Books to Inspire, Thrill and Engage Children
Tamaya and Marshall have been walking to and from Woodridge Academy since elementary school. They have to walk the long way around the thick woods between their houses and the school, since the woods are off limits. But one day, Marshall leads Tamaya into the woods to avoid a bully. While there, Tamaya encounters some... Continue Reading →
Dash Gibson is one of the first people to live on the moon. Cool, right? Dash would be the first to tell you that living on the moon is not the luxurious vacation it's advertised to be. In fact, Dash finds it rather boring. So much so that school is an event to look forward... Continue Reading →
Life at an English boarding school can be so boring. Hazel Wong has discovered that. She's actually rather OK with boring, but her friend Daisy Wells is not. Daisy has been in trouble for reading mystery novels, but that doesn't stop her. Daisy convinces Hazel to start a secret detective agency at school. But they... Continue Reading →
If you love games and strategy, you’ll love Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein. The famous game inventor Mr. Lemoncello has built a brand new library in his home town in Ohio. To celebrate the grand opening, he’s invited twelve 12-year-olds for an all-night lock-in in the library. Kyle Keeley is determined to... Continue Reading →
I know I’m late to the party when it comes to Holes by Louis Sachar. When I pulled the audiobook out of the library stacks, my girls both said, “Oh, that’s a great movie!” I asked if they had read the book, but they hadn’t. I haven’t seen the movie, so I can’t compare the... Continue Reading →
Tabitha feels unloved. In fact, she is unloved. Her parents don’t love her, in spite of her efforts to earn their love. Her best friend in the world is a mouse. One day her world changes because of an envelope. In the envelope is an invitation to visit the country estate of the reclusive Countess... Continue Reading →
When Theodora’s grandfather dies suddenly, she’s left to fend for herself and her mother in the family’s duplex. Her grandfather’s last words to her lead her on an odyssey, looking for a treasure that would keep her and her mother afloat. Along the way, Theodora learns she can trust her instincts, and other people. Mostly.... 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 →
Note: I wrote this review in 2015, and am just now publishing it. Joy abounds! The latest adventure in The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place is here! I have devoured the book. Now I am anxiously awaiting our family vacation so we can devour the audio book. As with the other books in the series,... Continue Reading →
This is one of those books I picked up, and put down, over and over again at the library. The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry - the title both thrilled and scared me. I finally decided to listen to it - how scandalous can a middle grade book be really? Rather scandalous,... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 