Wintery Reading Reviews for K-YA Readers

 

Grab a cup of cocoa... a quilt... and curl up for

moments of 

explorations...

Grades 2-3:

Kate DiCamillo

ISBN: 9781536223316

Publisher's Synopsis:

At the Hotel Balzaar, Marta’s mother rises before the sun, puts on her uniform, and instructs Marta to roam as she will but quietly, invisibly—like a little mouse. While her mother cleans rooms, Marta slips down the back staircase to the grand lobby to chat with the bellman, study the painting of an angel’s wing over the fireplace, and watch a cat chase a mouse around the face of the grandfather clock, all the while dreaming of the return of her soldier father, who has gone missing. One day, a mysterious countess with a parrot check-in, promising a story—in fact, seven stories in all, each to be told in its proper order. As the stories unfold, Marta begins to wonder: could the secret to her father’s disappearance lie in the countess’s tales? Book two in a trio of novellas bound by place and mood—with elegant line art by Júlia Sardà—The Hotel Balzaar masterfully juggles yearning and belief, shining light into every dark corner.

"... my little ray of light."

MrsK's Review:

Meet Marta, a young girl who lives in an attic room of the Hotel Balzaar. Her father has gone missing in the war and her mother is working at the famous Balzaar hotel, in which Marta cannot be in the lobby or talking to the staff. Not only is Marta very lonely, but she is also longing for her father to come and worried that he might not know where they have moved. There isn't much to do at a hotel, quietly looking at a painting or watching an extraordinary clock does pass the time when the days seem long.

On a cloudy and gray day, an old woman enters the lobby. Meet the Countess who uses a cane, can demand the hotel to provide their best room, and has a parrot named Blitzkoff. Can you imagine a parrot on your shoulder? The countess sees Marta hiding behind a lobby plant and invites her to come to room 314. What might the countess teach Marta? Will she let her talk with her parrot? Marta has been told never to be seen or talk with anyone at the hotel, and yet, the countess has invited Marta to stop by her room.

As the tale unfolds, Marta discovers that the countess has seven stories to share with Marta. Stories that are intriguing, stories that must be told in order, stories that Marta will think about until the next day. 

Within the weaving of these seven Norendy tales, many wonders become enchanting. Layers of imagination... fascinating intrigue... and possible truths unfolding,

MrsK

Meet the Author:

    Kate DiCamillo, the newly named National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature for 2014–2015, says about stories, “When we read together, we connect. Together, we see the world. Together, we see one another.” Born in Philadelphia, the author lives in Minneapolis, where she faithfully writes two pages a day, five days a week.

Kate DiCamillo's own journey is something of a dream come true. After moving to Minnesota from Florida in her twenties, homesickness and a bitter winter helped inspire Because of Winn-Dixie - her first published novel, which, remarkably, became a runaway bestseller and snapped up a Newbery Honor. "After the Newbery committee called me, I spent the whole day walking into walls," she says. "I was stunned. And very, very happy."

Grades 3-5:

Kekla Magoon

ISBN: 9781536230888

Publisher's Synopsis:

Since Grandpa died, Dally’s days are dull and restricted. She’s eleven and a half years old, and her exacting single mother is already grooming her to take over the family business. Starved for adventure and release, Dally rescues a mysterious envelope from her mother’s clutches, an envelope Grandpa had earmarked for her. The map she finds inside leads straight to an ancient vault, a library of secrets where each book is a portal to a precise moment in time. As Dally “checks out” adventure after adventure—including an exhilarating outing with pirates—she begins to dive deep into her family’s hidden history. Soon she’s visiting every day to escape the demands of the present. But the library has secrets of its own, intentions that would shape her life as surely as her mother’s meticulous plans. What will Dally choose? Equal parts mystery and adventure—with a biracial child puzzling out her identity alongside the legacy of the past—this masterful middle-grade fantasy rivets with crackling prose, playful plot twists, and timeless themes. A satisfying choice for fans of Kindred and When You Reach Me.

"My dearest Dally-bird... I know your eager heart... the map

is for you and you alone... it is our final shared secret..."

MrsK's Review:

Meet Dally, a young girl who is determined to discover her Grandpa's secrets. Her family's heritage business is currently managed by her mother. Her mother is determined that Dally will be the next CEO, which means that Dally hasn't experienced any grand adventures since her Grandpa's death. It was her grandpa who recognized Dally's loneliness, as well as encouraged her spirited imagination with daily outings beyond her schooling and business classes. What does Dally need now that her days are regimented? With a mysterious envelope, a map that leads to a secret library, Dally's future will be forever changed.

Through the halls of Peteharrington, Dally bravely picks the lock and enters her Grandpa's study. To Dally these were "extenuating circumstances," in which she needed to locate the letter that Grandpa wanted her to have when she turned twenty-one. Being eleven and a half was only a minor challenge. Granpa knew all the stumbling blocks that Dally experienced, as well as how she didn't fit into this world, he would have been her much needed adventure guide... if he were still alive.

Grandpa's map would lead her the "X marks the spot," the TSL! Dally knew the days of dullness and predictability were over. Patience wasn't a virtue she had, yet, with Grandpa's map a new adventure was about to begin.

 "Everyone who finds the library...

is meant to be here."

Meet Jennacake, she is the librarian of secrets. She will be the guardian who will help Dally navigate the books of secrets. The books will provide travels to the moment that a secret was revealed, shared, or occurred. Once someone enters the pages... the adventures begins. Reader's must be mindful of the white fog for it will be a boundary within the journey. Only one secret can be read per visit, and the reading must be within one of the many reading rooms.

Dally's adventures began with little secrets that had something to do with her daily life, school, and the current past of her mother and father. But... then a chosen secret would mean she had to dress for a time in the past. 1850 is a vastly different life, especially if you've just arrived aboard a two-masted ship!

Meet Jack, he has been aboard the ship with Captain Eli and the first mate Pete since their last sail. Pirate life isn't necessarily what Dally had previously read about. There is so much more to being on a ship in the 1800's in comparison to when she was in the sailboat with Grandpa. There would be life-threatening storms, treasure under the sea, maps to be coded, the possibility of a hang-man's noose, and of course resilience to continue reading the various books of secrets.

