middle grades

Bible Review: The Action Bible ESV

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 27, 2015

The Action Bible Study Bible ESV, edited by Catherine deVries, illustrated by Sergio Cariello. David C. Cook, 2015. 1248 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages ...

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 27, 2015

God’s Word for Boys and God’s Word for Girls. Larry Richards, general editor. Baker, 2014 (latest edition), 1713 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 ...

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 24, 2015

God’s Little Princess Holy Bible, NKJV. Sheila Walsh, ed. Thomas Nelson, 2014. 1216 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, 8-10 (study material), Middle Grades, 10-12 (text) ...

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 24, 2015

The Explorer's Study Bible (NKJV). Thomas Nelson, 2009. 1440 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 8-10 and up Bottom Line: Reliable ...

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 24, 2015

Children's Easy-to-Read Bible. Leafwood Publishers, 2012. 1820 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 7-10 Bottom Line: The Children's Easy-to-Read Bible is ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 20, 2015

Periodically, Janie and Betsy discuss great middle grades literature, trying to figure out what makes it so great. Today, the charming Penderwicks clan are held ...

The Penderwicks in Spring by Jeanne Birdsall

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 17, 2015

The Penderwicks in Spring by Jeanne Birdsall. Knopf, 2015. 352 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12 Recommended for: Ages 8-12 Bottom Line: The best ...

cover of The Penderwicks at Point Mouette

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 17, 2015

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall. Yearling, 2012 (originally 2011). 320 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12 Recommended for: Ages 8-12 Bottom ...

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 16, 2015

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy, by Jeanne Birdsall. Knopf, 2005. 262 pages. Reading Level: Middle ...

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 16, 2015

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall. Knopf, 2008. 302 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12 Recommended For: ages 8-10 and up Bottom ...

By emily | Mar 14, 2015

[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/195843489" params="auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="450" iframe="true" /] Thanks to Megan Saben, Betsy Farquhar, Kristen Eicher (producer!) and my daughter, Rebecca, for making this review possible! ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 13, 2015

Why Cinderella? —a joint post from Betsy, Hayley, and Megan We at Redeemed Reader love a good fairy tale. Cinderella is perhaps the quintessential fairy tale ...

The Glass Slipper by Eleanor Farjeon

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 12, 2015

The Glass Slipper by Eleanor Farjeon. Viking, 1956. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: Ages 8-10 Bottom Line: Farjeon’s classic retelling of Cinderella ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 12, 2015

Cinderella Read-Alikes for Boys and Girls of All Ages A few of our favorite picture books, chapter books, middle grade titles, young adult reads, and ...

*The Ordinary Princess by M. M. Kaye (Retro Reads)

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 12, 2015

*The Ordinary Princess by M. M. Kaye. Puffin, 2002 (originally published in 1980). 128 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: Ages 8-10 ...

By Megan Saben | Mar 11, 2015

*Faerie Gold: Treasures from the Lands of Enchantment edited by Kathryn Lindskoog and Ranelda Mack Hunsicker. P&R, 2005. 304 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages ...

The Queen’s Shadow by Cybele Young

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 5, 2015

The Queen’s Shadow: A Story About How Animals See by Cybele Young. Kids Can Press, 2015. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 8-10 Recommended ...

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 3, 2015

Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff. Penguin, 2014, 305 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Bottom Line: Absolutely Almost is a reassuring tale for middle ...

*Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 23, 2015

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink. Aladdin, 2006 (reprint; originally published 1935). 288 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12Recommended for: ages 8-12, especially girls Bottom ...

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 20, 2015

Absolutely Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick. Simon & Shuster, cheap 2014. 354 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ed ages 10-12 Recommended For: ages 10-12 and ...

All the Answers by Kate Messner

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 12, 2015

All the Answers by Kate Messner. Bloomsbury, 2015. 256 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12Recommended For: ages 10-12, especially girls Bottom Line: In this middle-grades ...

