Cultural Diversity
Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham
By Betsy Farquhar |
Lunar New Year Love Story is a terrific example of a graphic novel for mature teens: artistic, layered, and storied. Lunar New Year Love Story ...
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Pilgrim Codex by Vivian Mansour
By Janie Cheaney |
Pilgrim Codex is a story about Mexican immigration told in Aztec-inspired artwork and text. Pilgrim Codex by Vivian Mansour, illustrated by Emmanuel Valtierra, translated by ...
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Gladiola Garden by Effie Lee Newsome
By Betsy Farquhar |
Reprinted from the original, Gladiola Garden is a sweet poetry anthology featuring black children in its illustrations (and written by a black woman). Gladiola Garden ...
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Black Culture Roundup: *When I Hear Spirituals, How Sweet the Sound, *Everywhere Beauty is Harlem
By Janie Cheaney |
Three picture books about African American culture can open windows of understanding a wider world. *When I Hear Spirituals by Cheryl Willis Hudson, illustrated by ...
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The Girl Who Lost a Leopard by Nizrana Farook
By Megan Saben |
In The Girl Who Lost a Leopard, free-spirited Selvi desires nothing more than to protect the leopard, Lokka, until she realizes that she can't do ...
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*Will’s Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes
By Janie Cheaney |
Will’s Race for Home is a classic coming-of-age story set during the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889. *Will’s Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes. ...
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2025 Caldecott Honor Books: *Home in a Lunchbox, My Daddy Is a Cowboy, *Noodles on a Bicycle, and Up Up Ever Up
By Janie Cheaney |
This year's Caldecott honor books feature warm family ties, amazing skills and ambitions fulfilled. Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo. Penguin Workshop, 2024, 32 ...
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2025 Caldecott Medal: Chooch Helped by Andrea L. Rogers
By Janie Cheaney |
Chooch Helped is a loving depiction of a Cherokee girl's little-brother issues. Chooch Helped by Andrea L. Rogers, illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz. Levine Querido, ...
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Strangers & Sojourners: A Redeemed Reader Booklist about the Refugee and Immigrant Experience
By Hayley Morell |
We've reviewed many books about refugees and the immigrant experience over the years at Redeemed Reader. In 2018 and 2019, our summer reading challenges supported ...
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*Words By Heart by Ouida Sebestyen
By Megan Saben |
Words By Heart is a powerful and nuanced Story full of Truth, laid on the firm foundation that it is not enough to hide Scripture ...
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Mendel the Mess-Up by Terry LaBan
By Janie Cheaney |
In Mendel the Mess-Up, an accident-prone Jewish boy turns his weaknesses into strengths against rampaging Cossacks. Mendel the Mess-Up by Terry LaBan. Holiday House, 2024, ...
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*Noodles on a Bicycle by Kyo Maclear
By Megan Saben |
Oh, the joy of noodle delivery when acrobatics are involved! *Noodles on a Bicycle by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Gracey Zhang. Random House, 2024. ...
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*Go Forth and Tell by Breanna J. McDaniel
By Betsy Farquhar |
Lively and inspirational, Go Forth and Tell shows a woman who took her calling as a storyteller seriously. Go Forth and Tell: The Life of ...
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Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King by Coretta Scott King
By Betsy Farquhar |
Coretta herself tells the story of her life with Martin Luther King, Jr., in this beautifully illustrated picture book biography. Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. ...
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My Block Looks Like by Janelle Harper
By Betsy Farquhar |
Dynamic and vibrant, My Block Looks Like is a fun ode to life in the big city. My Block Looks Like by Janelle Harper and ...
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Newbery Buzz #2: One Big Open Sky
By Janie Cheaney |
Today Betsy, Janie, and Hayley discuss a verse novel we all loved. (See our starred review.) Janie: When we picture wagon trains moving west, we ...
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José Feeds the World by David Unger
By Betsy Farquhar |
José Feeds the World is a cheerfully-illustrated picture book biography about a servant-heart who feeds those in need. José Feeds the World: How a Famous ...
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King & Kayla Series by Dori Hillestad Butler
By Betsy Farquhar |
The King & Kayla series offers up warm, winsome humor (and mysteries, too!) for newly independent readers. King & Kayla Series by Dori Hillstad Butler ...
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National Book Award Winner: Kareem Between
By Janie Cheaney |
Kareem Between is a sympathetic portrait of a 7th-grader born to Syrian refugees, who can’t feel himself fully American or fully Syrian. Kareem Between by ...
