Resources
Cozy and Clever Books for Teens and Adults
By Hayley Morell |
During uncertain* times, there’s something reassuring about a cozy book. But even better than a cozy book is a cozy and clever book with bits ...
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Home Library Management: Weed out the M.U.S.T.Y. titles!
By Megan Saben |
NOTE: This post is an expansion of the previous post, "Analyzing the Situation." If you feel like the MUSTY acronym is helpful for you or ...
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Fantasy Books for Teen Girls: Keeper of the Lost Cities Read-Alikes
By Betsy Farquhar |
We have several fantasy book lists here on Redeemed Reader, but this list is especially for those who enjoy books like Keeper of the Lost ...
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Honey for a Child’s Heart Read Along: Introductions
By Betsy Farquhar |
Welcome to month 1 of our Honey for a Child's Heart Read Along! Not sure what we're talking about? Find out more here. Normally, these ...
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Home Library Management: Analyze the Situation
By Megan Saben |
Home Library Management is a mini-series based on a presentation I originally gave to a homeschool group when I was a professional librarian years ago. These ...
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Labor Day: Books about Work
By Betsy Farquhar |
Readers: this is an adaptation of one of the first posts on Redeemed Reader, way back in 2011 (written by Emily Whitten, the "I" in ...
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Home Library Management: Where do I begin?
By Megan Saben |
Home Library Management is a mini-series based on a presentation I originally gave to a homeschool group when I was a professional librarian years ago. These ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Mark Hunt (Author), Part 2
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Mark Hunt (Author), Part 1
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Meghan Cox Gurdon (Book Reviewer, Author)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Home Library Management: Heart Issues
By Megan Saben |
Help! I have too many books! Is this a familiar concern? Of course you wouldn't want to blame the books. An abundant home library is ...
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The Visible Hand by Matthew Hennessey
By Janie Cheaney |
The Visible Hand introduces teens to basic free-market economics in a way that’s accessible and entertaining. The Visible Hand: A Wealth of Notions on the ...
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High School British Literature: A Lively Approach
By Betsy Farquhar |
High School British Literature: Dull and Difficult? When I arrived at college, I was absolutely, 100% convinced that British lit was my jam. But it's ...
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Back to School Books for Middle School
By Betsy Farquhar |
Is it back to school time already? Depending on which part of the country you live in, some schools will be starting up in the ...
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Back to School Picture Books
By Betsy Farquhar |
Is it back to school time already? Depending on which part of the country you live in, some schools will be starting up in the ...
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*Watership Down by Richard Adams
By Janie Cheaney |
Richard Adams' classic tale employs noble themes of vision, courage, and sacrifice among some of the most humble and ordinary of animals in their quest ...
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*Wild Things and Castles in the Sky from Square Halo Books
By Betsy Farquhar |
40 different authors write eloquently about children's literature, faith in Christ, and shepherding imaginations in Wild Things and Castles in the Sky. *Wild Things and ...
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Are Your Books Burdens or Blessings? (How to purge your home library collection to benefit others)
By Betsy Farquhar |
"How many bookshelf feet do you need?" This was my husband's question after I requested some more bookshelves. My response: "I can fill whatever you ...
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Bestselling YA: A Look at the 2022 Market
By Janie Cheaney |
Aside from one graphic-novel romance series, novels about death and murder dominate the current YA scene. Where's hope? What are kids reading these days? As ...
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What do you have in your hand? Eight simple enrichments for homeschool or life in general
By Megan Saben |
The truth is, Betsy and I are both busy moms. We always have greater aspirations that we can EVER accomplish, more so when we read ...
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Favorite Gardening Books for Kids
By Betsy Farquhar |
Spring has officially begun, and the garden beckons. Do you garden with your kids? If they're not interested, try a gardening book just for kids: ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Karina Yan Glaser, author of the Vanderbeekers series
By Janie Cheaney |
Our series of Back Porch Book Chats are casual conversations with book-lovers like ourselves: authors, booksellers, reviewers, bloggers, moms and dads. Today we’re delighted to ...