With many twists and turns in the plot, this story is woven with adventurous threads of past lives, self-discoveries, and life changers. Characters are decisively crafted. Social acceptance is intricately woven into surprising realizations. Don't expect an ending in which a reader might "foresee" a prediction...

MrsK

Meet the Author:

   Kekla Magoon writes novels and nonfiction books for children and teens, often on themes of identity, community, empowerment and social justice. Acclaimed titles include The Season of Styx Malone, The Rock and the River, How It Went Down, and Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party’s Promise to the People.

Kekla received the 2021 Margaret A. Edwards Award, a body of work recognition for her significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature. She is also a recipient of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, a Michael L. Printz Honor, four Coretta Scott King Honors, two Walter Award Honors, and an NAACP Image Award, in addition to being a finalist for the National Book Award.  

Grades 4+:

Juneau Black

ISBN: 9780593315712

Publisher's Synopsis:

Reporter Vera Vixen is a relative newcomer to Shady Hollow. The fox has a nose for news, so when she catches wind that the death might be a murder, she resolves to get to the bottom of the case, no matter where it leads. As she stirs up still waters, the fox exposes more than one mystery and discovers that additional lives are in jeopardy.

Vera finds more to this town than she ever suspected. It seems someone in the Hollow will do anything to keep her from solving the murder, and soon it will take all of Vera's cunning and quickness to crack the case.

"Shady Hollow is a tale of woodland creatures... welcome...

Up in the far north, lies a small village..."

MrsK's Review:

Meet Otto (as a reader I find him to be much more than an average toad), to be sure he is cranky and cantankerous. He lives in a mud hut at the pond. Why might you wonder is a toad important... well he is the mystery.

Of course, within the village, you will become a type of visitor at all of the quaint businesses. You'll meet the owner of the Von Beaverpelt Sawmill and some of its workers (beavers, muskrats, woodchucks, mice, rabbits, sparrows, and minks). You'll stop at Joe's Mug where you can get your morning cup of Joe and learn a thing or two. There's always news being discussed around town thanks to the Shady Hollow Herald. At the Goody Crow's Restful Home for the Aged Creatures, you will meet Ruby who just isn't getting enough sleep. If you are a reader, like most of us, your first destination should be Nevermore Books where Lenore will deliver the perfect read for anyone seeking a new journey. For a tasty vegetarian dish, stop by the Bamboo Patch, Panda Sun Li will be thrilled to meet you.

On a late August morning, Gladys Honeysuckle was flying to work at the Herald. Unfortunately, this morning would prove to be the worst of her flights. There he was, floating in the middle of the mill pond. When she arrives at the Herald, Vera Vixen is already at work. Vera did not expect to start her day with the task of quieting a "weeping and hysterical hummingbird!" Once Vera visits the pond to verity the scene, she heads to the station to report what Gladys saw (or rather snoop to scoop her byline).  Chief Meade is not at work and Deputy Orville Braun will investigate with Vera close behind.

I will not spill the beans; this is a mystery with more than one murder, suspects galore, and the most delightful "red-herrings" to intrigue every arm-chair detective, enjoy for there are more mysteries to unravel in this series,

MrsK

Meet the Authors:

 Juneau Black is the pen name of authors Jocelyn Cole and Sharon Nagel. They share a love of excellent bookshops, fine cheeses, and a good murder (in fictional form only). Though they are two separate people, if you ask either of them a question about their childhood, you are likely to get the same answer. This is a little unnerving for any number of reasons. Sharon lives in Wisconsin 🧀, where she works as a librarian. Jocelyn lives in the city-state of Philadelphia 🥨, where she also writes romance as Elizabeth Cole.

Seasoned Readers YA:

Jennifer Lynn Barnes

ISBN: 9780316481014

Publisher's Synopsis:

Welcome to the Grandest Game, an annual competition run by billionaire Avery Grambs and the four infamous Hawthorne brothers, whose family fortune she inherited. Designed to give anyone a shot at fame and fortune, this year’s game requires one of seven golden tickets to enter. With millions on the line, those seven players will do whatever it takes to win.

Some of the players are in it for the money. Some for power. Some for reasons all their own. Every single one of them has secrets. Amidst it all is Grayson Hawthorne, tasked with a vital role in this year’s game. But as tensions rise and the mind-bending challenges push the players to their limits—physically, mentally, and emotionally—it soon becomes clear that not everyone is playing by the rules.

MrsK's Review:

Avery inherited a vast estate, including the heirs known as the Hawthorne brothers. At first her required quest for a surprise inheritance lead into her own game of wits, twists and turns, reliance's and conspirators. Now she has created the second annual competition in which seven will arrive at a secluded Hawthorne Island for the grandest game of their life.

What is known is that the winner will win fame and fortune. What is needed is strength, endurance, talents for "brain-bending" puzzles, and the courage to remain centered during extreme conditions. This year's players have been invited. They have an experienced connection with either Avery or the Hawthorne brothers in one way or another. They will all be expected to win or leave the game!

Are you ready for the grandest game? Have you been following Avery, her inheritance and her Hawthorne co-inheritors? Have you the desire to invest in a game that requires more than courage? Are you a reader who enjoys unraveling puzzling plots?

There are not enough ways for a book reviewer to express the enjoyment of a book worth experiencing. What I can express is that Jennifer Lynn Barnes has not disappointed her readers with this series. She has crafted five characters in which any reader will "hunger" for more adventures. The woven threads of plot twists, puzzling quests, and magnificent settings are tantalizing bits of exquisite word play.

 

Enjoy this masterly crafted journey, pages will be turned swiftly, and characters will become "booked" friends forever...

MrsK

Meet the Author:

 

Jennifer Lynn Barnes (who mostly goes by Jen) was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She has been, in turn, a competitive cheerleader, a volleyball player, a dancer, a debutante, a primate cognition researcher, a teen model, a comic book geek, and a lemur aficionado. She's been writing for as long as she can remember, finished her first full book (which she now refers to as a "practice book" and which none of you will ever see) when she was still in high school, and then wrote Golden the summer after her freshman year in college, when she was nineteen. Jen graduated high school in 2002, and from Yale University with a degree in cognitive science (the study of the brain and thought) in May of 2006.

