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.

New Picture Books Perfect for Summer Reading

 

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 school is almost out, and summer is almost upon us. We had the high school graduation on Friday. I have some classroom cleanup to do and then conferences next week, but otherwise I am done! Summer means so many things. Of course, there is often a summer reading assignment as well as summer reading programs at libraries and Barnes and Noble. Grades 1 through 6 can read eight books this summer and get a free book at Barnes and Noble. When Hazel was younger, I liked to come up with different themes for us to explore in the summer. This summer I plan to share some themes and resources with you. We will start today with a roundup of new picture books that are perfect for 4 to 8-year-olds. With each book there are ideas of activities or more books to check out with it. Happy reading!

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!

Bunnies to the Rescue! -- Book Review & Giveaway with Bunny Craft Roundup

 

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 Jeff Verney to bring you this post.

April brings thoughts of a certain bunny visiting, but today I am going to share a book about a different type of bunnies. They are the bunnies on Nantucket. I've only been to Nantucket a couple of times and once was for a job interview, but I know Cape Cod is full of bunnies. In fact, when I was young the estate next to my grandparents' street was called Bunny Haven. I always wanted to live there. Sadly, it was sold and turned into a street full of multiple houses. However, the bunnies still fill the yards of all the houses. In the summer the bunnies are everywhere. Needless to say, today's book hit an extra special chord with my heart. The book is Bunnies to the Rescue! by Jeff Verney and illustrated by Melissa Bailey. At the end of this post there is a giveaway and a bunny craft roundup!

Adventures at Lake Omigosh -- 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 Expound Publicity to bring you this post.

Have you ever heard about a creature in a local lake? Is it real or is it a myth? Have you gone to summer camp? What about the lake there? Today I get to share a fun story about a summer camp and the mysterious creature of the lake there. It is Adventures at Lake Omigosh by Scott Sollers and illustrated by Bryan Janky. 

Camp Hillside Series -- Middle Grades Novel Series About Going to Summer Camp

 

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

Do your kids go to summer camp? How long do they go for? Summer camp is like a rite of passage. Although Hazel never went to overnight camp, she is now ready to go to boarding school. It has been an exciting July in our house. But back to summer camp. Kids often feel homesick but once they relax, they make new friends and have exciting adventures. Today I get to share a middle grades series with you about a girl's adventure at summer camp for the first and second time. The books are from the Camp Hillside Series by Steph Katzovi. There are two books in the series (so far): Hurricamp! and Miscommunicamp!. They are recommended for ages 7 to 12.

Making Summer Fun and Educational

 

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

We are in final exam week at our school. The stress levels are high everywhere. But it also means that school is almost done, and summer is almost here. Summer can be so much fun, but it can also be a time for kids to lose some of their learning. Today I am sharing some products to give you and your kids some fun activities as well as learning in fun ways! We will begin with some creative activity books. Today (May 30th) is National Creativity Day and these books are perfect to get your kids and you creating and having fun! The first  are two books by Alberto Lot. There is Crayon Racing which I reviewed a couple of years ago and Crayon Adventures. They are recommended for ages 4 to 8 or as the publisher states 4 to 104. I know my high school students have been having lots of fun with them!

The Girl Who Built a Spider -- Middle Grades STEM Novel Review

 

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

A few weeks ago I shared some spider fun facts and spider craft round-up with the promise of two books involving spiders. I shared a picture book about the day in the life of a jumper spider and then went on vacation. Today I am sharing the middle grades novel that involves a mechanical spider. The book is a perfect summer STEM novel. It is The Girl Who Built a Spider by George Brewington. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Chipper Sends Sunshine -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am working with Purple Butterfly Press and The Children's Book Review to be part of this Virtual Book Tour and will receive a small stipend for sharing this book with you. All opinions are my own.

As the end of the school year approaches, families start thinking about summer camp. Did you go away to summer camp or do your kids? The fun adventures in the woods away from home meeting new people, summer camp offers so much. Today I get to share with you a fun book about a group of animals who go to summer camp and make new friends and want to find a way to stay in touch with the new friends. The book is called Chipper Sends Sunshine by Kimber Fox Morgan and illustrated by Kim Sponaugle. 