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Lost in the Empire City by Avi
By Janie Cheaney |
Lost in the Empire City takes readers to 19th century New York, where a young immigrant from Italy attempts to find his way. Lost in ...
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Amazing Asia by Rashmi Sirdeshpande
By Janie Cheaney |
Amazing Asia takes readers on a whirlwind tour of the geography, basic history, ethnicities and cultures of the world’s largest and most varied continent. Amazing ...
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*Mishka by Edward van de Vendel
By Janie Cheaney |
Mishka is the gentle, heartwarming story of refugees and rabbits finding home. *Miskha by Edward van de Vendel and Anoush Elman, illustrated by Annet Schaap ...
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Art All around Us by Xiao Situ
By Janie Cheaney |
Art All Around Us introduces young readers to the nearly infinite variety of art and its meaning in ordinary life. Art All around Us: A ...
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Two Cozy Chapter Books: Beti and the Little Round House and Stella & Marigold
By Janie Cheaney |
Two new Chapter Books about Beti, Stella, and Marigold celebrate the simple joys of seasons and siblings. Beti and the Little Round House by Atinuke, ...
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The Found Boys by S. D. Smith
By Janie Cheaney |
The “Found Boys” find trouble in their West Virginia small town, but also deepen their understanding of grace and forgiveness. The Found Boys by S. ...
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The Best This World Can Do: Thoughts about “Not Nothing” by Gayle Forman
By Janie Cheaney |
Christian book reviewers face certain challenges. We could review only Christian books and be reasonably assured that we won’t run into glaring content problems like ...
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The Science of Friendship by Tanita S. Davis
By Janie Cheaney |
In The Science of Friendship, an 8th-grade girl takes an analytical approach to keeping friends and discovers some important truths about herself. The Science of ...
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Growing Up under a Red Flag by Ying Chang Compestine
By Janie Cheaney |
Growing Up under a Red Flag introduces China’s Cultural Revolution in a way picture-book readers can understand. Growing Up under a Red Flag: A Memoir ...
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Build a House by Rhiannon Giddens
By Megan Saben |
Build a House shows the resilience and hope of human nature through a story about a family who perseveres in building a house, setting down ...
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*Ben Washington Is the Newbie on the Block by Jasmine Mullen
By Janie Cheaney |
Young Ben Washington, the star of this new middle-grade series, is funny, flawed, and fully relatable. *Ben Washington Is . . . the Newbie on ...
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With Just One Wing by Brenda Woods
By Janie Cheaney |
An adopted boy comes to identify with an orphaned mockingbird With Just One Wing. With Just One Wing by Brenda Woods. Nancy Paulsen Books (PRH), ...
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*Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton
By Betsy Farquhar |
A modern classic, Cry, the Beloved Country movingly illustrates how faith and culture intersect in Apartheid-era South Africa. Note: this is one of our featured ...
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Born Naughty by Jin Wang
By Janie Cheaney |
Born Naughty introduces us to Jin Wang, a lively little girl growing up in Inner Mongolia. Born Naughty: My Childhood in China by Jin Wang ...
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How Do You Spell Unfair? by Carole Boston Weatherford
By Betsy Farquhar |
In this award-winning picture book, we learn about MacNolia and her fight for the National Spelling Bee championship as a Black girl in 1936. How ...
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Built to Last by Dan Santat and Minh Lê
By Betsy Farquhar |
In this beautiful picture book, two boys want to build something that will last, but their final product is not what they first expect. Built ...
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What the World Eats: A Roundup of Global Food Books
By Betsy Farquhar |
Do you know what people eat around the world? What do those missionaries from your church eat when they move to Ghana or Gambia or ...
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*Wang Mingdao by Simonetta Carr
By Janie Cheaney |
The latest volume of the Christian Biographies series introduces Wang Mingdao, a father of the Chinese evangelical church, to young readers. *Wang Mingdao by Simonetta ...
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Kailani’s Gift by Dorian Lazo Gilmore-Young
By Betsy Farquhar |
Kailani's Gift features a young girl who wants to honor her grandparents for their 50th wedding anniversary by learning tinikling. Kailani's Gift by Dorian Lazo ...
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Global Prayer Resources: Operation World and Window on the World and More
By Betsy Farquhar |
How can we better pray for our brothers and sisters around the world? Operation World and Window on the World help us pray for God's ...
