Ages 15-18
Offsides by Lori Z. Scott
By Betsy Farquhar |
Dani just wants to play soccer and have the best senior year ever, but she's suddenly alert to the signs of a sex trafficking ring ...
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*One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome
By Janie Cheaney |
One Big Open Sky fills a history gap with the story of black settlers heading west in wagon trains. *One Big Open Sky by Lesa ...
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Dune: Book vs. Movie
By Betsy Farquhar |
Is the movie better than the book? I've listened to Dune by Frank Herbert, and I've now seen Dune, part 1 and Dune, part 2. ...
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Arc of a Scythe Trilogy by Neal Shusterman
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Arc of a Scythe Trilogy is a thought-provoking dystopian series for mature teens; it has problematic elements but raises good questions about the essential ...
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Yours from the Tower by Sally Nichols
By Janie Cheaney |
In Yours from the Tower, three young ladies overcome obstacles and find true love in late 19th-century England. Yours from the Tower by Sally Nichols. ...
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*Once a Queen by Sarah Arthur
By Hayley Morell |
Sarah Arthur's YA fantasy novel Once a Queen imagines a world like ours where stories come to life, but individuals have to return to reality. ...
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The Sacred Sacrifice by Hannah Paris
By Betsy Farquhar |
In The Sacred Sacrifice, Paris is proposing we use Bach's St. Matthew Passion in Lent and Easter much like we enjoy Handel's Messiah during Advent ...
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Scythe (Arc of a Scythe #1) by Neal Shusterman
By Betsy Farquhar |
Scythe is the first in a gritty dystopian trilogy about a society in which no one can die... unless a scythe gleans him or her. ...
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YA Fantasy: Murtagh, Theft of Sunlight, & Wind Daughter
By Hayley Morell |
A rapid fire round up of three YA fantasy novels that belong to bigger worlds: Murtagh, A Darkness at the Door, and Wind Daughter. Murtagh ...
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*Daughter of Arden Trilogy by Loren Warnemuende
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Daughter of Arden Trilogy is an epic retelling of an older fairy tale; in its new version, strong echoes of Christian faith mingle with ...
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*Journey to Bethlehem by Leland Ryken
By Betsy Farquhar |
Journey to Bethlehem is a lovely anthology of historic Christmas poetry, hymns, and devotionals. Starred review! *Journey to Bethlehem: A Treasury of Classic Christmas Devotionals ...
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Niche Nonfiction for Teens (AKA “Living Books”): A Book List
By Betsy Farquhar |
Living Books Are Full of Ideas Those of us in Charlotte Mason educational philosophy circles like to talk about "living books." A living book is ...
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Stocking Stuffers for Book Lovers
By Megan Saben |
Of course books make the best gifts for bibliophiles, but some of those oversize tomes don't fit comfortably in a stocking. Here's a list of ...
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*Watership Down: The Graphic Novel by Richard Adams, James Sturm, and Joe Sutphin
By Janie Cheaney |
The graphic-novel version of Watership Down combines the dramatic force of the original story with winning art. *Watership Down: The Graphic Novel by Richard Adams, ...
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The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
By Megan Saben |
Bruno is a 9yo German boy living during World War II who isn't happy with his father's new work assignment until he makes a friend ...
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Bea Wolf by Zach Weinersmith & Boulet
By Hayley Morell |
Calvin and Hobbes meets the Nickelodeon channel to retell Beowulf in a colorful, creative, graphic novel. Bea Wolf by Zach Weinersmith & Boulet. First Second, ...
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The Hiding Place, A Christmas Carol, Hinds Feet on High Places, and Les Miserables: An Engaging Visual Journey
By Megan Saben |
The four books in the Engaging Visual Journey series provide beautiful, dignified forms to stories that are dearly loved spiritual classics. The Hiding Place by ...
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A Stubborn Sweetness by Katherine Paterson
By Betsy Farquhar |
"A Stubborn Sweetness" is one of 15 short stories that celebrate the truth, beauty, and goodness of the real meaning of Christmas. A Stubborn Sweetness ...
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Which Version of The Diary of Anne Frank Is Best?
By Betsy Farquhar |
A lengthy post in which Betsy seeks to answer some of the many questions she and the RR team have received over the past several ...
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The Weary World Rejoices, edited by Melissa Kruger
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Weary World Rejoices is a collection of Advent readings from the Gospel Coalition that relate to the Advent wreath. For teens and up. The ...
