The Bully Barn by Robert Gioia
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Source: I received a copy to help facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Marty the mouse lives in a barn with several other animals. Every day he goes to the duck pond where he finds peace. Every day he runs through a maze of animals who bully him one way or another. Carla was the leader of the chickens and loved saying hurtful things about all of the animals. She makes fun of Marty's tail. Henry the horse tries to stomp on Marty. The pigs wallowing in the mud call him a dirty rat when he asks if he can play with them. Gaston the goat shoves Marty around. But things change the next day when the chickens turn on Rusty the Rooster Seeing Marty crying, and understanding how he feels, Marty steps up and puts each of them in their place. For me the most important part came when the owl stepped forward and mentioned that he had seen it going on for quite some time. But, by him saying nothing at all, he was just as guilty as those who had. This is an excellent way to point out the many types of bullying. This should be a must read in all classes.




David's New Shirt by Karma Sanda
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Source: I received a copy to help facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

David was the youngest of seven children. His poor mother worked so hard she only had time to sew in the winter. The oldest child always got the new shirt and the others were passed down. By the time the shirt got to David it was thin and had so many patches holding it together.  David was a very kind and caring child, even if he was the youngest. He spoke to and took care of every creature he saw.  One day his shirt fell apart.  He knew his mom was to busy to sew a new shirt and would not have the money for one. But, don't worry. Find out how David got a new shirt One thing I absolutely loved about this book was the illustrations. They have what I call the "Precious Moment" feel to them. This is definitely a book to share with your youngest ones.

Oliver & Jumpy Stories 1-3 by Werner Stejskal
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Source: I received a copy to help facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Oliver is an elegant tomcat whose best friend is Jumpy the Kangaroo. In the first story we find Oliver riding in Jumpy's pouch as they jump through the countryside. Jumpy stops abruptly and Oliver goes flying out of her pouch. He lands on a mole. Molly the mole is not hurt and offers to share her lunch with them.  In the second story, Oliver and Jumpy save a baby duck from an eagle. We learn that Oliver chases mice but doesn't eat them. In the final story we learn abut Jumpy's surprise. She has a small baby Joey in her pocket and Oliver agrees to help her take care of the baby. This is a cute book for ages 2-4.

Two Great Dog Stories

Rover and the Dog Hotel by Uncle Amos
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Source: I received a copy from the author to help facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Rover lived with a wonderful family. they had taught him so much. He fixed their breakfast, helped them get dressed and out the dor for work and school.  One day they decided to take a vacaton to Bermuda.  Rover had to stay behind.  Mrs. Rhone found the cheapest dog hotel she could find. Finally the family left him to get to the dog hotel on their own.  Rover found life completely different at the dog hotel.  He was having a wonderful time.  He met a lovely female dog.  The Rhone family were not having as much fun on their vacation.  Without Rover around to do things for them, things began to fall apart. The children insisted they return home immediately to see their dog Rover.  The parents realized their vacation was ruined and had no choice but to return.  The children missed Rover so much.  The question is, did rover miss them? Another great book by Uncle Amos.

Dog's Coffee Shop by Uncle Amos and Edith Ordan
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Source: I received a copy from the author to help facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This was a very creative look at role reversal. Instead of people getting together to talk about their pets, dogs gather at a cafe to discuss their humans. Mr. Golden Retriever talks about how trained his humans are. Mrs. Collie sees her job of guarding the family as more important than going to the park. Mr. Akita's owner ties him us and fees him kibble.  He has been working hard to train his human. He sees it as a work in progress. When Miss Dachshund declares she has no owners, because they moved and left her behind, the dog club decides to hel pher find a home. you must read this book to find out if they were successful. Any child reading this book will be able to visualize the dogs as almost human. This is another must read book from Uncle Amos.