MrsK's 2024 Holiday Picks for Seasoned Readers

  

Season's Blessings

Jennifer Sienes

ISBN: 9781962377218

Publisher's Synopsis:

Amelia Hutchinson can’t seem to find her place in the world. Or maybe she’s just watched too many Christmas Hallmark movies. But come on, how come Aurora Teagarden and Hallie Dean get more exciting careers and all Amelia gets to be is a mail carrier? Not to mention, she’s living in her sister and brother-in-law’s guest house and the only man she could find was one who didn’t appreciate the purity ring her daddy gave her.

Rayce Jasper just wants to sell his late granddad’s farm and throw away the painful past that comes with it as soon as possible. But the memories of the man who betrayed him, a ditzy mail lady, and a strange request put a kink in his agenda.

As Rayce’s and Amelia’s worlds collide, neither of them can deny that God must be weaving His own Christmas story for the two of them.

MrsK's Review:

Meet Amelia, a mail lady who had one of those moments in which what should have been a mundane event turned into a momentous "trajectory" change in her life. It all began when she was delivering her last package at an old farmhouse in Shelbyville. The delivery to a Mr. Rayce Jasper would prove to be one of the most heart stopping moments of her life.

Rayce is a copywriter who is notified that he is now the last of his bloodline. His granddad's estate is now his to clean up and get on the market. The last thing he expected on that October day was an attack on a mail lady by his "sweet" Cane Corso. That's all he needed was a possible lawsuit.

As an inspired mystery sleuth, Amelia couldn't let the encounter pass. While at the local library, she discovered a 2004 suspicious headline about a death at the Jasper Farm. Who was Bruce Benton? Why after all this time had Rayce moved into the old farmhouse? Why was he at the library while she was investigating his family?

With a plan in place, Amelia begins her "further" investigation by making a deal with Rayce. She would help him clean out his grandad's farmhouse if he would help train a puppy for her niece. Will Amelia solve the mystery of the farmhouse death... or does she embrace the pivotal reality... that some moments in life are really God's unexpected grace?

This short novella, was an unexpected reader delight. The characters are well crafted with an endearing capacity to entice an afternoon curled up with a holiday retreat. The conversations are humorous and engaging. The story line, well, is there anything more enjoyable than an old farmhouse with a library filled with first editions or a mysterious romance? This is a keeper, if you have family, friends, or a book club this is the book to pass around for your holiday read!
MrsK

Meet the Author:

Award-winning author Jennifer Sienes holds a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in education but discovered life-experience is the best teacher. She loves Jesus, romance, and writing—and puts it altogether in inspirational fiction. Two of the three novels in her Apple Hill Series (set in Northern California) were inspired by actual events. Her Southern fiction Bedford County Series is set in Tennessee where she now resides with her real-life hero (and husband).

Daniel Petronelli

ISBN: 9781737485513

Publisher's Synopsis:

It’s Christmas Eve in the small foothill Village of Shiloh.

A father retells the miraculous story that no one will ever forget.

A group of young boys lost in a powerful storm

fight to survive on that glorious night. 

The incredible chance encounter with a kind stranger, may be their only hope..

This award-winning book chronicles the spiritual journey of these children.

The lessons learned, the gift received and the lives that were changed.

MrsK's Review:

Meet Stephanie a bright and charming 10-year-old who is excited about preparing for the Christmas celebration. Her family lives in a cabin in Shiloh. On this Christmas eve, Stephanie is getting a cup of cocoa and a blanket to join dad for a moment before the town's celebration. Her sister, Jessica, is preparing for her first date to the Annual Christmas Eve Celebration on Faith Hill. Her mother is baking the blueberry pie for the evening's gathering. Everyone is feeling joyous anticipation and for a brief moment in time, Stephanie and her dad are enjoying a quiet time together.

"The sparkling lights were reflections of the evening's first winter stars."

With cocoa in hand, Stephanie asks her dad how the mountain became Faith Hill. And so, the story unfolds...

Two towns, six boys, and a Nor'easter blizzard. Forty years ago, Shiloh had "suffered" a devastating drought into winter. On Christmas Eve there arose two decisive plans in bringing a Christmas tree of hope to the town of Shiloh. The result of that evening became known as the "True meaning of Christmas." Seeds of faith were planted within the hearts of both towns (Joshua 1:9).

This Christmas tale is wonderous story of giving and helping others. The masterful storytelling about Faith Hill and it's two townships is woven with a purity within a period of time that has gotten lost in today's commercialized celebrations of Christmas. This novella is a perfect read-aloud for all ages. The journey of the boys, the town's committed search, and the message of hope is felt in those moments on Faith Hill in the bitter cold. The glory of the quest becomes the lesson of those who experienced the true meaning of Christmas.

Create a new Christmas tradition... bake a blueberry pie... make hot cocoa... gather some quilts... and settle in for a "read-aloud" moment in time...
Blessings to all,
MrsK

Meet the Author:

 Dan Petronelli was born and raised in Brockton, Massachusetts. He currently divides his time with his wife between West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and Stuart, Florida.

He is a strong member of his local community and has served as a Christian worship leader.  Home - The Seed of Faith Christmas Story

Dan Petronelli participated in Smith Magazine’s Six-Word Memoir contest, and his memoir was selected and later published by HarperCollins.

When not with his family and friends, he can be found on the first tee … asking for another mulligan.
Dan found a message in a bottle when he was a young boy tinkering on a rocky shoreline. It was a profound spiritual message that he has kept and still treasures today.

This inspired story was written as a cherished Christmas gift for his family, and it is his hope that the SEED OF FAITH will also bring joy and continue to grow in the hearts of readers around the world.

Meet the Artist:

Emily Pritchett has loved both drawing pictures and reading books since she was a little kid, so she has combined her two passions into illustrating books for young readers. She has now illustrated ten books, including three Christmas stories! Her favorite holiday memories are of building the artificial Christmas tree, branch by branch, and decorating it with her family. Emily studied illustration at Brigham Young University and now lives in Boston with her husband and son. She misses the mountains of Utah but still enjoys the snowy winters!

