Raising Readers

Flying Ponies and Dump Trucks

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 18, 2015

Do little kids love fantasy? NPR recently reported on a study done by three academic psychologists on the subject of children and fiction. They asked ...

Phoebe the Spy by Judith Griffin, illustrated by Margot Tomes

By Megan Saben | Oct 26, 2015

Phoebe the Spy by Judith Griffin, illustrated by Margot Tomes. Puffin Books, 2002. 48 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, Ages 8-10 Recommended For: Ages 8-10, ...

Four Ways to Enjoy Fall Reading

By Hayley Morell | Oct 2, 2015

While summer is a nice time to read —fall is here. A season of chilly nights and hot cups of tea, fall brings the perfect ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 3, 2015

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the closed doors of a book award committee's deliberations? How a group of people can, with confidence, ...

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 31, 2015

World Magazine has chosen a "book of the year" for at least twenty years. In 2013, the magazine diversified a little and chose three books ...

Ask-a-Librarian: Lemony Snicket and Literary Worldview

By Megan Saben | Aug 18, 2015

Ask-a-Librarian is an occasional feature in which we answer a reader’s email query. "Dear RR: What are your thoughts on Lemony Snicket?" A reader recently ...

Back to School Backpack 2015

By Megan Saben | Aug 10, 2015

Back to School Backpack 2015 Here are some titles to inspire your students in the coming school year! We've collected a few of our favorite ...

*Water is Water by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Jason Chin

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 6, 2015

*Water is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Jason Chin. Roaring Brook Press, 2015. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture ...

By Megan Saben | Jun 24, 2015

During our break this summer, we are taking the opportunity to experience the richness of great literature in a multi-layered fashion. We don’t have all ...

Yard Sale by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Lauren Castillo

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 15, 2015

Yard Sale by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Lauren Castillo. Candlewick, 2015. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-10 Yard sales: ...

By Megan Saben | May 30, 2015

Five ways to maximize your library this summer: {with printables} 1. Sign up for the summer reading program. Free. Prizes. ‘Nuff said. 2. Use the ...

Summer Reading Lite

By emily | May 18, 2015

Growing Pains Our regular readers know we've been promising big changes for a while. But this time we mean it! We are working on a ...

Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret by Bob Shea

By Betsy Farquhar | May 7, 2015

Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret by Bob Shea. Disney-Hyperion, 2015. 56 pages. Reading Level: Easy Reader, ages 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 4-8 Shea, creator ...

The Cowboy by Hildegard Muller

By Betsy Farquhar | May 7, 2015

The Cowboy (I Like to Read Series) by Hildegard Muller. Holiday House, 2015. 24 pages. Reading Level: Easy Readers, ages 4-8 Recommended For: new readers, ages ...

Queen of the Diamond by Emily Arnold McCully

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 30, 2015

Queen of the Diamond: The Lizzie Murphy Story by Emily Arnold McCully. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2015. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 8-10Recommended for: ...

Swing Sisters by Karen Deans, illustrated by Joe Cepeda

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 27, 2015

Swing Sisters: The Story of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm by Karen Deans, illustrated by Joe Cepeda. Holiday House, 2015. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages ...

By emily | Apr 22, 2015

It's finally here! The edited, downloadable version of our read-along of Pilgrim's Progress for families. Last fall, Janie and I took the journey with Christian ...

Ah! by Geraldine Collet, illustrated by Estelle Billon Spagnol

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 20, 2015

Ah! by Géraldine Collet, illustrated by Estelle Billon Spagnol. Holiday House, 2015. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 0-4 (plus older readers—see review) Recommended for: ...

cover of Bink and Gollie: Best Friends Forever

Bink and Gollie: Best Friends Forever by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 13, 2015

Bink and Gollie: Best Friends Forever by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee, illustrated by Tony Fucile. Candlewick, 2013. 80 pages. Reading Level: Chapter Books, ages 4-10 ...

