Books to Inspire, Thrill and Engage Children
This is the first World War II novel I've read focused on the Russians. The Night Witches were women pilots who flew thousands of dangerous missions against the Germans. Author Kathryn Lasky is a good writer (Her Guardians of Ga'Hoole series are a favorite.) 13-year-old Valya is caught in the battle of Stalingrad - her... Continue Reading →
Clearie’s dad is in the Navy, which means she’s moved around a lot. Now, she’s moving again - this time without her dad. He has to go overseas to occupied Japan. So Clearie is going to Alaska to live with her mother’s people. Alaska! What is in Alaska? Clearie barely remembers her mother. She’s never... Continue Reading →
With all the change in my life right now (I wrote this review several years ago), I find myself gravitating towards books that feel like familiar friends. I remember listening to The Birthday Ball by Lois Lowry years ago with my children and enjoying it. I find it ironic I listened to it again so... Continue Reading →
The last companion novel to Savvy. I think they get better. Again, a different narrator helped immensely in enjoying author Ingrid Law's writing and the abundance of alliterations. If I were more clever, I'd write this review in rhyme - I think Law would appreciate that. 😊 Another fun story with crazy characters. I think... Continue Reading →
Author Ingrid Law continues to share her love of alliteration in Scumble, the first companion novel to Savvy. I will say a different narrator made all the difference in my enjoyment of her writing. I wasn't as distracted by the tumble of words and was able to enjoy the characters and their outlandish predicaments. A... Continue Reading →
I loved Holly Goldberg Sloan's Counting by 7's so I immediately picked up her newest book. (Yes, I published this on my socials several years ago.) Julia is still mourning the loss of her dog, Ramon, and focused on growing taller - because she is small (she does not use 'short'). Her mom forces her... Continue Reading →
While Savvy by Ingrid Law was a fun story, it contained a plethora of alliterative adjectives. The audiobook narrator was rather bland, but I listened all the way through, so she wasn't horrid. I did like the characters. I just glanced at some of the reviews on GoodReads - and like me, there are many... Continue Reading →
The Poet’s Dog is another beautiful tale from the author of Sarah, Plain and Tall, Patricia MacLachlan. Nickel and Flora are stranded in a blizzard when Teddy finds them. He takes them back to the cabin he shared with Sylvan, before he left. Teddy and the children get to know each other and begin to... Continue Reading →
Esperanza is treated like a princess in Mexico. Then her life changes forever and she escapes to America. There she has to learn to do everything - laundry, sweep, change diapers. Her fellow workers laugh at her - but Esperanza learns to rise above her circumstances and find hope. Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan... Continue Reading →
Kestra Dallisor has been exiled to the Lava Fields for three years when suddenly, she’s heading back home to her father, Sir Henry. As Kestra wonders how that happened, her carriage is attacked and she is kidnapped by rebels. They want her to find the Olden Blade, the only weapon that is able to kill... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 