(E) Ages 12-15
The Unlikely Intrusion of Adams Klein by John Greco
By Hayley Morell |
Time travel and small town America collide in The Unlikely Intrusion of Adams Klein, an action-packed series starter to the TimeFall Trilogy. The Unlikely Intrusion ...
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Adi of Boutanga by Alain Serge Dzotap
By Betsy Farquhar |
Adi of Boutanga is a gentle story about a harsh reality for young women in Cameroon (and elsewhere in the world). Adi of Boutanga: A ...
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Where Only Storms Grow by Alyssa Colman
By Janie Cheaney |
Where Only Storms Grow brings the “Dust Bowl” of the 1930s vividly to life, as a family struggles to hold on to hope. Where Only ...
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Books About Weather and Natural Disasters: A Redeemed Reader Booklist
By Betsy Farquhar |
Books about weather and natural disasters, and their related sub-topics like hurricanes, tornadoes, and giant floods, are hot picks for the elementary school crowd. Just ...
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Learning to Lead: Another Redeemed Reader Booklist! (Updated)
By Janie Cheaney |
In his Confessions, Augustine wrote this on the subject of "time": “I understand well enough what time is, so long as no one asks me.” ...
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*The Teacher of Nomad Land by Daniel Nayeri
By Betsy Farquhar |
Balak valiantly takes up his father's mantle to be the teacher of nomad land; along the way, he himself is taught much. *The Teacher of ...
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The Forest of a Thousand Eyes by Frances Hardinge
By Janie Cheaney |
The Forest of a Thousand Eye pictures a decaying community at the mercy of nature, and one girl plunged into a desperate situation. The Forest ...
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*Putin vs. Zelensky: The Russo-Ukrainian War by Ben Thompson
By Janie Cheaney |
Putin vs. Zelensky focuses on biography to give readers a grasp of the fraught history between Russia and Ukraine, and how the current conflict developed. ...
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The Library of Curiosities by Jenny Lundquist
By Janie Cheaney |
In The Library of Curiosities, an orphaned girl discovers her heritage as the latest of a curiosity-collecting dynasty. The Library of Curiosities by Jenny Lundquist. ...
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Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear by Trang Nguyen
By Hayley Morell |
A young Vietnamese wildlife conservationist sets out on a quest to help one special sun bear return to the rainforest in Saving Sorya, a vibrant ...
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*The Golden Necklace by Mitali Perkins
By Betsy Farquhar |
Sona is determined to find out who stole her friend's golden necklace in order to clear her brother of suspicion in this new mystery series ...
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*Natalie Babbitt’s Tuck Everlasting: The Graphic Novel adapted by K. Woodman-Maynard
By Janie Cheaney |
Natalie Babbitt’s Tuck Everlasting: The Graphic Novel is an excellent visual presentation of a classic story. *Natalie Babbitt's Tuck Everlasting: The Graphic Novel adapted and ...
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The AI Incident by J. E. Thomas
By Janie Cheaney |
The AI Incident pits a foster kid longing for a home against a cold-hearted machine with its own plans. The AI Incident by J. E. ...
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Schoolbot 9000: A Graphic Novel by Sam Hepburn
By Janie Cheaney |
Schoolbot 9000 is the first volume of a graphic-novel series examining the effect of machine learning on education. Schoolbot 9000: A Graphic Novel by Sam ...
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The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall
By Janie Cheaney |
The Library of Unruly Treasures introduces readers to a race of tiny people with wings, and a human girl who may be their rescuer. The ...
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*The Heart of Adventure (Mistmantle Chronicles)
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Mistmantle Chronicles is an action-packed and beautifully written series of five books that follow the adventures of Urchin, a young and brave red squirrel ...
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*The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser
By Janie Cheaney |
The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli takes readers on parallel quests through 8th-century China and New York’s Depression-Era Chinatown. *The Nine Moons of ...
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Snoop by Gordon Norman
By Janie Cheaney |
A recuperating boy learns more than he needs to know by becoming the neighborhood “snoop.” Snoop by Gordon Korman. Scholastic, 2025. 195 pages. Reading Level: ...
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The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin
By Hayley Morell |
While a series starter, The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine is a fun, contained, YA fantasy. The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin. Enclave ...
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The Burning Season by Caroline Starr Rose
By Janie Cheaney |
The Burning Season pits a 12-year-old girl against a fast-moving forest fire. The Burning Season by Caroline Starr Rose. Nancy Paulsen Books, 2025. 228 pages. ...
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Whale Eyes by James Robinson
By Janie Cheaney |
Whale Eyes is an innovative memoir by a young filmmaker documenting his struggles with reading and physical difference. Whale Eyes: A Memoir About Seeing and ...
