Resources

Ask-a-Librarian: 30 Great “New” Books

By Betsy Farquhar | May 9, 2016

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 ...

By Betsy Farquhar | May 6, 2016

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 ...

By Megan Saben | May 2, 2016

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 ...

Help! My Kid is Developing Brain Cavities!

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 21, 2016

Maybe your kids, like mine, have recently read classic novels. Maybe your family, like mine, has been reading a biography of a famous scientist ...

3 Irresistible Picture Books for Boys

By Megan Saben | Mar 14, 2016

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 ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 7, 2016

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 ...

The 6 Risks of Reading Old Books

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 29, 2016

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 ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 15, 2016

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 ...

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 10, 2016

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 ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 5, 2016

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 ...

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 3, 2016

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 ...

5 Fun Fairy Tale Reads for February

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 1, 2016

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 ...

Five Family Read Alouds

By Hayley Morell | Jan 29, 2016

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. ...

By Megan Saben | Jan 25, 2016

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. ...

The Nutcracker: This is That Time of Year

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 14, 2015

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 ...

By Alysha | Dec 4, 2015

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 ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 2, 2015

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 ...

Have an Awesome Thanksgiving

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 23, 2015

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 ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 16, 2015

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, ...

By Megan Saben | Nov 9, 2015

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: ...

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 29, 2015

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 ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 18, 2015

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 ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 5, 2015

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 ...

Four Ways to Enjoy Fall Reading

By Hayley Morell | Oct 2, 2015

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

Laid-Back Homeschooling: a Word of Encouragement for the Year Ahead

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 9, 2015

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 ...

Top 25 Ancient History Resources

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 6, 2015

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 ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 3, 2015

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

Story Tea: Picture Books of the Year (+printable)

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 1, 2015

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 ...

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 31, 2015

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

Ask-a-Librarian: Lemony Snicket and Literary Worldview

By Megan Saben | Aug 18, 2015

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

Back to School Backpack 2015

By Megan Saben | Aug 10, 2015

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

By Megan Saben | Jun 24, 2015

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

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 22, 2015

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 ...

Pilipinto’s Happiness by Valerie Elliot Shepard

By Megan Saben | Jun 15, 2015

*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 ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 8, 2015

*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 ...

By Megan Saben | May 30, 2015

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

By Megan Saben | May 20, 2015

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 ...

By Janie Cheaney | May 19, 2015

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 ...

Summer Reading Lite

By emily | May 18, 2015

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

Avengers: Age of Ultron Resources! (+ Printable)

By Betsy Farquhar | May 1, 2015

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 ...

By emily | Apr 22, 2015

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

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 15, 2015

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 ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 13, 2015

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 ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 30, 2015

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

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

By Megan Saben | Mar 18, 2015

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

By emily | Mar 14, 2015

[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! ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 13, 2015

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 ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 12, 2015

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 ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 26, 2015

*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 ...

By Hayley Morell | Feb 21, 2015

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 ...

50 Shades Trilogy: The Tim Challies Interview

By emily | Feb 7, 2015

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

The Four Loves by C. S. Lewis: an Introduction

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 6, 2015

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, ...

By emily | Feb 6, 2015

(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 ...

Yoo-Hoo, Ladybug! by Mem Fox

By Megan Saben | Jan 28, 2015

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 ...

By Hayley Morell | Jan 23, 2015

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 ...

By Megan Saben | Jan 21, 2015

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 ...

*Hosanna, Loud Hosannas by Barbara and David Leeman

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 5, 2015

*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 ...

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

By Megan Saben | Jan 5, 2015

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

By emily | Dec 23, 2014

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 ...

cover of Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

*Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 19, 2014

This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel ...

*Choo Choo by Virgina Lee Burton

By Megan Saben | Dec 19, 2014

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 ...

*The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton

By Megan Saben | Dec 19, 2014

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

*A Library Book for Bear by Bonny Becker, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton

By Megan Saben | Dec 11, 2014

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 ...

By emily | Dec 11, 2014

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

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 9, 2014

*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) ...

*Flora and the Penguin by Molly Idle

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 8, 2014

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

*Three Bears in a Boat by David Soman

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 8, 2014

This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! *Three Bears in a Boat by ...

Christmas Carols for a Kid’s Heart by Bobbie Wolgemuth and Joni Eareckson Tada

By Megan Saben | Dec 3, 2014

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 ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 1, 2014

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 ...

Leroy Ninker Saddles Up by Kate DiCamillo

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 1, 2014

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 ...

The Chicken Squad by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Kevin Cornell

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 1, 2014

This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from ourWinter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! The Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure by ...

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 28, 2014

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 ...

*Waiting is Not Easy! by Mo Willems

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 24, 2014

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. ...

Fix This Mess! by Tedd Arnold

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 24, 2014

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 ...

By emily | Nov 20, 2014

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

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 20, 2014

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 ...

By Megan Saben | Oct 22, 2014

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 ...

Picture Book Biographies

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 6, 2014

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 ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 9, 2014

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

By emily | Aug 30, 2014

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

By Hayley Morell | Aug 2, 2014

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-- ...

Genesis in Space and Time by Francis Schaeffer

By Hayley Morell | Jul 26, 2014

This review was originally written by Valen Caldwell as part of the 2014 Summer Reading Challenge. Genesis in Space and Time by Francis ...

By emily | Jul 26, 2014

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

SRC Writing/Drawing Contest Winners!

By Megan Saben | Jul 26, 2014

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

By emily | Jul 22, 2014

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

SRC, Week 6: Spy for the Night Riders

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 21, 2014

Welcome to Week 6! Time doth fly . . . We started out with The Blue Comet as our book for this week, but due ...

By emily | Jul 19, 2014

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

By emily | Jul 15, 2014

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

SRC Week 4, Teen List: Out of the Silent Planet

By Hayley Morell | Jul 12, 2014

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

By emily | Jul 8, 2014

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

SRC, Week 4: The House of Arden

By Hayley Morell | Jul 7, 2014

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

The Story of Owen: Review and Discussion

By emily | Jul 5, 2014

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: ...

Happy Fourth!

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 4, 2014

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

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 1, 2014

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

By emily | Jun 28, 2014

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

By emily | Jun 24, 2014

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

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 22, 2014

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

SRC, Week 1 (Teen list): The Dragon’s Tooth by N. D. Wilson

By emily | Jun 21, 2014

Welcome Teens! Who's finished the first book??! Not me!!! And that's totally OK, because we've got another week before we post our discussion on The ...

By emily | Jun 17, 2014

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

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

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 16, 2014

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

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