book lists

Niche Nonfiction for Teens (AKA “Living Books”): A Book List

Living Books Are Full of Ideas Those of us in Charlotte Mason educational philosophy circles like to talk about "living books." A living book is ...
Read More

Janie’s Favorite Books, Old and New

We are excited to be partnering with Story Glory Kids for our Winter Book Fair this year! In the past, we linked to amazon for ...
Read More

Hayley’s Favorite Books, Old and New

We are excited to be partnering with Story Glory Kids for our Winter Book Fair this year! In the past, we linked to amazon for ...
Read More

Megan’s Favorite Books, Old and New

We are excited to be partnering with Story Glory Kids for our Winter Book Fair this year! In the past, we linked to amazon for ...
Read More

Betsy’s Favorite Books, Old and New

We are excited to be partnering with Storyglory Kids for our Winter Book Fair this year! In the past, we linked to amazon for all ...
Read More

Children of Israel: Our Book List of Jewish Life, History, and Culture

The terrifying attack on Israel on October 7 has brought new awareness to the ancient phenomenon of antisemitism. Though small in number (and reduced by ...
Read More
authority vs anarchy book list

Authority vs. Anarchy: A Book List for Teens

Authority vs. Anarchy: Opposites? Two sides of the same coin? Romans 13 reminds us to obey our governing (civic) authorities. Exodus 20 and Ephesians 6 ...
Read More

Batter Up! Books About Baseball (a Librarian’s List)

(Originally published at Redeemed Reader on May 27, 2013; updated July, 2023) Aside from the beach, nothing says "summertime" and "American" more than a game ...
Read More

Beach Books! (Librarians’ List)

Originally published at Redeemed Reader on June 6, 2014. Of course a professional book reviewer and librarian takes books with her to the beach—for herself ...
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

15 Books for 15-Year-Old Boys: A Book List

15-year-old boys: learning to drive. Wrestling with heavy high school work (10th grade is usually more intense than 9th, in terms of work load). Taking ...
Read More

Gladys Hunt on Pigs and Possibilities

Editor's Note: Are there any animal lovers in the family? Gladys Hunt can recommend nine--count 'em, nine--recommendations for a classic story involving not one, but ...
Read More

Why Your Church Nursery Needs a Library

The Lord has been challenging my reading skills and assumptions lately, both humbling and teaching me in the process. I had offered to teach a ...
Read More
love and laughter

Love and Laughter Book List

A Valentine's Day list of books that celebrate family love and wholesome romance. It’s the season of hearts and flowers and chocolate. Valentine’s Day is ...
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
wintry stories

Wintry Stories: A Book List for Middle Grades and Teens

Whether you live in a place with snow or not, January is the perfect month for a cozy snow story (or three). Look for some ...
Read More
wintry picture books

Wintry Picture Books: A Book List

Whether you live in a place with snow or not, January is the perfect month for a cozy snow story (or three). Look for some ...
Read More

Gladys Hunt on Christmas Books

Editor's Note: Is reading aloud beside the Christmas tree one of your family's holiday traditions? If so, you'll want to copy & paste this list ...
Read More

Gladys Hunt on The Scent of Thanksgiving

Editor's Note: Are the smells of sage and pumpkin spice already wafting through the house? In this post, Gladys Hunt finds wonderful smells in the ...
Read More
fairy tales and folk tales

Fairy Tales and Folk Tales: A Picture Book List

Google the difference between fairy tales and folk tales (or is it folktales?), and you'll find some answers. For instance, folk tales are part of ...
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
abc books

20 ABC Books for All Ages

We're celebrating Picture Book Month here at RedeemedReader! ABC Books are some of the most common picture books young children see, but there are many ...
Read More
the three little pigs book list

The Three Little Pigs: A Book List

Just for fun, here's a round-up of some delightful version of the classic folktale "The Three Little Pigs" along with some funny spoofs and spins. ...
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
image for fantasy books for teen girls

Fantasy Books for Teen Girls: Keeper of the Lost Cities Read-Alikes

We have several fantasy book lists here on Redeemed Reader, but this list is especially for those who enjoy books like Keeper of the Lost ...
Read More

