This middle-grade novel presents the triumphs and tribulations of Olivia Martin, a student beginning sixth grade in rural Spring Hope. She lives on a farm with her parents and older brother, Link. They all work hard to make ends meet.
Olivia’s best friends are a classmate named Isabelle, her cat, Sam, and her Palomino pony, Star. Olivia is saving up to buy a halter for Star because she hopes to enter him in The Spring Daze Festival next May. She will need to work hard to earn the money. Her plan is to create and sell beaded bracelets.
When Candace moves from New York City to Spring Hope, Olivia’s world is turned upside down. Candace is mean, bullying, and a gossip who tries to thwart Olivia at every turn. Olivia confides her problems to Sam by writing them down in her journal. Isabella proves to be a compassionate and wise friend who steadfastly stands behind her.
A series of unexpected events lead to successes and failures for Olivia, as well as the other characters in this touching tale. There are twists and turns that keep the plot interesting. Readers will empathize with Olivia’s trials and admire her tenacity and strength. The characters are so believable and relatable. The story brought me along a roller coaster of emotions. At times, I laughed, at other points in the story, I wanted to cry.
I applaud the authors for creating a deeply engaging plot and characters that will surely resonate with middle-grade readers. Highly recommended!
I received an advanced review copy of this book and voluntarily chose to read and review it with my honest opinions for no compensation.
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Fernando Invents Socks, A Gripping Story, About the Perils of Ocean Trash!
Written and lllustrated by Brad Pohl
An adorable rhyming picture book for elementary school eco conscious readers! The author employs clever rhymes, onomatopoeia, and alliteration to create this fun read-aloud.
The plot is original and creative. Fernando, a penguin, has a guest visiting him. Judith, a brown chicken is walking with Fernando along the Arctic shore when they both become entangled with yellow string around their feet. Fearful of becoming bait for sea lions, Fernando thinks quickly. He plucks two of Judith’s largest feathers.
What does he do with them and how does his discovery lead to an ingenious invention? Read this beautifully illustrated picture book to find out.
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Will is spending the Christmas holidays in Scotland at his grandparents house. His three best friends, Joe, Amy, and Sarah have joined him.
The foursome venture out to check out the scene of a recent accident in which a tree fell on a vehicle narrowly missing killing the driver. They are distracted when their dog follows another dog. Of course, they need to investigate the urgency. When they come upon a man dressed as Santa Claus in the snow, the mystery deepens. It’s Christmas Eve and the snow is falling. How will the children be able to rescue the injured driver and solve the mystery?
This thirty page short story is a page turned. Although it is written for middle-grade audiences, I could not put the book down. American readers should note that this book is written in British English, but it is an easy read.
I highly recommend adding it to your holiday reading list.
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Publisher’s Synopsis: Wildly funny and inventive, this interactive book pulls you, the reader, into the action. Yes, YOU!
You wake up in the fictional land of Astorya, where stories from our world come to life. You’re a real human being (we assume), and in this fictional world, that makes you a superhero. Armed with your trusty pencil, you have the power to create: what you write, draw, or scribble in the book becomes part of the story!
Only you can rescue Prince S. from the evil Queen Rulette. Aided by the Couriers–a French stoat with dangerous dance moves, a giant dung beetle, a fire ninja, a Pegasus-centaur-cowgirl and a super-intelligent femalien chameleon—you must write, draw, and puzzle your way through a hilarious adventure and prove that the pencil is mightier than the sword.
When the authors tell the reader that this book is like no other in the first sentence, they are not exaggerating. This interactive book places the reader in the driver’s seat; the only requirements are a pencil and an active imagination.
You, as the reader, become the protagonist. You wake up on a beach with no memory of who you are. Next, you find a piece of paper with a message from Prince S., pleading to be rescued. Then you discover a pencil in your pocket.
In this strange world pizzas fly around the sky, trees talk, and you meet a tiny rodent called a stoat named Manteau who speaks French. You find out that you are in the land of Astorya, where everything is a story. The stoat tells you that you must travel to rescue the prince. Along the way to the Fuschia Purple Palace where he is held captive, you will be chased by Rubots, Ninjas, bandits, meet pirates, and work your way through the land of Doodles.
You will be required to use that pencil to write your story. Readers are encouraged to fill in the blanks of scripts written inside this book. As a bonus, young readers can expand their vocabulary and creative writing skills. Andrews helps you to visualize the imaginary characters through his black and white illustrations.
