Resources
Giant Christmas and Advent Book List for All Ages
By Betsy Farquhar |
We love Christmas and Advent at Redeemed Reader, and we've reviewed lots of related resources over the years. Advent begins on December 1, and the ...
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2017 Winter Book Fair List: Books for Everyone!
By Betsy Farquhar |
2017 Winter Book Fair Books for Everyone on Your Christmas List! It's that time of the year again: Christmas is coming, and all the special ...
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Mystery Book List for Elementary, Tweens, and Teens!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Calling all mystery lovers! Mystery book list for all ages! Whether or not you're planning to see Murder on the Orient Express this month, you likely have ...
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*The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch
By Betsy Farquhar |
Starred review for this book about a tech-wise family that is characterized by 10 commitments reflecting the proper pace of technology in a family's life ...
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Reformation Day!
By Janie Cheaney |
I know, we’re not there yet. It was on All Hallow’s Eve (nicknamed Halloween) that the fiery preacher of Wittenberg marched down the cobbled streets ...
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How to Throw a Simple Book Party with Costumes
By Betsy Farquhar |
You're not going to believe me when I say that a book party with costumes can be very, very easy. Trust me. It's all in the ...
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Reading Diana Wynne Jones: an Author Portrait
By Hayley Morell |
You just finished a good book. Now what? Many book lovers can relate to this sad, unsatisfied feeling. But what if you banished that feeling, ...
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Word Shapers: 4 Men Who Influenced the English Language
By Betsy Farquhar |
Word Shaper: Someone who shapes, and changes, words. We associate envy with the color green. Why? William Shakespeare. In America, we write "color" instead of ...
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Portrait of a Reader: The Adventurer
By Betsy Farquhar |
Portrait of a Reader is a new feature in which we try to "unpack" a particular kind of reader. The portraits will overlap; most people will ...
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Reformation Church History Book List
By Betsy Farquhar |
Happy 500th birthday to the Protestant Reformation! 500 years ago this month, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door in Wittenburg. Of course, the ...
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10 New Picture Books for All Ages, All Interests, Fact and Fiction!
By Betsy Farquhar |
New picture books! Brand, spanking, new! Beautiful, silly, thoughtful, informative, and downright fun. Take a look! (Several of these made it onto our Back-to-School ...
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Bird Boy Project: Discussion Forum 4 (and an exciting giveaway!)
By Janie Cheaney |
Okay readers, this is it: yesterday I sent out the three final chapters and those of you who have been clamoring for "one more chapter, ...
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Bird Boy Project: Discussion Forum 2 (and another great giveaway!)
By Janie Cheaney |
By chapters 8-13, we’re well into the development part of the novel, which (you may recall) I mentioned is the often the most difficult part ...
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The Bird Boy Project: Discussion Forum 1 (and book giveaway!)
By Janie Cheaney |
At last count, thirty families and individuals (and a few classes) have signed up to receive daily chapters of my latest in-progress novel. (If you ...
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Project Bird Boy: Launch! (with one free download)
By Janie Cheaney |
To be fair, doubts about Roy Ray Rappaport were perfectly understandable. Except for bats, winged mammals are so rare they're assumed to be myths. Even ...
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10 True Stories for Teens
By Betsy Farquhar |
10 True Stories for Teens It's hard to beat a good, true story. Something about the it really happened aspect just makes it better, don't you ...
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The Bird Boy Project: Liftoff! (and spectacular giveaways)
By Janie Cheaney |
One week from today, we’re starting a unique opportunity for young readers (ages 8-12) and their parents, teachers, and/or older siblings. A fuller explanation can ...
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Back-to-School Booklist, 2017 edition (+ Giveaway!)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Have your kids already started school? Or perhaps that's still to come in the next couple of weeks. No matter what stage of back-to-school season you're ...
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Are Your Kids Reading-Ready for College?
By Janie Cheaney |
Do you have a high school senior who plans on heading out to college But wait! Do you or your kids know what it takes ...
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Announcing: The Bird Boy Project!
By Janie Cheaney |
If you’ve been following Redeemed Reader for the last few years, you may remember some of the read-alongs we’ve done, such as The Hobbit, Pilgrim’s ...
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Get Ready for the Eclipse! Space and Sci-Fi Booklist
By Betsy Farquhar |
Ready for the Eclipse? Have you tested out your eclipse glasses? Do you know where you're going to be on August 21 when the eclipse ...