Family Read-Alouds:

MrsK's Review:

Since 1997, this delightful "sing a-long" version of a Christmas carol has delighted many of the learners within my home, classrooms, and or library story time. Lisa's whimsical creatures portray the hi-lights of the season... the fun of sledding in a "one-squirrel" open sleigh. Those precious giggles will jiggle your heart with joy.

MrsK's Review:     

It's Christmas Eve and all should be asleep... yet there are those who would try to trap Santa! Seriously, who would want to set traps? Unfortunately, in this story those un-named children have decided this year to try to get Santa's elf instead. Even though this story will bring much delight, I feel the stress of the catastrophic dishevel within each home is most disconcerting Warning for the adult reading this story aloud... closing one eye will alleviate half of your stress!

MrsK's Review: Snow falling is one of the most delightful moments in any classroom.

So much joy, excitement, and peace-filled environments. It seems that those flakes dancing through their journey to the ground inspires childhood memories to become playful once more. Grab the paper, scissors, and tape... create uniquely beautiful snowflakes for your windows... enjoy these treasured moments.

 MrsK's Review:

On the first day... It wasn't until I was at our school's Holiday concert that I realized the joy of this agitating classic. The parents were given the "privilege" of the 5 golden rings... the gym was transformed into one the most hysterical sing-alongs. Give it a try and have fun around your holiday this year!

 MrsK's Review:   Much has been portrayed about the yearly Christmas tree. Whether it's a memory, the adventure of seeking the perfect tree, the stress until the tree is standing straight in the stand and the lights have been strung, or the sigh when the top must be removed for the elegance of a bought "tree-topper," all is not in vain... nope. In fact, in this story that top gets shared in many other homes. This classic tale is a merry-making delight as you read... pause... predict.... and turn its pages.

 MrsK's Review: 

The moment I heard this story on the radio... I was caught up in the delightful melody... 

the unforgettable zip! ...pop! ... and whir!

This song brings a delight that lasts for generations.

  

 MrsK's Review:

It's the night before Christmas when nothing on the farm is stirring not even the... duck!

Silly duck, now the whole barnyard is in a ruckus and Santa will soon be there!

Warning... there will be giggles... shout-outs... groans... and moans. 

   MrsK's Review:    

Meet Humphrey... he is one sad, sad, sad camel who has lost his

"beauteous" and glorious carpet. As he journeys to a city called Bethlehem,

he becomes uncomfortable carrying the three burdensome chests.

And then... when the traveling kings stop at a stable... 

a Beauteous and Glorious moment happens.

 MrsK's Review:

In a snowy New England village there are two elf stowaways from the

North Pole. Mischief and mayhem begins up on a roof top...

and with a wink of his eye...

all will know there is nothing to dread!

Blessings for a season of Joy!

K-8 Back to School Discoveries

 

Sophie Dahl

ISBN: 9781536233568

Publisher's Synopsis:

Who is Madame Badobedah? Mabel sets out to prove that an eccentric new hotel guest is really a supervillain in this witty storybook about an intergenerational friendship.

There's a strange new guest at the Mermaid Hotel -- a very old lady with a growly voice, bags stuffed with jewelry and coins and curiosities, and a beady-eyed pet tortoise. Mabel, whose parents run the hotel, is suspicious. Who is this "Madame Badobedah" (it rhymes with "Oo la la") who has come to stay indefinitely and never has any visitors? To find out, Mabel puts on her spy costume and observes the new guest. Conclusion? She must be a secret supervillain hiding out from the law. The grown-ups think Madame Badobedah is a bit rude -- and sad -- but when she invites "dahlink" Mabel for a cup of forbidden tea and a game of pirates, the two begin a series of imaginary adventures together, and Mabel realizes that first impressions can sometimes be very wrong.

"Adventure is worthwhile in itself."

Amelia Earhart

MrsK's Review: 

Meet Mabel who is a self-proclaimed "Adventurer."  She lives at the Mermaid Hotel because her mom and dad are the managers. Her job is to "watch" their guests, so many avenues for discussions, to learn secrets, as well as have an adventure or two!

Meet Madame Badobedah the oldest, "best-ever" guest. She loves sweets, building sandcastles, and traveling the world. Yet, at the Mermaid Hotel, Madame Badobedah has had no visitors. On Saturdays, Madame B and Mabel try their luck larking on the beach or at the river. 

Whether treasure is found on a beach, river, or in Madame's closet, or her dressing table with 507 drawers... there will be great discovers and grand adventures within the covers of this delightful picture book. An excellent read aloud for discovering new research projects.

MrsK

Meet the Author:

  

Sophie Dahl (born Sophie Holloway) is an English author, cookbook writer and former model. She was born in London, the daughter of actor Julian Holloway and writer Tessa Dahl. Her maternal grandparents were author Roald Dahl and actress Patricia Neal. Her paternal grandfather was actor Stanley Holloway. She was the inspiration for Sophie, the main character in her maternal grandfather's book The BFG.

Multi-Cultural Discoveries

Johanna Ho

ISBN: 9780063320277

Publisher's Synopsis:

A young Asian girl notices that her eyes look different from her peers'. They have big, round eyes and long lashes. She realizes that her eyes are like her mother’s, her grandmother's, and her little sister's. They have eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea, crinkle into crescent moons, and are filled with stories of the past and hope for the future. Drawing from the strength of these powerful women in her life, she recognizes her own beauty and discovers a path to self-love and empowerment.

"My eyes crinkle into crescent moons...

carrying tales of the past and hope for the future."

MrsK's Review: Read Aloud

Beautifully woven story about a young girl who values her family and the world around her. This brief journey into the heart ignites a youthful look at the blessings that we can find that are unique to our heritage. In a poetic verse are threads of love, beauty, strength, and hope... such an endearing and yet simple belief that our hearts can recognize, celebrate, and stand alongside of the valued sentiment of life. A must for librarians, educators, and homeschoolers.

Meet the Author:

   Joanna Ho Bradshaw is the author of Eyes that Kiss in the Corners (HarperCollins, Jan 2021), Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma (HarperCollins, Fall 2021), and One Day (Winter 2023). She is a writer and educator with a passion for anti-bias, anti-racism and equity work. She holds a BA in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s from the Principal Leadership Institute at Berkeley. She has been an English teacher, a dean, the designer of an alternative-to-prison program, and a professional development mastermind. She is currently the vice principal of a high school in the Bay Area, where she survives on homemade chocolate chip cookies, outdoor adventures, and dance parties with her kids.