Click, Clack, Peep! by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 9, 2015

Click, Clack, Peep! by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2015. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books (ages 0-4) Recommended for: Ages ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 2, 2015

Examining School Reading Lists Emily wrote a marvelous series in the fall on the complications typicalhigh school reading lists might pose for Christians, sensitive students, ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 30, 2015

We're privileged to feature a virtual interview today with Caroline Starr Rose, author of Blue Birds (just released on March 24; read our review) and of May ...

*Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena and Christian Robinson

By Megan Saben | Mar 25, 2015

*Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena and Christian Robinson. G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, 2015. 32 Pages. Reading Level: ...

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 24, 2015

Children's Easy-to-Read Bible. Leafwood Publishers, 2012. 1820 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 7-10 Bottom Line: The Children's Easy-to-Read Bible is ...

Six Picture Books for Boys Who Can’t Sit Still!

By Megan Saben | Mar 18, 2015

Here are six favorite, irresistible picture books for boys who are competitive, WHO WILL WIN?! love superheroes, Both MARVELous and COMICal hate peas, She ...

*The Dirty Cowboy by Amy Timberlake, illustrated by Adam Rex

By Megan Saben | Mar 14, 2015

*The Dirty Cowboy by Amy Timberlake, illustrated by Adam Rex. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended For: ...

This Thing Called Diversity

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 13, 2015

Book Expo America (BEA) is a big event in the publishing world—the biggest, in fact. It’s a hodgepodge of authors, industry professionals, book reviewers, and ...

*Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 23, 2015

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink. Aladdin, 2006 (reprint; originally published 1935). 288 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12Recommended for: ages 8-12, especially girls Bottom ...

By Hayley Morell | Feb 14, 2015

Once upon a time there was a little girl who loved stories and fairytales. She discovered Andrew Lang’s colored fairy books and read through them—pretty ...

50 Shades Trilogy: The Tim Challies Interview

By emily | Feb 7, 2015

(This interview was originally published Aug 7, 2012. We have repubbed today in preparation for the movie's release this Valentine's Day weekend.) NEW TO REDEEMEDREADER.COM? ...

*Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 5, 2015

This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! *Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim ...

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 3, 2015

Yesterday morning, the American Library Association announced their annual Youth Media Awards—which include, as any devotee of children’s literature knows, the celebrated Newbery and Caldecott ...

By emily | Feb 2, 2015

The Green Ember is animal fantasy at its best, filled with gripping action and heartwarming rabbits, all deeply informed by the Christian worldview of its ...

Bad Bye, Good Bye by Deborah Underwood

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 2, 2015

Bad Bye, Good Bye by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Jonathan Bean. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2014. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 0-8Recommended ...

By Megan Saben | Jan 14, 2015

Jonathan Edwards by Simonetta Carr, illustrated by Matt Abraxas. Reformation Heritage, 2014. 64 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, Ages 8-10 Recommended For: Ages 8-10 Simonetta ...

Hymns for a Kid’s Heart, Vol. 1-4 by Bobbie Wolgemuth and Joni Eareckson Tada

By Megan Saben | Jan 5, 2015

Hymns for a Kid’s Heart, Vol. 1-4 by Bobbie Wolgemuth and Joni Eareckson Tada. Crossway, 2003-2004. 96 pages. (Audio CD included) Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 1, 2015

Happy New Year! The Lord has blessed each of us on the Redeemed Reader staff—and our site as well—in 2014. We are excited to see ...

*The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton

By Megan Saben | Dec 19, 2014

*The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton. Houghton Mifflin, 1969. 44 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, Ages 4-8Recommended for: Ages 4-8 A little house living out ...

By The Redeemed Shall Read | Dec 16, 2014

This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! Hark, Redeemedreaders! This review was written ...

By emily | Dec 11, 2014

How many versions of Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol have you seen? It seems like every cultural figure has done a version of it, Klingons, ...

*The Girl and the Bicycle by Mark Pett

By Megan Saben | Dec 10, 2014

This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! *The Girl and the Bicycle by ...

