character values

All He Knew pictures grace in the midst of gloom as a deaf child learns to navigate life in an  institution. *All He Knew by ...

Nicky & Vera, by Caldecott illustrator Peter Sís, celebrates the quiet heroism of Nicholas Winton, who saved 669 Czech children from the Holocaust. Nicky & ...

In The Lion of Mars, when the adults succumb to illness, the kids of the space colony must find a way to survive. The Lion ...

The Radium Girls tells the harrowing tale of radium poisoning and corporate irresponsibility. The Radium Girls by Kate Moore (Young Readers’ Edition).  Greenwillow, 2020, 348 ...

Attacked at Sea tells the harrowing story of surviving a U-Boat submarine attack in the early days of World War II. Attacked at Sea: A ...

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 ...

The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice explores what it means to be human in an interesting twist on the Pinocchio story. The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice by Lisa DeSelm. Page ...

The 1952 rescue of over twenty stranded seamen on a halved oil tanker ranks as one of the Coast Guard's' "finest hours." The Finest Hours: ...

The unspoken bond of family comes through in this gentle winter's tale by Gary Schmidt and his late wife Elizabeth Stickney. *A Long Road on ...

Iggy learns not all bad deeds are created equal in this humorous tour of relative morality. The Best of Iggy by Annie Barrows, illustrated by ...

In this middle-grade retelling of Great Expectations, Pippa Park tries to "raise her game" at an exclusive private school. Pippa Park Raises Her Game by ...

The One and Only Bob stars the cynical, lovable mutt from Katherine Applegate's 2012 Newbery-award-winning novel. The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate.  Harper, ...

An independent-minded young teen seeks adventure and finds maturity in Gold Rush Girl. Gold Rush Girl by Avi. Candlewick, 2020, 306 pages Reading Level: Middle ...

Longitude, a recommended book for our "Hope on the Horizon" summer reading challenge, is a classic true tale of persistence rewarded. Longitude: the True Story ...

The Unteachables rounds up a class full of misfits and molds them into a prize-winning team. The Unteachables by Gordon Korman. Balzer + Bray (HarperColins), ...

The mentally-challenged adults of Sunnyside Plaza step out of their comfort zone to solve a mystery. Sunnyside Plaza by Scott Simon. Little, Brown, 2020, 192 ...

Charles Albert Tindley rose from abject poverty to preach to thousands and write the anthem of the Civil Rights movement. *By and By: Charles Albert ...

Three motherless siblings seek "someplace to call home" in Depression-era Kansas. Someplace to Call Home by Sandra Dallas. Sleeping Bear Press, 2019, 222 pages Reading ...

More to the Story closely follows Little Women, but with contemporary Muslim-American girls. More to the Story by Hena Khan. Simon and Shuster (Salaam Reads), ...

Nya faces tough choices when her little sister falls ill near the remote water hole. Nya's Long Walk: A Step at a Time by Linda ...

A lonely boy on Christmas Eve learns the power of giving through "One Christmas Wish." One Christmas Wish by Katherine Rundell, illustrated by Emily Sutton. ...

Briar and Rose and Jack mixes fairy-tale motifs with clear themes of good and evil in a magical and satisfying adventure. Briar and Rose and ...

Her Own Two Feet is the true story of a severely disabled Rwandan girl who finds hope and healing through a Christian aid organization. *Her ...

The “insignificant events” befalling a girl without arms throw the rough transitions of middle school into sharp, yet humorous, relief. *Insignificant Events in the Life ...

The Good Thieves combines compelling action and an irresistible “heist” tale with striking prose. The Good Thieves by Katherine Rundel.  Simon & Schuster, 2019, 272 ...

In White Bird, a graphic novel, the best-selling author of Wonder traces the holocaust history of a Wonder character's grandmother. White Bird (a Wonder Story) ...

Words on Fire explores a little-known chapter of European history to make a case for the necessity of words, literature, and language to a culture. ...

The Boys in the Boat is a gripping nonfiction story for middle grades about teamwork, perseverance, and triumph at the Olympics. The Boys in the ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

*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 ...

This unusual biography of Abraham Lincoln frames his life as a series of ten decisions, in which the reader is invited to participate. It’s Up ...

