Unveiling the Mystery: Have you ever stumbled upon a mystery so gripping that it feels like a secret waiting just for you to uncover? Skeleton Creek byUnveiling the Mystery: Have you ever stumbled upon a mystery so gripping that it feels like a secret waiting just for you to uncover? Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman is just that book, inviting you to join two friends, Ryan and Sarah, as they delve into the depths of Skeleton Creek. They are determined to unravel the secrets of Skeleton Creek. As they dive into the mystery, you’ll find yourself hooked from the first page.
Lights, Camera, Action – Literally!: Picture this: a book that not only weaves a tale on paper but also thrusts you into the heart of the story through online videos. Skeleton Creek seamlessly combines traditional storytelling with modern technology, creating an experience that will leave you wide-eyed and wondering what’s lurking around the corner. The words you read are from Ryan’s journal because he is pretty much bedridden after a harrowing accident. What you watch is from Sara. She is out in the trenches videoing and sending them back to Ryan so that he can see what she sees.
Creepy Factor – Just Right: Do you enjoy tales that send shivers down your spine but stop short of keeping you awake at night? “Skeleton Creek” strikes the perfect balance, offering an eerie atmosphere and spine-tingling moments that will make you question the thin line between reality and the supernatural.
Characters You Can Relate To: Ryan and Sarah are not your typical fearless heroes. They’re just like you – curious, a bit scared, but determined to uncover the truth. As you follow their journey through Skeleton Creek, you’ll find yourself nodding in agreement and urging them forward as if you’re right there with them.
The Ultimate Page-Turner: Have you ever picked up a book and found it impossible to put down? “Skeleton Creek” is the definition of a page-turner. With its short chapters and a blend of text and videos, it’s the kind of story that will have you saying, “Just one more chapter,” until you reach the surprising conclusion.
Takeaway: For middle schoolers looking for a spine-tingling mystery with a modern twist, “Skeleton Creek” is a must-read. It’s not just a book; it’s an immersive experience that will keep you entertained and guessing until the very end. Get ready for an adventure that will leave you wanting more!
In conclusion, Patrick Carman’s “Skeleton Creek” is a thrilling journey into the unknown, blending the excitement of a mystery novel with the immersive power of online videos. It’s a unique reading experience that will captivate middle school readers and have them eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. Grab your flashlight, settle in, and get ready to uncover the secrets of Skeleton Creek!
Why I Love This Book! This book’s ability to keep you hooked and eager to read “just one more chapter” is a testament to its page-turning quality. If Skeleton Creek has you eagerly turning pages to find out what happens next, it’s a sign that the storytelling is compelling and captivating, it’s likely a key factor in your love for the book
Giveaway Alert: Go to www.blazertales.com to win a copy of this book plus a Novel Study PowerPoint AND First Chapter Friday Coloring Sheets!!
Have you Giveaway Alert: Go to www.blazertales.com to win a copy of this book plus a Novel Study PowerPoint AND First Chapter Friday Coloring Sheets!!
Have you ever moved into a new house and been a little scared or anxious about it? Yeah, me too. What if you found out this new house was haunted? What would you be feeling then? This is exactly what happens to Andres Miedoso when he moves into his new house!
Andres' parents are scientists working on a top-secret project for the government. This causes them to move around a lot. Andres finds out very quickly that Kersville is not a normal town to move to. He first meets his next-door neighbor, Desmond Cole, the day he moves in. He immediately thinks that Desmond is very odd because he has an office in their garage with all kinds of gadgets. Desmond also hands Andres his business card that says "Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol: No Ghost Too Tricky".
Andres decides then and there to stay far away from this weird kid, that is until strange things begin happening around his house and he runs to find Desmond to help him. The boys find out that there is a ghost haunting Andres' house! Can Andres stay in a house that is haunted? Can Desmond help Andres drive the ghost out? Read this amazing story to find out if Andres can stay in this new house or if he has to leave... and fast!
What I Love About This Book!
