Resources
Stones and Stories by Judith E. Anderson
By Betsy Farquhar |
Stones and Stories is a concise primer on literary analysis and hermeneutics, building off the intriguing extended metaphor of stones. Stones and Stories: A Primer ...
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Reading Afghanistan
By Janie Cheaney |
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 ...
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A Cookie Story Tea
By Megan Saben |
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 ...
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High School American Literature: A Better Approach
By Betsy Farquhar |
High School American Literature: Often Dark and Depressing When I arrived at college, I was absolutely, 100% convinced that British lit was my jam. American ...
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Favorite High School Video Curricula for Homeschool or Enrichment
By Betsy Farquhar |
We are fans of BOOKS here at Redeemed Reader, to be sure. But we are also interested in raising up the next generation of writers ...
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Raising Writers in Four Simple Steps
By Janie Cheaney |
Or, the Wordsmith philosophy of teaching composition Notice I said “simple,” not “easy.” Good writing is based on just a handful of sound principles—that makes ...
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Laid-Back Grammar
By Janie Cheaney |
Grammar is easier to teach if you don't try to teach it too soon or too singularly. “Grammar” is a stretchy word, enclosing syntax (sentence ...
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Wordsmith Curriculum Review: A Writing Curriculum by our own Janie Cheaney
By Betsy Farquhar |
NOTE: We're taking a week off our Summer Reading Challenge to think ahead about the coming school year. Welcome to Wordsmith Week! Leading off with ...
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*Reading and Talking about Sexuality
By Hayley Morell |
*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 ...
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Summer Reading is Here!
By Betsy Farquhar |
We've been planning Faith & Fortitude, our 2021 summer reading program, for months, and it's finally here! We officially begin on Monday, June 14th--that's this ...
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Teaching Kids Church History
By Betsy Farquhar |
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 ...
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Favorite Audiobooks: Narrators, Books, and More!
By Betsy Farquhar |
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 ...
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2021 Summer Reading: Faith & Fortitude Is Here!
By Betsy Farquhar |
2021 Summer Reading Theme We're very excited about the 2021 summer reading theme: Faith & Fortitude: the EPIC Story of God's People. Why? We're big ...
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Graduation Gift List
By Betsy Farquhar |
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 ...
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The Golden Age Detective Stories
By Hayley Morell |
This is an abridged version of the article Reading the Golden Age that originally appeared in our Fall 2020 Quarterly. Who murdered ____? Is it ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Ryan Flanders, illustrator of Something Better Coming
By Megan Saben |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Our guest today is Ryan Flanders, illustrator of the forthcoming picture book written by Megan ...
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WORLD Children’s Books of the Year: A Report
By Janie Cheaney |
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 ...
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An Interview with Daniel Nayeri
By Janie Cheaney |
If you’ve been reading our website reviews over the last six months or so, you know we’ve been raving about Everything Sad Is Untrue (a ...
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What to Read After Mulan
By Betsy Farquhar |
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 ...
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2021 Newbery Buzz #5: Stamped by Jason Reynolds.
By Janie Cheaney |
Continuing our discussion of possible Newbery winners, we pick up a book that has everybody talking: Janie: Betsy, there are two books that I think ...
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2021 Newbery Buzz #4: Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri
By Janie Cheaney |
We've been scanning the starred review lists and listening in on the chatter to tell you about the likely Newbery contenders for this year. So ...
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Engage with Culture: Two Books for Parents
By Betsy Farquhar |
Mama Bear Apologetics and The Pop Culture Parent both aim to help parents interact with the culture surrounding their kids. Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your ...
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2021 Newbery Buzz #1: King and the Dragonflies
By Janie Cheaney |
Betsy: Readers, we’re kicking off our annual Newbery Buzz discussion series with a book that has already garnered a major award: King and the Dragonflies, ...
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Read the Bible in 2021
By Betsy Farquhar |
As we head into 2021 after a tempestuous 2020, one thing remains certain: The Word of the Lord stands forever (Isaiah 40:8). Reading God's Word ...
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Quarantine Box = Days of Cheer
By Betsy Farquhar |
Are you looking at another holiday stuck at home? Do you have family members scattered across the country? Megan and I both are looking at ...
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Books for Teen Writers
By Betsy Farquhar |
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 ...
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Bookish Christmas Fun
By Betsy Farquhar |
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 ...
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13 Books for 13 Year Old Boys (and Girls!)
By Betsy Farquhar |
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. ...
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Have You Seen the Redeemed Reader Quarterly?
By Janie Cheaney |
Remember the days of full-color, glossy-paged print magazines that would arrive in your mailbox every month? Recall that pleasant sensation of opening up the latest ...
