Ages 16 and up

Here Be Dragons: Mega Fantasy and Sci-Fi Booklist! (All ages)

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 24, 2018

A mega fantasy and sci-fi booklist with books for all ages and all types of fantasy lovers (even those who don't think they ARE fantasy ...

Welcome to Lizard Motel by Barbara Feinberg

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 20, 2018

Barbara Feinberg's memoir offers a fresh look at realistic children's fiction and how much literary suffering children should bear. Welcome to Lizard Motel: Children, Stories, ...

Interview with Keith Robinson, author of the Origins Series

By Pamela Palmer | Jan 15, 2018

Pamela interviews Keith Robinson, author of the Origins trilogy and other Christian sci-fi works. Read on for more information about Robinson, his work, and his many ...

The Origins Trilogy by Keith Robinson

By Pamela Palmer | Jan 13, 2018

The Origins Trilogy: Christian science fiction that simultaneously delivers good adventure AND reasoned arguments for Creation and the flood? Read on! Ages 16-up The Origins ...

The River Doubt and the Amazing Amazon: 4 True Stories for All Ages

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 8, 2018

Teddy Roosevelt travels the River Doubt, Percy Fawcett hunts for the City "Z," and a tiny fish is making headlines in conservation efforts for the ...

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 5, 2018

In Long Way Down, a grief-stricken and confused 15-year-old in "the projects" has a desperate choice to make after the death of his brother. Long ...

Landscape with Invisible Hand by M. T. Anderson

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 5, 2018

The always-interesting M. T. Anderson serves up another intriguing science-fiction concept that touches on economics, art, and religion. Landscape with Invisible Hand by M.T. Anderson. ...

2018 Reading Challenge for Kids and Teens (with printable!)

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 19, 2017

The 2018 Reading Challenge for Kids and Teens Our 2018 Reading Challenge for Kids and Teens is back and better than ever! We’ve changed it ...

Culture Making by Andy Crouch

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 16, 2017

Andy Crouch poses questions that should get Christians thinking about their role as “culture makers.” Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling by Andy Crouch. Intervarsity ...

Worthy YA: the Best Teen Reads of 2017

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 15, 2017

The world of Young-Adult publishing can be dicey territory for Christian readers. Nowhere are the latest cultural trends more vigorously promoted than in books marketed ...

*Disappeared by Francisco X. Stork

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 12, 2017

Disappeared offers teens a complex look at making moral choices amid drug crime and kidnapping along the Mexican border. *Disappeared by Francis X. Stork. Scholastic, ...

Poe: Stories and Poems: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Gareth Hinds

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 11, 2017

Poe: Stories and Poems is just as gripping, psychological, and scary in this well done graphic novel format as it is in the original prose. ...

*Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 8, 2017

Honey for a Child's Heart was one of the first books advocating for building a Christian family culture around books. *Honey for a Child's Heart by ...

*Comforting, Training, and Teaching Minds: Catechism Devotionals by Starr Meade

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 4, 2017

Family devotionals centered around the Heidelberg and Shorter catechism are based on Scripture and are designed to help families memorize the catechisms. *Comforting Hearts, Teaching Minds: ...

*Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 2, 2017

Same Kind of Different As Me is an emotional and spiritual memoir of two men who became friends despite their backgrounds, races, and preconceptions. *Same Kind ...

Giant Christmas and Advent Book List for All Ages

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 24, 2017

We love Christmas and Advent at Redeemed Reader, and we've reviewed lots of related resources over the years. Advent begins on December 1, and the ...

2017 Winter Book Fair List: Books for Everyone!

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 18, 2017

2017 Winter Book Fair Books for Everyone on Your Christmas List! It's that time of the year again: Christmas is coming, and all the special ...

Come Let Us Adore Him by Paul David Tripp

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 16, 2017

This new book of Advent readings takes us deep into the theological and spiritual meaning of Christ's Incarnation. Come Let Us Adore Him by Paul ...

*Echoes of Eden by Jerram Barrs

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 11, 2017

Starred review for Echoes of Eden, in which Barrs offers guidelines for evaluating art and literature from a Christian review. *Echoes of Eden: Reflections on ...

Dame Agatha: Murder on the Orient Express and And Then There Were None

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 6, 2017

A Scene of Terror Sitting alone in the dark house, I gripped the book tightly, desperate to finish and petrified at the same time. Was ...

*The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 28, 2017

Starred review for this book about a tech-wise family that is characterized by 10 commitments reflecting the proper pace of technology in a family's life ...

Luther in Love by Douglas Bond

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 26, 2017

Luther in Love takes us through the life of the great Reformer through imagined vignettes and actual dialogues. Luther in Love by Douglas Bond. P&R, ...