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Awaiting the Manger by Ocieanna Fleiss
By Betsy Farquhar |
Awaiting the Manger, an Advent devotional for teens and up, uses stories from the Old Testament to point to the coming of Jesus. Awaiting the ...
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He Came Down From Heaven by Laurel Sauder
By Betsy Farquhar |
He Came Down From Heaven offers 25 days of biblical readings and cultural enrichment for families who celebrate Advent. He Came Down From Heaven: A ...
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*Seeds of America Trilogy by Laurie Halse Anderson
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Seeds of America Trilogy powerfully examines some of the complex ideas of the American Revolution: freedom, justice, and equality for all. Seeds of America ...
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*Charis in the World of Wonders by Marly Youmans
By Betsy Farquhar |
Charis in the World of Wonders is a richly satisfying novel of a young Puritan woman who learns much about the world and herself through ...
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Code of Silence and Back Before Dark by Tim Shoemaker
By Betsy Farquhar |
A heart-pounding mystery series, with hidden twists and turns at every corner and a powerful message. Note: this is a guest review. See below for ...
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Impossible Escape by Steve Sheinkin
By Janie Cheaney |
Impossible Escape tells the story of one determined teenager who survived Auschwitz and became one of the first to reveal details of the Holocaust. Impossible ...
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*The Carver and the Queen by Emma Fox
By Betsy Farquhar |
An adventurous fairy tale set in Imperial Russia, perfect for teens who enjoy books like The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis. *The Carver and ...
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Authority vs. Anarchy: A Book List for Teens
By Betsy Farquhar |
Authority vs. Anarchy: Opposites? Two sides of the same coin? Romans 13 reminds us to obey our governing (civic) authorities. Exodus 20 and Ephesians 6 ...
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The Switch by Roland Smith
By Janie Cheaney |
A 13-year-old boy must help his large family survive an ElectroMagnetic Pulse in The Switch. The Switch by Roland Smith. Scholastic, 2022, 303 pages. Reading ...
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Quicksilver by R. J. Anderson
By Hayley Morell |
In an engaging sci-fi thriller, one girl attempts to outrun her past while discovering her true identity. Quicksilver by R. J. Anderson. Carolrhoda Lab, 2013. 320 ...
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Ultraviolet by R. J. Anderson
By Janie Cheaney |
A first-person psychological thriller inside one young woman's remarkable consciousness. Ultraviolet, by R. J. Anderson. Carolrhoda Lab, 2011, 303 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, Ages 14-upRecommended ...
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The Most of P. G. Wodehouse by P. G. Wodehouse
By Hayley Morell |
An excellent introduction to P. G. Wodehouse via his short stories and one delightful novella. The Most of P.G. Wodehouse by P. G. Wodehouse, Touchstone, 2000. ...
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In the Tunnel by Julie Lee
By Janie Cheaney |
In the Tunnel takes readers into the savagery and family upheaval of the Korean War . In the Tunnel by Julie Lee. Holiday House, 2023, ...
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Race against Death by Deborah Hopkinson
By Janie Cheaney |
Race against Death surveys the fall of the Philippines during WWII, the fate of American prisoners left there, and the bold plan to rescue them ...
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Comics: Whys, Hows, and Wherefores
By Janie Cheaney |
(Originally published at Redeemed Reader on November 27, 2013) Most kids enjoy comics or their upscale cousins, graphic novels. Of those who enjoy them, many ...
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Talking About Money
By Janie Cheaney |
(Originally published at Redeemed Reader on June 1, 2012) We think of summertime as beach days, catch-up-on-our-reading days, vacation days, camp days (more on that ...
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*Land of Hope by Wilfred McClay
By Janie Cheaney |
Land of Hope offers a balanced, positive, and often inspiring view of American history--now available in student workbook, teacher's guide, and young-reader editions! *Land of ...
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High School World Literature: A Thematic Approach
By Betsy Farquhar |
High School World Literature: What to Cut? "World literature" can mean literally any book ever written. The hard part of planning a world literature class ...
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Buffalo Flats by Martine Leavitt
By Janie Cheaney |
Buffalo Flats takes readers to the Northwest Territory of Canada, for an unforgettable story of spiritual growth and romance. Buffalo Flats by Martine Leavitt. Margaret ...
