Ages 15-18
*The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
By Megan Saben |
The first book in a top-notch series about an extraordinary thief and the intertwining of three kingdoms is amazingly well done. *The Thief by Megan Whalen ...
Read More *Ugly: a Memoir by Robert Hoge
By Janie Cheaney |
In this true story, a boy born with a hideous face learns to not only accept himself, but help others see him for what he ...
Read More The Plot to Kill Hitler: Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Patricia McCormick
By Betsy Farquhar |
Suspenseful prose and careful research make Bonhoeffer's brave actions come to life for teen readers. The Plot to Kill Hitler: Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Unlikely ...
Read More Every Falling Star by Sungju Lee and Susan Elizabeth McClelland
By Betsy Farquhar |
Grit, friendship, and hope come together in this bittersweet memoir for teens. Every Falling Star: The True Story of How I Survived and Escaped North ...
Read More *The Inquisitor’s Tale by Adam Gidwitz
By Janie Cheaney |
This one-of-a-kind novel blends medieval history, fantasy, humor, adventure, and philosophical questions that have vexed the ages. *The Inquisitor’s Tale, or, Three Magical Children and ...
Read More Pastor, Blogger, Author, Editor: More Church History Recommendations for the Whole Family!
By Betsy Farquhar |
We've spent all month reading and learning about church history. It's been such a rich study with interviews and book reviews, but we are not ...
Read More Trial and Triumph/ *Radiant by Richard M. Hannula
By Betsy Farquhar |
Church history anthologies of men and women from all over the world in story format for middle grades and up! Trial and Triumph: Stories from ...
Read More *The Book of God by Ben Avery
By Janie Cheaney |
This comprehensive, accessible guide to the history of the Bible in graphic-novel format will have young readers referring to it again and again. *The Book ...
Read More The Revolt by Douglas Bond
By Janie Cheaney |
The England of John Wycliffe is vividly portrayed as a crucible of revolution in this new historical novel The Revolt: a Novel in Wycliffe’s England ...
Read More Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
By Janie Cheaney |
The movie version of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children opens today, and since none of us regular reviewers have read the book, we're happy ...
Read More All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
By Betsy Farquhar |
A rich historical fiction work that offers hope in the midst of war-torn France. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Scribner, 2014. 531 ...
Read More Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
By Betsy Farquhar |
A compelling--and ultimately hopeful--crossover title for teens and adults about Hitler's evacuation of Germany and the biggest maritime disaster in history. Salt to the Sea ...
Read More Steeplejack by A. J. Hartley
By Janie Cheaney |
A classic mystery unfolds in this historical fantasy for teens, with an appealing heroine, a multi-racial cast of characters, and an exotic setting. Steeplejack by ...
Read More We Will Not Be Silent by Russell Freedman
By Janie Cheaney |
Russell Freedman covers the White Rose student movement, a German anti-Nazi protest during World War II, with an emphasis on the organizers’ Christian faith. We ...
Read More *Calvin by Martine Leavitt
By Janie Cheaney |
A schizophrenic teen embarks on a quest for self-discovery and truth that becomes a struggle for survival. Calvin by Martine Leavitt. Farrar Strauss and Giroux, ...
Read More Bible Review: *HCSB Essential Teen Study Bible
By Janie Cheaney |
The HCSB Essential Teen Study Bible presents 99 “Essential Doctrines” with extensive scriptural backup and application. *The HCSB Essential Teen Study Bible. B&H Kids, 2016, 1312 ...
Read More Quiet Power: the Secret Strengths of Introverts by Susan Cain
By Janie Cheaney |
Susan Cain adapts her adult best-seller Quiet for a younger audience, sharing thoughts and tips on making the most of an introverted nature. Quiet Power: ...
Read More It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel by Firoozah Dumas
By Janie Cheaney |
An Iranian girl in a California middle school struggles to bridge cultures in this compelling, semi-autobiographical narrative. It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel by Firoozah Dumas. ...
Read More Back-to-School Backpack List (2016)
By The Redeemed Shall Read |
Just in time for the start of a new school year with new pencils, new protractors, new textbooks: our Back-to-School Backpack Booklist! As is our ...
