Resources

Finding Truth for Toddlers: Why Good Stories Matter

By Hayley Morell | Aug 18, 2020

During the months of lockdown, I babysat for a toddler with a growing vocabulary and a love for books. Monday through Friday, I would arrive ...

*The Roar on the Other Side by Suzanne Underwood Rhodes

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 17, 2020

Is poetry writing obsolete? It doesn't have to be, especially for Christians. *The Roar on the Other Side: A Guide for Student Poets by Suzanne ...

Not All Stories Are Created Equal

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 14, 2020

The "Power of Story" is an article of faith among authors, librarians, and other bookish people. But beware its limitations. The “power of story” consistent ...

12 Substitutions for The Kite Runner

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 11, 2020

High School Literature: Messy and Grown-Up What's a parent to do when a book like The Kite Runner gets assigned in school? High school students ...

Is The Kite Runner OK for 10th Graders?

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 10, 2020

Is The Kite Runner OK for 10th Graders? "My 10th grader has to read The Kite Runner for school. Do you know anything about it? ...

Four Good Books for Littles

By Megan Saben | Jul 29, 2020

Young children need Truth, and it's never too early to begin. Board Books by Danielle Hitchen, illustrated by Jessica Blanchard. Baby Believer series. First Bible ...

God Will Provide … Yes, Even the Books

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 27, 2020

My friends, have you been swapping books? Last week, I got to visit three young friends of mine (and their mother). I traded wildflowers from ...

Homeschool Resources Worth the Money

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 23, 2020

Are You Homeschooling in 2020? This school year is starting off like no other, isn't it? My husband and I both grew up attending private ...

Ordinary Homeschooling: Just serve dinner.

By Megan Saben | Jul 22, 2020

This is a dangerous post. If you’re like me, you’ll see the resources that our family has chosen and think “Ooh, THAT’s what I need ...

Love Your Yard: Nature Study Books to Spark “Creation Appreciation”

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 20, 2020

Nature Study ... or Creation Appreciation? I'm a nature study junkie. And my kids have been along for the ride since birth. It's so much ...

Rapid Fire: YA Fantasy, July 2020

By Hayley Morell | Jul 14, 2020

Two series starters that fizzled and two new authors to enjoy. *Echo North by Joanna Ruth Meyer. Page Street Kids, 2020. 400 pages. The first ...

Purple House Press: An interview with Jill Morgan

By Megan Saben | Jun 19, 2020

Purple House Press revives delightful out of print stories for a new generation. 1. What motivated you to start Purple House Press? Back in the ...

Books about Racism for Children and Teens

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 8, 2020

Books About Racism Are Important Books don't save. Only Jesus saves. But books can be terrific discussion starters, particularly when we want to discuss current ...

Back Porch Book Chat: S. D. Smith (Author)

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 1, 2020

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 ...

Back Porch Book Chat: W. R. Gingell (Author)

By Hayley Morell | May 18, 2020

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 ...

Why Is Writing So Hard to Teach?

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 28, 2020

How I didn't know what I didn't know Back in the early years of the 1980s, I took up the challenge offered by Dr. James ...

Sir Cumference: Math Adventures for Everyone!

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 27, 2020

Fractions Can be Your Friends Do you enjoy math? Most "readers" I've met have an avowed distrust of math. It seems that our cultural narrative ...

The Guaranteed, Irresistible, Effortless Introduction to Poetry for People Who Doubt That They Like It

By Megan Saben | Apr 9, 2020

If you or your children aren't sure how to develop a taste for poetry, especially if you haven't decided whether you ought to feel obligated ...

Exploring the Bible Together by David Murray

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 7, 2020

Exploring the Bible Together launches families on a year-long journey through Scripture in a way that’s both practical and effective. Exploring the Bible Together: a ...

A Family Easter

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 3, 2020

What were you doing last February? Possibly, after Valentine’s Day passed and stores cleared their shelves for St. Patrick’s, you were seeing some Easter chicks ...

