Ages 16 and up

Dune: Book vs. Movie

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. ...
Read More

Arc of a Scythe Trilogy by Neal Shusterman

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 ...
Read More

YA Fantasy: Murtagh, Theft of Sunlight, & Wind Daughter

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 ...
Read More

Gift Books for Grown-Ups

Redeemed Reader exists to "shed a gospel light on books for children and teens." But you know what? We read books for grown-ups, too! We ...
Read More

Stocking Stuffers for Book Lovers

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 ...
Read More

*Watership Down: The Graphic Novel by Richard Adams, James Sturm, and Joe Sutphin

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, ...
Read More

The Hiding Place, A Christmas Carol, Hinds Feet on High Places, and Les Miserables: An Engaging Visual Journey

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 ...
Read More

The Weary World Rejoices, edited by Melissa Kruger

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 ...
Read More
cover of awaiting the manger

Awaiting the Manger by Ocieanna Fleiss

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 ...
Read More

He Came Down From Heaven by Laurel Sauder

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 ...
Read More

*Charis in the World of Wonders by Marly Youmans

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 ...
Read More

YA Graphic Novels: Graceling, Cheshire Crossing & Lore Olympus

A rapid fire round up of three YA graphic novels for mature teen readers. Graceling by Kristin Cashore, adapted and illustrated by Gareth Hinds. Clarion ...
Read More
quicksilver

Quicksilver by R. J. Anderson

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 ...
Read More
Most of P. G. Wodehouse book cover

The Most of P. G. Wodehouse by P. G. Wodehouse

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.  ...
Read More

Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mysteries (Books 1 & 2) by Claudia Gray

Mysteries involving Jane Austen characters? That is the premise of Claudia Gray's recent mystery series suitable for mature teen readers as well as adults. As ...
Read More

*Land of Hope by Wilfred McClay

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 ...
Read More

Buffalo Flats by Martine Leavitt

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 ...
Read More

*Nearer My Freedom by Monica Edinger and Lesley Younge

Nearer My Freedom uses the actual text of an 18th-century memoir to create a poetic account of an extraordinary life story. *Nearer My Freedom: The ...
Read More

*Arthur, the Always King by Kevin Crossley-Holland

The lavishly-illustrated Arthur the Always King communicates the doomed majesty of the Arthurian legend. *Arthur, the Always King by Kevin Crossley-Holland, illustrated by Chris Riddell. ...
Read More

American Born Chinese by Gene Yuen Yang

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). ...
Read More

Enter the Body by Joy McCullough

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 ...
Read More

Songs of America by Jon Meacham and Tim McGraw

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 ...
Read More

Two Books about Sexuality for Kids and Teens

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 ...
Read More

Practical Graduation Gifts: A Book List

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 ...
Read More

Do Not Be True to Yourself by Kevin DeYoung

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 ...
Read More

All My Rage by Saaba Tahir

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 ...
Read More

*Dragonfly Eyes by Cao Wenxuan

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, ...
Read More
trafficking books for teens

Trafficking Books for Teens: A Round-Up

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? ...
Read More
romantic reads for teens

Romantic Reads for Teens: A Book List for Girls and Guys

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 ...
Read More

2023 Newbery Buzz #5: I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

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 ...
Read More
productivity for teens

Productivity for Teens: A Round-Up

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 ...
Read More

*Berliners by Vesper Stamper

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. ...
Read More
family advent devotionals

Family Advent Devotional List

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 ...
Read More

*Heaven and Nature Sing by Hannah Anderson

Heaven and Nature Sing is a collection of advent essays on the curse that sin imposed on nature and the grace that allows us to ...
Read More

The Holy Ghost by John Hendrix

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 ...
Read More
truth and story

Truth and Story

(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 ...
Read More

*Church History by Simonetta Carr

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 ...
Read More

Our Hymns, Our Heritage by David and Barbara Leeman

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 ...
Read More

Cozy and Clever Books for Teens and Adults

During uncertain* times, there’s something reassuring about a cozy book. But even better than a cozy book is a cozy and clever book with bits ...
Read More

*The Song that Moves the Sun by Anna Bright

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 ...
Read More

The Visible Hand by Matthew Hennessey

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 ...
Read More

Maze Runner Series: a Christian Response

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 ...
Read More
lord of the flies a christian response

Lord of the Flies: A Christian Response

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 ...
Read More

*Marshmallow Clouds by Ted Kooser and Connie Wanek

In Marshmallow Clouds, two poets look at the world, both the sublime and the mundane, through expressive wordplay. *Marshmallow Clouds: Two Poets at Play among ...
Read More
watership down

*Watership Down by Richard Adams

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 ...
Read More

*The Sower by Scott James

The Sower employs biblical allegories of seeds and planting to recap the story of the Bible and its effect on human history—and on us. *The ...
Read More

Alias Anna by Susan Hood and Greg Dawson

In free verse, Alias Anna tells the story of surviving the Holocaust in Ukraine by hiding in plain sight. Alias Anna: A True Story of ...
Read More
cover of Becoming

Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers by Michelle Obama

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 ...
Read More

Printz Honor Books Roundup: Last Night at the Telegraph Club, Concrete Rose, Revolution in Our Time, Starfish

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 ...
Read More

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

A striking debut novel for older teens that is simultaneously gritty and tender, gripping and thought-provoking. Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley. Henry Holt, 2021. 496 ...
Read More

*Carved in Ebony by Jasmine Holmes

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 ...
Read More

Picturing a Nation by Martin W. Sandler

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 ...
Read More

Meals From Mars by Ben Sciacca

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 ...
Read More

The Adventure of Christmas by Ed Drew

The Adventure of Christmas offers short, 10-minute family devotions based on the biblical narrative of the first Christmas. The Adventure of Christmas: A Journey Through ...
Read More

Good News of Great Joy by John Piper

John Piper examines why the new is really and eternally good, in the attractive volume of short advent readings. Good News of Great Joy: 25 ...
Read More

*The Dawn of Redeeming Grace by Sinclair Ferguson

Winsome and pastoral, The Dawn of Redeeming Grace is a thoughtful Advent meditation on Matthew 1-2 for teens and up. *The Dawn of Redeeming Grace: ...
Read More
cover of Is Christmas Believable

*Is Christmas Unbelievable? by Rebecca McLaughlin

Rebecca McLaughlin answers four questions everyone should ask about the Christmas story, beginning with the historicity of Jesus Himself. A great resource for teens. *Is ...
Read More

Banned Books 2021

What gets "banned" in today's overwrought culture conflicts? When Emily Whitten and I launched Redeemed Reader in 2011, one of our first projects was to ...
Read More
Smaug's Kind: A List of Dragon Books

Smaug’s Kind: A List of Dragon Books

In honor of Bilbo Baggins and his birthday this week (September 22), we have a book list celebrating his defeat of Smaug, the great dragon: ...
Read More

Happy “We Love Memoirs” Day!

It’s for real—two memoir writers cooked it up on Facebook almost two decades ago and their page has over 5000 followers who throw an online ...
Read More

Right Cross by Andrew Huff

John and Christine face the most nefarious villain yet in Right Cross, the conclusion to the Shepherd Suspense Trilogy. Right Cross (Shepherd Suspense #3) by ...
Read More

*Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies by Marilyn McEntyre

Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies makes readers think through how to be better stewards of words. *Caring for Words in a Culture ...
Read More

*American History by Thomas Kidd

Interesting and readable, American History by Thomas Kidd is an outstanding resource for high school Christian students and teachers. *American History by Thomas Kidd. B&H ...
Read More

*Recovering the Lost Art of Reading by Leland Ryken and Glenda Faye Mathes

Recovering the Lost Art of Reading invites readers to reconsider how and why they read; it offers ideas and suggestions for Christians who want to ...
Read More

The Great Gatsby in Graphic Novel Form

Hayley and Betsy discuss the excellent, new graphic novel adaptation of The Great Gatsby adapted by K. Woodman-Maynard (Candlewick, 2021). First Impressions of The Great ...
Read More

2021 Summer Reading: Faith & Fortitude Is Here!

2021 Summer Reading Theme We're very excited about the 2021 summer reading theme: Faith & Fortitude: the EPIC Story of God's People. Why? We're big ...
Read More

Adulting 101, Book 2: #liveyourbestlife

Adulting 101, Book 2 is an excellent graduation gift idea or resource for teens heading to college or into the workforce. Adulting 101, Book 2: ...
Read More

5 Minutes in Church History and In the Year of Our Lord

5 Minutes in Church History and In the Year of Our Lord each view church history through an engaging and refreshing lens. ***Giveaway Is Now ...
Read More

Graduation Gift List

Need a graduation gift idea for a new or recent graduate? We've got you covered! 'Tis the season when many young men and women doff ...
Read More

*Truths We Confess by R. C. Sproul

Truths We Confess is a concise, accessible, and systematic exposition of the Westminster Confession of Faith, perfect for seniors, new graduates, and Sunday school groups. ...
Read More

*Surviving Religion 101 by Michael Kruger

With Surviving Religion 101, a Christian father and scholar arms his daughter against attacks on Christianity from skeptical professors and students. *Surviving Religion 101: Letters ...
Read More

*Proverbs For You and Solomon Says: 2 Books for Graduates

Two recent, excellent books on Proverbs offer biblical wisdom and counsel, perfect for new graduates. Note: both of these books target new adults (and up). ...
Read More
theft of sunlight book cover

Thought-Provoking YA Fantasy

Between the two, The Theft of Sunlight and Into the Heartless Wood take on fairytales, humanity, and the complex web of sex trafficking. Into the ...
Read More

Meltdown by Dierdre Langeland

Meltdown traces the events that might have led to nuclear Armageddon in Fukishima, Japan, 2011. Meltdown: Earthquake, Tsunami, and Nuclear Disaster in Fukushima by Dierdre ...
Read More

*Go and Do Likewise! by John Hendrix

In Go and Do Likewise, as in Miracle Man, John Hendrix offers a fresh take on the life and teachings of Christ. *Go and Do ...
Read More

What Is “Body Positivity”?