Labor Day: Books about Work

Readers: this is an adaptation of one of the first posts on Redeemed Reader, way back in 2011 (written by Emily Whitten, the "I" in ...
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

Back to School Books for Middle School

Is it back to school time already? Depending on which part of the country you live in, some schools will be starting up in the ...
Read More

Back to School Picture Books

Is it back to school time already? Depending on which part of the country you live in, some schools will be starting up in the ...
Read More

Favorite Gardening Books for Kids

Spring has officially begun, and the garden beckons. Do you garden with your kids? If they're not interested, try a gardening book just for kids: ...
Read More
rabbit stories

The Velveteen Rabbit Turns 100: A Bunny Booklist

The Velveteen Rabbit turns 100 There was once a velveteen rabbit . . . Once upon a time, there were three little rabbits and their ...
Read More

Christian Easter Gifts for Kids and Teens

Do you give Easter gifts in your family? Most families I know give gifts—a lot of them—at Christmas, but give minimally (if at all) at ...
Read More

Sports Books for Kids That Pack a Punch

Are you watching the Superbowl this month? Do you cheer for other sports at home? What about baseball? soccer? basketball? track? Do your sports fans ...
Read More

Picture books for boys (and girls) who love action and humor

A reader-inspired hunt for a roundup of favorite picture books for boys and girls who love action and humor A reader asks: "What I continue ...
Read More

Flashlight Reads: Can’t-Put-‘Em-Down Books for All Ages

Flashlight Reads: Can't-Put-'Em-Down Books for the Kids (and Grown-ups) in Your Life Christmas break is one of those perfect, read-by-flashlight-under-the-covers breaks, isn't it? Days are ...
Read More

Favorite Classics for Book Lovers

We review primarily new books here on Redeemed Reader, not because we don't love the old books, but because resources for the new books are ...
Read More

A Mad Hatter Book List: Picture Books About Hats

Hat books? Are they a thing? Yes they are, and not all are created equal. Most children love trying on and wearing hats, the bigger ...
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

Reading Afghanistan

For a country many of us can't even point to on a map, Afghanistan has held a consequential place in world history. This mountainous district ...
Read More
chocolate chip cookies

A Cookie Story Tea

A cookie story tea is a great place to share my personally developed recipe for chocolate chip cookies. May these books enhance your pleasure in ...
Read More
Christian sexuality, broken Greek statue

*Reading and Talking about Sexuality

*Note, this post engages with sexuality and includes conversation and books that are suitable for teens and adults. I was hiking in Europe. A French ...
Read More

Teaching Kids Church History

Today, we're happy to welcome a friend of mine and fellow writer, Christina Fox, to RR. Christina is a real life friend of mine, as ...
Read More

Favorite Audiobooks: Narrators, Books, and More!

Traveling over the holidays? Planning to give an Audible subscription to someone as a gift and want to recommend some good titles? We've got some ...
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
the golden age, Agatha Christie photo

The Golden Age Detective Stories

This is an abridged version of the article Reading the Golden Age that originally appeared in our Fall 2020 Quarterly. Who murdered ____?  Is it ...
Read More

WORLD Children’s Books of the Year: A Report

The ALA isn’t the only organization that rewards excellence in children’s books! Since 2014, WORLD News Group has recognized outstanding literature for kids in its ...
Read More

What to Read After Mulan

Perhaps you have watched the stunning new Mulan movie (available for free streaming now on Disney+). The gorgeous cinematography would have been lovely on the ...
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

Bookish Christmas Fun

Are you looking ahead to a Christmas that doesn't involve extra family and friends as much as previous years' celebrations? Perhaps you usually travel, but ...
Read More

13 Books for 13 Year Old Boys (and Girls!)

13 year olds: ready to be done with middle school, but not yet in high school. Officially "teenagers," but plenty of maturing still to do. ...
Read More

12 Substitutions for The Kite Runner

High School Literature: Messy and Grown-Up What's a parent to do when a book like The Kite Runner gets assigned in school? High school students ...
Read More

