Talon, Come Fly with Me: Inspirational Story about Friendship
Written by Gigi Sedlmayer
This tender story has won multiple awards. The protagonist is Matica, a young girl who is born with a disability that makes her small. She lives high up in the Peruvian mountains. Matica is ostracized for this disability. She searches for a friend. Matica forms a friendship bond with two condors. She names them Tamo and Tima. In time, the village marvels at her talent to communicate with these creatures and to protect them from danger.
The book is an inspiration for children with disabilities who face ridicule and disdaindue to their individual differences. Teachers might use the tale as a resource for class discussions on bullying and disabilities.
The book is an easy read for middle-grade, young adult and adult audiences as a lesson in empathy and true friendships.
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How to Write a Novel Before You Turn 13 : 13 Steps for kids to Turn Creative Writing Into a Book (Write Your Own Book)
Written by Ollie Ood
I was impressed with the scope of this guide for budding young authors.
Each chapter details the writing process sequence from generating ideas to a finished, published work.
Subjects include subject ideas, character, plot, dialogue, point of view, conflict, setting, and publishing. The author includes templates for implementing each step. At the end of the book, readers find examples of successful authors under the age of thirteen.
In my opinion, the book is a wonderful resource for middle-grade and young adult prospective authors seeking to publish their first novel.
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When Your Child Learns Differently, You Don’t Have to Navigate It Alone
Every child learns in their own unique way. Some children may need extra time, different strategies, additional support, or simply a teacher who understands how they learn best. As a parent, recognizing that your child may be struggling can bring a mix of questions, concerns, and uncertainty—especially when you’re not sure what to say or where to begin.
The good news is that you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself.
As a New York State-certified Special Education and Nursery through 12th Grade educator, I know how important the partnership between parents and teachers can be. Open, respectful communication can help everyone better understand a child’s strengths, challenges, and individual learning needs.
In this article, I’m sharing practical tips to help parents feel more prepared and confident when talking with their child’s teacher about learning differences. I’ve also included helpful guidance from Understood.org, a valuable resource for parents and educators supporting children who learn and think differently.
Remember: asking questions is not being difficult, and advocating for your child is not being demanding. It is being an important part of your child’s educational team.
The goal isn’t to find someone to blame. It’s to build a partnership that helps your child feel understood, supported, and capable of succeeding.
How to talk to your child’s teacher about learning differences and ADHD
Teachers can be a big source of support for struggling students and their families. Use this discussion guide to help raise your concerns and talk about how you can work together. What’s inside
General tips
If you don’t know why your child is struggling
If your child has a diagnosis
More resources General tips You may not be sure what to say about your child’s challenges, and that’s OK. Take a deep breath, and remember that the teacher is there to support your child. Here are some tips to help get ready for the conversation.
Make an appointment. You don’t have to wait until parent-teacher conferences to talk with your child’s teacher. But remember that teachers’ workdays are jam-packed. Ask to schedule a 15- to 20-minute appointment, either in person or by phone or videoconference. Be sure to thank the teacher for their time and support — gratitude can help build the relationship.
Prepare what you want to say. When you meet with the teacher, be clear and specific. Spend some time before the meeting to plan what you want to say and ask. Try writing your ideas down, recording voice notes, or practicing with a friend. Focus on these key areas ahead of time:
Challenges you want to talk about
Strengths or interests that can help your child complete tasks
Responses you can use if the teacher says something you weren’t expecting or that heightens your emotions. For example, you can say, “Let me think about that and get back to you.”
Be open to working together. A strong partnership with teachers can have a positive impact on your child. Keep in mind that successful partnerships are built on mutual respect. If you’ve had bad experiences at school, you might have trouble trusting that things will go well. You can ask for the meeting to include a staff member you know well or a family member or friend who can help you go into this conversation with an open mind.
Prepare yourself emotionally. Talking about your child’s challenges can bring up strong emotions. It helps to practice what you want to say in advance. During the conversation, you can take a deep breath or refer to your notes if you need to pause and steady yourself.
Follow up after the meeting. Send a thank-you email for taking the time to meet. Summarize what you talked about and any next steps you agreed on. Make a plan for checking in again by suggesting a date or timeframe. Talking regularly can help you build the relationship. You don’t need to wait until there’s something specific to talk about.
If you don’t know why your child is struggling
Talking with your child’s teacher is a great first step in getting answers and finding the right support. Planning ahead can help make the conversation go smoothly. Ask for a time to talk by phone, by email, or in person. “Hi. I’m the [parent or caregiver of X]. I’ve noticed my child is having challenges with [reading, math, paying attention, etc.]. I’d like to set up a time to talk about it.” Start by explaining your purpose. “Thanks for meeting with me. I’d like your help understanding some challenges my child is having with….” Share some details about what you’ve noticed. “This tends to happen [when, where, and how often].” “I started noticing this [how long ago].” Share strategies you’ve tried at home. “I’ve tried [which strategy], and that has helped [a little/a lot/ not at all].” Ask for input. “Is this something you’ve noticed too?” “Any strategies you use at school that might help at home?” “Do you think I should talk to the school counselor about my child’s challenges?” Talk about next steps. “Thanks for your time. Let’s talk again after I’ve had a chance to try some of your suggestions. What timeframe feels reasonable for us to check in?” After the meeting Tips What you can say Follow up with a thank-you email. “Thanks so much for your help. Can we check in after I’ve had time to think about this and talk about what happens next? How about we check in two weeks from now?”
