by Carolyn | Book Lists, Chapter Books, Character Training, Cultural Diversity, Early Readers, Education, Historical Fiction, Juvenile Fiction, Middle-grade, Newbery, Parenting, Read Alouds
This isn’t what I had planned on posting this month. But my heart has been heavy reading responses from friends on both sides of the aisle to the recent presidential election. There is fear of racism and persecution (and now actual occurrences of such). There...
by Carolyn | Giveaway, Middle-grade, Picture Books
I’m celebrating my two-year blogiverary! That’s right, I’ve been writing a book related post nearly ever week for two years! That’s over 100 posts! And I’m celebrating with some news and not one giveaway, but TWO! News and Changes And I’ve got some other...
by Carolyn | Boys, Character Training, Juvenile Fiction, Middle School, Middle-grade, Movies, Older Elementary
I just finished Wonder by RJ Palacio. Maybe I should say, I just finished sobbing through the ending of Wonder. My kids know it’s not the tragic things that make me cry. It’s the sentimental ones. And this book certainly knows how to tug on your...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Audiobooks, Character Training, Fantasy, Imagination, Juvenile Fiction, Middle School, Middle-grade, Recommendations
Circus Mirandus, by debut author Cassie Beasley, is a book about a boy, his dying grandfather, and a magic circus. But that’s just the surface. This book, in my opinion, is really about faith. Like most good books, Circus Mirandus can be enjoyed on multiple...
by Carolyn | Book Lists, Education, Juvenile Fiction, Middle-grade, Mystery, Older Elementary
A few weeks ago, I posted a list of Picture Books About School. But I haven’t forgotten your older kids. If your elementary to early middle schoolers are trying to get back in the swing classes and studying, maybe a few books with a school setting would help....
by Carolyn | Adventure, Animal books, Audiobooks, Character Training, Fantasy, Imagination, Juvenile Fiction, Middle-grade, Older Elementary, Read Alouds, Recommendations
I just finished reading an advance copy of Ember Falls by S.D. Smith, and it is magnificent! Ember Falls, the sequel to The Green Ember, is full of twists and turns, intrigue, and action. Heather and Picket have grown into confident, mature characters, but all their...
by Carolyn | Audiobooks, Boys, Chapter Books, For fun, Middle-grade, Older Elementary, Read Alouds
Sometimes, you just need something that will make you laugh. In this crazy world, there are so many things we can stress about. And there are certainly times for serious subjects but don’t miss out on the healing power of sharing funny stories, like Sideways...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Character Training, Fantasy, For fun, Imagination, Juvenile Fiction, Middle School, Middle-grade, Mystery, Older Elementary, Read Alouds, Recommendations, Scary Stories
I have three words for you: Mysterious Benedict Society. If I made a list of my top ten read-alouds, this would be on it. We listened to the audio book recently, and although we’d read the book to my older kids before, it was fun to see my six-year-old...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Cultural Diversity, Fantasy, For fun, Girls, Imagination, Juvenile Fiction, Middle School, Middle-grade
I love the way Anne Ursu weaves fantasy and real life together in her coming of age story, Breadcrumbs. Friendship, feelings of exclusion, adoption, and issues with parents are all primary themes in this retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Snow...
by Carolyn | Boys, Discussion Guide, For fun, Juvenile Fiction, Middle-grade, Older Elementary
So, I tend to be a bit of a word-nerd. I was an English major, took multiple linguistics classes (for fun), and can’t wait to hear the latest Grammar Girl podcast every week. Needless to say, I love the word-related concepts Andrew Clements so cleverly...
