Books to Inspire, Thrill and Engage Children
Harry Crewe had to leave everything she knew when her father died. She said farewell to the green, rolling hills of her home to move to the desert, a charity case of a friend of her brother’s. There, she’s caught up in the political drama playing out between the Homelanders and the magical Free Hillfolk... Continue Reading →
Karson and Korie King live in a small town - and have big aspirations. Karson plans to be a soldier, and Korie a lady. Unknown to them, their lives are interwoven with that of Talon, the son of the exiled prince. Elites, The island of Darkness by Kira M. Dewey is the first in a... Continue Reading →
I have picked up Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce several times in the library - and then put it down again. I wasn’t sure I would be interested. But when I heard Batty mention it as one of her favorite books while rellistening to The Penderwicks in Spring, I immediately picked up the audiobook. I... Continue Reading →
Nic wasn't always a slave in the mines of the Roman Empire. He remembers when his mother sold him and his sister to the wicked overseer, Sal. He determines to escape one day, and gives himself a freedman's name, Nic Calva, to prove to himself he won't be a slave forever. One day he finds... Continue Reading →
Julie Berry authored one of my favorite books, The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place. So when I saw she had written these titles on Audible, I added them to my library. Wishes and Wellingtons and Crime and Carpetbags follow the adventures of Maeve and her friend Alice, boarding school roommates. Maeve is always in trouble,... Continue Reading →
Rick Riordan’s latest foray into the world of mythology encompasses the Norse gods. In fact, The Sword of Summer is similar to his Percy Jackson series in that Magnus Chase is a demigod - the son of a Norse god and a human. The difference is that Magnus is homeless. He’s living on the streets... Continue Reading →
Note: I wrote this review about six years ago, and am just publishing it now. I have to admit, my youngest (11yo) has been finding the best audiobooks at our library. And fortunately, he is willing to share with me. His latest find is The Island of Dr. Libris, by Chris Crabenstein, performed by Kirby... Continue Reading →
I admit. I am very late to this party. But people are still talking about Harry Potter, still love Harry Potter, and I know many people who haven’t yet read Harry Potter. I have finished book one, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and I have to say I was expecting much worse. As I’ve... Continue Reading →
Mira has learned to do things she never thought she would do. But she will do nearly anything it takes to keep her mother and sister Hannah fed and safe - if there is such a thing - in the Warsaw Ghetto in 1942. As she struggles to survive and provide, she’s comforted by her... Continue Reading →
This short book by John Reynolds Gardiner must have been a reader for my children when we were homeschooling, because I don’t ever remember reading it before this morning. Little Willy is concerned for his grandfather, who suddenly took to his bed and quit talking and laughing with Willy. Doc Smith says nothing is wrong... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 