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The Return of the Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
By Betsy Farquhar |
Megan and I have followed Megan Whalen Turner’s Thief series for years, and we both pre-ordered the final book, The Return of the Thief, months before publication. And ...
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A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (Book Club Edition)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Good books are even better when people discuss them. In fact, we label books "discussion starters" when they offer much food for thought. A Wrinkle ...
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5 Ways to Use Redeemed Reader for School
By Betsy Farquhar |
Apples, new pencils, pumpkin spice, and the hint of a cool breeze—must be September—and a new school year! Did you know you can use Redeemed ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Gina Dalfonzo (Writer, Book Reviewer)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Not All Stories Are Created Equal
By Janie Cheaney |
The "Power of Story" is an article of faith among authors, librarians, and other bookish people. But beware its limitations. The “power of story” consistent ...
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12 Substitutions for The Kite Runner
By Betsy Farquhar |
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 ...
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Is The Kite Runner OK for 10th Graders?
By Betsy Farquhar |
Is The Kite Runner OK for 10th Graders? "My 10th grader has to read The Kite Runner for school. Do you know anything about it? ...
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Homeschool Resources Worth the Money
By Betsy Farquhar |
Are You Homeschooling in 2020? This school year is starting off like no other, isn't it? My husband and I both grew up attending private ...
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Love Your Yard: Nature Study Books to Spark “Creation Appreciation”
By Betsy Farquhar |
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 ...
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Rapid Fire: YA Fantasy, July 2020
By Hayley Morell |
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 ...
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Purple House Press: An interview with Jill Morgan
By Megan Saben |
Purple House Press revives delightful out of print stories for a new generation. 1. What motivated you to start Purple House Press? Back in the ...
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Books about Racism for Children and Teens
By Betsy Farquhar |
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 ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: S. D. Smith (Author)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: W. R. Gingell (Author)
By Hayley Morell |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Why Is Writing So Hard to Teach?
By Janie Cheaney |
How I didn't know what I didn't know Back in the early years of the 1980s, I took up the challenge offered by Dr. James ...
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Sir Cumference: Math Adventures for Everyone!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Fractions Can be Your Friends Do you enjoy math? Most "readers" I've met have an avowed distrust of math. It seems that our cultural narrative ...
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The Guaranteed, Irresistible, Effortless Introduction to Poetry for People Who Doubt That They Like It
By Megan Saben |
If you or your children aren't sure how to develop a taste for poetry, especially if you haven't decided whether you ought to feel obligated ...
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Exploring the Bible Together by David Murray
By Janie Cheaney |
Exploring the Bible Together launches families on a year-long journey through Scripture in a way that’s both practical and effective. Exploring the Bible Together: a ...
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A Family Easter
By Janie Cheaney |
What were you doing last February? Possibly, after Valentine’s Day passed and stores cleared their shelves for St. Patrick’s, you were seeing some Easter chicks ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Miranda Collingridge (High school senior and social media intern)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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A Literary Hospital Mission Field
By Megan Saben |
A month ago my mother was taken to the hospital with a serious infection and blood poisoning. The former threatened a sobering 80% mortality rate; ...
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20th Century Book List for Young Teens
By Betsy Farquhar |
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. ...
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Giant Presidents' Day Book List
By Betsy Farquhar |
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 ...
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5 Lent Devotionals (for Protestants)
By Betsy Farquhar |
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 ...
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Black History Month Picture Books for Tweens and Teens
By Betsy Farquhar |
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 ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Tim Challies (Blogger, Author, Book Reviewer)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
Read More 2020: Meet the Team —Betsy
By Hayley Morell |
Hayley plays interviewer to introduce the Redeemed Reader team. Today, she's chatting with our managing editor and staff writer, Betsy Farquhar. Last year we started ...
Read More 2020: Meet the Team —Janie
By Hayley Morell |
It's time for Meet the Team, January 2020 edition! Hayley plays interviewer to introduce the Redeemed Reader team. We're starting off with our editorial advisor ...
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The Enduring Appeal of Little Women
By Janie Cheaney |
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 ...
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2020 Reading Challenge for Kids and Teens is Here!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Ready for a great year of reading? Are your KIDS ready for a great year of reading? What about your TEENS? At Redeemed Reader, we ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Bridgette Boudreaux (Chemistry Teacher)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Reflections on A Christmas Carol
By Betsy Farquhar |
Planning to watch A Christmas Carol this year? Have you read the original story? It's definitely worth reading if you've only ever seen the movie ...
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Christmas Books Round-Up
By Betsy Farquhar |
All our reviews of Christmas books -- that is, books about Christmas or set during the Christmas season -- in one place! You're sure to ...
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How to Raise a Reader by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo
By Janie Cheaney |
How to Raise a Reader focuses less on the “Why” and more on the “How” of fostering a love of literature in your own children. ...
