Resources

New Teen Summer Reading Books!

By emily | Jun 6, 2014

New Plans After taking a second look at our teen Summer Reading Challenge books (Reading List #2), we have decided to take two of our ...

It’s Summertime! Let’s Learn Something!

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 3, 2014

While we're gearing up for our summer reading challenge (still time to sign up!) the kids may be looking around for something to read. Fiction ...

2014 Summer Reading Challenge…For the Whole Family

By emily | May 27, 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 ...

Raising “Wild” Readers

By Megan Saben | May 21, 2014

How do you teach the pleasure of reading to non-readers? Convinced by research studies and personal experience that worksheets and conventional methods of teaching literary ...

By Betsy Farquhar | May 12, 2014

Brown v. Board of Education Did you know it's the 60th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education? Our children might ...

Gifts for Grads, 3rd Edition

By Janie Cheaney | May 9, 2014

If you have a high school or college graduate, you’re thinking about how fast time flies and how bittersweet the occasion of this very special ...

By Janie Cheaney | May 5, 2014

It’s graduation month, so we’re going to get all serious this week. Watch for gift recommendations and college prep resources, and if college isn’t in ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 29, 2014

I know it's usual to proclaim how great all the entries are for any given contest, but it really is true for our sonnet contest. We received ...

*The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 22, 2014

*The Crossover by Kwame Alexander. Harcourt Mifflin Harcourt, 2014. 237 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grade, ages 10-12 Maturity Level: 4 (ages 10-12) and up Bottom ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 21, 2014

Happy Easter Monday! I spent a semester in the Czech Republic during college and vividly remember a quirky Czech tradition: on Easter Monday, boys "whipped" ...

Divergent: Coffee and Conversation

By emily | Apr 19, 2014

A few weeks ago, Veronica Roth's book Divergent hit the big screen. In God's providence, that morning I also happened to be in the same town ...

Family Devotional Time

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 18, 2014

Even though I have some reservations about personal devotional books, expressed here, family devotions are another story. While some formats are “less optimal” than others, ...

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 17, 2014

Big Picture Interactive Bible: Connecting Christ through God’s Story (HCSB)*. Broadman &Holman Kids, 2014, 1350 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages ...

The Shakespeare Stealer–and an Interview with Author Gary Blackwood

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 11, 2014

The Shakespeare Stealer (1998), Shakespeare's Scribe (2000), and Shakespeare's Spy (2003), by Gary Blackwood. Penguin Group; Puffin Books. Age/interest level: 12-16. True story: in 1998 ...

It’s Party Time! How to wish Will a happy 450th

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 4, 2014

What better way to celebrate Shakespeare's birthday than to throw a party! With ten or more guests and liberal use of the suggestions below, it ...

Introducing Shakespeare’s Plays to Children

By Megan Saben | Apr 2, 2014

Should you wait until your children are in high school before expecting them to tackle Shakespeare? Why not start them young, while they love learning ...

Ukraine: Lessons in Liberty and Compassion, Part 3

By Hayley Morell | Mar 27, 2014

In this third part of our series, Hayley shares a list of nonfiction titles that encompass both Ukraine and Russia. (Here are links to part ...

Librarians’ List: Easy/Leveled Readers, part 2

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 19, 2014

Lovable/Quirky Main Character Frances books by Lillian Hoban Arthur books by Lillian Hoban Little Bear books by Else Holmelund Minarik Penny books by Kevin Henkes ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 17, 2014

Happy St. Patrick's Day! First, we must congratulate DL for winning the Freddie Ramos giveaway! During the month of March, we're focusing on high interest ...

Ukraine: Lessons in Liberty and Compassion, Pt. 2

By Hayley Morell | Mar 15, 2014

Last week, we began our Ukrainian series with a personal reflection from our executive assistant, Hayley. Having recently visited orphans in Ukraine, Hayley gave us insight ...

Librarians’ List: Easy/Leveled Readers, part 1

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 8, 2014

Oh, those early (slow) reading sessions when your son or daughter labors to sound out each and every phoneme…. It seems to take forever to ...

Meet Lulu and Freddie: 2 Terrific Chapter Book Characters (+ a Giveaway)

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 5, 2014

Ready to move on from Frog and Toad? Henry and Mudge getting too easy for your newly independent reader? Rest assured: Junie B. Jones, Judy ...

Presidents Day–What the Hayes?

