Home Mission: Letter to the Helpless Mom

By emily | February 22, 2013

Today some of my dear friends in the blogging world stop to honor and encourage a beautiful and brave woman of God. Our sweet sister-in-Christ, store Desiré from the blog When You Rise, will soon give birth to her third son, Caleb. This little boy is a precious gift from our Heavenly Father who has…

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The Real George Washington

By Janie Cheaney | February 21, 2013

When did history get so complicated?  Not too long ago, “The father of his country” was a monumental figure deserving nothing but praise.  Now, depending on who you talk to or read, he’s either the “Indispensable Man” or a wealthy slave-owner (of the 1%, no less) who used his influence to his own advantage.  History…

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Words and Pictures: a Talk with Doug TenNapel

By Janie Cheaney | February 20, 2013

Yesterday we reviewed two graphic novels by a rising star in the world of “comics” who also happens to be a Christian and a homeschooling dad.  Doug TenNapel, California-born and bred, began his career as an animator and moved into video game design.  In that world he’s probably best known as the creator of Earthworm…

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Metaphysics, Graphics-Style

By Janie Cheaney | February 19, 2013

For some folks, graphic novels are actually a discipline to be learned—their eyes don’t know where to go first and they tend to jump from word to word.  It takes a little effort for them (okay–for me) to slow down and glean from the pictures.  But we all know people, of the male persuasion particularly,…

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What is Virtuous Romance? A Discussion with Gina Dalfonzo and Rea Berg

By emily | February 13, 2013

What is Virtuous Romance? Tonight at dinner, my husband, two daughters and I had our first conversation about…boys.  They had curled up with daddy on the couch Sunday to watch a western with John Wayne, and for the first time, they were smitten with one of the young gunslingers.  It didn’t seem to matter when…

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Happy Birthday, Mr. Lincoln

By Janie Cheaney | February 12, 2013

I’ve heard that aside from William Shakespeare, more books have been written about Abraham Lincoln than any other historical figure.  That makes it difficult to come up with a fresh angle, but Lane Smith has succeeded, and Russell Freedman has at least written a readable history that opens up a few windows for fresh air.…

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Web Newberys (Feb 11)

By emily | February 11, 2013

Alas, it is Monday and I have a cold (again).  On the upside, though, it’s Valentine’s Day week!  And that means I get to talk books AND eat lots of chocolate in the next few days.  So it’s not all bad! Web Newberys (Recent Book-related Stories of Interest) Book Boys of Mumbai:  A heart-breaking but…

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For Beginners: ALA Geisel Award Winners

By Janie Cheaney | February 8, 2013

The Theodore Seuss Geisel Medal (featuring a bas-relief of Dr. Seuss himself) is given by the American Library Association every year for outstanding books for beginning readers.  They’re usually clever and engaging and loads more fun than Dick and Jane.  Here are the picks for this year: Up! Tall! and High! by Ethan Long.  Putnam,…

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Wholehearted Romance: Living Book Library Picks

By emily | February 7, 2013

Many of you may remember our interview last fall with Liz and Emily, proprietors of the Living Books Library website.  They were kind enough to do a Christmas list for us a few months ago, and it was so popular that we thought we’d tap them for some classic Valentine’s Day recommendations for the young…

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Web Newberys and News (Feb. 4, 2013)

By emily | February 4, 2013

Hope you guys survived the Super Bowl!  It’s a new month, and we’re looking forward to some great new books at Redeemedreader.  Leading up to Valentine’s Day, we have some very fun guests to help us think through the idea of virtuous romance, and we’ll get lots of ideas of classic, recent, and movie versions…

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