(D) Ages 10-12
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? ...
Read More Fun Middle-Grade Reads for Winter Break: Library Girl, The Long Way Around, and We Do Not Welcome Our 10-Year-Old Overlord
By Janie Cheaney |
Library Girl is the whimsical story of a girl finding a home while her adoring caretakers find true love. Library Girl by Polly Horvath. Holiday ...
Read More Amazing Asia by Rashmi Sirdeshpande
By Janie Cheaney |
Amazing Asia takes readers on a whirlwind tour of the geography, basic history, ethnicities and cultures of the world’s largest and most varied continent. Amazing ...
Read More *Mishka by Edward van de Vendel
By Janie Cheaney |
Mishka is the gentle, heartwarming story of refugees and rabbits finding home. *Miskha by Edward van de Vendel and Anoush Elman, illustrated by Annet Schaap ...
Read More Rube Goldberg’s Big Book of Building by Ed Stackley, et al
By Janie Cheaney |
Rube Goldberg’s Big Book of Building features practical instructions to building 25 impractical machines. Rube Goldberg’s Big Book of Building: Make 25 Machines that Really ...
Read More Glad and Golden Hours by Lanier Ivester
By Betsy Farquhar |
Glad and Golden Hours is a lovely companion to Christ-centered Christmas celebrations, both in anticipation of Christmas Day and during the 12 days following. Glad ...
Read More I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 by Lauren Tarshis
By Betsy Farquhar |
Part of the popular I Survived Series, I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 is a lively introduction to what the Revolutionary War might have been ...
Read More *The Biggest Story Family Devotional by Kevin DeYoung
By Janie Cheaney |
The Biggest Story Family Devotional expands on The Biggest Story Bible Storybook to offer a practical and flexible devotional guide. *The Biggest Story Family Devotional ...
Read More 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 ...
Read More Light Comes to Shadow Mountain by Toni Buzzeo
By Janie Cheaney |
In Light Comes to Shadow Mountain, a young girl is determined to bring electricity to her Kentucky home through the Rural Electrification Project. Light Comes ...
Read More Spiders: A Book List for Young Arachnophiles
By Megan Saben |
A few weeks ago I was trying to address the cobwebs on the walls and corners above my desk (possibly some procrasti-cleaning due to a ...
Read More 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 ...
Read More *Little Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, illustrated by Joe Sutphin
By Megan Saben |
A classic Christmas story of an old sinner who finds redemption through visits from four spirits who convict him of his worldly wretchedness. Little Christmas ...
Read More *Drawn Onward by Daniel Nayeri
By Megan Saben |
A boy struggling after the loss of his mother goes on a fantasy adventure and finds peace in her memory. *Drawn Onward by Daniel Nayeri. ...
Read More Frindle and The Frindle Files by Andrew Clements
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Frindle Files brings Nicholas Allen, from Frindle fame, back into the limelight in this lively follow-up for middle grade readers. Frindle by Andrew Clements. ...
Read More *One Long Line by Loree Griffin Burns
By Janie Cheaney |
One Long Line illustrates the scientific method through the simple observance of one species of caterpillars. *One Long Line: Marching Caterpillars and the Scientists Who ...
Read More You’re the Boss by Brian Weisfeld and Bonnie Bader
By Janie Cheaney |
You’re the Boss is a quick but comprehensive guide to for entrepreneurial kids interested in starting a business. You’re the Boss: A Kid’s Ultimate Guide ...
Read More Answers to Dog by Pete Hautman
By Janie Cheaney |
In Answers to Dog, an abused border collie finds a home and a boy finds a friend--multiple friends. Answers to Dog by Pete Hautman. Candlewick, ...
Read More Art All around Us by Xiao Situ
By Janie Cheaney |
Art All Around Us introduces young readers to the nearly infinite variety of art and its meaning in ordinary life. Art All around Us: A ...
Read More Who Built That? Bridges by Didier Cornille
By Betsy Farquhar |
Who Built That? Bridges is a clever picture book-in-translation that illustrates ten famous bridges and the construction process and engineers behind them. Who Built That? ...
Read More *Big Book of Math by Katherine Hannon
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Big Book of Math is a timeline book absolutely filled with mathematical figures, faces, and facts, all situated within the context of a biblical ...