Lady Emma in Her World of Wonder – Martha M. Harrison

Genre:  Children’s Picture Book

Source:  I received a copy from the publisher to help facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

From Amazon:

Lady Emma is a young girl whose adventures lead her to missteps and mistakes. She tumbles and jumbles and falls out of her boat. She falls under a bridge and under a witch's spell. She faces dragons and ogres. As her father guides her gently through life and she finds a prince, she ultimately learns that she must fix-up her own mix-ups before she can find her dreams. The character Lady Emma indirectly emerged from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass.

My Thoughts:

This is a wonderful book to share with your young daughters.   As Emma grows up she goes through several trials.   Throughout the story her father is the one who comes to her rescue.  As she grows up and marries it is her prince who protects her.  Both her father and her prince have taught her that she can think things through and stand on her own.  This is a wonderful lesson to teach all young girls.  We need more books like this to encourage them.  Our daughters need to learn that they are not helpless creatures. This is a book to teach them just that.  The pictures are wonderful and convey the message as much as the words do.  I recommend this book especially because the author has not dumbed it down with the words she used.  Great book.

Nerd Camp and Nerd Camp 2.0 Elisa Bren Weissman

Genre: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction
Source: Purchased

Nerd Camp Blurb:
Ten-year-old Gabe has just been accepted to the Summer Center for Gifted Enrichment. That means he’ll be spending six weeks at sleepaway camp, writing poetry and perfecting logic proofs. SCGE has been a summer home of some legendary middle-school smarty-pants (and future Jeopardy! contestants), but it also has a reputation for being, well, a nerd camp. Gabe isn’t a nerd. Is he? He’s never thought about it much, but compared to Zack, his hip, soon-to-be-stepbrother from LA, Gabe’s not so sure where he falls on the cool scale. A wild summer at camp—complete with a midnight canoe ride to Dead Man’s Island—helps Gabe realize that he and Zack may be different, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be brothers…and friends.

My Thoughts:
Gabe was such a fun character. He'd always wanted a brother. He knew with his parents divorced that was not going to happen. Then he learns his dad is getting remarried and he's going to have a brother after all. There is one problem. His new brother thinks learning over the summer is stupid and Gabe is going to a camp for nerds. he spends so much time trying to keep Zack from knowing he's a nerd. He's so worried about being a kid and fitting in. This would be great for my students because they all want to fit in.  Gabe actually sets things up complete with a problem: "Am I a nerd who only has nerdy adventures?" and a hypothesis, "No". He decides there are things he can tell Zack such as, "Wesley (his bunk mate) says amazing things in his sleep."  Then there is the actual truth he can't tell Zack. Wesley, "solves math problems and brain teasers" in his sleep.  When Zack comes to pick Gabe up what will Zack truly think of his new brother?

Nerd Camp 2.0 Blurb:
Gabe is happily headed back to Nerd Camp, but can he handle a cool-kid invasion?

For Gabe, the equation for ideal summer bliss equals six glorious weeks of vigorous learning immersion at the Summer Center for Gifted Enrichment; aka, Nerd Camp. Last year was amazing, and this summer will be even better.

At least, that's what Gabe thinks until a new variable is introduced: Zack, Gabe's cool stepbrother, was supposed to attend a camp nearby, but in the aftermath of a recent wildfire, Zack's camp and nerd camp will be sharing territory. As these two very different worlds collide, will both camps - and both stepbrothers - survive the summer?

My Thoughts:
Zack doesn't always understand Gabe and his nerdiness, but he has accepted him.  When Gabe helps Zack convince his parents that they should let him go to sleep away camp Gabe is excited for Zack. A wildfire changes things for both boys.  Zack's campgrounds and most of the buildings are destroyed.  Gabe's camp extends the hand of welcome to the other camp. They are going to share their campground.  Both Gabe and Zack learn that it will be more difficult than they think.  To start with the "cool" kids try to rule the camp, bullying the nerds.  Then the "nerds" decide to take back the camp. The battles go back and forth.  The one common denominator in all of this is Zack and Gabe.  Zack has discovered he loves to cook.  He is even becoming quite nerdy about it.  He overhears his brother make a comment about him and it hurts him.  He seeks revenge against his brother.  When things once again get out of hand Zack decides he must set things right and find a way to stop the camps from destroying each other. 