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 17, 2014

There didn’t used to be a Presidents Day; instead, Americans observed Lincoln (Feb. 12) and Washington (Feb. 22) separately. But since those two had thoughtfully ...

Presidents’ Day: a Librarians’ List

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 12, 2014

Presidents' Day is one of those weird little holidays: school children rejoice in their day off, and lots of people don't give it another thought. ...

Book Bits (February 10, 2014)

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 10, 2014

Lots of interesting little links and tidbits for you today in our weekly Book Bits feature (formerly Web Newberys)! Please remember that we do not ...

Valentine’s Day

By Megan Saben | Feb 8, 2014

As Christians we are called to practice so many forms of love besides the romantic kind. Themes for Valentine's Day can be broadened to emphasize ...

Award-Winning Science Picture Books

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 7, 2014

The Animal Book: a Collection of the Fastest, Fiercest, Toughest, Cleverest, Shyest—and Most Surprising—Animals on Earth, by Steve Jenkins. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013, 208 pages. ...

The Spiritual World of The Hobbit + Giveaway

By Hayley Morell | Jan 23, 2014

(Giveaway is now closed) The ever-increasing popularity of Middle Earth has brought a profusion of books written about both J. R.R. Tolkien and his created ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 13, 2014

And the winner for our New Children's Bible giveaway is... Joey E. Congratulations, Joey! And thanks to those who shared their New Year's goals with ...

A New Year: Goals + Giveaway

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 6, 2014

(Giveaway is now closed) Reading-Oriented New Year's Goals I'm one of those folks who enjoy making New Year's Resolutions. I prefer the term "goal" to ...

Rounding Up Some Good YA Reads

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 20, 2013

As Hayley noted earlier this week, the much-heralded final volume of Veronica Roth's Divergent trilogy was a disappointment. Much-heralded final volumes often disappoint, but what's ...

Pilgrim’s Progress adapted by Anna Trimiew

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 9, 2013

Pilgrim’s Progress: John Bunyan’s Classic Story Adapted for Children, by Anna Trimiew, illustrated by Drew Rose. Great Commissions Press, 2013, 109 pages, including glossary and ...

Truth in the Tinsel: A Family Advent Tradition

By emily | Nov 29, 2013

Truth in the Tinsel Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I suppose the Christmas race has officially begun now, and with that in mind, ...

Librarians’ List: Favorite Picture Books of 2013

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 23, 2013

It's time for another Librarians' List! Since it's picture book month, we're indulging our list-making hobbies and bringing you yet another list of our favorites. ...

Reading Rapunzel

By Megan Saben | Nov 21, 2013

Today I'm going to demonstrate a close reading of one version of a classic fairy tale. My favorite book to use in demonstrating the illustrative ...

Sci-fi Contest Winner and Podcast: From Ender’s Game to Hunger Games

By emily | Nov 20, 2013

To listen to our a read along with real teens or find discussion questions about Ender's Game, please see our Ender's Game Read Along. Also, ...

Character in the Midst of Diversity: 8 Titles to Note

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 20, 2013

2013 has given us lots of excellent diverse picture book titles: books about minority cultures, folktale retellings, and books by (or illustrated by) people of ...

Winter Book Fair: Gift Books to Support Redeemedreader

By emily | Nov 19, 2013

Dear Redeemedreaders, We appreciate you! If you have appreciated Redeemedreader this year, we'd love to have your support during the holiday season. We have narrowed ...

By emily | Nov 16, 2013

New to Redeemedreader? Sign up for our biweekly newsletter on our homepage! You can also like us on Facebook or follow along on Twitter to keep up with ...

Librarians’ List: 25 Picture Book Retro Reads

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 16, 2013

We've been spending quite a bit of time this month looking at newer picture books--many of them published in 2013. But today we're taking a ...

Looking Forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 12, 2013

Every holiday season brings forth a crop of shiny new picture books, and we're on the beat. Today, two for Thanksgiving and two for Christmas--the ...

How NOT to Read a Picture Book

By Megan Saben | Nov 7, 2013

Ten guaranteed ways to destroy a good picture book (without a Sharpie or a bonfire) Always read in the same tone of voice, without expression or ...

Teen Sci-Fi Writing Contest & Discussion: From Ender’s Game to Hunger Games

By emily | Oct 26, 2013

***NOTE: AN ANONYMOUS DONOR HAS JUST UPPED THE 2nd AND 3rd PLACE PRIZES IN THIS CONTEST TO A $30 AMAZON GIFT CARD!*** Introduction It's been ...