Read More When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds
By Janie Cheaney |
A black teen in the 'hood struggles to maintain his focus when his best friend takes a wrong turn with potentially serious consequences. When I ...
Read More All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
By Betsy Farquhar |
Rashad (a black guy) and Quinn (a white guy) take turns narrating this timely and moving young adult realistic fiction story about police brutality and ...
Read More Allegiant: It Was a Book First!
By Hayley Morell |
The Divergent series by Veronica Roth, a self-avowed Christian, lives on as Allegiant hits theaters this week. Below, Hayley reflects Allegiant in book form. Allegiant, by Veronica Roth. Katherine ...
Read More *Retro Reads: North to Freedom by Anne Holm
By Janie Cheaney |
North to Freedom (I Am David) by Anne Holm. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1963 (first edition), 256 pages. Reading Level: 10-12 Appropriate for: ages 12-up Bottom ...
Read More The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
By Janie Cheaney |
In most science fiction, technological advances are not shown to advance humanity. However, it would be tough to find a more negative view of ...
Read More *Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace
By Hayley Morell |
Coming-of-age, romance, and historical fiction is combined in a little-known novel, Emily of Deep Valley, by a classic American author. *Emily of Deep Valley by Maud ...
Read More Brick Flicks by Sarah Herman
By Megan Saben |
Brick Flicks: A comprehensive guide to making your own stop-motion Lego movies by Sarah Herman. Skyhorse Publishing, 2014. 206 pages. Reading Level: Young Adult, Ages ...
Read More Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George
By Alysha |
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George. Bloomsbury USA Childrens, 2009. 352 pages Reading Level: Young Adult, ages 12-15 Recommended for: Ages 16-up ...
Read More Red Rising by Pierce Brown
By Hayley Morell |
This review is brought to us by Ann Rees Berry, who has now finished an internship with Redeemed Reader. Thank you, Ann! Red Rising by ...
Read More Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
By Hayley Morell |
Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw. Puffin, 1985, 288 pages Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-14 Recommended for: Ages 12-up Bottom Line: Ancient ...
Read More Illusionarium by Heather Dixon
By Hayley Morell |
Illusionarium by Heather Dixon. Greenwillow Books, 2015. 368 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Recommended for: Ages 15 and up Bottom Line: A darker steam-punk fantasy, Illusionarium ...
Read More *Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot
By Betsy Farquhar |
*Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot. Tenderly House, 1981 (reprint, orig. 1957). 274 pages. Reading Level: Young adult (ages 12 and up)Recommended For: ages 10 and ...
Read More *Hostage Run by Andrew Klavan (The MindWar Trilogy, Book 2)
By Hayley Morell |
Hostage Run (The MindWar Trilogy, Book 2) by Andrew Klavan. Thomas Nelson, 2015. 352 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Recommended for: Ages 12 and up Bottom Line: In ...
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 *Finding Truth by Nancy Pearcy
By Janie Cheaney |
*Finding Truth: Five Principles for Unmasking Atheism, Secularism, and Other God Substitutes by Nancy Pearcey. David C. Cook, 2015. 383 pages Reading Level: Young Adult, ...
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 Audacity by Melanie Crowder
By Janie Cheaney |
Audacity by Melanie Crowder. Philomel, 2015. 389 pages, including historical notes. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Recommended for: Young Adults, ages 15-18 Bottom Line: ...
Read More 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know by Kari Kampakis
By Janie Cheaney |
10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know by Kari Kampakis. Thomas Nelson, 2014. 197 pages. Reading Level: 12-15 Recommended for: 15-18 Bottom Line: Blogger Kari Kampakis ...
Read More Bible Review: God Girl Bible ESV
By Janie Cheaney |
God Girl Bible ESV and God Guy Bible ESV edited by Michael and Hayley DiMarco. Crossway, 2014 (latest edition). 1488 pages. Reading Level: ages 12-14 ...
Read More Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman
By Hayley Morell |
Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman. Random House, 2015. 610 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 15-18 Bottom Line: Seraphina, a half-dragon, half-human ityasaari, is desperately trying to rally ...