First:
There are so many things I love about this book and book series! First, I love that it is a chapter book and great for those kids who are just beginning to read chapter books. It is an easy read because the font is large, the spacing is big, and there are tons of pictures. This will really increase the beginning chapter book reader's confidence!
Second:
Second, I love that this series is all about ghosts and monsters, and goblins. This will really draw in the child who loves scary stuff, but it is also very mild so there isn't much in there that will actually scare them. This book is a great introduction to the concept of ghost hunting for young readers. My kids at school are all about scary things so this book flies off the shelves and I can't keep them in.
Third:
Third, I love the humor in this book! Andres and Desmond have such a great friendship and some of the things they say and do are hilarious. Sometimes the funny parts just make me laugh out loud, which helps keep the story light and fun. Kids will love reading this book series!
Lastly:
And lastly, I love that this book teaches valuable lessons about friendship, courage, and teamwork. Overall, The Haunted House Next Door is a great book for young readers who are looking for a fun and spooky story. The book is well-written, easy to read, and full of suspense and adventure. I highly recommend it!
My Favorite Quotes!
"When you move to a new town, grown-ups always give you a lot of advice. They never tell you what to do if your house is haunted."
"The ghost followed us into the den. And that's how I ended up here, hiding behind the brand-new sofa. Shivering and quivering. Don't judge me, though. You would be hiding too if there was a large gross burping ghost floating over your head."
"Right now, my biggest fear is that my parents will tell me it's time to move again. That would be the worst because I kind of really like it here."...more
Tuesday Tales Giveaway - go to www.blazertales.com to enter to win a paperback book and a novel study package from Blazer Tales TpT store!
Have you eveTuesday Tales Giveaway - go to www.blazertales.com to enter to win a paperback book and a novel study package from Blazer Tales TpT store!
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go to a school that is just insanely crazy? Maybe you think you already do, but trust me, your school is nothing like this one! The builder of the school was supposed to build the school one level with 30 classrooms across, but he accidentally built it 30 stories high with one classroom per story. “The builder said he was very sorry.”
This book takes place on the 30th floor and there are 30 chapters, each chapter is about a different character in the classroom. The book starts out with the teacher, Mrs. Gorf, turning students into apples for any reason, just so she doesn’t have to teach. But the apples (kids) do get her back! Then we are introduced to Mrs. Jewls, the new teacher, who believes that all of the students are monkeys and it took a lot of convincing that they were not!
After this, we are introduced to all of the students in the classroom, and just let me tell you to buckle up because you are going to be laughing out loud. Just to introduce you to a few of the students – Joe can’t count and it is hilarious how he convinces Mrs. Jewls that he actually can; Myron is the class president and his only job is to turn the lights on and off, but one day when he is late to school he walks into a dark classroom because he wasn’t there to turn on the lights; John can only read upside down so it’s easy to turn his book upside down, but when he needs to read the board they have to stand him on his head, and what happens next is so funny, and then there is Miss Zarves who is a teacher that doesn’t exist because there isn’t a 19th story.
There are so many more kids to meet at Wayside School so don’t miss reading this outrageously funny book for yourself or your students!
What I Love About This Book! This book just makes you laugh out loud! Some of the humor is so stupid but you can’t help but laugh. I love how the amazing Louis Sachar weaves all of the characters throughout the whole book. This is a classroom that you do not want to miss! I loved writing this book review and I know you will love reading this book!
My Favorite Quotes! “You need a reason to be sad. You don’t need a reason to be happy.”
“Allison, you learned a very important secret today, and I don’t want you to tell any of the other children, not even Rondi.” “What was that?” asked Allison. She didn’t even know she had learned a secret. She loved secrets.” “You learned that children are really smarter than their teachers,” said Mrs. Jewls.” “Oh, that’s no secret,” said Allison. Everybody knows that.”...more
Wouldn’t you just love to spend Christmas in a haunted house with a real witch? Well, the Alexander children are about to do just that! Ava is the oldeWouldn’t you just love to spend Christmas in a haunted house with a real witch? Well, the Alexander children are about to do just that! Ava is the oldest of the three siblings and is the only one who has ever met Great-Aunt Poppy. After meeting her she nicknamed her Great-Aunt Groppy because she dressed and looked like a Groppy. Nolan and Charlotte, Ava’s younger siblings, thought that Ava was just exaggerating… that is until they actually met her themselves. (Insert creepy music here)!
