2020 … In (the) Books - Shine Global Network

It’s always interesting to look back over the year and reflect. 2020 was an especially eventful year, and we thought it might be fun to see what YOU, our readers, enjoyed most from Redeemed Reader each month. What, in other words, were the most popular posts in 2020?

Looking back, we can see the movement from New Year’s optimism and reflection to obvious February themes (Black History Month, romance, Presidents’ Day) to the start of the pandemic to race relations and more. And some family favorite continue to be popular.

MOST POPULAR FOR 2020 (YTD)

REVIEWS:

The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson, The Ranger’s Apprentice Series by John Flanagan, Ghost by Jason Reynolds, Rebound by Kwame Alexander RESOURCES:

Mystery Book List*, Here Be Dragons: a Mega Sci-Fi and Fantasy List, Annual Reading Challenge (the 2020 version was our most popular for 2020, but since the 2021 one has just launched, the link goes there!), Series Fiction for Tweens and Teens*Did you know that our Mystery Book List is THE most popular list on Redeemed Reader … ever?! Unfortunately, the printable version of this list is temporarily unavailable, but we hope to re-release it again soon.

REFLECTIONS:

So Your Kid is Reading Harry Potter… A Christian Family’s Response, Is The Kite Runner OK for 10th Graders?

REVIEWS:

Beverly Right Here by Kate DiCamillo, Newbery Buzz discussion for Pay Attention, Carter Jones and My Jasper June (our annual Newbery Buzz discussion will kick off soon!)RESOURCES:

2020 Reading Challenge was far and away our most popular resource in January! (Have you downloaded the 2021 Reading Challenge for Kids and Teens yet?) Coming in second was our Black History Month Book List REFLECTIONS:

Looking Back: Popular Posts and Starred Reviews (much like this very post!)

REVIEWS:

Resistance by Jennifer Nielson, Posted by John David AndersonRESOURCES:

Lent Devotionals for Protestants, Black History Month Book List, Giant Presidents’ Day Book List, Love and Laughter List REFLECTIONS:

Books We Loved, Those Literary Couples We Loved, 5 Red Flags to Watch for in YA Christian Romance

REVIEWS:

Resistance by Jennifer Nielson, Ordinary Hazards by Nikki GrimesRESOURCES:

20th Century Book List for Young Teens, Favorite Audiobook Narrators, Picture Book Biographies Round-Up, Favorite Classics for Book LoversREFLECTIONS:

Pandemic Patronage = Brilliant Idea, Books We Loved, A Literary Hospital Mission Field

REVIEWS:

Epic by Tim Challies, The Green Ember by S. D. Smith, Percy Jackson and the Olympians RESOURCES:

20th Century Book List for Young TeensREFLECTIONS:

A Family Easter, Pandemic Patronage = Brilliant Idea, The Guaranteed, Irresistible, Effortless Introduction to Poetry for People Who Doubt They Like It, Stress Reading is a Thing for Kids, Too

REVIEWS:

The Green Ember by S. D. Smith, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Septimus Heap by Angie SageRESOURCES:

Desert Island Summer Reading Book List, (sorry–this list is no longer available, but we’re already planning our 2021 summer offerings!)Hope on the Horizon Summer Reading Program, 20th Century Book List for Young Teens, Summer Fun Book List REFLECTIONS:

I Am NOT a Reader

REVIEWS:

Stamped by Jason Reynolds, The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner, God’s Very Good Idea by Trillia Newbell, A Pocket Full of Murder by R. J. Anderson, Under Our Skin by Benjamin Watson, Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park, The Bootlace Magician by Cassie BeasleyRESOURCES:

Books About Racism for Children and Teens, Books for Dads to Read to Their Kids, Hope on the Horizon Summer Reading, Patriotic Book List for Independence DayREFLECTIONS:

(none ranked as high as the above books and lists!)

REVIEWS:

Rapid Fire: YA Fantasy, American Lives: A Picture Book Round-Up, This is Our Constitution by Khizr Khan RESOURCES:

Homeschool Resources Worth the Money, Love Your Yard: Nature Study Books to Spark Creation Appreciation, Books for Dads to Read to Their Kids, Patriotic Book List for Independence DayREFLECTIONS:

Ordinary Homeschooling: Just Serve Dinner, The Six Risks of Reading Old Books, God Will Provide … Yes, Even the Books

REVIEWS:

Four Good Books for Littles, The Asterix Series American-Style, The Arrow and the Crown by Emma Fox, A Ceiling Made of Eggshells by Gail Carson Levine RESOURCES:

5 Newbery Award Winners Better in Audio, 12 Substitutions for The Kite Runner REFLECTIONS:

Is The Kite Runner OK for 10th Graders?, Not All Stories Are Created Equal, Finding Truth for Toddlers–Why Good Stories Matter, Reviewing School Book Lists, Part 1

REVIEWS:

Dorothy and Jack by Gina Dalfonzo, Adorning the Dark by Andrew Peterson, The View From Saturday (Book Club Edition), The Winter King by Christine Cohen, Fighting Words by Kim Brubaker BradleyRESOURCES:

Membership (!), 5 Newbery Award Winners Better in AudioREFLECTIONS:

5 Ways to Use Redeemed Reader for School, What Flannery O’Connor Can Tell Us About Teaching Literature, Boys and Books (by Gladys Hunt)

REVIEWS:

The Beyonders Trilogy by Brandon Mull, Swift by R. J. Anderson, Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri, Mortal Sight by Sandra Fernandez , Dust by Kara Swanson, Skunk and Badger by Amy TimberlakeRESOURCES:

Family Advent Devotional List, Heroes of WWII: A Book List for Tweens and Teens, Cozy and Clever Books for Teens and AdultsREFLECTIONS:

(none as popular as the reviews/resources listed)

You May Also Like

The Guaranteed, Irresistible, Effortless Introduction to Poetry for People Who Doubt That They Like It

Truth and Story

Newbery Buzz #2: The Door of No Return