In a world that inundates us with advice, every parent needs a curated list of trusted advisors and resources. In our home, one of those trusted sources is The Redeemed Reader, a website for Christian parents and educators that offers thoughtful book reviews as well as topical book lists, cultural reflections, and more. I regularly check The Redeemed Reader’s reviews before selecting books for my kids, and I’m always interested in the commentary and insights that come to my inbox via Redeemed Reader’s weekly newsletter. When the folks at Redeemed Reader announced that they were writing a book, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it, and I was thrilled to be welcomed on as an early reader for the book’s launch team. I gladly accepted a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review; that can get a little dicey since y’all KNOW I don’t hold back on my bookish opinions. I needn’t have worried; my already-high expectations were blown out of the water with this gem of a book.
This book was clearly written by a team who knows both their subject and their audience: The Redeemed Reader explores an extensive range of questions, concerns, and topics related to children’s literature, referencing specific books (and thereby building parents’ TBRs!) for every idea and illustration. This is a book by and for Christian readers, and the message permeating each chapter is that God loves stories; that we as humans understand ourselves and the world in light of His great story; and that stories we read can awaken us to truth, wonder, and beauty—if we are looking in the right books!
In Part One, the authors establish a framework upon which the remaining chapters rest. We examine the concepts of Truth and Story and how BOTH factor into the books that we (and our children) read; here, we see that “discerning appreciation of literature, from picture books to lengthy classics, comes from learning to recognize these elements and how they resonate.” I appreciated this balanced approach that takes both morality AND quality storytelling into consideration when seeking out good books for our kids. As we get further into Part One, we look at how to cultivate delight and discernment, which are our two primary goals as we shepherd young imaginations. And we end with an exploration of the ways that literature can help young readers understand the ideas of original sin and divine redemption that are foreign to most Americans.
Part Two of The Redeemed Reader is all about practical application, with deep dives into how to read the Classics (including several pitfalls that can be associated with classic literature, such as misplaced nostalgia or assuming they are “safe” simply because they’re older books [guilty!]) and how to approach contemporary novels (with chapters offering a thoughtful, nuanced approach to hot-button issues such as representation, diversity, and environmentalism). We then get chapters dedicated to readers of all ages, stages, and interests; in these sections, the authors address the questions and concerns that many parents might have as they relate to each genre (particularly those that are harder to navigate, like Middle Grade Humor and YA Romance). Finally, we step back a bit to look at how we as Christians can reflect the light of Christ in our interactions with the bookish community (authors, librarians, etc.), our navigation of books that speak to current events, and even our approach to the curation of our home libraries.
One of my favorite features of The Redeemed Reader is the micro booklists at the end of each chapter, as well as the final extended list of starred reviews that the Redeemed Reader team considers “library builders” in their respective categories. And the best part is that every title referenced in this book has been reviewed on The Redeemed Reader website; in fact, the book guides readers to a landing page with a full list of linked reviews. This list alone is worth the price of the book!
So much of parenting can be overwhelming, and that even includes the parts that we find great delight in, such as books! The Redeemed Reader offers a sense of relief, and it doesn’t just help Christian parents with knowing WHAT to read (though it does do that!); it shows us how to read, how to pick the best books, and how to navigate books that are problematic but not irredeemable. The Redeemed Reader will challenge your thinking, open your eyes to new ways of approaching books, and empower you to be a thoughtful book shepherd for your children (and maybe even yourself). And while I’ve read a number of books about children’s literature, this one stands apart thanks to its distinct Christian worldview, its practical guide to several timely issues, its inclusion of classic AND contemporary titles, and its nuanced approach to complex topics that few other books of this type have addressed. The Redeemed Reader is a resource that deserves a place on the shelf of every Christian parent and educator, and it’s a book I know I will be turning to again and again as I continue navigate the literary landscape alongside my kids.
The Redeemed Reader releases next Tuesday, September 2! You can preorder your copy on Amazon or anywhere else that Christian books are sold.