Would you stay with a witch for a week? Great-Aunt “Groppy” sure dressed the part of a witch with her all black clothes, purple and green striped socks, and big moles on her face that you could see for miles. And her house? Oh yeah, it fit the part to with spider webs in every crook and cranny, paint peeling, and shutters hanging on by just a nail. And did I mention the cats? Black cats with yellow beady eyes? It seemed like there were hundreds and hundreds of them. Not to mention the owls on the wallpaper that seemed to watch you wherever you went. And the blood-curdling howls that came from the woods that surrounded the house. Oh my!! Forget a week! Would you stay even one night??? The Alexander children didn’t have a choice. Their parents were both doctors and the week before Christmas was horrible at the hospital with all kinds of sickness. The Alexander children would have to spend Christmas in a haunted house with a witch and hundreds of black cats. Could things get even worse? Oh yes, especially when Groppy tells them “Don’t go up the stairs!” Wait, what? Insert here the magic, mayhem, and monsters part! When Nolen wakes up on the first night to find a cat at his window, he doesn’t think anything about it, that is until he lets it in and he starts talking to him. Meet Merlin, the talking black cat! He very quickly lets Nolan know about a magic room that has a cauldron full of a wishing spell and he can get whatever food he wishes for (Nolan is a very picky eater and couldn’t eat what Groppy served for dinner). Nolan slides the doorknob on the red door from the left to the right and… voilà, the most perfect grilled cheese sandwich Nolan had ever seen.
Who wouldn’t want a magic spell to wish for anything you want? The Alexander children find out very quickly that it isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. If you do not word your wishes in just the right way, bad things can happen… and boy do some bad things happen! What do you think is going to happen when Great-Aunt Groppy find out about what they have done? And what about the werewolf that is roaming through the woods at night? Did I forget to mention that? Well, if you want to know what happens you are just going to have to check it out for yourself! Don’t miss this one!!
Want to know why I love this book so much?
This book just blew my mind with how amazing it is!! It starts right off the bat full of suspense when the kids first pull in in Great-Aunt Groppy’s driveway and it doesn’t let up until the very end! Throw in some humor from Nolan ("Just bury me outside by the shed and on my tombstone write the words: Here lies our favorite child. We should have fed him pizza and let him stay at home.") and some sassiness from Merlin (“Well, there is no need to get snippy,” the cat hissed back. “You only asked if I had a name. You didn’t ask what it was.”) and you’ve got yourself a fantastic book!!
This book has just the right amount of scariness and suspense to keep any reader reading way past their bedtime! I loved every minute of it and it only keeps getting better the more you read. I could not put it down! As a matter of fact, when I finished I sent a message to Hallie and told her that I had to have a book two of the Alexander kids and Great-Aunt Groppy (and she assured me there would be one - yay!!) I will be ordering several of these for my library because once I book talk this one, they will fly off the shelves!! This book just blew my mind with how amazing it is!! It starts right off the bat full of suspense when the kids first pull in in Great-Aunt Groppy’s driveway and it doesn’t let up until the very end! Throw in some humor from Nolan ("Just bury me outside by the shed and on my tombstone write the words: Here lies our favorite child. We should have fed him pizza and let him stay at home.") and some sassiness from Merlin (“Well, there is no need to get snippy,” the cat hissed back. “You only asked if I had a name. You didn’t ask what it was.”) and you’ve got yourself a fantastic book!!
This book has just the right amount of scariness and suspense to keep any reader reading way past their bedtime! I loved every minute of it and it only keeps getting better the more you read. I could not put it down! As a matter of fact, when I finished I sent a message to Hallie and told her that I had to have a book two of the Alexander kids and Great-Aunt Groppy (and she assured me there would be one - yay!!) I will be ordering several of these for my library because once I book talk this one, they will fly off the shelves!!