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*Rwendigo Tales by J. A. Myhre
By Betsy Farquhar |
Dr. Myhre wrote the engaging Rwendigo Tales, a middle grades series with spiritual overtones, based upon her experience as a doctor serving in Africa. Note: ...
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*Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
By Betsy Farquhar |
We've updated our review of this gem: a lovely story about gratitude and Chinese mythology for middle grades. Note: this is one of our featured ...
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Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock
By Megan Saben |
Jesús is excited to work with his Papá on a busy Saturday full of yards to mow, and as soon as the water jug is ...
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Julie Fogliano, Children’s Poet
By Betsy Farquhar |
Julie Fogliano's poetry for children expects them to read between the lines, to appreciate a delicate, spare language. And it works. She understands the essence ...
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The Book Scavenger Series by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Book Scavenger Series is an engaging middle grades mystery series for book lovers and puzzle aficionados. Book Scavenger Series by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman. Square ...
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Lauren Castillo’s Art: Nana in the Country, It’s Not Time for Sleeping, Twenty Yawns, The Ramble Shamble Children
By Betsy Farquhar |
Lauren Castillo's bold outlines and childlike compositions make these books accessible to young readers and their parents, too. Her books are universally cheerful and vibrant, ...
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*The Empty Pot by Demi
By Megan Saben |
The Empty Pot is a lovely tale from China about the rewards of honesty and integrity. The Empty Pot by Demi, Square Fish. 32 pages. ...
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*Houses with a Story by Seiji Yoshida
By Janie Cheaney |
Houses with a Story offers both a fascinating tour of storybook dwellings and a springboard to imagination. *Houses with Story: A Dragon’s Den, a Ghostly ...
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Eagle Drums by Nasugraq Raney Hopson
By Janie Cheaney |
The Newbery Honor novel Eagle Drums portrays the mythical origin of a cherished tradition of the Iñupiat people. Eagle Drums by Nasugraq Raney Hopson. Roaring ...
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Between Two Brothers by Crystal Allen
By Janie Cheaney |
In Between Two Brothers, a boy struggles for forgiveness and reconciliation after his older brother is seriously injured in a traffic accident. Between Two Brothers ...
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*African Heroes by Jerome Gay, Jr.
By Betsy Farquhar |
African Heroes introduces children to heroes of the faith who are from Africa in this vibrantly illustrated picture book from New Growth Press. Note: this ...
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2024 Newbery Buzz #5: Hope in the Valley by Mitali Perkins
By Betsy Farquhar |
It’s no secret to long-time RR readers that we love Mitali Perkins (*and* her books). We’ve reviewed nearly all of them to date, from picture ...
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Newbery Roundup 2: Mexikid, The Swifts, and Shira and Esther’s Double-Dream Debut
By Janie Cheaney |
This is second of our roundup series of possible Newbery contenders for 2024. See the first roundup here. Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martin. ...
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Family Style by Thien Pham
By Janie Cheaney |
In Family Style, cartoonist Thien Pham recalls his escape from Vietnam and growing up in America through a series of meals. Family Style: Memories of ...
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Remember Us by Jacqueline Woodson
By Janie Cheaney |
Remember Us is a quiet novel that ponders the conundrum of change and permanence. Remember Us by Jacqueline Woodson. Nancy Paulsen Books (PRH), 2023, 192 ...
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Two Picture Books on Words and Storytelling: Sholem’s Treasure and The Language of Angels
By Janie Cheaney |
The Language of Angels and Sholem’s Treasure illustrate how great an influence word and history has had on Jewish culture. The Language of Angels: A ...
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*Saving H’Non: Chang and the Elephant by Trang Nguyen
By Janie Cheaney |
Saving H'Non beautifully employs a graphic-novel format to tell the true story of an animal rescue and faithful human stewardship. *Saving H’Non: Chang and the ...
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Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust by Loic Dauvillier
By Janie Cheaney |
Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust is a suitable introduction for grades 2-4 to this terrible chapter in history. Hidden: A Child’s Story of ...
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Children of Israel: Our Book List of Jewish Life, History, and Culture
By Janie Cheaney |
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 ...
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*Memories of Survival by Esther Nisenthal Krinitz and Bernice Steinhardt
By Megan Saben |
A Jewish woman who lived through World War II in Poland and had to hide in order to survive tells her story through fabric and ...