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 The Distance Between Lost and Found by Kathryn Holmes
By Janie Cheaney |
The Distance Between Lost and Found by Kathryn Holmes. HarperTeen, 2015. 306 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Recommended for: ages 15-18 Bottom Line: ...
Read More An Uncertain Choice by Jody Hedlund
By Hayley Morell |
An Uncertain Choice by Jody Hedlund. Zondervan, 2015. 249 pages. Reading Level: Young Adult, ages 15 – 18 Maturity Level: 6 (ages 15 – 18) and up Bottom Line: A ...
Read More *Pioneer Girl: the Annotated Autobiography by Laura Ingalls Wilder
By Janie Cheaney |
*Pioneer Girl: the Annotated Autobiography by Laura Ingalls Wilder (edited by Pamela Smith Hill). University of South Dakota Press, sale 2014. 400 pages. Reading Level: ...
Read More Running Lean By Diana Sharples
By Janie Cheaney |
Running Lean by Diana Sharples. Zondervan/Blink, 2013. 400 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 15-18 Recommended For: ages 16 and up Bottom Line: Running Lean ...
Read More Fairest by Marissa Meyer
By Hayley Morell |
Fairest by Marissa Meyer. Feiwel and Friends, 2015. 220 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 15-18 Maturity Level: 6 (ages 15-18) and up Bottom Line: In an originally unplanned prequel, readers are given ...
Read More *Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi
By Betsy Farquhar |
This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! *Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim ...
Read More *Rise by Trip Lee
By emily |
*Rise: Get Up and Live in God's Great Story by Trip Lee. Thomas Nelson, 2014. 240 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 and up Maturity ...
Read More Avalon by Mindee Arnett
By Hayley Morell |
Avalon by Mindee Arnett, Balzer + Bray, 2014. 415 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, (ages 12-14) and up Maturity Level: 6 (ages 15-18) and up Readers meet ...
Read More Threatened by Eliot Schrefer
By Janie Cheaney |
Threatened by Eliot Schrefer. Scholastic, 2014. 278 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 15-18 Maturity Level: 6 (ages 15-18) One-line Summary: Threatened, one of this year’s ...
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 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 *MindWar: A Novel (The MindWar Trilogy, Book 1) by Andrew Klavan
By Betsy Farquhar |
MindWar: A Novel (The MindWar Trilogy, Book 1) by Andrew Klavan. Thomas Nelson, 2014. 336 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12 and upRecommended for: Ages ...
Read More The Paladin Prophesy: Book 1 by Mark Frost
By Janie Cheaney |
The Paladin Prophesy: Book 1 by Mark Frost. Random House, 2012. 560 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Maturity Level: 6 (ages 15-18) One-line Summary: ...
Read More Come On, Seabiscuit! by Ralph Moody. Audiobook read by Jim Weiss.
By Megan Saben |
Come On, Seabiscuit! by Ralph Moody. Bison Books, 2003. 172 pages. Audiobook read by Jim Weiss. Greathall Productions. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12, Young Adult, ages 12-18, ...
Read More The Forgotten Man by Amity Shlaes
By Janie Cheaney |
The graphic edition of Amity Shlaes' acclaimed history presents a different view of the effectiveness of government action during the Great Depression. The Forgotten Man: ...
Read More We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
By Janie Cheaney |
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. Delacorte, 2014. 242 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, Ages 12-14 Maturity Level: 7 (Ages 16-up) Then he pulled out ...
Read More Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
By Janie Cheaney |
Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge. HarperCollins, 2014, 342 pages. Reading level: Young Adults, 15-18 Maturity level: 6 (ages 15-18) A ruined castle broods over the ...
Read More The Glass Sentence by S. E. Grove
By Janie Cheaney |
The Glass Sentence (The Mapmakers Trilogy #1) by S. E. Grove. Viking, 2014, 489 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 12-14 Maturity Level: 6 (ages ...
Read More Vigilante Poets
By Hayley Morell |
The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy by Kate Hattemer. Alfred A. Knopf, 2014, 323 pages. Reading Level: Young Adult, Ages 15 - 18 Maturity Level: 6 (ages 15 ...
