book reviews
Stay by Bobbie Pyron
By Janie Cheaney |
Stay, a heart-tugging dog story. also introduces young readers (in a limited way) to the plight of the homeless. Stay by Bobbie Pyron, Katherine Tegan/Harper ...
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*The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue by Karina Yan Glaser
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue continues the Vanderbeeker fun as the kids try to rescue their mom's cookie baking business. *The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue ...
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Cookbooks for Kids and Teens: A Book List
By Betsy Farquhar |
Have you ever wanted to go beyond cookie baking and decorating with your kids? Did you know there are some great cookbooks for kids and ...
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Queen of the Sea by Dylan Meconis
By Janie Cheaney |
An alternate version of English history drives Queen of the Sea, a lively graphic novel of political intrigue and warm personal relationships. Queen of the ...
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Last in a Long Line of Rebels by Lisa Lewis Tyre
By Janie Cheaney |
In this light-hearted middle-grade novel, a southern "Rebel" digs into her heritage with surprising and enlightening results. Last in a Long Line of Rebels by ...
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Captured by Alvin Townley
By Janie Cheaney |
The ordeal of Jeremiah Denton in the “Hanoi Hilton” is not for the squeamish, but stands as a witness to courage and faith. Captured: an ...
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The Lady Is a Spy by Don Mitchell
By Janie Cheaney |
This biography of Virginia Hall for young people tells the little-known story of a daring World War II spy. The Lady is a Spy: Virginia ...
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FBI Files: the Unabomber
By Janie Cheaney |
A new nonfiction series features puzzling and deadly cases cracked by the FBI. FBI Files: the Unabomber by Bryan Denson. Roaring Brook, 2019, 140 pages ...
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*We are (Not) Friends by Anna Kang and illustrated by Christopher Weyant
By Betsy Farquhar |
The latest in the You are Not Small series, We Are (Not) Friends is a perfect read for new readers heading back to school. *We ...
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The Invention Hunters Series by Korwin Briggs
By Janie Cheaney |
By their wacky misunderstandings, the "Invention Hunters" help kids understand basic principles of applied science. The Invention Hunters Discover How Machines Work by Korwin Briggs. ...
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Look! I Wrote a Book! by Sally Lloyd Jones
By Janie Cheaney |
Sally Lloyd Jones shares the basics of book-writing with simple advice that works for any age. Look! I Wrote a Book (and You Can Too) ...
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The Delights of Childcraft, part 2
By Megan Saben |
Yesterday I introduced a set of books that impressed me as a child, and I appreciate them more now as a parent and home educator. ...
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The Delights of Childcraft, part 1
By Megan Saben |
I remember the first book that taught me to love poetry as a child. "Antonio, Antonio," by Laura E. Richards, was in the second volume ...
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When We Were Lost by Kevin Wignall
By Janie Cheaney |
This tense survival tale illustrates contrasting forms of leadership as teens struggle to find their way out of the Brazilian jungle. When We Were Lost ...
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Series Fiction for Tweens and Teens: A Book Series List!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Got a reluctant reader? A voracious reader? A reader with pronounced genre preferences? There's a book series (or four) for that! Book series are extremely ...
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The Ranger’s Apprentice Series by John Flanagan
By Betsy Farquhar |
A best-selling series for young teens set in a Medieval-esque, pseudo European world that combines adventure, heroism, villains, danger, and a touch of love. The ...
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Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez
By Janie Cheaney |
Fast-paced and far-out, this series opener mixes theoretical science with human joys and sorrows. Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez. Disney (Rick ...
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The Strangers by Margaret Peterson Haddix
By Janie Cheaney |
Popular children's author Margaret Peterson Haddix begins another sci-fi/adventure series for middle-graders. The Strangers (Greystone Secrets #1) by Margaret Peterson Haddix. HarperCollins, 2019, 416 pages ...
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Max & the Midknights by Lincoln Pierce
By Janie Cheaney |
A goofy plot and sword-and-sorcery setting make Max and the Midknights a fun series opener. Max and the Midknights by Lincoln Pierce. Crown, 2019, 279 ...
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STEM Girls: a Roundup
By Janie Cheaney |
The range of fields encompassed by Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) are the new educational Holy Grail, replacing history, social science, and the humanities. ...
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The Mysterious Benedict Society Series by Trenton Lee Stewart
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Mysterious Benedict Society is a clever middle grades mystery series perfect for puzzle-loving tween and young teen readers. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton ...
