Teen/YA
Three 2024 YA Romantic Fantasy Novels
By Hayley Morell |
Dragonfruit, What Monstrous Gods, and The Hedgewitch of Foxhall: three 2024 YA romantic fantasy novels by authors we have enjoyed in the past. Dragonfruit by ...
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Jolabokaflod for Megan’s family in 2024
By Megan Saben |
Choosing Jolabokaflod titles for my family every year is a pleasant challenge. What would interest each member that we don't already have in our collection? ...
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Back Porch Book Chat with Tasha Kazanjian (YA author)
By Megan Saben |
Back Porch Book Chat: a casual conversation about books and writing. Today we're visiting with Tasha Kazanjian, author of A Trick of Spades. A lover ...
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Fun with Math: Sir Cumference Speaks Volumes, The Pigpen Problem, and Our World: By the Numbers
By Janie Cheaney |
Sir Cumference returns, Goat and Sheep solve a math problem, and Steve Jenkins crunches the numbers. Sir Cumference Speaks Volumes follows our hero through another ...
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Beyond Infinity by Stephanie Warren Drimmer
By Janie Cheaney |
Beyond Infinity examines the technology that went into building the James Webb Space Telescope, as well as what it has discovered since its launch. Beyond ...
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Twelve Classic Christmas Stories: A Feast of Yuletide Tales
By Megan Saben |
Twelve Classic Christmas Stories is a lovely collection of short stories about Christmas that may inspire you to revisit classic authors in the coming year. ...
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*A Wondrous Mystery: Daily Advent Devotions by Charles Spurgeon
By Betsy Farquhar |
Joyful and thoughtful, A Wondrous Mystery offers 30 devotional readings drawn from Charles Spurgeon's sermons. *A Wondrous Mystery: Daily Advent Devotions by Charles Spurgeon, edited ...
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Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
By Janie Cheaney |
Impossible Creatures takes readers on an unforgettable quest to re-enchant an imaginary world—that may not be as imaginary as it seems. Impossible Creatures by Katherine ...
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Spirit Sleuths by Gail Jarrow
By Janie Cheaney |
Spirit Sleuths wraps ghosts, mediums, seances, scams, and Houdini in a fascinating true tale. Spirit Sleuths: How Magicians and Detectives Exposed the Ghost Hoaxes by ...
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*Evangelical Heroes by Joel Beeke and Douglas Bond
By Janie Cheaney |
Evangelical Heroes presents famous and lesser-known Christian role models throughout the modern era. *Evangelical Heroes, Vol. 1 and 2 by Douglas Bond and Joel Beeke. ...
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Radar and the Raft by Jeff Lantos
By Janie Cheaney |
Radar and the Raft traces the invention of Radar through the harrowing story of a missionary family torpedoed and rescued during World War II. Radar ...
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The Sherlock Society by James Ponti
By Janie Cheaney |
The Sherlock Society kicks off a fun mystery series by popular MG author James Ponti. The Sherlock Society (#1) by James Ponti. Aladdin (Simon & ...
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Jupiter Rising by Gary Schmidt
By Janie Cheaney |
Gary Schmidt brings a sad story (Orbiting Jupiter) to a hopeful conclusion with Jupiter Rising. Jupiter Rising, by Gary D. Schmidt. HarperCollins, 2024, 201 pages. ...
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Back Porch Book Chat with William Boekestein
By Janie Cheaney |
Back Porch Book Chat: a casual conversation about books and writing. Today we're visiting with William Boekestein. Bill is an author best known around here ...
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Finding My Vocation by William Boekestein
By Janie Cheaney |
Finding My Vocation offers a concise yet comprehensive guide for Christian teens considering their first steps into adulthood. Finding My Vocation: A Guide for Young ...
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3 Devotionals for Teens (or Families with Teens)
By Betsy Farquhar |
High school students are busy people! How much more important to encourage these young people during such a busy season to keep up the habit ...
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Wormwood Abbey: A Guest Post by Gina Dalfonzo
By Hayley Morell |
Today we are happy to share a guest post from Gina Dalfonzo, author and fellow book reviewer. Gina has been a guest at Redeemed Reader ...
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The Legend of the Last Library by Frank L. Cole
By Janie Cheaney |
The Legend of the Last Library pictures a dystopian future without books or paper, and one intrepid reader who holds the key to restoration. The ...
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Faker by Gordon Korman
By Janie Cheaney |
In Faker, a boy faces critical ethical questions involving his own immediate family. Faker by Gordon Korman. Scholastic, 2024, 214 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ...