Read More The Finisher by David Baldacci
By Hayley Morell |
The Finisher by David Baldacci. Scholastic, 2014, 497 pages. Reading level: Young Adults, 15-18 Maturity level: 6 What do you get when you blend a ...
Read More Grandmaster
By Janie Cheaney |
Grandmaster, by David Klass. Farrar Strauss and Giroux, 2014, 226 pages. Reading Level: Young Adult, Ages 15-18 Maturity Level: 6 (15-18) What if you discovered ...
Read More What is War Good For?
By Janie Cheaney |
How do you use the label “anti-war?” As in, “Saving Private Ryan is the best anti-war movie ever made, or “All Quiet on the Western ...
Read More *The Warden and the Wolf King
By Janie Cheaney |
An epic finale to an epic fantasy series. *The Warden and the Wolf King,by Andrew Peterson. Rabbit Room Press, 2014, 519 pages. Reading Level: Young Adult, ages ...
Read More Through Middle-Eastern Eyes: I Am Malala and Hidden Girl
By Janie Cheaney |
Two real-life memoirs of girls living in a turbulent time and place: Hidden Girl: the True Story of a Modern-Day Child Slave, by Shyima Hall, ...
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 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 To Say Nothing of the Dog (Summer Reading for Grown-ups!)
By Betsy Farquhar |
This post originally appeared in a different format as part of our 2014 Summer Reading Challenge. The content has been adapted slightly to fit our new ...
Read More The Winner’s Curse
By Hayley Morell |
It began with a simple conversation, Marie Rutkoski explains: . . . while sitting with my friend Vasiliki Skreta on a dark blue gym mat ...
Read More Gifts for Grads, 3rd Edition
By Janie Cheaney |
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 ...
Read More Cress and The Lunar Chronicles
By Hayley Morell |
When you came to my jail cell and dropped this whole princess thing on me . . . how was I supposed to react? All ...
Read More Boys of Blur and Beowulf: Like Father, Like Son
By Betsy Farquhar |
It's not often that we are privileged to read literary gems from both father AND son. But that is indeed the case here; to make ...
Read More America, the Future: Divided We Fall and Sylo
By Janie Cheaney |
This month we're looking at some YA and middle-grade titles that could be described as "high-interest": stories that grab you and don't let go. But ...
Read More The Lunar Chronicles, continued
By Hayley Morell |
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer. Feiwel and Friends, 2013. 452 pages. Age/interest level: 14-up. As a sequel, Scarlet picks up right where Cinder ended. Linh Cinder, now ...
Read More Ukraine: Lessons in Liberty and Compassion, Pt. 2
By Hayley Morell |
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 ...
Read More Retro Reads: The Sword in the Stone
By Janie Cheaney |
This week we begin a series of occasional posts called Retro Reads: those modern-day classics you may have missed in your teen years or before ...
Read More Portrait of the Fantacist as a Young Man: Carpet People
By Janie Cheaney |
The Carpet People, written and illustrated by Terry Pratchett. Clarion, 2013, 261 pages. Age/interest level: 11-up Sir Terry Pratchett, grand old man of fantasy/science fiction, ...
Read More Cinder by Marissa Meyer
By Hayley Morell |
Cinder by Marissa Meyer. Square Fish, 2012. 387 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12 – 15 Recommended For: 6 (ages 15 – 18) and up Bottom ...
Read More Cyborg Cinderella
By Hayley Morell |
Cinder by Marissa Meyer. Square Fish, 2012. 387 pages. Age/interest level: 14-up. Linh Cinder is a teenage mechanic, the best mechanic in New Beijing. ...
Read More Be My Valentine: The State of Teen Romance
By Janie Cheaney |
If you go back as far as I do, you remember the YA novels before there was any such category as “YA.” These were mostly ...
Read More On the Court and in the Woods: Books for Teen Boys
By Janie Cheaney |
Will in Scarlet, by Matthew Cody. Knopf, 20134, 272 pages. Age/interest level: 12-up. We’re introduced to William Shackley as a callow, nervous 14-year-old on his ...
