Finding Freckles, Diary of My Best Friend, Horsing Around
Written by Molly Lawson
This middle-grade chapter book is narrated by Emma Williams, an eleven-year-old girl living in a rural South African village. The impetus for the diary is a writing assignment from Emma’s English teacher.
Emma writes honestly and openly. She reveals her hopes, fears, and dreams. Her fervent desire is to own a horse and become an expert jumper. Unfortunately, her single mom cannot afford to buy her a horse. Luckily, Emma’s best friend, Christine, lives on a neighboring farm. Christine is a good rider and that allows Emma to be around horses.
Emma’s story pulls the reader in because she is relatable to her readers. The characters are believable and appealing to a middle-grade audience. Not only do readers learn about horses, but they also pick up knowledge of geography and South African culture. This is book 1 of a series that promises to be the first of an interesting series. Will Emma achieve her dreams?
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This book is a tender tale about a little fox named Redkin and her first hunting quest. Redkin is rather lazy. She reacts with shock where her mother tells her to go out and find her own food. A bit reluctantly, Redkin sets off on her quest. She looks up at the Sun and decides that it looks like a delicious pancake. She decides to bring it home to her mother.
Redkin meets a frog named Loudcroak along her route. They decide to become partners. Redkin remains fearful but Loudcroak provides the courage and inspiration to continue their search. Other animals offer advice, but the sun continues to elude them.
How will Redkin handle her defeat? What does the fox learn about friendship, compassion, and bravery?
This book is targeted for ages six through twelve. While the length of the book is appropriate for a beginning chapter book, some of the vocabularies are a bit advanced for the lower end of this audience. I would recommend the book particularly for reluctant readers; the illustrations are beautiful and suited to the mood of the tale. Recommended especially for readers ages eight through twelve.
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Pea Soup Disaster (A Gregory Green Adventure Book 1)
Written by Elaine Kaye
Gregory Green is excited to find a thermos of green pea soup in his thermos. Unlike most kids, he loves his mother’s homemade pea soup. After lunch on the playground, his friends begin making fun of him. Gregory has turned green! Gregory is feeling bad when an unexpected buddy comes to his rescue to end the bullying.
This book contains elements of fantasy, a family curse, a lesson about bullying, and strong family bonds. The layout is more like a chapter book but there are some multicultural illustrations. I read the book in kindle format which did contain a few formatting errors, but the clever storyline and message make the book a good choice for beginning readers, reluctant readers and a parent read-aloud for any age child.
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Mia is very short. This distresses her because her classmates often make fun of her and exclude her from activities.
Mia reveals her problem to her father. He tells her a fairytale about the sun and moon and how they became friends. One day a situation unfolds at school that proves to the other children there is value in being small. The other children learn an important lesson from Mia. They now understand she also has many special talents. Size does not matter.
This picture book is written in rhyme. It works, for the most part, but the story would have been just as effective if written in prose. Recommended especially for students in the six to ten age group but an important lesson for middle-school students as well.
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A bear is
out hunting in the woods when he comes across a moose who is smiling from ear
to ear. The bear is puzzled by this moose, Moose’r McDan, who requests his
friendship. The hunter decides to think
about this and puts his gun aside. Will the hunter and the hunted become
friends? Is it possible to turn potential enemies into friends?
This
delightful picture book contains charming, colorful illustrations and rhyming
text in bold text that is easy on the eyes of young readers. Recommended especially
for preschoolers and kindergarten readers but also a fun read-aloud for
beginning readers.
I received an advance review copy of this book from the publisher and voluntarily decided to read and review with my honest opinions.
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This is the second book in a series that features two best friends, a fire-dragon and a unicorn. The two friends are off to a rock-hunting adventure on Lake Erie. They spot something floating in the water. When they move closer, they realize it is moving.
Flame and Sparkles meet Nessie, a Loch Ness monster who wants to be friends. Nessie invites them to her undersea home and teaches them how to swim. Nessie shows them that we all have a special kind of magic within us. If we believe and cooperate with each other, we can use that magic to create miracles. She gives Flame and Sparkles a special gift to remind them of their new friendship and the possibilities waiting to be developed with them.
I would classify this book as a chapter book rather than a picture book, even though the illustrations are delightful. Especially recommended for dragon and unicorn lovers in elementary grades. Hoping that this young author will use his imagination to take readers on many more inspiring adventures.