By emily | Feb 2, 2015

The Green Ember is animal fantasy at its best, filled with gripping action and heartwarming rabbits, all deeply informed by the Christian worldview of its ...

*Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 30, 2015

Tuck Everlasting, Natalie Babbitt’s masterpiece first published 40 years ago, is as timeless as its title characters. *Tuck Everlasting (40th Anniversary Edition) by Natalie Babbitt, ...

The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 22, 2015

The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm. Random House, 2014. 208 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12Recommended for: Ages 10-12 Bottom Line: A quirky, ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 20, 2015

Arcady’s Goal by Eugene Yelchin. Henry Holt, 2014. 234 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Maturity Level: 3 (ages 8-10) and up Bottom Line: ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 20, 2015

Revolution by Deborah Wiles (#2 in The Sixties Trilogy). Scholastic, 2014. 485 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 12-14 Maturity Level: 4 (12-15) and up ...

By Megan Saben | Jan 14, 2015

Jonathan Edwards by Simonetta Carr, illustrated by Matt Abraxas. Reformation Heritage, 2014. 64 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, Ages 8-10 Recommended For: Ages 8-10 Simonetta ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 13, 2015

Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin. Feiwel & Friends, 2014. 223 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, age 8-10 Maturity Level: 4 (ages 10-12) and up ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 12, 2015

The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Shane Evans. Little, Brown, 2014. 319 pages, including notes and glossary. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages ...

*Hosanna, Loud Hosannas by Barbara and David Leeman

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 5, 2015

*Hosanna, Loud Hosannas: Essential Hymns Every Child Should Sing compiled and written by Barbara and David Leeman, 2014. 300 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12Recommended ...

Hymns for a Kid’s Heart, Vol. 1-4 by Bobbie Wolgemuth and Joni Eareckson Tada

By Megan Saben | Jan 5, 2015

Hymns for a Kid’s Heart, Vol. 1-4 by Bobbie Wolgemuth and Joni Eareckson Tada. Crossway, 2003-2004. 96 pages. (Audio CD included) Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages ...

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 30, 2014

Skies Like These by Tess Hilmo. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2014. 231 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Maturity Level: 4 (ages 10-12) One-line ...

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 30, 2014

Pack of Dorks by Beth Vrabel. Sky Pony Press, 2014. 213 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Maturity Level: 3 (ages 8-10) One-line Summary: ...

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 18, 2014

Sky Run by Alex Shearer. Sky Pony Press, 2014. 228 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Maturity Level: 4 (ages 10-12) and up One-line ...

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 18, 2014

The Scavengers by Michael Perry. Harper, 2014, 322 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Maturity Level: 4 (ages10-12) and up One-line Summary: The Scavengers ...

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 16, 2014

The Orphan and the Mouse by Martha Freeman, drawings by David McPhail. Holiday House, 2014, 220 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Maturity Level: ...

By Hayley Morell | Dec 5, 2014

Pathfinder by Angie Sage. Katherine Tegen Books, 2014. 460 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Maturity Level: 4 (age 10 and up) Pathfinder brings ...

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 4, 2014

*The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. Dutton Children’s Books, 1978. 182 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Maturity Level: 4 (ages 10-12) and up ...

The Young Carthaginian by G.A. Henty, read by Jim Weiss

By Megan Saben | Nov 19, 2014

The Young Carthaginian by G.A. Henty. Audiobook read by Jim Weiss. Greathall Productions, 2004. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8 and upMaturity Level: 4 (ages 11-12) ...

I Survived True Stories: Five Epic Disasters by Lauren Tarshis

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 18, 2014

This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! I Survived True Stories: ...

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 17, 2014

Note: this review was originally published on February 4, 2011. Heart of a Samurai, by Margi Preus, Amulet Books, 277 pages plus historical note and ...

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 13, 2014

Nuts to You, by Lynne Rae Perkins. Greenwillow, 2014. 259 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Maturity Level: 3 (ages 8-10) One-line Summary: Nuts ...