The Sweet Taste of Providence by Christine Farenhorst

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 24, 2017

This unique devotional book uses Christian history as a springboard for relevant perspectives on the Christian life. The Sweet Taste of Providence: 74 Devotional Episodes ...

The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 23, 2017

The Pearl Thief is a prequel to the award-winning Code Name Verity, but it lacks the same sophistication and character development. The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein. ...

Reading Diana Wynne Jones: an Author Portrait

By Hayley Morell | Oct 19, 2017

You just finished a good book. Now what? Many book lovers can relate to this sad, unsatisfied feeling. But what if you banished that feeling, ...

Reformation Church History Book List

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 9, 2017

Happy 500th birthday to the Protestant Reformation! 500 years ago this month, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door in Wittenburg. Of course, the ...

Reformers, Puritans, and Covenanters: Biography Anthologies by Hannula

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 9, 2017

*For Christ's Crown: Sketches of Puritans and Covenanters By Richard Hannula. Canon Press, 2014. 223 pages. Just as the title implies, this volume is all ...

Bird Boy Project: Discussion Forum 4 (and an exciting giveaway!)

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 29, 2017

Okay readers, this is it: yesterday I sent out the three final chapters and those of you who have been clamoring for "one more chapter, ...

God and the Transgender Debate by Andrew T. Walker

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 23, 2017

God and the Transgender Debate: What Does the Bible Actually Say about Gender Identity? by Andrew T Walker. The Good Book Company, 2017, 171 pages. ...

Refugee by Alan Gratz

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 21, 2017

Refugee weaves the stories of three children fleeing intolerable situations in their home countries, from 1939 to the present. Refugee by Alan Gratz. Scholastic, 2017, ...

The Disappearances by Emily Bain Murphy

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 19, 2017

A town where qualities disappear every seven years is the setting for The Disappearances, a clean, thought-provoking teen mystery. The Disappearances by Emily Bain Murphy. ...

Bird Boy Project: Discussion Forum 2 (and another great giveaway!)

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 15, 2017

By chapters 8-13, we’re well into the development part of the novel, which (you may recall) I mentioned is the often the most difficult part ...

The Bird Boy Project: Discussion Forum 1 (and book giveaway!)

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 8, 2017

At last count, thirty families and individuals (and a few classes) have signed up to receive daily chapters of my latest in-progress novel. (If you ...

Magellan: over the Edge of the World by Laurence Bergreen

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 5, 2017

This young reader edition of an adult nonfiction book explores the glory and agony (mostly the latter) of Magellan's epic voyage. Magellan: Over the Edge ...

In the Shadow of the Sun by Anne Sibley O’Brien

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 29, 2017

This excellent character-driven adventure saga sheds light on the darkness of North Korea while exploring family and cultural relationships. In the Shadow of the Sun ...

10 True Stories for Teens

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 28, 2017

10 True Stories for Teens It's hard to beat a good, true story. Something about the it really happened aspect just makes it better, don't you ...

Irresistible by Adam Alter

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 26, 2017

Irresistible is a fascinating look at technology's impact on humanity, particularly in the light of behavioral addiction. Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the ...

*12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You by Tony Reinke

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 26, 2017

Tony Reinke sounds a timely warning about our society’s growing addiction to electronic devices. *12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You by Tony Reinke. Crossway, ...

No Good Deed by Goldy Moldavsky

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 24, 2017

In spite of language and sexuality issues, this satiric YA novel skewers Political Correctness and provides some welcome perspective on “Social Justice Warriors.” No Good ...

Back-to-School Booklist, 2017 edition (+ Giveaway!)

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 21, 2017

Have your kids already started school? Or perhaps that's still to come in the next couple of weeks. No matter what stage of back-to-school season you're ...

Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray

By Hayley Morell | Aug 17, 2017

Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray. Little, Brown and Company, 2017. 512 pages. Noemi Vidal will die for her country, but an abandoned spaceship and a ...

Get Ready for the Eclipse! Space and Sci-Fi Booklist

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 16, 2017

Ready for the Eclipse? Have you tested out your eclipse glasses? Do you know where you're going to be on August 21 when the eclipse ...

American Eclipse by David Baron

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 5, 2017

This summer a full solar eclipse will cross the United States. This captivating history examines the last time that happened, and its effect on American ...

Vincent and Theo: the Van Gogh Brothers by Deborah Heiligman

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 4, 2017

A fascinating dual biography captures the triumph and eventual tragedy of brothers who loved and fought fiercely. Vincent and Theo: the Van Gogh Brothers by ...

Wisdom & Wonder Week 6 Booklist

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 24, 2017

Our last Wisdom & Wonder Booklist to help you wrap up your summer! You'll see a couple of repeats from earlier in the summer as ...

