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The Polish Girl by Malka Adler
Powerful The Polish Girl by Malka Adler is a compelling historical novel that is rooted in fact. The story is written in the first person as we follow the life of a young girl. The tale alternates between ‘now’ and looking backwards to World War II. The reader witnesses the courage and strength needed to […]
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*Psalm Twenty-Three and *The Lord’s Prayer, both illustrated by Tim Ladwig
Tim Ladwig illustrates two well-known Biblical texts, using Black families in urban settings in these picture books. *Psalm Twenty-Three, illustrated by Tim Ladwig. Eerdmans, 1997. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture books Recommended For: All ages The text of this book is Psalm 23, but Ladwig juxtaposes it against an urban Black child’s daily life. The contrasts are striking and make this psalm relevant to those of us who aren’t shepherds. Indeed, the Lord is with us in the valley of the shadow of death, even if that valley looks like a dangerous street with thugs. The Lord uses His people to guide one another, and places children in families for…
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*When Daddy Prays by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Tim Ladwig
When Daddy Prays shows a child’s view of his pastor father, praying during all of life. Beautifully illustrated. *When Daddy Prays by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Tim Ladwig. Eerdmans, 2002. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture books Recommended For: Ages 4-8 “When Daddy prays/ my fear of darkness disappears/ and angels tiptoe down the hall.” Daddy prays about all of life in this lovely, lyrical picture book. For mercy during fears at night, tense school bus stops, and feverish heads. Giving thanks for food and sunshine and health. Each prayer and vignette is its own poem through a child’s viewpoint, save the first poem which is the Daddy’s prayer. Tim…
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The Silver Gate by L. M. Parry
Enchanting The Silver Gate by L M Parry is an enchanting contemporary fairytale adventure for ages eight years and over. I am considerably older but I really enjoyed it. This is an old-fashioned fairytale with traditional elements as we witness the fight between good and the powers of darkness. There are magical spells, fairies, talking […]
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The Mad Adventures Of Freya Waggytail by Helly Eaton
Absolutely Delightful The Mad Adventures Of Freya Waggytail by Helly Eaton is the most delightful children’s book about the adventures of a rescue dog. It will make you smile. The book is just perfect to read to young children or for more confident readers to read themselves. This book will warm your heart whilst simultaneously […]
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Journey To The Kingdom Of No Return by Leslie R Henderson
Enchanting, Engaging And Entertaining Journey To The Kingdom Of No Return by Leslie R Henderson is an exciting children’s book, just perfect for ages ten years and over. It is the second book in the Shelf Life series but can be read as a stand-alone. I would recommend reading book one first for maximum enjoyment […]
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Girl, Forgotten by Karin Slaughter
Complex And Well Executed Girl, Forgotten by Karin Slaughter is a contemporary crime suspense that drew me in from the start. It is told in two time periods – present day and 1981. The action heats up as the roots of present day crimes lie firmly in the past. A group of friends from 1981 […]
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Each of Us a Universe by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo
Two girls with big problems draw resilience from each other and the “Magic” of the Universe. Each of Us a Universe by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo with Ndengo Gladys Mwilelo. Farrar Strauss Giroux, 2022, 294 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-15 A Universe of Trouble Calliope (Cal) Scott has one thing to cling to these days: the “magic” of Mount Meteorite, named for the space rock that supposedly crashed there 50 years earlier. The spire atop the mountain has only been climbed once, by two climbers who were never seen again. Or that’s the story, which Cal now longs to verify for herself. She could use…
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The Dragon and the Stone (Dreamkeeper Saga #1) by Kathryn Butler
The Dreamkeeper Saga weaves Christian themes, Arthurian legend, and reliable fantasy tropes into a promising series for middle-graders. The Dragon and the Stone (Dreamkeeper Saga #1) by Kathryn Butler. Crossway, 301 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 8-14 What if dreams came true? Lily McKinley’s life has taken a turn for the worse, with her father missing and presumed dead, her grandmother losing memories, and her mother forced to work night shift at the hospital. It’s all too much, but when a dragon (granted, a small dragon) appears in their kitchen, slurping up chili on the stove, it’s beyond comprehension. Fortunately, the dragon (who introduces himself…
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*The Sower by Scott James
The Sower employs biblical allegories of seeds and planting to recap the story of the Bible and its effect on human history—and on us. *The Sower by Scott James, illustrated by Stephen Crotts. Crossway, 2022, 34 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, 8-10 Recommended for: ages 6-up In his Foreword, Andrew Peterson recalls his early love of the natural world and how God must love it too: “because he’s like a gardener who delights in our delight.” Just as the gardener’s work only ends when the garden does, so God’s creative work continues, from the very beginning right down to the present day and beyond. Here’s the beginning: Once there was…
