Spring2Summer Explorations: Pre-K-YA

Charley Mackesy

ISBN: 9780063018433

Publisher Synopsis:

Enter the world of Charlie's four unlikely friends, discover their story and their most important life lessons. The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse have been shared millions of times online - perhaps you've seen them? They've also been recreated by children in schools and hung on hospital walls. They sometimes even appear on lamp posts and on cafe and bookshop windows. Perhaps you saw the boy and mole on the Comic Relief T-shirt, Love Wins?

"Life... frightening sometimes but beautiful..."

MrsK's Review: Fantasy Read Aloud

In the springtime, a boy meets a mole. "In their wanderings," they discover that size is relative. They discuss what success might be. They ponder if there is a "school of unlearning." Do you know what is the biggest waste of time? What is the greatest freedom? "Is doing nothing with friends, doing nothing?"

Beautifully crafted wisdom. The quiet and gentleness within these pages ignites a desire to ponder, to share, and enter into a reflective moment or two. This is a book that every grandparent, educator, and homeschooling parent should read... because it is a perfect gift for graduations, birthdays, and especially for Christmas. I believe that the giver should personalize this book journey with little comments here and there between the pages... that would be my definition of loving gift in action,

MrsK

"This book is for everyone...

whether you are eighty or eight...."

Meet the Author:

Charlie Macksey was born during a snowy winter in Northumberland. He has been a cartoonist for The Spectator and a book illustrator for Oxford University Press. He has collaborated with Richard Curtis for Comic Relief, and Nelson Mandela on a lithograph project, 'The Unity Series.' Collectors of Mackesy's works include Elizabeth Gilbert, Whoopi Goldberg, Roger Waters, Richard Curtis, The Murdoch Freuds, Tim Bevan, M. Night Shyamalan, Bear Grylls, Howard Goodall, Harry Enfield, and Sting. He has lived and painted in South Africa, Southern Africa, and New Orleans. He co-runs a social enterprise, Mama Buci, in the Zambian copperbelt, which helps families of low and no income to become beekeepers.

David J Harris Jr.

ISBN: 9781955550413

Publisher's Synopsis:

A Town Worth Defending is a children's book written by David J Harris Jr. BRAVE Books has partnered with David Harris Jr. to write A Town Worth Defending, a children's book that teaches kids about patriotism. In every BRAVE Book, we partner with people of moral integrity, like David Harris Jr., to teach complex Christian and Conservative values.

"To the Defenders of Freedom..."

MrsK's Review: GR. 1-2 Fantasy

Rowdy Raccoon has written a Dirt Creek letter to inform all citizens that a posse of possums is attacking all the towns. His request is to save Dirt Creek. With a high noon, rubber-band shoot out, Rowdy faces down Greasy the Possum. With the help of the Defenders of Freedom, the villains high tail it out of town. But will that be the last show-down? 

Greasy has proclaimed that he and his gang will be returning with a train of dynamite if the town isn't turned over to them!

Written with delightful characters, a rowdy gunfight and showdown, as well as entertaining artwork by Andre Ceolin, this is an Americana western that will inspire many re-readings... 

Gather around a flashlight campfire and spin this tale of a dust-uppin' peck of trouble!

MrsK

Brave Books

Meet the Author:

Unapologetically patriotic, David Harris Jr. endeavors to help society discover what it truly means to keep America great. David Harris Jr. is an entrepreneur, author, and podcast host who delivers thought-provoking and engaging presentations that challenge audiences to pay attention to important political, social, and economic issues. Listeners appreciate his honest and relatable approach to topics focusing on the conservative culture and pro-life movement. Using his own life experiences and faith-based direction, he brings a passionate and unique message tailored to each event.

Marianne Malone

ISBN: 9780307977243

Publisher's Synopsis:

Chicago sixth graders Ruthie and Jack think they’ve learned everything about the magic of the Art Institute’s Thorne Rooms. But the magic starts to act strangely when Ruthie and Jack discover two rings that are out of place—and out of time—and a portal that shouldn’t be open but somehow is. Ruthie and Jack follow the clues to seventeenth-century England and the Brownlow house, where they meet the Brownlow’s governess, Rebecca. But Rebecca has a few secrets of her own—and she might even be in the wrong century! Can Ruthie and Jack discover the truth about Rebecca’s mysterious past, or will they end up stuck in the wrong century themselves? Their quest for answers takes them from 1930s New York City and San Francisco to turn-of-the-century China. The only one who can truly answer their questions may be the woman who started it the room’s creator, Narcissa Thorne. But to talk to Mrs. Thorne, they’ll have to go back in time and find her!

MrsK's Review: GR 3-4 Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Ruthie and Jack are excited to be working for Mrs. McVittie's Rare and Antique Bookshop during the summer. Besides their new summer job, Ruthie and Jack will be encouraged to revisit the Thoren Rooms at the Art Institute. While unpacking an antique box, they discover an old newspaper with an article about an unsolved missing teen case. Could they travel back in time and try to discover a clue about what really happened with Becky Brown?

Once they've discovered a hidden letter from Narcissa Thorne, they learn more about the mysterious key. Even though the letter was written in 1939, it sounds as if it was directly written to them... especially since they now have the key. What places in time will they travel? Will they discover the truth about Becky Brown? Should they try to return the key to an elderly Narcissa Thorne? It's up to you to open the covers...

If you haven't met Ruthie and Jack and their amazing journeys into the 68 rooms, well this book will be an excellent exploration. Each book can be a stand-alone, or you can begin with the first title... The Sixty-Eight rooms, simply pic one and enjoy the journey...