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The Velveteen Rabbit Turns 100: A Bunny Booklist
By Megan Saben |
The Velveteen Rabbit turns 100 There was once a velveteen rabbit . . . Once upon a time, there were three little rabbits and their ...
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Ukraine: Lessons in Liberty and Compassion, Part 1
By Hayley Morell |
This post was originally published in 2014, shortly after Ukraine's Maidan Revolution. Emily's reflections and application are still timely today. From Emily: As my kids ...
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Christian Easter Gifts for Kids and Teens
By Betsy Farquhar |
Do you give Easter gifts in your family? Most families I know give gifts—a lot of them—at Christmas, but give minimally (if at all) at ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Megan Saben (Book Reviewer, Author, Homeschool Mom)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Sports Books for Kids That Pack a Punch
By Betsy Farquhar |
Are you watching the Superbowl this month? Do you cheer for other sports at home? What about baseball? soccer? basketball? track? Do your sports fans ...
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The 2022 ALA Youth Media Awards
By Janie Cheaney |
Egg on our faces? Last year we accurately predicted that When You Trap a Tiger was a contender for Newbery recognition, and it won top ...
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2022 Newbery Buzz #4: Fallout
By Betsy Farquhar |
Our annual Newbery Buzz Series is a series we run each January in which we discuss books with "Newbery Buzz." That is, books we've heard ...
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2022 Newbery Buzz #3: Gone to the Woods
By Janie Cheaney |
Today Betsy and Janie will take a closer look at Gone to the Woods, a memoir by prolific author Gary Paulsen. Paulsen has been a ...
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Nonfiction about Nature
By Megan Saben |
Reptiles Everywhere, Bruno the Beekeeper, A World of Plants, and Fungarium offer plenty of fascinating information about the natural world. Reptiles Everywhere by Camilla de ...
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2022 Newbery Buzz #2: The One Thing You’d Save
By Betsy Farquhar |
We've begun our annual Newbery Buzz Series: a series we run each January in which we discuss books with "Newbery Buzz." No one knows which ...
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2022 Newbery Buzz #1: The Beatryce Prophecy
By Betsy Farquhar |
It's time for our annual Newbery Buzz Series: a series we run each January in which we discuss books with "Newbery Buzz." That is, books ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Stephenie Pyles (Mom to 8 and Read Aloud Champion)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Mystie Winckler (Blogger, Author, Podcaster, and More)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Picture books for boys (and girls) who love action and humor
By Megan Saben |
A reader-inspired hunt for a roundup of favorite picture books for boys and girls who love action and humor A reader asks: "What I continue ...
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Flashlight Reads: Can’t-Put-‘Em-Down Books for All Ages
By Betsy Farquhar |
Flashlight Reads: Can't-Put-'Em-Down Books for the Kids (and Grown-ups) in Your Life Christmas break is one of those perfect, read-by-flashlight-under-the-covers breaks, isn't it? Days are ...
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Favorite Classics for Book Lovers
By Hayley Morell |
We review primarily new books here on Redeemed Reader, not because we don't love the old books, but because resources for the new books are ...
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Shop The Good Book Company!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Readers, as part of our 2021 Christmas Gift Lists, we're featuring favorite Christian publishers and booksellers. Amazon is a great option for many things, but ...
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Shop New Growth Press!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Readers, as part of our 2021 Christmas Gift Lists, we're featuring favorite Christian publishers and booksellers. Amazon is a great option for many things, but ...
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Shop Ligonier Ministries!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Readers, as part of our 2021 Christmas Gift Lists, we're featuring favorite Christian publishers and booksellers. Amazon is a great option for many things, but ...
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Shop Rabbit Room!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Readers, as part of our 2021 Christmas Gift Lists, we're featuring favorite Christian publishers and booksellers. Amazon is a great option for many things, but ...