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*Super Jake and the King of Chaos by Naomi Milliner
By Janie Cheaney |
An aspiring magician discovers the real magic in "Super Jake," his special-needs little brother. *Super Jake and the King of Chaos by Naomi Milliner. Running ...
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*Confronting Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin
By Hayley Morell |
Rebecca McLaughlin confronts some of the hardest questions faced by Christians today with thoughtful, engaging responses rooted in Scripture. *Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for ...
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Growing in Godliness by Lindsey Carlson
By Janie Cheaney |
Compact and practical, Growing in Godliness offers wise advice to girls entering high school or college. Growing in Godliness: A Teen Girl’s Guide to Maturing ...
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*Transformed by Truth by Katherine Forster
By Janie Cheaney |
Transformed by Truth offers a lifelong approach to Bible study with practical helps for teens and adults. *Transformed by Truth: Why and How to Study ...
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*Urchin of the Riding Stars (Mistmantle Chronicles, book 1)
By Megan Saben |
A conniving traitor who plots to overthrow the throne by dispatching one family member after another is threatened by a heroic young squirrel who drops ...
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Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai
By Janie Cheaney |
With humor and heart, Pie in the Sky explores the experience of a young Asian immigrant with much more than assimilation on his mind. Pie ...
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Wild Bird by Wendelin Van Draanen
By Betsy Farquhar |
Wren Clemmons learns much about herself, the desert, and true friendship during wilderness therapy camp in this engaging teen read about drug use. Wild Bird ...
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Swing and Solo by Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess
By Betsy Farquhar |
Swing and Solo: two novels-in-verse for teens that grapple with music (jazz and rock and roll), baseball, young love, and what's really important in life. ...
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Me and Sam-Sam Handle the Apocalypse by Susan Vaught
By Janie Cheaney |
An autistic girl and socially-awkward boy team up to solve a crime and absolve an innocent man. Me and Sam-Sam Handle the Apocalypse by Susan ...
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Rocket to the Moon! by Don Brown
By Janie Cheaney |
Graphic artist Don Brown give us a comprehensive visual account of the Apollo space program. Rocket to the Moon! (Big Ideas that Changed the World ...
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So Your Kid is Reading Harry Potter…. A Christian Family’s Response
By Betsy Farquhar |
Please note: this is a personal account of one family's actual experience, NOT a Redeemed Reader staff-wide recommendation that you read Harry Potter. This post is ...
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*Sparky & Spike by Barbara Lowell
By Janie Cheaney |
Sparky & Spike is about a boy and his dog and the genesis of the world's best-loved comic strip. *Sparky & Spike: Charles Schulz and ...
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Don’t Blame the Mud by Marty Machowski
By Janie Cheaney |
Don't Blame the Mud introduces children to the concept of indwelling sin in a way that they can relate to and grasp. Don’t Blame the ...
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A Lunar List: New Books About the Moon
By Betsy Farquhar |
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing. And there are lots of new books commemorating that event and the moon itself! ...
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*O Captain, My Captain by Robert Burleigh
By Janie Cheaney |
O Captain, My Captain encapsulates the Civil War through the eyes of its most famous poet. *O Captain, My Captain: Walt Whitman, Abraham Lincoln, and ...
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Last of the Name by Rosanne Parry
By Janie Cheaney |
The New York City draft riots of 1863 form a dramatic background to this engaging tale of two young Irish immigrants. Last of the Name ...
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Patriotic Book List for Independence Day
By Megan Saben |
It's Independence Day this week, and, naturally, we've got you covered with a book list! Every few years or so, we compile a patriotic book ...
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The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman
By Janie Cheaney |
Four homeless children in India find their own "bridge home" in this engaging novel for middle grades. The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman. Random House ...
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*The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw (Retro Reads)
By Betsy Farquhar |
A middle grades novel packed with life in ancient Egypt and an orphan's adventure among the tombs of the dead. *The Golden Goblet by Eloise ...
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Quiet Family Dramas: Four Recent Middle-grade novels
By Janie Cheaney |
A roundup of recent middle-grade novels about family formation and dissolution. Stories, like people, begin at home, and no matter how fanciful or adventurous middle-grade ...
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Wile E Coyote, Physical Science Genius
By Megan Saben |
Find out why that poor coyote never actually catches the speedy roadrunner in these clever science books for young physicists. Wile E. Coyote, physical science ...