Read More *The Hotel Balzaar by Kate DiCamillo
By Janie Cheaney |
In The Hotel Balzaar, Kate DiCamillo continues her magical Norendy Tales series with intriguing hints of further connections. *The Hotel Balzaar (A Norendy Tale) by ...
Read More 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 ...
Read More The Found Boys by S. D. Smith
By Janie Cheaney |
The “Found Boys” find trouble in their West Virginia small town, but also deepen their understanding of grace and forgiveness. The Found Boys by S. ...
Read More Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody by Patrick Ness
By Janie Cheaney |
Zeke, a “Lizard Nobody” in his own opinion (as well as an actual lizard) learns to stand up for himself in this hilarious and heartfelt ...
Read More Between Flowers and Bones by Carolyn Leiloglou
By Janie Cheaney |
Between Flowers and Bones continues The Restorationists adventure series, in which members of a family are gifted with the ability to travel through works of ...
Read More 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 ...
Read More Rosa by Starlight by Hilary McKay
By Janie Cheaney |
Rosa by Starlight is a sweet story of an orphan finding her way home, with the help of a host of sympathetic cats. Rosa by ...
Read More *Shakespeare’s First Folio: All the plays, a children’s edition
By Megan Saben |
Shakespeare's First Folio is a wonderful introduction to the plays, suitably shortened for children, a gorgeous addition to any home library. *Shakespeare's First Folio: All ...
Read More *The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
By Megan Saben |
A wild robot explores an island and learns more than how to survive nature from the animals; she develops relationships and makes it home. A ...
Read More *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. ...
Read More Out of My Dreams by Sharon Draper
By Janie Cheaney |
Melody Brooks, a 13-year-old with cerebral palsy, concludes her trilogy by stepping onto a global stage in Out of My Dreams. Out of My Dreams ...
Read More 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 & ...
Read More The Science of Friendship by Tanita S. Davis
By Janie Cheaney |
In The Science of Friendship, an 8th-grade girl takes an analytical approach to keeping friends and discovers some important truths about herself. The Science of ...
Read More Jack Zulu and the Girl with the Golden Wings by S. D. Smith
By Betsy Farquhar |
Jack Zulu and the Girl with the Golden Wings is an exhilarating installment in the Jack Zulu series, but it will leave you wanting more! ...
Read More The Minor Miracle by Meredith Davis
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Minor Miracle is a light-hearted, fun read with lots of heart, perfect for fans of comic books, superheroes, and friends. The Minor Miracle: The ...
Read More *Joni Eareckson Tada by Kristyn Getty
By Janie Cheaney |
A new biography of Joni Eareckson Tada for kids demonstrates how anyone can honor God no matter the circumstances. *Joni Eareckson Tada: The Girl Who ...
Read More Mama’s Chicken and Dumplings by Dionna L. Mann
By Janie Cheaney |
Mama’s Chicken and Dumplings features a winsome protagonist trying her hand at parental matchmaking. Mama’s Chicken and Dumplings by Dionna L. Mann. Holiday House/Margaret Ferguson ...
Read More 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 ...
Read More *The Wilderking Trilogy by Jonathan Rogers (20th anniversary editions)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Aidan, fifth son of a Lord of Corenwald, befriends Feechies, defeats a giant, and leads a loyal group of followers in the Wilderking Trilogy, a ...
Read More *Ben Washington Is the Newbie on the Block by Jasmine Mullen
By Janie Cheaney |
Young Ben Washington, the star of this new middle-grade series, is funny, flawed, and fully relatable. *Ben Washington Is . . . the Newbie on ...
Read More The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry
By Hayley Morell |
A sweet middle-grade historical fiction recounting some of the Luminous Life of Lucy Landry, an Ojibwe orphan. The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry, Anna Rose ...
Read More 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, ...
Read More Majestica by Sarah Tolcser
By Janie Cheaney |
Majestica takes readers on a thrill ride through a wildlife park filled with magical creatures. Majestica by Sarah Tolcser. G.P. Putnam’s Sons (PRH), 2024, 307 ...
Read More 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 ...
Read More The Treasure by Marty Machowski
By Megan Saben |
Two children living on a Greek island discover a sealed clay pot containing two scrolls and a book. A treasure hunt, a ship, special coins, ...
Read More Wander Lost by Laura Martin
By Janie Cheaney |
Wander Lost features hidden worlds within a variety of board games, and twin brothers launched on a desperate rescue mission. Wander Lost by Laura Martin. ...
