Resources
Ask a Librarian: Peter Pan
By Megan Saben |
We love hearing from our readers! Ask-a-Librarian is an occasional feature in which we answer a reader’s email query. There are plenty of books we ...
Read More Shakespeare Summer: Some General Principles (applied to a difficult play)
By Megan Saben |
Last year we covered A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which is readily available in numerous retellings, picture books, and even coloring pages. We chose this play ...
Read More Book Bits (June 3, 2016)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Read on for interesting book-related news from around the web.... Boston Globe-Hornbook Award Announced Yesterday! We've reviewed a few of them here and for World Magazine: Goodbye, ...
Read More The Summer of Great Family Reads
By Betsy Farquhar |
For Everything, There is a Season There are patterns in Scripture of both the Lord and his people resting from their labors. Summer is such ...
Read More Ask-a-Librarian: 30 Great “New” Books
By Betsy Farquhar |
Ask-a-Librarian is an occasional feature in which we answer a reader's email query. Here at Redeemed Reader, we love children's books from all eras and all ...
Read More Book Bits (Friday, May 6, 2016)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Read on for interesting book-related news from around the web.... Adult Coloring Books? Adult coloring books are all the rage, but some Christians have ...
Read More 5 Ways to Connect Legos and Literature
By Megan Saben |
What do you do when spring is shining and the kids are squirming? If you have a child who is enthusiastic about Legos, enrich their time ...
Read More Help! My Kid is Developing Brain Cavities!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Maybe your kids, like mine, have recently read classic novels. Maybe your family, like mine, has been reading a biography of a famous scientist ...
Read More 3 Irresistible Picture Books for Boys
By Megan Saben |
Pop quiz: What’s the funniest word in the English language? What competition is the fiercest? Do machines that are massive and gloriously noisy EVER have ...
Read More Book Bits: Beverly Cleary, banned books, National Cereal Day, and more (March 7, 2016)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Book Bits: a random collection of interesting, book-related news from around the web. Enjoy! Easter is just around the corner! Check out this Easter devotional ...
Read More The 6 Risks of Reading Old Books
By Betsy Farquhar |
I am a book list professional. I read, save, research, create, and share book lists. I own books of book lists. And I'm concerned with ...
Read More Recent World Magazine Book Reviews
By Betsy Farquhar |
Our regular readers have no doubt noticed a dearth of book reviews recently covering new releases. We're still offering up great lists, commentary, reviews of older ...
Read More Reading Aloud to Teens, Part Two
By Janie Cheaney |
Last week I set forth some reasons why older children (ages 12-18) have not outgrown the benefits of reading aloud. If you’re convinced about the ...
Read More Book Bits is Back! (2/5/16)
By Betsy Farquhar |
It's high time we revived Book Bits: a random collection of interesting book-related links and information found around the web. Enjoy! Beatrix Potter has a ...
Read More Reading Aloud to Teens, Part One
By Janie Cheaney |
The last time I talked to my daughter on the phone, she said, “Guess what Adriel is doing now.” That’s my nine-year-old granddaughter, and of ...
Read More 5 Fun Fairy Tale Reads for February
By Betsy Farquhar |
Love is in the air! Or is it? Despite the myriad of hearts, chocolates, and flowers festooning every available merchandising spot, not everyone wants to ...
Read More Five Family Read Alouds
By Hayley Morell |
Long winter nights and the occasional snow day make for excellent read-aloud weather. Here are five favorites that can be enjoyed by the whole family. ...
Read More Five Favorite Snow Stories
By Megan Saben |
Snowbound? Wishing you were? Here are some titles to enjoy with a cup of hot chocolate. Supertruck by Stephen Savage. Roaring Brook, 2015. 32 pages. ...
Read More The Nutcracker: This is That Time of Year
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Nutcracker ballet is part of many Americans' yearly cultural celebration of Christmas. The music plays everywhere, and even young children often recognize the strains ...
Read More Reading with Discernment: YA Literature
By Alysha |
One of the high school classes I teach is devoted to helping students become discerning readers. Modern young adult fiction can be a minefield of ...
Read More Betrayed by Books: Always Read with Discernment!
By Betsy Farquhar |
I'm all for diversity in books--after all, God's creation is full of so many different kinds of people and they are all created in His image. We ...
Read More Have an Awesome Thanksgiving
By Janie Cheaney |
In honor of this week's holiday, a book review post from a few years back: *Sarah Gives Thanks: How Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday, by ...