Go to www.blazertales.com for so much more on this amazing book! And do you want to win it for free? Go now and sign up before the release date of October 12th and your name will be entered twice!...more
**GIVEAWAY TIME** Go to www.blazertales.com to enter to win this incredible paperback ARC book!! What is a great biography book for elementary and midd**GIVEAWAY TIME** Go to www.blazertales.com to enter to win this incredible paperback ARC book!! What is a great biography book for elementary and middle school kids? The Year of the Buttered Cat by Susan & Lexi Haas is! Imagine something that happened when you were born changed your life forever. Our story begins with thirteen-year-old Lexi 24 hours before her second brain surgery. She is hoping that this surgery will help her body back so that she can talk and walk and do cartwheels down the beach like her big brother. While she is waiting, she knows that her story has to be told so she flashes back to her five-year-old self and the year of the buttered cat, the year she found out what happened to her. When Lexi was two the family was visiting their grandparents in Georgia. That was when their dog found a kitten behind a dumpster. The dog, Luke, began licking the cat clean and the cat instantly thought that Luke was its mama. Now they have a new pet. Later in the book, you actually find out that this cat had a huge impact on the family.
The prophecy and the five gifts!
When Lexi was five her mom, dad, and her brother, Tucker, take a road trip to the beach. This is when Lexi becomes a huge Harry Potter fan - they listen to the CDs as they drove. On the way back they stopped at a Shoney's to eat and this is when a random man in a green suit put his hand on Lexi's head and gave a prophecy that she would have five gifts (more or less). Lexi knew right then and there that if she discovered her five gifts then she would ger her body.
Friends and French and betrayal!
Lexi loved her French class, especially because her two best friends, Anna and Ellie Trejo, were there. When Anna and Ellie started coming over to Lexi's house to do homework, Lexi introduced them to the world of Harry Potter but it had to be in secret because the girl's mom forbids them from reading those books (technically they were listening to it so...). Soon the girls quit coming to her house and one night Lexi's family saw the whole French club out to dinner and she wasn't invited. This crushed Lexi.
Countdown to surgery!
As the book goes back and forth between current day and the hours leading up to her brain surgery, Lexi continues to tell her story from her five-year-old self. It is during this year that Lexi finds out what actually happened to her when she was born. Does Lexi ever find out what her five gifts are? Will she ever find her voice and her body? Does she ever get to do a cartwheel down the beach? And what actually happened to Lexi to cause her brain damage? Read this incredible true story of Lexi Haas, her supportive family, and her incredible friends.
Why I love this book!
I tell my students all the time that I am a slow reader. I very rarely read a book, especially a 300-page book, in under a week. Susan and Lexi Haas and their family stole my heart from page one and I could not put this book down. I believe it only took me a couple of days to read this book (and thank goodness I was on spring break so the night that I stayed up until about 2 in the morning, I didn't have to go to work the next day). This incredibly amazing true story, which is written almost like a fiction story, is told straight from Lexi. Her mom actually wrote the book but every page was dictated by Lexi. I loved every single part of this story!!
What is a great fantasy book for elementary and middle school kids? The Blue Witch by Alane Adams is!
Imagine that you are starting school. Everyone elsWhat is a great fantasy book for elementary and middle school kids? The Blue Witch by Alane Adams is!
Imagine that you are starting school. Everyone else has their mothers taking them and you don't. Now imagine that you are a witch starting your first year at the Tarkana Witch Academy yet you have no powers. To make things even worse, you have no friends and the most powerful witch in your class has it in for you.
What would you do? This is exactly the position that Abigail finds herself in.
