Books

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Oliver Twist is notable for Dickens's unromantic portrayal of criminals and their sordid lives, as well as exposing the cruel treatment of the many orphans in London in the mid–nineteenth century.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A sensible, easy-to-follow, and enjoyable way to help your child gain the essential skills of reading. Everything you need is here—no paste, no scissors, no flash cards, no complicated directions—just you and your child learning together.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Torben Kulhmann's stunningly illustrated, nearly wordless tale offers a fascinating window into an imaginary, yet hauntingly familiar world under our feet, where a mole suddenly recognizes the precarious balance between progress and preservation

FROM SARAH:

A lovely first taste of Heidi. My second daughter fell in love with Heidi by reading an abridged version, before deciding she had to have the whole thing for herself. More on reading abridged versions of the classics is in RAR #183: Should we Avoid Abridged Versions of Classics?

FROM SARAH:

A lovely abridged selection of Jane Austen stories. More on reading abridged versions of the classics is in RAR #183: Should we Avoid Abridged Versions of Classics?

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This beautifully illustrated collection contains all of Jane Austen's novels retold for young readers, including Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park, with notes on the characters and quotations from the original text. With links to websites to find out more about Jane Austen's life and times.

FROM SARAH:

A lovely first taste of the work of Charles Dickens. More on reading abridged versions of the classics is in RAR #183: Should we Avoid Abridged Versions of Classics?

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A comprehensive and remarkable collection of retellings of all the major novels and some novellas too! Complete list of stories: The Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist, Nicholas Nickleby, The Old Curiosity Shop, Barnaby Rudge, A Christmas Carol, Martin Chuzzlewit, Dombey and Son, David Copperfield, Bleak House, Hard Times, Little Dorrit, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, and Our Mutual Friend.

FROM SARAH:

A beautiful celebration of the life, illustrated by one of my favorite artists. Highly recommended. (This makes a sweet baby shower gift, or gift for new siblings!)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In its mother's womb, a baby grows, explores the waters, and talks with the angel who is there. The gentle illustrations tell the story of that baby and angel, delighting young children because the journey from conception to birth is their story, too.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ferdinand is the world's most peaceful--and--beloved little bull. While all of the other bulls snort, leap, and butt their heads, Ferdinand is content to just sit and smell the flowers under his favorite cork tree.

FROM SARAH:

I listened to this one on audio (Audible | LibroFM) and immediately had my 9yo listen next. She finished the book in a day and a half! Barbara O'Connor is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. Her writing is just fabulous and makes me want to be a better writer, myself.

Best for ages 7-14.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Mavis Jeeter is fearless and bold, but she has never lived in one place long enough to have a real best friend. Her flighty mother has uprooted them again to another new home and taken a job as a housekeeper for the Tully family. Mavis wants this home to be permanent--which means finding herself a best friend.

Rose Tully is a worrier who feels like she doesn't quite fit in with the other girls in her neighborhood. Her closest friend is Mr. Duffy, but he hasn't been himself since his dog died. Rose may have to break a few of her mother's many rules to help Mr. Duffy--and find someone who really understands her.

Henry has run away from home, but he craves kindness and comfort--and doesn't know where to look for them.

When Mavis and Rose hatch a scheme to find Mr. Duffy a new dog, their lives and Henry's intersect--and they all come to find friendship in places they never expected.

FROM SARAH:

Karina Yan Glaser does it again! I think these Vanderbeekers just keep getting better, and this one (#5 in the series) is the best yet. Excellent for a whole family read-aloud.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It's summer on 141st Street, and the Vanderbeekers are looking forward to Papa's surprise fortieth birthday party.

But then Papa must leave town to help his best friend and the Vanderbeeker children are surprised to find their maternal grandparents on their doorstep. Grandma is very critical of everything they do. Meanwhile, they find themselves learning more about their papa's father than ever before, and wishing they could have known him a bit better. Can they learn more about the grandfather they lost and come to appreciate the grandparents they still have while making sure their papa has the best birthday ever?