Read More Happy 100th Birthday, Jean Fritz!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Prolific author Jean Fritz turns 100 today! During her long life, she has written numerous books--mostly biographies--for children. Before picture book biographies were so prevalent, ...
Read More Interview with Jonathan Bean, author and illustrator
By Megan Saben |
I'm delighted to introduce our readers to Jonathan Bean, author and illustrator of a recently published picture book about homeschooling based on his childhood experience: ...
Read More The Uses of Terror
By Janie Cheaney |
Yesterday I made a distinction between “terror” stories and “horror” stories—the latter based squarely on our elemental fear of death, often with buckets of blood ...
Read More I Don’t Know How the Story Ends: an Interview with Janie Cheaney
By Betsy Farquhar |
Janie's newest novel for young folks, I Don't Know How the Story Ends, hit store shelves this month, and she's been busy signing copies and ...
Read More 5 Questions on Writing with our very own J. B. Cheaney
By Betsy Farquhar |
Janie's sixth middle grades novel, I Don't Know How the Story Ends, is due to hit store shelves this Wednesday (October 6th)! We will be featuring ...
Read More Four Ways to Enjoy Fall Reading
By Hayley Morell |
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 ...
Read More Laid-Back Homeschooling: a Word of Encouragement for the Year Ahead
By Janie Cheaney |
I’m not quite ready to retire to a rocking chair in front of the general store, bending the ear of hapless passers-by: Yessir, it was ...
Read More Top 25 Ancient History Resources
By Betsy Farquhar |
Top 25 Ancient History Resources “Ancient History” is primarily concerned with the world during biblical times and the early church. When the children of Israel ...
Read More The 2015 PBOTY Committee Reflects….
By Betsy Farquhar |
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, ...
Read More Story Tea: Picture Books of the Year (+printable)
By Betsy Farquhar |
World magazine has just announced their Children's Books of the Year! Both the Children's Book of the Year and the Picture Book of the ...
Read More The Winners’ Circle
By Janie Cheaney |
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 ...
Read More Ask-a-Librarian: Lemony Snicket and Literary Worldview
By Megan Saben |
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 ...
Read More Back to School Backpack 2015
By Megan Saben |
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 ...
Read More Shakespeare Summer
By Megan Saben |
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 ...
Read More Squelch Not the Series!
By Betsy Farquhar |
If you recognize names such as Jack and Annie or Patrick and Beth, know that mysteries can be ordered A to Z, or believe in ...
Read More Pilipinto’s Happiness by Valerie Elliot Shepard
By Megan Saben |
*This post is revisited from the archives in honor of Elisabeth Elliot's passing into glory. Pilipinto's Happiness: The Jungle Childhood of Valerie Elliot, by Valerie ...
Read More *Daily Bible Reading Program for Children: 7/52 Bible Study
By Betsy Farquhar |
*Unfortunately, it looks like this program is no longer available. Consider this review a source of inspiration! If you create something like this, be sure ...
Read More Five ways to maximize your library this summer {with printables}!
By Megan Saben |
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 ...
Read More Sally Lloyd Jones: A Mini Interview
By Megan Saben |
Bestselling author, Sally Lloyd Jones, was kind enough to answer a few questions for us today as we review her book Bunny's First Spring. What ...
Read More The Well-Gifted Grad
By Janie Cheaney |
Our favorite graduation gift is, of course, books—whether timely, practical, inspirational, or scholarly. We would never recommend sending a young person off to college (or ...
Read More Summer Reading Lite
By emily |
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 ...
Read More Avengers: Age of Ultron Resources! (+ Printable)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Emily reviewed Avengers: Age of Ultron at Worldmag.com. If you'll click "Listen" at the bottom of that post, you can also hear hints from ...
Read More A Download: Kids’ Guide to Pilgrim’s Progress
By emily |
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 ...
Read More Spring Story Tea: Ducklings, Bunnies, and Tea with Dinosaurs! [Printable + Recipes]
By Betsy Farquhar |
It’s spring! Rain, puddles, flowers, ducklings, bunnies, new life, and tea with dinosaurs! Cuddle up with the children in your life, pour a cup of ...
Read More Finding Good Chapter Book Friends: Junie B. Jones v. Jasper John Dooley
By Betsy Farquhar |
A Childlike Attitude My friends, there is an enormous difference between the childish and the childlike. George MacDonald famously commented that he didn't write for children but for ...
Read More Caroline Starr Rose: An Interview!
By Betsy Farquhar |
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 ...
Read More Six Picture Books for Boys Who Can’t Sit Still!
