Starred Reviews

*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 ...
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*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 ...
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*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, ...
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*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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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, ...
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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 ...
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*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: ...
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*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: ...
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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 ...
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*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 ...
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*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 ...
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*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: ...
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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 ...
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*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 ...
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*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 ...
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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 ...
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*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 ...
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*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 ...
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*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, ...
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*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 ...
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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, ...
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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 ...
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cover of Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

*Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 19, 2014
This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel ...
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*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 ...
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*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 ...
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*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 ...
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*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 ...
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cover of Flora and the Penguin

*Flora and the Penguin by Molly Idle

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 8, 2014
This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! *Flora and the Penguin by Molly ...
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cover of Three Bears in a Boat

*Three Bears in a Boat by David Soman

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 8, 2014
This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! *Three Bears in a Boat by ...
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*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 ...
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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. ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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*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 ...
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*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 ...
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*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 ...
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*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 ...
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*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 ...
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*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 ...
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*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, ...
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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). ...
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*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 ...
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*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, ...
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*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 ...
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*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 ...
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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 ...
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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. ...
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*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 ...
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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 ...
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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: ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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: ...
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*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 ...
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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 ...
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