Magic in the Mountains: A Christmas Trilogy -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

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

Can you believe it? December has arrived! The day after Thanksgiving Hazel and I decorated our tree. The day after she left for school, the tree came crashing down and is unfixable. (It is over 40 years old.) I ordered a new tree today. When it arrives, I'll get it up and put the lights on and then wait for her to come back from school! So much for Christmas magic in my house. Or perhaps it is the villain from today's book trying to destroy Christmas. Today we get to share a magical Christmas middle grade adventure, or I should say adventures since it is a trilogy. The book is Magic in the Mountains: A Christmas Trilogy Written by T.E. Milburn and Illustrated by Ayşe Yıldırım. It has all the magical creatures--elves, goblins, dragons, talking animals, yetis and Santa! This is going to be epic!!

Vanya and the Wild Hunt

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Here is a review a long time coming. I am still working on my pile of chapter books from this summer. This one actually finishes the books I shared back in June but the pile has grown with some new ones. I'll share them at the end of this post in case any will interest you or a reader in your life for the holidays. Today I am sharing a fun fantasy middle grade novel that is full of magic and adventure. The book is Vanya and the Wild Hunt by Sangu Mandanna. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12. 

The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa: Book 1-The Pangolins -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Jennifer Ussi to bring you this post.

Cats can do amazing things. I know I have three of them. I love my cuddle times. In fact, I have one on my lap as I write this post. Today I get to share a fun middle grade/early chapter book with you about a curious cat who gets lost in Africa and has many adventures to find her way home. The book is The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Gets Lost in Africa: Book 1-The Pangolins by Jennifer Ussi and illustrated by Lekshmi Bose. And there is a giveaway at the end of this post!

The Magic Maze Trilogy -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Samuel Warren Joseph and Phil Proctor to bring you this post.

Do you have a reader who loves fantasy and mystery? I have a wonderful book trilogy for you. It is The Magic Maze Trilogy by Samuel Warren Joseph and Phil Proctor. The book is full of mystery and adventure in a magical realm with two siblings just trying find their way home. There is a giveaway after my review!

Turning Twelve -- Middle Grade Graphic Novel Review

 

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

On Sunday I shared a post about Banned Books Week and reviewed a couple of banned books. I was a couple of weeks late for Banned Books Week. Did you know that graphic novels are often banned books? Many schools don't want their kids reading them as they don't think of them as real books. Can you imagine? For some readers, the illustrations of graphic novels are what help them get into the book. Personally, I feel that if a child enjoys reading a book, it is a good thing. The more we force kids to read certain books or types of books, the less the child wants to read. I know this was definitely true for Hazel. She dreaded summer reading assignments. She hated being forced to read certain books. Even books she may have chosen on her own, when forced to read them she did not enjoy them. So I say let the kids read graphic novels and banned books. Let them read books about the topics that interest them as well as ones that relate to their lives like the book I am sharing today. It is a middle grade graphic novel all about turning twelve and the changes that come with this new age. The book is Turning Twelve by Kathryn Ormsbee and illustrated by Molly Brooks. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Lost on Doll Island

 

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

It is hard to believe that Halloween is next week! It is the perfect time for a spooky book and today I am sharing one. It is a middle grade book that has creepy dolls, magic, ghosts, and witches. It takes place in Mexico. The book is Lost on Doll Island by Cassandra Ramos-Gomez. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Georgia Watson and the 99 Percent Campaign

 

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

Life is hard when your family moves all the time. It is hard to make friends and to really get to know someone. Today I get to share a new middle grade novel that is about a sixth grader whose family finally settled down after years of moving. Sixth grade brings all sorts of new things--new teachers, new subjects, the same bullies and so much more. The book is Georgia Watson and the 99 Percent Campaign by Sara F. Shacter. It is recommended for 9- to 12-year-olds. 

Dude. Be Nice -- 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 Sarah Scheerger to bring you this post.

Have you ever had a moment where you are trying to help but your "help" is making things worse? Perhaps you are just trying to make things better but the "help" is not wanted? Today we are sharing a book about this situation. It is called Dude. Be Nice by Sarah Scheerger with Brent and Jamie Camalich and illustrated by Alex MacNaughton. There is a giveaway at the end of the post.

A Sea of Lemon Trees

 

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

Hispanic Heritage Month ends this week, but I have one more book to share with you. It is a book based on a historical event from the 1930s and how one community fought segregation in schools. The book is A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez by María Dolores Águila. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

The Dragonships Series Review

 

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

Dragons and space travel and life on Mars! Talk about some exciting themes! Today I get to share a relatively new series--the first book was released in paperback last month and the second book was released this week! It is a middle grade fantasy sci-fi novel series! But older kids will enjoy this series as well. The series is written by Scott Reintgen. The first book is The Last Dragon on Mars. The series is recommended for ages 10 and up.

