Orange for the Sunsets

Brief overview:

This middle grade novel explores the historical event in 1972 when President Idi Amin announced Indians must leave Uganda in 90 days. The story unpacks how this news impacts two friends on different sides of the edict.

Recommended age range: 4th grade & up

Strengths:

• Provides a kid-friendly angle to this historical event
• Switches between two different POVs (Yesofu and Asha) which allows readers to see this story from an African and Indian perspective
• Well-written to pull reader along in the narrative
• Asha grapples with issues she never thought of before and experiences real growth
• Yesofu's journey is powerful as he balances loyalty to a friend who never fully understood his world, but a desire to remain a part of his community without crossing any lines

Additional Notes:

• As the book progresses, more violence is mentioned. While this is adapted for young readers, it may be worth a parent reading ahead to ensure they're comfortable with various scenes (such as a teacher getting beat up, kids threatened by a soldier with a gun, etc.) 
• References to other violence is mentioned in conversations between kids (such as people killed and thrown into the river).
• Toward the end of the book, there's a scene where Yesofu and his dad go fishing in a boat and catch a dead body by accident. This moment doesn't add much to the storyline and could be skipped.

When Stars Are Scattered

Brief overview:
This graphic novel invites young readers into the world of a Somali boy, Omar, living in a Kenyan refugee camp with his non-speaking younger brother.

Recommended age range: 5th grade & up

Strengths:

• Paints a picture of life as a refugee kid
• Sheds insight into how Omar's Muslim faith influences him
• Dives into hard issues in a kid-focused way
• Based on a true story
• Highlights the importance of doing the best you can with what you're given
• Provides perspective on the gift education truly is
• Demonstrates the ups and downs of community, but also how incredibly powerful and beautiful it can be

Additional Notes:

• I listened to the audiobook and thought it well done.
• I encourage parents to read this together with their kid or listen to the audiobook together to pause as needed or skip parts based upon your kid.
• This graphic novel is divided into parts. The first part provides a good glimpse into the life of a refugee inside a camp. You could stop here for younger readers (and just read or listen to the first chapter in part two to get the cliffhanger answered from part one).
• You could skip the introduction to avoid the mention of his nightmares (which aren't described in detail, but just mentioned) and not miss anything important from the story to keep it lighter for young readers.
• As the graphic novel progresses, Omar gets older. Part one is written when he's around 11. Part two when he's 13 and part three when he's 17. This is important to keep in mind because Omar tackles his struggles from a growing vantage point as he grows.
• Part two delves into the civil war and how that landed Omar and his brother as orphans in a Kenyan refugee camp.
• Omar must share his story with a U.N. worker to be considered for resettlement. While explained in a kid-friendly way and not dwelled on, part of Omar's tragic story is the death of his father from soldiers and the separation from his mother. These are heavy issues and these scenes may be unsettling. Parents should read ahead to determine if this scene should be skipped or read together with their kid.
• Omar's Muslim faith is mentioned throughout the story. It provides a great way for kids to see how some aspects of Islam seem similar to Christianity, but provides a springboard to discuss the nuances between the two in how Omar views God's involvement in his own story.
• Ample chances to discuss different issues raised in this graphic novel. An eye-opening experience for middle grade readers (and parents).
• Omar shares the array of emotions experienced on the road to resettlement in powerful ways and the beauty of community within his refugee camp.

The Story of Martin Luther: The Monk Who Changed the World

Brief overview: 

Learn about the life of Martin Luther and how God used this ordinary monk to get the Bible into the hands of regular people.

Recommended age range: 8-13

Strengths: 

• Story provides depth to the story of Martin Luther for middle grade readers.
• Engaging way to learn about Martin Luther and unpack some lesser known facts about his life.
• Luther is presented as a real person who struggled with fear, but ultimately relied upon the Lord and turned to Scripture.

Additional Notes:

• The book opens with a thunderstorm scene where Martin Luther is worried about dying. If your kid struggles with the concept of death, this can be scary. But encouraging the kid to press on together because Luther learns how to no longer be fearful of death can be a useful tool.
• When learning about the different beliefs of the Catholic Church and Luther's battle with these, I found it useful to mention how those beliefs compare to what is in the Bible. (A good strategy when learning about any different worldview.)
• I was given a free copy of this book from Crossway to provide an honest review.