Malala Yousafzai

ISBN:9780316564533

Publisher's Synopsis:

As a child in Pakistan, Malala made a wish for a magic pencil. She would use it to make everyone happy, to erase the smell of garbage from her city, to sleep an extra hour in the morning. But as she grew older, Malala saw that there were more important things to wish for. She saw a world that needed fixing. And even if she never found a magic pencil, Malala realized that she could still work hard every day to make her wishes come true. Nobel Peace Prize winner and New York Times bestselling author Malala Yousafzai's first picture book, inspired by her own childhood.

MrsK's Review: Read Aloud

What would you do with a magic pencil? Could you erase what was painful or draw that which you didn't have? In this "child" voiced collection of hopes, dreams, and hardships there is an inner heart that is beating a rhythm for opportunities unrestricted. A purity of common-sense justice and freedom that every child born should be provided. This eloquent story of the world's view must be experienced within our schools, homes, and churches. Bridging the gap between cultures has a courageous healing power for our next generation!

Meet the Author:

  Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate. She is known for human rights advocacy, especially education of women in her native Swat Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northwest Pakistan, where the local Taliban had at times banned girls from attending school. Her advocacy has since grown into an international movement.

Matt Tavares

ISBN: 9780763641375

Publisher's Synopsis:

Oliver Hall loves baseball. He loves the ritual of helping out in his grandfather’s store, Hall’s Nostalgia, and he loves listening to Grandpa Hall’s innumerable baseball stories. But one day, Oliver makes a startling discovery. It seems his grandfather has kept one very special story as his own. With stunning black-and-white and sepia-tone illustrations and a heartwarming narrative, Matt Tavares portrays one man’s lifelong love of the game, and the enduring legacy he passes on to his grandchild.

MrsK's Review: Home Teams

Oliver loves Hall's Nostalgia, listening to his Grandpa's stories, baseball and the Cubs! When a customer requests an item, Oliver is sent to Granpa's storage closet. What he discovers will lead him to a discovery that he never imagined. In 1941 the Cubs were getting ready to play the Cardinals. While the Cubs were practicing,.. a game of stickball was being played outside of his Grandpa's home. What became a homerun led to once in a lifetime invitation. Yet, there was an important world event that changed the course of so many lives... America was at war!

The beauty of generational stories is what leads the next generation forward. For a time, such as this, a story of baseball could provide a thread to the weaving of a family's tapestry of life. What better journey could a Read Aloud provide?

Meet the Author:

 

Meet Matt Tavares: For his senior thesis project, Matt wrote and illustrated a story called Sebastian's Ball, which eventually became Zachary's Ball, Matt's first published picture book. Zachary's Ball went on to win a Massachusetts Book Award Honor and was named one of Yankee Magazine's 40 Classic New England Children's Books.

Since then, Matt has published eighteen more books and has won several awards, including three Parents' Choice Gold Awards, an Orbis Pictus Honor, and two ALA Notable books. His artwork has been exhibited at the Museum of American Illustration, the Brandywine River Museum, and the Mazza Museum of Picture Book Art.

When Matt's not working in his studio on his latest book project, he travels the country speaking (and drawing) at schools, libraries, conferences, and bookstores. He has presented at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Eric Carle Museum, the White House Easter Egg Roll, and he's even done a few book signings at Fenway Park. Matt lives in Maine with his wife, Sarah, and their two daughters.

Dr. Ben Carson

ISBN: 9781737868415

Publishers Synopsis:

Why America Matters is a children's book about the Judeo-Christian values of America and its founding, and the importance of the Four Pillars of the American Cornerstone Institute: Faith, Liberty, Community, Life. Through rhymes and colorful illustrations, readers understand how our founding values continue with today's patriotic Americans.

"Does America Matter?"

MrsK's Review: 

It is with great hope that I've included this "much needed" American read-aloud. In a time, such as this, our young learners must have a grounding about our country. Dr. Carson has created America's story into an accessible understanding about the values that laid the foundation of our Constitution, Bill of Rights, National Holidays, and our American Symbols. Our American Story cannot be told without the common thread of values. Faith, liberty, community, and life are the essence of our Nation. Most 4th of July parades remind us about the hope, the value of life, and the essential "to-die-for" liberties that each generation before us protected. America didn't become a great nation without the values that mattered most in the hearts of the United States citizens. It's time for us to plant seeds about our Nation's goodness and truth about that which America changed.

Meet the Author:

Benjamin Solomon "Ben" Carson, Sr., M.D. is an American neurosurgeon and the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States by President George W. Bush in 2008.

Lindsay Currie

ISBN: 9781728259536

Publisher's Synopsis:

Crack the codes. Find the treasure. Escape the house. From the acclaimed author of Scritch Scratch and What Lives in the Woods comes a action-packed adventure novel about three friends who team up to find a hidden treasure in an abandoned 1950's funhouse. Twelve-year-old Sarah Greene wants nothing more from her seventh-grade year than to beat the hardest escape room left in her town with her best friends, West, and Hannah. But when a foreclosure notice shows up on Sarah's front door, everything changes. Since her father became ill two years ago, things have been bad, but not lose your house bad...until now. Sarah feels helpless until the day Hannah mentions a treasure rumored to be hidden in the walls of an abandoned funhouse. According to legend, Hans, Stefan, and Karl Stein were orphaned at eight years old and lived with different families until they were able to reunite as adults. Their dream was to build the most epic funhouse in existence. They wanted their experience to be more than mirror mazes and optical illusions, so they not only created elaborate riddles and secret passages, but they also claimed to have hidden a treasure inside the funhouse. Once in, Sarah, West, and Hannah realize the house is unlike any escape room they've attempted. There are challenges, yes, but they feel personal. Like the triplets knew who would get in. It seems impossible, but so does everything about the house. As soon as they're in she immediately worries that attempting the funhouse is a bad idea, but Sarah has no choice but to continue, since her future is at stake.