Read More The Spiritual World of The Hobbit + Giveaway
By Hayley Morell |
(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 ...
Read More Eyes of Lightning
By Hayley Morell |
I have issues . . . more than I can count. I’m stubborn, prideful, a so-called religious fanatic, and a tomboy with freakish eyes. My family and upbringing ...
Read More The Doctrines of Grace by Shane Lems
By Janie Cheaney |
The Doctrines of Grace, Student Edition, by Shane Lems. P&R Publishing, 2013, 143 pages, included appendices. Reading Level: Young Adult, ages 12-15 Recommended for: ages ...
Read More C. S. Lewis at War: Radio Theatre for Teens and Adults
By emily |
C. S. Lewis at War: The Dramatic Story Behind Mere Christianity (Radio Theatre) by C.S. Lewis and Paul McCusker. Tyndale Entertainment, 2013. Ages 12 and ...
Read More Rounding Up Some Good YA Reads
By Janie Cheaney |
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 ...
Read More Far as the Curse is Found: Two Novels Dealing with Death
By Janie Cheaney |
This seems like an odd time of year to talk about death, but the joy of the Christmas season wouldn’t be joyful at all if ...
Read More *Pilgrim’s Progress: a Retelling by Gary Schmidt
By Janie Cheaney |
Pilgrim’s Progress: a Retelling, by Gary Schmidt, illustrated by Barry Moser. Eerdmans, 1994, 96 pages. Reading Level: Young Adult, Ages 12-15 Recommended for: ages 12 ...
Read More Classics in Comics
By Janie Cheaney |
We round out Picture-book month at Redeemed Reader with a look at some recent comic-book adaptations of enduring literary works--even though graphic novels, technically speaking, ...
Read More November 22, 1963
By Janie Cheaney |
Fifty years ago a president was violently assassinated. John F. Kennedy’s place in history is mostly emblematic: baby-boomers remember his ease and charm and clever ...
Read More Veterans Day: The Warrior’s Heart
By Janie Cheaney |
The Warrior’s heart: Becoming a Man of Compassion and Courage, by Eric Greitens. Houghton Mifflin, 2012, 263 pages. Age/interest level: 15-up. You stand in freezing ...
Read More Ghost Stories
By Janie Cheaney |
Do you believe in ghosts? I discount many of the ghost stories I hear, but can’t quit discount the whole phenomenon. That is, there is ...
Read More Empire of Bones (Ashtown Burials, #3)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Empire of Bones (Ashtown Burials #3) by N. D. Wilson. Random House, 2013. 448 pages. Reading Level: Middle gradesRecommended For: age 10 and up. We've ...
Read More God in Dystopia: Captives and Aquifer
By Janie Cheaney |
Two weeks ago Hayley, Joseph, and Abby discussed two inaugural titles from Blink, Zondervan’s new YA title. Today they’re back with two more. Both these ...
Read More The Reluctant Assassin by Eoin Colfer
By Janie Cheaney |
The Reluctant Assassin (W.A.R.P., #1), by Eoin Colfer. Hyperion, 2013, 352 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Appropriate for: ages 15-up Bottom Line: ...
Read More The Enemy Stone: An Interview with Robert Treskillard
By Janie Cheaney |
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 ...
Read More The Rithmatist, Bubble World, and A Corner of White: Science Fiction or Fantasy?
By Janie Cheaney |
As Emily informed us yesterday, September is science and science-fiction month, featuring our read-along of Orson Scott Card's classic novel, Ender's Game. To celebrate, we're ...
Read More City of Bones: Movie Review
By Hayley Morell |
As the cinematic version of City of Bones hits theaters this week,
Read More Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
By Janie Cheaney |
There's a big movie release this week, based on a best-selling series of young-adult fantasy novels. Young-adult fantasy novels have proved enormously profitable for the ...
Read More Beowulf: Legend, Worldview, and Contemporary Narratives
By Betsy Farquhar |
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 ...
Read More Rose Under Fire: Sequel/Companion to Code Name Verity
By Betsy Farquhar |
Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein. Disney, 2013. Age: 14 and up. Last year, I read one of the best books I've ever read: Code ...
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