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Shop Moody Publishers!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Readers, as part of our 2021 Christmas Gift Lists, we're featuring favorite Christian publishers and booksellers. Amazon is a great option for many things, but ...
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Shop Indie Books!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Readers, as part of our 2021 Christmas Gift Lists, we're featuring favorite Christian publishers and booksellers. Amazon is a great option for many things, but ...
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Shop Exodus Books!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Readers, as part of our 2021 Christmas Gift Lists, we're featuring favorite Christian publishers and booksellers. Amazon is a great option for many things, but ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Eli Evans from Exodus Books
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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The Adventure of Christmas by Ed Drew
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Adventure of Christmas offers short, 10-minute family devotions based on the biblical narrative of the first Christmas. The Adventure of Christmas: A Journey Through ...
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What about Aru Shah?
By Hayley Morell |
This is a question we often get at Redeemed Reader. In fact, there's a whole comment thread asking if we've reviewed it. Part of the ...
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CRT Isn’t Always CRT
By Janie Cheaney |
Christians need to distinguish between what's "controversial" and what isn't. (Adapted from a recent WORLD Radio commentary) If it waddles like a duck, and quacks ...
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What about the Tuttle Twins?
By Janie Cheaney |
Are the much-hyped Tuttle Twins books (and curriculum) profitable for Christian families? An education in economic freedom They’re talked up by talk-show hosts and Facebook ...
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A Mad Hatter Book List: Picture Books About Hats
By Betsy Farquhar |
Hat books? Are they a thing? Yes they are, and not all are created equal. Most children love trying on and wearing hats, the bigger ...
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Reading Less … In Different Seasons of Life
By Betsy Farquhar |
Is someone at Redeemed Reader telling you to read LESS? Well, perhaps. In our small niche of websites-that-promote-reading, we love to celebrate all things reading, ...
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Banned Books 2021
By Janie Cheaney |
What gets "banned" in today's overwrought culture conflicts? When Emily Whitten and I launched Redeemed Reader in 2011, one of our first projects was to ...
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Smaug’s Kind: A List of Dragon Books
By Betsy Farquhar |
In honor of Bilbo Baggins and his birthday this week (September 22), we have a book list celebrating his defeat of Smaug, the great dragon: ...
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*Little Pilgrim’s Progress
By Megan Saben |
The greatest allegory of the Christian life, retold for younger children, is significantly improved with masterful illustrations. Little Pilgrim's Progress by Helen Taylor, Illustrated by ...
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J. R. R. Tolkien for Kids by Simonetta Carr
By Hayley Morell |
An interactive biographical introduction to Tolkien with 21 activities, J. R. R. Tolkien for Kids is perfect for middle grade Tolkien enthusiasts. J. R. R. ...
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Happy “We Love Memoirs” Day!
By Janie Cheaney |
It’s for real—two memoir writers cooked it up on Facebook almost two decades ago and their page has over 5000 followers who throw an online ...
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*Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies by Marilyn McEntyre
By Betsy Farquhar |
Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies makes readers think through how to be better stewards of words. *Caring for Words in a Culture ...
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Stones and Stories by Judith E. Anderson
By Betsy Farquhar |
Stones and Stories is a concise primer on literary analysis and hermeneutics, building off the intriguing extended metaphor of stones. Stones and Stories: A Primer ...
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Reading Afghanistan
By Janie Cheaney |
For a country many of us can't even point to on a map, Afghanistan has held a consequential place in world history. This mountainous district ...
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The Redeemed Reader Bible Pilgrimage: How and Why
By Janie Cheaney |
My Story and His I was raised in a denomination that took the Bible very seriously: “We speak where the Bible speaks, and are silent ...
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A Cookie Story Tea
By Megan Saben |
A cookie story tea is a great place to share my personally developed recipe for chocolate chip cookies. May these books enhance your pleasure in ...