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Uprising by Jennifer A. Nielsen
By Janie Cheaney |
Uprising is the story of a Polish girl’s experience of World War II, based on the experiences of a real-life teenage resistance fighter. Uprising by ...
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*Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton
By Betsy Farquhar |
A modern classic, Cry, the Beloved Country movingly illustrates how faith and culture intersect in Apartheid-era South Africa. Note: this is one of our featured ...
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*Risen Hope: The Church Throughout History by Luke Davis
By Betsy Farquhar |
Risen Hope is an engagingly written church history resource from Christian Focus for middle grades and teens. *Risen Hope: The Church Throughout History by Luke ...
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What the World Eats: A Roundup of Global Food Books
By Betsy Farquhar |
Do you know what people eat around the world? What do those missionaries from your church eat when they move to Ghana or Gambia or ...
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*Rwendigo Tales by J. A. Myhre
By Betsy Farquhar |
Dr. Myhre wrote the engaging Rwendigo Tales, a middle grades series with spiritual overtones, based upon her experience as a doctor serving in Africa. Note: ...
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Tree. Table. Book. by Lois Lowry
By Janie Cheaney |
Newbery author Lois Lowry poignantly depicts a cross-generational friendship in Tree. Table. Book. Tree. Table. Book. by Lois Lowry. Clarion (HarperCollins), 2024, 194 pages. Reading ...
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The Selkie’s Daughter by Linda Crotta Brennan
By Janie Cheaney |
The Selkie’s Daughter presents its protagonist with a profound choice between two natures. The Selkie’s Daughter by Linda Crotta Brennan. Holiday House, 2024, 202 pages. ...
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This Day in History for Kids by Dan Bova
By Janie Cheaney |
This Day in History for Kids is a year-long tour through historical events political and cultural, trivial and profound. This Day in History for Kids: ...
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Kentucky Derby Book List: Books for Young Horse Lovers
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Kentucky Derby runs every first Saturday of May. Will there be another Triple Crown winner this year? Will an underdog horse come from nowhere ...
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Offsides by Lori Z. Scott
By Betsy Farquhar |
Dani just wants to play soccer and have the best senior year ever, but she's suddenly alert to the signs of a sex trafficking ring ...
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The Looking-Glass Illusion by Sara Ella
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Looking-Glass Illusion brings the story from The Wonderland Trials to a clever and satisfying conclusion in this fantasy series for teens. The Looking-Glass Illusion ...
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The Wild River and the Great Dam by Simon Boughton
By Janie Cheaney |
Follow the construction of the Depression era’s greatest building project in The Wild River and the Great Dam. The Wild River and the Great Dam: ...
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*One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome
By Janie Cheaney |
One Big Open Sky fills a history gap with the story of black settlers heading west in wagon trains. *One Big Open Sky by Lesa ...
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Max in the House of Spies by Adam Gidwitz
By Janie Cheaney |
Max in the House of Spies begins the story of an 11-year-old German boy who believes he has what it takes to be a secret ...
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*Houses with a Story by Seiji Yoshida
By Janie Cheaney |
Houses with a Story offers both a fascinating tour of storybook dwellings and a springboard to imagination. *Houses with Story: A Dragon’s Den, a Ghostly ...
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Dune: Book vs. Movie
By Betsy Farquhar |
Is the movie better than the book? I've listened to Dune by Frank Herbert, and I've now seen Dune, part 1 and Dune, part 2. ...
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The Observologist by Giselle Clarkson
By Janie Cheaney |
The Observologist is a fun and fascinating introduction to wonders of creation available for viewing in your own back yard. The Observologist: A Handbook for ...
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Arc of a Scythe Trilogy by Neal Shusterman
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Arc of a Scythe Trilogy is a thought-provoking dystopian series for mature teens; it has problematic elements but raises good questions about the essential ...
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Yours from the Tower by Sally Nichols
By Janie Cheaney |
In Yours from the Tower, three young ladies overcome obstacles and find true love in late 19th-century England. Yours from the Tower by Sally Nichols. ...
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Eagle Drums by Nasugraq Raney Hopson
By Janie Cheaney |
The Newbery Honor novel Eagle Drums portrays the mythical origin of a cherished tradition of the Iñupiat people. Eagle Drums by Nasugraq Raney Hopson. Roaring ...
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Between Two Brothers by Crystal Allen
By Janie Cheaney |
In Between Two Brothers, a boy struggles for forgiveness and reconciliation after his older brother is seriously injured in a traffic accident. Between Two Brothers ...