FROM SARAH:

Laura Martin is (hands-down) my go-to author for any kids age 10-14 who say they don’t like reading. This newest from her is perfect especially for fans of The Edge of Extinction books (I love those!) (and I’m not even a science fiction person!).

I tend to think Laura’s books make better read-alones than read-alouds… only because they are page-turners, and your kids aren’t going to want to stop once they start. But if you have a reluctant reader, try reading aloud the first chapter or two and then “running out of time” so they have to keep reading on their own to see what happens! 😎

Recommended for ages 8+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Berkeley and her best friend, Garth, live on an old cruise ship, scavenging for supplies from the drowned cities left behind on the ocean floor after the sea swallowed up all the land. They think they've seen every kind of aquatic creature, but they never expected to find sea monsters...

After awakening a Hydra, Berkeley and Garth are sent to live on a submarine, where they study and hunt sea monsters. But the Hydra wants revenge on their home ship--and if it succeeds, their families will go down with it.

Berkley, Garth, and their crew must find a way to save the ship. But monsters aren't the only deadly things lurking in the ocean's depths.

FROM SARAH:

 I loved this book. It’s like The Year of Miss Agnes meets Little House on the Prairie.

I’m a big audiobook fan, but I didn’t enjoy the audio version of this one. I thought the narrator made the main character sound a little whiny. And… well… maybe it’s because I’m a mother, but I didn’t need that much whining in my ear 😅. When I switched to reading the book with my eyes, I didn’t think the main character seemed whiny at all. Your mileage may vary.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It's 1934, and times are tough for Trip's family after the mill in their small Wisconsin town closes, leaving her father unemployed. Determined to provide for his family, he moves them all to Alaska to become pioneers as part of President Roosevelt's Palmer Colony project. 

Trip and her family are settling in, except her mom, who balks at the lack of civilization. But Trip feels like she's following in Laura Ingalls Wilder's footsteps, and she hatches a plan to raise enough money for a piano to convince her musical mother that Alaska is a wonderful and cultured home. 

Her sights set on the cash prize at the upcoming Palmer Colony Fair, but can Trip grow the largest pumpkin possible--using all the love, energy, and Farmer Boy expertise she can muster?

FROM SARAH:

The audiobook (narrated by Kenneth Branagh) is really not to be missed! (Audible | LibroFM).

We recommend for ages 14+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Just after midnight, the famous Orient Express is stopped in its tracks by a snowdrift. By morning, the millionaire Samuel Edward Ratchett lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. Without a shred of doubt, one of his fellow passengers is the murderer.

FROM SARAH:

This is first in a series of short lyrical novels from Lesa Cline-Ransome (one of my favorites!) about one boy's experience during the Great Migration. Lesa taught a wonderful WOW: Writers on Writing workshop inside RAR Premium to go with his book. Best for ages 10+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When eleven-year-old Langston's father moves them from their home in Alabama to Chicago's Bronzeville district, it feels like he's giving up everything he loves.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A companion novel to Finding Langston.

Behind every bad boy is a story worth hearing and at least one chance for redemption. It's 1946 and Lymon, uprooted from his life in the Deep South and moved up North, needs that chance.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The final novel in the award-winning Finding Langston trilogy.

Clem can make anybody, even his grumpy older sisters, smile with his jokes. But when his family receives news that his father has died in the infamous Port Chicago disaster, everything begins to fall apart. Clem's mother is forced to work long, tough hours as a maid for a wealthy white family. Soon Clem can barely recognize his home--and himself. Can he live up to his father's legacy?

