Posts by Betsy Farquhar
Tully’s Christmas Mess by Jill and Paul Miller
Tully’s big Christmas mess is just one more reminder of the mess Jesus came to fix at the very first Christmas.
Read MoreThe Birds of Christmas by Olivia Armstrong
The Birds of Christmas want to honor the birth of Jesus in their own special way in this sweet folktale.
Read MoreYour Worth Never Wavers by Laura Wifler
Your Worth Never Wavers seeks to reassure young girls of their intrinsic worth as God’s handiwork.
Read MoreAdi of Boutanga by Alain Serge Dzotap
Adi of Boutanga is a gentle story about a harsh reality for young women in Cameroon (and elsewhere in the world).
Read MoreMoonleapers by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Maisie is excited to get her first phone, but when she starts getting weird messages and hears about Moonleapers, she starts to wonder what is going on….
Read MoreBooks About Weather and Natural Disasters: A Redeemed Reader Booklist
Books about weather and natural disasters, and their related sub-topics like hurricanes, tornadoes, and giant floods, are hot picks for the elementary school crowd. Just ask any school librarian! This list just barely scratches the surface; we stuck with what we’ve reviewed, so all titles are linked to Redeemed Reader book reviews. Books About Weather…
Read MoreGracias Thanks, by Pat Mora and illustrated by John Parra
Gracias Thanks is a cheerful, childlike celebration of giving thanks in all circumstances.
Read More*The Song of the Stone Tiger by Glenn McCarty
Magical woods, fairy stories, music, and sacrificial friendship offer Thomas and a stone tiger hope as they walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
Read MoreThe Outsider: Ruth: A Retelling by Katy Morgan
What was it like to be the outsider in Bethlehem? Katy Morgan explores the story of Ruth in this biblical fiction for middle grades.
Read MoreBeyond the Far Horizon (Restorationists #3) by Carolyn Leiloglou
The Restorationists are back, and this time Ravi is constantly seeking what lies beyond the far horizon.
Read MoreThe World in your Lunch Box by Claire Eamer
Those foods you think are so ordinary have interesting origins. This is the world in your lunch box….
Read MoreThe Bizarre Bazaar: Mirror Town by Daniel Nayeri
Abel makes a desperate gamble for love, but when he falls into Mirror Town, he gets more than he bargained on.
Read More*The Teacher of Nomad Land by Daniel Nayeri
Balak valiantly takes up his father’s mantle to be the teacher of nomad land; along the way, he himself is taught much.
Read MoreFreedom Soup by Tami Charles
How do you celebrate New Year’s? Haitians celebrate by making freedom soup!
Read MoreI’m Very Busy: A (Nearly Forgotten) Birthday Book by Oliver Jeffers
Friends would never forget your birthday, would they? Even if they were very busy?
Read More*Bright Red Fruit by Safia Elhillo
A beautifully-told cautionary tale about the allure of bright red fruit even when signs of danger lurk alongside.
Read More*The Golden Necklace by Mitali Perkins
Sona is determined to find out who stole her friend’s golden necklace in order to clear her brother of suspicion in this new mystery series set in India.
Read MoreFly Like a Bird by Olga Ptashnik
A little chickadee wonders how to fly like a bird in this well-illustrated picture book from Spain.
Read MoreConsider the Birds by Jennifer Grant
This gentle picture book invites young children to consider the birds … and then consider how much God cares for his people, too.
Read MoreAn American Immigrant by Johanna Rojas Vann
In An American Immigrant, twenty-five year old Melanie makes a pilgrimage to Colombia and discovers more about both herself and her mother, who came to American from Colombia when she was a young woman.
Read More*Wonderfully, Marvelously Brown by Xochitl Dixon
So much of God’s creation is wonderfully, marvelously brown, including people!
Read MoreWhat Color Is God’s Love? by Xochitl Dixon
God created this world to be full of color. Have you ever wondered what color is God’s love?
Read More*A Big Change Happened by Darby Strickland
A big change happened for Wallace, the whale, and his mama. It’s scary, but God is with them.
Read More*The Sword: Magnus and the Mystery of Romans by Marty Machowski
Dive into the book of Romans with your kids using The Sword: Magnus and the Mystery of Romans.