Week 6 : God So Loved, He Gave

By Hayley Morell | Jul 24, 2017

Introduction This summer reading challenge has flown by! Can you believe it’s Week 6 already? (Granted, we did take a week off for the Fourth ...

Wisdom & Wonder, Week 5: Work and Words

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 17, 2017

Introduction: Our two Wise Up chapters for this week are “Looking to the Ants” (Week 8, p. 87) and “Honesty is the Best Policy” (Week ...

Wisdom & Wonder Week 4 Booklist

By Hayley Morell | Jul 11, 2017

Week 4 Theme: Which Path and With Whom Additional Proverbs to Read and Think About 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a ...

Wisdom & Wonder Week 4: Which Path and With Whom?

By Hayley Morell | Jul 10, 2017

Welcome to Week 4 of Wisdom and Wonder! We hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July. Now, back to the reading challenge! For a ...

The Great Good Thing by Andrew Klavan

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 1, 2017

Andrew Klavan's spiritual journey from atheism to Christ takes a particularly literary character, but ends where all good journeys do. The Great Good Thing: a ...

Building a Shakespeare Home Library Collection

By Megan Saben | Jun 27, 2017

When you want to enjoy Shakespeare with your children, you can either focus on one play at a time or spread a Shakespeare feast so ...

Wisdom & Wonder Week 3 Booklist

By Megan Saben | Jun 24, 2017

Wisdom & Wonder Week 3 Booklist Weekly Theme: Responding to Correction (Wise-Up #6, 7) Additional Proverbs to Read and Think About 14:12 There is a ...

Wisdom & Wonder Week 3: Responding to Correction

By Megan Saben | Jun 24, 2017

Welcome to week 3 of our Wisdom & Wonder Summer Reading Challenge! In Week 1, we learned about turning to God and away from sin. ...

Wisdom & Wonder Week 2 Booklist

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 19, 2017

Wisdom & Wonder Week 2 Booklist Weekly Theme: God’s Word is a Treasure Additional Proverbs to Read and Think About 4:23 Keep your heart with ...

Wisdom and Wonder: Week 1 – Turning Towards God and Away from Sin

By Alysha | Jun 12, 2017

Welcome to week 1 of our Wisdom & Wonder Summer Reading Challenge! Wisdom and Wonder Week 1: Turning to God and Away from Sin! This ...

Wisdom and Wonder Booklist – Week 1

By Alysha | Jun 12, 2017

Wisdom & Wonder Week [1] Booklist: Weekly Theme: Turning towards God and Away from Sin Wise-Up #1 (Real Wise Man) and #2 (Heart of the ...

Wisdom & Wonder Activities and Giveaway!

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 5, 2017

Wisdom & Wonder is Just Around the Corner! Are you excited about joining us for our Wisdom & Wonder summer reading challenge? Don't forget to get ...

2017 Summer Reading Challenge is Coming…

By Betsy Farquhar | May 17, 2017

Join us for our 2017 Summer Reading Challenge: Wisdom & Wonder Get ready to dive into the book of Proverbs, read great literature, examine it from ...

Kentucky Derby Book List: A Bakers Dozen

By Betsy Farquhar | May 4, 2017

Calling all horse lovers! The Kentucky Derby runs this Saturday like it does every first Saturday of May. Will there be another Triple Crown winner ...

The New City Catechism Devotional

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 15, 2017

The devotional guide to the Gospel Coalition's New City Catechism is a helpful resource for re-discovering the lost practice of oral instruction and memorization. The ...

Easter List Round-Up, 2017 Edition

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 10, 2017

Need a last minute gift idea for Easter morning? Want to have some books around that remind your children of the real reason for Easter? ...

Musical Mondays and Theology Thursdays: How to Use Christian Resources with Kids

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 10, 2017

We love to track down solid biblical resources for you to use with your families, Sunday School classrooms, and Christian school classrooms. Not only do ...

Don’t Take Yourself (or Your Reading) Too Seriously!

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 1, 2017

Today, in my leisure reading, I came across some good "fifty cent" words: pandemonium, benefactors, stratosphere, maligned, facilitate, photons,... I also noticed some terrific literary ...

Cruel Beauty: a Redeemed Reader Discussion

By Alysha | Mar 30, 2017

Some of the staff here at Redeemed Reader decided to discuss Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge as it relates to the story of Beauty and ...

Till We Have Faces: a Redeemed Reader Discussion

By Megan Saben | Mar 29, 2017

Before you read Till We Have Faces, you must first know the myth. You can either read a picture book version or the one by ...

To See or Not To See: The RR Team Reflects on the New Beauty and the Beast

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 22, 2017

This discussion is part of our Beauty and the Beast Adventure this month. The text below reflects several ongoing discussions the Redeemed Reader team has had via ...