MrsK

Meet the Author:

 I was born and raised in the Chicago area. I was not a nose-in-the-book sort of kid, like many authors. Rather, I could be found climbing trees or building forts or making something with my hands. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy reading, it’s just that it was hard to squeeze it in with all the other things I wanted to do in a day. My mother was an artist – lucky me! – who taught me all kinds of wonderful ways to make art and to live a creative life. She also took me to the Art Institute of Chicago frequently, which is where I fell in love with the Thorne Miniature Rooms. Many years later, after I’d studied art in college, began raising my family, co-founded a middle school for girls, and became an art teacher, the Rooms still captured my imagination. In fact, they turned me into a writer when I could no longer ignore the stories they planted in my head.

I wanted to create the kinds of books I would have loved when I was young, the kind of books that would have made me stop what I was doing, the kind of books I couldn’t put down. I had to work hard to learn how to turn these stories that lived in my head into books that young readers would enjoy. But that was half the fun of it – learning a new way to be creative!

S. D. Smith

ISBN: 9781951305215

Publisher's Synopsis:

Heather and Picket are extraordinary rabbits with ordinary lives until calamitous events overtake them, spilling them into a cauldron of misadventures. They discover that their own story is bound up in the tumult threatening to overwhelm the wider world. Kings fall and kingdoms totter. Tyrants ascend and terrors threaten. Betrayal beckons, and loyalty is a broken road with peril around every bend. Where will Heather and Picket land? How will they make their stand?

"All right, my dears, ... I will tell you of...

The Rise and Fall of King Jupiter the Great."

MrsK's Review: GR 3-6 Fantasy

Meet Heather and Picket. They have been raised in the Hollow, in an Elm tree, in the meadow between West and East Wood. While playing their game of catching a star, neither of them worried about anything, nothing could take away their joy as they leaped and dashed through the meadow... not even the rolling rumble of a storm. Sure, their father had warned them about not entering East wood, but right this moment they needed to get Heather's ribbon from the old maple tree.

Once morning, a visitor had arrived at their home, she was introduced as Lady Glen, yet Heather had never heard of her. Why was she there? Why did their mother decide to send them to pick berries when they had company? Unfortunately, Heather and Picket would never see their home, their mother or father, nor Baby Jacks. That was the day that Nick Hollow was attacked by Redeye and his wolves. Heather had only one decision... to send Picket to the hidden cave and then to distract the wolves by out running them. Would Picket stay hidden, even if she didn't meet him?

A harrowing escape, a boat ride with an uncle they never met, Heather and Picket have made it to the Mended Wood and Lord Rake. Heather wasn't sure about trusting these rabbits, yet she had no option. Picket needed medical help. She would have to learn what she could about these "heralds" of Mended Wood. 

Who are the exiles, the orphans from the Great Wood? Will the Forest guard protect all of them who dwell in this city above the clouds? 

Green Ember isn't just captivating; it is a powerful page turner. There are swash-buckling sword fights, dangerous escapes, heroes and heroines, a legend worth fighting for, and a secret search that must bring an heir to the Kingdom of Jupiter. With delightfully crafted characters, detailed visualization, and hope this is a perfect read aloud for any family gathering and or classroom,

MrsK

"... this community has had to learn the hard way to be

cautious with our trust."

"The Green Ember burns; the seed of the New World smolders.

Healing is on the horizon, but a fire comes first.

Bear the flame."

Meet the Author:

S. D. Smith is the author of The Green Ember Series, a million+ selling adventure saga featuring heroic #RabbitsWithSwords. The Green Ember spent time as the number one bestselling audiobook in the world on Audible. He is also the author of the madcap Mooses with Bazookas: And Other Stories Children Should Never Read as well as the touching throwback adventure, The Found Boys. Finally, he has co-authored two fantasy adventure novels with his son (J. C. Smith), Jack Zulu and the Waylander’s Key and Jack Zulu and the Girl with Golden Wings. Smith’s stories are captivating readers across the globe who are hungry for “new stories with an old soul.”

Though packed with old school virtue and moral imagination, Smith doesn't merely create "safe" stories, but bold, daring, truthful tales of light that help shape children who become dangerous—dangerous to the darkness.

Smith is a founder and owner of Story Warren, a publishing, events, and IP development house based in rural West Virginia. Story Warren exists to serve families as “allies in imagination.”

Chris Grabenstein

ISBN: 9780593707944

Publisher's Synopsis:

Do you have what it takes to be the new owner of Mr. Lemoncello’s epic gaming empire? Find out in this fantabulous finale to the beloved, New York Times Bestselling Mr. Limoncello's Library series! Mr. Limoncello's ENTIRE game-making empire is up for grabs! It's time for one last fantabulous challenge with Mr. Lemoncello-the world's most famous gamemaker! This time everything is on the line—literally! Mr. Lemoncello has invited thirteen lucky 13-year-olds—including his biggest fan, Kyle Keeley— to compete in the final games. The winner of these games will become the new owner of Mr. Limoncello's ENTIRE GAME MAKING EMPIRE!!! But uh-oh--someone is trying to destroy Mr. Lemoncello empire and all it stands imagination, games, books . . . knowledge! Can Kyle Keeley stop them and make his dreams come true? Get ready for a whirlwind adventure that takes us from the lions of the New York Public Library to the Choose Your Own Thrill-Venture Roller Coaster inside the brand-new Lemoncelloland amusement park, filled with codes and clues, adventure and mystery, and surprise cameos from across Chris Grabenstein's many series. So, sit back, relax and prepare to have your imagination take flight...you are on your way to Lemoncelloland!

MrsK's Review: GR 4-7 Fantasy

Have you been to Mr. Lemoncello's library? Do you enjoy competition? Are you a reader who enters into the world within any book's cover? This, the finale book that will ignite your imagination of possibilities.