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 6, 2014

*Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek by Maya Van Wagenen. Dutton, 2014. 259 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 11-12Maturity Level: 5 (ages 12-14) When ...

*El Deafo by Cece Bell

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 4, 2014

*El Deafo by Cece Bell. Amulet, 2014. 241 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10Maturity Level: 3 (ages 8-10) Bottom Line: Author/illustrator Cece Bell recounts ...

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 4, 2014

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson. Penguin, 2014. 320 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Maturity Level: 5 (ages 12-14) Bottom line: Award-winning author ...

The Great Turkey Walk by Kathleen Karr

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 3, 2014

The Great Turkey Walk by Kathleen Karr. Square Fish, 2000 (reprint; original pub. date 1998). 208 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades (ages 10-12)Recommended for: Ages ...

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 30, 2014

Young Houdini: the Magician’s Fire by Simon Nicholson. Sourcebooks, 2014. 232 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Maturity Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Imagine ...

By Megan Saben | Oct 29, 2014

Come On, Seabiscuit! by Ralph Moody. Bison Books, 2003. 172 pages. Audiobook read by Jim Weiss. Greathall Productions. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12, Young Adult, ages 12-18, ...

My Friend the Enemy by (our very own) J. B. Cheaney

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 28, 2014

My Friend the Enemy by J. B. Cheaney. Yearling, 2007 (reprint edition). 272 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades 8-12) Recommended for: Ages 8-12 If another ...

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (25th Anniversary)

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 27, 2014

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2011 (reissue of 1989 copy). 156 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10Recommended for: Ages ...

Dash by Kirby Larson

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 27, 2014

Dash by Kirby Larson. Scholastic, 2014. 256 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12Recommended for: Ages 8-12 Eleven-year-old Mitsi's best friend is her little dog, Dash. ...

*Carry on Mr. Bowditch, by Jean Lee Latham. Audiobook read by Jim Weiss.

By Megan Saben | Oct 24, 2014

*Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham. Audiobook read by Jim Weiss, Greathall Productions, 2009. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12 Maturity Level: Levels 3-5 ...

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 24, 2014

D-Day: The Invasion of Normandy, 1944 by Rick Atkinson. Holt, 2014. 202 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Maturity Level: 4 (ages 10-12) On the ...

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 21, 2014

The War to End All Wars: World War I by Russell Freedman. Clarion, 2010. 176 pages including notes and index. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages ...

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 21, 2014

World War I: an Interactive History Adventure by Gwenyth Swain. (You Choose Books), Capstone, 2012. 112 pages including timeline, index, etc. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ...

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 17, 2014

Stay Where You Are And Then Leave by John Boyne. Henry Holt, 2014. 245 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Maturity Level: 5 (ages ...

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 14, 2014

Life Behind the Wall by Robert Elmer. Zondervan, 2014. 515 pages. Reading level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Maturity level: 4 (ages 11-12) and up This ...

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 14, 2014

The Great Trouble: a Mystery of London, the Blue Death, and a Boy Called Eel, by Deborah Hopkinson. Knopf, 2013, 247 pages with historical notes. ...

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 7, 2014

Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood by Nathan Hale. Amulet, 2014. 128 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12Maturity Level: 4 (age 10 and up) This ...

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 1, 2014

Space Case by Stuart Gibbs. Simon & Schuster, 2014. 337 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10. Maturity Level: 4 (ages 11-12) Moon Base Alpha ...

Explore Gravity!: With 25 Great Projects by Cindy Blobaum and illustrated by Bryan Stone

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 29, 2014

Explore Gravity!: With 25 Great Projects by Cindy Blobaum and illustrated by Bryan Stone. Nomad Press, 2013. 96 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades (ages 8-12)Recommended for: ...

Eye Benders: The Science of Seeing and Believing by Clive Gifford

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 29, 2014

Eye Benders: The Science of Seeing and Believing by Clive Gifford. Ivy Press, 2013 (U.K.) and 2014 (U.S.A.). 64 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, 8-12 ...