Hello Ninja by N. D. Wilson

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 5, 2014

Hello Ninja by N. D. Wilson and illustrated by Forrest Dickison. Canonball Books, 2013. Reading Level: Picture Books, 0-4Recommended for: Ages 0-4 The youngest ninja ...

Tea With Grandpa by Barney Saltzberg

By Megan Saben | Nov 26, 2014

Tea With Grandpa by Barney Saltzberg. Roaring Book Press, 2014. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, Ages 0-8Maturity Level: 1 (0-4), 2 (4-8) Grandparents who live ...

By emily | Nov 21, 2014

[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/177935219" params="auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="450" iframe="true" /] Thanks to Kristen Eicher for her help with sound editing! Thanks also to Dana and Chris Cowherd for ...

By emily | Nov 20, 2014

Don't forget to check out our Winter Book Fair with 50+ gift book recommendations for kids and teens! INTRODUCTION I recently sat down with Christian ...

Lulu and the Dog from the Sea by Hilary McKay and illustrated by Priscilla Lamont

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 10, 2014

Lulu and the Dog from the Sea by Hilary McKay and illustrated by Priscilla Lamont. Albert Whitman and Company, 2014. 112 pages. (originally published in ...

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (25th Anniversary)

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 27, 2014

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2011 (reissue of 1989 copy). 156 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10Recommended for: Ages ...

Dash by Kirby Larson

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 27, 2014

Dash by Kirby Larson. Scholastic, 2014. 256 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12Recommended for: Ages 8-12 Eleven-year-old Mitsi's best friend is her little dog, Dash. ...

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 21, 2014

World War I: an Interactive History Adventure by Gwenyth Swain. (You Choose Books), Capstone, 2012. 112 pages including timeline, index, etc. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ...

Lindbergh: The Tale of a Flying Mouse by Torben Kuhlmann

By Megan Saben | Oct 15, 2014

Lindbergh: The Tale of a Flying Mouse by Torben Kuhlmann. NorthSouth, 2014. 96 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, Chapter Books, ages 4-10Maturity Level: 2 (ages 4-8), ...

*The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 6, 2014

*The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2014. 42 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ...

By Hayley Morell | Oct 3, 2014

This review was written by a Redeemedreader intern and high school student. Thanks, Grace! One Realm Beyond by Donita K. Paul. Zondervan, 2014. 416 pgs. ...

Eye: How it Works by David Macaulay

By Megan Saben | Sep 29, 2014

Eye: How it Works by David Macaulay. David Macaulay Studio, 2013. 32 pages. Reading Level: Easy/Leveled Reader, ages 4-8Maturity Level: 2 (ages 4-8) and up ...

By Hayley Morell | Sep 19, 2014

The House of Hades by Rick Riordan. Hyperion Books, 2013, 583 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 11 and up Maturity Level: 6 My younger siblings adore Percy ...

Centerburg Tales by Robert McCloskey

By Megan Saben | Sep 17, 2014

Centerburg Tales by Robert McCloskey. Viking, 1979, 191 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, 8-10Maturity Level: 2 (ages 4-8) and up Centerburg Tales is set in ...

Homer Price by Robert McCloskey

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 15, 2014

Homer Price by Robert McCloskey. Viking, 1943. 149 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, 8-10Recommended for: Ages 8-10 McCloskey has transformed his picture book hero, Lentil, ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 15, 2014

Today marks the 100th anniversary of Robert McCloskey's birth. McCloskey is the author/illustrator of such familiar American children's books as Make Way for Ducklings, Blueberries for Sal, One ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 9, 2014

***As of Sept. 15, this giveaway is over. Winners have been notified. Please check back for more free books!*** GIVEAWAY! Tell us a favorite bus ...

By emily | Aug 30, 2014

Are your kids' book bags feeling heavy this fall? How bout a few enjoyable reads to lighten the load? Thanks to each of the Redeemedreader ...