Meet Kyle, at thirteen, he is now on the board of trustees for Mr. Lemoncello's Library. He's already won a titanium ticket which allows him to automatically be entered into the finale "ultimate" game. A game in which he could become the one heir to all Mr. Lemoncello has created. When all is said and done... will he emerge as the one who is loyal to Mr. Lemoncello's vision of his heir?

Out of 13 contestants, who will be the winner? Of course, it will be the one who plays the game to win!

Why 13 players who have turned the age of 13? It all began when Mr. L turned 13 and realized his "true calling." "Hidey-Ho!"... Let the games begin...

Are you ready for a rollercoaster ride through storybook lands? Maybe a book-rafting ride through rapids on the Plot Twist River is more adventurous. Could flying game pieces carry you off on the Speed Reader zip lines? Expect haunted characters, giants, dragons, gadgets, robotic authors, space rockets, and fairy-tale characters.

Are you ready to riddle your way through the fantabulous finale? So much to enjoy, a wealth of reading extension titles... delightfully tantalizing puzzling connections... extraordinary inventions... characters to root for or to be leery of... and a story so well woven that you know you've entered the library that is beyond your wildest imagination...

MrsK 

Enter into Mr. Lemoncelloland...

where "books and games from all over this wondermous

will come to life."

Meet the Author:

 CHRIS GRABENSTEIN is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. His books include the LEMONCELLO, WONDERLAND, HAUNTED MYSTERY, DOG SQUAD, and SMARTEST KID IN THE UNIVERSE series, and many fun and funny page-turners co-authored with James Patterson.

Madeleine L'Engle

ISBN: 9780312368586

Publisher's Synopsis:

A flash of lightning, quivering ground, and, instead of her grandparents' farm, Polly sees mist and jagged mountains—and coming toward her, a group of young men carrying spears.

Why has a time gate opened and dropped Polly into a world that existed 3,000 years ago? Will she be able to get back to the present before the time gate closes—and leaves her to face a group of people who believe in human sacrifice?

A quiet visit with her grandparents turns into a lesson in the fluidity of time for Polly O'Keefe when she meets several strangers from overlapping temporal planes and, with them, plays a key role in a prehistoric confrontation.

"...words have power,

intrinsic power. 

I love you.

What could be more powerful than that small trinity?

On the other hand,

malicious gossip can cause horrible damage."

MrsK's Review: GR 6+ Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Once upon a time, I entered into a Winkle in Time, and for this moment... I have returned to a family I once knew so well. This journey began with a sense of excitement for characters I've missed throughout my seasoning years. Of course, the characters have grown up. The farmhouse has been expanded, and the Grandfather Oak has been "disease resistant."

Meet Polly, she has returned to her grandparent's farm, a place that brings her contentment. She is on her way to her mother's favorite place... back to the "star-watching rock." 

Meet Zachary, a young man Polly had meet in Athens, last summer, while she was attending a literature and literacy conference. He had been charming and volunteered to drive her around Athens. Why had he decided to seek her out on her grandparent's farm. He should have been at UCLA.

Meet Bishop Nason, since he has retired, he enjoys walking in the woods while his wife is at her clinic. He has found another stone by the ancient stone wall on the Murry's farm... he has discovered that some of the stones have Ogam petroglyphs (a Celtic alphabet0. How did it get to this location? Who brought it or carved it here in America over 3,000 years ago? 

Meet Anaral, a young girl that will befriend Polly. Their friendship could lead to an old custom that might endanger Polly's life. A long with Anaral, Polly is introduced to Karralys, a druid that is concerned about his ancient village. And then there is Tav, another strong druid who is sure that Polly is the key to saving his people from the attacks of the ancients.

Who will survive? Has a tesseract reopened the circles of time?

Return to the Murry's farm...

MrsK

"Our books are like keepers of the memory.

In them we have the stories of many people,

many times,

many cultures."

Meet the Author:

 Madeleine L'Engle was an American writer of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and young adult fiction, including A Wrinkle in Time and its sequels: A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters, and An Acceptable Time. Her works reflect both her Christian faith and her strong interest in modern science.

Spring Retreat for Seasoned Readers

  

Sara Nisha Adams

ISBN: 9780063025288

Publisher's Synopsis:

Widower Mukesh lives a quiet life in the London Borough of Ealing after losing his beloved wife. He shops every Wednesday, goes to Temple, and worries about his granddaughter, Priya, who hides in her room reading while he spends his evenings watching nature documentaries.

Aleisha is a bright but anxious teenager working at the local library for the summer when she discovers a crumpled-up piece of paper in the back of To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s a list of novels that she’s never heard of before. Intrigued, and a little bored with her slow job at the checkout desk, she impulsively decides to read every book on the list, one after the other. As each story gives up its magic, the books transport Aleisha from the painful realities she’s facing at home.

When Mukesh arrives at the library, desperate to forge a connection with his bookworm granddaughter, Aleisha passes along the reading list… hoping that it will be a lifeline for him too. Slowly, the shared books create a connection between two lonely souls, as fiction helps them escape their grief and everyday troubles and find joy again.

"Everyone needs to ask for help sometimes..."

MrsK's Review: Reality Fiction

Meet Mukesh, a gentle man who is in a season without his beloved Naina. Not really alone since his daughters have lives that are full. Yet, there is a cloak of loneliness that covers him in aloneness. Until the day he chooses to step forward. Those steps lead him to the small library in his community. Naina's books kept her company, he never took the time to "enter" into her world of books... maybe it's time?

Meet Aleisha, she has taken a summer job at the Harrow Road library.  Her brother, Aiden, always claimed that this library was peaceful, the people were "endlessly fascinating," and that he could find a "sense of quiet companionship" within its endless shelves of journeys. Currently, her "Mum shift" was all she did outside of the library job. Aiden and she shared the care of their mother, well truth be told Aiden did the most for her Mum, he always had.