Remember, You are not alone, and you can have a productive conversation with your child’s teacher.
Skelly the GIANT Skeleton: A Hilarious Modern Day Halloween Book Parody Tribute to the GIANT Halloween Community!
Written by Hailee Oman
Illustrated by William Velasco
The illustrations in this book are creative and original. Rhymes hit the mark.
The author uses parody to illustrate the limits some people will go to in celebrating and decorating holidays like Halloween. Skelly is the physical manifestation of overindulgence.
Children and adults will laugh at the ridiculous scenario. The book is appropriate for all ages.
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This short book chronicles the hopes of a girl who is transitioning from middle school to high school. Bethany anticipates new adventures and opportunities that await her in the Fall. Her best friend, Shelby provides support in this coming-of-age tale.
The girls are determined to find a boyfriend and secure a first kiss. Most of the action centers around the two friends’ attempts to find independence and develop self-confidence. The book is an easy and fast read.
I would recommend it for tweens in this age group who are interested in a quick summer read.
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An interesting coming-of-age story for middle-grade and young adult readers.
Bella Burke desperately wants to be an actress. She lives outside of London. Her family is not wealthy, and they do not have unlimited resources to make her dreams come true.
Bella receives an opportunity to attend a local high school where she will be able to receive acting training, but she will also have to apply herself to singing and dancing lessons. These are not Bella’s strong suits. Can she muster the strength to put out the extra effort required to achieve her goals?
The author portrays Bella’s struggle to cope with the competition, the jealousies, and difficulties of succeeding in an industry fraught with challenges. Bella’s mom is her number one advocate, but her father harbors doubts and fears about his daughter’s chances of success.
This book inspires readers who aspire to find their own path to success.
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The Midwife of Parramatta River: Life, Love, and Childbirth on the Australian Frontier
Written by Werner Stejskal
For fans of historical fiction, this short novel is a good choice.
Set in the early nineteenth century in the rugged frontier of New South Wales colony, the protagonist is Sergeant James Graham, who is a member of the Coldstream Guards. The journey to Australia is long and dangerous. Upon his arrival, Graham builds a cottage and divides his long days between duties of a police guard and a struggling farmer.
Graham is lonely and soon writes to his brother seeking a good English woman who would be willing to settle in this untamed land. He finds a strong woman who soon helps him build a midwife practice along the Parramatta River.
The story depicts the difficult life in the early Australian frontier and reveals a tender love story. It is a moving historical portrait of the difficult life of pioneers in a setting unfamiliar to most readers.
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Observing natural leadership qualities in children early can help parents, teachers, and caregivers encourage and develop those important life skills.
If you want to identify and support your child’s leadership qualities, here are some signs to consider:
Talkative
Does it sometimes drive you crazy that your child talks so much? Actually, being talkative may be a sign of things to come. A chatty nature indicates a child with excellent verbal skills, which are important for good leaders. Did your child talk early and proficiently? This may be a sign that he or she will be a good leader.
Treats Others with Respect
If you notice that your child seems to end up in responsible positions – team captain, for instance – and you know he didn’t get that position because of “muscling” his way to the top or bullying others, then this may be a sign of leadership ability. Notice if your child seems to have others “gravitate” toward her and wish to emulate her. Take note as to whether or not this is due to respectful treatment. If it is, you may have a strong leader on your hands.
Sees Both Sides
Some kids exhibit an ability to understand both sides of an issue, rather than being overly committed to one point of view. These children often act as peacekeepers who help their peers find an agreeable middle ground.
In the Know
Does your child always know what’s going on? Is he or she always aware of the latest happening at school or in the family? This is not the same as being a gossip (that’s not a good leadership quality), but it does mean that he or she is paying attention and interested in what’s going on with others.
Inquisitive
A good leader is not afraid to ask questions, but he/she is not afraid to go looking for answers on his own, either. Too much questioning may indicate self-doubt – your child is always trying to make sure about things – but healthy questions that spring from a true desire to know more about something may be a sign of leadership ability.
Barbara Roman’s The Land Where Money Was Nothing is a thought-provoking and imaginative exploration of what society might look like if money did not exist. Roman invites readers to step outside the familiar structures of modern life and consider a world built on cooperation, trust, and shared responsibility rather than currency and commerce.
At its core, the book challenges deeply ingrained assumptions about value and success. Roman paints a vivid picture of a community where people contribute based on their abilities and receive what they need in return.
One of the book’s strengths lies in its simplicity. Rather than overwhelming the reader with complex economic theory, Roman uses clear language and relatable scenarios to illustrate her ideas. This makes the book approachable for a wide audience, including younger readers.
The Land Where Money Was Nothing succeeds in its primary goal: sparking curiosity and conversation. It encourages readers to imagine possibilities beyond the status quo and to reflect on what truly matters in building a fair and compassionate society.
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200 Free Tools to Save Time on Social Media Managing: Boost Your Social Media Results & Reduce Your Hours (Free Online Tools
Written by Anita Nipane
A useful tool that provides free resources to help you navigate through social platforms quickly.
The author provides a useful chart that delineates different platforms and lists free tools for each one. There were many tools I had never heard about. Nipane provides clickable links and briefly explains how to use each.
Readers can visit the social platforms that they frequently use and select more efficient ways to use them with these tools. It is a valuable resource for casual and business users.
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October 11, 2026
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