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!!

Holiday Gift Ideas: Books to Learn & Create with a Japanese Spin

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

For those who celebrate, did you enjoy your Thanksgiving? We had a nice time with my family. Yesterday was Black Friday which is of course the kickoff to holiday shopping. Did you get any deals? Today I thought I would share some gift ideas for kids. I love gifting books especially ones they can use to create or keep themselves busy. Today I have three great books for you and all three have a Japanese spin to them. We will start with the first one that is truly one that is meant for creating. It is Hokusai Dot-to-Dot Puzzle Book from Tuttle Publishing. I would say this is for upper elementary and older. My middle school and high school students love this book!

New Holiday & Winter Books Roundup

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I have shared three roundups of new Christmas picture books as well as reviews of some other ones this month. Today I am sharing at another December holiday--Hanukkah and winter books for you to check out. We will start with the Hanukkah book. It is Dr. Seuss's Horton Hears a Hanukkah Party! by Leslie Kimmelman and illustrated by Tom Brannon. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.

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 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!

Did You Hear What Happened in Salem?: The Witch Trials of 1692

 

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

Happy Halloween! Did you know that over 1 million people have already visited Salem, Massachusetts in October 2025? And they are expecting over 80,000 to visit today. Salem is known as the Witch City and even Salem High School's mascot is the witches. Now I live pretty close to Salem. People from around here know there is no parking in Salem for the month of October (and actually for most of September as well as into November) because of all of the tourists that flock to the Witch City. Salem has embraced its witch history and has become a huge tourist site for it. However, the witch trials and happenings in Salem were quite different. Today we are sharing a wonderful book about the Salem witch trials, and it is told in first person. The book is Did You Hear What Happened in Salem? The Witch Trials of 1692 by Katie Kennedy and illustrated by Nick Thornborrow. It is recommended for ages 8 and up.

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.

Al's Journey -- 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 Marin to bring you this post.

Growing up is hard. It is even harder when you have to do it quickly and take on an adult job. Today we are sharing a magical book about an orphaned boy who grows up in a night. It takes a look at what growing up means and about becoming more self-aware. The book is Al's Journey by Marin. At the end of the post there is a giveaway.

Avoiding the Summer Math Slide with Roundup of Ideas for Different Ages (PreK - grade 11)

 

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

Independence Day is past. Summer is quickly passing. Kids are enjoying their break from school as are teachers. But what is happening to your kids' math ability this summer? According to Learner.com, 70-78% of elementary students experience a decline in math skills over the summer. (Source) Most schools now assign summer reading to prevent the summer slide in literary skills, but does your child's school assign summer math? Most high schools do these days. Now I am a huge advocate for a break! I love summer! It is my favorite season, and I remember the days of having nothing to do and being able to hang out with friends and relax. However, summer slide is real. (There is a slide after any vacation and the longer the vacation the more skills lost.) There are things to do to help with the math summer slide even if your child does not have math summer work. Today I am going to review two great resources for different ages to help with the summer slide or just give extra practice to two ages groups: middle grades (8+) and high school. These books are amazing resources to help with math skills and also can give students extra practice or a leg up on the upcoming math year. At the end of the post, I have a roundup for different ages math products and activities to try this summer to keep your child's brain thinking mathematically.

I Love New York City!! New Books to Learn About NYC with Resource Roundup

 

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

New York City is a special place for Hazel and me. At a young age, she wanted to see the Statue of Liberty. I have been lucky enough to take her on several trips to New York. And we are going again this summer for my birthday!! I promised to take her to see a Broadway show. After all her dream is perform on Broadway some day and she has never actually been. As we are planning our weekend away, these two new books arrived and only added to my excitement for our trip! The first is a beautiful book called Unknown New York: An Artist Uncovers the City's Hidden Treasures by Jesse Richards. This is not a children's book but is also a book that could be read with a child to learn more about the city. 

Summer Reading for 10+/Young Adult Roundup

 

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

This week has been about roundup of new books for summer reading!! With schools getting out it is time to find books for your kids to enjoy this summer! If you have 4- to 8-year-olds check out this list and 8- to 12-year-olds this list. Today we are sharing books for ages 10+ and young adult! Four of the books are new and I have not yet reviewed and will not be reviewing today. I still need to read them. The other three I will share links to my reviews. They are all new books this year! There is something for everyone here! I am starting with the books I have not read or reviewed yet. I didn't want you to miss the chance to check these books out because of my lack of reading time and speed. The first book is Meet Me at Wonderland by Julia DeVillers. It is recommended for ages 10 and up.

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.

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!

Fun Children's Books Released Today

 

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

Today I get to share two children's books that are released today!! One is in the manner of Dr. Seuss and the other gives life lessons from a dog. They are fun and will be loved by kids! We will start with the Seuss Studios book, Gertrude Gish on a Dish on a Fish by Sarah Hwang. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7. 

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. 

Unraveled -- Keeper of the Lost Cities Book 9.5

 

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

Have you heard of the Keeper of the Lost Cities Series by Shannon Messenger? It is a young adult fantasy series. I hadn't read any of them although Hazel did a long time ago. Today however I get to share with you the newest book in the series. Shannon Messenger calls it book 9.5 because it gives some back story to the overall story. The book is called Unraveled. The suggested ages by customers is 11 and up.

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.