What's For Dinner?

Brief overview:

A quarterly Christian magazine aimed at helping families find small ways to incorporate faith into their busy days.

Recommended age range: 4-11

Strengths:

• Keeps things simple
• Provides fun ways to extend discipleship as a family  
• Focuses on one theme each issue.

Additional Notes:

• Based on the first issue, this would be ideal for K-3rd grades.
• Variety of games and activities to select from in each issue

2024 Top 5 Middle Grade Books

Each evening I read a chapter or two with each of my kids before bed. Since my kids are in elementary school, we read ample middle grade books (ages 8-12).

As I thought about some of the books we read, I landed on my favorite five books for 2024.

Best Family Ever had great characters with an engaging plot. I appreciated the way the author wove her story around a healthy family.

The Boy Who Met a Whale was an adventure based in Sri Lanka with characters you cared about.

Bob is an incredible character you just love journeying alongside and joining his own growth.

This series is so much fun: Trekking around the world on treasuring find missions with characters you love. Another great story with a healthy family at the center.

The main character makes this book shine and one you can't put down. I love how the kids rally around a refugee boy and extend friendship to him.

Looking forward to another year of more wonderful books to discover together with my kids!

The Girl Who Stole an Elephant

Brief overview: 

Chaya steals from wealthy people to give to those in need, but when she takes it a step too far she sends her friends on a treacherous adventure through the Sri Lankan jungle.

Recommended age range: 8-12

Strengths: 

• Story moves at a quick clip to keep readers engaged.
• Great way to learn about a different culture for young readers.
• Chaya is a compelling, intriguing, and likable character who makes kids want to trek alongside her.
• An entertaining narrative well-suited for fiction and enables middle-grade students to take a wild ride with a spunky character. 
• My 10-year-old son enjoyed reading this together because of how different Chaya and the storyline is from him/his life.

Additional Notes:

• Topics potentially worth unpacking with your child from this book: 
• Chaya steals from the rich to help the poor and this is held up as a good virtue throughout the book. She doesn't change her behavior even when there's no obvious need by the end. 
• Parents don't seem to play any role in being a place of wisdom and support in this story.
• The friends sometimes lie to try to protect others.
• While done in a kid-friendly way, political upheaval becomes key to the second half of the story.  
• I expected the elephant would be more central to the story.
• Author Nizrana Farook has more Sri Lankan-based adventures with different characters if you enjoy this one.

Overall rating: 7 (out of 10)

Indescribable Atlas Adventures

An Explorer's Guide to Geography, Animals, and Cultures Through God's Amazing World 

Brief overview: 

This world atlas invites kids to explore the beautiful world God created and learn about different cultures in creative ways.

Recommended age range: 6-12

Strengths: 

• Gorgeous illustrations make each page pop and appeal to readers.
• Includes kid-friendly facts and language tidbits.
• Weaves faith elements into each country's page.
• A fun way for kids to see the world through a Christian worldview.

Additional Notes:

• Lots and lots of striking world maps!
• A great addition to any home library to foster prayer and interest in the world.

Go Tell Everyone

9 Missionaries Who Shared the Good News 

Brief overview: 

A board book teaching little ones about the Great Commission and how nine missionaries shared the gospel around the globe.

Recommended age range: 0-4

Strengths: 

• Darling illustrations to engage little ones.
• Lays a foundation for why the missionaries went overseas and the different places and ways God used them.
• A playfulness in the storytelling to pull babies and toddlers into the narrative.
• Includes a variety of missionaries, including someone who served in the U.S. and missionaries from other countries.
• Highlights the uniqueness of each missionary and the special ways God used them where they served.

Additional Notes:

• B&H Kids provides a free digital parent connection handout to extend the message beyond the pages of this board book.

Bless the Earth

A Collection of Poetry for Children to Celebrate and Care for Our World

Brief overview: 

A book of poems and prayers about taking care of the earth for kids.

Recommended age range: 3-8

Strengths: 

• Beautiful illustrations to point to God's beauty in creation.
• A variety of styles to engage young ones with poetry.
• Many poets contributed to this collection, including Padma Venkatraman, the author of one of my favorite international kid lit books, The Bridge Home.

Additional Notes:

• I received an early copy of the book to provide an honest review.