Back Porch Book Chat: Miranda Collingridge (High school senior and social media intern)

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 30, 2020

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 ...

Tapping into the Library

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 24, 2020

I was expecting it, and sure enough it happened: my local library and all its branches is shut down until March 31—and very likely beyond. ...

“Pandemic Patronage” = Brilliant Idea

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 23, 2020

Home Library ... for your Neighborhood? With libraries everywhere shutting their doors, we readers still crave something to read. Reading can offer legitimate ways to ...

A Literary Hospital Mission Field

By Megan Saben | Mar 19, 2020

A month ago my mother was taken to the hospital with a serious infection and blood poisoning. The former threatened a sobering 80% mortality rate; ...

20th Century Book List for Young Teens

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 16, 2020

20th Century Book List for Young Teens 20th Century: World wars. A Great Depression. First flight. Space flight. Voting Rights. Civil Rights. Communism. Terrorism. Jazz. ...

Giant Presidents' Day Book List

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 17, 2020

POTUS POTUS: President of the United States: one of the most powerful people in the world. Presidents' Day honors George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in ...

Books We Loved

By Hayley Morell | Feb 15, 2020

Ever wondered what it's like to listen in on our conversations? Here's a chance! Hayley, Janie, and Betsy talk about some of their favorite books ...

5 Lent Devotionals (for Protestants)

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 10, 2020

Do you observe Lent? Did you know that there are Lent devotionals written with Protestants in mind? The early church officially began marking Lent liturgically ...

Black History Month Picture Books for Tweens and Teens

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 3, 2020

Black history month picture books are for big kids, too! Picture books aren't just for young children. Middle grades and teens benefit, too. Sometimes, a ...

Protected: Hope on the Horizon Purchase Confirmation

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 27, 2020

Welcome Aboard! We're delighted you are setting sail with us this summer as we journey towards Hope on the Horizon. Enter the relevant information in ...

Front Row Seat at the ALA Youth Media Awards

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 27, 2020

No, none of us were actually in the room in Philadelphia where the awards were announced. But anyone can get a front-row seat through the ...

2020 Newbery Buzz #5: Look Both Ways

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 22, 2020

Since his first novel was published in 2014, Jason Reynolds has been on an upward trajectory—deservedly so, for the most part. He was just named ...

2020 Newbery Buzz #4: My Jasper June and Pay Attention, Carter Jones

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 21, 2020

The American Library Association Youth Media awards will be announced in two weeks, and you can be sure the conversation is hot and heavy among ...

Back Porch Book Chat: Tim Challies (Blogger, Author, Book Reviewer)

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 20, 2020

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 ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 16, 2020

Continuing our roundup of possible contender for the 2020 Newbery Medal All the Greys on Greene Street by Laura Tucker. Viking, 320 pages. Olympia’s artist ...

By Hayley Morell | Jan 11, 2020

Hayley plays interviewer to introduce the Redeemed Reader team. Today, she's chatting with our managing editor and staff writer, Betsy Farquhar. Last year we started ...

By Hayley Morell | Jan 10, 2020

It's time for Meet the Team, January 2020 edition! Hayley plays interviewer to introduce the Redeemed Reader team. We're starting off with our editorial advisor ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 9, 2020

Every year at this time, children's book websites brim with speculation about what books will win or place in the American Library Association's Youth Media ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 7, 2020

2019 in Review: Looking Back Do you look back over your previous year and reflect? It's a worthwhile exercise, and it's also fun. Sometimes, we ...

The Enduring Appeal of Little Women

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 21, 2019

With the eighth major film adaptation opening on Christmas Day, I thought I’d share a few thoughts on this classic. I read it at the ...

2020 Reading Challenge for Kids and Teens is Here!

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 16, 2019

Ready for a great year of reading? Are your KIDS ready for a great year of reading? What about your TEENS? At Redeemed Reader, we ...

