Summer Themes: Bird Watching -- Turn This Book into a Bird Feeder -- Book Review with Craft Roundup

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

When Hazel was younger, I loved coming up with different themes to focus some of our books and activities. As she got older, it became themes for the summer. Now she is in high school and I'm lucky to watch television with her. As I was finding products to review, I realized many would lend to fun themes to focus your kids this summer. They range from educational, nature, crafts and more. Today's theme is bird watching! To introduce this theme I am sharing a wonderful book with you. It is Turn This Book into a Bird Feeder by Lynn Brunelle and illustrated by Anna-Maria Jung. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12 but could be for younger kids with adult help! After my review there will be a roundup of DIY bird feeders, bird crafts and other bird books to learn about them.

Two Middle School Rom-Coms for Ages 10+

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

On Friday I shared a roundup of books perfect for summer reading for ages 10+ through young adult. (Note all last week I did roundups for varying ages of new books for summer reading. Ages 4-8 and Middle Grades) Four of them did not include reviews because I hadn't read them yet. Today I am reviewing two of them!! I decided to spend my free time this weekend reading the two middle school romance-comedy books. Both of these books are recommended for ages 10+ and both have characters in middle school. The first book is Meet Me at Wonderland by Julia DeVillers. 

Summer Reading List Middle Grade Version

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

Schools are ending and summer vacations are beginning. But that means summer reading is beginning as well!! Earlier this week we shared a roundup of new picture books for 4- to 8-year-olds. Today we are sharing the middle grade roundup including three new books--two of which will be reviewed today. (The third will be reviewed later this summer!) There is a variety of books here and there is something for everyone in the age range of 8- to 12-year-olds. The first book is the only graphic novel on the list. It is Space Chasers by Leland Melvin and Joe Caramagna and illustrated by Alison Acton.

Survive This Safari -- Middle Grade Novel Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Are you looking for a summer reading book for your 8 to 12-year-old? I have a wonderful one!! I will also be doing a summer reading list soon. I have to get through a few more of my chapter books to complete it! Today's book will definitely be on it. Last week we shared a book about an animal race and today we are sharing one about an animal sanctuary competition. Both are amazing books and perfect middle grade summer reads. Today's book is Survive This Safari by Natalie D. Richards. 

Armando & The Amazing Animal Race -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Diana Schaffter to bring you this post.

Are you an animal lover? I find many kids are. I feel like there are some great new books featuring animals as well as climate change. Today I am sharing an amazing middle grade novel that dives into the amazing world of animals and tries to bring to light some of the endangered animals. But it also is a riveting, action-packed story full of relationships and adventure. The book is Armando & the Amazing Animal Race by Diana Schaffter. There is a giveaway at the end of the post to enter!

The Underwild Series Book 1: River of Spirits

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I'm a bit behind in reading my chapter books, but I have finished this one so I have to share it with you. It came out at the end of March. It is a middle grade fantasy novel with Greek mythology references. It takes place in the Underworld. The book is the first in what is called The Underwild Series. The book is River of Spirits by Shana Targosz. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12. 

The Constitution Kids -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Amplify Publishing Group to bring you this post.

These days knowing what the Constitution says seems more important than ever. In our current situation it seems like many people are pushing the limits of the Constitution. Some are even wondering who is protecting it as our law. But who among us has actually read the Constitution? It is an old document written in English from another time. It is a boring read however today I get to share with you a book that kids will enjoy reading that has them reading and understanding the Constitution. It is The Constitution Kids by Gary Gabel. 

Earthrise: The Story of the Photograph That Changed the Way We See Our Planet

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

This past weekend we returned from our spring break vacation in Florida. This year we decided to each choose a place we wanted to go and plan a day. Steve chose the Kennedy Space Center. He is a huge space enthusiast and wanted to see the rockets and buildings he has read about in real life. It was fun although I wish we had more time to explore even more there. It was the perfect timing as I have a book about a famous photograph taken during one of the first space missions. The book is Earthrise: The Story of the Photograph That Changed the Way We See Our Planet by Leonard S. Marcus. It is recommended for ages 10 to 14.

The Flicker -- Middle Grades Dystopia Novel Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

In our chaotic world, sometimes it is not hard to think about the end of the world. After all we have environmental problems everywhere. The wildfires have been raging around the world and certainly across the country. Hazel and I recently binge watched the show, The 100, on Netflix. It is about the human world after a nuclear war. Many people were able to leave Earth and live in space. However, their united ships are now running out of air and supplies. They decide to send 100 teenagers who have been imprisoned for breaking a law to Earth to see if it is inhabitable yet. As we were watching this show I began to read The Flicker by H.E. Edgmon. The book and show have many similarities as both are dystopia. There are some similar thoughts and ideas and yet they are so different. Today I get to share The Flicker with you. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12. 