Zoobots by Helaine Becker

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 22, 2014

Zoobots: Wild Robots Inspired by Real Animals by Helaine Becker and illustrated by Alex Ries. Kids Can Press, 2014, 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Book, ...

*Centerburg Tales by Robert McCloskey

By Megan Saben | Sep 17, 2014

Centerburg Tales by Robert McCloskey. Viking, 1979, 191 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, 8-10Maturity Level: 2 (ages 4-8) and up Centerburg Tales is set in ...

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 16, 2014

An Eye for Art: Focusing on Great Artists and Their Work by the National Gallery of Art. Chicago Review Press, 2014, 176 pages. Reading Level: Middle ...

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 16, 2014

Listen to the Birds, by Ana Garhard. The Secret Mountain, 2013, 48 pages each (CD included). Reading level: Picture Books, ages 9-12 Maturity Level: 3 ...

*Homer Price by Robert McCloskey

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 15, 2014

*Homer Price by Robert McCloskey. Viking, 1943. 149 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, 8-10 Recommended for: Ages 8-10 McCloskey has transformed his picture book hero, ...

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 11, 2014

Ava and Pip by Carol Weston. Sourcebooks, 2014, 211 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grade (11-12) Maturity Level: 4 (11-12) On the first day of fifth ...

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 11, 2014

Always, Abigail by Nancy Cavanaugh. Sourcebooks, 2014, 311 pages. Reading level: Middle Grade (8-10) Maturity Level: 3 (8-10) Abigail Walters is starting sixth grade with ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 9, 2014

***As of Sept. 15, this giveaway is over. Winners have been notified. Please check back for more free books!*** GIVEAWAY! Tell us a favorite bus ...

*Somebody on This Bus is Going to Be Famous by (our very own) J. B. Cheaney

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 9, 2014

*Somebody on This Bus Is Going to Be Famous by J. B. Cheaney. Sourcebooks, 2014. 304 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades (8-12)Recommended For: Ages 10-12 Bottom ...

Greenglass House by Kate Milford

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 8, 2014

Greenglass House by Kate Milford. Clarion, 2014, 384 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades (ages 10-12) Recommended for: Ages 10 and up The Greenglass House is ...

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 2, 2014

The Night Gardener, by Jonathan Auxier. Amulet, 2014, 350 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Maturity Level: 4 (age 10 and up) Teenage Mollie ...

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 2, 2014

The Castle Behind Thorns, by Merrie Haskell. HarperCollins, 2014, 341 pages. Reading level: Middle Grades, ages 11-12 Maturity level: 5 (ages 11 and up) Sand ...

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 27, 2014

I Kill the Mockingbird, by Paul Acampora. Roaring Brook Press, 2014, 177 pages. Reading level: Middle grades, ages 11-12 Maturity level: 4 (ages 11-12) and ...

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 26, 2014

Zane and the Hurricane: a Story of Katrina, by Rodman Philbrick. Scholastic, 2014, 181 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 11-12 Maturity Level: 4 (ages ...

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 26, 2014

Almost Super, by Marion Jensen. Harper, 2014, 251 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, Ages 8-12 Maturity Level: 3 (ages 8-10) Every four years, on February ...

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 19, 2014

Curiosity, by Gary Blackwood. Dutton, 2014, 310 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, Ages 11-12, Young Adult, ages 12-14 Maturity Level: 5 (Ages 12-14) Philadelphia, 1836: ...

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 15, 2014

Seven Stories Up, by Laurel Snyder. Random House, 2014, 229 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, Ages 8-10 Maturity Level: 3 (ages 8-10) Annie and her ...

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 12, 2014

How do you use the label “anti-war?” As in, “Saving Private Ryan is the best anti-war movie ever made, or “All Quiet on the Western ...

*The Warden and the Wolf King

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 11, 2014

An epic finale to an epic fantasy series. *The Warden and the Wolf King,by Andrew Peterson. Rabbit Room Press, 2014, 519 pages. Reading Level: Young Adult, ages ...