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*Once a Queen by Sarah Arthur
By Hayley Morell |
Sarah Arthur's YA fantasy novel Once a Queen imagines a world like ours where stories come to life, but individuals have to return to reality. ...
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The Sacred Sacrifice by Hannah Paris
By Betsy Farquhar |
In The Sacred Sacrifice, Paris is proposing we use Bach's St. Matthew Passion in Lent and Easter much like we enjoy Handel's Messiah during Advent ...
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2024 Newbery Buzz #4: Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow
By Hayley Morell |
Simon Sort of Says was longlisted for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. Could it win the Newbery? We're continuing our long-running Newbery ...
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2024 Newbery Buzz #3: The Puppets of Spelhorst
By Megan Saben |
Kate DiCamillo's very first book won a Newbery honor, and she has won two Newbery medals on top of that. Is The Puppets of Spelhorst ...
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Scythe (Arc of a Scythe #1) by Neal Shusterman
By Betsy Farquhar |
Scythe is the first in a gritty dystopian trilogy about a society in which no one can die... unless a scythe gleans him or her. ...
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Family Style by Thien Pham
By Janie Cheaney |
In Family Style, cartoonist Thien Pham recalls his escape from Vietnam and growing up in America through a series of meals. Family Style: Memories of ...
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2024 Newbery Buzz #1: A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat
By Betsy Farquhar |
A First Time For Everything has already won the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. Could it also win the Newbery? We're kicking off ...
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What It’s Like to Be a Bird by David Allen Sibley
By Janie Cheaney |
What It’s Like to Be a Bird is an endlessly browsable resource for budding birdwatchers by a well-known authority in the field. What It’s Like ...
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YA Fantasy: Murtagh, Theft of Sunlight, & Wind Daughter
By Hayley Morell |
A rapid fire round up of three YA fantasy novels that belong to bigger worlds: Murtagh, A Darkness at the Door, and Wind Daughter. Murtagh ...
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*Daughter of Arden Trilogy by Loren Warnemuende
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Daughter of Arden Trilogy is an epic retelling of an older fairy tale; in its new version, strong echoes of Christian faith mingle with ...
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*Journey to Bethlehem by Leland Ryken
By Betsy Farquhar |
Journey to Bethlehem is a lovely anthology of historic Christmas poetry, hymns, and devotionals. Starred review! *Journey to Bethlehem: A Treasury of Classic Christmas Devotionals ...
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Niche Nonfiction for Teens (AKA “Living Books”): A Book List
By Betsy Farquhar |
Living Books Are Full of Ideas Those of us in Charlotte Mason educational philosophy circles like to talk about "living books." A living book is ...
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The Winterton Deception 1: Final Word by Janet Sumner Johnson
By Janie Cheaney |
Final Word introduces the Winterton family, dictionary magnates with lots of money and plenty of secrets to hide. The Winterton Deception 1: Final Word by ...
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The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
By Megan Saben |
Bruno is a 9yo German boy living during World War II who isn't happy with his father's new work assignment until he makes a friend ...
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*Bea Wolf by Zach Weinersmith & Boulet
By Hayley Morell |
Calvin and Hobbes meets the Nickelodeon channel to retell Beowulf in a colorful, creative, graphic novel. Bea Wolf by Zach Weinersmith & Boulet. First Second, ...
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A Stubborn Sweetness by Katherine Paterson
By Betsy Farquhar |
"A Stubborn Sweetness" is one of 15 short stories that celebrate the truth, beauty, and goodness of the real meaning of Christmas. A Stubborn Sweetness ...
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Which Version of The Diary of Anne Frank Is Best?
By Betsy Farquhar |
A lengthy post in which Betsy seeks to answer some of the many questions she and the RR team have received over the past several ...
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The Weary World Rejoices, edited by Melissa Kruger
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Weary World Rejoices is a collection of Advent readings from the Gospel Coalition that relate to the Advent wreath. For teens and up. The ...
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Awaiting the Manger by Ocieanna Fleiss
By Betsy Farquhar |
Awaiting the Manger, an Advent devotional for teens and up, uses stories from the Old Testament to point to the coming of Jesus. Awaiting the ...
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He Came Down From Heaven by Laurel Sauder
By Betsy Farquhar |
He Came Down From Heaven offers 25 days of biblical readings and cultural enrichment for families who celebrate Advent. He Came Down From Heaven: A ...