Back Porch Book Chat: Bridgette Boudreaux (Chemistry Teacher)

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 14, 2019

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 ...

Reflections on A Christmas Carol

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 5, 2019

Planning to watch A Christmas Carol this year? Have you read the original story? It's definitely worth reading if you've only ever seen the movie ...

Christmas Books Round-Up

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 2, 2019

All our reviews of Christmas books -- that is, books about Christmas or set during the Christmas season -- in one place! You're sure to ...

Best Games for Book Lovers

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 29, 2019

The best games for book lovers? WORD GAMES. Naturally. Most readers enjoy good old-fashioned analog fun (as opposed to app- or screen-based games). When those ...

To Speak of What’s Good: Positive Developments in Children’s Publishing

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 27, 2019

Children's publishing has shown some disturbing trends recently, but there's also much to be thankful for. Recently I (Janie) had the honor of visiting with ...

How to Raise a Reader by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 26, 2019

How to Raise a Reader focuses less on the “Why” and more on the “How” of fostering a love of literature in your own children. ...

New (or New to Us) Books for Holiday Reading and Gift-Giving

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 25, 2019

It's a fact: readers love to give books as gifts, and we're here to help! When in doubt we tend to turn to the classics, ...

Gifts for Book Lovers: ALL Gift-Giving Lists in One Place!

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 23, 2019

Need gifts for book lovers, young and old? We've got you covered! Stocking stuffers, fun bookish swag, and, of course, LOTS of book ideas! We ...

5 Questions for a Book Giver’s Interview

By Megan Saben | Nov 12, 2019

If you like giving books for birthdays, Christmas, hygge, or any other reason, you may often be wondering: what would this child enjoy? We love ...

Back Porch Book Chat: Sarah Dempsen (After School Ministry Leader)

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 7, 2019

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 ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 1, 2019

We participate in affiliate marketing programs, where we receive a small commission when products are purchased through links on our website. We strive to correctly ...

Reformation Day Homemade Doughnuts

By Megan Saben | Oct 23, 2019

Homemade doughnuts are a delicious family tradition for celebrating Reformation Day or a hosting a Harvest Party. I am not a food blogger, so you ...

Calling All Readers: Annual Reading Challenge Info!

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 21, 2019

Did you take the Annual Redeemed Reader Reading Challenge in 2019? Which level? Bakers Dozen with 13 books? Quarterback Challenge at 25? Did you read ...

Voyages of Discovery, or, How NOT to “Teach Reading”

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 18, 2019

Last Sunday marked the 527th anniversary of the day Christopher Columbus first laid eyes, all unknowingly, on "The New World." That discovery radically changed world ...

Back Porch Book Chat: Melissa Deming (Bible Teacher)

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 14, 2019

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 ...

Go Build Something! Engineering Books for Boys (and Girls)

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 21, 2019

STEM is big in schools and publishing today, and many educators add an A to make STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Engineering ties ...

4 Books About the Reading Life: a Literary Nightstand Round-Up

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 16, 2019

Book lovers love books about other book lovers. After all, we share the reading life in common: its challenges, its delights, its unique common language. ...

Cookbooks for Kids and Teens: A Book List

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 9, 2019

Have you ever wanted to go beyond cookie baking and decorating with your kids? Did you know there are some great cookbooks for kids and ...

Laid-Back Language Arts

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 7, 2019

Do you remember your middle and high school English classes? Did you diagram sentences? Fill in endless worksheets with "S" for sentence or "F" for ...

Back Porch Book Chat: Lou Hunley (Public Librarian)

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 2, 2019

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 ...

The Delights of Childcraft, part 2

By Megan Saben | Aug 22, 2019

Yesterday I introduced a set of books that impressed me as a child, and I appreciate them more now as a parent and home educator. ...

The Delights of Childcraft, part 1

By Megan Saben | Aug 21, 2019

I remember the first book that taught me to love poetry as a child. "Antonio, Antonio," by Laura E. Richards, was in the second volume ...