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American Born Chinese by Gene Yuen Yang
By Betsy Farquhar |
American Born Chinese is a coming-of-age story with great spiritual insight in graphic novel format. American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang. FirstSecond, 2021 (reprint). ...
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Enter the Body by Joy McCullough
By Janie Cheaney |
Enter the Body engages three tragic heroines of Shakespeare in a discussion of love, oppression, and what they might have done differently. Enter the Body ...
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Songs of America by Jon Meacham and Tim McGraw
By Janie Cheaney |
Songs of America takes an interesting approach to American history—tracing our story through popular tunes and lyrics. Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest, and the Music ...
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Sunshine by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
By Janie Cheaney |
Sunshine is the true story of a young man finding joy amid sorrow at a summer camp for seriously-ill children. Sunshine: How One Camp Taught ...
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Two Books about Sexuality for Kids and Teens
By Betsy Farquhar |
Books about sexuality for kids and teens are not new, but these days, it's getting harder to separate the wheat from the chaff. Well-meaning titles ...
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Practical Graduation Gifts: A Book List
By Betsy Farquhar |
We have a robust list of book recommendations for graduation gifts. Why another? This book list is all about practical graduation gifts: books that offer ...
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Do Not Be True to Yourself by Kevin DeYoung
By Betsy Farquhar |
Kevin DeYoung reminds young adults to be true to Christ and His church, not true to their own selves, in this short, engaging read. Do ...
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The Silence of Bones by June Hur
By Betsy Farquhar |
Can Seol figure out what happened to her brother even as she investigates a murder? The Silence of Bones is a gritty, historical mystery for ...
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All My Rage by Saaba Tahir
By Janie Cheaney |
All My Rage, winner of the 2023 Printz Award, follows a pair of Pakistani-American teens from uncertainty through trauma to stability and hope. All My ...
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*Dragonfly Eyes by Cao Wenxuan
By Janie Cheaney |
Dragonfly Eyes is a slowly-unfolding, beautiful picture of family love and loyalty during the stressful days of China’s Cultural Revolution. *Dragonfly Eyes by Cao Wenxuan, ...
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15 Books for 15-Year-Old Boys: A Book List
By Betsy Farquhar |
15-year-old boys: learning to drive. Wrestling with heavy high school work (10th grade is usually more intense than 9th, in terms of work load). Taking ...
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The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh
By Janie Cheaney |
The Lost Year uses multiple voices to narrate a sad chapter of history: Stalin’s deliberate starving of Ukraine. The Lost Year: A Survival Story of ...
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The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum
By Janie Cheaney |
“Hoodie Rosen” introduces teen readers to the Orthodox Jewish world and the reality of antisemitism. The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum. ...
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Trafficking Books for Teens: A Round-Up
By Betsy Farquhar |
I rarely visit a public restroom these days without seeing a notice for women who are in troubling situations: the text usually reads, "Need Help? ...
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The British Are Coming (Young Reader Ed.) by Rick Atkinson
By Janie Cheaney |
The British Are Coming recounts the first 4 years of the American Revolution in an engaging style, capturing substance and detail. The British Are Coming ...
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Romantic Reads for Teens: A Book List for Girls and Guys
By Betsy Farquhar |
Enjoy this unapologetic list of romantic reads for teens: great love stories and high romance without LGBTQ elements. For the genre-junkies out there, it's worth ...
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2023 Newbery Buzz #5: I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
By Betsy Farquhar |
I Must Betray You is one of those novels that straddles the line between Newbery age ranges and Printz age ranges. Will it get some ...
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Wintry Stories: A Book List for Middle Grades and Teens
By Betsy Farquhar |
Whether you live in a place with snow or not, January is the perfect month for a cozy snow story (or three). Look for some ...
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Belittled Women by Amanda Sellet
By Janie Cheaney |
Belittled Woman features a contemporary Meg, Jo, and Amy reluctantly participating in their mother’s pet project: a tourist attraction reenacting scenes from a certain 19th-century ...
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Productivity for Teens: A Round-Up
By Betsy Farquhar |
Do your teens make New Year's resolutions or goals? Perhaps you wish they would? If any of those goals relate to being more productive or ...
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*Berliners by Vesper Stamper
By Janie Cheaney |
Berliners is the story of a family scarred by war, politics, and false ideology in postwar Germany. *Berliners by Vesper Stamper. Knopf, 2022, 413 pages. ...
