Jake and the Gingerbread Wars ( A Gryphon Chronicles Christmas Novella)
Written by E. G. Foley
This book is part of a series. It is intended to be a stand alone read, but it would help to have some background before reading it.
Jake and his cousins are no strangers to adventure, mystery, and time travel. In this Christmas novella, they set off to find Humbug, a renegade Christmas elf who is intent on spoiling Christmas. They chase him to the North Pole. Along the way, they teach readers about myths, Santa, and even incorporate the Nativity story and bits of Shakespeare.
Middle grade and older readers enjoy a feel good nostalgic read focusing on the Christmas season. A clean read appropriate for ages ten and older.
First book in a series for beginning and middle school students. Evie’s mom has a new job, and Evie is sent away from home for the summer. It doesn’t take long for Evie and her newfound friends to get into trouble. As punishment, her mother enrolls Evie as a volunteer in a local animal shelter where she meets an abused dog.
Evie learns the value of hard work and giving back to the community. As a backstory, young readers are introduced to the concept of PTSD and the difficulties military families must face. These are explained in an age-appropriate way.
I would recommend the book to readers in the seven to twelve age range. It would make an excellent choice as a classroom discussion read aloud book.
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The conclusion to the Hockey Wars series in Book 15 does not disappoint. I feel as if I have been on the journey from childhood through middle school with this group of coed hockey friends.
The members of the boys’ and girls’ hockey team have shared emotional difficulties as well as physical struggles in their quest for success. Readers have laughed and cried with them along the way.
These characters are genuine. They have the kinds of strengths and weaknesses that the middle-grade target audience face within their daily lives. Certainly, it is not difficult to empathize with them as friends and competitors.
The length of these books makes them appealing to reluctant readers, while illustrations add to the charm. I must say I am sad to see the series end. A sequel following them in high school?
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This book is set around the topic of the burning of the library in Alexandria at the time of Cleopatra’s rule. Most historians consider the fire an accident with Caesar setting the fire to prevent the Romans from capturing him. The famous library built by Alexander the Great becoming an unfortunate victim.
Heron of Alexandria was indeed a great inventor though he was probably a biological male. The protagonist in this novel is a young girl who has assumed the identity of her brother. As Heron, she receives a coin to investigate the arson crime.
The story is really about the life of this young girl, her inventions, and her struggle to survive and escape slavery The story moves along well, but some of the sentences are disjointed and the language confusing.
This is the first book in a series. Hard to tell exactly where it will go from here. Appropriate for young adult and adult audiences.
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This is a beautifully illustrated, rhyming picture book told from the perspective of a father of a newborn child. He wants to share with his new child all the wonders of the world in addition to a multitude of learning experiences that he intends to teach his child.
The rhymes are sweet and heartfelt, just the type of emotion any new parent experiences. The vivid colors of the multicultural characters and places discussed will open up a young child’s mind to new vistas and experiences.
I would highly suggest the book as a bedtime story or read-aloud for toddler and preschool children.
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This book is much more than a rhyming picture book about shapes. It teaches young children colors, empathy, compassion, kindness, gratitude, and diversity.
A rhombus introduces us to her shape family. Each member is different but they all live happily together. When the rhombus goes to school, she discovers a world of diversity and begins to feel left out because she has fewer material possessions. Soon, she learns that appearances can be deceiving.
Toddlers and preschoolers learn shapes and colors, older elementary school age readers will better understand the value of uniqueness and diversity.
Recommended for toddlers through grade three.
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Positivity is My Superpower: A Kid’s Book about Managing Negative Feelings and Feelings(My Superpowers Books 10)
Written by Alicia Ortego
This book is part of a series that focuses on dealing with children’s emotions and turning them into superpowers.
In this book, Lucas is the protagonist. He is facing a move to a different city. That releases a flood of emotions, most of them negative. Lucas is dealing with anxiety, uncertainty, and fear of the unknown. He does not want to leave the house he grew up or the friends he cherishes.
Lucas’s mom comes to the rescue She reassures him with gentle words and simple actions like blowing bubbles that turn his negative feelings into positive ones like hopefulness, confidence, and a sense of adventure.