Meet Priya, who is carrying on her grandmother's legacy. Naina had encouraged her desire for good books. Now, her grandfather is opening his life to her as he discovers his relationship with her. Is there an avenue for them to grow together?

Meet Nilakshi, Naina's friend. It's been so long since she had seen Mukesh. Out of concern, she has decided that it was time for her to move beyond her grief and reach out to Mukesh. Companionship is valued when grief has moved on. 

Meet Indira, Izzy, Chris, and Zac those whose life will become interwoven by the book list and the "Big Library Get-Together." Their journey repairs the foundation for the Harrow Road Library. When a community center, an area's hub, seems to be "outdated" how can those who value its existence keep its doors open for tomorrow's readers?

Once in a while a book is in hand, a book that proclaims, "Here is a journey... crying open me... experience the journey within these pages." To be read by those who know the power of sharing... "in case you need it!"

MrsK

With a "quiet" gentleness of uniqueness, 

this book list weaves its characters' lives through their own reviews of these titles.

 As a book reviewer, I applaud Karen Hawkins for the crafting of this endearing journey.

" A Bookish Wonderland"

Meet the Author:

Sara is a writer and editor. She lives in London and was born in Hertfordshire to Indian and English parents. Her debut novel The Reading List is partly inspired by her grandfather, who lived in Wembley and immediately found a connection with his granddaughter through books.

Karen Hawkins

ISBN: 9781982195960

Publisher's Synopsis:

When an antique tin of love letters is found hidden in her family home, noted historian Tay Dove rushes home to Dove Pond to investigate. Tay is still reeling from a romantic betrayal, so she’s relieved to refocus her energies on her latest a biography of her great-great-grandmother Sarafina, a star reporter who began her career in Dove Pond in the late 19th century before abruptly leaving town.

Tay believes the letters could be the key in solving what happened, but they only add to her questions—especially when they reveal a forbidden love affair with William Day, a wild youth who took part in a notorious train robbery. Some answers might be found in eighty-year-old Rose Day’s bookshop, which doubles as a town archive, but Rose is curiously resistant to give Tay access. Just when Tay thinks she’s reached a dead end, she finds an unlikely ally in Rose’s grandson, Luke, a fellow puzzle lover. Together, they set out to uncover what really happened all those years ago…and find the truth behind a love story that could be more precious than gold.

"I'm without you, and it's as if my soul has lost its way...

I think of you and all the darkness disappears,

because you are my brightness, my light..."

MrsK's Review: Mystery

Tay is dedicated to her writing, her research, and to her love for literature. She has a PhD in history and works at a University in Boston. Yet, an unexpected circumstance derails her current assignment. When Tay learns that her sisters discovered an antique tin of love letters belonging to her great-great grandmother Sarafina Dove, she feels "called" to return to Dove Pond. With such a delightful and intriguing discovery, the allure to the possibilities of a new research project might just be the distraction she needs to refocus and begin a better path. Who wouldn't want to know more about a famous ancestor? Will Tay be able to use the Dove family "gifted" talents to discover who and why someone was writing love letters to her "married" great-great grandmother?

Rose's Bookshop is a generational bookshop in Dove Pond. Every reader knows the "calling" of an established book shop. The smell of the "welcoming" pages that greets you when the bell over the door announces that arrival of a new discovery. Rose is the perfect guardian of the town's archives. At 82, Rose is perceptive, willing to let her readers wander the shelves, can match a reader with a book that is desperately needed, and is always "turning pages of her ever-present book" at the checkout counter.

Will Tay uncover the "hidden" truth of her ancestor William Day?

Luke is Rose's grandson. Currently he has returned to Dove Pond to help Rose raise Lulu, his sister's little, yet inquisitive daughter. Luke had received a full scholarship to Georgia Tech and graduated early. Everything seemed to come easily to Luke. For the present, his leaving his career to look after his niece was an unexpected characteristic. What will he do with this new journey home?

Sarafina showed talent in New York City, she had left Dove Pond for the big city and her dream as a writer for the New York World newspaper. All that anyone could remember about her move, was that at 19, in 1897, a young lady heading to New York to become a writer was quite an extraordinary decision. After a series of reports, as an "undercover" reporter, she gained high notoriety for being likened to Nellie Bly.

William, everyone in Dove Pond in 1890, knew how William and two other men had robbed a train ending in a gun fight. All three of the men went to prison. Why would a train robber write notes to a female reporter, especially one who was married to a wealthy man?

Such a delightfully crafted story. Within these pages, a story unfolds. One in which the main character will "hone" her craft, as well as her ability to discover relationships that will fulfill her heart's desire Another that recognized that living involves taking a risk when truth sends you on a pathway that must be derailed. Courageously crafted... a reader's delight with book quotes that must be remembered,

MrsK. 

Rose's was special... "the thousands of books that waited for new homes,

all carefully selected by the meticulous curator."

Meet the Author:

 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Karen Hawkins writes novels that have been praised as touching, witty, charming, and heartwarming. A native Southerner who grew up in the mountains of East Tennessee where storytelling is a way of life, Karen recently moved to frosty New England with her beloved husband and multiple foster dogs. The Dove Pond books are a nod to the thousands of books that opened doors to more adventures, places, and discoveries than she ever imagined possible.

Percival Everett

ISBN: 9780385550369

Publisher's Synopsis:

When Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he runs away until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck has faked his own death to escape his violent father. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond.

Brimming with nuanced humor and lacerating observations that have made Everett a literary icon, this brilliant and tender novel radically illuminates Jim's agency, intelligence, and compassion as never before. James is destined to be a major publishing event and a cornerstone of twenty-first-century American literature.