The Queen of Attolia: A Beauty and the Beast Discussion

By Hayley Morell | Mar 21, 2017

As part of our Beauty and the Beast Adventure, Megan, Betsy, and Hayley are discussing The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner. Redeemed Reader's ...

Movie Night: One Night with the King

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 18, 2017

The Bible has always provided material for the big screen, with the 1950s and early 60s being the golden age, perhaps of scripture cinema. I ...

The Martian: Classroom Edition by Andy Weir

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 16, 2017

A snarky, totally believable science fiction narrative for teens. The Martian: Classroom Edition by Andy Weir. Broadway Books, 2016. 400 pages. Reading Level: Teens, ages 15-18Recommended ...

The Queen of Katwe: Book and Movie Review

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 14, 2017

This is a featured title in our Beauty and the Beast Adventure. Redeemed Reader is not affiliated with or endorsing the new Disney Beauty and the ...

Beauty and the Beast – Devotional #2: the Beast

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 10, 2017

See our first Beauty and the Beast Devotional if you missed it! This is part of our Beauty and the Beast Adventure which is focusing ...

Movie Night: Penelope

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 8, 2017

What’s a girl to do if she’s born with a pig’s nose? If her family has money, that’s some consolation, but Penelope’s family is also ...

Beauty and the Beast – Devotional #1

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 3, 2017

Me and My Mirror Is there anyone reading this who has never, in their lives, spent time staring into a mirror seeking out all the ...

Devotion by Adam Makos

By Hayley Morell | Feb 25, 2017

It is Korea, 1950, and Jesse Brown, first African American carrier pilot in the Navy, has just crashed over enemy territory . . . ...

March, Books One and Three by John Lewis

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 17, 2017

John Lewis recounts his role in the Civil Rights struggle in this series of graphic nonfiction histories that vividly portray the difficulty, agony, and ultimate ...

*Under Our Skin by Benjamin Watson

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 3, 2017

For Christians of all colors who are concerned about racial tension, Benjamin Watson shows the way to reconciliation. *Under Our Skin by Benjamin Watson. Tyndale, ...

By Hayley Morell | Feb 2, 2017

New England mill girls, fairies, suffragettes, and a curse reaching across the years blend together in this retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Spindle by Shonna Slayton. Entangled: ...

Teaching Discernment: Bad Words in Books

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 30, 2017

True Story: We're getting in the car after a park date with our homeschool friends, and one of my 9-year-old sons says: Mom! We learned some ...

Farewell to Richard Adams

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 13, 2017

The last week of the year was an unusually intense news cycle, with a presidential transition, annual wrap-ups, and two prominent celebrity deaths back to ...

The Passion of Dolssa by Julie Berry

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 28, 2016

The Passion of Dolssa is a frank and honest portrait of religious devotion that is true both to religion and to history. a review from ...

*Visual Theology by Tim Challies

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 30, 2016

Visual Theology presents the primary disciplines of the Christian life in a highly accessible form with attractive graphics. *Visual Theology: Seeing and Understanding the Truth ...

2016 Winter Book Fair: Books For Everyone!

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 18, 2016

2016 Winter Book Fair Books for Everyone On Your Christmas List! We have chosen the best of the best, our personal favorites, and plenty of great ...

*Ugly: a Memoir by Robert Hoge

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 15, 2016

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 ...

*The Inquisitor’s Tale by Adam Gidwitz

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 1, 2016

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 ...

Pastor, Blogger, Author, Editor: More Church History Recommendations for the Whole Family!

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 31, 2016

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 ...

*The Book of God by Ben Avery

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 19, 2016

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 ...

The Revolt by Douglas Bond

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 13, 2016

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 ...

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 26, 2016

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 ...

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 26, 2016

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 ...

We Will Not Be Silent by Russell Freedman

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 2, 2016

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 ...

*Calvin by Martine Leavitt

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 30, 2016

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, ...

Bible Review: *HCSB Essential Teen Study Bible

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 27, 2016

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 ...

Back-to-School Backpack List (2016)

By The Redeemed Shall Read | Aug 17, 2016

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 ...

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 20, 2016

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 ...

Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee

By Hayley Morell | Jun 24, 2016

In Under a Painted Sky, the events of one day change Sammy from a moody teenage girl to a fugitive striking out into the west. ...

Allegiant: It Was a Book First!

By Hayley Morell | Mar 18, 2016

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 ...

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 20, 2016

In most science fiction, technological advances are not shown to advance humanity. However, it would be tough to find a more negative view of ...

By Alysha | Sep 30, 2015

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 ...

By Hayley Morell | Sep 18, 2015

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 ...

Illusionarium by Heather Dixon

By Hayley Morell | Jul 19, 2015

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 ...