Energy Wars: The Awakening -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Jodi Dee to bring you this post.

Have you ever thought about what happens when someone insults or upsets another? Today I get to share a middle grades/middle school novel that shares a bit about the science of bioenergy fields as well as a fantasy element. The book is the first in a series. It is Energy Wars: The Awakening by Jodi Dee. There is a giveaway at the end of this post.

The Three Stones of Ebon -- Middle Grades Novel Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book to use for my review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review & David and Keiko Mello to bring you this post.

Are you looking for a fun and magical book for your middle grade kids to read? I have an amazing one to share with you today! It is a book that makes you want to keep reading and makes you feel good. It is The Three Stones of Ebon by David and Keiko Mello and illustrated by Keiko Mello. After my review there is a giveaway as well!

Roundup of Middle Grade and Young Adult Novels

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I am on my final roundup for the holiday season! Now I am going to start with some honesty. My life has been so crazy this fall. Between teaching and having Hazel at boarding school (I'm almost always driving there on the weekends), I have not had a lot of time or energy to read, so all of these books I have not completed and really just started. I am sharing them today because I want to share them before the holidays, so you are aware of them! Today's books range from ages 8 - 18. We will go in order of the ages. The first book is Sylvia Doe and the 100-Year Flood by Robert Beatty. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

The Mystery of Mystic Mountain -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Janet Fox to bring you this post and giveaway.

Middle school can be hard. New friends plus personal changes and add in fighting and possibly splitting up parents and you have a very hard time. Today I get to share a middle grades book full of a mystery, adventure, friendships, family relationships and more. The book is The Mystery of Mystic Mountain by Janet Fox.

Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light -- Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and T.J. Scripps to bring you this post.

Girls often go through a phase of loving rainbows and unicorns. Some never outgrow it. A couple of weeks ago Hazel and I were at the house on Cape Cod. We were trying to pack up and clean up as it was the day we were heading home. We heard thunder and a little bit later it started pouring. We kept going on with our chores. When the rain stopped the sun came out. It only rained for five to ten minutes. I happened to look out the window and quickly called Hazel downstairs and grabbed my phone. I was able to capture the full rainbow through the screen door and part of the rainbow without the screen. 

Hannah Edwards Secrets of Riverway -- Book Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Do you know someone with ADHD? Have you ever wondered what their thought process is? Today we are sharing a new book written by an author with ADHD who bases her character on her own experiences. The book is Hannah Edwards: Secrets of Riverway by Ashley Hards. It is recommended for ages 9 to 12 and is the first book in a series of nine books. 

Witch-Themed Books

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

It is hard to believe that Halloween is next week! October is flying by. Today I am going to share two witch-themed books for different ages. The first is a new picture book about the Salem witch trials. Did you know that the Salem witch trials were not the first witch trials and executions in North America. There were significant ones in Connecticut early in the 1600s. (Source) There were even accusations and a trial in Virginia before the Salem ones. (Source) However Salem had the hysteria that was not present in these other places. It Happened in Salem by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Brad Holland. It is recommended for ages 9 to 12, so a bit older than most picture books.

Elephant Touch -- Middle Grades Novel About Loss & Healing

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Lately I have been sharing many middle grade novels. To be honest I am behind in my reading and have several more to share soon. However today I get to share one of my favorite ones of recent reads. It is a book about recovering from extreme loss. The book is Elephant Touch by Susan R. Greenway. It is recommended for ages 10 to 12. 

Exit Nowhere -- Middle Grades Novel About a Haunted House, Friendships & Cooperation

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It is October!! That means it is time to get scary. We shared a novel perfect for Halloween last week and are sharing another one today! Today's book is Exit Nowhere by Juliana Brandt. It is recommended for ages 9 to 13.

Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Ryan Cowan to bring you this post. 

It is almost the end of September which means it is almost Halloween month. Do you love Halloween? Do your young readers? Today I get to share a magical Halloween book that will get even the Halloween haters feeling a bit good about the holiday. The book is Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal by Ryan Cowan and illustrated by Halo Rife. 

The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts Series for Middle School -- Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Erika Lewis to bring you this post. 

Do you or your middle schooler love books about magical schools and magical lands? Then I have the series for you!! Perhaps you are missing the release of new Harry Potter books. If so, this series is for you. Today I get to share with you a fantasy middle school series (trilogy) by Erika Lewis. It is The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts Series. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12. It has magic, mystery, friendships, new creatures, goddesses, and a never-ending war between summer and winter.