By Hayley Morell | Aug 15, 2014

The Garden Gate, by Christa Kinde. Zondervan, 2014, 301 pages. Age level: 10-up Prissie Pomeroy can see angels. In fact, most of her friends ...

SRC Writing/Drawing Contest Winners!

By Megan Saben | Jul 26, 2014

Congratulations to Anna, Liberty and David, the winners of our time travel writing/drawing contest! Each winner will receive a nice book for their achievement. Thank ...

By emily | Jul 15, 2014

Other Summer Reading Challenge posts: Introduction, Week One: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Two: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Three: off Week ...

SRC, Week 5: A Wrinkle in Time

By Megan Saben | Jul 14, 2014

Other Summer Reading Challenge posts: Introduction, Week One: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Two: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Three: off Week ...

Happy Fourth!

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 4, 2014

This year marks the bicentennial of our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which was written after the author witnessed the battle of Ft. McHenry from ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 1, 2014

Our primary Summer Reading Challenge targets "middle grade" readers (typically ages 9-12) and "teen" readers (ages 13 and up), but we know there are many ...

By emily | Jun 26, 2014

Hey all! I'm working on a rather lengthy article for World Magazine right now about literature for teens. I will be talking with a family ...

SRC, Week 2: Rush Revere and the First Patriots

By emily | Jun 24, 2014

Other Summer Reading Challenge posts: Introduction, Week One: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Two: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Three: off Week ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 22, 2014

**Please note: We've added an alternate reading option for this week. Spy for the Night Riders: Martin Luther (Trailblazer Books #3)by Dave and Neta Jackson. ...

By emily | Jun 17, 2014

Other Summer Reading Challenge posts: Introduction, Week One: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Two: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Three: off Week ...

SRC, Week 1: Chitty Chitty And The Race Against Time

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 16, 2014

Other Summer Reading Challenge posts: Introduction, Week One: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Two: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Three: off Week ...

The Fault in Our Stars: Coffee and Conversations

By emily | Jun 9, 2014

Introduction This Friday, The Fault in Our Stars hit movie screens across America. It was a big book (Time Magazine's #1 fiction book of 2012), ...

New Teen Summer Reading Books!

By emily | Jun 6, 2014

New Plans After taking a second look at our teen Summer Reading Challenge books (Reading List #2), we have decided to take two of our ...

The Year of the … Books by Andrea Cheng

By Betsy Farquhar | May 29, 2014

One of the most common questions I get when people learn of my profession is a variation of the following, My child is a precocious ...

2014 Summer Reading Challenge…For the Whole Family

By emily | May 27, 2014

Other Summer Reading Challenge posts: Introduction, Week One: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Two: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Three: off Week ...

By Janie Cheaney | May 5, 2014

It’s graduation month, so we’re going to get all serious this week. Watch for gift recommendations and college prep resources, and if college isn’t in ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 29, 2014

I know it's usual to proclaim how great all the entries are for any given contest, but it really is true for our sonnet contest. We received ...

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 22, 2014

Baseball Is . . . by Louise Borden, illustrated by Raul Colon. Simon and Shuster, 2014. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture book, ages 4-8 Maturity ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 21, 2014

Happy Easter Monday! I spent a semester in the Czech Republic during college and vividly remember a quirky Czech tradition: on Easter Monday, boys "whipped" ...

Introducing Shakespeare’s Plays to Children

By Megan Saben | Apr 2, 2014

Should you wait until your children are in high school before expecting them to tackle Shakespeare? Why not start them young, while they love learning ...

Ukraine: Lessons in Liberty and Compassion, Part 3

By Hayley Morell | Mar 27, 2014

In this third part of our series, Hayley shares a list of nonfiction titles that encompass both Ukraine and Russia. (Here are links to part ...

Librarians’ List: Easy/Leveled Readers, part 2

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 19, 2014

Lovable/Quirky Main Character Frances books by Lillian Hoban Arthur books by Lillian Hoban Little Bear books by Else Holmelund Minarik Penny books by Kevin Henkes ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 17, 2014

Happy St. Patrick's Day! First, we must congratulate DL for winning the Freddie Ramos giveaway! During the month of March, we're focusing on high interest ...