Read More*The Heart of Adventure (Mistmantle Chronicles)
The Mistmantle Chronicles is an action-packed and beautifully written series of five books that follow the adventures of Urchin, a young and brave red squirrel with an unknown past . . . and a cool sword.
Read More*The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson
Clover isn’t supposed to play on the other side of the fence, but what about climbing to the top to meet a new friend?
Read MoreLet Creation Rejoice by Jonathan A. Moo and Robert S. White
Engage with environmental concerns from a biblical perspective in Let Creation Rejoice.
Read More*The Redeemed Reader Book by the RR Team
The Redeemed Reader book offers insight into how to build discernment in children and provides practical tips, examples, and booklists for their literary journey.
Read MoreIf Jesus Came to my School by April Graney
What if Jesus came to my school? What would be different?
Read More*Reading Between the Lines by Gene Edward Veith, Jr.
Don’t understand literature? Reading Between the Lines is an excellent crash course in a Christian—and scholarly—understanding of literature.
Read MoreThe Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease
The Read-Aloud Handbook has been a gold standard in books about children’s books for decades; we recommend older editions of this book.
Read MoreBooks Children Love by Elizabeth Wilson
Books Children Love is an outstanding resource: essentially a giant annotated booklist of great books for children.
Read MorePicture This: How Pictures Work by Molly Bang
When you read a picture book, do you know how the pictures work? Can you “picture this”?
Read MoreThe Giver by Lois Lowry
The Giver examines deep and foundational questions through a dystopian framework.
Read More*The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
In The King of Attolia, Gen must bring all his grit, cleverness, and convictions to bear as he works to earn the right to be king.
Read More*Thick as Thieves by Megan Whalen Turner
Kamet and Costis, two characters from earlier in the Queen’s Thief series, take center stage in Thick as Thieves.
Read More*The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
The Queen of Attolia is both diabolical and lovely; Eugenides loves her despite the choices she must make on behalf of her crown.
Read More*A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner
Sophos, newly king of Sounis, takes center stage in Conspiracy of Kings, the fourth Queen’s Thief book.
Read MoreFriends in Strange Places by Nell Branum
Sixth grader Riley Abercrombie is on a mission to get her Grandma Suzie a perfect pooch in Friends in Strange Places.
Read MoreKeep ‘Em Flying by Nell Branum
Can sixth grader Riley Abercrombie win a contest AND solve a mystery in Keep ‘Em Flying?
Read More*Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman
Joyful Noise is just what the title indicates: a joyful noise in delightful poetry form. Bonus: it’s all about bugs.
Read More*The Watcher: Inspired by Psalm 121 by Nikki Grimes
Two children learn much about the Watcher who watches over them in this poignant picture book.
Read MoreBlended by Sharon Draper
Isabella is blended: half-white, half-black. Soon, she’s going to be in a blended family, too. How do you find your identity when you’re all mixed up?
Read MoreOne Crazy Summer: The Graphic Novel by Rita Williams-Garcia
This graphic novel version of One Crazy Summer adds terrific visual impact to a thought-provoking story.
Read MoreThe Minor Rescue by Meredith Davis
Noah Minor is back in The Minor Rescue, this time on a quest to save twenty-six middle schoolers who were captured by his Uncle Saul.
Read MoreSky of Seven Colors by Rachelle Nelson
Sky of Seven Colors imagines a world that finds power in color, demands everything from its heroine, and offers a bit of true love.
Read More*Faith Builder Catechism by Kevin Hippolyte, Jared Kennedy, and Trey Kullman
Level up your family devotions with Faith Builder Catechism, a family devotional well-suited to today’s readers.
Read MoreThe War of the Maps (The Vanished Kingdom #3) by Jonathan Auxier
The War of Maps is a thought-provoking, entertaining, and wildly fantastic conclusion to the Peter Nimble stories (or, is it?).
Read MoreA Crane Among Wolves by June Hur
Iseul is determined to rescue her sister from the predatory ruler of 1506 (Joseon) Korea in this edgy historical fiction thriller.
Read MoreMockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games Series)
Mockingjay, book 3 of The Hunger Games series, brings a dubious conclusion to Katniss’s battle with the Capitol.
