(G) Ages 16 and up
If Looks Could Kill by Julie Berry
By Janie Cheaney |
If Looks Could Kill asks important questions about violence against women, pulling no punches on the way to a hopeful conclusion. If Looks Could Kill ...
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2025 Recommended Christmas Gift Book List
By Betsy Farquhar |
We love to create these recommended gift booklists! Why? It gives us a chance to look back at some of our favorites from this past ...
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*Behold, the Lamb of God Has Come by Trillia Newbell
By Betsy Farquhar |
Behold, the Lamb of God Has Come is a warmly conversational Advent family devotional that invites us to rejoice that Jesus has come! *Behold, the ...
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My Beloved (A Mitford Novel) by Jan Karon
By Betsy Farquhar |
Revisit the beloved town of Mitford in this sweet new story about Father Tim, Cynthia, and the rest of your favorite people. Note: this review ...
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16 Books for 16-Year-Old Girls: A Redeemed Reader Booklist
By Betsy Farquhar |
16-year-old girls are transitioning rapidly to womanhood, leaving girlhood behind. Eyes fixed ahead, wondering about marriage, college and/or vocation, perhaps even motherhood. And yet, most ...
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The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Gray
By Hayley Morell |
Mr. Jonathan Darcy and Miss Juliet Tilney once again join forces, this time facing the perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. The Perils of Lady ...
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The Rushworth Family Plot by Claudia Gray
By Hayley Morell |
In the latest Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney mystery, the characters of Mansfield Park are catapulted into the Rushworth Family Plot. The Rushworth Family Plot ...
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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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*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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*Bright Red Fruit by Safia Elhillo
By Betsy Farquhar |
An emotionally-resonant cautionary tale about the allure of bright red fruit even when signs of danger lurk alongside. Note: this book contains sensitive topics, including ...
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An American Immigrant by Johanna Rojas Vann
By Betsy Farquhar |
In An American Immigrant, twenty-five year old Melanie makes a pilgrimage to Colombia and discovers more about both herself and her mother, who came to ...
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*Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry
By Hayley Morell |
In evocative, lyrical prose, Jackie Hill Perry shares her spiritual journey in Gay Girl, Good God. *Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I ...
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*The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
By Megan Saben |
The Scarlet Pimpernel is an oft-overlooked classic full of mystery, action, and romance for teens and adults. *The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy. Signet, 2000 (originally ...
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Back Porch Book Chat with Becky Dean (YA author)
By Hayley Morell |
Back Porch Book Chat: a casual conversation about books and writing. Today we're visiting with Becky Dean, author of four YA romances including Love and ...
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Picture-Perfect Boyfriend by Becky Dean
By Hayley Morell |
A family trip to Hawaii is complicated for Kenzie Reed by the arrival of her picture-perfect boyfriend—who is supposed to be fictitious! Picture-Perfect Boyfriend by ...
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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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Love Unmasked by Becky Dean
By Hayley Morell |
A fun YA romance about a trip to Venice that will end with Love Unmasked. Love Unmasked by Becky Dean. Delacorte Romance, 2025. 384 pages. ...
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Let Creation Rejoice by Jonathan A. Moo and Robert S. White
By Betsy Farquhar |
Engage with environmental concerns from a biblical perspective in Let Creation Rejoice. Let Creation Rejoice: Biblical Hope and Ecological Crisis by Jonathan A. Moo and ...
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*The Redeemed Reader Book by the RR Team
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Redeemed Reader team wrote a book! It's about reading with your children and teens. But we couldn't exactly review our own book. What follows ...
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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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*Reading Between the Lines by Gene Edward Veith, Jr.
By Betsy Farquhar |
Don't understand literature? Reading Between the Lines is an excellent crash course in a Christian—and scholarly—understanding of literature. Reading Between the Lines: A Christian Guide ...
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The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Read-Aloud Handbook has been a gold standard in books about children's books for decades; we recommend older editions of this book. The Read-Aloud Handbook ...
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Books Children Love by Elizabeth Wilson
By Betsy Farquhar |
Books Children Love is a great resource: essentially a giant annotated booklist of great books for children. Books Children Love: A Guide to the Best ...
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Picture This: How Pictures Work by Molly Bang
By Betsy Farquhar |
When you read a picture book, do you know how the pictures work? Can you "picture this"? Picture This: How Pictures Work, revised and expanded ...
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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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*Faith Builder Catechism by Kevin Hippolyte, Jared Kennedy, and Trey Kullman
By Betsy Farquhar |
Level up your family devotions with Faith Builder Catechism, a family devotional well-suited to today's readers. *Faith Builder Catechism: Devotions to Level Up Your Family ...