Ender’s Game Read Along, Wk 4: Conclusions

By emily | Oct 19, 2013

Like sci-fi or dystopian stories? Check out our Sci-Fi Writing Contest for teens. You could win feedback from a sci-fi author and Thomas Nelson editor, ...

Anselm: An Interview with Simonetta Carr

By emily | Oct 16, 2013

Anselm of Canterbury (Christian Biographies for Young Readers) by Simonetta Carr. Reformation Heritage Books, 2013. 64 pgs. Ages 8-up. Simonetta Carr recently published Anselm of ...

Ender’s Game Read Along, Wk 3: The Science of the Story

By emily | Oct 12, 2013

Like sci-fi or dystopian stories? Check out our Sci-Fi Writing Contest for teens. You could win feedback from a sci-fi author and Thomas Nelson editor, ...

Ender’s Game Read Along, Wk 2: Ender vs. Peter

By emily | Oct 5, 2013

Like sci-fi or dystopian stories? Check out our Sci-Fi Writing Contest for teens. You could win feedback from a sci-fi author and Thomas Nelson editor, ...

Our Favorite Science Book Picks (and a Printable List!)

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 30, 2013

We've thrown a lot of titles at you during our Science September for science-related informational texts. Because we know many of you, like us, love ...

Ender’s Game Read Along, Wk 1: Considering Sci-fi and Orson Scott Card

By emily | Sep 28, 2013

Like sci-fi or dystopian stories? Check out our Sci-Fi Writing Contest for teens. You could win feedback from a sci-fi author and Thomas Nelson editor, ...

More Favorite Science Books

By emily | Sep 23, 2013

Welcome back to Science September at Redeemedreader! Last week, we heard from Janie on Science Biographies, as well as Betsy on some of her favorite ...

The Enemy Stone: An Interview with Robert Treskillard

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 18, 2013

Last Friday we had a fascinating discussion with our interns about some of the first titles of a brand new YA imprint from Zondervan. One ...

Science Picture Books: Authors and Illustrators of Note

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 16, 2013

It's Science September at RedeemedReader! The world of picture book nonfiction (or "information books, " as nonfiction is being called now) is exploding with very ...

Ender’s Game Read Along: A Galactic Giveaway and Contest!

By emily | Sep 14, 2013

***THE GIVEAWAY PART OF THIS POST IS OVER. *** ENDER’S GAME POSTS: Introduction, Week 1: Sci-fi and Orson Scott Card, Week 2: Ender vs Peter, ...

Space Odyssey for Little Ones: An Interview with Kevin Luthardt

By emily | Sep 11, 2013

THE BOOK REVIEW When Edgar Met Cecil. Peachtree Publishers, 2013. 32 pgs. Ages 4-8. Kevin Luthardt is an author-illustrator who has had a pretty big ...

Laboring and Resting: Books about Both!

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 2, 2013

In this digital world of ours, I can post this blog entry "on" Labor Day without having to do any work on Labor Day: I'm ...

Podcast 34: A Kids’ Review of Amish Fiction

By emily | Aug 31, 2013

Big Year for Lily, A (The Adventures of Lily Lapp) by Suzanne Woods Fisher and Mary Ann Kinsinger. Revell, 2013. 272 pgs. Ages 8-up. With ...

By emily | Aug 20, 2013

CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON OUR 2014 SUMMER READING CHALLENGE! Introduction From June 1 through July 31 of 2013, we hosted a Summer Reading Challenge ...

Beowulf: Legend, Worldview, and Contemporary Narratives

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 19, 2013

When I used to teach high school British Literature back in the day, Beowulf was always our first big study. It's first chronologically, and it's ...

How to Skim a Book: The Lost Medallion by Bill Muir and Alex Kendrick

By emily | Aug 16, 2013

To Skim or Not to Skim It's seven o'clock, and you remember you have a book review due in the morning. But alas, you haven't ...

History Audiobooks: Middle Ages for Kids

By emily | Aug 12, 2013

***CONTEST CLOSED. WINNER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*** Like most families, we're gearing up for school at our house. And like many other classical schoolers, we're using ...

By Megan Saben | Aug 5, 2013

Help, I have too many books! Even for a bibliophile, this is not only possible, it has been reality at our house. Lately the Lord ...

Lemonade and Lit, Week 7: Klavan Discussion

By emily | Jul 27, 2013

Other Lemonade and Lit posts: Introduction, Week One: Booked, Week Two: Booked Discussion, Week Three: Beauty, Week Four: Sexuality in Booked, Week Five: Beauty Discussion, ...