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The Giver by Lois Lowry
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Giver examines deep and foundational questions through a dystopian framework. The Giver by Lois Lowry. Laurel-leaf. Reprint ed, 2002. 192 pgs. Reading Level: Middle grades, ...
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*The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
By Betsy Farquhar |
In The King of Attolia, Gen must bring all his grit, cleverness, and convictions to bear as he works to earn the right to be ...
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*Thick as Thieves by Megan Whalen Turner
By Betsy Farquhar |
Kamet and Costis, two characters from earlier in the Queen's Thief series, take center stage in Thick as Thieves. *Thick as Thieves (Queen's Thief, #5) ...
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*The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Queen of Attolia is both diabolical and lovely; Eugenides loves her despite the choices she must make on behalf of her crown. *The Queen ...
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*A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner
By Betsy Farquhar |
Sophos, newly king of Sounis, takes center stage in A Conspiracy of Kings, the fourth Queen's Thief book. *A Conspiracy of Kings (Queen's Thief, #4) ...
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Spelling It Out by Margaret Finnegan
By Janie Cheaney |
In Spelling It Out, a competitive speller discovers his own strengths as well as the value of family. Spelling It Out by Margaret Finnegan. Atheneum, ...
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Blended by Sharon Draper
By Betsy Farquhar |
Isabella is blended: half-white, half-black. Soon, she's going to be in a blended family, too. How do you find your identity when you're all mixed ...
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Drawing Is … Your Guide to Scribbled Adventures by Elizabeth Haidle
By Janie Cheaney |
Drawing Is . . . hands young artists a few basic art principles and encourages them to let their imaginations run wild. Drawing Is ... ...
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Sky of Seven Colors by Rachelle Nelson
By Betsy Farquhar |
Sky of Seven Colors imagines a world that finds power in color, demands everything from its heroine, and offers a bit of true love. Sky ...
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The Playmakers by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown
By Janie Cheaney |
In The Playmakers, three underdogs work hard to boost their game to the next level. The Playmakers by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown. Shadow Mountain, ...
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The War of the Maps (The Vanished Kingdom #3) by Jonathan Auxier
By Betsy Farquhar |
The War of Maps is a thought-provoking, entertaining, and wildly fantastic conclusion to the Peter Nimble stories (or, is it?). The War of the Maps ...
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*How to Tell a True Story by Tricia Springstubb
By Janie Cheaney |
How to Tell a True Story ponders how “truth” is perceived and what it may cost to reveal it. *How to Tell a True Story ...
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The Pecan Sheller by Lupe Ruiz-Flores
By Janie Cheaney |
In The Pecan Sheller, a spirited 13-year-old girl learns to stand up for herself against an oppressive factory system. The Pecan Sheller by Lupe Ruiz-Flores. ...
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Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games Series)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Mockingjay, book 3 of The Hunger Games series, brings a dubious conclusion to Katniss's battle with the Capitol. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games book ...
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Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games Series)
By Betsy Farquhar |
In Catching Fire, book 2 of The Hunger Games series, Katniss and Peeta find themselves in another Hunger Games. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (Hunger ...
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Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games Series)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Sunrise on the Reaping is an intriguing, if violent, prequel to the thought-provoking Hunger Games series. Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games ...
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The Day the World Stopped Turning by Michael Morpurgo
By Megan Saben |
The Day the World Stopped Turning is a World War II story of outsiders, trials, disappointment, kindness, and hope. The Day the World Stopped Turning ...
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*Once a Castle by Sarah Arthur
By Hayley Morell |
Readers return to Sarah Arthur's fantasy world with a whole new adventure and cast of characters in Once a Castle. *Once a Castle by Sarah ...
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Candle Island by Lauren Wolk
By Janie Cheaney |
Candle Island is a study of recovering from grief and forging new bonds. Candle Island by Lauren Wolk. Dutton Children’s Books, 2025, 340 pages. Reading ...
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Rise and Fall: Great Empires That Shaped the World by Peter Allen
By Janie Cheaney |
Rise and Fall introduces young readers to world empires that don’t receive as much attention in the history books. Rise and Fall: Great Empires That ...
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*Benny on the Case by Wesley King
By Janie Cheaney |
Benny on the Case introduces a sleuth with Mosaic Down Syndrome and an indomitable, loyal partner. *Benny on the Case by Wesley King. Simon & ...
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The Hunger Games: A Christian Response
By Janie Cheaney |
READER ADVISORY: This review contains a major spoiler about the last volume in the series—warning ahead! THE HUNGER GAMES SERIES (Note: this reflection was originally ...
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A Wizard of Earthsea: A Graphic Novel by Ursula K. Le Guin and Fred Fordham
By Janie Cheaney |
A Wizard of Earthsea recasts a classic fantasy novel in graphic-novel format. A Wizard of Earthsea: A Graphic Novel by Ursula K. Le Guin, adapted ...