This was full of fun, and practical jokes.  There is something here that everyone can relate to.  Most importantly for me was the message that ran through about accepting each other's differences.  I loved this book and can't keep it on my shelves at school.  This should be a must read in all middle schools.

The Hockey Saint by Howard Shapiro

Genre:  Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Graphic Novel
Source:  I received a copy to help facilitate my review.  The opinions expressed here are my own.

This Book will be released October 14, 2014

Blurb from Goodreads:
Twenty-one year old Jeremiah Jacobson is the world's best hockey player, but he wasn't prepared for the frenzy and scrutiny that came with that title. Tom Leonard is an average college sophomore... just a guy trying to find his place in the world as he sorts through issues that are both very real and seemingly insurmountable. 

Through a chance meeting, these two strike up an unlikely friendship. Their bond is tested when Tom discovers that his idol isn't as perfect up close as he seems from afar. With Jeremiah living a little too much in the moment and with his past catching up to him, will Tom be able to help him before it's too late?

My Thoughts:
At first I wasn't sure about this graphic Novel. The storyline was great.  It depicted a story of a young college kid who meets the hockey great Jeremiah Jacobson.  What he finds is not the self-absorbed, stuck up player that is so often portrayed on the news.  Instead he has discovered that Jeremiah has a secret hidden life.  He has kept it out of the limelight because he doesn't want people to think he does the things he does for the publicity. He truly has a heart of gold.  Unfortunately there are river rats that are always trying to bring someone down. They look for the dirt on those who are in the limelight.  Jeremiah has two major problems. As an athlete he smokes and drinks too much.  The message in this book is clear.  Don't idolize those who are just like you.  They may have a job you wish you had but they are still just like you.  You both put your pants on the same way, one leg at a time.  For me this was worth putting on my shelves for the message.

About the Author:
Howard Shapiro has also written four children's books. The Stereotypical Freaks, the first book in the Forever Friends Trilogy won the 2013 Best Graphic Novel Award at the eFestival of Independent Books and it was also a finalist for the Young Adult Library Services Association's Great Graphic Novel for Teens Award. Hockey Player for Life has been the off and on #1 downloaded children's hockey e-book on Amazon's Kindle chart since its arrival as an e-book in November of 2011. His first children's hockey book, Hockey Days, was the only book featured in the December 2007 Sporting News Magazine Annual Gift Guide as a Best Buy Gift for Children.

Where you can find him:
Website
Facebook

Gina Holmes Interview

Please welcome, novelist, Gina Holmes.  Gina is the founder of popular literary site, novelrocket.com. She is a two-time Christy and ECPA Book of the Year finalist and winner of the INSPY, Inspirational Reader’s Choice, and Carol Award. Her books regularly appear on Christian bestseller lists.

Gina, tell us a little bit about your newest release, Driftwood Tides.

Driftwood Tides tells the story of an aging, alcoholic driftwood artist turned beach bum, Holton Creary, and young Libby Slater. Libby grew up with an absent father and a loving but cold, socialite mother. Leading up to her wedding, Libby and her groom-to-be go through genetic testing and she learns her blood type doesn’t match either of her parents. She confronts her mother and is reluctantly told that she’s adopted. She goes searching for her mother, Adele, only to find her husband, Holton Creary lying face down on the carpet of his Nags Head beach shack.

She lies about her real identity until she is finally found out. Holton does not welcome the news. He never knew the wife he had given saint status too had given up a daughter for adoption. Together the two search to find the truth about Adele, Libby’s father and themselves.

What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

At its heart, Driftwood Tides is really about discovering who we are, whose we are, where we belong and the need to accept and bestow forgiveness.

Why did you set the novel in Nags Head?

Oh, how I love that place! I’m not sure there’s a more peaceful setting in all the world. And the further out I get from civilization, the happier I am. I love the sand dunes, the untouched nature, the quaint towns. Just everything! (Well, except sand in my bathing suit maybe J)

You seem to have a recurring theme in your novels about absent fathers, if it’s not too personal, why do you think that is?

