Give the gift of reading with a boxed set of chapter books. Once you can get kids hooked on a book series, it will keep them reading for hours, days, and weeks. These are chapter books series that are just too good to put down. When should you give a boxed set of books? Holidays like Christmas or birthdays or anytime just for fun. And to whom would you give a boxed set? Any child in your … [Read more...]
Kwame Alexander on New Book, Reading, & Upcoming Tour
Kwame Alexander's books connect to kids. In fact, it's why he's one of the most popular authors of our time --kids can't put his books down! In a recent phone conversation, Alexander shared, "I try to write books that kids are going to want to pick up and not going to want to put down. I'm writing for me, the book that I would want to read and not put down." Well, he succeeds. If you haven't … [Read more...]
12 Addictive Audiobooks for Teens
Want the best, most addictive audiobooks for teens? Check out this list of the most popular YA titles that teens (and adults like me) can't stop reading. They're soooo good. In 2017, public libraries lent a record number of audiobooks. Why? Because it's so easy to download books to your smartphones. You'll get in more reading by listening to your books! Use the one-tap reading app, Libby to … [Read more...]
4 Inspiring Nonfiction Books for Teen Readers
Real life stories, biographies and memoirs, are more inspiring than most other books, don't you think? Because you're reading about people who really did amazing things. Usually despite great odds. There's hope-giving power in these nonfiction true life stories. For teens, and for us not-teens, too. These four books are so excellent, I suspect you'll read them and then want to share them with … [Read more...]
New Books for Summer 2016
I can't wait to tell you about the latest new books to get your kids excited about reading. So for this summer vacation 2016 or any time, browse through these reviews and see what will appeal to your child. See also my summer book lists by grade and age. New Books for Summer 2016 Nick and Tesla's Solar-Powered Showdown by Bob Pflugfelder, Steve Hockensmith ADVENTURE (ages 7 - 10) I LOVE … [Read more...]
Middle Grade and YA Books I’m Reading
It's a snowy day here in Colorado. My girls are home from school, an early gift for us all. And we have books stacked everywhere -- books I want to tell you about. (I wonder if this is a decor aesthetic?) Here are the middle grade and YA book I've been reading and think you'll enjoy, too. Middle Grade and YA Books I'm Reading A Tale of Highly Unusual Magic by Lisa Papademetriou MIDDLE GRADE … [Read more...]
Best YA Books of 2015
I've been procrastinating on this blog post, trying to get a few more romances on this list -- and I read a LOT more books in the last month but didn't find anything more to add to my best YA books of 2015. So here goes. It's a bit fantasy heavy. Just warning you now. Best YA Books of 2015 Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt (Although this is listed for middle grade, I think it's better as … [Read more...]
If You Like Magnus Chase, You’ll Like These Other Norse Mythology Books
You just finished the first Magnus Chase and The Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer (my review here), and now you're an enthusiastic Norse mythology fan. That's why I want to give you more books that are similar to Magnus Chase to keep you entertained until then next book in the series is published. These are books about Norse mythology for kids as well as chapter books that include Norse … [Read more...]
Best Chapter Books of 2014
We always give at least one gift that is a book, do you? If you have a child who reads chapter books or YA books, here are my picks for the BEST children's books of 2014. Best Chapter Books 2014 1. The Haunted Library by Dori Hillestad Butler (ages 6 - 9) MYSTERY My daughter and I loved this entertaining new beginning reader chapter book series about a boy ghost, Kaz, who is blown away from … [Read more...]
Best New Books: Chapter Books Fall 2014
I am addicted to finding you the best new books. (Although I do need to branch out from fantasy a bit more.) My favorite books from this list are Nightmares!, Animas, and Eye of the Minds. See what you think your children would want to read. Best New Books: Chapter Books Fall 2014 Nightmares! by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller, illustrated by Karl Kwasny (8 - 12 years old) REALISTIC / … [Read more...]
Dystopia-palooza – New YA Books Winter 2012
I love reading Young Adult books. Here are some newly published YA mostly dystopian books that you might just love as much as your teens. . . The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater You'll LOVE this unique fantastical tale. Water horses eat human flesh so it's a sign of great skill and bravery to race one in the annual Scorpio Races. Orphan, Puck needs to win the race or she and her … [Read more...]
What Age Is Appropriate to Read The Hunger Games?
Ten-year old AJ is begging to read The Hunger Games trilogy. AJ's pestering brings up a good question - at what age is The Hunger Games series appropriate for kids? While I'm not one for censorship, I am aware that certain subjects are way over kids' heads. In this case, the difficult political concepts and violence would be a stretch for most kids that aren't high-school age. About The Hunger … [Read more...]