"Waiting is a big part of a slave's life...

Waiting for demands. Waiting for food. Waiting for the ends of days.

Waiting for the just and deserved Christian reward at the end of it all."

MrsK's Review: Excellent Rendition of Huck Finn and Jim

James, a man who meets life with courage, sincerity, and determined hope. Secrets are a given part of life. For many, they learn situational translations. Some learn to read and write. Some learn to "read" others... and then there are those who secretly must do what they must do.

This journey creates a woven backstory to Twain's classic tale of Huck and Jim. What I discovered was heart-warming. Revisiting characters that had planted seeds of explorations, daily adventures, and a common understanding of "goodness" in each other. When childhood matures into adulthood, there remains a hardship against the wrongs we meet in our world. 

When Jim must leave Sadie and Lizzie, it's not a runaway that is selfish, it's a grander love that signifies a determined hope. When Jim meets Huck on the island, it's a courageous friendship that helps them survive the escape. When Jim meets with evil... that's when what matters most must be action that will bring a renewed safety. Commonality can only become grace... when we seek to do what's right, life becomes a value statement of decency. 

In life, there are some who enter into our seasons, they experience our moments that we aren't sure we can get through... that someone speaks volumes into your story... blessing or not.... they are etched within your heart. Gratitude is an aged seasoning that becomes a fondness that is lifeless...

MrsK

"I kin keep me a secret, Huck. I kin keep yo secret, too."

Meet the Author:

 There might not be a more fertile mind in American fiction today than Everett’s. In 22 years, he has written 19 books, including a farcical Western, a savage satire of the publishing industry, a children’s story spoofing counting books, retellings of the Greek myths of Medea and Dionysus, and a philosophical tract narrated by a four-year-old.

James Patterson and Dolly Parton

ISBN: 9780759554344

Publisher's Synopsis:

From America’s most beloved superstar and its greatest storyteller—a thriller about a young singer/songwriter on the rise and on the run and determined to do whatever it takes to survive.

Every song tells a story.

She’s a star on the rise, singing about the hard life behind her.

She’s also on the run. Find a future, lose a past.

Nashville is where she’s come to claim her destiny. It’s also where the darkness she’s fled might find her. And destroy her. Run, Rose, Run is a novel glittering with danger and desire—a story that only America’s #1 most beloved entertainer and its #1 bestselling author could have created.

"Is it easy... No, it ain't.

Can I fix it... No, I cain't."

MrsK's Review: Reality Fiction

Meet AnnieLee a spirited and talented songwriter. She is fleeing someone, someone who will hunt her, someone who haunts her, someone who is a dangerous reminder of a life she had to leave. As long as she can remember, she's been making melodies. Her story begins when the "dazzling" red brake lights offer her a ride to her Nashville destination.

Meet Ruthanna, one of country music's "grandest queens." She's determined to remain retired, yet her writing songs and gathering her small group of musicians into her home for her "recording" of songs is baffling since... she would never release them to the public. Would she even agree to receive another honor award at this year's Country Music Awards?

Meet Ethan, a guitarist who is grateful to be hired by Ruthanna for her "recording" sessions. Often times, Ethan, plays at Ruthanna's bar. When he hears this young girl with a borrowed guitar, he knows that Ruthanna must hear her "celestial" voice. What he isn't prepared for is the job he is given. A matter of life or death.

When AnnieLee steps into the perfect dive bar... she is determined that this will be her Nashville debut. "Will you be the one to give me my first big break?" Boldly, she has entered the Cat's Paw Saloon. Would anyone recognize that she sang for joy? This was the moment that she would "woman up and take like a man." Her life depended on it!

AnnieLee's story is a true country melody. From rags to promised riches. From a fear that causes a leap beyond faith. From a bold acceptance to an acclaimed future. However, you, the reader, interprets this story... I'm sure you will discover a melody that is endearing... 

MrsK

"But I sure ain't gonna take it lyin' down."

Meet the Authors:

 Dolly Rebecca Parton is a Grammy Award-winning country music singer/songwriter, author, actress and philanthropist. To date, she remains one of the most successful country artists, with 25 number-one singles (a record for a female performer) and 42 top 10 country albums (more than anyone else).

 James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time. He is the creator of unforgettable characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride, and of breathtaking true stories about the Kennedys, John Lennon, and Tiger Woods, as well as our military heroes, police officers, and ER nurses. Patterson has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton and collaborated most recently with Michael Crichton on the blockbuster Eruption. He has told the story of his own life in James Patterson by James Patterson and received an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

Blooming Spring Reads for K-YA

Spring is a wonderful time for a new book exploration!

Shirley Barber

ISBN: 780760723814

Publisher's Synopsis:

This is absolutely one of my kids' favorite books. The stories are creative and fun, but it's the excellent artwork that really sets this book above others. The pictures are richly colorful and highly detailed with plenty to look at and entertain even the most fidgety child while you read the text. The artwork in this book is simply stunning. Each picture is rich in detail and has a border that has elements of the picture reflected in it. As you read the stories, the pictures make you feel as if you are looking into Martha B. Rabbit's world. The first story is called Martha B. Rabbit and the unexpected Guests. It is about Martha and her friend Tabitha the cat preparing for a long, cold winter The second story is called Martha B. Rabbit and Daphne the Forgetful Duck The third story is called Martha B. Rabbit and Those Wicked Rats Again. The stories are creative and fun, but it's the excellent artwork that really sets this book above others. The pictures are richly colorful and highly detailed with plenty to look at and entertain even the most fidgety child while you read the text. Martha B Rabbit Tabitha Cat Daphne Forgetful Duck Rats.