Retro Reads: Lloyd Alexander’s Vesper Holly Series

By Hayley Morell | Mar 13, 2014

Readers will have a hard time forgetting Lloyd Alexander's plucky heroine, Vesper Holly. Ginger-haired, green-eyed, and very determined, 16-year-old Vesper Holly is ready for anything, ...

Retro Reads: Lloyd Alexander’s Chronicles of Prydain

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 12, 2014

It's Retro Reads week with Lloyd Alexander! Today, we take a look back to Lloyd Alexander's marvelous Chronicles of Prydain, the first of which was ...

Meet Lulu and Freddie: 2 Terrific Chapter Book Characters (+ a Giveaway)

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 5, 2014

Ready to move on from Frog and Toad? Henry and Mudge getting too easy for your newly independent reader? Rest assured: Junie B. Jones, Judy ...

Dragons and Time Fetches: More Middle-Grade Fantasy

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 21, 2014

Handbook for Dragon Slayers, by Merrie Haskell. HarperCollins, 2013, 226 pages. Age/interest level: 10-up. When our story begins, Tilda, age 13, has no interest in ...

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 18, 2014

This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by ...

Middle Grade Fantasy: Twistrose and Jinx

By Hayley Morell | Feb 13, 2014

Fantasy for middle grades (4th-8th/ages 9-12) is ever expanding. Hayley and Betsy look at two new additions to the field, both of which look light ...

Book Bits (February 10, 2014)

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 10, 2014

Lots of interesting little links and tidbits for you today in our weekly Book Bits feature (formerly Web Newberys)! Please remember that we do not ...

Ghosts: Real or Make Believe?

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 5, 2014

Ghost stories: most of us relish that slightly spooky feeling we get when an urban legend or hair-raising tall tale is well told around a ...

Live From Philly! Betsy Tweets the ALA Youth Media Awards

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 27, 2014

Since Friday, unhealthy Betsy's been rubbing elbows at the American Library Association winter conference in Philadelphia. This morning she got up super early to snag ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 13, 2014

And the winner for our New Children's Bible giveaway is... Joey E. Congratulations, Joey! And thanks to those who shared their New Year's goals with ...

Nurturing a young reader’s literary tastes

By Megan Saben | Jan 9, 2014

Parents with avid readers often find themselves with a dilemma: after my child has read all the age-appropriate books, where do we go from here? ...

A New Year: Goals + Giveaway

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 6, 2014

(Giveaway is now closed) Reading-Oriented New Year's Goals I'm one of those folks who enjoy making New Year's Resolutions. I prefer the term "goal" to ...

Librarians’ List: Favorite Picture Books of 2013

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 23, 2013

It's time for another Librarians' List! Since it's picture book month, we're indulging our list-making hobbies and bringing you yet another list of our favorites. ...

Character in the Midst of Diversity: 8 Titles to Note

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 20, 2013

2013 has given us lots of excellent diverse picture book titles: books about minority cultures, folktale retellings, and books by (or illustrated by) people of ...

Librarians’ List: 25 Picture Book Retro Reads

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 16, 2013

We've been spending quite a bit of time this month looking at newer picture books--many of them published in 2013. But today we're taking a ...

Anselm: An Interview with Simonetta Carr

By emily | Oct 16, 2013

Anselm of Canterbury (Christian Biographies for Young Readers) by Simonetta Carr. Reformation Heritage Books, 2013. 64 pgs. Ages 8-up. Simonetta Carr recently published Anselm of ...

Sugar and P.S. Be Eleven: Middle Grade Historical Fiction

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 11, 2013

It's another dual review by Janie and Betsy today! We're teaming up to bring you reviews of two middle grade historical fiction novels during our ...

*A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant and illustrated by Melissa Sweet

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 10, 2013

*A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant and illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Knopf, 2013. 32 pages. Reading Level: ...