Four Good Books for Littles

Young children need Truth, and it's never too early to begin. Board Books by Danielle Hitchen, illustrated by Jessica Blanchard. Baby Believer series. First Bible ...
Read More

Love Your Yard: Nature Study Books to Spark “Creation Appreciation”

Nature Study ... or Creation Appreciation? I'm a nature study junkie. And my kids have been along for the ride since birth. It's so much ...
Read More

Rapid Fire: YA Fantasy, July 2020

Two series starters that fizzled and two new authors to enjoy. *Echo North by Joanna Ruth Meyer. Page Street Kids, 2020. 400 pages. The first ...
Read More

Books about Racism for Children and Teens

Books About Racism Are Important Books don't save. Only Jesus saves. But books can be terrific discussion starters, particularly when we want to discuss current ...
Read More

“Pandemic Patronage” = Brilliant Idea

Home Library ... for your Neighborhood? With libraries everywhere shutting their doors, we readers still crave something to read. Reading can offer legitimate ways to ...
Read More

20th Century Book List for Young Teens

20th Century Book List for Young Teens 20th Century: World wars. A Great Depression. First flight. Space flight. Voting Rights. Civil Rights. Communism. Terrorism. Jazz. ...
Read More
Presidents' Day Book List

Giant Presidents' Day Book List

POTUS POTUS: President of the United States: one of the most powerful people in the world. Presidents' Day honors George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in ...
Read More

5 Lent Devotionals (for Protestants)

Do you observe Lent? Did you know that there are Lent devotionals written with Protestants in mind? The early church officially began marking Lent liturgically ...
Read More

Black History Month Picture Books for Tweens and Teens

Black history month picture books are for big kids, too! Picture books aren't just for young children. Middle grades and teens benefit, too. Sometimes, a ...
Read More

The Enduring Appeal of Little Women

With the eighth major film adaptation opening on Christmas Day, I thought I’d share a few thoughts on this classic. I read it at the ...
Read More

Christmas Books Round-Up

All our reviews of Christmas books -- that is, books about Christmas or set during the Christmas season -- in one place! You're sure to ...
Read More

New (or New to Us) Books for Holiday Reading and Gift-Giving

It's a fact: readers love to give books as gifts, and we're here to help! When in doubt we tend to turn to the classics, ...
Read More

5 Questions for a Book Giver’s Interview

If you like giving books for birthdays, Christmas, hygge, or any other reason, you may often be wondering: what would this child enjoy? We love ...
Read More

Go Build Something! Engineering Books for Boys (and Girls)

STEM is big in schools and publishing today, and many educators add an A to make STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Engineering ties ...
Read More

4 Books About the Reading Life: a Literary Nightstand Round-Up

Book lovers love books about other book lovers. After all, we share the reading life in common: its challenges, its delights, its unique common language. ...
Read More

Cookbooks for Kids and Teens: A Book List

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 ...
Read More

Tools for Leaving Home: a List for Fledgling Adults

A list of books that might help with the difficult transition from teen to adult in today's confusing culture. Let’s get one thing straight: A ...
Read More

Our Favorite Mice: A Booklist

Have you ever stopped to consider how many mice are in children's literature? There is something about these small, unlikely protagonists that captures the imagination. ...
Read More

A Lunar List: New Books About the Moon

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! ...
Read More

Patriotic Book List for Independence Day

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 ...
Read More

Family Vacation Book List: Fun for the Whole Family

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 ...
Read More

Reading Robin McKinley

"I'm reading a book that's a little slow." I told a friend. "Why not stop reading it?" It was a fair question, but it hadn't ...
Read More

The Pilgrim Travels on: Literary References to The Pilgrim’s Progress

Few works of literature have had the cultural reach of John Bunyan's The Pilgrim’s Progress.  That’s pretty amazing—who would have thought an adventure story that ...
Read More

Birds of a Feather: Bird Books for Kids

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 ...
Read More

Kindred Retreat 2019 and a Fortitude Booklist

Megan was refreshed after a day of listening to three wise women at a one-day retreat...and she brought home another booklist. Note the fairy tale ...
Read More