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Family Vacation Book List: Fun for the Whole Family
By Betsy Farquhar |
Going on vacation this summer? What about daily trips to the pool and back? Perhaps you have some summer evenings on the porch planned. Sounds ...
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*The Church Mice Series by Graham Oakley
By Janie Cheaney |
The Church Mice series recaptures a very British way of life through a band of adventurous mice and their loyal protector cat. The Church Mice ...
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The Survival Guide to Money Smarts by Eric Braun
By Janie Cheaney |
Practical worksheets and relevant concerns make this “Survival Guide” a useful money primer for middle graders. The Survival Guide to Money Smarts by Eric Braun ...
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The Money-Smart Family System by Steve Economides
By Janie Cheaney |
"Money smarts" begin at home in this family-oriented guide to teaching wise management. The Money Smart Family System by Steve and Annette Economides. Thomas Nelson, ...
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The Last Last-Day-of-Summer by Lamar Giles
By Janie Cheaney |
The "last day of summer" turns into a literal race against time for two intrepid, legendary sleuths. The Last Last-Day-of-Summer by Lamar Giles. Versify (HMH), ...
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Summer Reading Challenge Round-Up
By Betsy Farquhar |
It's time for a summer reading challenge! Redeemed Reader isn't sponsoring a particular summer reading challenge this summer, but we've got some fantastic options in ...
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*Time Sight by Lynne Jonell
By Janie Cheaney |
A disgruntled boy gifted with "time sight" discovers a way back into his own family's history. *Time Sight by Lynne Jonell. Henry Holt, 2019, 389 ...
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Summer Reading for Moms
By Betsy Farquhar |
Moms need book recommendations, too! Those of you who enjoyed the Faith, Fiction, and Fellowship Read-Along in the spring read through Christina Fox's Closer Than ...
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Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles by Thomas Lennon
By Janie Cheaney |
Ronan Boyle is the hapless hero of this hilarious new fantasy series that pits special-unit Irish police against nefarious leprechauns. Ronan Boyle and the Bridge ...
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Pilgrim’s Progress Roundup
By Megan Saben |
When you are ready to introduce your family to a classic edition of Pilgrim’s Progress, two simplified versions complement each other beautifully, providing solid familiarity ...
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Bible Review: NASB Children’s Edition
By Janie Cheaney |
This brand-new Children's Edition of the New American Standard Bible is a must-have for NASB users. NASB Holy Bible, Children’s Edition, Three Sixteen Publishing, 2019, ...
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The Odyssey: a Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds
By Janie Cheaney |
This graphic-novel adaptation of The Odyssey has some beautiful panels and a few problems. The Odyssey: a Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds. Candlewick, 2010, 248 ...
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The Iliad: a Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds
By Janie Cheaney |
Gareth Hinds' adaptation of The Iliad is an excellent introduction to Homer's classic for middle graders and teens. *The Iliad: a Graphic Novel Adaptation by ...
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Nine Months by Miranda Paul
By Janie Cheaney |
Nine Months shows the development of human life, from embryo to newborn, in gentle rhymes and beautiful paintings. Nine Months: before a Baby Is Born ...
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The Pilgrim’s Regress by C. S. Lewis
By Janie Cheaney |
The Pilgrim’s Regress by C. S. Lewis. Eerdmans, 2014, 256 pages. (Originally published 1933 UK, 1935 US) Reading Level: Teen/adult Recommended for: ages 18-up In ...
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Shakespeare Fun and Frivolity
By Megan Saben |
Shakespeare fans who have room on their shelves and a box of freshly sharpened colored pencils will find good application for both with three fun ...
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Let ‘er Buck! by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
By Janie Cheaney |
Black cowboy George Fletcher, the "People's Champion," is the subject of this story from the old west. Let 'er Buck! George Fletcher, the People's Champion ...
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Crossing on Time by David Macaulay
By Janie Cheaney |
David Macaulay again turns his drafting ability and clear prose on a massive engineering project, and this time it's personal. Crossing in Time: Steam Engines, ...
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Mercy Watson, the Porcine Wonder (books by Kate DiCamillo)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Meet Mercy Watson, the Porcine Wonder My kids and I first met Mercy Watson, the porcine wonder, in the pages of her first book: Mercy ...
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Voices: the Final Hours of Joan of Arc by David Eliot
By Janie Cheaney |
Anachronistic values mar this otherwise compelling account of the short career of Joan of Arc. Voices: the Final Hours of Joan of Arc by David ...