It is too personal, but I don’t mind answering (wink!) When I was 6 years old, I was packed up by my stepfather and driven to my father’s house. Overnight I had a new Mom, new sisters and brother, house and life. It was as traumatic an experience as I can imagine. There were few explanations that made sense to me and I missed my other family desperately. I think ever since I’ve been trying to settle some pretty deep-seated questions. Writing books is wonderful for that.

The novel you’ve written that seems to be a fan-favorite is Crossing Oceans, do you ever see yourself writing a sequel?

I love that book too. Makes me cry just thinking about certain scenes. I would love to write a sequel, prequel or off shoot stories. I love those characters dearly. I’m under contract for three different novels, so I’m not sure when I’ll have the time, but I’d love to explore Craig’s story and of course, Bella’s. I miss Mama Peg very much!

You’ve said that your favorite novel you’ve written is Wings of Glass. Why is that your favorite?

Well, for storyline, I think Crossing Oceans is the strongest. I think my writing in Wings of Glass was my best, plus when I was very young I watched my mother in one abusive relationship after another, and then two of my sisters. I had been there too, despite thinking I was better than that. I know the mindset that keeps a woman (or man) in a relationship like that and I wanted to give insight to those who don’t understand. I’ve received enough letters to know I did what I set out to do.

You’re originally from NJ but write all your novels from the South, why do you set your novels down South if you’re from up North?

Ha, you found me out! Yes, I was born and raised in NJ. As much as I love my friends and family, I am definitely more suited for the slower pace of the South. I’ve lived in Southern VA for half of my life and I plan to spend the rest of my life here if I can help it. I try to write books from settings that make me happy. So I write where I want to be. (Although, I’ve got to say, NJ food is amazing and you’ve got to love a boisterous NJ laugh!)

What do you like most about being a writer? Least?

Most, I like being able to have a platform to share lessons I’ve learned in my life that I know others would benefit from. And more than that, I just love to tell a good story.

Least, would be the unpredictability of the business. Sometimes it seems so random and the lack of control makes me uncomfortable sometimes. (Which is probably right where God wants me!)

Do you have any advice for aspiring novelists?

My advice is pretty much always the same. 1. Write. So many people want to have written but don’t actually do the work. 2. Get to a writers conference because there’s so much  you don’t know, that you don’t even know you don’t know. If you don’t you’ll be spinning your wheels for years, wasting valuable time. 3. Run, don’t walk, to the nearest bookstore and buy yourself a copy of Self-Editing for Fiction Writers. Then apply it. (Best money I ever spent!) 4. Join a good critique group and get a nice thick skin, ‘cause you’re sure going to need it!

If you could go back to the pre-published writer you were, knowing what you do now, what advice would you give her?

Well, I wouldn’t have told myself how many novels I’d write that would never see the light of day, because I would have given up. I wouldn’t have told myself how little money there is actually to be made or how lonely writing can sometimes be. I wouldn’t have told myself that I’d still have a day job with 4 novels out in stores, including 3 bestselling novels… okay, but that wasn’t your question… I would tell myself to relax. Some of this, most of this is, is out of your hands, and that’s okay. It’s not going to be at all what you think it is, but it’s going to be so much more. You won’t get rich, but you will touch lives. At the end of the day, that’s going to be exactly what will fulfill you.

Where can readers find your books and more about you?

Thanks for asking. My books are in B&N, BooksaMillion, Amazon, Lifeway, Parable, Family Christian and hopefully a good number of independent bookstores. You can find me at Ginaholmes.com. Thanks so much for hosting me!

Destined for Doon by Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Source: I received a copy from the publisher to participate in the blog tour. The opinions expressed here are my own.