Kailani's Gift

Brief overview: 

Watch as Kailani works hard to learn a new skill that's hard for her and celebrate when her commitment to never give up results in the best gift for her grandparents.

Recommended age range: 3-7

Strengths: 

• The author pulls young readers into Kailani's world as she learns a special Filipino dance to celebrate her grandparents' anniversary. 
• The illustrations are gorgeous and guide little ones to track with the tinikling dance. 
• A great book to engage preschoolers with another culture and show the value of perseverance.

Additional Notes:

• Includes a glossary of Tagalong words at the end of the book.

Overall rating: 9 (out of 10)

God's Big Picture Bible Storybook: 140 Connecting Bible Stories of God's Faithful Promises

Brief overview: 

New Testament scholar N.T. Wright walks kids through 140 Bible stories, including portions from the Psalms, Proverbs, Old Testament books like Isaiah and Daniel, and letters from Paul in the New Testament.

Recommended age range: 6-10

Strengths: 

• A good stepping stone for kids toward diving deeper into Scripture and gearing up to read and understand the Bible.
• Includes biblical references to show where each Bible story is pulled from. (And kids can opt to read those Scriptures alongside the written story.)
• Helps kids connect different parts of the Bible to other portions using a visual element and page number to another biblical text in the storybook.
• Brings clarity to biblical history and provides context for kids to track with the biblical narrative in deeper ways.
• Illustrations bring the Bible stories to life in fresh ways.

Additional Notes:

• No discussion or comprehension questions provided. 
• Includes maps at the back.
• I received a free copy of this storybook Bible so I could provide an honest review.

One Perfect Plan: The Bible's Big Story in Tiny Poems

Brief overview: 

Focusing on the word "one," author Nancy Tupper Ling unpacks the storyline of the Bible using poems in this picture book.

Recommended age range: 3-7

Strengths: 

• A creative endeavor to ground little ones in the big picture of the Bible.
• The emphasis on using the word "one" provides a great lens to tell the greatest story.
• The artwork is gorgeous and each illustration pulls readers into the poems.

Additional Notes:

• Includes Bible references to expand on the poems.

Overall rating: 9 (out of 10)

Thunderbird: Book One

Brief overview: 

Noor, an orphan from Palestine, and a djinn cat travels through time to try to save the world. She must collect four feathers from a magical bird before it's too late.

Recommended age range: 11-13

Strengths: 

• Gives readers a glimpse into Palestinian culture
• Provides a protagonist readers connect with and can root for
• Takes readers on an intriguing journey

Additional Notes:

• Translated from Arabic into English 
• Spots of narrative could be tightened to avoid repetition
• The ending is abrupt and not quite satisfying

Overall rating: 7 (out of 10)

Amy Carmichael: The Brown-Eyed Girl Who Learned to Pray

Brief overview: 

This picture book biography of missionary Amy Carmichael connects preschoolers to how God can lead us to love others and trust Him—both where we live and around the globe. 

Recommended age range: 4-7

Strengths: 

• Connects with kids by starting with a prayer from Amy's childhood and following this prayer throughout the book.
• Walks preschoolers through how Amy's love for God grew over the years.
• Shows how Amy cared that heard about Jesus, not be distracted by other things.
• Highlights the value of prayer.
• Lovey illustrations pull kids along in the story.

Additional Notes:

• Includes a world map at the end with the places Amy lived and ministered.
• Provides questions and resources to foster further thoughts about how God was at work in and through Amy.

Overall rating: 9 (out of 10)

What's in a Dumpling, Grandma?

Brief overview: 

Join Grey and Mila as they learn how to make a traditional Vietnamese food, bánh lọc, with their grandma and discover what really goes into a dumpling.

Recommended age range: 4-8

Strengths: 

• Illustrations are fun and engaging for kids.
• Kids walk alongside Grey and Mila as they interact with their grandma and learn the importance behind this family food.
• Displays multigenerational connection in a meaningful story format.

Additional Notes:

• Includes a recipe for fish sauce.

Overall rating: 8 (out of 10)

Around the World: Letters from Children Across the Nations

Around the World: Letters from Children Across the Nations fosters meaningful connection and global prayer in kid-friendly ways.

Brief overview: 

Engage your children with God's heart for the world by reading fictional letters from kids around the world. Your kiddos will learn about the cultural and religious landscape in age-appropriate ways.