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A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur
By Betsy Farquhar |
Iseul is determined to rescue her sister from the predatory ruler of 1506 Joseon (Korea) in this edgy historical fiction thriller. A Crane Among Wolves ...
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*A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim
By Hayley Morell |
Beauty and the Beast, with echoes of other fairytales, is spun together with Chinese folklore in an an excellent YA fantasy: A Forgery of Fate. ...
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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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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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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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Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham
By Betsy Farquhar |
Lunar New Year Love Story is a terrific example of a graphic novel for mature teens: artistic, layered, and storied. Lunar New Year Love Story ...
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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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*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 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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All Better Now by Neal Shusterman
By Janie Cheaney |
All Better Now, a thought-provoking read for mature teens, grapples with the consequences of a different kind of pandemic. All Better Now by Neal Shusterman. ...
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Trans Ideology: Resources for Parents
By Janie Cheaney |
The tide against trans identification among children may be turning, and that's a welcome development. But any ideology that gets its hooks into the young ...
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How to Teach Kids Theology by Sam Luce and Hunter Williams
By Janie Cheaney |
How to Teach Kids Theology reminds parents and youth leaders of the whys and wherefores of biblical instruction. How to Teach Kids Theology by Sam ...
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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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*Soul School by Amber O’Neal Johnston
By Betsy Farquhar |
Soul School is a well-researched, thoughtful, and joyful exploration of Black literature for children and teens. Highly recommended. *Soul School: Taking Kids on a Joy-Filled ...
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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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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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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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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 *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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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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Gifts for Grownups, Round 2
By Betsy Farquhar |
Even though your Redeemed Reader team is reading a plethora of books for children and teens, we do also read grownup books, too! A few ...
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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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Home Is Right Where You Are by Ruth Chou Simons
By Betsy Farquhar |
Ruth Chou Simons takes inspiration from Psalm 23 in this gentle, loving reminder to her reader that the Lord is with us wherever we go. ...
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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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*The Mythmakers by John Hendrix
By Janie Cheaney |
In The Mythmakers, John Hendrix explores an extraordinarily fruitful friendship and its roots in myth and legend. *The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C. S. ...
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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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*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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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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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 ...
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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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*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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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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*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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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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Gift Books for Grown-Ups
By Betsy Farquhar |
Redeemed Reader exists to "shed a gospel light on books for children and teens." But you know what? We read books for grown-ups, too! We ...
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Stocking Stuffers for Book Lovers
By Megan Saben |
Of course books make the best gifts for bibliophiles, but some of those oversize tomes don't fit comfortably in a stocking. Here's a list of ...
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*Watership Down: The Graphic Novel by Richard Adams, James Sturm, and Joe Sutphin
By Janie Cheaney |
The graphic-novel version of Watership Down combines the dramatic force of the original story with winning art. *Watership Down: The Graphic Novel by Richard Adams, ...
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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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The Hiding Place, A Christmas Carol, Hinds Feet on High Places, and Les Miserables: An Engaging Visual Journey
By Megan Saben |
The four books in the Engaging Visual Journey series provide beautiful, dignified forms to stories that are dearly loved spiritual classics. The Hiding Place by ...
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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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*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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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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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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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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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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*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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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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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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Practical Graduation Gifts: A Book List
By Betsy Farquhar |
We have a robust list of book recommendations for graduation gifts. Why another? This book list is all about practical graduation gifts: books that offer ...
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Do Not Be True to Yourself by Kevin DeYoung
By Betsy Farquhar |
Kevin DeYoung reminds young adults to be true to Christ and His church, not true to their own selves, in this short, engaging read. Do ...
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All My Rage by Saaba Tahir
By Janie Cheaney |
All My Rage, winner of the 2023 Printz Award, follows a pair of Pakistani-American teens from uncertainty through trauma to stability and hope. All My ...
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*Dragonfly Eyes by Cao Wenxuan
By Janie Cheaney |
Dragonfly Eyes is a slowly-unfolding, beautiful picture of family love and loyalty during the stressful days of China’s Cultural Revolution. *Dragonfly Eyes by Cao Wenxuan, ...
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Trafficking Books for Teens: A Round-Up
By Betsy Farquhar |
I rarely visit a public restroom these days without seeing a notice for women who are in troubling situations: the text usually reads, "Need Help? ...
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Romantic Reads for Teens: A Book List for Girls and Guys
By Betsy Farquhar |
Enjoy this unapologetic list of romantic reads for teens: great love stories and high romance without LGBTQ elements. For the genre-junkies out there, it's worth ...
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2023 Newbery Buzz #5: I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
By Betsy Farquhar |
I Must Betray You is one of those novels that straddles the line between Newbery age ranges and Printz age ranges. Will it get some ...
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