Books to Inspire, Thrill and Engage Children
On the eve of World War II, Genevieve impulsively decides to stay in the Alsace region of France with her grandmother. And she doesn't even like her grandmother. Her aunt always says she doesn't think before she acts. Now Gen doesn't know who to trust and must learn how to care for her grandmother, the... Continue Reading →
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 →
Sophie is proud of the hard work she’s done to become the top student in her class. She didn’t used to be a diligent student, but after several moves and several schools, she decided to work hard and make her parents proud. But the day her teacher is to chalk her name on the board... 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 →
Cultivating Readers 