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A Bible Reading Pilgrimage in Three Parts
By Betsy Farquhar |
Bible Pilgrimage, Part 1: Reading the Bible with Young Children Almost 10 years ago (in January, 2012), before Megan and I joined the official Redeemed ...
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High School American Literature: A Better Approach
By Betsy Farquhar |
High School American Literature: Often Dark and Depressing When I arrived at college, I was absolutely, 100% convinced that British lit was my jam. American ...
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Favorite High School Video Curricula for Homeschool or Enrichment
By Betsy Farquhar |
We are fans of BOOKS here at Redeemed Reader, to be sure. But we are also interested in raising up the next generation of writers ...
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Raising Writers in Four Simple Steps
By Janie Cheaney |
Or, the Wordsmith philosophy of teaching composition Notice I said “simple,” not “easy.” Good writing is based on just a handful of sound principles—that makes ...
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Laid-Back Grammar
By Janie Cheaney |
Grammar is easier to teach if you don't try to teach it too soon or too singularly. “Grammar” is a stretchy word, enclosing syntax (sentence ...
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Wordsmith Curriculum Review: A Writing Curriculum by our own Janie Cheaney
By Betsy Farquhar |
NOTE: We're taking a week off our Summer Reading Challenge to think ahead about the coming school year. Welcome to Wordsmith Week! Leading off with ...
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*Reading and Talking about Sexuality
By Hayley Morell |
*Note, this post engages with sexuality and includes conversation and books that are suitable for teens and adults. I was hiking in Europe. A French ...
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Ordinary Homeschooling: Reflections on just serving dinner
By Megan Saben |
Resources we actually used Last summer in a post titled Just Serve Dinner, I shared some of the best resources we have enjoyed over the ...
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Summer Reading is Here!
By Betsy Farquhar |
We've been planning Faith & Fortitude, our 2021 summer reading program, for months, and it's finally here! We officially begin on Monday, June 14th--that's this ...
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*Tree Street Kids: Jack vs. the Tornado and The Hunt for Fang
By Megan Saben |
Authentic characters and classic themes shine in a God-honoring series about Jack, his sister, friendship, and a great clubhouse. Tree Street Kids series by Amanda ...
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Teaching Kids Church History
By Betsy Farquhar |
Today, we're happy to welcome a friend of mine and fellow writer, Christina Fox, to RR. Christina is a real life friend of mine, as ...
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Favorite Audiobooks: Narrators, Books, and More!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Traveling over the holidays? Planning to give an Audible subscription to someone as a gift and want to recommend some good titles? We've got some ...
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2021 Summer Reading: Faith & Fortitude Is Here!
By Betsy Farquhar |
2021 Summer Reading Theme We're very excited about the 2021 summer reading theme: Faith & Fortitude: the EPIC Story of God's People. Why? We're big ...
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Graduation Gift List
By Betsy Farquhar |
Need a graduation gift idea for a new or recent graduate? We've got you covered! 'Tis the season when many young men and women doff ...
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Learning to Find Good Books
By Hayley Morell |
How do we find good books? We get this question often at Redeemed Reader. Many of you are on the hunt for books: to satisfy a voracious ...
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*Surviving Religion 101 by Michael Kruger
By Janie Cheaney |
With Surviving Religion 101, a Christian father and scholar arms his daughter against attacks on Christianity from skeptical professors and students. *Surviving Religion 101: Letters ...
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The Golden Age Detective Stories
By Hayley Morell |
This is an abridged version of the article Reading the Golden Age that originally appeared in our Fall 2020 Quarterly. Who murdered ____? Is it ...
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What Is “Body Positivity”?
By Janie Cheaney |
"Body Positivity," as a whole, tries to correct a false narrative by substituting an unreal narrative. About 15 years ago, a disturbing trend was popping ...
