Teen/YA

*Visual Theology by Tim Challies

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 30, 2016

Visual Theology presents the primary disciplines of the Christian life in a highly accessible form with attractive graphics. *Visual Theology: Seeing and Understanding the Truth ...

*The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

By Megan Saben | Nov 29, 2016

The first book in a top-notch series about an extraordinary thief and the intertwining of three kingdoms is amazingly well done. *The Thief by Megan Whalen ...

Should You Read Rick Riordan’s Latest: Magnus Chase?

By Alysha | Nov 23, 2016

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Hammer of Thor Rick Riordan’s The Hammer of Thor is the second book in his Magnus Chase ...

2016 Winter Book Fair: Books For Everyone!

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 18, 2016

2016 Winter Book Fair Books for Everyone On Your Christmas List! We have chosen the best of the best, our personal favorites, and plenty of great ...

Natalie Babbitt, 1932-2016, and The Search for Delicious

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 17, 2016

Somewhere amid the news of the last two weeks (pretty intense news cycle, I understand) came word that Natalie Babbitt had died of lung cancer ...

The Plot to Kill Hitler: Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Patricia McCormick

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 7, 2016

Suspenseful prose and careful research make Bonhoeffer's brave actions come to life for teen readers. The Plot to Kill Hitler: Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Unlikely ...

Every Falling Star by Sungju Lee and Susan Elizabeth McClelland

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 3, 2016

Grit, friendship, and hope come together in this bittersweet memoir for teens. Every Falling Star: The True Story of How I Survived and Escaped North ...

Snow White: a Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 3, 2016

In this fairy-tale retelling, Snow White is updated to the late 1920s, with the stock-market crash and the early days of the Great Depression shaping ...

*The Inquisitor’s Tale by Adam Gidwitz

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 1, 2016

This one-of-a-kind novel blends medieval history, fantasy, humor, adventure, and philosophical questions that have vexed the ages. *The Inquisitor’s Tale, or, Three Magical Children and ...

Pastor, Blogger, Author, Editor: More Church History Recommendations for the Whole Family!

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 31, 2016

We've spent all month reading and learning about church history. It's been such a rich study with interviews and book reviews, but we are not ...

Trial and Triumph/ *Radiant by Richard M. Hannula

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 24, 2016

Church history anthologies of men and women from all over the world in story format for middle grades and up! Trial and Triumph: Stories from ...

Michelangelo for Kids by Simonetta Carr

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 20, 2016

Simonetta Carr's contribution to the popular "For Kids" series presents the great artist as not only as a true "Renaissance man" but a man of ...

The Revolt by Douglas Bond

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 13, 2016

The England of John Wycliffe is vividly portrayed as a crucible of revolution in this new historical novel The Revolt: a Novel in Wycliffe’s England ...

Brother Andrew: God’s Secret Agent by Geoff and Janet Benge

By Megan Saben | Oct 10, 2016

Andrew never expected that God would fulfill his desire for adventure by using him to smuggle Bibles to believers in communist countries. Brother Andrew: ...

God’s Story: A Student’s Guide to Church History by Brian Cosby

By Hayley Morell | Oct 7, 2016

An engaging flyover of church history for young teens. God’s Story: A Student’s Guide to Church History by Brian Cosby. Christian Focus Publications, 2014. ...

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 30, 2016

The movie version of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children opens today, and since none of us regular reviewers have read the book, we're happy ...

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 26, 2016

A rich historical fiction work that offers hope in the midst of war-torn France. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Scribner, 2014. 531 ...

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 26, 2016

A compelling--and ultimately hopeful--crossover title for teens and adults about Hitler's evacuation of Germany and the biggest maritime disaster in history. Salt to the Sea ...

Kid Owner by Tim Green

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 14, 2016

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, ...

Our 9/11 Book List

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 9, 2016

If you've been with us for the last few months you doubtless saw Betsy's reviews of two recent, highly-regarded middle-grade novels about the worst foreign attack ...

Steeplejack by A. J. Hartley

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 7, 2016

A classic mystery unfolds in this historical fantasy for teens, with an appealing heroine, a multi-racial cast of characters, and an exotic setting. Steeplejack by ...

We Will Not Be Silent by Russell Freedman

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 2, 2016

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 ...

*Calvin by Martine Leavitt

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 30, 2016

A schizophrenic teen embarks on a quest for self-discovery and truth that becomes a struggle for survival. Calvin by Martine Leavitt. Farrar Strauss and Giroux, ...

Bible Review: *HCSB Essential Teen Study Bible

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 27, 2016

The HCSB Essential Teen Study Bible presents 99 “Essential Doctrines” with extensive scriptural backup and application. *The HCSB Essential Teen Study Bible. B&H Kids, 2016, 1312 ...