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*Seeds of America Trilogy by Laurie Halse Anderson
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Seeds of America Trilogy powerfully examines some of the complex ideas of the American Revolution: freedom, justice, and equality for all. Seeds of America ...
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Chinese Menu by Grace Lin
By Janie Cheaney |
Chinese Menu traces the origin of everybody’s favorite Chinese dishes, from wonton soup to rice fortune cookies. Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends behind ...
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The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall by Ali Standish
By Janie Cheaney |
The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall series imagines the mysterious education of a classic mystery writer. The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall by Ali Standish. ...
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In the Tunnel by Julie Lee
By Janie Cheaney |
In the Tunnel takes readers into the savagery and family upheaval of the Korean War . In the Tunnel by Julie Lee. Holiday House, 2023, ...
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*Nearer My Freedom by Monica Edinger and Lesley Younge
By Janie Cheaney |
Nearer My Freedom uses the actual text of an 18th-century memoir to create a poetic account of an extraordinary life story. *Nearer My Freedom: The ...
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American Born Chinese by Gene Yuen Yang
By Betsy Farquhar |
American Born Chinese is a coming-of-age story with great spiritual insight in graphic novel format. American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang. FirstSecond, 2021 (reprint). ...
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Songs of America by Jon Meacham and Tim McGraw
By Janie Cheaney |
Songs of America takes an interesting approach to American history—tracing our story through popular tunes and lyrics. Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest, and the Music ...
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Gladys Hunt on Diversity
By Janie Cheaney |
“Teacher, do you have any books with pictures of kids that look like me?” Originally published on the Tumblon website, October 10, 2009 Probably more ...
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The Guardian Test by Christina Soontornvat
By Janie Cheaney |
The Legends of Lotus Island series follows a child of destiny as she seeks to pass “The Guardian Test.” The Guardian Test (Legends of Lotus ...
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*The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri: A Book Discussion
By Janie Cheaney |
*The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri: Betsy and Janie Discuss The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams ...
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*Bright April by Marguerite De Angeli
By Megan Saben |
Themes of loving nature, loving one's neighbor, and loving Truth are woven through Bright April, a story that gracefully handles racism and the dignity of ...
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School Trip by Jerry Craft
By Janie Cheaney |
School Trip, a companion novel to Newbery-winning New Kid, launches the Riverdale Academy students on a tour of Paris. School Trip by Jerry Craft. Quill ...
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Not an Easy Win by Chrystal D. Giles
By Janie Cheaney |
Not an Easy Win is the encouraging story of a displaced young man finding purpose and life lessons in the game of chess. Not an ...
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The Silence of Bones by June Hur
By Betsy Farquhar |
Can Seol figure out what happened to her brother even as she investigates a murder? The Silence of Bones is a gritty, historical mystery for ...
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All My Rage by Saaba Tahir
By Janie Cheaney |
All My Rage, winner of the 2023 Printz Award, follows a pair of Pakistani-American teens from uncertainty through trauma to stability and hope. All My ...
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*Dragonfly Eyes by Cao Wenxuan
By Janie Cheaney |
Dragonfly Eyes is a slowly-unfolding, beautiful picture of family love and loyalty during the stressful days of China’s Cultural Revolution. *Dragonfly Eyes by Cao Wenxuan, ...
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CSK Illlustrator Roundup: Standing in the Need of Prayer, Me and the Boss, and The Talk
By Janie Cheaney |
The Coretta Scott King award, an prominent part of the annual ALA Youth Media Awards, honors African American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for ...
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2023 Newbery Winner: Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson
By Janie Cheaney |
Freewater, this year's Newbery Medal winner, is as much an adventure tale as little-known history. Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson. Little, Brown (James Patterson Presents), 2022, ...
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The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum
By Janie Cheaney |
“Hoodie Rosen” introduces teen readers to the Orthodox Jewish world and the reality of antisemitism. The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum. ...
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2023 Caldecott Honor Roundup: Ain’t Burned All the Bright, Berry Song, Choosing Brave, and Knight Owl
By Janie Cheaney |
This year's Caldecott honor books explore a range of moods from wistful to whimsical. Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Jason ...
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Too Small Tola and the Three Fine Girls by Atinuke
By Janie Cheaney |
"Too Small Tola" returns in a second volume of this warm-hearted series of Nigerian family life. Too Small Tola and the Three Fine Girls by ...
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2023 Newbery Buzz #2: The Door of No Return
By Janie Cheaney |
Back for our second buzz, Janie and Betsy talk over a troubling but moving verse novel. Out of Africa Janie: Kwame Alexander scored a gold ...
