Books
Christian Books
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2024 Newbery Buzz #4: Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow
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…
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The Boy, the Cloud, and the Very Tall Tale by Heather Smith
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…
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Newbery Roundup 2: Mexikid, The Swifts, and Shira and Esther’s Double-Dream Debut
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…
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Newbery Roundup 1: Jawbreaker, When Sea Becomes Sky, Duel
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…
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2024 Newbery Buzz #3: The Puppets of Spelhorst
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…
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2024 Newbery Buzz #2: Nothing Else But Miracles by Kate Albus
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…
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Attacked! by Marc Favreau
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…
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Scythe (Arc of a Scythe #1) by Neal Shusterman
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…
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Who’s Got Mail? by Linda Barrett Osborne
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…
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Back Porch Book Chat: Elizabeth Farquhar (Teen Writer)
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…