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In this updated anthology Ethel Pochocki (author of Once Upon a Time Saints books) has selected a mixture for older youth of "soldiers and sailors, kings and queens, doctors, lawyers, beggars, thieves, poets, diplomats, fools and cranks," and she has told their stories in her characteristic lively style.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A new edition of a beloved book on Brother Francis of Assisi by internationally acclaimed illustrator and author of children's books, Tomie dePaola.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The late, beloved children's book writer and illustrator Tomie dePaola, presents his unique, imaginative artwork to bring new life to this beautiful retelling of a well-loved and inspiring Bible story.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A retelling of the Old Testament story of David the shepherd boy whose faith in God helped him overcome the Philistine giant Goliath.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Queen Esther, the wife of King Ahasuerus of Persia, bravely risked her life to prevent the killing of all the Jews in Persia. Colorful, delicate, and inspiring, Tomie dePaola's artwork brings to life his beautiful telling of this unique and important Bible story.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Each year, millions of people from all over the world bathe in the water of a spring in Lourdes, France. They come to pray for physical and spiritual healing and to remember a young girl who was chosen by the Mother of Jesus to draw us closer to her Son.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This is the long-awaited third volume in a trilogy of The Theological Virtues--faith, hope, and love--which began with THE WEIGHT OF A MASS, A Tale of Faith, and TAKE IT TO THE QUEEN, A Tale of Hope.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

On the mountain lives an old monk, working out his salvation in prayer and seclusion. He is just the one to show Nikola the holiness in each moment.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Full-color illustrations and a delightful tale capture the beauty and faith of Saint Clare as she pursues her vocation and embraces the joyful and simple Franciscan spirituality. Ever-appreciative of the little things, Clare's happiness blossoms even more with her wonderful discovery of a tiny kitten.

FROM SARAH:

A listener to the podcast told us that this illustrated version of The Hobbit turned her kids into J.R.R. Tolkien enthusiasts! Wonderful on audio (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A beautiful gift edition of J.R.R. Tolkien's enchanting tale, fully illustrated by Jemima Catlin.

FROM SARAH:

This book is actually dedicated to... me. So I adore it, naturally. ❤️ It's also part of Christmas School 2021 in RAR Premium!

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A very large cat may be the key to saving Christmas in this wryly humorous retelling of the Norwegian fairytale The Cat on the Dovrefjell.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

One plucky clown is determined to turn Christmas around for a village that’s down on its luck in this enchanting tale from Tomie dePaola.

FROM SARAH:

A gorgeously illustrated version of the poem, “In the Bleak Midwinter” by Christina Rossetti with Tomie dePaolo’s unmatched art.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Based on the 1872 Christmas carol “In the Bleak Midwinter” by English poet Christina Rosetti, this stunning, wintry picture book from acclaimed author-illustrator Tomie dePaola will be cherished all through the holiday season.

FROM SARAH:

I didn't know anything about this time in history, but this book came highly recommended to me, so I gave it a try. And boy, did it deliver! I especially loved the audio. For historical fiction readers and teens (I think 14+). Wonderful on audio (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Under the fascist dictatorship of General Francisco Franco, Spain is hiding a dark secret. Meanwhile, tourists and foreign businessmen flood into Spain. Among them is eighteen-year-old Daniel Matheson, who meets Ana, whose family's interweaving obstacles reveal the lingering grasp of the Spanish Civil War.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In the night skies above Paris, an adorable young owl teaches her older brother about the power of imagination—and the unconditional love between siblings.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

With lush illustrations, poems, and accessible scientific information, The Wisdom of Trees by Lita Judge is a fascinating exploration of the hidden communities trees create to strengthen themselves and others.

FROM SARAH: 

My first book for 2022 and wow, what a book! I loved everything about it. For fans of Susan Meissner and Patti Callahan, this WWII story set in a London bookshop will steal your heart. Teens who like historical fiction may enjoy it too. Wonderful on audio (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

August 1939: London prepares for war as Hitler’s forces sweep across Europe. Grace Bennett has always dreamed of moving to the city, but the bunkers and drawn curtains that she finds on her arrival are not what she expected. And she certainly never imagined she’d wind up working at Primrose Hill, a dusty old bookshop nestled in the heart of London.

FROM SARAH:

A lovely new picture book to captivate the hearts and minds of your children with the sweeping story of God’s love. Illustrated by Andrew Peterson’s son, this is one worth adding to your permanent collection.

FROM PUBLISHER: 

Like many great stories, the Bible has multiple thematic threads that run from beginning to end. In this book we will follow the wonderful golden thread of God's presence: his desire and determination to be with his people.