MrsK's Review: Gr5-8 Mystery

Meet the Delta's, Sarah, West, and Hannah middle school friends who seek the thrill of breaking through the Locked Rooms in their area's Escape Rooms. Knowing which clues will unlock the escape room in record time is what the Deltas have been "honing" since the first room they went to. To be on the board as an "escape master" is worth every moment of trials and error. 

Escape rooms isn't just solving a mystery by locating clues... lasers can set off alarms or unlock doors. Moving quickly almost always creates chaos. 

When Sarah's dad becomes bedridden, her family makes do, at least until the eviction notice is delivered. Has something terrible turned into a "quest" to find a solution that removes all the pain? Well, that's exactly what happens for Sarah. 

In an escape room, everyone's strengths must be "honed" to exact precision. Hannah has balance and an adventurous spirit without fear.  West has the wisdom of deciphering riddles, as well as excellent recall, his ability to recall also means that he has many moments of "random" facts because everything he sees is etched in his memory. Sarah knows numbers, patterns, and that there is only one right answer in solving any puzzle.

In an abandoned house, in which every room is a new puzzle, will the Delta's find the hidden treasure? Can Sarah save their home and remain living in their town? Will they survive or die like the legend suggests? Delta's don't give up!

I don't know if you've been an Escape Room, but I know that this book will provide much needed experience in how to look for clues, how "not" to be too focused on time and more focused on what the room is hiding... with plenty of "twists & turns," this book is one that keeps you reading beyond the end of a chapter...

MrsK

Meet the Author:

   

   

Lindsay Currie is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author of mysteries for young readers. Her most recent titles are It Found Us and The Mystery of Locked Rooms. She grew up on Nancy Drew and loves a good mystery. Bonus points if it's spooky! When she's not writing, Lindsay can generally be found looking for an adventure of her own. She loves researching the forgotten history in her city, Chicago, taking long walks with her family, and as pretty much everyone knows . . . Disney World!

Derek Fridolfs

ISBN: 9781338166361

Publisher's Synopsis:

The follow-up to the bestselling hit Study Hall of Justice! Clark Kent is thrilled when he receives an invite to a spring break academic retreat. After taking down the villains of Ducard Academy the previous year, going back to life on the farm was a bit dull. Better yet, his friends Bruce and Diana have been invited there, too! What better way to spend spring break than with old friends (Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn) and new ones like Arthur Curry (Aquaman), Barry Allen (the Flash), and Vic Stone (Cyborg)?

When Clark arrives at Camp Evergreen he makes new friends, reconnects with old ones, and nothing seems weird at all! Well, that is until kids start disappearing... One by one... Plus, there's a lake monster, bigfoot has been spotted, there are reports of a boogeyman, and there may or may not be a UFO crashed into the lake. Clark, Bruce, and Diana will have to re-assemble the Junior Detective - er- Criminal Investigation Unit, in an all-new, supernatural adventure!

"It would be a crime not to join us..."

MrsK's Review: GN Grades 2-3+

When the young Clark Kent gets an invitation to the Evergreen Adventure Camp, he isn't that thrilled since he never has attended a camp before. His academic scores provided this camp experience for spring break. Now that CK has accepted the invite, he learns that many of those with special identities will be there as well. Will the camp be worth a week of his time, or will it be a rotten week in nature without his cell phone.

Superheroes aren't always those who "go along" with the rules. Even though they might be... well, super intelligent... they aren't necessarily ready for camp leaders who do not answer their questions. The daily routines, the friendly competition, the prescribed activities, and the mysterious disappearance of campers.

If a book could be a surprise, this is the one for every DC comic fan. Filled with journal entries, great black/white sketches, humorous discussions, as well as... a mystery to solve! Every reader knows the thrill of a "page-turner," usually your heart races and you just can't quit reading. What if a page-turner is such a fun experience that you don't want it to end? 

I'm so excited to share this with my grands & great-grands... and every learner... educator... and parent...

Check it out... give it as a gift... just don't let it leave your personal library... it's a keeper!

MrsK

Meet the Author:

 Derek Fridolfs has worked professionally as a writer, inker, cover & sequential artist for DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, Boom, IDW, and a majority of comic companies the past 20 years.
#1 New York Times Best Selling Writer for the DC Secret Hero Society book series through SCHOLASTIC. And Eisner Nominated co-writer of Batman: Li'l Gotham at DC.

He's also written for such titles as Adventure Time, Regular Show, Clarence, Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, Teen Titans Go! Dexter's Laboratory, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The New Animated Adventures, Batman Arkham City, Batman Arkham Unhinged, Adventures of Superman, Sensation Comics Wonder Woman, Justice League Beyond and many more.

  

MrsK's Review: Family Read-Alouds (all ages)

 

Kirk Cameron

"As seasons change, you will grow."

As You Grow: ISBN: 9781955550291

Wonderfully crafted quick statements about growing up to be the best you can be. With truthful wisdom, this story unfolds with topics for discussions, such as: kindness; brokenness; courage; compassion; gentleness and generosity. Simple sentences are supported with delightful illustrations by Juan Moreno. This a must read-aloud at home... in the classroom... and at library Storytimes.

"When you aren't being a great friend... what should you do?"

Pride Comes Before the Fall: ISBN: 9781955550390

 Valor is the best athlete, yet when he gets to the Great Raka Rapid Race, everyone already has a partner. Why wouldn't the others be excited to be his partner? Right before the race begins, Kevin showed up without a partner. Valor can't believe that Kevin would become his partner choice, it wouldn't matter anyway since it's his strength that will win the race... or so Valor thought. Valor will learn that everyone has unique strengths. This river race is enhanced with authentically comical illustrations by Steve Crespo. Get ready for the thrill of a "ride" into pure fun!

These books are well crafted, beautiful-engaging illustrations, exceptional story lines, as well as educating/reinforcing character strengths, values, weaknesses, and truths. These titles are a must for families who have story time as a treasured priority. Any Grandparent, Aunt, or Uncle should gift these books for birthdays, Christmas, or at Easter. For educators and homeschoolers, it is so important to have books that will engage and educate the strengths of a learner's character... please consider these well-crafted stories. Find out more at this link

Seasoned Readers Hot August Nights!