She wants more than anything to become the Head Witchling for her class, but how can she with no friends and no powers? After a run-in with Endera, the class bully and whose mother is an extremely powerful witch at the academy, Abigail runs out into the forest to get away, only to be trapped by Endera and bully friends. Then out of a tree hops a boy from the Balfin School for Boys, Hugo. Hugo tries to help Abigail but considering that he has no powers, he and Abigail have no choice but to run away.
While in the forest they are attacked by a sneevil, a massive wolf-like creature with razor-sharp teeth. They have no hope until Abigail digs down deep and finally gets her magic, but her magic is not like the others so she has to disguise it. Then Abigail meets Calla, a glitch-witch who has not received her magic yet. She is not allowed to go to school, she is only allowed to work there. Abigail, Calla, and Hugo form a fast friendship and they are there for Abigail when she forms an unhealthy bond with Endera's mother's spellbook.
The spellbook is full of dark magic!
Abigail tries to fight the dark magic but when Abigail is once again put on the spot by Endera, Abigail blasts Endera and her friends to the netherworlds. Abigail, Hugo, and Calla have to travel to the netherworld to try to save the girls from Octonia, the queen of the Arachnia, a race of nasty ravenous spiders.
Can the trio battle the killer spiders when only one of them have magic? Can they save Endera and her friends to keep Abigail from being expelled from school? Will Calla ever get her magic or is she doomed to be a glitch-witch the rest of her life? Read this exciting, magical story to find out these answers and so much more!
Why I love this book!
I am really not a big fantasy and magic kind of girl but I really loved this book! There is so much love and friendship even in the midst of hate and dark magic. This book leaves you wanting so much more from Abigail and her friends when she hopefully enters year 2 of Tarkana Witch Academy!
Giveaway!!! Go to www.blazertales.com to enter. Deadline is 1/31/21 at 5:00 CST!
What is a great fantasy, friendship, adventure book for elementary andGiveaway!!! Go to www.blazertales.com to enter. Deadline is 1/31/21 at 5:00 CST!
What is a great fantasy, friendship, adventure book for elementary and middle school kids? Otherwood by Pete Hautman is!
Imagine your best friend just disappears before your eyes. Would you actually believe it? Would you think you are dreaming? Will anyone believe you?
Could this even be true?
Stuey's best friend moves away, his Grandpa Zach passes away, and just like that his friends are gone. Elly Rose is new to town and she doesn't have any real friends either. So when Stuey and Elly Rose find they have the same secret place in the woods between their houses, they decide right then and there that they are soulmates. They spend all of their time at Castle Rose but...
Can the past change the future?
When the ghost of Grandpa Zach tells Stuey to go read about the secrets of the past, it completely changes the present and future. Stuey and Elly Rose are in Castle Rose as Stuey tells her about the connection between his great-grandfather and her great-grandfather. Before Stuey even knows what happens, Elly Rose fades away and disappears. The police and the townspeople search for weeks but they can not find Elly Rose. Did the Mushroom Man who sneaks through the woods take her?
Are ghosts real?
What happens when Stuey is at Castle Rose and Elly Rose appears and tells him that in her world she is not the one missing - he is! Are the woods to blame for this? Or are the ghosts of the past in control? Will Stuey and Elly Rose figure out a way to right what has gone wrong or will their parents forever be devastated by the loss of their children? Don't miss this one!!
Why I love this book!
I can not even begin to tell you how much I loved this book!! My kids at my school know that I am not a very fast reader but boy did I prove that wrong on this one! I stayed up way past my bedtime reading this one. Pete Hautman twists a tale that at times my brain could not even comprehend. The suspense had me turning page after page because I had to know how this book would end. When I say don't miss this one, I mean...
What is a great friendship book for middle school kids and up?
What Lane? by TorreyGiveaway!! Go to www.blazertales.com to enter! Giveaway ends 2/13/21
What is a great friendship book for middle school kids and up?
What Lane? by Torrey Maldonado is!
Can you do everything your friends can do? Or will you be judged by the color of your skin? Stephen feels that he is looked at differently because of his skin color and he is having a hard time getting his best friend, Dan, to understand this.
