When I first saw the cover for Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach (author of Masterpiece), I thought, "Oh, a Chasing Vermeer knock-off. I wonder how good it is?" I discovered it's very good. And in my opinion, much better than Chasing Vermeer. (I haven't reviewed Chasing Vermeer because while I like that the book, and... Continue Reading →
Masterpiece
Marvin is a bug - a very unusual bug. He not only enjoys swimming, but he's also become friends with a human boy. His parents are horrified, concerned about Marvin stepping outside their safe little world in the wall behind the Pompaday's sink. But Marvin, through his artwork, finds an unexpected friend in James -... Continue Reading →
Faith, Hope and Ivy June
Ivy June Mosely cannot believe it. Her teacher pulled her name from the coffee can, so she is going to be her school's ambassador to a private school all the way in Lexington! She'll go live with a family in Lexington for two weeks, and attend the school with a girl her own age, name... Continue Reading →
Dark Life
In Dark Life, author Kat Falls introduces her readers to Ty, the first child to be born in Benthic Territory. He helps his parents & his sister on their subsea farm, and explores the rest of the continental shelf - and even parts of the open ocean, even though it's dangerous. Ty is more comfortable... Continue Reading →
Lincoln: A Photobiography
This may be an odd choice as a rockin' kids book, but my kids enjoyed it. All four of them. (Of course, my kids adore museums too, which makes them a tad geeky - but that's just fine with me!) So what book deserves that qualifier? Lincoln: a Photobiography by Russell Freedman. I think my... Continue Reading →
The Bridge to Neverland
Fans of Peter and the Starcatchers rejoice! Authors Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson have teamed up again to write another series about Peter Pan, Neverland, Starcatchers, starstuff, and Lord Ombra. This time, they set the story in modern day America and London, featuring two teens - 17-year-old Sarah and 15-year-old Aidan. This brother and sister... Continue Reading →
The Happy Hocky Family
If you want a good laugh, I highly recommend reading The Happy Hocky Family! by Lane Smith and it's sequel, The Happy Hocky Family Moves to the Country! I laughed so hard when I read them that my children practically ripped them out of my hands to read them for themselves. Admittedly, I had to... Continue Reading →
Patricia Polacco
I discovered Patricia Polacco when writing a book review on books about the Civil War. Polacco wrote a deeply moving picture book about a friendship between two boys in the Civil War, one from Michigan and one a runaway slave, called Pink and Say. (Pink and Say is not for younger children - I'd wait... Continue Reading →
One
I recently received the best gift in the mail. It is a special edition of the books One and Zero by Kathryn Otoshi. I immediately sat down and read both books, and enjoyed them immensely. Then I left the book out for my kids to pick up. My nine-year-old did, read both books and immediately... Continue Reading →
Robert McCloskey
Make Way for Ducklings is Robert McCloskey's most famous children's book. If you've never read it, you and your children will love it. The story is sweet - about a mother duck shepherding her ducklings through Boston to reach a pond. But what really makes Make Way for Ducklings stand out are the beautiful illustrations. ... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 