With country facts, prayer prompts, and discussion questions about each geographic location, this is a fabulous book to add to your family library. 

Recommended age range: 4-12

Strengths: 

• Beautiful illustrations to pull children into this resource.
• Content is written to draw kids into what it looks like to follow Jesus in another culture from child's perspective.
• Provides overview facts along with a map to help kids get an understanding of that part of the world.
• Includes specific ways kids can pray.
• Invites children to think deeply about that day through discussion questions.

Additional Notes:

• This is a great resource to walk through your kids to foster a heart to pray for the world together.

Overall rating: 9 (out of 10)

Beneath the Swirling Sky

Beneath the Swirling Sky pulls readers into the world of art and the journey of understanding the true reason for our gifts.

Brief overview: 

Vincent and his younger sister are slotted to spend spring break with their great-uncle, an art conservator. But when his cousin also ends up at his uncle's house that same week, Vincent is unexpectedly pulled into a new world revolving around art—the very thing he wants nothing to do with anymore. Vincent must embark on an adventure through art to rescue his sister who somehow disappeared inside a painting.

Recommended age range: 8-12

Strengths: 

• My 9-year-old asked if there's a second book as we neared the end—a sure sign of a good book in our household.
• Appreciated the depth of characters woven throughout the narrative.
• Faith aspect incorporated throughout the book, but in a thoughtful manner.

Additional Notes:

• Opportunities to learn more about various artists, their creations, and techniques provide an interesting educational backdrop to the plot.

Overall rating: 8 (out of 10)

My Two Border Towns

 My Two Border Towns is a delightful picture book that allows young readers to glimpse how home can be found in more than one place and the simple ways we can help others.

Brief overview: 

Each weekend, a boy and his dad drive across the Mexico border to connect with family and friends, grab some much-needed items, and serve those seeking asylum. 

Recommended age range: 4-8

Strengths: 

• Shows the importance of caring and seeing those caught between two countries.
• Allows young readers to see why this little boy views both towns as home.
• Gorgeous watercolor pictures.

Additional Notes:

• An age-appropriate tool for little ones to learn about the challenges of those seeking refuge in a new country.

Overall rating: 9 (out of 10)

Lillian Trasher: The Greatest Wonder in Egypt

Lillian Trasher: The Greatest Wonder in Egypt teaches kids how God cares for and meets the needs of orphans and widows.

Brief overview: 

Lillian Trasher opened an orphanage in Egypt as a single woman, something others told her was impossible. But due to her faith in the Lord's leading, God used her obedience to meet the needs of orphans and widows in powerful ways. 

Recommended age range: 8-12

Strengths: 

• Lillian's story is filled with the importance of trusting God.
• Readers can watch how God prepared Lillian to open an orphanage in Egypt through her obedience to go where God led her and willingness to learn from others.
• Readers are encouraged at the amazing ways God provided for Lillian and her ever growing orphanage over the years.
• Shares a moment of doubt Lillian had later in her ministry and how the Lord used the orphans she faithfully discipled to encourage her to keep trusting God to meet their needs.
• Shows how naturally Lillian weaved teaching the Bible and prayer to widows and orphans into daily life while still meeting real needs and how Lillian modeled a life of faith to thousands of children.
• Lillian's life emphasizes the value of perseverance to do what the Lord asks come what may and how God blesses that obedience.

Additional Notes:

• The radical obedience of Lillian almost feels reckless at times, but God met her every step along the way. 

Overall rating: 8 (out of 10)

Amy Carmichael: Rescuer of Precious Gems

Amy Carmichael: Rescuer of Precious Gems reminds us of the incredible value of ministering to children and how Amy pivoted with the Lord in serving those often overlooked.

Brief overview: 

Amy Carmichael's journey to India was a long path filled with unexpected bumps and detours, but her own physical weaknesses led her to the place God used her most powerfully.

Recommended age range: 8-12

Strengths: 

• Amy's story is filled with reminders of her steadfast devotion to Christ and sharing the gospel no matter what.
• Readers can watch how God gradually prepared Amy in ministry over the years.
• Readers are encouraged to keep trusting God even when the path is difficult.

Additional Notes:

• While the book started out strong and engaging, the last few chapters lack a bit of a punch.

Overall rating: 7 (out of 10)