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*Enemies in the Orchard by Dana VanderLugt
By Janie Cheaney |
In Enemies in the Orchard, an American girl and a German POW discover a shared humanity among the tragedy of war. *Enemies in the Orchard ...
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*Seeds of America Trilogy by Laurie Halse Anderson
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Seeds of America Trilogy powerfully examines some of the complex ideas of the American Revolution: freedom, justice, and equality for all. Seeds of America ...
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Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
By Betsy Farquhar |
Fever 1793: Yellow fever sweeps through Philadelphia, challenging young Mattie to the core in this historical fiction novel for young teens. Fever 1793 by Laurie ...
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Things in the Basement by Ben Hatke
By Janie Cheaney |
Ben Hatke’s graphic novel Things in the Basement takes an intrepid protagonist through centuries of art and symbolism. Things in the Basement by Ben Hatke. ...
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The Mona Lisa Vanishes by Nicholas Day
By Janie Cheaney |
The Mona Lisa Vanishes tells of an astonishing theft while tracing the background of the world’s most famous painting. The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary ...
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*Charis in the World of Wonders by Marly Youmans
By Betsy Farquhar |
Charis in the World of Wonders is a richly satisfying novel of a young Puritan woman who learns much about the world and herself through ...
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Code of Silence and Back Before Dark by Tim Shoemaker
By Betsy Farquhar |
A heart-pounding mystery series, with hidden twists and turns at every corner and a powerful message. Note: this is a guest review. See below for ...
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Impossible Escape by Steve Sheinkin
By Janie Cheaney |
Impossible Escape tells the story of one determined teenager who survived Auschwitz and became one of the first to reveal details of the Holocaust. Impossible ...
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Maps, by Eleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski
By Janie Cheaney |
Maps is an oversize and endlessly browseable collection of hand-drawn maps of most of the world. Maps by Eleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski. Candlewick, 2013, ...
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*The Carver and the Queen by Emma Fox
By Betsy Farquhar |
An adventurous fairy tale set in Imperial Russia, perfect for teens who enjoy books like The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis. *The Carver and ...
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Dust by Dusti Bowling
By Janie Cheaney |
Dust is the story of an asthma sufferer challenged to “use her breath” to fight a wrong. Dust by Dusti Bowling. Little, Brown, 2023, 328 ...
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YA Graphic Novels: Graceling, Cheshire Crossing & Lore Olympus
By Hayley Morell |
A rapid fire round up of three YA graphic novels for mature teen readers. Graceling by Kristin Cashore, adapted and illustrated by Gareth Hinds. Clarion ...
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SmART: Use Your Eyes to Boost Your Brain by Amy E. Herman
By Janie Cheaney |
SmART, a young-reader version of the best-seller Visual Intelligence, employs art as a way of teaching observation and interpretation. SmART: Use Your Eyes to Boost ...
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Authority vs. Anarchy: A Book List for Teens
By Betsy Farquhar |
Authority vs. Anarchy: Opposites? Two sides of the same coin? Romans 13 reminds us to obey our governing (civic) authorities. Exodus 20 and Ephesians 6 ...
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The Switch by Roland Smith
By Janie Cheaney |
A 13-year-old boy must help his large family survive an ElectroMagnetic Pulse in The Switch. The Switch by Roland Smith. Scholastic, 2022, 303 pages. Reading ...
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Reading Ancient Literature with High School Students
By Betsy Farquhar |
Some of us love ancient literature, especially the great Homeric epics. Others shudder at the thought. I'm in the former camp, but I haven't always ...
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Stuff Kids Should Know by Clark and Bryant
By Janie Cheaney |
Stuff Kids Should Know draws from a popular podcast to detail the fascinating histories behind some everyday realities. Stuff Kids Should Know: The Mind-Blowing Histories ...
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Quicksilver by R. J. Anderson
By Hayley Morell |
In an engaging sci-fi thriller, one girl attempts to outrun her past while discovering her true identity. Quicksilver by R. J. Anderson. Carolrhoda Lab, 2013. 320 ...
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Ultraviolet by R. J. Anderson
By Janie Cheaney |
A first-person psychological thriller inside one young woman's remarkable consciousness. Ultraviolet, by R. J. Anderson. Carolrhoda Lab, 2011, 303 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, Ages 14-upRecommended ...
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The Most of P. G. Wodehouse by P. G. Wodehouse
By Hayley Morell |
An excellent introduction to P. G. Wodehouse via his short stories and one delightful novella. The Most of P.G. Wodehouse by P. G. Wodehouse, Touchstone, 2000. ...