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Wisdom & Wonder Giveaway Winners!
By Betsy Farquhar |
We hope everyone enjoyed our summer of Wisdom & Wonder! Everyone who subscribed to the special Wisdom & Wonder newsletter received an entry into our ...
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How to Read Aloud Hard Books: 5 Steps
By Betsy Farquhar |
Love to read aloud, but stumble over the hard books? You're not alone. Hard books are hard to read aloud. They just are. Even for ...
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Wisdom & Wonder Week 6: Generosity and Love in Literature
By Betsy Farquhar |
Betsy: It’s hard to believe we’re at the end of our Wisdom & Wonder Summer Reading Challenge! On a personal level, this has been a ...
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Wisdom & Wonder Week 6 Booklist
By Betsy Farquhar |
Our last Wisdom & Wonder Booklist to help you wrap up your summer! You'll see a couple of repeats from earlier in the summer as ...
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Week 6 : God So Loved, He Gave
By Hayley Morell |
Introduction This summer reading challenge has flown by! Can you believe it’s Week 6 already? (Granted, we did take a week off for the Fourth ...
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Let’s Talk It over: Honesty and Diligence in Literature
By Janie Cheaney |
Janie: This week we’re taking up two major themes in Proverbs: honest work and honest words. At first glance they may not seem to be that closely ...
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Sherri Dusky Rinker Interview
By Megan Saben |
If you are already fans of Sherri Dusky Rinker's delightful bestselling picture book Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site, you will certainly enjoy the sequel, Mighty, Mighty ...
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Teach Literary Elements With … Movies!
By Betsy Farquhar |
All stories share the same literary elements, be they written or acted, books or movies. Summer Blockbusters For the Win And movies are a terrific ...
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Wisdom & Wonder Week 5 Booklist
By Janie Cheaney |
Our Proverbs emphasis for week 5 is "Work and Words," (or honesty and diligence, which means basically the same thing without the alliteration). Our booklist ...
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Wisdom & Wonder, Week 5: Work and Words
By Janie Cheaney |
Introduction: Our two Wise Up chapters for this week are “Looking to the Ants” (Week 8, p. 87) and “Honesty is the Best Policy” (Week ...
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Which Path & Which Friend Discussion
By Hayley Morell |
This week, the Redeemed Reader team discusses what it looks like to take the right path and our favorite friendships in literature. Pilgrim's Progress ...
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Wisdom & Wonder Week 4 Booklist
By Hayley Morell |
Week 4 Theme: Which Path and With Whom Additional Proverbs to Read and Think About 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a ...
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Wisdom & Wonder Week 4: Which Path and With Whom?
By Hayley Morell |
Welcome to Week 4 of Wisdom and Wonder! We hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July. Now, back to the reading challenge! For a ...
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Responding to Correction: What does it look like in books?
By Megan Saben |
This week the team discusses how characters respond to correction not only in our anchor books, but also in other literary or popular titles. In Wise ...
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Building a Shakespeare Home Library Collection
By Megan Saben |
When you want to enjoy Shakespeare with your children, you can either focus on one play at a time or spread a Shakespeare feast so ...
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Wisdom & Wonder Week 3 Booklist
By Megan Saben |
Wisdom & Wonder Week 3 Booklist Weekly Theme: Responding to Correction (Wise-Up #6, 7) Additional Proverbs to Read and Think About 14:12 There is a ...
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Wisdom & Wonder Week 3: Responding to Correction
By Megan Saben |
Welcome to week 3 of our Wisdom & Wonder Summer Reading Challenge! In Week 1, we learned about turning to God and away from sin. ...
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The Source of Wisdom: What does it look like in books?
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Redeemed Reader Team is discussing books this week in light of our Wisdom & Wonder Week 2 Theme: God’s Word! In particular, we’re looking ...
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Wisdom & Wonder: All About God’s Word (Links!)
By Betsy Farquhar |
God's Word is a Treasure Did you know that there are a wealth of Bible-related resources here at Redeemed Reader? Children's literature is not our ...
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Wisdom & Wonder Week 2 Booklist
By Betsy Farquhar |
Wisdom & Wonder Week 2 Booklist Weekly Theme: God’s Word is a Treasure Additional Proverbs to Read and Think About 4:23 Keep your heart with ...