Zendoodle Colorscapes -- Secrets of the Sea -- Perfect Summer Coloring Book

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

Can you believe today is the first day of summer? Our spring was very strange with the pandemic. I expect our summer to be strange too. I know I found myself needing things to help me relax. I turned to coloring. You may remember I use to do a weekly coloring book review on Fridays called Relaxing Friday. I stopped due to the number of coloring books I had and I wasn't getting any. However that changes today. Since I was scheduled to participate with the MKB Read Around the World Summer Series yesterday this is a relaxing Saturday post. Today I get to share with you a perfect summertime coloring book and it is brand new!! It was released this week!! It is Zendoodle Colorscapes: Secrets of the Sea artwork by Deborah Muller. 

New Graphic Novels for Different Ages

Disclosure: Macmillan Publishers sent me this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own! I will receive a small stipend for purchases made through the links in this post. Thank you for supporting Crafty Moms Share!

This past year I have gotten to know some kids who unlike my daughter do not really like reading. I keep trying to tell them they need to find the right books for them. Many of them seem to enjoy graphic novels. And let's face it, graphic novels seem to be very popular with all sorts of readers. For awhile I saw graphic novels for middle school kids or young adult, but now they have ones for all sorts of different ages. The first book I am sharing with you today is recommended for grades 1-3. It is perfect for your beginning readers who may be a bit reluctant to read. It is Hammy and Gerbee: Mummies at the Museum by Wong Herbert Yee. 

Novels for Grades 1-3

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

Today I am going to share with you four novels perfect for your first through third graders. The first two are part of the Circle C Stepping Stone Series by Susan K. Marlow and published by Kregel Publications. These are books 3 and 4. This series takes place in the Wild West during the late 1800s. (There are Circle C books for different age groups as well.) The first book is Andi Lassos Trouble. 

The Battle of Junk Mountain Review

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

Are you looking for a book for your 8-12 year-old to read this summer? I have a great recommendation. It is The Battle of Junk Mountain by Lauren Abbey Greenberg. 

Hostess Gifts & More for Summer Parties

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post and this post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Thank you for supporting Crafty Moms Share!

Have you been looking for a gift to bring a hostess of a summer party? Or perhaps for those hard to buy for people? One of my favorite places to check out is Shop gifts under $25 at The Grommet. The Grommet is a company that helps launch new products onto the market. Usually it is the inventors/creators of the items that they are helping. The gifts are unique and new. Check out some of these great ideas from the gifts under $25 at The Grommet. 

Sharing Saturday 17-29

It is time again for Sharing Saturday! This is a link party to share all of your child-oriented crafts, crafts made for kids, activities and lessons as well as your parenting and/or teaching posts. So glad you joined us!!

On Sunday night we also host Crafty Weekends for all your crafts (done by any age), patterns, and craft product reviews! It is the perfect place to share your creative side!! And for all of your cultural posts come share them at the monthly Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop.

Summer Craft Supplies -- a Crafty Weekends Review & Link Party

Disclosure: Oriental Trading sent me these products free of charge in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Looking for ideas of things to do with your kids on those bad weather days this summer? Or perhaps just some things to keep your kids using their creative juices and crafting? Now I am sure you know about Oriental Trading and their fun party supplies and perhaps even their various craft kits, but do you know they also sell craft supplies? Hazel and I checked out their craft supplies together and picked some out to share with you. We chose some basic supplies like paints and washi tape as well as some things to use the paints and washi tape on like frames, a tray, diy journal kits and diy rubber ducks. We have been having fun with all these craft supplies as well as some we already had. 

Chapter Books for Grades 3-7 -- Summer Reading

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

This week I have been sharing various chapter books for summer reading for different ages. We have shared books that inspire authors and illustrators, chapter books for grades 1-3, chapter books for grades 2-5 and now chapter books for grades 3-7. I have to say that one of these books has been my favorite summer read! We will start with that one. It is Walking with Miss Millie by Tamara Bundy. 

Summer Reading -- Chapter Books for Grades 2-5

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

Yesterday I joined in the Penguin Kids Meet the Chapter Books July Summer Reading Program and introduced some chapter books for kids in grades 1-3. To avoid the summer slide it is important to have our kids continue reading all summer long and to make it so it is not a chore it is important to find the books that interest your child. Hazel LOVES to read and will read just about anything, however if it is a favorite I cannot get her nose out of the book. If it is not it becomes more of a chore. So today I am going to share with you four books for the slightly older reader--grades 2-5. (Tomorrow we will have books for older kids.) We will start with the first book in the Microsaurs: Follow that Tiny-Dactyl by Dustin Hansen. The second book in the series comes out next week.