This rhyming picture book serves as a good teaching tool for elementary age students to enhance social-emotional skills.
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A Videogame Stole My Sister: An Early Reader LitRPGMetaverse Legends Book 1
Written by Justin M. Stone
This book is targeted for an eight to twelve-year-old audience. Classified as a beginning reader, it would be an excellent choice for reluctant readers. I believe the plot especially appeals to tween boys, particularly those who have sibling rivalry with a sister.
Lucas is a tween boy who has a sister, Madison, who is one year older than he. Like many boys his age, Lucas loves video games. One day he is playing his favorite, when he gets distracted for a minute. Next thing he knows, his sister Madison is missing. You guessed it, she has been taken by the game.
The short chapters of the book alternate point of view with story being told by Lucas and Madison. The adventure is funny and humorous. One note of caution for parents and teachers. The book includes language like “piss” and mentions “running like hell.”
I think the book will appeal especially to the younger middle-grade audience and reluctant readers who prefer shorter chapters with less challenging vocabulary.
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If you have never read one of the Junkyard Adventure Books, you might want to start with this one. (Book 5)
Eli and Grace are siblings who love to visit their Uncle Larry’s Antique and Junkyard Store. This is not an ordinary store. Each time the children visit, they discover a magic porthole that takes them on an adventure to a wonderful new world.
In this offering, the children experience a trip on a submarine to an underwater adventure. Their teacher is a mermaid who exposes them to a world filled with musical instruments. Readers learn quite a bit about music but also experience the fear of these two siblings to find a way out that will lead them back to Uncle Larry’s shop.
This series is targeted for ages eight through eleven, but I believe it suitable as a beginning chapter book reader as well. Perfect for readers who love adventure and fantasy.
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Publisher’s Synopsis: Patient, peaceful Phoenix tries to take care of rambunctious and cold-ridden Dragon, which leads to hilarious and sweet results (with vibrant illustrations by the Caldecott Medal-winning creator of Beekle).
Everyone knows that dragons are fierce, capable of taking on the world!
But this dragon can’t stop sneezing long enough to get a roar out. Even with friendly Phoenix insisting that Dragon get some rest, this powerful creature refuses to stop for any orange ginger tea or a drop of bone broth soup.
It’s only when Dragon realizes Phoenix has caught the same cold that they are both able to take the break they so badly need. This tale of helping your friends and valuing differences is a sure-thing for story time.
Charlotte Cheng’s writing credits include Night Market Rescue, Explore China: A Mulan Discovery Book and BoBo Loves Dumplings, and she has illustrated the picture books Silly McGilly and A Moment in Time. In the field of education, she has written and illustrated K-12 curriculum for a variety of companies such as LeapFrog, Disney, and Wonder Workshop. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.
Dan Santat is the National Book Award-winning, Caldecott Medal–winning and New York Times–bestselling author and illustrator of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend and the middle grade graphic memoir A First Time for Everything. His artwork is also featured in numerous picture books, chapter books, and middle-grade novels, including Dav Pilkey’s Ricky Ricotta series. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and many, many pets.
MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:
HEAR MY ROAR
Roar-Choo!
Written by Charlotte Cheng
Illustrated by Dan Santat
The powerful dragon insists on spreading fear by letting out a blood-curdling roar. But what happens when this dragon is infected with a terrible cold? Dragon’s friend, Phoenix endeavors to take care of this affliction by resting, sipping tea, and imbibing bone broth soup. The situation reaches a climax when Phoenix suffers the same illness and can no longer take charge.
The tale of the Dragon and the Phoenix is a familiar one in Chinese mythology. It poses the opposing forces of strength and boldness versus gentleness and empathy. It teaches young readers about the value of friendship and moderation in all things.
The powerful images portray the character features accurately producing a feast for the eyes and the perfect mood for the plot.
GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a copy of Charlotte Cheng’s captivating book, Night Market Rescue, a $100 visa gift card, and a free 30 minute children’s book writing consultation.
July 31, 2024
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