Quiet Power: the Secret Strengths of Introverts by Susan Cain

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 26, 2016

Susan Cain adapts her adult best-seller Quiet for a younger audience, sharing thoughts and tips on making the most of an introverted nature. Quiet Power: ...

It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel by Firoozah Dumas

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 23, 2016

An Iranian girl in a California middle school struggles to bridge cultures in this compelling, semi-autobiographical narrative. It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel by Firoozah Dumas. ...

*A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielsen

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 12, 2016

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 ...

Talking about Books That Talk about Race

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 23, 2016

Not a "Newbery Buzz" post because these titles were published before 2016 and are already award winners! But, for similar posts in which Janie and Betsy ...

When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 20, 2016

A black teen in the 'hood struggles to maintain his focus when his best friend takes a wrong turn with potentially serious consequences. When I ...

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 20, 2016

Rashad (a black guy) and Quinn (a white guy) take turns narrating this timely and moving young adult realistic fiction story about police brutality and ...

The Mother-Daughter Book Camp by Heather Vogel Frederick

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 13, 2016

The Mother-Daughter Book Club series wraps up with all five members of the club serving as camp counselors together before launching their adult lives. The ...

Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee

By Hayley Morell | Jun 24, 2016

In Under a Painted Sky, the events of one day change Sammy from a moody teenage girl to a fugitive striking out into the west. ...

The Trials of Apollo Book 1: The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan

By Alysha | Jun 17, 2016

This storyline of the series, which focuses on the now mortal god Apollo, is great in theory, but the first book is lackluster and inappropriate ...

Terror at Bottle Creek by Watt Key

By Janie Cheaney | May 18, 2016

In a fast, thrilling read, a 13-year-old boy must display courage, ingenuity, and persistence in extremely dangerous circumstances. Terror at Bottle Creek by Watt Key. ...

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 26, 2016

NIV Bible for Teen Girls: Growing in Faith, Hope and Love. Zondervan, 2015, 1728 pages. (available in hard- and soft-cover editions) Reading Level: Middle Grades, ...

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 28, 2016

The Michael J. Prinz medal is awarded every year by the ALA for excellence in YA literature. "Excellent," to the ALA, often means edgy, trendy, ...

Allegiant: It Was a Book First!

By Hayley Morell | Mar 18, 2016

The Divergent series by Veronica Roth, a self-avowed Christian, lives on as Allegiant hits theaters this week. Below, Hayley reflects Allegiant in book form. Allegiant, by Veronica Roth. Katherine ...

Good Reading for Teens–Except for One Thing . . .

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 24, 2016

Lately I read two books for teens, one fiction and one nonfiction, that conformed to time-honored, even classic, storylines. The novel, A Step toward Falling, ...

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 10, 2016

Last week I set forth some reasons why older children (ages 12-18) have not outgrown the benefits of reading aloud. If you’re convinced about the ...

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 3, 2016

The last time I talked to my daughter on the phone, she said, “Guess what Adriel is doing now.” That’s my nine-year-old granddaughter, and of ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 27, 2016

North to Freedom (I Am David) by Anne Holm. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1963 (first edition), 256 pages. Reading Level: 10-12 Appropriate for: ages 12-up Bottom ...

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 20, 2016

In most science fiction, technological advances are not shown to advance humanity. However, it would be tough to find a more negative view of ...

The 2016 ALA Youth Media Awards–What happened??

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 13, 2016

As we were saying last Saturday . . . you just can’t predict what the Newbery committee is going to do. Trends have been toward ...

By Alysha | Dec 4, 2015

One of the high school classes I teach is devoted to helping students become discerning readers. Modern young adult fiction can be a minefield of ...

*Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace

By Hayley Morell | Nov 20, 2015

Coming-of-age, romance, and historical fiction is combined in a little-known novel, Emily of Deep Valley, by a classic American author. *Emily of Deep Valley by Maud ...

By Alysha | Nov 6, 2015

As a teacher, I’ve had various conversations with parents about how to get their children engaged in reading. The flip side of that conversation comes ...

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 29, 2015

Yesterday I made a distinction between “terror” stories and “horror” stories—the latter based squarely on our elemental fear of death, often with buckets of blood ...

By Hayley Morell | Oct 23, 2015

The Last Dragonslayer: The Chronicles of Kazam, Book 1 by Jasper Fforde. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2013. 306 pages Reading Level: Young Adult, ages 12-15 ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 18, 2015

Janie's newest novel for young folks, I Don't Know How the Story Ends, hit store shelves this month, and she's been busy signing copies and ...