 

Jennifer Chiaverini

ISBN: 9780063080799

Publisher's Synopsis:

Summer Sullivan, the youngest founding member of Elm Creek Quilts, has spent the last two years pursuing a master’s degree in history at the University of Chicago. Her unexpected return home to the celebrated quilter’s retreat is met with delight but also concern from her mother, Gwen; her best friend, Sarah; master quilter Sylvia; and her other colleagues—and rightly so. Stymied by writer’s block, Summer hasn’t finished her thesis, and she can’t graduate until she does.

Elm Creek Manor offers respite while Summer struggles to meet her extended deadline. She finds welcome distraction in organizing an exhibit of antique quilts as a fundraiser to renovate Union Hall, the 1863 Greek Revival headquarters of the Waterford Historical Society. But Summer’s research uncovers startling facts about Waterford’s past, prompting unsettling questions about racism, economic injustice, and political corruption within their community, past and present.

As Summer’s work progresses, quilt lovers and history buffs praise the growing collection, but affronted local leaders demand that she removes all references to Waterford’s troubled history. As controversy threatens the exhibit’s success, Summer fears that her pursuit of the truth might cost the Waterford Historical Society their last chance to save Union Hall. Her only hope is to rally the quilting community to her cause.

The Museum of Lost Quilts is a warm and deeply moving story about the power of collective memory. With every fascinating quilt she studies, Summer finds her passion for history renewed—and discovers a promising new future for herself.

MrsK's Review: Historical Fiction Series

Summer is returning to her Pennsylvania hometown and her treasured Elm Creek Manor. She is sure that the ladies at Elm Quilt Manor will help her move beyond her self-doubts. The realization that her doctorate program was creating doubts, struggles, writer's block, and stress beyond what she could deal with... so why not spend some time with her mother, the quilting ladies, and the summer quilting groups. Hopefully, she will get her doctorate paper finished before its due date. A small, yet desperate inkling of hope was bubbling forth once the taxi entered the turn off. Will she find what she is needing at Elm Creek manor?

The Waterford Historical Society has been working hard to restore the Union Hall in spite of Gregory Krolich's. Summer learns that the Loyal Union Sampler could help the society get Union Hall on the National Register of Historic Places. Upstairs the society has proposed opening a gallery to the public as a quilt exhibit that showcases "intriguing ties to local history." This could be the revenue source that would let the society keep Union Hall. What is needed is a curator... and Summer is more than qualified. Will she be able to locate, verify, arrange and write the history cards for the historical quilts and finish her doctorate work?

With the trusted "storyteller" craft that Jennifer is known for, this book has beautiful details about the art of quilting. Jennifer's historical details consistently add a unique and endearing depth to her stories. With an excitement for a new Elm Creek book, I eagerly began the summer in my newly designed garden room... snuggled in with an iced green/peach tea and began my summer journey back to Elm Creek. What I quickly discovered was the bonus pages in which Summer writes the historic object placards for each quilt. Those historical additions were fascinating and inspiring. Thank you, Jennifer, for never disappointing your readers! *Jennifer took a break from Elm Creek and began writing Historical Fiction about the everyday lives of extraordinary women throughout the centuries... be sure to read those books in which history of women who have walked before us can still reach across the ages to inspire and ignite an inner strength that is truly dignified with graciousness.

Read on....

MrsK

Meet the Author:

 

Jennifer Chiaverini is the New York Times bestselling author of thirty-three novels, including acclaimed historical fiction and the beloved Elm Creek Quilts series. She has also written seven quilt pattern books inspired by her novels. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the University of Chicago, she lives with her husband and two sons in Madison, Wisconsin. About her historical fiction, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes, "In addition to simply being fascinating stories, these novels go a long way in capturing the texture of life for women, rich and poor, black and white, in those perilous years."

Mechthild Glaser

ISBN:9781250144232

Publisher's Synopsis:

Amy Lennox doesn't know quite what to expect when she and her mother pick up and leave Germany for Scotland, heading to her mother's childhood home of Lennox House on the island of Stormsay.

Amy's grandmother, Lady Mairead, insists that Amy must read while she resides at Lennox House—but not in the usual way. It turns out that Amy is a book jumper, able to leap into a story and interact with the world inside. As thrilling as Amy's new power is, it also brings danger: someone is stealing from the books she visits, and that person may be after her life. Teaming up with fellow book jumper Will, Amy vows to get to the bottom of the thefts—at whatever cost.

"The monster had slept for many, many years...

... now the time had come for the monster to open its eyes once more."

MrsK's Review: Fantasy YA

Amy Lennox and her mother, Alexis, quickly gathered some items as they headed back to her mother's homeland of Scotland. Amy knew little about her mother's life other than she had left home when she was pregnant and seventeen. This sudden departure meant that she would have to decide to leave her books, only her beloved Momo and Pride and Prejudice would accompany her on this journey.

Alexis has experienced a jarring break-up. All she knew was that it was time to return to Stormsay. As soon as they were at the gate of Stormsay, Alexis knew the next steps were bringing her back to a life she did not want to return to... yet here she was.

For Amy standing in the hallway of her grandmother's mansion was surreal. Leaving the small flat that she called home, her fake-friends, and a completely humiliating school year had left a hole inside. So being on this journey to her mother's home, which she now realized was on a small Scottish island and was her grandmother's mansion... a grandmother she didn't even know was alive, Amy pondered why her mother had kept all of this hidden from her. 

Lady Mairead is Amy's grandmother. She is proud of the family name, mansion, and the "very special library" on Stormsay. Some of the texts are unique, some were rescued from the Library of Alexandria, and most are considered the greatest classics ever written. Alexis only said one thing to her mother... "That you give her a completely harmless children's book... where absolutely nothing can happen to her." What does that mean?

Deep, deep underground... Amy steps into an enormous bibliophile's cavern of dark wood, scrolls, leather books, and the smell of old paper. Here was a place full of "whispered words... the lure of stories waiting to be read.... and the rustle of promise that hung in the air." 

Glen is the teacher of the Lennox and Macalister families. Amy would be given lessons? Right away she is led to a bookcase in "a far corner." It would be a red leather book that cries out to Amy, "Read me!"