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Bible Review: NLT Girls Life Application Study Bible
By Janie Cheaney |
NLT Girls Life Application Study Bible. Tyndale House, 2016, 1568 pages (8 point font). Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: Ages 9-13 Girls ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Ryan Flanders, illustrator of Something Better Coming
By Megan Saben |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Our guest today is Ryan Flanders, illustrator of the forthcoming picture book written by Megan ...
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WORLD Children’s Books of the Year: A Report
By Janie Cheaney |
The ALA isn’t the only organization that rewards excellence in children’s books! Since 2014, WORLD News Group has recognized outstanding literature for kids in its ...
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An Interview with Daniel Nayeri
By Janie Cheaney |
If you’ve been reading our website reviews over the last six months or so, you know we’ve been raving about Everything Sad Is Untrue (a ...
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What to Read After Mulan
By Betsy Farquhar |
Perhaps you have watched the stunning new Mulan movie (available for free streaming now on Disney+). The gorgeous cinematography would have been lovely on the ...
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2021 Newbery Buzz #6: Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk
By Janie Cheaney |
We wrap up our Newbery Buzz series for this year with a discussion of Echo Mountain a historical novel set during the Great Depression. Joining ...
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2021 Newbery Buzz #5: Stamped by Jason Reynolds.
By Janie Cheaney |
Continuing our discussion of possible Newbery winners, we pick up a book that has everybody talking: Janie: Betsy, there are two books that I think ...
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2021 Newbery Buzz #4: Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri
By Janie Cheaney |
We've been scanning the starred review lists and listening in on the chatter to tell you about the likely Newbery contenders for this year. So ...
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Engage with Culture: Two Books for Parents
By Betsy Farquhar |
Mama Bear Apologetics and The Pop Culture Parent both aim to help parents interact with the culture surrounding their kids. Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your ...
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2021 Newbery Buzz #1: King and the Dragonflies
By Janie Cheaney |
Betsy: Readers, we’re kicking off our annual Newbery Buzz discussion series with a book that has already garnered a major award: King and the Dragonflies, ...
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Read the Bible in 2021
By Betsy Farquhar |
As we head into 2021 after a tempestuous 2020, one thing remains certain: The Word of the Lord stands forever (Isaiah 40:8). Reading God's Word ...
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Quarantine Box = Days of Cheer
By Betsy Farquhar |
Are you looking at another holiday stuck at home? Do you have family members scattered across the country? Megan and I both are looking at ...
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Books for Teen Writers
By Betsy Farquhar |
Books for aspiring writers abound. Books for teen writers are a little harder to track down. But many teens are aspiring authors, writing reams of ...
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Bookish Christmas Fun
By Betsy Farquhar |
Are you looking ahead to a Christmas that doesn't involve extra family and friends as much as previous years' celebrations? Perhaps you usually travel, but ...
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13 Books for 13 Year Old Boys (and Girls!)
By Betsy Farquhar |
13 year olds: ready to be done with middle school, but not yet in high school. Officially "teenagers," but plenty of maturing still to do. ...
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Ancient Romans, Alphamaniacs, and Incredible Jobs
By Megan Saben |
Three illustrated non-fiction books share fascinating information about ancient cultures, unusual wordsmiths, and careers you might not have considered. Ancient Romans and Their Neighbors: An ...
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Have You Seen the Redeemed Reader Quarterly?
By Janie Cheaney |
Remember the days of full-color, glossy-paged print magazines that would arrive in your mailbox every month? Recall that pleasant sensation of opening up the latest ...
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The Return of the Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
By Betsy Farquhar |
Megan and I have followed Megan Whalen Turner’s Thief series for years, and we both pre-ordered the final book, The Return of the Thief, months before publication. And ...
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A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (Book Club Edition)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Good books are even better when people discuss them. In fact, we label books "discussion starters" when they offer much food for thought. A Wrinkle ...
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5 Ways to Use Redeemed Reader for School
By Betsy Farquhar |
Apples, new pencils, pumpkin spice, and the hint of a cool breeze—must be September—and a new school year! Did you know you can use Redeemed ...
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