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New (or New to Us) Books for Holiday Reading and Gift-Giving
By Janie Cheaney |
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, ...
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Gifts for Book Lovers: ALL Gift-Giving Lists in One Place!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Need gifts for book lovers, young and old? We've got you covered! Stocking stuffers, fun bookish swag, and, of course, LOTS of book ideas! We ...
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5 Questions for a Book Giver’s Interview
By Megan Saben |
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 ...
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Reformation Day Homemade Doughnuts
By Megan Saben |
Homemade doughnuts are a delicious family tradition for celebrating Reformation Day or a hosting a Harvest Party. I am not a food blogger, so you ...
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Calling All Readers: Annual Reading Challenge Info!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Did you take the Annual Redeemed Reader Reading Challenge in 2019? Which level? Bakers Dozen with 13 books? Quarterback Challenge at 25? Did you read ...
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Voyages of Discovery, or, How NOT to “Teach Reading”
By Janie Cheaney |
Last Sunday marked the 527th anniversary of the day Christopher Columbus first laid eyes, all unknowingly, on "The New World." That discovery radically changed world ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Melissa Deming (Bible Teacher)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Choosing Biographies: Practical Considerations
By Betsy Farquhar |
Before we look at some practical considerations for choosing biographies, have you already answered the most important question before choosing biographies? That might seem like ...
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Choosing Biographies
By Betsy Farquhar |
Deshawn comes home from school with a dreaded school book report assignment: biographies. Leyla needs to diversify her fantasy reading, and Dad thinks biographies are ...
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Go Build Something! Engineering Books for Boys (and Girls)
By Janie Cheaney |
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 ...
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4 Books About the Reading Life: a Literary Nightstand Round-Up
By Betsy Farquhar |
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. ...
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Laid-Back Language Arts
By Betsy Farquhar |
Do you remember your middle and high school English classes? Did you diagram sentences? Fill in endless worksheets with "S" for sentence or "F" for ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Lou Hunley (Public Librarian)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Tools for Leaving Home: a List for Fledgling Adults
By Janie Cheaney |
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 ...
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Our Favorite Mice: A Booklist
By Hayley Morell |
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. ...
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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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Back Porch Book Chat: Virginia Lee Rogers (Bookseller and Homeschool Mom)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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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 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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Simple Summer Reading Challenge for Tweens and Teens
By Betsy Farquhar |
It's time for summer reading! Do your tweens and teens have summer reading assignments for school? Perhaps a classic or two and maybe a contemporary ...
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Reading Robin McKinley
By Hayley Morell |
"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 ...
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Are Graphic Novels “Literature”?
By Janie Cheaney |
When I was a kid, back in the day, “comic books” did not have a great reputation. In fact, in 1949 a book called Seduction ...
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The Pilgrim Travels on: Literary References to The Pilgrim’s Progress
By Janie Cheaney |
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 ...
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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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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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The Author’s Mission: Gary Schmidt
By Janie Cheaney |
One question every author gets, sometimes several times a day: Where do you get your ideas? I had the happy opportunity to sit in on ...
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Back Porch Book Chats
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Kindred Retreat 2019 and a Fortitude Booklist
By Megan Saben |
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 ...
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Faith, Fiction, & Fellowship, Week 2: Let’s Discuss!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Ladies, are you enjoying your chosen books for our Faith, Fiction, & Fellowship read-along? Faith, Fiction, & Fellowship Discussion, Week 2 If you've purchased the ...
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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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Faith, Fiction, & Fellowship Week 1: Let’s Discuss!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Ladies, are you enjoying your chosen books for our Faith, Fiction, & Fellowship read-along? Faith, Fiction, & Fellowship Discussion, Week 1 If you've purchased the ...
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The Faithful Artist: an Interview with John Hendrix
By Janie Cheaney |
John Hendrix grew up in St. Louis, left home to advance his art career, and eventually returned. Along the way he spent some time as ...
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30+ Women in Church History: A Book List
By Betsy Farquhar |
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 & ...
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Faith, Fiction, & Fellowship Read-Along Details
By Betsy Farquhar |
Our Faith, Fiction, & Fellowship Read-Along is just around the corner. We know lots of you are excited about this, and we are, too! If ...
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Christians and Mental Illness: an Interview with Simonetta Carr
By Janie Cheaney |
The author of Broken Pieces and the God Who Mends them shares further insights about her experience with schizophrenia. Our readers are familiar with Simonetta's ...
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Pride and Prejudice: The Original and the Others
By Hayley Morell |
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 ...
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2019 Sibert Medal Winners are, well, Winners!
By Betsy Farquhar |
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 ...
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