Two weeks from now (January 22), the American Library Association will announce their Youth Media Award winners, including the Newbery and Caldecott. We’ve kept an eye on books that might be possible contenders, though it’s not uncommon when a title pops up on the winner’s list that totally escaped our radar. Here are three that keep appearing on “best of” lists and may well be under consideration. Jawbreaker by Christina Wyman. Square Fish, 2023, 320 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: Ages 10-14 Max Plink’s life is greatly complicated by a condition right out in front of everyone. It’s called class II malocclusion, or severe overbite. To…

Kate DiCamillo’s very first book won a Newbery honor, and she has won two Newbery medals on top of that. Is The Puppets of Spelhorst worthy of another award? She has such a gift of telling stories that move the heart, and The Puppets of Spelhorst is the beginning of a new series that has the feel of many old world traditional tales. For more of our discussions, visit the Newbery Buzz Page. What does The Puppets of Spelhorst remind you of? Janie: It was reminiscent of Andersen, I thought, though not so melancholy. There were moments of danger and moments of regret, but also touches of humor. Each of…

Traditionally, the Newbery Medal has been awarded to many historical fiction novels. That trend has shifted a bit in recent years. Today, we’re looking at a solid historical fiction option, wondering if it has what it takes: Nothing Else But Miracles by Kate Albus. To read the rest in our series or previous years’ discussions, check out the Newbery Buzz Page. Nothing Else But Miracles: A Throwback Betsy: Janie and Hayley, it’s so rare that three of us on the Redeemed Reader team each read the same book within a few weeks of each other! But such is the case with Nothing Else But Miracles by Kate Albus. Janie, since…

Attacked! is an engaging, accessible account of the “day that shall live in infamy,” seen through the eyes of individuals on both sides. Attacked! Pearl Harbor and the Day War Came to America by Marc Fabreau. Little, Brown, 2023, 193 pages plus notes, bibliography, and index. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-15 How did the Japanese know precisely where to target their attack on the United States, and why attack in the first place? How successful was it, and what did they miss? More importantly, what did they misjudge? Author Fabreau delves into that fateful day beginning with a spy. Takeo Yoshikawa played the part of…

Scythe is the first in a gritty dystopian trilogy about a society in which no one can die… unless a scythe gleans him or her. And scythes have a quota to fill…. Scythe (Arc of a Scythe #1) by Neal Shusterman. Simon & Schuster, 2017 (reprint). 464 pages. Reading Level: Teens, ages 15 and up Recommended For: Teens, ages 15 and up (note considerations) Scythes: The Solution for Human Immortality Citra didn’t see the visitor, as he was, at first, hidden from her view by the door when it opened. What she saw was how her mother stood there, suddenly immobile, as if her veins had solidified within her. As…

Who’s Got Mail? is a friendly introduction to the long history of an everyday convenience. Who’s Got Mail? The History of Mail in America by Linda Barrett Osborne. Abrams, 2023, 240 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-15 This chatty history begins with the jaw-dropping fact that several babies and small children were sent through the mail at the turn of the 20th century. It was cheaper than a train ticket! The post office soon put an end to the practice, or else postal facilities would now include waystation nurseries. There are still plenty of interesting facts to share. “Post Office history is America’s history,” for…

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 love! Our guest today is Elizabeth Farquhar, senior in high school, avid writer, and avowed book lover. She chats with us about reading, writing, and more! Books are linked to RR reviews, where applicable. Interview conducted by Betsy (her proud mom). Note: the links to Crazy Writing Week and the Young Writers Workshop are affiliate links. We are excited to partner with the Young Writers Workshop because we have been so impressed with their resources. If you click through the links and sign up, you’ll…

With text that is both simple and detailed, and with beautiful illustrations, Behold the Octopus introduces a fascinating ocean creature. Behold the Octopus! by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez. Peachtree, 2023. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture book, ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-8 An extraordinary invertebrate like the octopus takes effort to visit if you don’t live close to an aquarium, but there is certainly much to admire. Most of the narrative in this book consists of one word such as “hunting,” “building,” “gliding,” etc., accompanied by dramatic double-page spreads, with further explanation is provided on the opposite page. Read it once with the simple descriptions, then slow down…

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 love! Our guest today is Josiah DeGraaf, director of the Young Writers Workshop. He chats with us about reading, running a writing program, publishing trends and more! Books are linked to RR reviews, where applicable. Those of you with young authors at home will be especially interested in this interview. Interview conducted by Betsy. Note: this interview was first published in our November (2023) Redeemed Reader Quarterly. We are re-publishing it here in honor of a very fun (and free) “Crazy Writing Week” that Josiah…