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Lovely War by Julie Berry
By Janie Cheaney |
Lovely War is a satisfying romance that will leave readers with much to think about. Lovely War by Julie Berry. Viking, 2019, 451 pages. Reading ...
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Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid by Jeff Kinney
By Janie Cheaney |
The Wimpy Kid's long-suffering best friend takes the narrative helm in the latest from the wildly successful book franchise. Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: ...
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The Pilgrim’s Progress Movie
By Megan Saben |
The movie version of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, which included some creative liberties, was faithful to the themes of the classic allegory and fueled a delightful ...
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The Collectors by Jacqueline West
By Janie Cheaney |
The Collectors is the first volume of a duology that explores the limits of human responsibility for the destiny of others. The Collectors by Jacqueline ...
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Adulting 101 by Josh Burnette and Pete Hardesty
By Betsy Farquhar |
Adulting 101: #Wisdom4Life by Josh Burnette and Pete Hardesty. Broadstreet Publishing Group, 2018. 192 pages. Reading Level: Ages 16 and up Recommended For: Ages 14 ...
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Caterpillar Summer by Gullian McDunn
By Janie Cheaney |
Biracial siblings connect with their estranged grandparents in Caterpillar Summer. Caterpillar Summer by Gullian McDunn. Bloomsbury, 2019, 291 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 ...
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Because of the Rabbit by Cynthia Lord
By Janie Cheaney |
Home-schooled Emma learns a lot about classrooms and friendship "Because of the Rabbit." Because of the Rabbit by Cynthia Lord. Scholastic, 2019, 183 pages. Reading ...
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Birds of a Feather: Bird Books for Kids
By Betsy Farquhar |
Do you have a young bird lover in your house? A bird nerd who, at age 10, can tell you all the migratory species that ...
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Beast Rider by Tony Johnson
By Janie Cheaney |
Beast Rider offers a sympathetic take on the immigration issue through the experience of one Mexican boy. Beast Rider by Tony Johnson and Maria de ...
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Bible Review: CSB Defend Your Faith
By Janie Cheaney |
The Defend Your Faith Bible equips middle graders for apologetics with arguments for the reasonableness and accuracy of the scriptures. CSB Defend Your Faith Bible: ...
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Bible Review: CSB Study Bible for Girls (and Boys)
By Janie Cheaney |
Though more of a devotional Bible than a study Bible, this edition offers thought-provoking questions and application features. CSB Study Bible for Girls. Baker, 2018, ...
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Bible Reviews: NIV God’s Treasure, Polar Adventure, and Incredible Creatures
By Janie Cheaney |
Three recent editions of the NIV from Zondervan target adventurous kids and fantasy lovers. NIV God’s Treasure Holy Bible. Zonderkidz, 2018, 1216 pages (font size ...
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*He is Risen: Rocks Tell the Story of Easter by Patti Rokus
By Betsy Farquhar |
A beautiful, artistic representation of the story of Easter using rocks set against a black backdrop. Starred review for He is Risen. *He is Risen: ...
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Bible Review: the Stampede of “Creative” Bibles
By Janie Cheaney |
A coloring Bible may make a lovely gift for the right recipient, but is it the best choice for reading and studying? The appearance of ...
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Eventown by Corey Ann Haydn
By Janie Cheaney |
Eventown is a place of forgetting, but how much forgetting does that take before you forget yourself? Eventown by Corey Ann Haydn. HarperCollins, 2019, 326 ...
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The Lost Girl by Anne Ursu
By Janie Cheaney |
Identical twins struggle to re-define themselves in The Lost Girl, a fantasy for middle-grade readers. The Lost Girl by Anne Ursu. HarperCollins (Walden Pond), 2019, ...
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Someday We Will Fly by Rachel DeWoskin
By Janie Cheaney |
Someday We Will Fly explores a little-known chapter of the Holocaust: the Jewish refuge of Shanghai. Someday We Will Fly by Rachel DeWoskin. Viking, 2019, ...
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Sweeter Than Honey by Melissa Deming
By Betsy Farquhar |
Sweeter Than Honey offers readers a clear, step-by-step approach to studying the Bible. Sweeter Than Honey: Cultivating an Appetite for the Word of God by ...
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*Forward Me Back to You by Mitali Perkins
By Janie Cheaney |
Mitali Perkins' latest novel takes two conflicted teens to India to confront human trafficking and challenges to their Christian faith. *Forward Me Back to You ...