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Books And Movies: A Redeemed Reader Booklist
By Betsy Farquhar |
We readers have lots of opinions about movies based off books. But let's flip the script: What about books that are about movies? The books ...
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The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner
By Janie Cheaney |
The Trouble with Heroes examines the fraught relationship between a young teen and his late, larger-than-life father. The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner. Bloomsbury, ...
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The Beat I Drum by Dusti Bowling
By Janie Cheaney |
In The Beat I Drum, Dusti Bowling follows a character from her earlier best-seller as he navigates a move and a new relationship with his ...
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City Spies Series by James Ponti
By Betsy Farquhar |
Fun and engaging, the middle grades-level City Spies series is like Mission Impossible with teenagers. City Spies Series by James Ponti. Aladdin. Reading Level: Middle ...
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Death in the Jungle by Candace Fleming
By Janie Cheaney |
Death in the Jungle tells the harrowing story of the “Reverend” Jim Jones and the tragic fate of his followers. Death in the Jungle: Murder, ...
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A Day at the Beach by Gary D. Schmidt and Ron Koertge
By Janie Cheaney |
A Day at the Beach delivers on its title: snapshots of a variety of 11-13 year-olds during a single day on the Jersey shore. A ...
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The Cartoonists Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud
By Janie Cheaney |
The Cartoonists Club introduces young readers to the techniques and rationale of sequential graphic storytelling. The Cartoonists Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud. Scholastic ...
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Echo Nova by Clint Hall
By Betsy Farquhar |
Echo Nova mixes time travel, illegal rooftop racing, and a greedy corporation into a fun science-fiction thriller for teens. Echo Nova by Clint Hall. Enclave ...
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*52 Weeks in the Word: Student Edition by Trillia J. Newbell
By Betsy Farquhar |
52 Weeks in the Word thoughtfully guides students through reading the New Testament in a year. *52 Weeks in the Word: Student Edition by Trillia ...
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*The Hiding Place: A Graphic Novel adapted by Mario DeMatteo
By Janie Cheaney |
The Hiding Place: A Graphic Novel faithfully adapts Corrie Ten Boom’s story for graphic-novel fans. *The Hiding Place: A Graphic Novel by Corrie Ten Boom, ...
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The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman
By Janie Cheaney |
The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest is a thoughtful, touching, and gently humorous speculation about the afterlife. The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey ...
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Once for Yes by Allie Millington
By Janie Cheaney |
In Once for Yes, an apartment building forms relationships with its residents and faces threats of its own demolition. Once for Yes by Allie Millington. ...
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Old School by Gordon Korman
By Janie Cheaney |
A boy raised in a retirement village must give up his Old School for seventh grade with . . . actual seventh-graders. Old School by ...
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God with Us: Bible Stories on the Road to Emmaus by Matt Mikalatos
By Janie Cheaney |
The graphic novel God with Us takes a unique approach to Bible stories, using Luke 24:27 as a framework. God with Us: Bible Stories on ...
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*Embergold by Rachelle Nelson
By Betsy Farquhar |
Embergold is a thought-provoking fantasy for teens that includes true love, sacrifice, and dragons. *Embergold by Rachelle Nelson. Enclave Escape, 2025. 325 pages. Reading Level: ...
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What a Character! Notable Lives from History by Marilyn Boyer
By Megan Saben |
History lovers will enjoy the short biographies of notable historical figures in the What a Character! series from Master Books. What a Character! Notable Lives ...
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The Last Keeper (Dream Keeper series #5) by Kathryn Butler
By Janie Cheaney |
The 5-volume Dream Keeper series comes to a rousing finish with The Last Keeper. The Last Keeper (Dream Keeper Saga, book 5) by Kathryn Butler. ...
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100 Great Poems for Boys, edited by Leslie Pockell
By Betsy Farquhar |
100 Great Poems for Boys offers a solid collection of worthy poems, from the heroic to the humorous, for boys of all ages. 100 Great ...
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Max in the Land of Lies by Adam Gidwitz
By Janie Cheaney |
Max in the Land of Lies completes Adam Gidwitz’s “Operation Kinderspion” duo with a tale both thrilling and thought-provoking. Max in the Land of Lies ...
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*Glory, Too: Poems by Nikki Grimes
By Betsy Farquhar |
Glory, Too: Poems by Nikki Grimes is a beautiful anthology of poetry inspired by Scripture. *Glory, Too: Poems by Nikki Grimes. Paraclete Press, 2025, 160 ...
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*Glory in the Margins: Sunday Poems by Nikki Grimes
By Betsy Farquhar |
Glory in the Margins: Sunday Poems is a striking and deeply spiritual collection of poetry worth savoring. *Glory in the Margins: Sunday Poems by Nikki ...