About Destined for Doon:

 In this sequel to the bestselling Doon, Mackenna realizes she made a horrible mistake–choosing to follow her dreams of Broadway instead of staying in the enchanted land of Doon. To make everything worse, she’s received her Calling–proof she and Duncan are each other’s one true love–and it’s pure torment, especially when visions of the very alluring Scottish prince appear right before she goes onstage. So when Duncan tells her an ancient curse threatens to overtake Doon and the new queen needs her help, Kenna doesn’t have to think twice. With darkness closing in on all sides, Kenna and Vee battle a world of nightmares in order to protect the kingdom. But it will take the ultimate test of courage for Kenna to salvage her happily ever after.

My Thoughts:

Somehow I managed to miss reading the first book in this series, Doon.  However it didn’t take me long to get into the book and realize what I had missed and must go back and read.  Since Brigadoon has always been a favorite musical of mine, and I’d read that this series was loosely based on it I knew I had to read it.  In this sequel we find Kenna back in her time living the life she wanted on the stage. However, her heart stayed in Doon along with Duncan, the man she lost her heart to, and whose heart she broke.  Imagine her surprise when she finds Duncan in her  dressing room one evening.  He has been sent by her friend, and now Queen of Doon, Vee. It is imperative he return to Doon with Kenna, as she is needed to help save the kingdom. As I read about the curse, I thought about one of my students a couple of years ago who wanted zombies added to everything.  I was thinking that even he would love this book  The setting is beautiful as are the characters.  I felt as if I was in a continuation of the musical, but many years later.  I loved how Kenna is still strong-headed and goes after what she wants.  Vee makes a wonderful and compassionate queen.  There was only one thing I didn’t like, the ending.. Although it was neatly tied up, it was left with a twist that will have me chomping at the bit as I wait for the next book.  This series is most definitely worth the wait.

About the Authors:

About Carey Corpe: Carey Corp lives in the metropolitan Midwest with her loveable yet out-of-control family. Carey wrote her first book at the age of seven, and currently begins each morning consuming copious amounts of coffee while weaving stories that capture her exhaustive imagination. She harbors a voracious passion (in no consistent order) for mohawks, Italy, musical theater, chocolate, and Jane Austen. Carey’s debut novel for teens, The Halo Chronicles: The Guardian, earned her national recognition as 2010 Golden Heart finalist for best young adult fiction and was featured at the 2012 RT Booklovers Convention in Chicago in YA Alley. Read more at www.careycorp.blogspot.com

About Lorie Langdon: Lorie Langdon has wanted to write her own novels since she was a wee girl reading every Judy Blume book she could get her hands on. So a few years ago, she left her thriving corporate career to satisfy the voices in her head. Now as a full-time author and stay-at-home mom, she spends her summers editing poolside while dodging automatic water-gun fire, and the rest of the year tucked into her cozy office, Havanese puppy by her side, working to translate her effusive imagination into the written word and continue to build the young-adult-focused blog, HonestlyYA. Read more at www.lorielangdon.com 

A Path Toward Home by Heather R. Lorenz

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Christian
Source:  I received a copy from the author to help facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

From Goodreads:

As a little girl growing up in post-World War II America, Constance loved her mother's vivid bedtime stories of a motherless prince. When Constance was six, that life ended; she spent the rest of her childhood with her uncle and aunt in Canada.

At 17, bored and lonely after her best friend moved away, Constance smacks her head, wakes up in the country of Avonea, meets the prince of her mother’s childhood stories, and discovers that her mother had made the same mystical journey. Is this world of fantasy and magic real or just a dream?

Dream or real,Constance just wants to go home because she knows her uncle will be frantic with worry for her. Prince Drinian and his advisor Woodphere agree to help her, and Constance finds herself living an adventure story as the three journey through dangerous country peopled with enemies of the future king.

A Path Toward Home is the first book in The Annals of Avonea, an adventure series inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia and written by high school student Heather Lorenz.  “… the plot of this book is very exciting, with twists and turns that keep you reading. The ending was unexpected and satisfying. I really enjoyed it and I would recommend it to anyone!” says one reviewer. Suitable as an ebook for juveniles and adults from new to golden, this modern classic will appeal to fans of adventure, mystery, romance, time travel, science fiction, fantasy, and faith-based fiction.

