The Order of Time (The Order of Time Series Book 1)

Written by Scott P. Southall

Eleven-year-old twins, Edward and Anastasia could not be more different. They do share an affinity for visiting the Smithsonian. They develop a friendship with a curator, Dr. Gregorian.

While on a visit one day, the twins discover Dr. Greogrian passed out. Little do they know, they will soon be on a time travel adventure to ancient Egypt where they discover Dr. Gregorian is part of a secret society.

The siblings’ unique character differences shine as they thread their way through ancient Egypt and struggle to remove obstacles to survival. At the same time, they need to find a way out of the past to return to the present day. Suddenly, peer and school relationship challenges seem insignificant.

The author does a good job of character development and keeping the plot moving along. This is a compelling read combining history, time travel adventure, and coming-of-age struggles for middle-grade readers.

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How to Sell a Rock: A Fun Kidpreneur Story about Creative Problem Solving

Written by. J.K. McCoy

Illustrated by  Umair Najeeb Khan

Sebastian wants a skateboard, but his father says they don’t have extra money. Does Sebastian give up? No! He decides he will earn the money by selling something. But what? After deciding against his mother’s meatloaf, he comes up with the idea of selling rocks. He is disappointed when none of his neighbors are interested. So he paints them. Still no interest.

Sebastian refuses to give up. A mailman gives him an idea. Will Sebastian get his skateboard? Read about this amazing kidpreneur in this fun picture book. Recommended for readers five through eight.

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BE GOOD TO YOURSELF

It might surprise you to hear that one of the best ways to cultivate a hopeful, optimistic outlook is to practice some radical self-compassion.

Frequently people confuse self-compassion with self-indulgence or even selfishness. But being kind to yourself is just as important as being kind to others, if not more so.

Self-Compassion Makes You More Optimistic

Being kind to yourself means you can stop that vicious cycle of self-blame and recrimination. It prevents you from ruminating on past mistakes and builds your resilience and confidence so you can pick yourself up and get back on track.

When you are kind and encouraging to yourself, your anxiety levels drop, your mood lifts, and you become more optimistic and hopeful about the future.

Cultivate Mindfulness

Perhaps the best way to start your self-compassion practice is to adopt a more mindful attitude to life. Mindfulness focuses on the acceptance of who you are, where you are right now. With all your faults and all your glory. Accept that whatever you’re experiencing and feeling in the present moment is okay.

Mindfulness and self-compassion help you to overcome denial and hesitation in your reality. It allows space for hope to come in.

Accept that Hard Times Are Part of the Deal

Self-compassion accepts that all human lives are a mixture of hard times and good times. Often the bad things that happen are out of your control. All you can do is decide how you’re going to react. Will you be overwhelmed, or will you be angry? Or will you roll with punches, learn from your experiences, and get back on the horse?

In times of fear or illness or natural disasters or any other of life’s stressors, self-compassion allows you to take guilt or blame out of the equation and deal with whatever you’re faced with.

Treat Yourself As You Would A Friend

Take a moment to look at how you’re reacting. What is your self-talk saying to you? Are you reassuring yourself that things will work out okay, or are you beating yourself up for something you did or didn’t do? Would you talk to your best friend like that? How would they feel?

Be as gentle in your self-talk as you would to a loved one who is in crisis. Be loving and kind, and reassuring. Extend the hand of hope to your own heart, and help yourself on the first steps back towards better times.

If you want to create a better world for yourself and others, you need to become an active participant in studying the past to avoid repeating the mistakes others have previously made. Remember, the day you were born you became a character in history. Study the past, avoid its mistakes, learn its lessons, and create a better future for everyone.

“If you don’t know your history, you don’t know what you’re talking about.” http://www.LittleMissHISTORY.com

The Witch’s Cat and the Cooking Catastrophie

Written by Kirstie Watson

Illustrated by Magdalena Sawko

A witch’s cat decides to cook his witch lunch, but things don’t go as he planned. When the orange cat comes across what he thinks is a cookbook, he gets to work on his surprise treat.