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 8, 2014

*The Desperate Adventures of Zeno and Alya, by Jane Kelley. Feiwel & Friends, 2013, 201 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, Ages 8-10 Maturity Level: 3 ...

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 5, 2014

*National Wildlife Federation World of Birds: a Beginners Guide, by Kim Kirki. Black Dog & Levanthal, 2014, 80 pages including glossary and index. Reading Level: ...

By Hayley Morell | Aug 2, 2014

During the Summer Reading Challenge, Redeemed Reader interns Amos Peck and Grace Olson, Valen Caldwell, intern at Breakpoint.org, and I --Hayley Schoeppler, Redeemed Reader's executive assistant-- ...

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 1, 2014

The Great Greene Heist, by Varian Johnson. Scholastic, 2014, 226 pages. Age/interest level: 9-13. Everybody loves a con man, as long as they’re not the ...

On the Blue Comet

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 23, 2014

On the Blue Comet, by Rosemary Wells. Candlewick, 2010, 329 pages. I looked out the diner car window. We were just careening past a station ...

*The House of Arden by E. Nesbit

By Hayley Morell | Jul 14, 2014

The House of Arden by E. Nesbit. NYR Children’s Collection, 2006 reprint. 260 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8 - 10 Bottom Line: Two children, ...

SRC, Week 5: A Wrinkle in Time

By Megan Saben | Jul 14, 2014

Other Summer Reading Challenge posts: Introduction, Week One: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Two: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Three: off Week ...

SRC, Week 4: The House of Arden

By Hayley Morell | Jul 7, 2014

Other Summer Reading Challenge posts: Introduction, Week One: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Two: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Three: off Week ...

SRC, Week 1: Chitty Chitty And The Race Against Time

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 16, 2014

Other Summer Reading Challenge posts: Introduction, Week One: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Two: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. Week Three: off Week ...

Summer Tales

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 14, 2014

Two middle-grade summertime stories, both by Newberry-winning authors: Half a Chance, by Cynthia Lord. Scholastic, 2014, 218 pages. Age/interest level: 10-14 Lucy is used to ...

It’s Summertime! Let’s Learn Something!

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 3, 2014

While we're gearing up for our summer reading challenge (still time to sign up!) the kids may be looking around for something to read. Fiction ...

The Year of the … Books by Andrea Cheng

By Betsy Farquhar | May 29, 2014

One of the most common questions I get when people learn of my profession is a variation of the following, My child is a precocious ...

Digging in the Dirt

By Janie Cheaney | May 13, 2014

Due to the loooong winter experienced by those of us in the Midwest and eastern United States, we’ve been slow to get our garden in. ...

Spy Catchers of Maple Hill

By Betsy Farquhar | May 8, 2014

Spy Catchers of Maple Hill by Megan Frazer Blakemore. Bloomsbury, 2014. 320 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12Recommended for: ages 10-12 One-Sentence Summary: Young Hazel Kaplansky, ...

Faithgirlz in Action: Two New Series

By Janie Cheaney | May 2, 2014

Zondervan’s “Faithgirlz!” books are series novels aimed at middle-grade girls. These two “girlz” series fall prey to some common weaknesses of Christian fiction, but show ...

Over the Moon and across the Pond

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 30, 2014

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Over the Moon, by Frank Cottrell Boyce. Candlewick, 2014, 240 pages. Age/interest level: 9-13 The magical car seems to be flying ...

Boys of Blur and Beowulf: Like Father, Like Son

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 24, 2014

It's not often that we are privileged to read literary gems from both father AND son. But that is indeed the case here; to make ...

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 22, 2014

Shakespeare Bats Cleanup by Ron Koertge. Candlewick, 2003, 116 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, 10-12 Maturity Level: 5 (Ages 12-15) One-line Summary: Kevin, age 15, ...

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 22, 2014

Baseball Is . . . by Louise Borden, illustrated by Raul Colon. Simon and Shuster, 2014. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture book, ages 4-8 Maturity ...

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