My Thoughts:
To say I loved this book is an understatement.  I am impressed with the ability this young writer has to create two worlds that are so realistic. Her ability to pull the reader into the life of Constance, who has faced such hardship is truly an art.  From the minute I began to read about the hardships Constance had to face and her reaction to them I knew I was hooked.  This is not one of those books where you are lead to believe that the main character has bad things happen and then breaks into song singing "the sun will come out tomorrow." I could feel her pain and anguish with each new trial thrown her way.  I loved the way Constance and Prince Drinian butted heads from the very beginning.  I was rooting for them all the way through, hoping there would be a relationship.  I felt so bad for Woodphere knowing how he had felt for Constance's mother. 

When Constance tries to make friends with a young girl who in in love with the Prince and finds a jealous girl instead she is heartbroken.  She feels she has to do something to make things right and learns that sometimes things are out of your hands.  I think the thing I enjoyed the most was the way God was woven into the plot. This is not an in your face, preach at you type of book.  You are subtly shown their faith.  It comes through in the way Prince Drinian tries to help his people and even his enemies. I loved the story of how they received the first Bible on their planet.  That was something else that was different from most time travel books.  The character is not transported back in time so much, but to another planet.  I agree with the blurb that at times I felt like the story had a Chronicles of Narnia feel.  To me this young lady has great talent and definitely understood the writing style of C.S. Lewis. However, I honestly loved this one more and that is saying a lot since I am such a fan of the Chronicles of Narnia.  This is only the first book so I am hoping she writes quickly, since this one just came out August 2.  I will be waiting enthusiastically for the second book.  I need to know if Constance and Prince Drinian will meet again.

About the Author:

Heather Lorenz is the author of A Path Toward Home, the first book in The Annals of Avonea series. She is the third of three daughters, and is currently a high school student living in rural Ohio with her parents and her favorite cat, Chuzzy. Heather loves reading, traveling and making new friends.

My Cat Does My Homework and Other Poems for Children - Isabella Johnson

What happens when a first grader writes poetry?  You get something fantabulous like this.

Blurb:

This collection of twelve poems, written by a young child, will delight readers ages 1-­9 and at the same time, show them that you do not have to be an adult to write poetry! Whether you are teaching children about poetry or simply enjoy reading poems to a child, this book is for you.

My Thoughts:

I first learned about this book from Isabella. She is my student and just nonchalantly mentioned that she had a book published. It seems her parents published her book of poetry when she was in first grade. She is in sixth grade now. I am pleased to say that a lot of her poems are great examples of metaphors. What a great resource/example to use for teaching the use of figurative language, especially in poetry.  Her topics range from bugs, to cats and everything between.  I have to say that I absolutely can not wait to see her writing this year.  I truly see great things coming from this young lady who is so passionate about her writing.

Eyes of the Enemy – Kelly Hess

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Source: I received a copy from the author/publisher to help facilitate my review.  I received not compensation. The review is my opinion alone.

Blurb:

When a rogue band of the dreaded Sorak attacks his village, twelve-year-old Beynn Firehand escapes into the darkness of BlackMyst Forest to find help. During his quest, Beynn discovers his own powerful magic abilities. 

The price of his newfound powers, however, may be higher than he ever imagined.

My Thoughts:

This book has great characters and a great setting.  The world building is not over done in this book. The main character Beynn Firehand is the twelve-year-old who has set out to save his village.  The story is not over the top which is what will draw most of my middle school fantasy readers into the story.

The story is not just one magic spell after another. There is so much to like about this book.  For me I believe the fact that I would just get myself to believing something was going to happen a certain way and then the author threw in a twist.  I happen to love stories that have more twists than a rollercoaster.

It is this unpredictability that keeps me reading. Beynn develops his powers slowly so it isn’t like the author decided, hey I think I give him powers and just let the character loose with them. I loved his best friend Fritz. It was obvious that he didn’t understand what was happening to his friend Beynn. He also demonstrated what a true friend was. I loved the ending.  If you want to know what I am talking about then you most definitely need to read this book.

You can learn more about the author here.