Unfortunately, the cat decides to add a few extras. When the witch sits down to her lunch, she receives an unexpected surprise. The cat tries to undo his mistake and only succeeds in making the situation worse.

There are lots of laughs and surprises for elementary school readers in this richly illustrated and fun picture book. A perfect read-aloud for Halloween or any time of the year.

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Spectacular Stories for Creative Kids

Written by Jesse Sullivan

The author has a way with words. Sullivan has succeeded in telling 100 stories about history, science, art, and culture and with wit and charm. Young readers will be intrigued by topics like ghosts, curses, snakes, space, and vampires. Each story reveals an adventure and interesting facts. Black and white illustrations accompany many of the chapters. Young readers unwittingly learn a lot while they are laughing and having a great time reading.

This is a book they will want to share with friends and family. Targeting the middle-grade audience ages nine through fourteen, but any age reader will enjoy and appreciate these gems.

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The Flip: A Haunting on Long Island

Written by Michael Phillip Cash

A fast read with interesting characters and a nice blend of genres. Brad and his wife Julie are house flippers. Julie would love to earn enough money to quit her day job to join her husband, who is a full-time contractor.

What could go wrong when they purchase an old Victorian house named Bedlam in Cold Spring? Plenty. Turns out the original owners, Gerald and Tessa decide to put their ghostly talents to the test by torturing the new owners.

Why were Gerald and Tessa killed? Readers learn about the history and the mystery of the abandoned property as they follow the clues and become absorbed in the lives of its inhabitants, past and present.

Highly recommend this entertaining read for young adult and adult audiences.

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The Secret of the Snallygaster: Washington, DC., USA (Cities of Adventure)

Written by Rishi Piparaiya

This book is part of a series. In this adventure, the author presents a travel guide to Washington D.C, while presenting a family mystery for the protagonists to solve.

Tara is an insatiable reader, while her younger brother is more interested in sports. They are on a family trip to the US capitol, when they uncover a family mystery. As they wind themselves through the historical monuments and museums of the city, they follow the clues to solve the mystery contained in the yellow envelope they find in Arlington Cemetery.

Readers learn about the museums of the Smithsonian, the National Zoo, the White House and the National Mall as they follow clues. There are a lot of bonus features like a short American history summary, a description of American versus British English, interesting facts about the US, and some of its famous people.

The book is perfect for middle-grade readers who shy away from nonfiction. It is an easy read with short chapters for reluctant readers. Recommended to teachers and parents looking for a good children’s travel guide or American history introduction.

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Maximus the Platypus Finds His Family

Written by Andi Cann

Illustrated by Eduardo Paj

This is a charming, cute, picture book about a platypus who gets washed down the river while sleeping. Maximus frantically searches for his family. Along the way, Maximus meets a beaver, an otter, and a duck. They all have some similarities to Maximus, but none are an exact match.

Maximus has always been big for his age. Will he ever be able to fit in? Does he get home to his family?

The soft and colorful illustrations are appealing to young readers. Slightly older children in the five to eight year old age range will find the book a delightful read aloud.

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Fatechanger: Penny Lost

Written by L. M. Poplin

Penn is a fourteen-year old girl who knows her way around the streets of Boston. Clever and curious, she attends one of Boston’s finest public schools and loves the library. On the other hand, Penn has learned to be tough, she was born with a heart defect, and her father left suddenly when she was seven.

One day, Penn is off exploring the city when she meets an old woman who gives her a penny to make a wish on. When she gets into trouble for stealing and uses it, she is transported back to 1915.

Penn’s whole world is turned upside down. She is now an orphan who struggles to survive. Penn worries how she will survive without her medication and if she can get back home. Penn gets mixed up with thieves and gangs. She masquerades as a boy. All she really wants is to fit in and find a true friend.

Will her secret be discovered? Can she find a way back to the twenty-first century?

The author paints colorful characters that succeed in involving the reader emotionally. There are lots of twists and turns to keep readers actively engaged. Recommended for teens and adults.

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