"Body Positivity," as a whole, tries to correct a false narrative by substituting an unreal narrative. About 15 years ago, a disturbing trend was popping ...
Read More

Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith

Ida Mae Jones is a true "flygirl" in this engaging historical fiction read for teens that examines issues of race, coming-of-age, and learning to fly. ...
Read More

The Blossom and the Firefly by Sherri L. Smith

The Blossom and the Firefly, Hana and Taro, are brought together by music and war in this emotional historical fiction read for teens. The Blossom ...
Read More

Enclave Escape Round-up: YA Fantasy & Dystopia

Two series end and one begins in this round-up from Enclave Publishing, a Christian publishing house. Enclave's mission is "to get Christian speculative fiction directly ...
Read More

Retro Review: *Let Justice Roll Down by John Perkins

The life of John Perkins offers the only true way to justice, reconciliation, and forgiveness for our tragic racist history. *Let Justice Roll Down by ...
Read More

Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder

Raw, funny, and honest, Dancing at the Pity Party is a close look at grief after the loss of a mother. Dancing at the Pity ...
Read More

2021 Newbery Buzz #5: Stamped by Jason Reynolds.

Continuing our discussion of possible Newbery winners, we pick up a book that has everybody talking: Janie: Betsy, there are two books that I think ...
Read More

2021 Newbery Buzz #4: Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri

We've been scanning the starred review lists and listening in on the chatter to tell you about the likely Newbery contenders for this year. So ...
Read More
books for teen writers

Books for Teen Writers

Books for aspiring writers abound. Books for teen writers are a little harder to track down. But many teens are aspiring authors, writing reams of ...
Read More

A Hopeful Heart by Deborah Noyes

A Hopeful Heart engagingly presents the life of one of America's first best-selling authors: Louisa May Alcott. A Hopeful Heart: Louisa May Alcott before Little ...
Read More

Two Excellent YA Fantasy Sequels

The second book in a series faces a lot of pressure; here are two YA fantasy sequels that satisfy. Starsight by Brandon Sanderson, Delacorte Press, ...
Read More

How We Got to the Moon by John Rocco

How We Got to the Moon details the almost overwhelming amount of expertise and problem-solving required to accomplish one human footprint. How We Got to ...
Read More

The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys

The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys. Philomel, 2019. 512 pages. The Fountains of Silence tells a gripping story of love and danger during Franco's ...
Read More

The Return of the Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

Megan and I have followed Megan Whalen Turner’s Thief series for years, and we both pre-ordered the final book, The Return of the Thief, months before publication. And ...
Read More

*Beyonders Trilogy

Jason, an ordinary American boy, is summoned into a world that needs a hero. Original, highly imaginative, full of action and characters who are ready ...
Read More

*Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri

In this one-of-a-kind, richly evocative memoir, "Everything Sad" disguises an otherworldly joy. *Everything Sad Is Untrue (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri. Levine Querido, 2020, ...
Read More

*Swift by R. J. Anderson

A young piskey girl searches for truth as danger threatens her home and loved ones. *Swift by R. J. Anderson. Enclave Publishing, 2020. 272 pages. ...
Read More

Dust by Kara Swanson

Neverland spills into modern day life and sets two young people on a collision course in this YA fantasy. Dust by Kara Swanson. Enclave Publishing, ...
Read More

Mortal Sight by Sandra Fernandez Rhoads

Secrets, shadows, and Milton's Paradise Lost are woven together in a new YA fantasy. Mortal Sight by Sandra Fernandez Rhoads. Enclave Publishing, 2020. 304 pages. ...
Read More

The Door on Half-Bald Hill by Helena Sorensen

Idris, Bard of Blackthorn, is on a quest for answers in this darkly brooding fantasy for teens and adults. The Door on Half-Bald Hill by ...
Read More

Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley: a Discussion

Fighting Words takes on a difficult topic with a feisty, flawed, brave protagonist. Sometimes a novel appears that seems to require more than a simple ...
Read More
dorothy and jack cover

*Dorothy and Jack by Gina Dalfonzo

An excellent introduction to the friendship between C. S. Lewis and Dorothy Sayers. Dorothy and Jack by Gina Dalfonzo. Baker Books, 2020. 208 pages. Reading ...
Read More
cover of kite runner

Is The Kite Runner OK for 10th Graders?

Is The Kite Runner OK for 10th Graders? "My 10th grader has to read The Kite Runner for school. Do you know anything about it? ...
Read More

The Asterix Series, American-style

The now-classic Asterix comic series receives an American gloss in a new edition. Astrix Omnibus #1, 2, and 3 by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. ...
Read More

Everybody Counts by Kristin Roskifte

Everybody Counts is more than a counting book: it includes big numbers and big thoughts. Everybody Counts: a Counting Story from 0 to 7.5 Billion ...
Read More