Series Fiction for Tweens and Teens: A Book Series List!

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 16, 2019

Got a reluctant reader? A voracious reader? A reader with pronounced genre preferences? There's a book series (or four) for that! Book series are extremely ...

Tools for Leaving Home: a List for Fledgling Adults

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 2, 2019

A list of books that might help with the difficult transition from teen to adult in today's confusing culture. Let’s get one thing straight: A ...

Our Favorite Mice: A Booklist

By Hayley Morell | Jul 11, 2019

Have you ever stopped to consider how many mice are in children's literature? There is something about these small, unlikely protagonists that captures the imagination. ...

A Lunar List: New Books About the Moon

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 8, 2019

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing. And there are lots of new books commemorating that event and the moon itself! ...

Patriotic Book List for Independence Day

By Megan Saben | Jun 29, 2019

It's Independence Day this week, and, naturally, we've got you covered with a book list! Every few years or so, we compile a patriotic book ...

What Makes a “Strong Girl Character”? Thoughts and a Podcast

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 20, 2019

Does rejecting gender stereotypes mean there are no meaningful distinctions between strong girls and strong boys? Not so long ago, librarians and publishers were concerned ...

Back Porch Book Chat: Virginia Lee Rogers (Bookseller and Homeschool Mom)

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 17, 2019

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 ...

Family Vacation Book List: Fun for the Whole Family

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 17, 2019

Going on vacation this summer? What about daily trips to the pool and back? Perhaps you have some summer evenings on the porch planned. Sounds ...

The Money-Smart Family System by Steve Economides

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 11, 2019

"Money smarts" begin at home in this family-oriented guide to teaching wise management. The Money Smart Family System by Steve and Annette Economides. Thomas Nelson, ...

Simple Summer Reading Challenge for Tweens and Teens

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 6, 2019

It's time for summer reading! Do your tweens and teens have summer reading assignments for school? Perhaps a classic or two and maybe a contemporary ...

Summer Reading Challenge Round-Up

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 6, 2019

It's time for a summer reading challenge! Redeemed Reader isn't sponsoring a particular summer reading challenge this summer, but we've got some fantastic options in ...

Reading Robin McKinley

By Hayley Morell | Jun 1, 2019

"I'm reading a book that's a little slow." I told a friend. "Why not stop reading it?" It was a fair question, but it hadn't ...

Bible Review: NASB Children’s Edition

By Janie Cheaney | May 28, 2019

This brand-new Children's Edition of the New American Standard Bible is a must-have for NASB users. NASB Holy Bible, Children’s Edition, Three Sixteen Publishing, 2019, ...

Announcing: The Pilgrim’s Progress Guide from Redeemed Reader!

By Janie Cheaney | May 25, 2019

Over the years, we at Redeemed Reader have been dedicated followers of John Bunyan's classic, The Pilgrim's Progress. Though written to address the conflicts of ...

Are Graphic Novels “Literature”?

By Janie Cheaney | May 24, 2019

When I was a kid, back in the day, “comic books” did not have a great reputation. In fact, in 1949 a book called Seduction ...

The Pilgrim Travels on: Literary References to The Pilgrim’s Progress

By Janie Cheaney | May 16, 2019

Few works of literature have had the cultural reach of John Bunyan's The Pilgrim’s Progress. That’s pretty amazing—who would have thought an adventure story that ...

Shakespeare Fun and Frivolity

By Megan Saben | May 15, 2019

Shakespeare fans who have room on their shelves and a box of freshly sharpened colored pencils will find good application for both with three fun ...

Birds of a Feather: Bird Books for Kids

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 23, 2019

Do you have a young bird lover in your house? A bird nerd who, at age 10, can tell you all the migratory species that ...

Bible Review: CSB Defend Your Faith

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 20, 2019

The Defend Your Faith Bible equips middle graders for apologetics with arguments for the reasonableness and accuracy of the scriptures. CSB Defend Your Faith Bible: ...

