Quagmire -- Middle Grade Novel 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 Sam Campbell to bring you this post.

Family, memories, loss, mystery, new friends...today's book has it all and it has words like its title that kids may never have heard before!! Today we are sharing a middle grade novel that is packed with mysterious things and people. It is called Quagmire and is by Sam Campbell. After my review is a giveaway.

Turkey on the Run! -- Picture Book Review

 

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

Halloween is coming fast and that means Thanksgiving is also around the corner. There are so many good Thanksgiving books out there and we have shared quite a few as well as crafts and more. Some of the books are serious about gathering and sharing with others and some are quite fun and humorous. Today we are sharing a fun one. It is Turkey on the Run! by Alayne Kay Christian and illustrated by Neha Rawat.  It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Muppit Boy and the Wheel of Power -- Middle Grade Novel 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 Michael J. Bowler to bring you this post. 

Do you have someone who has trouble sitting still? Often in school, boys struggle to sit still and get in trouble for fidgeting or not "behaving" because they have so much energy that needs to be released. It is part of why recess and breaks where kids can run and play are so important. I remember when my nephew was visiting us and he was elementary school age; I found him running around our sectional couch in the family room after I put Hazel to bed. He was one of those boys that just had so much energy he needed to release it, and we had so much snow at the time he hadn't been able to get outside much. Today we are sharing a middle grade novel about such boys and a perfect read for such kids. It is actually the second book in a series, but we did not read the first and still found the book great! The book is Muppit Boy and the Wheel of Power by Michael J. Bowler. It is recommended for ages 9 to 12, and there is a giveaway after the review!

Lionborn and the Secret of Dark Rider -- 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 Sharique Zea to bring you this post.

I love a good fantasy book and really love a good fantasy series. Today we get to share the second book in the Lionborn series. You can check out our review of the first book here. This series is a fantasy series for ages 10 to 14 that is full of mystery, magic, adventure and friendship. The second book is Lionborn and the Secret of Dark Rider by Sharique Zea. After my review is a giveaway! Get ready to be amazed with the creativity of this book.

Brave Like Me -- 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 Karen Henrich to bring you this post.

Facing different things can be very scary especially for young children. It could be simple as facing a new place, having to do something for the first time or as difficult as going through treatment for a serious disease like cancer. One of the best ways for kids to be brave is to be with someone else they trust--family or friend. Let's face it all of us face tough times better with someone else to help. Today we are sharing a beautiful picture book that shares this message. The book is Brave Like Me by Karen Henrich and illustrated by Jordan Foster. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8 and there is a giveaway after my review!

Night Ride -- First Children's Book Rendered in Stained Glass & It's Wordless!

 

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

Do you remember the feeling of riding a bike as a kid? The wind in your hair? Having your own wheels and thus mode of transportation? It was so exciting to think you could go anywhere without needing the help of an adult. It was even better when you were with a group of your friends. Today we are sharing a very special picture book about a bike ride. It is the first ever children's book illustrated in stain glass, and it is wordless. The book is Night Ride by Christopher Myers. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8 but I always love wordless books for even younger!

Middle Grade Graphic Novel Roundup

 

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

Do you have a child in your life who loves graphic novels? Today we are sharing three middle grade graphic novels that range in types from fantasy to a book about siblings and friends on a trip to Japan. Between the three books the ages are 8 to 14. The first book is from The Wingfeather Saga. The Wingfeather Saga is four middle grade novels as well as an animated show. Today's book is the first graphic novel of the series! It is On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson and illustrated by Alessia Trunfio. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12. 

Fall & Halloween/Thriller Mysteries for Different Ages

 

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

It is after Labor Day, so that means fall is about to begin. I can feel it in the air even though the leaves haven't really started to change yet. We have three new fall/Halloween/thriller mysteries for different ages perfect for the upcoming season! Two are for the younger to middle grades and the third is a young adult book. We will start with the second book in the Squirrel Lock Holmes series. It is a graphic novel style book for early readers. We reviewed the first one here. The second one is Squirrel Lock Holmes: Mystery at the Corn-y Maze by Ashley Belote. It is recommended for ages 6 to 9.

The Mystery of the Missing Falls -- Middle Grade Novel 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, Jen Weaver, and Gayle Veiterheimer. 

I love a good mystery. It is my favorite genre of books to read. Today we are sharing a middle grade mystery that is well written and does so much more than just entertain. The kid detectives in the book use prayer as their secret weapon. It is a very Christian book with some scripture in the story as well. The book is the first in the Kingswell Kid Detective Series. It is The Mystery of the Missing Falls by Jen Weaver and Gayle Veitenheimer. After my review there is a giveaway!

Wonder: A Song of the Seasons

 

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

We are in the dog days of summer, but back to school is quickly approaching. That means the change of seasons. Have you ever noticed each season has its own special wonders? Today we are sharing a beautiful picture book sharing some of the curiosities of each season and more. The book is Wonder: A Song of the Seasons by Julia Key and illustrated by Helen Cann. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. 

Girl of Lore -- Spooky Fantasy Horror Novel for Ages 10+

 

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

I love a good mystery. I even enjoy some fantasy and a little horror. Today we are sharing a book that is a bit of all of this. It has monsters and vampires and all sorts of demons. It also has a long history of this evil. And, of course, a group of high school students who need to fight the evil and save the town and possibly the world. It is recommended for ages 10+ but think it is better for a bit older. The book is Girl of Lore by Melanie Dale. 

Glory Be -- a Middle Grade Novel Review

 

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

Life can be hard. It is extra hard when your dog is gone. You are not sure where, but he is gone. Was he stolen? You best friend doesn't seem to care and is acting strange. Perhaps the friendship is over. Oh, and your father is on one of his disappearances again too. Yup, life can be hard in the middle grades. This is the middle grade novel we are sharing today. It is called Glory Be by Jamie Sumner. It is written in verse. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12. 

The Big Bad Wolf Murder -- A Fun & Deadly Twist on a Fairy Tale

 

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

Do you love a good mystery? Did you know February 26th was National Tell a Fairy Tale Day? As a lover of fairy tales and mysteries today's book is perfect for me. I am describing it as a Little Red Riding Hood meets The Hunger Games mystery. It is recommended for ages 10-14 and I have to say older readers will enjoy it too. I know I did. The book is The Big Bad Wolf Murder by P.G. Bell. 

Squirrel Lock Holmes Book #1: The Pet Rock Mystery

 

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

Do you have a 6- to 9-year-old who is interested in graphic novels? Perhaps they are reluctant to read chapter books but need to shift away from picture books? Or perhaps you just know a mystery lover. Today we have the perfect newly released book for you. It is the first book in the Squirrel Lock Holmes Series. It is The Pet Rock Mystery by Ashley Belote. It is recommended for ages 6 to 9.

Lionborn -- Middle Grade Fantasy Novel Review & Giveaway

 

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

Have you ever wondered if there are other realms out there? Today we are sharing a middle grade fantasy novel with different realms and a group of kids who travel between them to save the universe. The book is Lionborn by Sharique Zea. There is a giveaway after my review.

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!