I promise you an exciting journey with lots of twists and turns and a surprise ending. Attention readers ages eight though twelve, buckle your seat belts and sign up for the journey.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Alana Harrison and Drew Callander have spent their lives telling stories and cracking jokes. Alana graduated from The College of William and Mary with a degree in Comedic Writing and Performance. Drew graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Fiction Writing. Together they have created cartoons and short films with Jon Stewart, Conan O’Brien, John Oliver, and Kristen Schaal. Their work as writers and improv comedians has aired on Sirius XM Radio, NBC, and Comedy Central. Mightier Than the Sword is their first book series. They live with their two kids and one exquisitely talented cat (none of whom help with the dishes).
ABOUT THE IllUSTRATOR
Ryan Andrews lives in the Japanese countryside, with his wife, two kids, and their dog, Lucky. A friendly Kodama or two have been known to take up residence in the giant acorn tree that shades the house. Ryan often works at his drawing desk in the early-morning hours, to the sound of rummaging wild boar and badgers, who come from the surrounding forest seeking out shiitake mushrooms and fallen chestnuts.
What a delightful holiday edition to the Ninja series!
In this book, the Ninja’s send their holiday wishes to Santa. Following the format of the Holiday Song, one wish is added for each of the twelve days of Christmas. This children’s wish list includes a vacation to the beach, pet wishes, toy wishes, and favorite foods.
Readers can read or sing along while they interactively count the objects in this picture book to checkup whether the author is correct. A fun book for older and younger siblings to share or for a classroom read aloud to celebrate the upcoming holidays.
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You can accomplish by kindness what you cannot by force.” – Publilius Syrus
You may have heard the saying “nice guys finish last.” People often believe that being kind means you are weak and can be easily taken advantage of.
We are taught that behind every smile there is an ulterior motive.
We are suspicious and skeptical of others who are kind to us.
Kindness does not equal weakness. On the contrary, it takes a great amount of strength to be kind to someone who thinks differently than you or is slowing you down in some way.
People who perform regular acts of kindness are often more successful, have more social friends and are well liked than those who don’t.
How kindness helps you succeed:
Kindness increases confidence. Studies show that kindness increases your self-worth.
People remember you when you are kind and willing to help others. It sets you apart from others.
Kindness creates a ripple effect. One person being kind in some way spreads to others, who in turn spread kindness. Kindness is contagious, fostering in more kindness.
Kindness evokes a sense of trust. In fact, studies show that even before establishing their own credibility, leaders who are kind and project warmth are more effective than those who lead by being tough.
Kindness helps increase employee performance. Being kind to others makes them happier which in turn makes them more productive.
Kindness bridges gaps between people. It can reach across barriers in language, gender, locality, religion and anything else that causes people to miscommunicate.
Kindness is the secret to a successful and fulfilling life. Always be kind because your actions have a bigger impact than you realize not only on you but others as well.
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Publisher’s Synopsis: Need a killer monologue for an audition? Discover a wealth of fresh options in this detailed tome.
Sick of the same scripts being done to death? Looking for a soliloquy relevant to teenagers? Seeking material with a positive spin? Full voting member of the National Television Academy and Tonight Show sketch performer Mike Kimmel has been writing, acting, and producing for decades. Now he’s here to share a curated collection of one hundred of the best comedy and drama monologues.
One-Minute Monologues for Teens is the ultimate volume of family-friendly stage material to help you nail that college drama program audition or class assignment. With a range of topics applicable to young actors, these pieces require no costumes or props, and discuss ethical questions perfect for middle- and high-school minds to explore. And with literally dozens of gender-neutral and unique scenes to choose from, you’ll find the right piece to take you from zero to callback in no time at all.
One-Minute Monologues for Teens is the dramatic arts advantage you need in your next live performance. If you like fresh material, optimistic spins, and challenging ideas, you’ll love Mike Kimmel’s definitive resource.
