Since I have a stack of picture books by my desk waiting to find good homes, I thought this was a good time of year to offer them as giveaways. Each one would make a special gift to a young reader in your life, to a library, or to a school. SALAMANDER SONG by Ginny… Continue reading Book Giveaways on Music and Voice: Enrich Young Readers’ Lives
INTRODUCTION My writing “to-do” writing list includes a graphic novel, Nightmare in Nuremberg, based on an event in my German family’s history. So, when Rosi Hollinbeck offered Risk, Resilience, and Redemption on her blog, I grabbed the chance to win it. Written by a friend of the author, Frank W. Baker, is the story of how Bluma… Continue reading Exploring Risk, Resilience, and Redemption in Holocaust Literature
INTRODUCTION Hiking the Appalachian Trail is a bucket list item for many hikers. The Trail, by Meika Hashimoto, details one boy’s mission to conquer the Trail and accept the coming of age pains that he encounters as he matures. REVIEW Tony and his friend Lucas make a summer bucket list. The last item on the list… Continue reading Kate Lundeen Gives a Thumbs-Up to A Middle Grade Adventure: The Trail
INTRODUCTION It's been a few months since we've heard from blogger and young writer, Journey Bloomfield. Here she is with her thoughts on Havelah Mclat's YA fantasy, Dust and Crown. REVIEW I used to read a lot of fairy stories when I was a child, and this was such a nostalgic read for me. The… Continue reading Dust and Crown: Journey Bloomfield Gives this YA/Upper MG Novel a Thumbs-Up!
INTRODUCTION Carolyn Fraiser is not new to my blog; her last book I featured was Moon Tree. Carolyn has an exceptional talent of making what might appear to be ordinary, something quite spectacular! Her newest picture book is not just any ol' alphabet book. And it's not just a nod to farmers and to a… Continue reading M is for Mason Jar: A Picture Book Review and Giveaway
Version 1.0.0 INTRODUCTION Monarch Press proudly presents a new out-of-this world science fiction adventure called So, My Mom’s from Outer Space. As a mom of all boys, author Tennille Marie’s novel has middle school boy written all over it! The star of the story is a relatable young man on the cusp of the teen years… Continue reading So, My Mom’s from Outer Space–A Sparkling Review from Guest Blogger, Katie Lundeen
SUMMARY The Peach Thief, by Linda Joan Smith, is historical fiction about a young orphan girl named Scilla who lived in the woods. She would steal food to survive. One day Scilla climbed the Earl’s kitchen garden wall to steal a peach, and was caught by Mr. Layton, the head gardener. She was mistaken for… Continue reading The Peach Thief: A Middle Grade Book Gets a Thumbs Up from A New Guest Reviewer
How do you tackle something as complicated as gravity in a picture book? Author Henry Herz (author of I am Smoke) and Illustrator Mercè López did just that in another impressive picture book published by Sleeping Bear Press. Because it tackles an advanced scientific concept, I recommend this book for middle-grade classrooms as well as… Continue reading I AM GRAVITY- How’s That For An Intriguing Picture Book Title? A STEM Review and Giveaway
In an effort to organize my writing space, I've resolved to post reviews on books that I read months ago but have put off reviewing. That's often because it's difficult to write a review that's worthy of the book. From the Publisher Barbara Abbott was eighteen when her father threatened to kill her if she… Continue reading A Head of Cabbage: A Poignant Memoir and A Mini-Interview
INTRODUCTION The King of Montréal by Daniela I. Norris, is a young adult historical adventure featuring Louis-Charles, the lost prince of France in the year 1800. REVIEW I have to admit, I had decidedly mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, there was a lot to like. However, it also had some problems,… Continue reading Exploring ‘The King of Montréal’: A Mixed Review