Read MoreCatching Fire by Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games Series)
In Catching Fire, book 2 of The Hunger Games series, Katniss and Peeta find themselves in another Hunger Games.
Read MoreSunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games Series)
Sunrise on the Reaping is an intriguing, if violent, prequel to the thought-provoking Hunger Games series.
Read MoreJoseph and the Very Strange Dreams by Tim Thornborough
In this vibrant retelling of the story of Joseph for young children, emphasis is placed on how God worked in Joseph’s life through “very strange” dreams.
Read MoreJesus Moments: Jonah by Alison Mitchell
Jesus Moments: Jonah doesn’t just introduce the story of Jonah to kids, it helps them see how the story also points to Jesus.
Read MoreGod’s Little Oceanographer by Tina Cho
God’s Little Oceanographer invites children to wonder at both God’s magnificent creation and at the Creator Himself.
Read MoreAnimals of the National Parks by Fifty-Nine Parks
Animals of the National Parks is a fun themed alphabet book for National Park lovers.
Read More*Magic in a Drop of Water by Julie Winterbottom
Magic in a Drop of Water is a beautifully-illustrated, engagingly-written picture book biography of a pioneering woman ecologist.
Read More*Wind Watchers by Micha Archer
Wind Watchers celebrates the beauty of the Wind using beautiful illustrations and a gentle text.
Read MoreThe Boy Who Invented the Popsicle by Anne Renaud
The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle is a fun picture book biography to enjoy alongside everyone’s favorite frozen treat (bonus: it includes science activities!).
Read More*The Crayon Man by Natascha Biebow
The Crayon Man boldly and boisterously tells the story of how Crayola crayons were invented.
Read MoreChronicles of Wonder: The Story-Formed Life of C. S. Lewis by Leah Boden
Chronicles of Wonder introduces kids to the life and work of C. S. Lewis in this volume of the Tales of Boldness and Faith Series.
Read MoreThe Angel Orphan: Charlotte Mason Finds Her Way Home by Leah Boden
The Angel Orphan introduces kids to the life and work of Charlotte Mason in this volume of the Tales of Boldness and Faith Series.
Read MoreBooks And Movies: A Redeemed Reader Booklist
We readers have lots of opinions about movies based off books. But let’s flip the script: What about books that are about movies? The books below all have film or the movies as a central part of the plot. These books celebrate the art of film-making, or examine movie culture, or something similar. We’ll also…
Read MoreCity Spies Series by James Ponti
Fun and engaging, the middle grades-level City Spies series is like Mission Impossible with teenagers.
Read MoreThe Island of Stars by Carrie Brownell
The Island of Stars is a interesting story for readers who want a new spin on old-fashioned adventure tales.
Read MoreAmari and the Despicable Wonders by B. B. Alston
Will finding, and wielding, the Despicable Wonders help Amari save her world?
Read MoreAmari and the Great Game by B. B. Alston
Amari is back and playing the most dangerous game she’s played in her eventful young life!
Read MoreEcho Nova by Clint Hall
Echo Nova mixes time travel, illegal rooftop racing, and a greedy corporation into a fun science-fiction thriller for teens.
Read More*Pippa and the Singing Tree by Kristyn Getty and illustrated by P. J. Lynch
Pippa and the Singing Tree lyrically celebrates the joy of Creation’s song and invites us to join in.
Read More*52 Weeks in the Word: Student Edition by Trillia J. Newbell
52 Weeks in the Word thoughtfully guides students through reading the New Testament in a year.
Read More*Otto and the Story Tree by Vivien Mildenberger
Otto and the Story Tree is a winsome reminder of the importance and power of stories, both for the hearer and the teller.
Read More*Eric’s Greatest Race by Tim Challies
Eric’s Greatest Race is a lively graphic novel-style biography of a man who followed Christ to the Olympics and to China.
Read MoreLunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham
Lunar New Year Love Story is a terrific example of a graphic novel for mature teens: artistic, layered, and storied.
Read MoreLola by Karla Arenas Valenti
Lola is a sensitive exploration of loss with striking visual imagery and an unusual plot.
Read MoreThe Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace Lin
The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon blends folklore, contemporary fantasy, and painting into a lovely work of art.