Ages 13+ | Publisher: Ben Rose Creative Arts | ISBN-13: 978-0998151380
Mike Kimmel is a film, television, stage, and commercial actor and acting coach. He is a twenty-plus year member of SAG-AFTRA with extensive experience in both the New York and Los Angeles markets. He has worked with directors Francis Ford Coppola, Robert Townsend, Craig Shapiro, and Christopher Cain among many others. TV credits include Game of Silence, Zoo, Treme, In Plain Sight, Cold Case, Breakout Kings, Memphis Beat, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He was a regular sketch comedy player on The Tonight Show, performing live on stage and in pre-taped segments with Jay Leno for eleven years. Mike has appeared in dozens of theatrical plays on both coasts, including Radio City Music Hall, Equity Library Theater, Stella Adler Theater, and Theater at the Improv. He trained with Michael Shurtleff, William Hickey, Ralph Marrero, Gloria Maddox, Harold Sylvester, Wendy Davis, Amy Hunter, Bob Collier, and Stuart Robinson. He has a B.A. from Brandeis University and an M.A. from California State University.
As an educator, Kimmel has taught at Upper Iowa University, the University of New Orleans, University of Phoenix, and in the Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Burbank, California public school districts. He is a two-time past president of New Orleans Toastmasters, the public speaking organization, and often serves as a speech contest judge. Mike has written and collaborated on numerous scripts for stage and screen. His full-length historical drama on Presidents Lincoln and Garfield was a 2013 semi-finalist in the National Playwrights Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. He is the 2014 recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award from Upper Iowa University. Mike is a full voting member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (the Emmys).
Teens interested in acting or public speaking will find no better resource for audition material. These one hundred one-minute selections provide a plethora of material that is positive and uplifting as wells as modern and applicable to the world of today’s youth.
Topics include teen necessities like cell phones, school relationships and teacher crushes. They give voice to the thoughts on teen minds. At the same time, the subjects develop discipline in study habits and the short length allow for a rapid development of skills connected to deep focus of the topic.
Teens gain the opportunity to choose subjects that permit them to develop their humor and wit. But for those preferring serious topics there is an opportunity to explore tragedy and loss.
Each reader will find plenty of choices to maximize chances of success.
A crocodile living in the swamp sees himself as king of all creatures. He wants to see all creatures cower before him.
One day he decides to swallow the sun to demonstrate that power. The rooster, donkey, goat, and rabbit try to persuade him to change his mind. When the crocodiles baby brother runs out of food, he realizes his mistake. The sun is necessary for all living things to survive.
What lessons does the crocodile learn? Can he repair the damage that he has done?
This is a cute, nicely illustrated rhyming picture book for preschoolers and primary grade readers.
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Danger in Monrovia (FREE MIDDLE GRADE MYSTERY ADVENTURE ACTION BOOK FOR KIDS AGES 7-15 CHILDREN) (Choose Your Own Way 1)
Written by Paul Moxam
This is a middle-grade mystery adventure but adults who were around in the 1950s will really enjoy it.
The author places the reader in the mind of a child growing up in 1950s Great Britain. This child has been invited by two old friends to travel to a country located in eastern Europe, Monrovia. Four other friends will be accompanying you. There is even better news. All of you will be visiting the palace for King Otto’s birthday. The entertainment features one of the best circuses in Europe along with a well-known magician.
Each chapter of this adventure ends with a choice. The reader has the opportunity to do this twenty-two times. Make one choice, then go back, choose the other alternative and read the story again. All of them will take the reader on an exciting journey filled with adventure and interesting characters.
The characters are British so the spelling is British English. That is a minor inconvenience for American readers. I highly recommend the book for middle-grade readers and young adults.
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Check out my award-winning books at http://www.LittleMissHISTORY.com The Tombstone Book captured The Book of the Year Award for children’s nonfiction just today.
Grandma Anna is so excited. Her grandson Joey is finally coming to visit. They spend the day, playing, reading, and eating. Suddenly, Anna realizes that something is missing. Joey has not given her a hug or a kiss.
They spend the rest of their time together searching everywhere for the missing hug and kiss. Are they hiding in the house, in the garden, at the beach or up in the clouds? Finally Joey realizes where they might be. Can you guess the answer?
The second part of the book is my favorite part. Joey and Grandma play a game. They present the reader with real life situations and talk about the feeling one would experience in each. For example, how does one feel when another child takes your ball and won’t return it? Hurt, of course. The author discusses a range of feelings, both positive and negative.
I recommend this book for preschoolers through primary grades. A good choice for parents, teachers and counselors as a platform to discuss emotions.
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November 29, 2020
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