Trilogy, Book 2)

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 ...
Read More →

*Mikis and the Donkey by Bibi Dumon Tak

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 ...
Read More →

*Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover by Cece Bell

By Megan Saben | May 13, 2015
*Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover by Cece Bell. Candlewick, 2014. 50 pages. Reading Level: Easy Readers, Ages 4-8 Recommended For: Age 4-8 Rabbit’s friend Robot ...
Read More →

*Finding Truth by Nancy Pearcy

By Janie Cheaney | May 12, 2015
*Finding Truth: Five Principles for Unmasking Atheism, Secularism, and Other God Substitutes by Nancy Pearcey. David C. Cook, 2015. 383 pages Reading Level: Young Adult, ...
Read More →

*Red Butterfly by A. L. Sonnischen

By Janie Cheaney | May 5, 2015
*Red Butterfly by A. L. Sonnischen. Simon & Shuster, 2015, 392 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 12-15 Bottom line: In ...
Read More →
cover of *The Father Brown Reader

*The Father Brown Reader: Stories from Chesterton adapted by Nancy Carpentier Brown

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 23, 2015
*The Father Brown Reader: Stories from Chesterton adapted by Nancy Carpentier Brown, illustrated by Ted Schluenderfritz. Hillside Education, 2007. 147 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12 ...
Read More →
cover of *Lulu and the Rabbit Next Door

*Lulu and the Rabbit Next Door by Hilary McKay

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 20, 2015
*Lulu and the Rabbit Next Door by Hilary McKay, illustrated by Priscilla Lamont. Albert Whitman and Co., 2014. 91 pages. Reading Level: Chapter Books, ages 4-8 ...
Read More →

God’s Word by Sally Michael

By Megan Saben | Apr 11, 2015
*God’s Word by Sally Michael, illustrated by Fred Apps. P&R, 2015. 128 pages. - a joint review from Megan and Betsy Reading Level: Middle Grades, ...
Read More →
cover of Blue Birds

Blue Birds by Caroline Starr Rose

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 30, 2015
Blue Birds by Caroline Starr Rose. Putnam, 2015. 400 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: Ages 10-12 Bottom Line: This historical novel-in-verse ...
Read More →

*Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena and Christian Robinson

By Megan Saben | Mar 25, 2015
*Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena and Christian Robinson. G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, 2015. 32 Pages. Reading Level: ...
Read More →

*The Dirty Cowboy by Amy Timberlake, illustrated by Adam Rex

By Megan Saben | Mar 14, 2015
*The Dirty Cowboy by Amy Timberlake, illustrated by Adam Rex. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended For: ...
Read More →
cover of The Ordinary Princess

*The Ordinary Princess by M. M. Kaye (Retro Reads)

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 12, 2015
*The Ordinary Princess by M. M. Kaye. Puffin, 2002 (originally published in 1980). 128 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: Ages 8-10 ...
Read More →

*Faerie Gold edited by Kathryn Lindskoog and Ranelda Mack Hunsicker

By Megan Saben | Mar 11, 2015
*Faerie Gold: Treasures from the Lands of Enchantment edited by Kathryn Lindskoog and Ranelda Mack Hunsicker. P&R, 2005. 304 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages ...
Read More →

*Mission Accomplished: A Two-Week Family Easter Devotional

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 26, 2015
*Mission Accomplished: A Two-Week Family Easter Devotional by Scott James. New Growth Press, 2015. 64 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages ...
Read More →

*Pioneer Girl: the Annotated Autobiography by Laura Ingalls Wilder

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 24, 2015
*Pioneer Girl: the Annotated Autobiography by Laura Ingalls Wilder (edited by Pamela Smith Hill). University of South Dakota Press, sale 2014. 400 pages. Reading Level: ...
Read More →
cover of Caddie Woodlawn

*Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 23, 2015
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink. Aladdin, 2006 (reprint; originally published 1935). 288 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12Recommended for: ages 8-12, especially girls Bottom ...
Read More →

*Each Peach Pear Plum by Allan Ahlberg

By Hayley Morell | Feb 21, 2015
Each Peach Pear Plum by Allan Ahlberg. Puffin Books,reprint edition, 1986. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 0-4 Recommended for: ages 0-4 Bottom Line: Young and ...
Read More →

*Mockingbird by Allan Ahlberg

By Hayley Morell | Feb 21, 2015
Mockingbird by Allan Ahlberg, illustrated by Paul Howard. Candlewick Press, 1998. 24 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 0-4 Recommended for: ages 0-4 Bottom Line:  Young children will love ...
Read More →
cover of Nana in the City

*Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 19, 2015
Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo. Clarion, 2014. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8Recommended for: ages 0-8 In this 2015 Caldecott Honor, Castillo ...
Read More →

*The Sherwood Ring by Elizabeth Pope

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 10, 2015
The Sherwood Ring by Elizabeth Pope.  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2001.  272 pages Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Maturity Level: 5 (ages 12-14) and up ...
Read More →

*Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 5, 2015
This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! *Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim ...
Read More →

*Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 30, 2015
Tuck Everlasting, Natalie Babbitt’s masterpiece first published 40 years ago, is as timeless as its title characters. *Tuck Everlasting (40th Anniversary Edition) by Natalie Babbitt, ...
Read More →

*Rise by Trip Lee

By emily | Jan 27, 2015
*Rise: Get Up and Live in God's Great Story by Trip Lee.  Thomas Nelson, 2014.  240 pages.  Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 and up Maturity ...
Read More →
cover of Firefly July

*Firefly July by Paul Janeczko and Melissa Sweet

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 26, 2015
*Firefly July: A Year of Very Short Poems selected by Paul Janeczko and illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Candlewick, 2014. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ...
Read More →
cover of Hosanna, Loud Hosannas

*Hosanna, Loud Hosannas by Barbara and David Leeman

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 5, 2015
*Hosanna, Loud Hosannas: Essential Hymns Every Child Should Sing compiled and written by Barbara and David Leeman, 2014. 300 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12Recommended ...
Read More →

*Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 19, 2014
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel (named Mary Anne) are just as beloved by today's generation of children as they were in the 1930s! Mike ...
Read More →

*Choo Choo by Virgina Lee Burton

By Megan Saben | Dec 19, 2014
This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from ourWinter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! *Choo Choo: The Story of a Little ...
Read More →

*The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton

By Megan Saben | Dec 19, 2014
*The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton. Houghton Mifflin, 1969. 44 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, Ages 4-8Recommended for: Ages 4-8 A little house living out ...
Read More →

*A Library Book for Bear by Bonny Becker, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton

By Megan Saben | Dec 11, 2014
This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! *A Library Book for Bear by ...
Read More →

*The Girl and the Bicycle by Mark Pett

By Megan Saben | Dec 10, 2014
This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! *The Girl and the Bicycle by ...
Read More →

*Flora and the Penguin by Molly Idle

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 8, 2014
Frosty and cool, Flora and the Penguin is a strong follow up to Flora and the Flamingo. *Flora and the Penguin by Molly Idle. Chronicle ...
Read More →

*Three Bears in a Boat by David Soman

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 8, 2014
*Three Bears in a Boat by David Soman. Dial Books for Young Readers, 2014. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended for: Ages ...
Read More →

*A Light for my Path: An ABC Book Based on Psalm 119 by Davis Carman, illustrated by Alice Ratterree

By Megan Saben | Nov 26, 2014
This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! *A Light for My ...
Read More →
cover of Waiting is Not Easy

*Waiting is Not Easy! by Mo Willems

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 24, 2014
This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from ourWinter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! *Waiting Is Not Easy! by Mo Willems. ...
Read More →
cover of Christmas is Here

*Christmas is Here by Lauren Castillo

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 20, 2014
This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! We are participants in the Amazon LLC ...
Read More →
cover of MindWar

*MindWar: A Novel (The MindWar Trilogy, Book 1) by Andrew Klavan

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 18, 2014
MindWar: A Novel (The MindWar Trilogy, Book 1) by Andrew Klavan. Thomas Nelson, 2014. 336 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12 and upRecommended for: Ages ...
Read More →

*Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 17, 2014
Note: this review was originally published on February 4, 2011.  Heart of a Samurai, by Margi Preus, Amulet Books, 277 pages plus historical note and ...
Read More →

*Nuts to You by Lynne Rae Perkins

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 13, 2014
Nuts to You, by Lynne Rae Perkins. Greenwillow, 2014. 259 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Maturity Level: 3 (ages 8-10) One-line Summary: Nuts ...
Read More →

*Somebody on This Bus is Going to Be Famous by (our very own) J. B. Cheaney

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 9, 2014
*Somebody on This Bus Is Going to Be Famous by J. B. Cheaney. Sourcebooks, 2014. 304 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades (8-12)Recommended For: Ages 10-12 Bottom ...
Read More →