30+ Women in Church History: A Book List

Did you know that March is Women's History Month? Or that the theme for Women's History Month 2019 is "Visionary Women: Champions of Peace & ...
Read More

6 Noteworthy Nonfiction Picture Books

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 ...
Read More

Pride and Prejudice: The Original and the Others

It's Valentine's Day. So, of course, we're going to talk about Jane Austen! Nothing can compare to the original, but Hayley and Betsy have been ...
Read More

2019 Sibert Medal Winners are, well, Winners!

image from ALA website According to the ALA, "the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal is awarded annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the ...
Read More

7 Books for Thoughtful Teens

Not every teen is hanging out in the YA section of the library, wallowing in teen angst.* Plenty of teens are ready for meaty, engaging ...
Read More

10 Favorite Christian Biographies

Heaven: A Family Reunion? I don't know what heaven will be like, but I imagine it as one big family reunion at a feast table. ...
Read More

The Books Worth a Library Fine

This post really happened.  It was written at the library with a stack of books and without coffee. It has been left close to its ...
Read More

The Year in Books – RR Staff Reflections

Are you the kind of person who asks, "What have you been reading lately?"  Betsy, Megan, Janie, and Hayley took some time to reflect about ...
Read More

Miss Betsy’s Book Nook, 2018 edition

It's time for the annual reporting of what books I, as the Redeemed Reader Managing Editor, buy for those on my gift list! I do ...
Read More

One-Size-Fits-All: Read Aloud Gift Books for the Whole Family!

Need a book idea you can give as a “whole family” gift? Perhaps you want to take along a little “happy” to the friend and ...
Read More

Books for the Whole Year

The new year is a great time to begin something fresh, whether it is a new Bible-reading plan or a commitment to read a book ...
Read More

Christmas Books for All Ages: A Booklist

Readers, we are thankful for YOU! And, in honor of our appreciation for you, your faithful support of Redeemed Reader and encouragement to us, we're ...
Read More

New Picture Books Round-Up (Fall, 2018 edition)

November is National Picture Book Month!  Here's a collection of new picture books for the whole family. We don't think you need an "excuse" to ...
Read More

We the People … A U.S. Government Booklist

Election Day is just around the corner, and our national media outlets love nothing more than a juicy political story. Gossip and slander aside, though, ...
Read More

Heroes of WWII: A Book List for Tweens and Teens

World War II is perennially interesting and not just to history buffs! We've focused on church history the past couple of years during October, first ...
Read More

The ABCs of Building Your Picture Book Collection

What, you thought you could just walk into a bookstore and buy a book? How do you determine whether or not a picture book is ...
Read More

Lively Lists: a Key Part of the New Redeemed Reader Companion!

Readers, we've been hinting at our upcoming Redeemed Reader Companion on social media, our newsletter, and, finally, an official post here on the website.... Wait. ...
Read More

Great History Authors for Kids

With school back in session, let's talk history books for kids! No matter who or what your kids or students are studying this year in ...
Read More

Picture Book Round-Up: Back to School Picture Books!

Back-to-School time means new pencils, new lunchboxes, new classrooms (or a new look for the dining room table!), and... new emotions. Scared and excited students, ...
Read More

New Picture Book Biographies Round-up (2018)

We love picture book biographies here at Redeemed Reader, and, thankfully, publishers seem to love them, too! Below are several new picture book biographies, some ...
Read More

Dinosaur Book List for All Ages

Is your child keenly aware that a new Jurassic Park movie is hitting the big screen this week? As if kids needed more motivation to be interested ...
Read More
cover of faerie gold

Fairy Tales (and More!) for Summer: A Booklist for Family Read Alouds

Lovely, Literary, and Light-hearted: Fairy Tales are a Perfect Match for Summer Fun Looking for some fun, low commitment reading for this summer? Perhaps you ...
Read More

Rapid Fire: Five Recent YA

Reading YA takes time. Books often stretch to 400 plus pages, and sometimes at the end of the day, those 400 pages aren't worth an ...
Read More