What is Springtime Goodness?

MrsK's Review: Read-Aloud

A visit with Martha B Rabbit is the perfect spring Storytime! 

"Small brown birds sing,

Nestlings on wing,

Gone is winter frost and snow,

Skies are deep blue,

And all day through,

Forest dwellers come and go..."

Martha and Tabitha are discussing the fall colors outside of their apple-tree house. It is time to gather berries and nuts for those who will need food during the cold months. Not only will deer come to drink from the water hole, but many will stop by to get warm and cozy, as well as hear a story by the fire.

One sunny morning, Martha, Tabitha, and William Elf began preparing their streamside garden. Greetings were shared with Daphne and her six fluffy ducklings. Of course, six little ducklings can be a bit mischievous when at the local market.

Summer adventures lead into the fall and winter. The fairies' party is being planned until... the three wicked rats decide to steal the party food.

Gather around for this tale is to be told... How Martha and Tabby became so well known,

MrsK

Meet the Author:

Shirley Barber grew up in the Channel Islands, where she gained her lifelong love of nature and painting. A third-generation artist, she always dreamed of writing and illustrating children's books. But this dream did not come true until she had moved to Australia and her children had grown up.

Her first picture book Martha B. Rabbit - The Fairies' Cook was published by The Five Mile Press in 1988 and became an instant success. The following year it won first prize in the prestigious Critica Erba awards at the Bologna Children's Fair - an extraordinary achievement for a first book.

To date, Shirely Barber books have sold in excess of 10 million copies. They have been published in over 70 international editions in North America, Europe and Asia. Shirley's best-selling fairy title in Australia is The Tooth Fairy closely followed by The Enchanted Woods and Rainbow Magic. Shirley lives quietly in rural Victoria and continues to write and illustrate delightful storybooks enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Karen Wane

ISBN: 9781858543178

Publisher's Synopsis:

Designed to help improve numeracy, the book mirrors primary teaching methods to help ensure continuity and build confidence.

MrsK's Review: Pre-2nd

Who is the ten family? What are jumping numbers? What's the difference between fish, a starfish, and an octopus? Why do sports teams double? How would you compare a giraffe with a porcupine?

Each of these questions can be found within a math puzzle. Will you know how to solve these problems?

This is a perfect 5 minute warm up before introducing mathematical functions... so much to ponder, learn, and remember,

MrsK

Sam Garton

ISBN: 9780062845092

Publisher's Synopsis:

This My First I Can Read book is carefully crafted using basic language, word repetition, sight words, and sweet illustrations—which means it's perfect for shared reading with emergent readers. The active, engaging My First I Can Read stories have appealing plots and lovable characters, encouraging children to continue their reading journey.

Read about more of Otter’s adventures in I Am Otter, Otter in Space, Otter Goes to School, Otter Loves Halloween! Otter Loves Easter! Oh No, Bath Time! The Best Job Ever! Hello, Sea Friends! and Let’s Go Swimming!

MrsK's Review: Beginning Readers

Otter wants to go on a fun trip. What reader doesn't? After all books take us around the world, we can become our own "pirates" of adventure. Not only does otter have an endearing personality, Otter's love for the library and all of its grand discoveries, it is Otter's voice that brings great conversations with any beginning reader. Igniting a desire to become a life-long learner is an everlasting exploration.

This is one of the sweetest stories, perfect for inspiring beginning readers!

MrsK

Meet the Author:

I’m Sam, I’m 33 and I live in Wokingham! I have a degree in illustration, and I spend most of my time drawing Otters whilst generally making a mess and thinking about why I still haven’t bought a kitten. I like putting inappropriate sweets in the freezer (Jelly tots) and my favorite film is Homeward bound. I wish I looked cool wearing headbands, but I don’t. Oh, and I’m rubbish at looking after house plants.

Oliver Jeffers

ISBN: 9781536235500

Publisher's Synopsis:

Dictionary wishes she could tell a story like other books. So, one day, she decides to bring her words to life. How exciting it is to finally have an adventure on her very own pages! But what will she do when her characters collide and everything gets all in a jumble, causing the most enormous tantrum to explode? This isn’t what she wanted at all! Luckily her friend Alphabet knows exactly what to do and sings a song that brings calm and order to Dictionary’s pages once again.

"One day, Dictionary decided to...

... bring her words to life."

MrsK's Review: 3rd+ Gr. Resource/Read & Discuss

Have you ever pondered that a Dictionary has all the words ever said? There within the dictionary's pages an alligator, a very hungry alligator appeared! Dictionary quickly learned that a "story was finally happening" within her pages!

This delightful tale is a perfect introduction to an often lonely, shelved book. Every reader will enjoy spending a moment or two with Dictionary and her chaotic tale. Yet, once Dictionary's tale is completed and the cover is closed... what type of discoveries could bring further adventures and tales to life?

As an educator, I wish I had this book for my classroom, once a month my learners would have had a creative writing day in which they would all "un-shelf" the dictionaries and create a tale for the day.

Have a word-playing time,

MrsK

Meet the Author:

  Oliver Jeffers' work takes many forms. His distinctive paintings have been exhibited in galleries worldwide, and HarperCollins UK and Penguin USA publish his award-winning picture books, now translated into over 30 languages.
In 2007, Jeffers was the official illustrator for World Book Day, and in 2008 Lost and Found became Oliver's first book to made into animation by London-based Studio AKA.

Jeffers won a NY Emmy in 2010 for his collaborative work with the artist and director Mac Premo, and in 2013 Jeffers co-directed the video for U2's Ordinary Love with Premo. Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Jeffers now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.