*The Warden and the Wolf King

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 11, 2014
An epic finale to an epic fantasy series. *The Warden and the Wolf King,by Andrew Peterson. Rabbit Room Press, 2014, 519 pages. Reading Level: Young Adult, ages ...
Read More →

*The Desperate Adventures of Zeno and Alya by Jane Kelley

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 8, 2014
*The Desperate Adventures of Zeno and Alya, by Jane Kelley. Feiwel & Friends, 2013, 201 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, Ages 8-10 Maturity Level: 3 ...
Read More →

*The Man with the Violin

By Megan Saben | Feb 26, 2014
 One ordinary Friday morning in January, a famous musician in disguise descended into the busy Metro station in Washington D.C.to share the glory of his music ...
Read More →

*Jane, the Fox, and Me by Fanny Britt

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, ...
Read More →

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). ...
Read More →

*The Beetle Book by Steve Jenkins

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 19, 2013
*The Beetle Book by Steve Jenkins.  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012, 40 pages Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 4-8 Recommended for: ages 4-8 and up (especially ...
Read More →

*Bible Review: ESV Children’s Bible

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 3, 2013
*ESV Children’s Bible.  Crossway, 2008, 1648 pages.   Reading level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10. Recommended for: ages 6-10 Bottom Line: The ESV contains excellent study helps, ...
Read More →

*Bible Review: HCSB Illustrated Study Bible for Kids

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 3, 2013
*The HCSB Illustrated Study Bible for Kids.  Boardman and Holman, 2007, 1104 pages.  Recommended for: ages 7-12. Available in a variety of covers to appeal ...
Read More →

*Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens

By Megan Saben | Apr 1, 2013
Tops and Bottoms is a clever folktale that illustrates the wisdom of diligence and warning against laziness in the book of Proverbs. *Tops and Bottoms ...
Read More →
Cover of My Lucky Day

*My Lucky Day by Keiko Kasza

By Megan Saben | Apr 1, 2013
My Lucky Day by Keiko Kasza. Puffin, 2005. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 When a fat pig shows up at a hungry ...
Read More →
cover of The Gardener

*The Gardener by Sarah Stewart and David Small

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 27, 2013
Lydia shares her efforts to bring beauty to the world around her in this epistolary picture book. *The Gardener by Sarah Stewart and David Small. ...
Read More →

*Greek Myths by Marcia Williams

By emily | Mar 3, 2013
*Greek Myths by Marcia Williams.  Candlewick, 2011.  Ages 4-up.  Reading Level: Picture Books, Ages 4-8, Ages 8-10, Ages 10-12 Marcia Williams' Greek Myths is a ...
Read More →
Entwined by Heather Dixon

*Entwined by Heather Dixon

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 24, 2011
*Entwined, by Heather Dixon.  Greenwillow, 2011, 472 pages. Reading Level: Young Adult, ages 12-15 Recommended for: Ages 12-15 Bottom Line: Entwined is a fairy-tale romance ...
Read More →
The Charlatan's Boy by Jonathan Rogers

*The Charlatan’s Boy by Jonathan Rogers

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 9, 2011
*The Charlatan's Boy, by Jonathan Rogers.  WaterBrook Press, 2010, 305 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: Ages 10-12 and up Bottom Line: ...
Read More →
The Year We Were Famous by Carole Estby Dagg

*The Year We Were Famous by Carole Estby Dagg

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 5, 2011
*The Year We Were Famous by Carole Estby Dagg.  Clarion, 2011, 241 pages with author note. Reading Level: Young Adult, ages 12-15 Recommended for: Ages ...
Read More →
Hereville by Barry Deutsch

*Hereville by Barry Deutsch

By Janie Cheaney | May 13, 2011
*Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword (graphic novel), by Barry Deutsch. Abrams (Amulet), 2010, 139 pp. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: Ages 8-10 ...
Read More →
The Perilous Gard

*The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 21, 2011
The Perilous Gard, by Elizabeth Marie Pope.  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2001, 288.  Age/interest level 12-up. Reading Level: Teens/Young Adults Recommended for: Ages 15-18 Bottom line: ...
Read More →

*Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 22, 2011
Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen. Random House (Wendy Lamb Books), 2007. 88 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Maturity Level: 4 (Ages 10-12) Bottom ...
Read More →
sneaky sheep cover image

*Sneaky Sheep by Chris Moore

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 25, 2011
Sneaky Sheep is a light-hearted book about two silly sheep who go astray. The illustrations are worth the price of the book. *Sneaky Sheep by Chris ...
Read More →