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Agent Most Wanted by Sonia Purnell
By Janie Cheaney |
Virginia Hall, one of history’s most effective spies, is the subject of this engrossing biography. Agent Most Wanted: The Never-before-Told Story of the Most Dangerous ...
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*Two Old Women by Velma Wallis
By Betsy Farquhar |
Two Old Women, a legend from Alaska, reminds us to persevere and to seek the good of those around us. *Two Old Women: An Alaska ...
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The Rat Queen by Pete Hautman
By Janie Cheaney |
Though not for every reader, The Rat Queen effectively exposes the harm caused to individual souls by hiding or excusing their own sins. The Rat ...
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The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander
By Janie Cheaney |
The Door of No Return uses beautifully modulated verse to communicate the humanity of the Ashanti people and the horrors of the African slave trade. ...
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Family Advent Devotional List
By Betsy Farquhar |
Do you have a favorite family Advent tradition? Perhaps your family does a Jesse Tree together. Or maybe you have an Advent wreath on your ...
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The Holy Ghost by John Hendrix
By Janie Cheaney |
In The Holy Ghost, author/illustrator John Hendrix freely exercises his imaginative powers while contemplating the third Person of the Trinity. The Holy Ghost: A Spirited ...
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Truth and Story
By Megan Saben |
(Note: Betsy and I are indebted to Ethan Pettit, librarian and Children's Literature professor from Covenant College, who enlightened us so much in seeing Christ ...
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*Church History by Simonetta Carr
By Janie Cheaney |
Simonetta Carr’s Church History is a must-have for Christian families, good for years of reference and encouragement. *Church History by Simonetta Carr. Reformation Heritage, 265 ...
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*The Red Palace by June Hur
By Betsy Farquhar |
Eighteenth century Korea comes to life in The Red Palace, a gripping—and gritty—historical mystery for teens. *The Red Palace by June Hur. Feiwel and Friends, ...
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Our Hymns, Our Heritage by David and Barbara Leeman
By Janie Cheaney |
The Leeman’s excellent student hymnal has been republished by Moody Press, with additional songs and supplements. *Our Hymns, Our Heritage: A Student Guide to Songs ...
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American Shoes by Rosemarie Lengsfeld Turke
By Janie Cheaney |
American Shoes is the memoir of a young girl trapped in Nazi Germany with her family as the world is convulsed with war. American Shoes: ...
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Keeper of the Lost Cities: Is it Safe? Is it Good?
By Betsy Farquhar |
Keeper of the Lost Cities is a wildly popular series for teens; what do we think about it? Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon ...
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*The Song that Moves the Sun by Anna Bright
By Janie Cheaney |
The Song that Moves the Sun takes four teens through the cosmos of Dante, with revelations on harmony, love, and friendship. *The Song that Moves ...
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Labor Day: Books about Work
By Betsy Farquhar |
Readers: this is an adaptation of one of the first posts on Redeemed Reader, way back in 2011 (written by Emily Whitten, the "I" in ...
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The Visible Hand by Matthew Hennessey
By Janie Cheaney |
The Visible Hand introduces teens to basic free-market economics in a way that’s accessible and entertaining. The Visible Hand: A Wealth of Notions on the ...
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Maze Runner Series: a Christian Response
By Betsy Farquhar |
High octane, fast-paced adventure books for teens, the Maze Runner books raise interesting questions if readers can stop long enough to ponder. The Maze Runner ...
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Lord of the Flies: A Christian Response
By Betsy Farquhar |
When British boys are stranded alone on an island, can they govern themselves? Reading Level: Teens, ages 12 and up Recommended For: Teens, ages 15 ...
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High School British Literature: A Lively Approach
By Betsy Farquhar |
High School British Literature: Dull and Difficult? When I arrived at college, I was absolutely, 100% convinced that British lit was my jam. But it's ...
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*Love and Other Great Expectations by Becky Dean
By Janie Cheaney |
*Love and Other Great Expectations puts romance in its place as part of life’s great adventure (but not all of it). Love and Other Great ...
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Trapped in Terror Bay by Sigmund Brouwer
By Janie Cheaney |
Trapped in Terror Bay takes readers into the mystery of the ill-fated Arctic voyage of the Franklin Expedition, 1845. Trapped in Terror Bay: Solving the ...
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*Watership Down by Richard Adams
By Janie Cheaney |
Richard Adams' classic tale employs noble themes of vision, courage, and sacrifice among some of the most humble and ordinary of animals in their quest ...