The Young Man's Guide to Awesomeness is a well-organized, humorous, straight-talking guide for young men as they mature into godly adults. *The Young Man's Guide to Awesomeness: How to Guard Your Heart, Get the Girl, and Save the World by Barrett Johnson. INFO For Families, 2017. 158 pages. Reading Level: Teen, ages 12 and up Recommended For: Upper middle grades and up (ages 10+) Growing up is never easy. There are physical changes, ...

At the Well is a short book urging singles (teens and up) to wait on the Lord for marriage and for his timing. At the Well: Discovering God's Plan for Finding True Love by Kristen Tiber. Kristen Summers LLC, 2018. 146 pages. Reading Level: ...

A teenage Syrian refugee is the “Nowhere Boy” whose fate falls into the hands of an American 13-year-old. Nowhere Boy by Katherine Marsh.  Roaring Brook, ...

A sports reporter who was with the Eagles as their dream team came together tells the story of their amazing Super Bowl Win. Birds of ...

This historical novel for teens speculates on a maid who influenced steel magnate Andrew Carnegie to become a philanthropist. Carnegie’s Maid: a Novel by Marie ...

Adrian insists that he has a horse, but Chloe argues the obvious facts until she learns to see through his eyes. *Campbell, Marcy. Adrian Simcox ...

What if God took the very instrument that caused your suffering and turned it into a tool of blessing for many? Six Dots: A Story ...

Sweep combines historical fact with mythical elements to create a compelling story filled with sharp edges and surprising graces. *Sweep: The Story of a Girl ...

Three well-received picture books take on expansive subjects like Love, Imagination, and the Beginning of Everything Imagine! by Raul Colon.  Simon & Shuster, 2018, 40 ...

How a sensitive boy handles death and guilt is the subject of The Dollar Kids: one of our “discussion starter” titles.  Ages 10-15 The Dollar ...

In Boy Bites Bug, a single incident develops into a school-wide situation and an insightful look at fading friendship.  Ages 10-15 Boy Bites Bug by ...

Two back-to-school series for different ages tickle the funny bone, satirize social conventions, and even stimulate sympathy for others.  Ages 6-12 Life According to Og ...

A ‘girl called Bicycle’s” improbable adventures during a cross-country bike trip shape the narrative of this fictional exploration of luck.  Ages 10-14 The Adventures of ...

Mysterious maps, sea creatures, and an island kingdom where dark secrets threaten to emerge . . . All the makings for an excellent story. Isle ...

A delightful journey into the jungle awaits Francis the Donkey on his quest to make new shoes for his favorite Calypso singer. *New Shoes by ...

A wish-granting clock is the unique agent in this tweener story about forming one’s principles against the desire to be popular. The 11:11 Wish by ...

An academically-challenged boy gains confidence and learns responsibility when he opens a sled dog school. *Sled Dog School by Terry Lynn Johnson.  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, ...

U.S. Senator Ben Sasse diagnoses a serious problem with today’s young adults and writes a prescription for restoring the American spirit. The Vanishing American Adult: ...

Littler Women pictures the four March girls as 9-to-13-year-olds growing up in a tight-knit family in modern-day Massachusetts. Littler Women: a Modern Retelling by Laura ...

Podkin One Ear is the first volume in an exciting fantasy series that celebrates individual courage and determination. Ages 8-12 Podkin One Ear (Longburrow #1) ...

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 ...

In rural Minnesota,  friendship and rolling pigeons combine in an enjoyable middle grade debut novel.   Roll by Darcy Miller.  HarperCollins, 2017, 224 pages Reading ...

The Vanderbeekers, a loving family with normal unloving moments, face a Christmas-eve challenge with humor and heart. *The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan ...

Bianca - The Brave, Frail, and Delicate Princess is a story about a young woman who defies expectation in order to save her kingdom.  *Bianca – ...

Popular children’s author Garth Nix raids a storehouse of fairy-tale elements to roll out this fresh and funny quest tale. Frogkisser! by Garth Nix.  Scholastic, ...

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, ...

An unusual setting makes this graphic novel a worthwhile perspective on navigating the treacherous waters of those middle years. All’s Faire in Middle School by ...

A middle-school bully gets a chance to start from scratch—if only he can escape who he was before. *Restart by Gordon Korman.  Scholastic, 2017, 256 ...