Growing Senses & Imagination with Books About Nature and the Seasons

 

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

This week I spent three days in the woods in Vermont with some of my students. Every year our school goes on a field trip to an outdoor center in Vermont. The high school students can choose to go for two nights and the middle school and 5th and 6th grade are required to go for four nights. The time there is tech free for the kids. The goals are team building, bonding with one another and getting them out of their comfort zones. For many it is the first time they are away from their parents for this length of time. As much as I hate being away from home, it is a great experience, and I always enjoy it a bit more than I think I will. It is important for everyone to get into nature and enjoy it. Today I am going to share two new picture books about nature and uses your senses and imagination. The first is Tree Spirits Around the World words and photographs by Louise Wannier and illustrated by April Tatiana Jackson. It is recommended for ages four to nine but could work with any age.

The Last Apple Tree -- 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 Claudia Mills to bring you this post.

It is apple season. Everyone is so into pumpkin spice, but the truth is I love apples more! An apple tree can be so many things to different people. Today I get to share a middle grade novel with you about a family, friends, growing up, and memories and it all revolves around an old apple tree. The book is The Last Apple Tree by Claudia Mills. At the end of this post there is a giveaway!

Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom

 

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

October has begun and Halloween seems to be everywhere! It is the month of ghosts, goblins and witches. Today we are sharing a book about witches however it is not really a Halloween book. It is a graphic novel about growing up and finding one's way. The book is Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom by Jessixa Bagley. It is recommended for ages eight to twelve. 

101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up -- 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 to bring you this post.

What are your favorite childhood books? Do you have ones from your own childhood or from your children's childhood? Perhaps you love the classics like Charlotte's Web or something new like one of our favorites, Princess in Black. Or maybe you are looking at picture books or middle grade novels. Not matter what your favorites are or what you are looking to read today's book has suggestions for you. The book is 101 Books to Ready Before You Grow Up (Revised Edition) by Bianca Schulze and illustrated by Samara Hardy. There is a giveaway at the end of this post too!

Back to School Season Books for Different Ages

 

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

School officially starts this week! Have your kids started yet? Each new school year brings different ideas, fears and excitement. There seem to be many books for the younger readers. There are the books like The Kissing Hand, Milk Goes to School, and Miss Mingo and the First Day of School and many more for younger kids starting school. Today we are going to share one picture book and two middle grade books. We will start with the picture book which is Proper Badger Would Never Trash the Classroom! by Lauren Glattly and illustrated by Rob Sayegh Jr. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

New Middle Grades Historical Fiction Series about World War II

 

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

Today I get to share a series of books about World War II. It is historical fiction and the series is really interesting and fun. It is written by Adam Gidwitz. The series is called Operation Kinderspion. The series is for middle grades or ages 8 to 12. The first book is Max in the House of Spies. 

Two Books for 8-18 Sharing About Life with Disabilities

 

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

When you hear disability what do you think of? Many of us have been programmed to go to someone in a wheelchair and with mental issues. While this is a true disabled person there are many of other types of disabilities and some cannot be seen. July is Disability Awareness Month or officially National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Some places even call it Disability Pride Month and have parades. This year we are celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, so it is extra special! Today I am two books that share what life is like with different disabilities and a bit about loving someone with a disability. One book is a middle grade graphic novel, and the other is a young adult nonfiction book sharing real stories from couples of different abilities. We will start with the graphic novel. It is Mixed-Up by Kami Garcia with art by Brittney Williams and lettering by Tyler Smith. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

The Best Bunny -- 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 Shenandoah Chefalo to bring you this post.

There are many different types of loss, and each one tends to hurt. However, the death of a loved one especially a caregiver can be extremely tough. Today we are sharing a beautiful picture book about a young girl dealing with the death of her grandmother. It is a wonderful resource for any child going through the death of a loved one. Last week I also shared a middle grade novel about dealing with loss as well for older kids. Today's review also includes a giveaway at the end of the post and is part of The Children's Book Review Virtual Book Tour. 

Loon Cove Summer -- Middle Grade Novel

 

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

How is your summer going? Mine has been good and relaxing. I am trying to make a dent in my summer reading pile but have not gotten very far. It has grown since I last shared it. And I have two more that are coming out in August!

The Right Call -- Sports Novel with Message about Society

 

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

Are you a baseball fan? Or any sports fan? Sports have gotten pretty intense in the past couple of decades, especially youth sports. Most athletes play one sport all year long now. This of course has plusses and minuses. Athletes are really honing their skills, but they are also more prone to serious injuries since they are using the same muscles over and over like never before. Today I am sharing a new novel with you about a high school baseball superstar and how he and his community struggle with the societal pressures that come with great skill. the book is The Right Call by Tommy Greenwald. It is a Game Changer Companion Novel. I have not read Game Changer, so I do not know how closely they are related but this book stands on its own. The book is recommended for ages 10 to 14. I would like to add adults into this category or say 10+. I think anyone working with (parenting, teaching, coaching, etc.) a youth athlete could get a lot from this book.