Richard Ayoade

ISBN: 9781536222173

Publisher's Synopsis:

What if you could send fan mail to your fairy tale idols? And what if they wrote back? “Happily, ever after” takes on a new meaning in this book from actor-comedian-author Richard Ayoade and best-selling illustrator David Roberts.

It’s once upon a time . . . as only the irreverently witty Richard Ayoade can tell it. In this series of letters organized by C. C. Cecily, Senior Secretary of the Fairy Tale Fan Club, the fairest of them all (and a few bitter foes) correspond with curious—and opinionated—fans. So, if you’ve ever wondered how a less-than-genius (and less-than-clothed) emperor fell for a certain con, how the Big Bad Wolf is handling meatless Mondays, or whether Rapunzel recommends going for the big chop, no need to look far, far away. Multihyphenate Richard Ayoade, author of The Book That No One Wanted to Read, hilariously imagines what questions modern children would have for characters such as Sleeping Beauty, Prince Charming, and Little Red Riding Hood—and what they might have to say in return. Complete with clever, spoof-gothic illustrations from David Roberts, this wry storybook may have even the Brothers Grimm cackling in their graves.

When is it "unwise to be what we are not?"

MrsK's Review: 3+Gr. Fairy Tale Resource

C. C. Cecily is the Senior Secretary of the Fairy Tale Fan Club. What a delightful job that would be, the possibilities of engagement with readers and their questions would be endless. I can only imagine what a classroom writing assignment would produce.

So... let's begin this humorous tale. What would you like to know from Little Red Riding Hood? Would you be asking how a wolf can swallow someone whole like Ira does?  What would you ask Rapunzel, or the Little Mermaid? 

Cinderella, Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty, and Hansel/Gretel responses are encouraging, yet full of characteristics that a reader of their tales rarely enjoys. Of course, the Big Bad Wolf and Rumpelstiltskin are a bit more poignant in their responses. Then there's Jack, he points out the disadvantages of having magic beanstalk beans. Humpty-Dumpty's truth attempts to point out that not every tale is completely retold. 

Whether it is a frog activist or a princess/prince, or even C. C. Cecily... these letters and fairy land responses are sure to engage readers to write for clarifications or additional fairy tale truths...

May your reading be happily ever after,

MrsK

Meet the Author:  

Richard Ellef Ayoade is a British comedian, film director, screenwriter, television presenter, actor, and author best known for his role as the socially awkward IT technician Maurice Moss in Channel 4 sitcom The IT Crowd, for which he won the 2014 BAFTA for Best Male Comedy Performance.

Anne Nesbet

ISBN: 9781536234725

Publisher's Synopsis:

In an exciting wilderness adventure, 

three cousins are cut off from their parents by a huge earthquake—and must hike long and treacherous mountain trails back to safety, with only each other to rely on.

During a hiking trip with their parents in the mountains of California, cousins Owen, Vivian, and Amy are finally allowed to camp for one night at a little lake all on their own. But when a massive earthquake blocks their return path, there’s only one way the long way around, through a wilderness filled with fierce animals, raging rivers, unstable weather, and high passes. The hardest challenges the cousins face, however, are the troubles they’ve brought with bold Vivian’s fear of starting middle school and of changes she can’t control, Owen’s lingering emotional scars from a car accident, and Amy’s desire to live in stories rather than in boring regular life. Drawing on courage and humor, the cousins weather storms, make the most of dwindling rations, and face their deepest fears in order to bring each other safely home. This gripping contemporary novel from celebrated author Anne Nesbet is bursting with excitement, rich natural settings, and characters who will have readers rooting for them all the way.

"Before they could even think...

an even louder roar, a terrible shaking roar...

WHOOOMPF!"

MrsK's Review: Gr.3-5 Reality Fiction/Adventure

How does your family outing stories... begin? For this cousin wilderness adventure, it begins with excited anticipation. While camping, they will have one day alone at a lake. Parents don't worry...

the adults will be staying at a lake close by.

Meet Vivian, she is preparing for middle school, and this grand adventure will be her chance to gain the confidence to face her fears.

Meet Amy, she is only eight and although she would rather stay close to the adults, she doesn't want to be considered "little" any longer.

Meet Owen, he is the girl's cousin. Even though his dad and aunt were raised having family trips to various parks, he isn't really a camper. Especially since the life-changing event that has caused such emotionally charged struggles. Yet, he has been delegated as the cousin chef. Why not try staying a night at a lake alone with his cousins.

Imagine being cozy within your tent after a day of being on a wilderness trek, you are finally snuggled into your sleeping bag and suddenly, there are "noises that shouldn't be happening, crashing and splashing noises." From the moment the cousins are awakened, nothing will be easy or the same. Will their individual strengths match their survival skills? Or could their food supply run out before they can be reunited with their parents? 

Every family adventure creates more than memories... skills are being modeled... books provide further discoveries and insights. Did you know that during the summer there is more water in a river in the afternoon because the snow way up high has been melting all day?

Enjoy this adventurous journey together, you never know when a camping skill might become a lifesaving reality, 

MrsK

"All the cousins were very fond of maps...

Vivian liked them because they were a tool...

Amy, because some of the best books about magical journeys had maps...

Owen liked them because of the contour lines..."

Meet the Author:

Anne Nesbet’s novels for young readers are filled with adventure, friendship, and richly imagined worlds, both magical and historical. Her Cloud and Wallfish (Candlewick 2016), about children navigating the borders of East Berlin in 1989, won the California Book Award and was named an ALA Notable book, and her other novels have earned their share of honors and critical acclaim, too. Daring Darleen, Queen of the Screen (Candlewick 2020) received four starred reviews! When not writing novels for kids, Anne teaches film history, plays violin and viola, and goes on long hikes in the mountains. She reads while walking, by the way, which means she relies on echolocation (or chance) to avoid injury. She lives with her entertaining family and demanding dog in California.