FROM SARAH:

A lovely tribute to poetry and the wisdom of a grandfather. This is slow-paced and sweet, and would make a fantastic introduction to haiku. I loved it.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Where do poems come from? This beautiful picture book about a young aspiring poet and his grandfather shows that the answer lies all around us--if we take the time to look.

FROM SARAH:

A sure way to make you long for the sea! The lovely watercolors in this story make me want to look a little longer than necessary—a trait I look for in picture books. Perfect for summer (or when you’re dreaming of summer).

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

The little blue cottage waits each year for summer to arrive―and with it, the girl. Through sunny days and stormy weather, the cottage and the girl keep each other company and wile away the long days and nights together. Until one year, and then another, the cottage is left waiting and empty season after season.

FROM SARAH: 

Astrid Sheckels is a picture book illustrator to watch! Her classic style won my heart right out of the gate. There’s a lot to look at and love in this sweet story.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Lucy's wish was all it took for Hector Fox and his merry band of woodland friends to set out on an adventure beyond the friendly Green Wood. They had all heard a roumor of an enormous, shadowy stranger living in the Forbidden Marsh. Was it a fairy-tale giant?

FROM SARAH: 

My new favorite graphic novel series. A classic in the making! The second installment in this series releases in 2022 and I already have it pre-ordered. Fans of Ben Hatke, meet Tim Probert. You won’t be disappointed!

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

For fans of Amulet and middle grade readers who love sweeping worlds like Star Wars, the first book of the Lightfall series introduces Bea and Cad, two unlikely friends who get swept up in an epic quest to save their world from falling into eternal darkness.

FROM SARAH:

I think the sequels in the Sarah, Plain and Tall series are even better than the first book! Lyrical, engaging, and full of heart. This whole series is about as good as it gets.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Maine was beautiful, but Anna missed home, and Papa. And as the weeks went by, she began to wonder what would happen if the rains never came. Would she and Caleb and Sarah and Papa ever be a family again?

FROM SARAH: 

I think the sequels in the Sarah, Plain and Tall series are even better than the first book! Lyrical, engaging, and full of heart. This whole series is about as good as it gets.

Recommended for ages 7-14.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

"It's your job now," Anna says as she hands Caleb her journals, asking him to continue writing the family story. But Sarah, Jacob, Anna, Caleb, and their new little sister, Cassie, have already formed a family, and Caleb fears there will be nothing left to write about. That is, before Cassie discovers a mysterious old man in the barn, and everything changes.

FROM SARAH:

I think the sequels in the Sarah, Plain and Tall series are even better than the first book! Lyrical, engaging, and full of heart. This whole series is about as good as it gets. 

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Change is inevitable, even on the prairie. Something new is expected, and Sarah says it will be the perfect gift. Cassie isn't so sure. But just as life changes, people change too. And Cassie learns that unexpected surprises can bring great joy.

FROM SARAH: 

Fans of C.S. Lewis and Susan Meissner, this is the book you’ve been waiting for. A fictionalized biography that will make you pine for Narnia (and wish you studied at Oxford). I loved everything about this book. Wonderful on audio (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

When college student Megs approaches author C. S. Lewis with her younger brother’s request to find out if Narnia is real, he instead takes her on a magical journey through the moments in his life that led to his greatest creation.

FROM SARAH: 

A historical fiction novel set during the hurricanes in Key West in 1935. I knew nothing about this time in history, but couldn’t put this one down. Excellent on audio. (Audible | LibroFM)

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

After the Cuban Revolution of 1933 leaves Mirta Perez’s family in a precarious position, she agrees to an arranged marriage with a notorious American. Following her wedding in Havana, Mirta arrives in the Keys on her honeymoon. While she can’t deny the growing attraction to her new husband, his illicit business interests may threaten not only her relationship, but her life.

FROM SARAH: 

This is the book I recommend most often when I’m asked about troublesome content in classics. This gorgeous memoir of author Mitali Perkins’s reading life made me glad to be a reader, and eager to read even more. This will be a 2022 Mama Book Club selection in RAR Premium. 