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Wisdom & Wonder Week 2: God’s Word is a Treasure
By Betsy Farquhar |
Welcome to week 2 of our Wisdom & Wonder Summer Reading Challenge! Last week, we learned about turning to God and away from sin. Jesus ...
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The State of our Heart – Virtual Discussion
By Alysha |
The Redeemed Reader Team is discussing books this week in light of our Wisdom & Wonder Week 1 Theme: Turning to God/Away from sin. We ...
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Wisdom and Wonder: Linked Reads – Week 1
By Alysha |
This week's theme: Turning to God and Away From Sin To further engage with the theme, here is a list of archived posts that we feel ...
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Wisdom and Wonder: Week 1 – Turning Towards God and Away from Sin
By Alysha |
Welcome to week 1 of our Wisdom & Wonder Summer Reading Challenge! Wisdom and Wonder Week 1: Turning to God and Away from Sin! This ...
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Wisdom and Wonder Booklist – Week 1
By Alysha |
Wisdom & Wonder Week [1] Booklist: Weekly Theme: Turning towards God and Away from Sin Wise-Up #1 (Real Wise Man) and #2 (Heart of the ...
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Ask-a-Librarian: Professional Development for Nonprofessional Readers
By Betsy Farquhar |
Ask-a-Librarian is an occasional feature in which we answer a reader's question. Feel free to send us questions you think would be good for this space! (Use ...
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Wisdom & Wonder Activities and Giveaway!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Wisdom & Wonder is Just Around the Corner! Are you excited about joining us for our Wisdom & Wonder summer reading challenge? Don't forget to get ...
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Wisdom & Wonder Summer Reading “Anchor” Books
By Betsy Farquhar |
Join us for Wisdom & Wonder: our 2017 Summer Reading Challenge focused on Proverbs! Wisdom & Wonder We are going to be diving into the ...
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2017 Summer Reading Challenge is Coming…
By Betsy Farquhar |
Join us for our 2017 Summer Reading Challenge: Wisdom & Wonder Get ready to dive into the book of Proverbs, read great literature, examine it from ...
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Toward a Positive Multiculturalism in Children’s Books (and a Book List)
By Janie Cheaney |
It’s no wonder classic children’s books feature characters with racist attitudes—the authors of those books also had some racist attitudes. We looked at the problem ...
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This Changes Everything by Jaquelle Crowe
By Janie Cheaney |
This Changes Everything, for teens by a teen, is a handy guidebook for young people setting out on their Christian journey. This Changes Everything: How ...
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The New City Catechism Devotional
By Janie Cheaney |
The devotional guide to the Gospel Coalition's New City Catechism is a helpful resource for re-discovering the lost practice of oral instruction and memorization. The ...
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Bible Review: NIrV Love Letters From God
By Janie Cheaney |
Like the new Jesus Calling children's Bible, Love Letters from God is based on purported personal communications from the Almighty. NIrV Love letters from God ...
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Bible Review: NLT Hidden in My Heart Scripture Memory Bible
By Janie Cheaney |
The NLT Hidden in My Heart Bible takes a three-pronged approach to scripture memory, with alternative translations of key scriptures. NLT Hidden in My Heart ...
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Bible Review: NKJV Airship Genesis Kids’ Study Bible
By Janie Cheaney |
David Jeremiah’s “Airship Genesis” children’s outreach provides a platform for this NKJV Bible. NKJV Airship Genesis Kids’ Study Bible. Thomas Nelson, 2016, 1504 pages Recommended ...
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Bible Review: NKJV Color Code
By Janie Cheaney |
The Color Code Bible uses different colors to highlight passages reflecting seven major Bible themes, which may help readers keep those themes in mind. NKJV ...
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Easter List Round-Up, 2017 Edition
By Betsy Farquhar |
Need a last minute gift idea for Easter morning? Want to have some books around that remind your children of the real reason for Easter? ...
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Musical Mondays and Theology Thursdays: How to Use Christian Resources with Kids
By Betsy Farquhar |
We love to track down solid biblical resources for you to use with your families, Sunday School classrooms, and Christian school classrooms. Not only do ...
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Beauty and the Beast Devotional # 5 – Love
By Alysha |
This is the fifth devotional we've had on the key themes in Beauty and the Beast. To see links to previous three as well as ...