By emily | Jul 26, 2013

THANK YOU It's been a fun couple of months during our Summer Reading Challenge, and my family has enjoyed reading along with you all. We're ...

Summer Reading Challenge: One Family’s Experience

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 25, 2013

As we end our Summer Reading Challenge, I thought it would be fun for you--our readers--to hear a personal reflection from me on how our ...

Two Books about China

By emily | Jul 24, 2013

Little White Duck: A Childhood in China by Na Liu, Illustrated by Andres Vera Martinez. Graphic Universe TM, 2013. 96 pgs. Grades 4-7. When I ...

Summer Reading Challenge, Week 7: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 23, 2013

Don't forget to fill out the Redeemed Reader 2013 Survey if you haven't done so! (There's a giveaway involved!) Still hangin' in there with us? ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 22, 2013

We will be wrapping up our Summer Reading Challenge this week and taking next week OFF to regroup and tweak our plans for this fall. ...

Lemonade and Lit, Week 6: The Last Thing I Remember by Andrew Klavan

By emily | Jul 20, 2013

Other Lemonade and Lit posts: Introduction, Week One: Booked, Week Two: Booked Discussion, Week Three: Beauty, Week Four: Sexuality in Booked, Week Five: Beauty Discussion, ...

It’s Greek to Me!

By Hayley Morell | Jul 18, 2013

This week in our Summer Reading Challenge, we're visiting Greece. So, thanks to our newest addition to the Redeemedreader family, Hayley Schoeppler, for leading us today ...

Summer Reading Challenge, Week 6: The Lightning Thief

By Hayley Morell | Jul 15, 2013

Welcome to Week 6 of our Summer Reading Challenge! If you’d like to see other posts in this series,

Lemonade and Lit, Week 5: Beauty Discussion

By emily | Jul 13, 2013

Other Lemonade and Lit posts: Introduction, Week One: Booked, Week Two: Booked Discussion, Week Three: Beauty, Week Four: Sexuality in Booked, Week Five: Beauty Discussion, ...

Summer Reading Challenge, Week 5: The Light Princess

By Megan Saben | Jul 9, 2013

Welcome to Week 5 of our Summer Reading Challenge! If you'd like to see other posts in this series, check out our Summer Reading Challenge ...

Lemonade and Lit, Week 4: Debate on Sexuality in Booked

By emily | Jul 6, 2013

Other Lemonade and Lit posts: Introduction, Week One: Booked, Week Two: Booked Discussion, Week Three: Beauty, Week Four: Sexuality in Booked, Week Five: Beauty Discussion, ...

Interesting Picture Book Biographies (Librarians’ List)

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 5, 2013

Many people think picture books should be left behind in the preschool years. Megan and I heartily disagree with that sentiment, and we invite you ...

Lemonade and Lit, Week 3: Beauty by Robin McKinley

By emily | Jun 30, 2013

Other Lemonade and Lit posts: Introduction, Week One: Booked, Week Two: Booked Discussion, Week Three: Beauty, Week Four: Sexuality in Booked, Week Five: Beauty Discussion, ...

Summer Reading Challenge, Wk 3: Nate Saint: Operation Auca

By emily | Jun 25, 2013

Have you seen our new tab for the Summer Reading Challenge? In it, you'll find all the links to our Summer Reading Challenge--both the main ...

Lemonade and Lit Read Along, Week 2: Booked Discussion

By emily | Jun 22, 2013

Other Lemonade and Lit posts: Introduction, Week One: Booked, Week Two: Booked Discussion, Week Three: Beauty, Week Four: Sexuality in Booked, Week Five: Beauty Discussion, ...

Eat, Pray, Read…and Eat Again! Around the World Food Facts with Nive Burris

By emily | Jun 20, 2013

In our trip around the world (see our Summer Reading Challenge), what could be more fun than using food to explore different cultures? Today, Nive ...

Summer Reading Challenge, Week 3: Mr. Popper’s Penguins

By emily | Jun 18, 2013

Introduction We've added a Summer Reading Challenge tab at the top of our website, to help you keep up with the posts as the summer ...

Book News, Freebies & Cheapies

By emily | Jun 17, 2013

News Happy Monday! It's a busy week here at RR, find with Mr. Popper's Penguins up next in our Summer Reading Challenge for kids. (Here ...