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Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret by Trudi Truett
By Janie Cheaney |
With Explorer Academy, National Geographic launches an action sci-fi series taking readers to the world's natural wonders. The Nebula Secret (Explorer Academy #1) by Trudi ...
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Zap by Martha Freeman
By Janie Cheaney |
A days-long power outage is the premise for Zap, a STEM-based, character-driven novel for middle graders. Zap by Martha Freeman. Simon & Schuster, 2018, 288 ...
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*The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
By Betsy Farquhar |
Holling Hoodhood comes to appreciate more than Shakespeare in this humorous historical fiction middle school novel. Starred review for The Wednesday Wars! *The Wednesday Wars ...
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Checked by Cynthia Kadohata
By Janie Cheaney |
In Checked, one family's deep involvement in hockey provides the background for life questions. Checked by Cynthis Kadohata. Atheneum, 2019, 404 pages. Reading Level: Middle ...
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Spy Runner by Eugene Yelchin
By Janie Cheaney |
A dauntless 11-year-old boy confronts a possible Russian spy in this Cold-War-era thriller. Spy Runner by Eugene Yelchin. Henry Holt (Godwin Books), 2019, 343 pages ...
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Rickshaw Girl by Mitali Perkins
By Betsy Farquhar |
Naima loves to draw, but how can she use that gift to help her poor Bangladeshi family earn some much needed income? Rickshaw Girl by ...
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*Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins
By Betsy Farquhar |
Chiko and Tu Reh learn to face challenges and love their enemies in modern day, war-torn Burma in this realistic fiction novel for teens. Starred ...
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*Pay Attention, Carter Jones by Gary Schmidt
By Janie Cheaney |
To "pay attention" to the world around you is rule #1 of a life well lived, as this winning middle-grade novel shows. *Pay Attention, Carter ...
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Graphic Novel Roundup: The Giver and A Wrinkle in Time
By Janie Cheaney |
Two recent graphic-novel adaptations of classic stories have their strengths, but overall demonstrate the adage, "the book is better." A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine ...
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New Kid by Jerry Craft
By Janie Cheaney |
New Kid offers a fresh and funny graphic-novel take on the middle-school blues. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-14 From Washington ...
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Hey Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
By Betsy Farquhar |
Krosoczka, author of the Lunch Lady graphic novels, tells his own story in Hey Kiddo, a graphic novel memoir that is by turns harsh and tender. ...
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The Enchanted Hour by Meghan Cox Gurdon
By Janie Cheaney |
In The Enchanted Hour, Meghan Cox Gurdon makes the intellectual, social, and emotional case for reading aloud, at any age, to any age. The Enchanted ...
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*Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
By Hayley Morell |
A beleaguered planet, flight school, and one young woman's quest to prove herself and clear her family honor combine in this excellent YA. Skyward by Brandon Sanderson. Delacorte Press, ...
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*You Who by Rachel Jankovic
By Betsy Farquhar |
You Who: Why You Matter and How to Deal with It is a refreshing take on the "find yourself" messages blaring from our culture for ...
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*The Promise of Change by JoAnn Boyce
By Janie Cheaney |
*The Promise of Change: One Girl's Story in the Fight for School Equality by JoAnn Allen Boyce and Debbie Levy. Bloomsbury, 2019, 309 pages including ...
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Inventing Victoria by Tonya Bolden
By Janie Cheaney |
Inventing Victoria by Tonya Bolden. Bloomsbury, 2019, 257 pages. Reading Level: Teen, ages 12-15 Recommended for: ages 14-up Judy 12, 1881, Savannah, Georgia: Essie Mirth ...
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Literaritea: Classics and new favorites
By Megan Saben |
Literaritea is a fresh series in which Megan offers a taste of her experiences reading picture books and poetry aloud to her five boys, ages 2-12. Ideally we have teatime with our literature, but not always. These are the books that resonate with all of us and if I don't own these titles yet, I ...
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6 Noteworthy Nonfiction Picture Books
By wpengine |
Me: "That school must be named after Lise Meitner. Didn't she do something with uranium?" {the school in question was on a TV show and ...
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Roundup: Three Novels That Address Mental Illness
By Janie Cheaney |
Three recent novels for middle-grade through YA feature characters with schizophrenia or depression. Where the Watermelons Grow by Cindy Baldwin. HarperCollins, 2018, 245 pages. Reading ...
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