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Till We Have Faces: a Redeemed Reader Discussion
By Megan Saben |
Before you read Till We Have Faces, you must first know the myth. You can either read a picture book version or the one by ...
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Cupid and Pscyhe by M. Charlotte Craft
By Megan Saben |
Fans of mythology, fairy tales and lovely picture books will enjoy the Crafts’ Cupid and Psyche. Cupid and Psyche by M. Charlotte Craft and illustrated by ...
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Beauty and the Beast – Devotional #4: Redemption
By Megan Saben |
This is the fourth devotional we've had on the key themes in Beauty and the Beast. To see links to previous three as well as ...
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To See or Not To See: The RR Team Reflects on the New Beauty and the Beast
By Betsy Farquhar |
This discussion is part of our Beauty and the Beast Adventure this month. The text below reflects several ongoing discussions the Redeemed Reader team has had via ...
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The Queen of Attolia: A Beauty and the Beast Discussion
By Hayley Morell |
As part of our Beauty and the Beast Adventure, Megan, Betsy, and Hayley are discussing The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner. Redeemed Reader's ...
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Beauty and the Beast – Devotional #3
By Hayley Morell |
Once upon a time there was beautiful girl who became a queen. . . . And her name was Esther. There's a definite fairytale quality ...
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Every Falling Star: A Beauty and the Beast Discussion!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Like our Newbery Buzz discussions, Janie and Betsy discuss Every Falling Star "virtually" in light of our Beauty and the Beast Adventure this month. We hope these discussions help ...
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Beauty and the Beast by Nancy Willard and illustrated by Barry Moser
By Betsy Farquhar |
Beautiful, lengthy prose accompanied by striking woodcut illustrations make this retelling a good fit for intermediate and middle grade readers. Beauty and the Beast by Nancy Willard ...
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Beauty and the Beast – Devotional #2: the Beast
By Betsy Farquhar |
See our first Beauty and the Beast Devotional if you missed it! This is part of our Beauty and the Beast Adventure which is focusing ...
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Beauty and the Beast – Devotional #1
By Janie Cheaney |
Me and My Mirror Is there anyone reading this who has never, in their lives, spent time staring into a mirror seeking out all the ...
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Beauty and the Beast Adventure
By Betsy Farquhar |
Join us as we dive into the themes and stories behind Beauty and the Beast during the month of March! And don't worry, it's not just for girls--we ...
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Rapid Fire: 10 Recent Award-Winning Picture Books
By Betsy Farquhar |
Rapid Fire: a quick, "rapid fire" list of mini-book reviews. Janie and I love to prognosticate the Newbery Award, discuss possible contenders, and dialogue during the announcement ...
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Straight Talk About the Birds and the Bees
By Betsy Farquhar |
This is a review specifically for parents; librarians and teachers may benefit as well, but children should ask their parents first before reading further. This is also ...
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2017 Newbery Buzz: Some Writer! and Snow White
By Betsy Farquhar |
Historically—and overwhelmingly—the Newbery Award has graced the covers of fictional prose novels. And yet, even “back in the day,” there were some outliers. Nancy Willard’s A ...
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2017 Newbery Buzz: Ghost and Booked
By Janie Cheaney |
Janie: Last Friday, we discussed two middle grade novels that were filled with sadness. Today we turn to a couple of sports-related novels by authors ...
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Go 3D This Year: a Dewey Decimal Dare
By Betsy Farquhar |
Remember when you were in elementary school and dutifully learned the Dewey Decimal system? If you're like me, you got to college and promptly forgot ...
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By Betsy Farquhar |
The Grown-Ups' 2017 Reading Challenge Perhaps you have seen Tim Challies's 2017 Reading Challenge. Inspired in part by an original PopSugar reading challenge, Challies has broken his challenge down ...
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Road Trip! 10 Audio Book Suggestions for the Whole Family
By Betsy Farquhar |
a popular post from our archives! Christmas is coming! And with it, lots of potential travel time...in the car...all together now.... If you're a screen-free-whilst-driving ...
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40 Books for Dads to Read to Their Kids
By Betsy Farquhar |
Strong father figures, adventures, humor, and general fun await! 40 books for DADS to read to their kids: fantasy, realistic fiction, historical fiction. Humor, adventure, ...