By Alysha | Oct 16, 2015

Five years ago I picked up a middle grade fantasy book called The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan and was hooked by the end of ...

By Megan Saben | Oct 12, 2015

Brick Flicks: A comprehensive guide to making your own stop-motion Lego movies by Sarah Herman. Skyhorse Publishing, 2014. 206 pages. Reading Level: Young Adult, Ages ...

By Alysha | Sep 30, 2015

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George. Bloomsbury USA Childrens, 2009. 352 pages Reading Level: Young Adult, ages 12-15 Recommended for: Ages 16-up ...

By Hayley Morell | Sep 18, 2015

This review is brought to us by Ann Rees Berry, who has now finished an internship with Redeemed Reader. Thank you, Ann! Red Rising by ...

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 16, 2015

Since its publication in 2006, 13 Reasons Why has become the go-to novel on the subject of teen suicide, but it’s more sensational than useful. ...

Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

By Hayley Morell | Aug 24, 2015

Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw. Puffin, 1985, 288 pages Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-14 Recommended for: Ages 12-up Bottom Line: Ancient ...

Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 4, 2015

Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead. Wendy Lamb Books, 2015. 304 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12Recommended For: Ages 12-15 Bottom Line: Three best friends attempt ...

Illusionarium by Heather Dixon

By Hayley Morell | Jul 19, 2015

Illusionarium by Heather Dixon. Greenwillow Books, 2015. 368 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Recommended for: Ages 15 and up Bottom Line: A darker steam-punk fantasy, Illusionarium ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 10, 2015

The Chosen Prince by Diane Stanley. Harper, 2015, 357 pages. Reading Level: Young Adult, 12-15 Recommended for: ages 14 and up Bottom Line: A prince ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 30, 2015

The Fog Diver by Joel Ross. Harper, 2015. 323 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-16 Bottom Line: The Fog Diver ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 23, 2015

Hammer of the Huguenots by Douglas Bond. P&R, 2015. 215 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades,ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10 and up Bottom Line: Douglas ...

*Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 19, 2015

*Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot. Tenderly House, 1981 (reprint, orig. 1957). 274 pages. Reading Level: Young adult (ages 12 and up)Recommended For: ages 10 and ...

By Hayley Morell | Jun 16, 2015

Goblins by Philip Reeve. Scholastic Press, 2012. 340 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Recommended for: Ages 12 and up Bottom Line: The Hobbit meets Septimus Heap, with a ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 16, 2015

Fallout (Lois Lane) by Gwenda Bond. Capstone, 2015. 202 pages Reading Level: Young adults, ages 12-15 Recommended for: ages 12 and up Bottom Line: Fallout ...

By Hayley Morell | Jun 2, 2015

Hostage Run (The MindWar Trilogy, Book 2) by Andrew Klavan. Thomas Nelson, 2015. 352 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Recommended for: Ages 12 and up Bottom Line: In ...

By Janie Cheaney | May 26, 2015

The Cottage in the Woods by Katherine Coville. Knopf,2015. 389 pages Reading Level: Young adult,ages 12-15 Recommended for: Ages 12 and up (especially girls) Bottom ...

By Janie Cheaney | May 19, 2015

Our favorite graduation gift is, of course, books—whether timely, practical, inspirational, or scholarly. We would never recommend sending a young person off to college (or ...

By Janie Cheaney | May 12, 2015

*Finding Truth: Five Principles for Unmasking Atheism, Secularism, and Other God Substitutes by Nancy Pearcey. David C. Cook, 2015. 383 pages Reading Level: Young Adult, ...

By Janie Cheaney | May 8, 2015

Masterminds by Gordon Korman. Balzer & Bray, 2015, 336 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 12-15 Bottom Line: Masterminds raises some ...

By Janie Cheaney | May 5, 2015

*Red Butterfly by A. L. Sonnischen. Simon & Shuster, 2015, 392 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 12-15 Bottom line: In ...

By Janie Cheaney | May 2, 2015

You have a Brain: a Teen’s Guide to THINK BIG by Ben Carson,M. D. (with Gregg and Deborah Lewis). Zondervan, 2015. 281 pages Reading Level: ...

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 10, 2015

Audacity by Melanie Crowder. Philomel, 2015. 389 pages, including historical notes. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Recommended for: Young Adults, ages 15-18 Bottom Line: ...

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 7, 2015

10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know by Kari Kampakis. Thomas Nelson, 2014. 197 pages. Reading Level: 12-15 Recommended for: 15-18 Bottom Line: Blogger Kari Kampakis ...