There are two other learners in the library, William and Betsy Macalister. Will they be friends or foes?

Betsy Macalister is quite stuck up. Does not like anything about Amy. Giving her a chance is not an option for her. She would do anything to cause Amy grief... anything? To what length will she let her prejudgments sabotage Amy's time on the island?

Will Macalister isn't as despondent to Amy as his sister. He's not sure if she is a foe or just a girl that has arrived at the worst time. Amy just might the one who can help Will locate his missing friend. If he watches her, maybe... maybe she might be the one in whom many mysteries could be solved. Can he trust her? After all, being a book jumper is not for the faint of heart!

With all fantasies it must contain a well-woven story thread. Perfected word choice must be enticing. Characters must come to life. This story will surpass any reader's expectations. Yet, I warn you... you will want a sequel! I must add that I echo Amy's first response as she enters the Secret Library... I too would ponder "how many adventures were hidden in paper and in ink... how many great love stories.... how many epic battles!"

"Do you vow that whenever you read you will strive to protect stories...

and to do nothing that might destroy or alter them?"

Meet the Author:

   Mechthild Gläser was born in Essen in the summer of 1986. She lives and works in Ruhrgebiet, where she is dedicated to her studies and now and then dances ballet badly – but only when nobody is watching. She started writing at an early age, and her laptop is still on the rose-coloured desk pad on which she wrote her first stories. She finds inspiration everywhere, but best with a cup of peppermint tea.

Kristin Harmel

ISBN:9781982198435

Publisher's Synopsis:

At thirty-six, Hope McKenna-Smith is no stranger to bad news. She lost her mother to cancer, her husband left her, and her bank account is nearly depleted. Her own dreams of becoming a lawyer long gone, she’s running a failing family bakery on Cape Cod and raising a troubled preteen.

Now, Hope’s beloved French-born grandmother Mamie is drifting away in a haze of Alzheimer’s. But in a rare moment of clarity, Mamie realizes that unless she tells Hope about the past, the secrets she has held on to for so many years will soon be lost forever. Tantalizingly, she reveals mysterious snippets of a tragic history in WWII Paris. Armed with a scrawled list of names, Hope heads to France to uncover a seventy-year-old mystery.

What follows is “an immersive and evocative tale of generations struggling to survive” (Publishers Weekly) as Hope pieces together her grandmother’s past bit by bit. Uncovering horrific tales of the Holocaust, she realizes the astonishing will of her grandmother to endure in a world gone mad. And to reunite two lovers torn apart by terror, all she’ll need is a dash of courage, and the belief that God exists everywhere, even in cake.

"Life changes you, even if you don't realize it while it's happening."

MrsK's Review: Historical Fiction

For Hope, September has arrived in Cape Cod. She has inherited her family's North Star Bakery which became her home after three life-changing events. Baking comes naturally for Hope, it also provides the much-needed peace while she adjusts to all of her life changes. Her daughter Annie, well she continues to make doubtful choices since the divorce.

Matt is the regional vice-president of the local bank. He is also Hope's ex-high school boyfriend. For Hope he is a "comfortable" grounding force. Yet, Matt continues to hope that one day they might become more than friends.

Gavin is a handyman. Someone who can help in your time of need... when Hope is need of someone to fix a water disaster... she meets Gavin. Is seems as if he is always at hand whenever Hope is dealing with some type of emergency. Can a handyman be a "fixer" of needs that aren't just items?

Annie is Hope's daughter. Divorce has totally unraveled her life. As a seventh grader, life is hard enough without a divorce rocking your foundation. Will there be any way for Annie to find what she needs, considering her "icy veneer" has quaked a wide gap between her and her mom.

Mamie is Hope's grandmother. The baker who taught her everything. Dementia took a turn for the worse after her daughter died and now, she lives in a care facility. Annie has started seeing her without telling her mother, yet when Mamie keeps calling her Leona, Annie had to ask her mom who Leona was? Rose is one name that Mamie remembers, of course her daughter's name remains clearly etched within her mind, Josephine the one she failed. Alzheimer's "grabs the memories" which once were a lifeline to all you knew. Rose knows that it is time, time to speak truth.

"I must know what happened to my family."

When one of those "clarity" days, a very special day so long ago, Rose wrote down seven names. Today would be the day that she would ask Hope to go to Paris and find out the truth about what happened to her family. Would Hope forgive her once she learns the truth of her life before America?

Life isn't always as it seems. Children never have a complete understanding about their parents. Every one of us is uniquely individualized with our own versions of childhood. Yet oftentimes there's a painful back story...  a moment of complete joy... waves that echo through time... shadows of days gone by. There is always another thread to our stories of life... and within those threads there are always uncompleted dreams of what we could have been. This book can soothe and heal that which you've been waiting for... a treasure of a woman's life that no one could have known.

Excellent storytelling about life worth living and hoping for that which is blessed,

MrsK

Meet the Author:

 Kristin Harmel is the New York Times bestselling and #1 international bestselling author of THE BOOK OF LOST NAMES, THE WINEMAKER'S WIFE, and a dozen other novels that have been translated into numerous languages and sold all over the world.

Kristin was born just outside Boston, Massachusetts and spent her childhood there, as well as in Columbus, Ohio, and St. Petersburg, Florida. After graduating with a degree in journalism (with a minor in Spanish) from the University of Florida, she spent time living in Paris and Los Angeles and now lives in Orlando, with her husband and young son. She travels frequently to France for book research (and—let’s be honest—for the pastries and wine) and writes a book a year for Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster.

Brave Books

Freedom Island

Publisher's Synopsis:

Our mission is to be the brand parents trust with their children's imaginations by creating a world, characters, and stories that not only enthrall them but build their character while doing so.

MrsK's Review: Family Read-Alouds (all ages)

These books are well crafted, beautiful-engaging illustrations, exceptional story lines, as well as educating/reinforcing character strengths, values, weaknesses, and truths. These titles are a must for families who have story time as a treasured priority. Any Grandparent, Aunt, or Uncle should gift these books for birthdays, Christmas, or at Easter. For educators and homeschoolers, it is so important to have books that will engage and educate the strengths of a learner's character... please consider these well-crafted stories. Find out more at this link