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Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mysteries (Books 1 & 2) by Claudia Gray
By Hayley Morell |
Mysteries involving Jane Austen characters? That is the premise of Claudia Gray's recent mystery series suitable for mature teen readers as well as adults. As ...
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In the Tunnel by Julie Lee
By Janie Cheaney |
In the Tunnel takes readers into the savagery and family upheaval of the Korean War . In the Tunnel by Julie Lee. Holiday House, 2023, ...
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Race against Death by Deborah Hopkinson
By Janie Cheaney |
Race against Death surveys the fall of the Philippines during WWII, the fate of American prisoners left there, and the bold plan to rescue them ...
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Comics: Whys, Hows, and Wherefores
By Janie Cheaney |
(Originally published at Redeemed Reader on November 27, 2013) Most kids enjoy comics or their upscale cousins, graphic novels. Of those who enjoy them, many ...
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Alternative Physics: Larklight
By Janie Cheaney |
(Originally posted at Redeemed Reader on July 27, 2013) The Larklight Trilogy, by Philip Reeve, decorated throughout by David Wyatt: Larklight (2006), Starcross (2007), Mothstorm ...
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Batter Up! Books About Baseball (a Librarian’s List)
By Betsy Farquhar |
(Originally published at Redeemed Reader on May 27, 2013; updated July, 2023) Aside from the beach, nothing says "summertime" and "American" more than a game ...
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Talking About Money
By Janie Cheaney |
(Originally published at Redeemed Reader on June 1, 2012) We think of summertime as beach days, catch-up-on-our-reading days, vacation days, camp days (more on that ...
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*Land of Hope by Wilfred McClay
By Janie Cheaney |
Land of Hope offers a balanced, positive, and often inspiring view of American history--now available in student workbook, teacher's guide, and young-reader editions! *Land of ...
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High School World Literature: A Thematic Approach
By Betsy Farquhar |
High School World Literature: What to Cut? "World literature" can mean literally any book ever written. The hard part of planning a world literature class ...
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When Clouds Touch Us by Thanhhà Lai
By Janie Cheaney |
When Clouds Touch Us follows up the award-winning Inside Out and Back Again with the further adventures of a Vietnamese refugee family in the 1970s. ...
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Buffalo Flats by Martine Leavitt
By Janie Cheaney |
Buffalo Flats takes readers to the Northwest Territory of Canada, for an unforgettable story of spiritual growth and romance. Buffalo Flats by Martine Leavitt. Margaret ...
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*Nearer My Freedom by Monica Edinger and Lesley Younge
By Janie Cheaney |
Nearer My Freedom uses the actual text of an 18th-century memoir to create a poetic account of an extraordinary life story. *Nearer My Freedom: The ...
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*Arthur, the Always King by Kevin Crossley-Holland
By Janie Cheaney |
The lavishly-illustrated Arthur the Always King communicates the doomed majesty of the Arthurian legend. *Arthur, the Always King by Kevin Crossley-Holland, illustrated by Chris Riddell. ...
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American Born Chinese by Gene Yuen Yang
By Betsy Farquhar |
American Born Chinese is a coming-of-age story with great spiritual insight in graphic novel format. American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang. FirstSecond, 2021 (reprint). ...
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Enter the Body by Joy McCullough
By Janie Cheaney |
Enter the Body engages three tragic heroines of Shakespeare in a discussion of love, oppression, and what they might have done differently. Enter the Body ...
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Songs of America by Jon Meacham and Tim McGraw
By Janie Cheaney |
Songs of America takes an interesting approach to American history—tracing our story through popular tunes and lyrics. Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest, and the Music ...
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*The Labors of Hercles Beal by Gary Schmidt
By Janie Cheaney |
The title character of The Labors of Hercules Beal works through his grief by duplicating, in contemporary terms, the 12 "labors" of his mythical namesake. ...
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Sunshine by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
By Janie Cheaney |
Sunshine is the true story of a young man finding joy amid sorrow at a summer camp for seriously-ill children. Sunshine: How One Camp Taught ...
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Two Books about Sexuality for Kids and Teens
By Betsy Farquhar |
Books about sexuality for kids and teens are not new, but these days, it's getting harder to separate the wheat from the chaff. Well-meaning titles ...
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The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri: A Book Discussion
By Janie Cheaney |
The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri: Betsy and Janie Discuss The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams ...
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