Book reviews

8 New Chapter Books, June 2020

Ready for a batch of new book to add to your library holds list? I have 8 new books for you to consider. New Chapter Books, June 2020 Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk HISTORICAL FICTION / GREAT DEPRESSION When Ellie’s family loses everything in the Great Depression, they move to a Maine mountain. She […]

The Best Monthly Subscription Boxes for Kids

Monthly subscription boxes for kids make fantastic holiday or anytime gifts because they last all year long. You can find interesting gift boxes for all ages and many interests that will give kids new books to read, activities to do, science to learn, and more. And, I imagine that grandma or auntie will find something […]

13 New Chapter Books, March and April 2020

I’m excited to share with you 13 new, amazing books for kids that I’ve read this past month including two YA books for ages 13 and older. Notice the purple star showing books that are making my top books for 2020 list! Middle Grade Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park HISTORICAL FICTION Park writes […]

Impressive New Middle Grade Books You Don’t Want to Miss

Many of these middle-grade books are all about the hard work of growing up– whether they’re about coding or adoption or ADHD or something else — they’re still tackling coming-of-age, too. Coming-of-age means these are about kids growing into young adulthood learning hard-earned life lessons about who they are and how to make sense […]

Your Kids Will Love These New Easy Readers

If you’re a teacher or parent of someone learning to read, you know how important quality, engaging, and interesting reading material is to hook your kids. These new easy readers are really awesome — you’re going to love them! See ALL My Recommended Easy Readers. If your child is learning to read or you teach […]

Chapter Books Featuring Kids in Foster Care

Do your kids know about foster care? Or are in foster care themselves? No matter your children’s life experience, chapter books like these about kids in foster care are important to read. For kids who are in foster care, they might see that they are not alone. They’ll see that other kids have gone through […]

What’s New in Middle Grade? More Good Books I’m Reading…June 2019

Want more good middle-grade books to add to your to-read piles? I’m so excited to tell you about these new titles! If you like science fiction and coding, check out The Ghost Network: Activate by I.I. Davidson! If you just want a great adventure, you’ll like Elements of Genius: Nikki Tesla and the […]

Beautiful, Emotional Middle Grade Books That Probably Will Make You Cry

In a strange coincidence, these five early 2019 middle-grade novels share a common thread — they’ll probably be the most beautiful, tender, and emotional stories you’ll read all year. Or even for many years. Not only that, all five of these books include a main character with special needs — intellectual differences as well as physical. […]