This Christmas themed story adds a nice touch to the Sophie Washington series of books. These chapter books are geared to middle-grade readers. The black and white line drawings enhance the tale and provide added incentives for beginning readers.
Sophie is now a sixth-grader at Xavier Academy. Her younger brother, Cole, is sometimes a thorn in her side, but she loves him dearly. Sophie steps in to protect him from a new neighbor who is bullying Cole. The main part of the plot involves a series of Christmas gifts that mysteriously appear on Sophie’s doorstep. The signature says from your Secret Santa. Sophie is puzzled. She and her girlfriends try to figure out the mystery. Then she learns that another boy in school is also receiving gifts. Sophie’s grandmother helps them to solve the mystery when a clue emerges. The giver is certainly not anyone they might have suspected.
This book is a beautiful story portraying the true Christmas spirit. Lots of wholesome family values, like supportive family relationships, bullying, and preteen angst are addressed. I highly recommend the book to lift holiday spirits. If you enjoy it, check out the entire Sophie Washington book series.
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Carole P. Roman’s Introduction to Cultures Around the World Holiday Prize Pack blog tour!
Sponsored by Carole P. Roman and The Children’s Book Review
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win the Carole P. Roman ‘Introduction to Cultures Around the World’ prize pack—includes a $100 gift card!
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
An autographed set of the If You Were Me and Lived…” series (22 Books)
A $100 Amazon gift card
Three (3) winners receive:
An autographed set of the If You Were Me and Lived…” series (22 Books)
Giveaway begins November 20, 2019, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends December 18, 2019, at 11:59 P.M. PST.
Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, who are eighteen years of age or older in their state or territory of residence at the time of entry. Void where prohibited by law.
Carole P. Roman is responsible for prize fulfillment. CLICK BELOW FOR THE ENTRY FORM,
It’s never too early to start teaching children about the world around them. Embraced by educators, parents, and children, the series gently and respectfully introduces the subjects of periods, cultures, and customs. Parents, grandparents, and teachers alike will love opening their children’s eyes to the world around them in a fun and easy way—and they’ll be happily surprised when they end up learning a few things themselves. It is the simplistic and positive way that award-winning author Carole P. Roman, a former social studies teacher, delivers the text that makes this series appealing. The books are short and to the point and just what you want when you’re introducing geography and culture to the youngest reading set.
Carole P. Roman is the award winning author of the nonfiction series of children’s books, If You Were Me and Lived in … . The first title in the collection, If You Were Me and Lived in…Mexico, won the Pinnacle Award for Best in Children’s Nonfiction in 2012. If You Were Me and Lived in…Russia and If You Were Me and Lived in…France were finalists in the Indie Fab Foreword Review Book of the Year. Norway and South Korea have also been named as Book of the Year with Rebecca’s Reads and Children’s Reader’s View Book of the Year. Roman has also found success with her Captain No Beard children’s books. Her debut, Captain No Beard: An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate’s Life, was named a Kirkus Best of 2012, received a Star of Exceptional Merit, and won the Pinnacle Award in 2012. Roman lives on Long Island with her husband and very near her children.
Letter E decides that he wants to leave his alphabet family. He is tired of never being first. Even in the vowel group, his sister letter A always assumes first place. Despite his family’s assurances, that he is unique and cannot be replaced, E writes a letter and takes off on a snowmobile.
The book might be used as an introduction to the alphabet for young children. It contains a sentence rhyme for each of the alphabet letters. But the main message is that like every letter, each child is unique and irreplaceable. Will the alphabet family convince him to return or will the previously written words need to be changed?
This book is based on a true-life experience with a child named, Eric. Recommended as a read-aloud self-esteem book or as an alphabet teaching tool.
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Three Days at the Brink: FDR’s Daring Gamble to Win World War II (Three Days Series)
Yesterday, I went to the FDR Presidential Home & Museum to hear Bret Baier speak about his newest book. Mr. Baier is Chief Political Anchor and anchor of Special Report with Brett Baier at Fox News.
