Books to Inspire, Thrill and Engage Children
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 →
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 →
“Rebecca Stead is one of my new favorite authors. This is the third book of hers I've listened to this winter / spring. A beautiful story of friendship, learning to fight, learning to forgive, and learning to put a 'pin in it.' All in the midst of an honest, thoughtful, and appropriate treatment of sexting... Continue Reading →
I decided I needed to reread Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne after Masterpiece Theatre on PBS aired a mini-series based on the book. Well - loosely based on the book. The mini-series was fun to watch, but Phileas Fogg is nothing like the character in the book. In the book, Fogg... Continue Reading →
One very special harmonica changes the lives of three hurting children in the 1930’s and 1940’s. Friedrich in Germany is the first to find the harmonica. It brings him hope and courage as he fights for his music, his dream, and his father, under Hitler’s regime. Then Mike in Pennsylvania discovers the harmonica. It gives... Continue Reading →
Jack is a part of a small community of humans who survived a global apocalypse and are currently orbiting the earth as they wait for Earth’s restoration. Supplies are running low and the scientists on board think that Earth can support human life again. Except. Except dragons have moved in. And they’d poisoned the Earth’s... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 