African Heroes introduces children to heroes of the faith who are from Africa in this vibrantly illustrated picture book from New Growth Press. *African Heroes: Discovering Our Christian Heritage by Jerome Gay, Jr. and illustrated by John Joven. New Growth Press, 2023. 64 pages. Reading Level: Picture books, ages 8-10 Recommended For: Ages 6-12 Tertulllian loved to stand up for God’s Word. If he ever heard anyone making fun of God, or spreading lies about him, he quickly ran to God’s defense. He didn’t want anyone believing things about God that weren’t true. ~from “Tertullian” in African Heroes Thankfully, biblical picture book creators (and publishers) in recent years have made…

It wasn’t on our Bingo Card, maybe because it was published early last year and we (I) kind of forgot it. But The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers captured this year’s most honored award for children’s literature. A solid choice; we’ve re-posted our review below. The committee chose five honor books this year, and we’ve reviewed or discussed all except two. They are Elf Dog and Owl Head by M.T. Anderson Eagle Drums by Nasugraq Rainey Hopson Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martin Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri In my two Newbery roundups,…

It’s no secret to long-time RR readers that we love Mitali Perkins (*and* her books). We’ve reviewed nearly all of them to date, from picture books to chapter books to middle grade books to young adult books to her book-about-books, Steeped in Stories. BUT, we’ve never discussed one of her books for our Newbery Buzz series before.  One reason is that many of her books are outside the normal Newbery age range (although picture books have won, it’s rare; books for teens and adults are too old). This year, we’re changing that and discussing her latest middle grades offering, Hope in the Valley. To read the rest in our series…

Simon Sort of Says was longlisted for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature. Could it win the Newbery? We’re continuing our long-running Newbery Buzz Discussion series this year with a book that was longlisted for the National Book Award: Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow. To read the rest in our series or previous years’ discussions, check out the Newbery Buzz Page. Simon Sort of Says: Does it Have a Chance? Hayley: To start off, I’m going to give a quick summary of the story. Ask Simon why he and his parents have relocated to a small town in the middle of nowhere, and he has a story…

A 12-year-old works through grief in The Boy, the Cloud, and the Very Tall Tale. The Boy, the Cloud, and the Very Tall Tale by Heather Smith. Orca Books, 2023, 267 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-14 Ewan and Flora’s grandfather has a story about how their father disappeared: “Not a cloud in the sky and then poof! Suddenly there it was hovering outside the window like a giant bed of freshly shorn sheep’s wool.” A cloud, like the kind you could put your hand through, but nonetheless substantial enough for Father to climb aboard and float away. Ewan doubts the story, but he doubts…

This is second of our roundup series of possible Newbery contenders for 2024. See the first roundup here. Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martin. Dial, 2023, 320 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-15 Pedro Martin (pronounced Mar-TEEN, of course) is #7 of nine children.. The oldest five were born in Mexico, making them full Mexi, while the younger four, including Pedro, are American made and half Mexi. Pedro gets picked on by his siblings for being rather round, but “I am a richly layered cake of a human being once you get to know me.” He can also draw, and we’ll get to know…

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…