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The Berlin Girl by Mandy Robotham
The Birth Of Pure Evil The Berlin Girl by Mandy Robotham is a thrilling historical novel that will have your heart racing as you read. A blend of fact and fiction, the reader will be equally entertained and horrified. The novel is set in Berlin during 1938 – September 1939 as we follow the fortunes […]
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The Resistance Girl by Jina Bacarr
She Walked Among Them The Resistance Girl by Jina Bacarr is a marvellous dual timeline novel. Present day is linked to Paris from the 1920’s to Nazi occupation during World War II in the form of a dairy and recording. Following her mother’s death, a daughter wants to know the truth of her heritage. Her […]
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The Return of the Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
Megan and I have followed Megan Whalen Turner’s Thief series for years, and we both pre-ordered the final book, The Return of the Thief, months before publication. And we both read it within the week we received it! Readers: this is highly unusual for us at Redeemed Reader. Normally, we “divide and conquer,” rarely reading the same title as each other within such close proximity. Since this book is closing out a series, we thought we’d discuss it Newbery Buzz style instead of offering a more traditional review. Special Note: this review is for fans of the series. We are assuming readers are familiar with the first 5 books. It is impossible to review…
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The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games Series)
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a disappointing prequel to the thought-provoking Hunger Games series. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games pre-quel). Scholastic, 2020. 538 pages. Reading Level: Young Adult, ages 12-15 Recommended For: Young Adult, ages 15+ Coriolanus Snow is born to leadership. Appearing every inch the best that the Capitol can offer, he is charmingly eager to mentor a tribute in the upcoming Hunger Games (the 10th games). Mentoring the winning tribute will secure future glory and a position of power. When Snow is assigned the girl tribute from District #12, however, he begins to despair. If ever there was an unpromising…
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Virgin River by Robyn Carr
New Beginnings Virgin River by Robyn Carr is a contemporary novel about community, grief and new beginnings. It is the first book in the Virgin River series which promises to be heart-warming. The area of Virgin River represents a complete change of life as a character tries to overcome a devastating loss. From big city […]
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The Art Fiasco by Fiona Veitch Smith
Nostalgia At Its Finest The Art Fiasco by Fiona Veitch Smith is a marvellous historical novel and the fifth book in the Poppy Denby Investigates series. It can be read as a stand-alone but I recommend reading all the books in the series, they are fabulous. This Poppy Denby series is nostalgic amateur sleuthing of […]
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Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson
Jacqueline Woodson’s poignant verse novel explores the cost of professional athletics to some families. Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson. Penguin Random House (Nancy Paulsen Books), 2020, 161 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 10-15 Zachariah Johnson Jr. loves football. Not just because his daddy loves it. His daddy plays it, big time: two SuperBowl rings, one of the best tight ends on the field—maybe in history. ZJ has loving parents, a big house with an indoor basketball court, four reliable friends in Darry, Ollie, and Daniel, and a front-row seat to the world’s greatest game every fall. And the Day after the game/ after…
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The Runaways by Ulf Stark
A boy and his crotchety grandfather hatch an elaborate escape plan to enjoy one last day together. The Runaways by Ulf Stark, illustrated by Kitty Crowther. Gecko Press, 2020, 129 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 7-11 Grandpa was difficult. He always had been but now he was worse than ever. He got angry and shouted. He spat out the pills that would make him nice and calm. And he yelled at the nurses. Grandpa and Dad don’t get along because their personalities are polar opposite. But Gottfried Jr. (our narrator) “liked it when Grandpa got angry. It made life more exciting.” An 11-year-old boy may…
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Meet Me In London by Georgia Toffolo
Believe In Me Meet Me In London by Georgia ‘Toff’ Toffolo is a delightful contemporary debut novel that will warm your heart and leave you smiling. The novel has the themes of family, friendship and dreams. We all have dreams. Sometimes we pursue them. Sometimes we have to pursue the dreams of others at the […]
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Brother’s Keeper by Julie Lee
Tense and dramatic, this story of escape from North Korea in the early days of the Korean War is based on actual characters and true events. Brother’s Keeper by Julie Lee. Holiday House, 2020, 295 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 12-15 North Korea, 1950: only five years after the Japanese occupation ended, Koreans above the 38th parallel are feeling the claws of another oppressor. Kim Il Sung, backed by the Soviet Union, is cracking down on Christian churches and western influences. War clouds are gathering also, and when North Korean forces invade the South in June, South Korea fights back with the help and backing…