Lemonade and Lit Read Along, Week 1: Booked by Karen Swallow Prior

By emily | Jun 15, 2013

Other Lemonade and Lit posts: Introduction, Week One: Booked, Week Two: Booked Discussion, Week Three: Beauty, Week Four: Sexuality in Booked, Week Five: Beauty Discussion, ...

Let’s Take a Road Trip: Our Final Destination

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 14, 2013

Before I started writing The Middle of Somewhere, I did some research. Every novelist has to do some research, especially if she’s writing historical fiction ...

Let’s Take a Road Trip (and the Second Key to Great Writing)

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 13, 2013

(He likes the book so far, and but he hasn't got to the tragic part yet.) How’s the road trip going? Have we arrived in ...

Let’s Take a Road Trip–and Write a Story!

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 11, 2013

Our Around the World reading challenge book this week is The Middle of Somewhere, and it’s written by . . . um . . . ...

Adult-Teen Summer Reading, Introduction: Conversation and a Contest!

By emily | Jun 8, 2013

Other Lemonade and Lit posts: Introduction, Week One: Booked, Week Two: Booked Discussion, Week Three: Beauty, Week Four: Sexuality in Booked, Week Five: Beauty Discussion, ...

What’s In the Handbag, Nelly Bly? 6 Items For Your Trip Around the World

By emily | Jun 8, 2013

I ran out of time in last week's post to include my travel tips for your Summer Reading adventure. So, taking inspiration from the humorous ...

Summer Reading Challenge, Wk 1: Interview with John Branyan

By emily | Jun 6, 2013

It's Thursday, and that means it's time for our Summer Reading Challenge (SRC) extras! In case you missed it, here is the Introduction, our list of ...

Summer Reading Challenge, Week 1: Around the World by Matt Phelan

By emily | Jun 4, 2013

***To find out more about this challenge, see our Summer Reading Challenge introduction. Other posts related to Matt Phelan's books include our Interview with John ...

100 Great Adventure Books for Kids: Summer Read Along Book Lists are Here!

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 3, 2013

***To read the next post in this series, see our Summer Reading Challenge, Week 1: Around the World by Matt Phelan.*** Summer Reading Challenge June ...

Around the World in 60 Days: Summer Reading Challenge for Kids

By emily | May 23, 2013

***The Book Giveaway below is over (click here to see who won), but the reading adventure is just beginning! Feel free to enter your name ...

By emily | May 15, 2013

***This internship opportunity has been filled. See here for the winners.*** If you are a high school or college student, love literature and movies, and ...

Steaming into Sunset: an Interview with Sherri Rinker

By Janie Cheaney | May 14, 2013

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site (see our review here) hurled Sherri Rinker’s star into the picture-book firmament. Accepted by the first publisher she submitted it to, ...

Web Newberys, News and Freebies

By emily | May 13, 2013

News Booklists, sick a Summer Reading Challenge, and one of the funniest interviewees I've ever met...all coming up soon on Redeemedreader! But for now, here ...

Gifts for Grads: Our Picks

By Janie Cheaney | May 9, 2013

For a parent, there’s nothing scarier than sending a high school graduate out into the world—and in fact, the world looks pretty scary these days. ...

And the winners are…

By Megan Saben | May 8, 2013

Volunteering to judge a poetry contest is simultaneously one of the best and the worst jobs I could have asked for. The best, because it is ...

Short Summer-Length Devotionals for Families

By Betsy Farquhar | May 6, 2013

Summer's Just Around the Corner! My family's summer schedule is quite different from our school year schedule. What with travel, fun in the sun, and ...

By Betsy Farquhar | May 4, 2013

Poetry Contest Closed and Winners Announced Soon! Our Poetry Contest is officially closed--many thanks to all the contestants! We received some fantastic entries, more than ...

Interview with Judah Ben: Kai’Ro, Christian Rap and the Progress of Urban Pilgrims

By emily | May 2, 2013

Introduction There are very few modern books that I see as really significant. But I see the Kai' Ro series--an urban interpretation of Pilgrim's Progress--by ...

Web Newberys, News, and Freebies (April 29)

By emily | Apr 29, 2013

News Is it possible we're heading into May already?! That means we've got lots of great plans in the works for our Summer Reading Challenge ...

Inspiring (very) young artists

By Megan Saben | Apr 24, 2013

God is a God of words and pictures. He has revealed Himself to us through words in Scripture and visually in creation, and made us in ...

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