Dan Gemeinhart

ISBN: 9781250292773

Publisher's Synopsis:

It's been almost a year since Coyote and her dad left the road behind and settled down in a small Oregon town. . . time spent grieving the loss of her mom and sisters and trying to fit in at school. But just as life is becoming a new version of normal, Coyote discovers a box containing her mom’s ashes. And she thinks she might finally be ready to say goodbye.

So Coyote and her dad gear up for an epic cross-country road trip to scatter the ashes at her mom’s chosen resting place. The only problem? Coyote has no idea where that resting place is—and the secret’s hidden in a book that Coyote mistakenly sold last year, somewhere in the country. Now, it’s up to Coyote to track down the treasured book . . . without her dad ever finding out that it’s lost.

It’s time to fire up their trusty bus, Yager, pick up some old friends, discover some new ones, and hit the road on another unforgettable adventure.

"Sometimes stories start with a bang,

and sometimes stories start with a whisper,

and sometimes stories start with..."

MrsK's Review: 5-MS Reality Fiction

Since the Coyote and her father has "settled down from their road trip and into a house. "Coyote has been adjusting to a life in school, bullies, a school library refuge, and loneliness away from her "Yager" lifetime. 

Just when she was getting a comfortable routine with the one girl from the school, the librarian, and the library lunch retreats, Coyote discovers her mother's remains. Her life will once again need to "hit the road." She must locate a poetry book that her mother had written down where she wanted her ashes to be scattered. Of course, Covid 19's shut down is a welcome surprise. Not only will they be on a "Yager" road trip, but they can also pick up Coyote's best friend as they head off into an unknown destination.

The quest will be to locate where Coyote had traded used books from their last trip. Which bookstores has her mother's poetry book? How far will she go before her dad finds out the book is missing? To what level of desperation will Coyote be driven?

It is a delight to be on the road again in Yager, with Coyote, Rodeo, Salvador, and few new sojourners. Personalities are brilliantly lively, the quest is worthy and frustrating. The treasure chase for a lost book is enticing. Most importantly, will the consequences of deceptions be worth the journey?

MrsK

"The funny thing about sadness, though, is that you can't

really run away from it. Not ever!"

Coyote's first Journey

Meet the Author:

Dan Gemeinhart lives in a small-town smack dab in the middle of Washington state with his wife and three young daughters. He was lucky and grateful to be a teacher-librarian in an elementary school for thirteen years, where he got to share awesome books with awesome kids. He loves camping, cooking and traveling. He also plays guitar (badly) and reads (constantly). His house is always a mess. He is really pretty darn happy.

Meg Shaffer

ISBN: 9780593598856

Publisher's Synopsis:

Lucy Hart knows better than anyone what it’s like to grow up without parents who loved her. In a childhood marked by neglect and loneliness, Lucy found her solace in books, namely the Clock Island series by Jack Masterson. Now a twenty-six-year-old teacher’s aide, she is able to share her love of reading with bright, young students, especially seven-year-old Christopher Lamb, who was left orphaned after the tragic death of his parents. Lucy would give anything to adopt Christopher, but even the idea of becoming a family seems like an impossible dream without proper funds and stability.

But be careful what you wish for. . . .

Just when Lucy is about to give up, Jack Masterson announces he’s finally written a new book. Even better, he’s holding a contest at his home on the real Clock Island, and Lucy is one of the four lucky contestants chosen to compete to win the one and only copy.

For Lucy, the chance of winning the most sought-after book in the world means everything to her and Christopher. But first she must contend with ruthless book collectors, wily opponents, and the distractingly handsome (and grumpy) Hugo Reese, the illustrator of the Clock Island books. Meanwhile, Jack “the Mastermind” Masterson is plotting the ultimate twist ending that could change all their lives forever.

. . . You might just get it!

"Where are you going?

Five O'clock.

When will you be back?

By the lighthouse.

MrsK's Review: YA+ Playful Fantasy Fiction

According to the unique clock on Clock Island, not everything is as it appears. Jack Masterson is an author who owns an island. His children's book series has inspired many readers. Some have wished to be on Clock Island... some have even run away to the island. Yet, it's been years since Jack has published his 66th book.

When the publisher's decided to update the Clock series, they hired Hugo as the new series illustrator. The one condition, Hugo had to live on the island. Since Jack kept his rights to oversee the new illustrations, years went by without Jack writing a new story. Will Hugo leave Clock Island?

Lucy was one of the few "run-aways" to Clock Island. At twenty-six, she is currently working as a teachers-aide. One student suffered a nightmare at his home and needed a quick foster home. Lucy offered to look after Christopher. Her plans would be to adopt Christopher, but the authorities said she didn't have the funding to raise him in a steady home life. Is it by chance that the author of her favorite book series is offering a "Make a Wish" contest? Could she and Christopher finally be a forever family?

The contest was announced, a riddle had to be solved in order to gain an invitation to Clock Island and the contest.

"Why is a raven like a writing desk?"

Only four contestants were chosen, of course all four had been "run-aways."  Noone knew the contest rules, yet all were sent the invitations, and the media circuit was going crazy over the prize, which of course would be the unpublished sixty-seventh book. "The game is a foot..."

Delightfully crafted. Characters aren't always what they seem. Riddles are frustrating. Facing ones' fears is a finale option,

MrsK

"The only wishes ever granted..."

Meet the Author:

Meg Shaffer is the USA Today bestselling author of The Lost Story and The Wishing Game, which was a Book of the Month finalist for Book of the Year, a Reader’s Digest and Washington Post Best Book of the Year and has been translated into 21 languages. Meg holds an MFA in TV and Screenwriting from Stephens College. She lives in Kentucky.