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*Through the Wardrobe by Lina Maslo.
This C.S. Lewis biography, accessible to 5-year-olds, includes fascinating details for Narnia fans of all ages *Through the Wardrobe: How C. S. Lewis Created Narnia by Lina Maslo. Balzer + Bray (HarperCollins), 2020, 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 4-8 Recommended for: ages 5-10 The second son born to Albert and Florence Lewis decided at the age of 4 that he would be called “Jack,” not Clive Staples. Besides strong opinions, he had a lively imagination and loved making up imaginary worlds with his older brother. In his pleasantly cluttered Belfast home, one piece of furniture that loomed large was the double-doored wardrobe that had been carved by the…
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Together By Christmas by Karen Swan
Best Friends Together By Christmas by Karen Swan is a powerful contemporary novel about friends, fear and relationships. Good friends are hard to come by. Some are far closer than family. There are some loyal friendships within the novel. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. A close bond between war correspondents has broken down […]
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Little Bird by Cynthia Voigt
Little Bird, a young crow, embarks on a quest that will expand her world and reward her curious mind. Little Bird by Cynthia Voigt, Illustrated by Lynn Rae Perkins. Greenvillow, 2020, 319 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 5-10 as a read-aloud; 8-10 independently Little Bird has one job: to protect the fledglings of her home nest. But sometimes threats come from more than one direction. The day of the hawk, the cats, and the fisher brought the loss of one baby crow. But even worse, the theft of Our Luck: the bright, shiny string woven into the nest as long as Little Bird could recall.…
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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…