Read More*Embergold by Rachelle Nelson
Embergold is a thought-provoking fantasy for teens that includes true love, sacrifice, and dragons.
Read MoreMiss Prim Goes Wild by Katy Rose
Miss Prim Goes Wild is a delightful picture book that celebrates the awakening both of spring and of a person’s heart.
Read MoreGladiola Garden by Effie Lee Newsome
Reprinted from the original, Gladiola Garden is a sweet poetry anthology featuring black children in its illustrations (and written by a black woman).
Read MoreMy First 123 Book of Bible Numbers by Jonathan Gibson
My First 123 Book of Bible Numbers colorfully mixes learning to count with learning important Bible stories.
Read MoreThe Wheelies Series by Sarah Reju
The Wheelies series features Coop, the youngest member of his automotive family, learning how to clean up, help out, and serve others.
Read MoreAngels on Your Side by Marty Machowski
Angels on Your Side is a fun book, but it’s also a book with a great reminder of God’s care for his people.
Read More100 Great Poems for Boys, edited by Leslie Pockell
100 Great Poems for Boys offers a solid variety of 100 great poems, from the heroic to the humorous, for boys of all ages.
Read MoreThe Tale of Peter Rabbit: A Sponsored Review
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. F. Warne & Co., 1902. This charming story of Peter Rabbit opens with, “Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were—Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter. Aren’t those adorable names? The Tale of Peter Rabbit is a classic tale with good reason. The…
Read MoreBirdlore by Jess Keating
Birdlore is a vibrant picture book biography of Florence Merriam Bailey, bird-watcher extraordinaire.
Read More*Glory, Too: Poems by Nikki Grimes
Glory, Too: Poems by Nikki Grimes is a beautiful anthology of poetry inspired by Scripture.
Read More*Glory in the Margins: Sunday Poems by Nikki Grimes
Glory in the Margins: Sunday Poems is a striking, and deeply spiritual, collection of poetry worth savoring.
Read More*Painting Wonder by Katie Wray Schon
Painting Wonder, an outstanding example of a picture book biography, is a sure winner for all Narnia and Tolkien fans.
Read MoreThat Book Woman by Heather Henson
Part story of Appalachia, part story of the original Pack Horse Librarians, all story about finding a love of reading, That Book Woman is a feel good story in the best possible sense.
Read MoreBirds of a Feather: Bird Books for Kids
A short list of favorite books about birds and bird-watching.
Read MoreA Wonderful Surprise by Sally Michael
A Wonderful Surprise looks at Easter through the lens of one short scripture passage which children are encouraged to memorize.
Read MoreTrouble Dog by Carol A. Foote
Trouble Dog is a fun nonfiction read to look for at your local library. Young dog owners will especially enjoy!
Read MoreCounting Winter by Nancy White Carlstrom
Counting Winter is a clever picture book that manages to mix counting, nature study, and poetry into one irresistible wintry package.
Read MoreThe Most Beautiful Winter by Cristina Sitja Rubio
The Most Beautiful Winter celebrates new friends, creativity, and seasonal delights.
Read More*Beyond Mulberry Glen by Millie Florence
Beyond Mulberry Glen is a deeply satisfying, enjoyable fantasy that would make a great family read aloud.
Read MoreThe Legend of Greyhallow by Summer Rachel Short
The Legend of Greyhallow is a fun, inventive fantasy, perfect for an entertaining, recreational read.
Read MoreBack Porch Book Chat: Kirsten Turner, the 21st c. Packhorse Librarian
An interview with Kirsten Turner, founder of one of the 21st century Packhorse Librarian movements helping the Appalachias
Read MoreThe Prince of Yorsha Doon by Andrew Peterson
The Prince of Yorsha Doon is a fun adventurous romp in the form of a picture book for fans of The Wingfeather Saga.
Read More*Soul School by Amber O’Neal Johnston
Soul School is a well-researched, thoughtful, and joyful exploration of Black literature for children and teens. Highly recommended.
Read More*Go Forth and Tell by Breanna J. McDaniel
Lively and inspirational, Go Forth and Tell shows a woman who took her calling as a storyteller seriously.
Read MoreCoretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King by Coretta Scott King
Coretta herself tells the story of her life with Martin Luther King, Jr., in this beautifully illustrated picture book biography.
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