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The Woman Who Split the Atom by Marissa Moss
By Janie Cheaney |
Brilliant physicist Lise Meitner, overlooked by history, receives her due in this well-written and -illustrated biography. The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of ...
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Bestselling YA: A Look at the 2022 Market
By Janie Cheaney |
Aside from one graphic-novel romance series, novels about death and murder dominate the current YA scene. Where's hope? What are kids reading these days? As ...
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Hilde on Record by Hilde Lysiak
By Janie Cheaney |
Hilde Lysiak, whose doggedness as a 9-year-old investigative reporter made her a star of journalism, tells her own story. Hilde on the Record: Memoir of ...
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Fire Bringer by David Clement-Davies
By Betsy Farquhar |
Rannoch is marked from birth, a deer who faces his destiny in this Watership Down read alike for teens. Fire Bringer by David Clement-Davies. Firebird, ...
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Brave and Bold by Marty Machowski
By Megan Saben |
Brave and Bold draws on Machowski's knowledge of Scripture and experience in the Army to firmly call young men to integrity and excellence. A wonderful ...
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The Velveteen Rabbit Turns 100: A Bunny Booklist
By Megan Saben |
The Velveteen Rabbit turns 100 There was once a velveteen rabbit . . . Once upon a time, there were three little rabbits and their ...
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A Cloud of Outrageous Blue by Vesper Stamper
By Janie Cheaney |
A peasant girl in pre-Plague England holds the key to key to healing and "outrageous blue" hope. *A Cloud of Outrageous Blue by Vesper Stamper. ...
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Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers by Michelle Obama
By Betsy Farquhar |
Michelle Obama's Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers is a winsome, engaging look at how one young woman went from Chicago's South Side to the White ...
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Christian Easter Gifts for Kids and Teens
By Betsy Farquhar |
Do you give Easter gifts in your family? Most families I know give gifts—a lot of them—at Christmas, but give minimally (if at all) at ...
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Printz Honor Books Roundup: Last Night at the Telegraph Club, Concrete Rose, Revolution in Our Time, Starfish
By Janie Cheaney |
The Michael L. Printz Award is given by the American Library Association for “Excellence in literature written for young adults.” Last year’s winner was Everything ...
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Revolution in Our Time by Kekla Magoon
By Janie Cheaney |
The award-winning Revolution in Our Time offers a compelling but incomplete picture of the rise and fall of the Black Panther Party. Revolution in Our ...
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Ambushed! by Gail Jarrow
By Janie Cheaney |
Ambushed!, winner of this year's YALSA Award for nonfiction, is the absorbing, day-by-day account of of a presidential assassination and its aftermath. Ambushed! The Assassination ...
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*Carved in Ebony by Jasmine Holmes
By Betsy Farquhar |
Carved in Ebony profiles 10 inspiring Black women, looking at their lives, their callings, and their faith. *Carved in Ebony: Lessons from the Black Women ...
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Picturing a Nation by Martin W. Sandler
By Janie Cheaney |
Picturing a Nation collects some of the best Great Depression photographs by the Farm Security Agency. Picturing a Nation: The Great Depression’s Finest Photographers Introduce ...
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Sports Books for Kids That Pack a Punch
By Betsy Farquhar |
Are you watching the Superbowl this month? Do you cheer for other sports at home? What about baseball? soccer? basketball? track? Do your sports fans ...
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Bible Review: ESV Reformation Study Bible, Student Edition
By Betsy Farquhar |
ESV Reformation Study Bible, Student Edition. Ligonier, 2021, 2400 pages. Reading Level: Teens, 12 and up Recommended for: Ages 12 and up The ESV Reformation ...
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Meals From Mars by Ben Sciacca
By Betsy Farquhar |
Jim and Malik confront their own prejudices as they simultaneously experience God's providence in a dangerous, complicated situation in this modern parable for teens and ...
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*The Swallow’s Flight by Hilary McKay
By Janie Cheaney |
The Swallow’s Flight gracefully unfolds the lives of two English girls and two German boys against the backdrop of World War II. *The Swallow’s ...
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The Woman All Spies Fear by Amy Butler Greenfield
By Janie Cheaney |
The little-known story of code breaker Elizebeth Smith Friedman gets full and masterful treatment. The Woman All Spies Fear: Code Breaker Elizebeth Smith Friedman and ...
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