By Megan Saben |
Here are six favorite, irresistible picture books for boys who are competitive, WHO WILL WIN?! love superheroes, Both MARVELous and COMICal hate peas, She ...
Read More Cinderella Radio Review: Listen Here!
By emily |
[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/195843489" 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 Megan Saben, Betsy Farquhar, Kristen Eicher (producer!) and my daughter, Rebecca, for making this review possible! ...
Read More Seeing the Gospel in Cinderella (Discussion Starters!)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Why Cinderella? —a joint post from Betsy, Hayley, and Megan We at Redeemed Reader love a good fairy tale. Cinderella is perhaps the quintessential fairy tale ...
Read More Cinderella Read-Alikes for Boys and Girls of All Ages
By Betsy Farquhar |
Cinderella Read-Alikes for Boys and Girls of All Ages A few of our favorite picture books, chapter books, middle grade titles, young adult reads, and ...
Read More *Mission Accomplished: A Two-Week Family Easter Devotional
By Betsy Farquhar |
*Mission Accomplished: A Two-Week Family Easter Devotional by Scott James. New Growth Press, 2015. 64 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages ...
Read More *Each Peach Pear Plum by Allan Ahlberg
By Hayley Morell |
Each Peach Pear Plum by Allan Ahlberg. Puffin Books,reprint edition, 1986. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 0-4 Recommended for: ages 0-4 Bottom Line: Young and ...
Read More 50 Shades Trilogy: The Tim Challies Interview
By emily |
(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? ...
Read More The Four Loves by C. S. Lewis: an Introduction
By Janie Cheaney |
This thing called “love”—what is it? Something we long for, feel vague stirrings about, idolize, draw inspiration from, and abuse left and right. It’s unpredictable, ...
Read More Fifty Shades Roundtable with WORLD’s Megan Basham
By emily |
(This interview was originally published Aug 8, 2012. We are republishing today in preparation for the movie's release Valentine's Day weekend 2015.) Fifty Shades of ...
Read More Yoo-Hoo, Ladybug! by Mem Fox
By Megan Saben |
Yoo-Hoo, Ladybug! by Mem Fox, illustrated by Laura Ljungkvist. Beach Lane Books, 2013. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 0-4Maturity Level: 1 (ages 0-4) Little ...
Read More Five Reasons to Read for Pleasure in College
By Hayley Morell |
I am a college student. I am also an avid reader. As I talk to fellow students, I have realized that it is a rarity to ...
Read More Winter Storytime: Let It Snow!
By Megan Saben |
We are trying a new feature on Redeemed Reader and hope our readers will participate! Periodically we will choose a storytime theme that may be enjoyed at ...
Read More *Hosanna, Loud Hosannas by Barbara and David Leeman
By Betsy Farquhar |
*Hosanna, Loud Hosannas: Essential Hymns Every Child Should Sing compiled and written by Barbara and David Leeman, 2014. 300 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12Recommended ...
Read More Hymns for a Kid’s Heart, Vol. 1-4 by Bobbie Wolgemuth and Joni Eareckson Tada
By Megan Saben |
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 ...
Read More Winter Book Fair 2014
By emily |
Looking for Christmas gifts for the kids and teens in your life? Redeemed Reader has pulled together our best picks in our annual Winter Book Fair. WANT ...
Read More *Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton
By Betsy Farquhar |
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel (named Mary Anne) are just as beloved by today's generation of children as they were in the 1930s! Mike ...
Read More *Choo Choo by Virgina Lee Burton
By Megan Saben |
This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from ourWinter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! *Choo Choo: The Story of a Little ...
Read More *The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton
By Megan Saben |
*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 ...
Read More *A Library Book for Bear by Bonny Becker, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton
By Megan Saben |
This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! *A Library Book for Bear by ...
Read More A Christmas Carol Watch-Along Guide
By emily |
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, ...
Read More *On the Wing by David Elliot
By Janie Cheaney |
*On the Wing by David Elliot, illustrated by Becca Stadtlander. Candlewick, 2014. 30 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Maturity level: 2 (ages 4-8) ...
Read More *Flora and the Penguin by Molly Idle
By Betsy Farquhar |
Frosty and cool, Flora and the Penguin is a strong follow up to Flora and the Flamingo. *Flora and the Penguin by Molly Idle. Chronicle ...
Read More *Three Bears in a Boat by David Soman
By Betsy Farquhar |
*Three Bears in a Boat by David Soman. Dial Books for Young Readers, 2014. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended for: Ages ...