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Award-winning children's author Mitali Perkins grew up steeped in stories - escaping into her books on the fire escape of a Flushing apartment building and, later, finding solace in them as she navigated between the cultures of her suburban California school and her Bengali heritage at home.

FROM SARAH:

A paradigm shift in time management. This book had me underlining and saving passages left and right! There’s some weird philosophical stuff woven in here, but if you can take what you like and leave the rest, this one is bound to please anyone who wants to focus on what matters most and live with peace and intention.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Time is our biggest worry: there is too little of it. The acclaimed Guardian writer Oliver Burkeman offers a lively, entertaining philosophical guide to time and time management, setting aside superficial efficiency solutions in favor of reckoning with and finding joy in the finitude of human life.

FROM SARAH: 

Full disclosure: I didn’t know who Jeff Tweedy was before I picked up this book. Ahem. But even though I’m not writing songs, there was a lot of goodness packed into his book for writers in general! I preferred it on audio, but heads-up for swearing. And I wouldn’t recommend it for kids.

FROM THE PUBLISHER 

There are few creative acts more mysterious and magical than writing a song. But what if the goal wasn't so mysterious and was actually achievable for anyone who wants to experience more magic and creativity in their life? That's something that anyone will be inspired to do after reading Jeff Tweedy's How to Write One Song.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

As informative as it is lovely, Homes in the Wild is an adorable nonfiction picture book from author/illustrator Lita Judge that shows that wild creatures―from beavers to bobcats, and sloths to squirrels―aren't so different from us after all.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Although little Penguin has the soul of an eagle, his body wasn’t built to soar. But Penguin has an irrepressible spirit, and he adamantly follows his dreams to flip, flap, fly!

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Acclaimed author-illustrator Lita Judge takes readers on a wonder-filled exploration of a child’s imagination, thoughtfully weaving in a gentle suggestion of how to explore that bountiful inner world and let it help them shine with courage in the real one.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Designed by a book lover for book lovers, My Reading Life is the ideal companion for all your literary adventures.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The Caldecott medal-winning d'Aulaires once again captivate their young audience with this beautifully illustrated introduction to Norse legends, telling stories of Odin the All-father, Thor the Thunder-god and the theft of his hammer, Loki the mischievous god of the Jotun Race, and Ragnarokk, the destiny of the gods.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

An illustrated edition of the enchanting prequel to The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit—the classic fantasy that inspired Peter Jackson’s major motion picture trilogy—in a newly expanded edition.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Written and edited by leading Tolkien experts Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull, The Art of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien showcases the complete artwork created by the author for his story—including related pictures, more than one hundred sketches, drawings, paintings, maps, and plans.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Arthur takes readers on an adventure of faith with this devotional that relates themes from J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit to living the Christian life. Readers will be reminded that God chooses us to be unlikely heroes in the adventure of life.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

How do you knit a pair of mittens? The first step is to get a sheep of course! In this playful story, a girl follows 18 steps to knit mittens--from bringing home a sheep to carding, spinning, and dyeing the wool to knitting the mittens. But along the way, her mischievous sheep creates chaos and wins her heart.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

After playing in the snow, Olivia and Mei are ready for cocoa. There's one marshmallow for Olivia and one marshmallow for Mei. But what will they do with the third marshmallow? How can two friends share three things fairly?

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Sister Fox knows so many secrets: why the chickadee sings in the lilac bush, where the best places are to bark at the moon, and how to see an owl on a winter night. Sister Fox even knows the secret of how to catch poems and stories.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Readers will delight in turning their book sideways and upside down to follow Mel on her journey from downward fall to triumphant flight in this tale of self-confidence and taking a leap of faith.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In a book that is as cheerful and charming as Snail himself, Corey Tabor tells a winning tale of slow but steady Snail, whose determination and kindness bring him the best reward of all: friendship.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Andrea Wang tells a moving autobiographical story of a child of immigrants discovering and connecting with her heritage, illustrated by award winning author and artist Jason Chin, working in an entirely new style, inspired by Chinese painting techniques. An author's note in the back shares Andrea's childhood experience with her parents.