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The Enemy’s Daughter by Anne Blankman
By Janie Cheaney |
The Enemy’s Daughter traces a friendship born in adversity during World War I. The Enemy’s Daughter by Anne Blankman. Viking, 2025, 272 pages Reading Level: ...
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The Big Book of Balloon Art by Gerry Giovinco
By Megan Saben |
The Big Book of Balloon Art is a great introduction to an inexpensive hobby that is sure to bring delight. The Big Book of Balloon ...
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Song of a Blackbird by Maria van Lieshout
By Janie Cheaney |
Song of a Blackbird connects two generations of an Amsterdam family through the story of the Dutch Resistance during World War II. Song of a ...
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*Beyond Mulberry Glen by Millie Florence
By Betsy Farquhar |
Beyond Mulberry Glen is a deeply satisfying, enjoyable fantasy that would make a great family read aloud. *Beyond Mulberry Glen by Millie Florence. Waxwing Books, ...
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*Will’s Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes
By Janie Cheaney |
Will’s Race for Home is a classic coming-of-age story set during the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889. *Will’s Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes. ...
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2025 Schneider Family Awards: A Little Like Magic and Popcorn
By Janie Cheaney |
In A Little Like Magic, a wheelchair-bound girl finds enchantment during the winter ice festival. A Little Like Magic by Sarah Kurpiel. Rocky Pond Books, ...
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2025 Sibert Honor Books: Call Me Roberto, The Girl Who Sang, The Enigma Girls, and Wings of an Eagle
By Janie Cheaney |
This year's Sibert honor books for excellence in nonfiction include two minority sports heroes, a very young Holocaust survivor, and a World War II espionage ...
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Strangers & Sojourners: A Redeemed Reader Booklist about the Refugee and Immigrant Experience
By Hayley Morell |
We've reviewed many books about refugees and the immigrant experience over the years at Redeemed Reader. In 2018 and 2019, our summer reading challenges supported ...
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*Words By Heart by Ouida Sebestyen
By Megan Saben |
Words By Heart is a powerful and nuanced Story full of Truth, laid on the firm foundation that it is not enough to hide Scripture ...
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Mendel the Mess-Up by Terry LaBan
By Janie Cheaney |
In Mendel the Mess-Up, an accident-prone Jewish boy turns his weaknesses into strengths against rampaging Cossacks. Mendel the Mess-Up by Terry LaBan. Holiday House, 2024, ...
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Thunder City by Philip Reeves
By Janie Cheaney |
Thunder City supplements Philip Reeve’s Mortal Engines quartet with different characters but similar formula. Thunder City by Philip Reeve. Scholastic, 2024, 322 pages. Reading Level: ...
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2025 ALA Newbery Award – Nailed It!
By Janie Cheaney |
Well, not exactly. We (especially I) were off on our predictions about the winners, but pretty accurate about what the Newbery Committee would be looking ...
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*The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
By Hayley Morell |
An intriguing, code-breaking adventure introduces young teens to the work at Bletchley Park. *The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin. Viking, 2024. 400 ...
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Newbery Roundup #2: Plain Jane, Wrong Way Home, and The First State of Being
By Janie Cheaney |
Our second roundup of Newbery-buzzing books includes a graphic-novel fairy tale, an escape narrative, and a time-travel adventure. Plain Jane and the Mermaid mixes fairy-tale ...
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Newbery Buzz #2: One Big Open Sky
By Janie Cheaney |
Today Betsy, Janie, and Hayley discuss a verse novel we all loved. (See our starred review.) Janie: When we picture wagon trains moving west, we ...
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Newbery Buzz #1: Olivetti
By Janie Cheaney |
Here we go again: when ALA Award season approaches, we can’t help speculating about which high-profile children’s books will snatch the coveted Newbery medal. Sometimes ...
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Swimming with Spies by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger
By Janie Cheaney |
Swimming with Spies is an animal rescue story that provides valuable background to the Russia/Ukraine conflict. Swimming with Spies by Chystyna Lucyk-Berger. Scholastic, 2024, 267 ...
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Newbery Roundup #1: Hank Hooperman, Louder Than Hunger, and The Enigma Girls
By Janie Cheaney |
It's time to start buzzing about Newbery contenders! We'll do our share in the following weeks, but the various ALA award committees have been buzzing ...
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Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t Be Better by Mylisa Larsen
By Janie Cheaney |
Quagmire Tiarello is the appropriately-named hero of this story of a young man with a difficult mother. Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t Be Better by Mylisa Larsen. ...
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National Book Award Winner: Kareem Between
By Janie Cheaney |
Kareem Between is a sympathetic portrait of a 7th-grader born to Syrian refugees, who can’t feel himself fully American or fully Syrian. Kareem Between 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 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 ...
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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 ...
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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 *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 ...
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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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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 ...
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Spiders: A Booklist 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 ...
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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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*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 ...
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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 ...
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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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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, ...
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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 ...
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