Bible Review: CSB Study Bible for Girls (and Boys)

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 19, 2019

Though more of a devotional Bible than a study Bible, this edition offers thought-provoking questions and application features. CSB Study Bible for Girls. Baker, 2018, ...

Bible Review: the Stampede of “Creative” Bibles

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 15, 2019

A coloring Bible may make a lovely gift for the right recipient, but is it the best choice for reading and studying? The appearance of ...

The Author’s Mission: Gary Schmidt

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 28, 2019

One question every author gets, sometimes several times a day: Where do you get your ideas? I had the happy opportunity to sit in on ...

Back Porch Book Chats

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 21, 2019

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 ...

Faith, Fiction, & Fellowship, Week 3: Let’s Discuss!

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 20, 2019

Ladies, are you enjoying your chosen books for our Faith, Fiction, & Fellowship read-along? Faith, Fiction, & Fellowship Discussion, Week 3 If you’ve purchased the official ...

Kindred Retreat 2019 and a Fortitude Booklist

By Megan Saben | Mar 20, 2019

Megan was refreshed after a day of listening to three wise women at a one-day retreat...and she brought home another booklist. Note the fairy tale ...

Faith, Fiction, & Fellowship, Week 2: Let’s Discuss!

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 14, 2019

Ladies, are you enjoying your chosen books for our Faith, Fiction, & Fellowship read-along? Faith, Fiction, & Fellowship Discussion, Week 2 If you've purchased the ...

The Enchanted Hour by Meghan Cox Gurdon

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 9, 2019

In The Enchanted Hour, Meghan Cox Gurdon makes the intellectual, social, and emotional case for reading aloud, at any age, to any age. The Enchanted ...

Faith, Fiction, & Fellowship Week 1: Let’s Discuss!

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 5, 2019

Ladies, are you enjoying your chosen books for our Faith, Fiction, & Fellowship read-along? Faith, Fiction, & Fellowship Discussion, Week 1 If you've purchased the ...

The Faithful Artist: an Interview with John Hendrix

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 5, 2019

John Hendrix grew up in St. Louis, left home to advance his art career, and eventually returned. Along the way he spent some time as ...

30+ Women in Church History: A Book List

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 1, 2019

Did you know that March is Women's History Month? Or that the theme for Women's History Month 2019 is "Visionary Women: Champions of Peace & ...

6 Noteworthy Nonfiction Picture Books

By wpengine | Feb 25, 2019

Me: "That school must be named after Lise Meitner. Didn't she do something with uranium?" {the school in question was on a TV show and ...

Meet the Team: Megan

By Hayley Morell | Feb 23, 2019

We’re taking some time and giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the Redeemed Reader team. Today, Hayley interviews our Associate Editor and Staff Writer, Megan ...

Faith, Fiction, & Fellowship Read-Along Details

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 21, 2019

Our Faith, Fiction, & Fellowship Read-Along is just around the corner. We know lots of you are excited about this, and we are, too! If ...

Christians and Mental Illness: an Interview with Simonetta Carr

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 20, 2019

The author of Broken Pieces and the God Who Mends them shares further insights about her experience with schizophrenia. Our readers are familiar with Simonetta's ...

4 New Multicultural Picture Books: Gratitude, Island Culture, Rap, and Hannukah!

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 18, 2019

Several of these picture books recently won awards (or honors) in the ALA YMA in January. And one of them is brand new, hot-off-the-press in ...

Pride and Prejudice: The Original and the Others

By Hayley Morell | Feb 14, 2019

It's Valentine's Day. So, of course, we're going to talk about Jane Austen! Nothing can compare to the original, but Hayley and Betsy have been ...

Faith, Fiction, & Fellowship: A Read Along for Girls Ages 10-100

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 6, 2019

It's time to reclaim "Women's History Month" (March). How about "Women in the Church Month," complete with deep conversation about our shared faith, discussion about ...

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