The author explained how and why he chose to write this book Baier discussed FDR, Churchill, and Stalin’s secret meeting at The Teheran Conference. He spoke about their fears and expectations. Baier revealed overlooked “nuggets” of history that often change the course of history.
The book emphasizes FDR’s strength of character but also suggests his doubts and fears. Both Churchill and FDR distrusted Stalin. Still, they realized that they could not win the War without his help.
FDR gambled with his life to travel halfway across the world across enemy lines to talk. Here the three world giants would lay the groundwork to win the War.
I met with Mr. Baier, and presented him with my own book, Little Miss HISTORY Travels to Hyde Park, Home of FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT & Presidential Library.
Mr. Baier and I share common goals to restore teaching history and civics in our schools from a very young age.
I have begun a new feature on my blog. Rather than simply reading and reviewing family-friendly books for my audience, I will be taking a peek behind the scenes at the writer. After all, we all want to know the mysterious person behind the curtain. So without delay, let me introduce you to the talented Brittney Leigh.
About the Author:
Brittney Leigh is gracing the Bulwark anthology as a debut author. She is a proud graduate of SUNY Old Westbury College, with a bachelor’s degree in Media and Communications. Gifted in singing, acting, and dancing, she finds her voice reaches its highest ground in writing. Brittney resides in Long Island where the darkness of New York City comes to sleep.
The Darkness: A Bulwark Anthology
(Book 8)
.
Bulwark- a wall or stockade that protects or sometimes hides the truth from the outside world.
Bulwark,
a quiet town… or is it? Four best friends, Sophia, Scott, Chloe and
Chris, are just trying to manage their senior year at Bulwark high
school when Sophia realizes that her feelings for Chris are really meant
for Scott. Before she can deal with that though, the four friends then
stumble upon Bulwarks darkest secrets when a spell is cast on Bulwark
High. Students have been disappearing and no one has any clues as to
their whereabouts. With a town curfew set and parents on edge, the four
friends decide to take things into their own hands. Will they break the
spell, or will Bulwark High and the town be changed forever?
Based on Bulwark, a paranormal thriller by Brit Lunden, The Darkness is the eighth volume in the multi-author Bulwark Anthology.
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One day, Daniel breaks his pencil while drawing and goes searching for a replacement. He finds a pencil stump in the attic. When he begins drawing, Daniel is astounded when the cat he draws comes to life. Daniel continues to draw objects like a pizza robot and aliens from the planet, Beezo. His artwork awakens. Daniel tells Annie about his treasure. She is angry that he won’t share it with her.
Now Annie ignores Daniel. He is sad and frustrated. Daniel confides in his
mother. She gives him some good advice. One day bullies torment Annie on the
school playground. How will Daniel react? Will Annie ever forgive Daniel?
This is a fun middle-grade read. It has lots of humor combined with fantasy.
Daniel and Annie face common preteen problems like sibling and peer rivalry.
It also discusses how to handle bullying. Recommended especially for boys
and girls ages eight through twelve.
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Publisher’s Synopsis: A haunted mansion. A community at risk. A group of teens with mysterious abilities. Strange sightings at the Payne mansion and baffling incidents in the countryside place the community of Kingston on edge. Did opening the portal to Paragon draw evil entities to Kingston? In facing this new threat, Matt Monroe soon realizes he is not the only one who has secret talents. Many of his companions have hidden abilities that are exposed as Matt and his friends confront a terrifying, ethereal foe.
Ages 9-12 | Publisher: All Points Press, LLC | October 15, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-0985082765
This book is the second in the middle-grade adventure series featuring the Monroe boys and their select group of friends known as The Brotherhood. Matt and his older brother, Josh, live in the town of Kingston located in rural Pennsylvania. In Book One of the series, the boys discover wooden tablets and a mysterious ring in the attic of the family home. Together with their five friends who all have special talents, they move through a portal to a magical dimension, Paragon. Here they battle the evil one, Damien. During the battle, Josh is wounded by a dragon and still suffers from the injury.