This friendly guide to friendship may help fill in some gaps parents inadvertently miss. Growing Friendships: a Kid’s Guide to Making and Keeping Friends by ...

This funny but thoughtful novel takes Christian faith seriously as a factor in the lives of real people. *Almost Paradise by Corabel Shofner.  Farrar Strauss ...

A biracial lad in 18th-century England, suddenly on his own, struggles to make his way and foil the evil machinations of his “betters.” Hell and ...

(Originally published on Labor Day 2012) Labor Day, according to Wikipedia, was born of the Management/Labor battles of the late 19th century--particularly the Pullman strike ...

A light-hearted adventure for middle-graders combines humor and redemption. T*he Emperor’s Ostrich by Julie Berry.  Roaring Brook, 2017, 274 pages Reading Level: Middle grades, ages ...

Janie: This week we’re taking up two major themes in Proverbs: honest work and honest words.  At first glance they may not seem to be that closely ...

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 ...

Newbery-honor author Shannon Hale’s graphic memoir charts the ups and downs of elementary- age friendship. Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham.  First Second, ...

Underachieving Marc learns how to shape up and think straight in this fictionalized self-help book by a former Navy SEAL. Way of the Warrior Kid: ...

This week's theme: Turning to God and Away From Sin To further engage with the theme, here is a list of archived posts that we feel ...

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

In this winning historical fantasy, a bright lad (fluent in the cat language) chafes at his boring life until an unexpected adventure on the high ...

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 ...

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

The stakes are higher than ever for Isaveth Breck, plucky heroine of A Pocketful of Murder, when the future of her city is threatened.    ...

A plucky girl sets out to prove her father's innocence —aided by a street boy— in this magical murder mystery.   A Pocket Full of Murder (Uncommon ...

The Girl Who Drank the Moon is thoughtful fantasy with imaginative twists that mature readers will enjoy parsing out. The Girl Who Drank the Moon ...

More than simply a "Christian version" of the popular Magic Treehouse books, the Imagination Station books are a solid chapter book time travel series. Enjoy this post from ...

Zita the Spacegirl and her intrepid friends battle the forces of evil in extra terrestrial dimensions in this lively graphic novel series. a review from ...

Hattie Big Sky draws upon the experience of the author's own grandmother to create this enthralling story of hard-won optimism and frontier grit. a review from ...

The long-running Shiloh series wraps up with appropriate Christmas cheer but not too much theological clarity. A Shiloh Christmas by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor.  Atheneum, 2015, ...

This comprehensive history of submarine warfare in the Pacific will have WWII fans cheering and other readers quietly grateful for the sacrifices vividly detailed. Dive! ...

Likeable characters and a gently-humorous style introduces early-elementary readers to the rewards of hard work and free enterprise. *Sam the Man and the Chicken Plan ...

Popular children's author Ann Martin updates a series from the 1950s for a new generation of children who could use some shaping-up. Missy Piggle-Wiggle and ...

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 Green Ember saga continues with desperate battles, unexpected heroism, and enough dangling plot threads to make readers eager for the next volume. *Ember Falls ...

A beautifully illustrated picture book biography about a brave woman artist-turned-missionary to the Arab world. *Lily: The Girl Who Could See by Sally Oxley and ...

A 12-year-old inherits the Dallas Cowboys, leading to a unique set of challenges and opportunities for character growth. Kid Owner, by Tim Green.  Harper, 2015, ...

Logan, Miles, Daisy, and Philip are off on a hunt to find the mystery chocolate in this fun follow-up to The Candymakers. The Candymakers and ...

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 ...

Mya Tibbs is the perky, enthusiastic narrator of this family- and school-based series for advanced chapter-book readers. Spirit Week Showdown (Magnificent Myra Tibbs #1) by ...

Middle-graders who swear of texting for one week have to discover other means of communication, with mixed results. Katie Friedman Gives up Texting by Tommy ...

This accessible biography reveals the extraordinary, historically significant, and surprisingly admirable life of an American legend. *The Boy Who Became Buffalo Bill: Growing Up Billy ...

The building of the Berlin Wall pits lovers of freedom against an oppressive regime in this gripping novel for middle graders. *A Night Divided by ...

The rough, tough world of girls' roller derby is the setting for this surprisingly sweet depiction of friendship, breakup, and change. Roller Girl by Victoria ...