Sagas of Anya

Written by Kirsten Mbawa

Anya is only thirteen. She lives in Cardiff, and her life has been difficult. Tad, her alcoholic father, has spiraled into alcoholism and depression. Unable to support himself and his daughter, he secures a position as a scullery maid in London for her.

Anya’s adventure begins with a train ride on a contraption she has never laid eyes on. When she disembarks at Paddington Station, the sights and smells of Victorian England surround her. She has no idea of what to expect. When she meets her boss, Mrs. Axton, her fears escalate.

But as Anya settles into a life of drudgery, more trouble looms before her. Anya has secured a few friendships, but she has also made many enemies. The novel traces her struggle to clear her name. This young Victorian girl is determined to obtain a measure of happiness and find a family to accept and love her.

The book is a fast-moving historical fiction adventure that is perfect for middle-grade readers.

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Check out my resources for children, teachers, and parents on http://www.LittleMissHISTORY.com

This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review. I received a free copy of The Monster Twins to review. All opinions are my own. 

THAT TWIN THING…

The Monster Twins

Written by Robert and Karen Hanvik HaHHhh

Illustrated by Ella Ransom

First book in a new series. Bella and Bertie are twins who have never met each other. When they were born, the rules did not allow them to live together. Why? Because they were monsters and the law said they must be adopted by separate human families.

Bella has been adopted by a couple who live in Singapore but travel all over the world. Bertie lives with a shy couple who live in London. Each have different personalities but have one thing in common. Both monsters feel that something is missing They each long for a best friend.

Will circumstances ever change? Will Bella and Bertie employ their twin skills to discover each other’s existence.

I especially liked the way the author introduces children to the fact that families can be different and that growing up in different cultures does not preclude similarities between siblings.

OFFICIAL LINKS

For more information, visit https://monstertwins.com, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a copy of The Monster Twins and a Visa gift card!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

• A physical copy of The Monster Twins
  
• A digital flipbook copy of The Monster Twins
• A $25 Visa gift card to stock up on more books from your favorite bookstore

Five (5) winners receive:

• A choice of:
  • A physical copy of The Monster Twins
    
  • A digital flipbook copy of The Monster Twins

Giveaway begins July 20, 2020, at 12:01 A.M. MT and ends August 20, 2020, at 11:59 P.M. MT.

Click on the link below to enter:

” http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3d5cb282176/

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Monster Twins

Written by Robert and Karen Hanvik

Illustrated by Ella Ransom

Publisher’s Synopsis: Bella and Bertie are twins, but they don’t know that, or each other. Separated while babies by bad law, they grew up 6000 miles apart, in Singapore and London. Follow the twins as they discover their shared past and do their best to make a better future for themselves, their families, and others like them.

PURCHASE LINK

The Monster Twins Book

TOUR SCHEDULE

July 20	The Children’s Book Review	https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/
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HEY KIDS! LET’S VISIT LONDON (Fun, Facts, and Amazing Discoveries for Kids)

Written by Teresa Mills

This book is geared toward middle-grade students, roughly ages eight through thirteen. It can be used as a guidebook to prepare children who are planning a trip to London with a family or a community organization. Each site is accompanied by pictures, its history, main features, and visitor appeal. Mills talks about iconic historical landmarks like Stonehenge, The Tower of London, Big Ben, The Red Phone Booth, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. She discusses street landmarks like Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, the London Eye, and Harrod’s Department Store. Other notable spots to visit include The London Zoo, Hampstead Heath, The Globe Theater, and Platform 9 3/4’s with its connection to Harry Potter. Of course, no visit would be complete without a ride on the London tube or a visit to one of the museums like The Duxford Air & Space Museum or the RAF Museum.

There is so much to see. Mills has especially focused on those of interest to children. This book can also be useful as a starting place for a school project on London. The book need not be read in any particular order as the chapters are not laid out sequentially.

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The Hexed Child (Bertram Bile Time AdventureTravel Series, Book 3

Written by Sarah Weldon

This is not my first time reading a book from the series. I did not find that a real advantage, though fans of time travel adventures might prefer beginning with Book 1. Bertram Bile and his friend, Molly are sitting in Miss Petrenko’s geography class. She is reputed to be the worst geography teacher in the world. Molly develops a plan giving them an excuse to escape class. She is eager to visit Bertram’s aunt, who just happens to be a witch. They hide in the bathroom and put on their gold-colored goggles, their key to arriving at the witch’s old ash tree home.

The witch gives each child a magic cloak. They amble through the woods and discover a child who is crying. The kind-hearted witch promises to help the mother, who has never been able to quiet the child. The storyline is a mixture of fantasy and reality. Weldon explores themes important to her middle school audience and gently guides them by discussing solutions.

The author bases her series on her experiences swimming the rivers of London. She is an environmentalist and STEM teacher, donating a part of her book sales to these interests. Recommended for readers third grade and older. A perfect chapter book for the middle-grade student audience.

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