Book Two opens with Matt discovering two children, Annabelle
and Nathaniel, dressed in early twentieth century clothing, who a hiding from
their evil stepfather. Matt has been experiencing strange dreams and is
determined to save these children. At school, there are some curious new
additions to the faculty. As the story evolves, new friends are introduced,
each of which possesses a strange power. Rico Steele, the school bully, plagues
and conspires against Matt and the Brotherhood. The parents of the children
also have connections to Paragon.
The story contains magic, tarot readings, fantasy, and time
travel as well as the usual conflicts of peer and student relationships. When
Halloween arrives, they must all meet at the Payne house once again to confront
the evil forces of Paragon. Will the Monroe family and their friends be able to
overcome them?
There are many different story elements in this adventure that will appeal to a wide variety of preteen and teen readers. Many twists and turns keep the plot exciting and keep the reader in suspense. For me, the only con was it took a while to get up to speed on the characters because I did not read Book One.
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This is the second book of a series featuring Mr.
Hoopeyloops, a talented glassmaker. When Rex, a medium-size boy, overhears Mr. Hoopeyloops
telling James he needs an assistant, Rex immediately decides he wants to job.
Now Rex has a reputation for being clumsy and awkward. He
constantly breaks things. That is why everyone calls him Rex. He has short arms
and big feet like a T-Rex. When Rex visits the glassmaker’s shop, he slips and
breaks something. But Mr. Hoopeyloops is willing to train Rex.
One day Mr. Hoopeyloops calls the townspeople to view his
newest creations. Rex’s classmates are astonished to learn Rex is working at
the shop. They decide they have made a mistake and learn to change their ways.
This book teaches children how to stand up to bullying, develop resilience, and set high goals for themselves. While all children will enjoy the colorful illustrations and story, I would especially recommend it for children in the six to ten age range who are beginning to experience peer pressure.
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Familiar Shadows: A tale from The Federal Witch Series
Written by Taki Drake and T S Paul
This is the first book in an interesting series featuring
magic, fantasy, and witches. The narrator is a Russian blue cat named Dascha.
At the outset, Dascha has just had an argument with the members of her clowder.
She comes from a long line of magical cats, but Dascha just wants to live a
normal life. As she walks away, she is swept up by an eagle. Her vision is
blurred, her hip is pierced, and she senses imminent death.
Suddenly another larger steppe eagle comes along and
snatches Dascha away from her captor. When Dascha awakens, she finds herself in
the company of the eagle named Glenfry and his familiar, a witch named Henley.
These two live apart from a small village, which they try to protect. Dascha
learns to love and revere her protectors, who will entice her to embrace her
magical lineage. There will be an adventure, danger, and magic along the
perilous journey.
This book of fewer than one hundred pages contains interesting characters and plotlines. I would recommend it for readers ages eight and older.
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I loved this picture book which featured a determined young girl named Ara. She is aptly named for a constellation that contains seven stars. Ara is obsessed with big numbers. She introduces her readers to a number with 100 zeros, a googol. Together with her computer robot, DeeDee, Ara sets out to find out how many stars exist. They visit Innovation Plex, where Ara seeks experts to help her in her quest.
She meets Kripa, a problem solver, in the Data Center who tells her to have courage. Big Problems are solved with a plan. Next, she greets Parisa in the Ideas Lab, who creates the algorithms that permit computers to solve big problems. The next stop is the Coding Center where Diane writes code that allows the algorithm to communicate with the computer. When Ara and Dee put the plan into action, they come up with an error. So Ara visits Maria, the Troubleshooter, who installs more computing power with a new processor and memory chip. At last, they achieve success. Ara learns that collaboration and teamwork solve problems.
At the end of the book, readers find a journal record of the steps Ara followed as well as an introduction to some superheroes in computer science. There is also a glossary of technical terms from the story. The author targets this book for ages five through seven, though I would highly recommend it for older boys and girls as well. The design of the book features many bright colors and multicultural female role models. They certainly draw the eye inward but may be a bit too much stimulation for the younger reader. Hope to see many more books in this series.
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December 1, 2019
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