Read More The Secret Language of Birds by Lynne Kelly
By Hayley Morell |
A neurodivergent tween finds friends and makes an amazing discovery at summer camp. The Secret Language of Birds, Lynne Kelly, Delacorte Press, 2024. 240 Pages ...
Read More Evan Miller Is Waking Down by Jerel Law
By Betsy Farquhar |
Evan Miller Is Waking Down ... and dreamwalking in this inventive dystopian series opener for middle schoolers. Evan Miller Is Waking Down by Jerel Law. ...
Read More And Then, Boom! by Lisa Fipps
By Janie Cheaney |
And Then, Boom! features a winsome protagonist who suddenly finds himself abandoned. And Then, Boom! by Lisa Fipps. Nancy Paulsen (PRH), 2024, 244 pages Readling ...
Read More With Just One Wing by Brenda Woods
By Janie Cheaney |
An adopted boy comes to identify with an orphaned mockingbird With Just One Wing. With Just One Wing by Brenda Woods. Nancy Paulsen Books (PRH), ...
Read More *Indescribable Atlas Adventures by Louie Giglio
By Betsy Farquhar |
Indescribable Atlas Adventures is a large format picture book full of interesting details about the world God made, including people, places, and animals. *Indescribable Atlas ...
Read More Life After Whale by Lynn Brunelle and Jason Chin
By Janie Cheaney |
Life after Whale pictures the phenomenon of “Whale Fall”: how the earth’s largest living creature supports thriving ecosystems for decades after death. Life after Whale: ...
Read More The Kid by Jeff Schill
By Janie Cheaney |
The Kid is an old-west legend about old-west legends, featuring a 13-year-old tale-spinner, a Philadelphia tenderfoot, and a vicious desperado. The Kid by Jeff Schill. ...
Read More Elf Dog and Owl Head by M. T. Anderson
By Betsy Farquhar |
Clay befriends a strange elf dog in this tale that mixes friendship and the fae. Elf Dog and Owl Head by M. T. Anderson. Candlewick, ...
Read More *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 ...
Read More Light and Air by Mindy Nichols Wendell
By Janie Cheaney |
Light and Air follows its 11-year-old protagonist through a rocky path of tuberculosis and family upheaval. Light and Air by Mindy Nichols Wendell. Holiday House, ...
Read More 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 ...
Read More *Wang Mingdao by Simonetta Carr
By Janie Cheaney |
The latest volume of the Christian Biographies series introduces Wang Mingdao, a father of the Chinese evangelical church, to young readers. *Wang Mingdao by Simonetta ...
Read More Global Prayer Resources: Operation World and Window on the World and More
By Betsy Farquhar |
How can we better pray for our brothers and sisters around the world? Operation World and Window on the World help us pray for God's ...
Read More *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: ...
Read More 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 ...
Read More 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. ...
Read More Making Sense of Dog Senses by Stephanie Gibeault
By Janie Cheaney |
Making Sense of Dog Senses is a fascinating introduction to the way dogs experience their world. Making Sense of Dog Senses: How Our Furry Friends ...
Read More *Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
By Betsy Farquhar |
We've updated our review of this gem: a lovely story about gratitude and Chinese mythology for middle grades. Note: this is one of our featured ...
Read More 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: ...
Read More The Night War by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
By Janie Cheaney |
The Night War is the WWII story of a Jewish girl in Paris choosing to be brave when Nazis take everything from her. The Night ...
Read More 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 ...
Read More Operation: Happy by Jenni L. Walsh
By Janie Cheaney |
Operation: Happy is the story of a girl and her dog experiencing the attack on Pearl Harbor and challenges that followed. Operation: Happy: A World ...
Read More Animal Albums from A to Z by CeCe Bell
By Janie Cheaney |
Animal Albums from A to Z is an alliterative avalanche of amusing, applause-winning auditory adumbrations from the zoological zeitgeist. Animal Albums from A to Z ...
Read More On All Other Nights, edited by Chris Baron, Joshua Levy, and Naomi Milliner
By Janie Cheaney |
On All Other Nights uses the perspective of 14 authors to detail every step of the Seder Meal observed by Jewish families during Passover (recipes ...
Read More Olivetti by Allie Millington
By Janie Cheaney |
Olivetti features an uncommon protagonist—a manual typewriter—with the keys to unravel a mystery. Olivetti by Allie Millington. Feiwel and Friends, 2024, 246 pages. Reading Level: ...