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 7, 2015

Big Book of Quizzes: Fun, Quirky Questions for You and Your Friends (Faithgirlz!) Zonderkidz, 2014. 127 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages: ...

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 31, 2015

God Girl Bible ESV and God Guy Bible ESV edited by Michael and Hayley DiMarco. Crossway, 2014 (latest edition). 1488 pages. Reading Level: ages 12-14 ...

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 30, 2015

The Story, NIV: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People (Also available in NKJV). Zondervan, 2011. 513 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ...

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 Hayley Morell | Mar 21, 2015

Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman. Random House, 2015. 610 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 15-18 Bottom Line: Seraphina, a half-dragon, half-human ityasaari, is desperately trying to rally ...

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 ...

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 10, 2015

The Distance Between Lost and Found by Kathryn Holmes. HarperTeen, 2015. 306 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Recommended for: ages 15-18 Bottom Line: ...

By Hayley Morell | Mar 6, 2015

An Uncertain Choice by Jody Hedlund. Zondervan, 2015. 249 pages. Reading Level: Young Adult, ages 15 – 18 Maturity Level: 6 (ages 15 – 18) and up Bottom Line: A ...

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 24, 2015

*Pioneer Girl: the Annotated Autobiography by Laura Ingalls Wilder (edited by Pamela Smith Hill). University of South Dakota Press, sale 2014. 400 pages. Reading Level: ...

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 13, 2015

Running Lean by Diana Sharples. Zondervan/Blink, 2013. 400 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 15-18 Recommended For: ages 16 and up Bottom Line: Running Lean ...

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 10, 2015

The Sherwood Ring by Elizabeth Pope. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2001. 272 pages Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Maturity Level: 5 (ages 12-14) and up ...

The Four Loves by C. S. Lewis: an Introduction

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 6, 2015

This thing called “love”—what is it? Something we long for, feel vague stirrings about, idolize, draw inspiration from, and abuse left and right. It’s unpredictable, ...

By Hayley Morell | Feb 6, 2015

Fairest by Marissa Meyer. Feiwel and Friends, 2015. 220 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 15-18 Maturity Level: 6 (ages 15-18) and up Bottom Line: In an originally unplanned prequel, readers are given ...

*Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 5, 2015

This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from our Winter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! *Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 29, 2015

Keeping Your Cool: A Teen’s Survival Guide by Lou Priolo. P&R, capsule 2014 (new edition). 251 pages, unhealthy including appendices. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages ...

By emily | Jan 27, 2015

*Rise: Get Up and Live in God's Great Story by Trip Lee. Thomas Nelson, 2014. 240 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 and up Maturity ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 15, 2015

First Date (Dating Games #1) by Melody Carlson. Revell, 2013. 212 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Maturity Level: 6 (ages 15-18) Bottom Line: ...

By Hayley Morell | Jan 9, 2015

Avalon by Mindee Arnett, Balzer + Bray, 2014. 415 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, (ages 12-14) and up Maturity Level: 6 (ages 15-18) and up Readers meet ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 8, 2015

Egg and Spoon by Gregory Maguire. Candlewick, 2014. 496 pages. Reading Level: Young Adult, ages 12-14 Maturity Level: 5 (ages 12-15) and up Bottom Line: ...

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 6, 2015

The Accidental Highwayman by Ben Tripp. Tor, 2014. 295 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Maturity Level: 5 (ages 12-14) and up Bottom Line: ...

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 2, 2014

Threatened by Eliot Schrefer. Scholastic, 2014. 278 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 15-18 Maturity Level: 6 (ages 15-18) One-line Summary: Threatened, one of this year’s ...

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 28, 2014

If You’re Reading This, by Trent Reedy. Scholastic, 2014. 296 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Maturity Level: 6 (ages 15-18) One-line Summary: If ...

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 20, 2014

The Dawning of Indestructible Joy: Daily Readings for Advent by John Piper. Crossway, 2014,96 pages Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Maturity Level: 6 (ages ...

Every Valley by Albert L. Blackwell

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 20, 2014

Every Valley: Advent with the Scriptures of Handel's Messiah by Albert L. Blackwell. Westminster John Knox Press, 2014. 160 pages. Reading Level: Adults (16 and up)Recommended ...

*MindWar: A Novel (The MindWar Trilogy, Book 1) by Andrew Klavan

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 18, 2014

MindWar: A Novel (The MindWar Trilogy, Book 1) by Andrew Klavan. Thomas Nelson, 2014. 336 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12 and upRecommended for: Ages ...

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 11, 2014

The Paladin Prophesy: Book 1 by Mark Frost. Random House, 2012. 560 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Maturity Level: 6 (ages 15-18) One-line Summary: ...

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