Tag: book review

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Today’s book recommendation: THE THRIFTY GUIDE: A HANDBOOK FOR TIME TRAVELERS series by Jonathon W. Stokes – Middle Grade Nonfiction

As a mother and a writer, I find great satisfaction from what I call “sneaky teaching.” When I can read something to my kids that gets them laughing out loud while teaching them about our world, it is just so rewarding! They don’t even know they’re learning!

The “Thrifty Traveler” series of books are perfect examples of sneaky teaching. They have a cleverly-designed fictional framework, in that they are set up as guidebooks that are produced by a fictional time travel company. It is a fantastic hook for all the fascinating and fun nonfiction material about what it was really like during these times in history.

Every morning before school, when my youngest boys were about 8 and 10 years old, they begged me to read them these while they ate breakfast. The first one we devoured was American Revolution where we learned how to fire a musket, what to do under cannon fire, and all about the Sons of Liberty, Henry Knox and his cannons, Bunker Hill, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and much more!

How do you get in “sneaky teaching” with your kids?

Click on these images to zoom in.

Happy reading!

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Today’s double whammy book recommendations: SHIELDED and UNTETHERED by KayLynn Flanders – Young Adult Fantasy

One of my favorite people and one of my favorite book series, all wrapped in one! KayLynn is the loveliest of lovely and her stories have the coolest vibe!! I had to wrestle these books away from my teenagers (both boys and girls!), so I could read them, too–in their final form, that is. I had the distinct privilege of being one of KayLynn’s critique partners for a time, so I got to read a number of different versions!

These books are full of swordplay, villains, clean, fun romance, and daring, magical adventures. Watch out for ulterior motives and a wilderness with its own agenda. I highly recommend!

Happy Reading!

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Today’s book recommendation: NOW & BEN: THE MODERN INVENTIONS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN by Gene Berretta – Nonfiction Picture Book

This little picture book is the perfect example of how much fun nonfiction books for kids are nowadays. The talented Gene Barretta, who used to animate for Sesame Street, is the author and illustrator of Now & Ben. Barretta uses a compare & contrast structure to highlight Ben Franklin’s original inventions and how those inventions are still used today, and it is absolutely delightful!

It’s history and science, and it gives little ones the perfect way to see how one person can change the world.

Happy reading!

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Today’s book recommendation: THE FALSE PRINCE by Jennifer A. Nielsen – Middle Grade Fantasy (ages 9-12)

Sebastian was ten when he first devoured The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen. The moment he finished it, he was ready to jump into the next one in the series, The Runaway King. Nielsen’s entire Ascendance series is an exciting, high-stakes ride with lots of twists and turns, court intrigue, spies, wars, friendship, betrayal, and fun, witty characters. 

What started as a trilogy is now a series of 5, with the final volume called The Shattered Castle. These were published through Scholastic and at one time, there were rumors of The False Prince being made into a movie. We’re still hoping for that around here!

Happy Reading!

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Today’s book recommendation: THIS IS NOT MY HAT by Jon Klassen – Fiction Picture Book

I first read This Is Not My Hat during Covid after an online SCBWI summer conference where I was able to learn from many exceptional children’s authors, including Jon Klassen. He gave a presentation, alongside Mac Barnett, on their successful collaborations on picture books. They emphasized that with picture books, it adds so much to the story when the pictures tell a whole different narrative than the words. At the time, I had never thought about it that way! So simple and brilliant!

This Caldecott-winning book by Klassen is the perfect example. He is the author and illustrator for this story where a little fish tells the reader how he stole a big fish’s hat and has a plan to get away with it! Through tiny details in the illustrations, like the big fish narrowing his eyes, you deduce that things are not quite the way that the little fish thinks they are.

I laughed out loud at the twist at the end, and I hope you do, too! Happy reading!

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Today’s book recommendation: BENEATH THE WIDE SILK SKY by Emily Inouye Huey – Young Adult Historical Fiction

I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of time travel and until scientists figure that out, historical fiction is as close as it gets! This genre is an awesome way for adults and curious kids alike to not only learn about real events in history, but to fully immerse themselves in the experiences and emotions of the time.

The moment I started reading Beneath the Wide Silk Sky by Emily Inouye Huey, my newly minted goal to get more sleep flew right out the window! I absolutely could not put it down! This book immediately transports you back in time to WWII America and into the lives of the future victims of the Japanese internment camps.

Huey’s evocative prose is stunning, and she handles the delicate topics of race, prejudice, and aggression with care and sensitivity. Her characters and their relationships are complex and fully-developed.

This book is a definite must-read for teenagers and adults. When my daughter read it, it instantly became her very favorite book!

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Today’s book recommendation: GRAND CANYON by Jason Chin – Nonfiction Picture Book

I am a huge fan of Jason Chin! He is a such a talented author/illustrator, and I saved his Grand Canyon picture book to give to my boys when we could actually go there. When the day finally came, it did not disappoint! I hadn’t been to the Grand Canyon since I was a child, and I was awestruck—the scale and beauty just cannot be captured in photos.

Jason Chin’s illustrations come close though! My boys poured over this book on the way there, and then dazzled us all with their knowledge of how the canyon was formed, what creatures lived there long ago, and what the various layers of rock signified. It made the experience all the richer!

A clever technique Chin uses in this book to make it fun for kids is the unspoken narrative he tells in the illustrations of a father and daughter who are hiking and camping in the canyon. Whenever her father’s back is turned, she finds a clue to the Grand Canyon’s past, like a fossil. The book uses cutouts for these, and when you turn the page, you see what the canyon might of looked like when that fossil was formed. It’s a lot of fun and really brings home the history and geology of such an incredible place.

Happy reading!