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The Sunny Adventure: a story about true friendship (Animal World Alice Ira Book 1)
Written by Alice Ira
Illustrated by Elena Teplova
Translated by Nina Kutia
This book is a tender tale about a little fox named Redkin and her first hunting quest. Redkin is rather lazy. She reacts with shock where her mother tells her to go out and find her own food. A bit reluctantly, Redkin sets off on her quest. She looks up at the Sun and decides that it looks like a delicious pancake. She decides to bring it home to her mother.
Redkin meets a frog named Loudcroak along her route. They decide to become partners. Redkin remains fearful but Loudcroak provides the courage and inspiration to continue their search. Other animals offer advice, but the sun continues to elude them.
How will Redkin handle her defeat? What does the fox learn about friendship, compassion, and bravery?
This book is targeted for ages six through twelve. While the length of the book is appropriate for a beginning chapter book, some of the vocabulary is a bit advanced for the lower end of this audience. I would recommend the book particularly for reluctant readers; the illustrations are beautiful and suited to the mood of the tale. Recommended especially for readers ages eight through twelve.
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Publisher’s Synopsis: An aggressive hunter bear meets a gentle moose who is looking for a new friend. The moose is so friendly that the bear decides to drop his gun and stop hunting altogether. Instead, the bear learns that it’s more fun to just hang out with a new friend, playing games and enjoying nature. However, after the fall colors change, it’s time for the bear to go back home. The gentle moose is sad because he lost his play friend, so he is again looking for a new one. He invites whoever is reading the book to become his new friend.
A bear is out hunting in the woods when he comes across a moose who is smiling from ear to ear. The bear is puzzled by this moose, Moose’r McDan, who requests his friendship. The hunter decides to think about this and puts his gun aside. Will the hunter and the hunted become friends? Is it possible to turn potential enemies into friends?
This delightful picture book contains charming, colorful illustrations and rhyming text in bold text that is easy on the eyes of young readers. Recommended especially for preschoolers and kindergarten readers but also a fun read-aloud for beginning readers.
I received an advance review copy of this book from the publisher and voluntarily decided to read and review with my honest opinions.
Enter for a chance to win a copy of My Friend Moose’r McDan and a plush moose!
Three (3) grand prize winners receive:
A copy of My Friend Moose’r McDan
A plush moose
Giveaway begins December 6, 2019, at 12:01 A.M. MT and ends January 6, 2020, at 11:59 P.M. MT.
Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, who are thirteen years of age or older in their state or territory of residence at the time of entry. Void where prohibited by law.
Sky Danley Productions is responsible for prize fulfillment.
This charming picture book is told in the first person. The older sibling professes his unending love and loyalty toward his younger brother.
The book is written in rhyme. While I believe the story
would be just as effective if told in verse, the rhyme succeeds for the most
part. This older brother promises to protect his brother from harm, and teach
him new skills like how to fish, ride a bike, and play games. He promises lots
of adventures. The older sibling injects realism and humor into the story. He
admits there will be times when they play pranks on their parents or get into
trouble for drawing on the table or bringing bugs into the house.
Many books written on siblings focus on the rivalry and adjustment issues when a new sibling enters the family. This one focuses on the family’s love for one another. The soft, gentle illustrations work to enhance the mood. Recommended for any age reader.
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Hermione Granger’s Unofficial Life Lessons and Words of Wisdom: What
would Hermione (from the Harry Potter series) Say?
Written by Euphemia Pinkerton Noble
This is an interesting read for fans of the Harry Potter
series of all ages. The author presents questions written in a journal format.
Noble chooses situations that pop up in our everyday lives and then poses the
question of how Hermione would answer.
Hermione Granger is the smartest witch at Hogwarts. She is a
hard worker, who places a high value on loyalty, friendship and love. Hermione
often chooses the more difficult path because she knows it is the right, if not
easy, thing to do. At first, the boys ignore or resist her, but eventually come
to know she is the one who holds things together.
Noble urges her readers to first read through the book
quickly and make a few notes about the questions they find most relevant to
themselves. I particularly enjoyed the section on facing challenges and chasing
dreams in which so many middle-grade and teen readers will find much to think
about. The last section on believing in yourself probably sums up Hermione’s
philosophy on life best.
This book could become an asset for preteens and teens who are struggling to develop their own views. Parents, grandparents, and teachers might find this book a good way to open family discussions.
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May 10, 2020
bamauthor
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