Read More Christmas Carols for a Kid’s Heart by Bobbie Wolgemuth and Joni Eareckson Tada
By Megan Saben |
Christmas Carols for a Kid’s Heart by Bobbie Wolgemuth and Joni Eareckson Tada, illustrated by Sergio Martinez. Crossway, 2004. 96 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages ...
Read More Miss Betsy’s Book Nook: Picking Books for Gifts
By Betsy Farquhar |
Embracing My Identity I used to try to be one of those crafty types who gives a lovingly handmade item at a baby shower, for a ...
Read More Leroy Ninker Saddles Up by Kate DiCamillo
By Betsy Farquhar |
Jaunty, boisterous Leroy Ninker and his horse, Maybelline, star in this first volume of the Tales of Deckawoo Drive. Leroy Ninker Saddles Up (Tales from ...
Read More The Chicken Squad by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Kevin Cornell
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Chicken Squad includes 4 intrepid sleuths who are on a quest in this funny early chapter book. The Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure by ...
Read More If You’re Reading This by Trent Reedy
By Janie Cheaney |
If You’re Reading This, by Trent Reedy. Scholastic, 2014. 296 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Maturity Level: 6 (ages 15-18) One-line Summary: If ...
Read More *Waiting is Not Easy! by Mo Willems
By Betsy Farquhar |
This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from ourWinter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! *Waiting Is Not Easy! by Mo Willems. ...
Read More Fix This Mess! by Tedd Arnold
By Betsy Farquhar |
This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from ourWinter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! Fix This Mess! by Tedd Arnold. I ...
Read More 5 Ideas for Discussing Mockingjay with Teens: A Mars Hill Approach
By emily |
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 ...
Read More The Dawning of Indestructible Joy by John Piper
By Janie Cheaney |
The Dawning of Indestructible Joy: Daily Readings for Advent by John Piper. Crossway, 2014,96 pages Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Maturity Level: 6 (ages ...
Read More Interview with Storyteller Jim Weiss
By Megan Saben |
Jim Weiss is beloved in many homes for his warm, ailment original literary storytelling and audiobook recordings. Although he is probably best known in homeschooling circles ...
Read More Picture Book Biographies
By Betsy Farquhar |
Picture Book Biographies Picture book biographies are excellent choices for introducing students of all ages to a particular author or historical figure. Many times they ...
Read More Interview with J. B. Cheaney & Giveaway!
By Betsy Farquhar |
***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 ...
Read More Fall Book Lists! Books to Lighten Your Kids’ Book Bags.
By emily |
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 ...
Read More Thoughts on The Giver
By Hayley Morell |
During the Summer Reading Challenge, Redeemed Reader interns Amos Peck and Grace Olson, Valen Caldwell, intern at Breakpoint.org, and I --Hayley Schoeppler, Redeemed Reader's executive assistant-- ...
Read More Genesis in Space and Time by Francis Schaeffer
By Hayley Morell |
This review was originally written by Valen Caldwell as part of the 2014 Summer Reading Challenge. Genesis in Space and Time by Francis ...
Read More SRC Week 6, Teen List: The Giver and Genesis in Space and Time
By emily |
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 ...
Read More SRC Writing/Drawing Contest Winners!
By Megan Saben |
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 ...
Read More SRC, Week 6: Time Travel Devotional (Finale!)
By emily |
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 ...
Read More SRC, Week 6: Spy for the Night Riders
By Janie Cheaney |
Welcome to Week 6! Time doth fly . . . We started out with The Blue Comet as our book for this week, but due ...
Read More SRC Week 5, Teen List: The Giver and Genesis in Space and Time
By emily |
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 ...
Read More SRC, Week 5: Time Travel Devotional
By emily |
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 ...
Read More SRC Week 4, Teen List: Out of the Silent Planet
By Hayley Morell |
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 ...
Read More SRC, Week 4: Time Travel Devotional
By emily |
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 ...
Read More SRC, Week 4: The House of Arden
By Hayley Morell |
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 ...
Read More The Story of Owen: Review and Discussion
By emily |
It's officially an off-week here at Redeemedreader. But we've put together one "extra" post for your holiday weekend: a review of The Story of Owen: ...
Read More Happy Fourth!
By Janie Cheaney |
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 ...
Read More SRC Reading List Extension! (a printable list)
By Betsy Farquhar |
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 ...
Read More SRC Week 2, Teen List: Dragon’s Tooth Discussion
By emily |
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 ...
Read More SRC, Week 2: Time Travel Devotional
By emily |
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 ...
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