Books to Inspire, Thrill and Engage Children
My 12-year-old told me over and over again, "Mom, you need to read Once Upon a Marigold!" When she checked it out, for the third time, I decided to see what she was so excited about. And I'm glad I did. Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris is a delightful read - a funny,... Continue Reading →
The people were mourning their king, who was dying. They were also fearful of the future, because the king's son & heir, Prince Raphael, was not a pleasant person. As the king lay dying, he blessed his son, saying, "You cannot wear my crown until the day you marry a woman who is your equal... Continue Reading →
Private Voytek of the transport company of the 2nd Polish Corps of the British Army in World War II turned lots of heads, and made many other soldiers scream in fright. Why? He was a bear. Yes, a Syrian brown bear. A few Polish soldiers who had escaped Russia into Iran picked him up somewhere... Continue Reading →
Norway in winter seems insulated against the forces at work on the European mainland in 1940. But then, Nazi paratroopers parachuted into the villages of Norway, and Peter Lundstrom and his friends are called into action. Not to fight the Nazis, but to fool them. Peter and his friends work together with Peter's uncle to... Continue Reading →
For those who enjoy Alexander McCall Smith's The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, he has now written a story for younger readers. The Great Cake Mystery tells readers of Precious Ramotswe's first case as a detective - when she was in elementary school. Her classmates are missing sweets - cake, bread with strawberry jam. Iced... Continue Reading →
In 1939, those European Jewish families who could sent their children to Sweden - a safe haven from the Nazi soldiers. Twelve-year-old Stephie Steiner and her seven-year-old sister Nellie are two of the lucky ones to escape Vienna. At first, they don't feel so lucky. Once in Sweden, they are placed with separate host families. ... Continue Reading →
The Souls - an academic bowl team made up of sixth-graders. Not just any sixth-graders, though. These four sixth-graders are connected in some very unexpected ways - not the least of which is their Saturday afternoon teas at Julian's house. And their teacher is also unique. She's returned to teaching ten years after being paralyzed... Continue Reading →
About a year ago, I was writing an article of book recommendations for families to read aloud together. I asked my friend if she had any ideas of great family books. "Oh yes," she said. "You should write about that book you read last year to your kids. The one about the young driver." "Which... Continue Reading →
In Nazi-occupied Holland, the business of surviving took so much time that many children were left to their own devices. Fifteen-year-old Michiel would rather be in school, but it was too dangerous to cross the river, between the Nazi soldiers looking for strong men and boys to send back to Germany to work in the... Continue Reading →
Three little Swedish sisters with blond hair and blue eyes have many adventures together - in the kitchen, at the neighbor's house, on the farm, and even in town. They dress alike, love to help people and animals. The Flicka, Ricka, Dicka books by Maj Lindman were first published in the United States in the... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 