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Twelfth Night: Shakespeare’s Christmas Play
By Betsy Farquhar |
Twelfth Night, or What You Will is not exactly a Christmas play, I'll admit. But "Twelfth Night" does refer to the 12th night of the ...
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Pearl Harbor Child: an Interview with Dorinda Nicholson
By Janie Cheaney |
Her father was from Kansas City; her mother was native Hawaiian, and Dorinda Makanaonalani Stagner grew up on Pearl City Peninsula, just around the bend ...
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Putting My Money Where My Mouth Is: Christmas Gifts!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Upholding My Reputation I've written before about the reputation I must uphold each year with my nieces and nephews. And it's that time of year ...
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2016 Winter Book Fair: Books For Everyone!
By Betsy Farquhar |
2016 Winter Book Fair Books for Everyone On Your Christmas List! We have chosen the best of the best, our personal favorites, and plenty of great ...
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*Ember Falls by S. D. Smith
By Janie Cheaney |
The Green Ember saga continues with desperate battles, unexpected heroism, and enough dangling plot threads to make readers eager for the next volume. *Ember Falls ...
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Vote for . . . Whoever (A Re-post from 2012)
By Janie Cheaney |
In a campaign season, especially a big general election like this one, parents and teachers want to give the kids a clue what’s going on. ...
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Pastor, Blogger, Author, Editor: More Church History Recommendations for the Whole Family!
By Betsy Farquhar |
We've spent all month reading and learning about church history. It's been such a rich study with interviews and book reviews, but we are not ...
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Church History with Tim Challies
By Hayley Morell |
Today we are happy to bring you a virtual interview with pastor, author, and blogger extraordinaire —Tim Challies. Tim serves as a pastor at Grace ...
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*The Radical Book for Kids by Champ Thornton
By Janie Cheaney |
This fun and friendly compendium of Bible facts, everyday knowledge, history, how-to, wise counsel, apologetics, and doctrine is a terrific resource for every Christian kid. ...
Read More Michelangelo the Christian: Interview with Simonetta Carr
By Janie Cheaney |
Yesterday's review of Michelangelo for Kids introduced us to a Renaissance artist few people know. Today, the author gives us more insight into her research, ...
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Learning from John Wycliffe: an Interview with Douglas Bond
By Janie Cheaney |
Yesterday we reviewed The Revolt: a Novel in Wycliffe’s England. Today we’re happy to have the author of that book answer a few questions for ...
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5 Questions for Brian Cosby, author of God’s Story
By Betsy Farquhar |
We are delighted to bring you a virtual interview with Brian Cosby, author of one of our featured church history resources for teens: God's Story: A ...
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Church History October
By Betsy Farquhar |
See below for our list of church history resources! Next year marks the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s well known act of defiance against the church of ...
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Take the Survey, Enter the Giveaway!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Survey is now closed. Thanks to those who participated! We want to offer a big CONGRATULATIONS! to our prize winners. The winners will each receive ...
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Newbery Buzz Discussion Series
By Betsy Farquhar |
We love discussing books here at Redeemed Reader! We also love "prognosticating the awards": discussing potential Newbery Medal candidates (these are potentials to us; the ...
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The Virtual Nightstand
By Betsy Farquhar |
In lieu of our former "Book Bits" and "Web Newbery" posts, we're going to share a bit more of our personal reading lives with you, ...
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Our 9/11 Book List
By Janie Cheaney |
If you've been with us for the last few months you doubtless saw Betsy's reviews of two recent, highly-regarded middle-grade novels about the worst foreign attack ...
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Back-to-School Backpack List (2016)
By The Redeemed Shall Read |
Just in time for the start of a new school year with new pencils, new protractors, new textbooks: our Back-to-School Backpack Booklist! As is our ...
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Talking about Books That Talk about Race
By Janie Cheaney |
Not a "Newbery Buzz" post because these titles were published before 2016 and are already award winners! But, for similar posts in which Janie and Betsy ...
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Cooking Up Fun: ‘Roald Dahl’s Revolting Recipes’
By emily |
Roald Dahl's Revolting Recipes by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake. Puffin, 1997. 32 pages. Reading Level: Ages 8-10 Recommended For: all ages ...
Read More Book Bits (Friday, July 1, 2016)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Book Bits is a monthly feature in which we share assorted book-related links and links to news pieces that reflect Redeemed Reader's purpose. Books on ...
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