Books to Inspire, Thrill and Engage Children
The subtitle is what really made me pick up The Inquisitor's Tale by Adam Gidwitz - Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog. Gidwitz tells the story of these children through the recounting from many different people, all gathered at an inn in rural France during the Middle Ages. It's a fascinating tale... Continue Reading →
Samuel lives on the frontier of the colonies - in a small settlement on the edge of the woods. He teaches himself how to hunt, track and live in the woods, feeling its rhythms and life. One day his world is shattered. As he is on a ridge in the woods, he sees smoke rising... Continue Reading →
I was a bit late to the Enola Holmes craze. I first heard of her when Netflix came out with the movie. I read that the movie was based on a book series - and when I saw my absolute, most favorite narrator read the books… I was hooked. The Enola Holmes series starts with... Continue Reading →
Brian is alone. Really alone. He was on his way to visit his dad when the single engine airplane he’s flying in crashes in the Canadian wilderness. All he has is his tattered windbreaker and the hatchet his mom gave him right before he left. And he realizes that the plane was probably very off... Continue Reading →
Jane finds a strange coin on the sidewalk and sticks it in her pocket. She and her siblings are bored stiff that summer - all their friends are away in the country while they’re stuck at home. So she wishes something exciting will happen. And surprisingly, something exciting does happen - her wish is granted!... Continue Reading →
The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had may not be the longest title for a book, but it’s a pretty long one. I almost didn’t pick it up because of it - but I’m glad I did. Dit and Emma are unlikely best friends - especially in America’s rural south in 1917. Dit comes from... Continue Reading →
Moxie knows Grumps wasn’t perfect. But she isn’t going to go blabbing family business to the neighborhood. Then one day, a stranger shows up at the front door, asking for Grumps. And not taking no for an answer. Moxie starts on a quest. Why does this stranger want her Grumps? And what could Grumps remember... Continue Reading →
King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table are popular topics of books and other adaptations. Gerald Morris wrote Sir Lancelot the Great, one part of his The Knights’ Tales series for young readers. This short chapter book is perfect for readers ready for the next step - and wanting adventures and laughter. The... Continue Reading →
Eel is hiding. He’s hiding himself, and a secret. He’s an orphan in London in 1854, and that is not an easy life. He works hard - started as a muckraker in the Thames River. That was not a fun job. Through a series of fortunate events, Eel was able to get a job as... Continue Reading →
I’ve been intending to read The Misadventures of Maude March by Audrey Couloumbis for several years. But every time I picked it up, I had a hard time getting past the first chapter. I finally decided to check out the audiobook and listen to it. That made all the difference in the world! By the... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 