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The Lucky Ones by Linda Williams Jackson
By Janie Cheaney |
In The Lucky Ones, an impoverished family in the rural south takes a big step up during the Civil Rights struggles of the 1960s. The ...
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*Two Old Women by Velma Wallis
By Betsy Farquhar |
Two Old Women, a legend from Alaska, reminds us to persevere and to seek the good of those around us. *Two Old Women: An Alaska ...
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Peace Is a Chain Reaction by Tanya Lee Stone
By Janie Cheaney |
Peace Is a Chain Reaction tells a little-known story of World War II and how former enemies of opposite sides of an ocean came together ...
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A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga
By Janie Cheaney |
A Rover's Story employs an unusual protagonist to celebrate science, space exploration, and humanity. A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga. Balzer+Bray, 2022, 294 pages. Reading ...
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The King of Christmas by Todd R. Hains and illustrated by Natasha Kennedy
By Betsy Farquhar |
The King of Christmas reminds young children where to look for Jesus, just as the wise men looked for Him at that first Christmas. The ...
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The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander
By Janie Cheaney |
The Door of No Return uses beautifully modulated verse to communicate the humanity of the Ashanti people and the horrors of the African slave trade. ...
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Black Bird, Blue Road by Sofiya Pasternack
By Janie Cheaney |
Black Bird, Blue Road is set in a neglected period of world history and explores the subject of death through a lens of Jewish mythology. ...
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*The Red Palace by June Hur
By Betsy Farquhar |
Eighteenth century Korea comes to life in The Red Palace, a gripping—and gritty—historical mystery for teens. *The Red Palace by June Hur. Feiwel and Friends, ...
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*Jack Zulu and the Waylander’s Key by S.D. Smith and J. C. Smith
By Betsy Farquhar |
Jack Zulu finds adventure where he least expects it in this new middle grades fantasy series opener from S. D. Smith. Jack Zulu and the ...
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Brand New Kid by David Almond
By Janie Cheaney |
Brand New Boy explores the "humanity" of manufactured humans through the eyes of curious middle-school students. Brand New Boy by David Almond, with pictures by ...
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Picture Book Round Up: Cora Cooks Pancit, Thoughtfull, Rice From Heaven, My Breakfast With Jesus
By Betsy Farquhar |
Four picture books encourage young listeners to notice the people around them, to serve with kindness, and to celebrate the diversity of God's church. Some ...
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Cookies & Milk by Shawn Amos
By Janie Cheaney |
Cookies & Milk is an enjoyable fictionalized account of the world’s first chocolate-chip cookie store and the launch of a “famous” business. Cookies & Milk ...
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Crazy Horse and Custer: Born Enemies by S. D. Nelson
By Janie Cheaney |
Crazy Horse and Custer: Born Enemies addresses the bloody and complex history of the U.S. Indian Wars with honesty and clarity. Crazy Horse and Custer: ...
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Born Behind Bars by Padma Venkatramen
By Betsy Farquhar |
When Kabir leaves jail at age nine, he enters a world unknown to him: the free world. A delicate and sensitive novel for middle grades. ...
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*Psalm Twenty-Three and *The Lord’s Prayer, both illustrated by Tim Ladwig
By Betsy Farquhar |
Tim Ladwig illustrates two well-known Biblical texts, using Black families in urban settings in these picture books. *Psalm Twenty-Three, illustrated by Tim Ladwig. Eerdmans, 1997. ...
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*When Daddy Prays by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Tim Ladwig
By Betsy Farquhar |
When Daddy Prays shows a child's view of his pastor father, praying during all of life. Beautifully illustrated. *When Daddy Prays by Nikki Grimes and ...
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Each of Us a Universe by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo
By Janie Cheaney |
Two girls with big problems draw resilience from each other and the "Magic" of the Universe. Each of Us a Universe by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo ...
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Picture Book Round Up: The Big Wide Welcome, God Cares for Me, Love Is, Rice From Heaven, My Breakfast With Jesus
By Megan Saben |
Three picture books remind young listeners to love people as Jesus loves, to show compassion for the sick, and provide an opportunity to see a ...
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Bestselling YA: A Look at the 2022 Market
By Janie Cheaney |
Aside from one graphic-novel romance series, novels about death and murder dominate the current YA scene. Where's hope? What are kids reading these days? As ...
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