Read More Poetry Comics by Grant Snider
By Janie Cheaney |
Poetry Comics offers budding poets a lot of ideas to think about in an appealing visual format. Poetry Comics by Grant Snyder. Chronicle, 2024, 96 ...
Read More Maple’s Theory of Fun by Kate McMillan and Ruthie Prillaman
By Janie Cheaney |
Maple, an analytical (and anal) 6th-grader, applies the scientific method to becoming a fun person. Maple’s Theory of Fun by Kate McMillan and Ruthie Prillaman. ...
Read More 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: ...
Read More The Book Scavenger Series by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Book Scavenger Series is an engaging middle grades mystery series for book lovers and puzzle aficionados. Book Scavenger Series by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman. Square ...
Read More *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 ...
Read More *Ferris by Kate DiCamillo
By Janie Cheaney |
Ferris, the latest novel by two-time Newbery author Kate DiCamillo, embraces a world full of sorrow but ruled by love. *Ferris by Kate DiCamillo. Candlewick, ...
Read More Finding Normal by Stephanie Faris
By Janie Cheaney |
In Finding Normal, a 12-year-old girl must learn to make a new life when her home is made uninhabitable by a flood. Finding Normal by ...
Read More 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 ...
Read More *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 ...
Read More 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 ...
Read More Across so Many Seas by Ruth Behar
By Janie Cheaney |
Across So Many Seas tracks the destiny of a Jewish family exiled from Spain in 1492. Across So Many Seas by Ruth Behar. Nancy Paulsen ...
Read More Recent Picture Books from New Growth Press: My First ABC Book of Bible Verses, Something Scary Happened, Our Great God
By Betsy Farquhar |
New Growth Press consistently publishes high quality resources for churches and families. We've enjoyed many of their devotionals, picture books, and chapter books. Here's a ...
Read More 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 ...
Read More 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 ...
Read More Recent Christian Picture Books: God’s Signpost, The God Contest, and The 10 Commandments
By Betsy Farquhar |
Whew! It's sooo exciting to get boxes of books on my doorstep, but sometimes the picture books get lost in the shuffle. Here's a round-up ...
Read More 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 ...
Read More *African Heroes by Jerome Gay, Jr.
By Betsy Farquhar |
African Heroes introduces children to heroes of the faith who are from Africa in this vibrantly illustrated picture book from New Growth Press. Note: this ...
Read More Newbery Gold: The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers
By Janie Cheaney |
It wasn’t on our Bingo Card, maybe because it was published early last year and we (I) kind of forgot it. But The Eyes and ...
Read More 2024 Newbery Buzz #5: Hope in the Valley by Mitali Perkins
By Betsy Farquhar |
It’s no secret to long-time RR readers that we love Mitali Perkins (*and* her books). We’ve reviewed nearly all of them to date, from picture ...
Read More 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 ...
Read More The Boy, the Cloud, and the Very Tall Tale by Heather Smith
By Janie Cheaney |
A 12-year-old works through grief in The Boy, the Cloud, and the Very Tall Tale. The Boy, the Cloud, and the Very Tall Tale by ...
Read More Newbery Roundup 2: Mexikid, The Swifts, and Shira and Esther’s Double-Dream Debut
By Janie Cheaney |
This is second of our roundup series of possible Newbery contenders for 2024. See the first roundup here. Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martin. ...
Read More Newbery Roundup 1: Jawbreaker, When Sea Becomes Sky, Duel
By Janie Cheaney |
Two weeks from now (January 22), the American Library Association will announce their Youth Media Award winners, including the Newbery and Caldecott. We’ve kept an ...
Read More 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 ...
Read More 2024 Newbery Buzz #2: Nothing Else But Miracles by Kate Albus
By Betsy Farquhar |
Traditionally, the Newbery Medal has been awarded to many historical fiction novels. That trend has shifted a bit in recent years. Today, we're looking at ...
Read More Attacked! by Marc Favreau
By Janie Cheaney |
Attacked! is an engaging, accessible account of the “day that shall live in infamy,” seen through the eyes of individuals on both sides. Attacked! Pearl ...
Read More Who’s Got Mail? by Linda Barrett Osborne
By Janie Cheaney |
Who’s Got Mail? is a friendly introduction to the long history of an everyday convenience. Who’s Got Mail? The History of Mail in America by ...
Read More 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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