Characters:
Stephen - His dad is black and his mother is white. Dan - He is white and Stephen's best friend. Wes - He is black and a very good friend to Stephen. Chad - He is a bully and Dan's cousin.
Stephen and Dan spend all of their time together reading comics and watching Marvel movies. Things are good until Dan's cousin, Chad, moves to town. He has it in for Stephen from day one, but Dan does not see it. Chad gets a group of kids to break into an old, abandoned warehouse but will Stephen be the only one who gets into trouble if they are caught?
As Stephen navigates middle school, he tries to figure out if he is in the same lane as his white friends. Through twists and turns, Dan finally begins to realize that there is racism in this world and he will not have any part of it. Dan also just begins to see how horrible his cousin is when Chad pulls the ultimate prank, but would Chad actually do something to physically hurt Stephen? Read this amazing book to find out what happens!
Why I love this book!
I love this book because it shows what true friendship is and it doesn't matter what your skin color is! True friends stand up for each other no matter who or what gets in the way. I love that the character of Dan, when faced with the hard truth, doesn't try to deny or gloss over the extreme racism that Stephen endures, but he realizes and understands and takes up for his best friend at all costs.
What is a great historical fiction book for elementary and middle school kids?
Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood is! What would you do if you thought a coat caused you to lose your life?
Ken Sparks lives in England with his father, his sister, and his very mean stepmother. Ken does not think he has a very good life. His family is very poor so that means that he wears clothes that don't fit and they have very little food. Ken one day discovers a letter in the mail with his name on it. The letter states that Ken will be shipped off to Canada with 89 other children. Ken thinks this is his evil stepmom's way of getting rid of him - one less mouth to feed and one less person to clothe. Actually, this is the beginning of World War 2 and the Germans are bombing England. His parents actually applied for him to get out of the country to keep him safe until the war was over.
Ken is living the best life!
On the way to the ship, Ken finds out that one of his best friends, Terry, will be on this adventure with him. Once aboard the ship, the children realize how great it is going to be - all the food they want to eat and brand new toys. They are living the high life. What could go wrong? They have a fleet of ships surrounding them to protect them.
Day 5
Ken and the other children have been doing disaster drills and wearing life vests all day and night. They are prepared in case anything happens. Ken knows that his lifeboat is number 8. If the alarm sounds, he is to go straight to Lifeboat 8 to get to safety. On day 5 they realize that they are far enough away from the war and the Germans so they relax. The ship is no longer guarded by the Royal Navy and the children are allowed to sleep without their life vests. This proved to be deadly. In the middle of the night, the Germans torpedoed the ship that Ken and his friends were on.
All because of a coat.
When their ship was struck the kids knew what to do. They all fled to their assigned lifeboats. Ken was on his way but he remembered the expensive coat that his stepmom bought him just before he left. He knew if he went back home without the coat he would be in a lot of trouble. After he retrieved his coat, Ken runs to get to his lifeboat, only to find that Lifeboat 8 is already gone. In a panic, Ken doesn't have a clue what to do when an officer calls out to him that Lifeboat 12 has room for him.
Live or die?
Read this incredible true story of Ken and the other passengers that were afloat on Lifeboat 12. I thought it was incredible how they rationed the food and water aboard the lifeboat. It was incredible how they managed to keep each other's spirits up when they were at their lowest. And, it was incredible how the one and only female in the lifeboat managed to keep the 6 children (and even the adults) captivated just by the stories that she told. Read this heart-stopping, action-packed true story to see who lives and who dies!
Why I love this book!
I can not even put into words how much I loved this story! This was a true story written in verse that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The main part of the book is written in fiction form and the end of the book has real pictures and a documentary of the actual events. It is so amazing to see the actual photos from the people on the ship and even them later on in life.
What is a great scary book for elementary and middle school kids?
Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol: The Sleepwalking Snowman by Andres Miedoso is!
How would yoWhat is a great scary book for elementary and middle school kids?
Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol: The Sleepwalking Snowman by Andres Miedoso is!
How would you feel if you built a snowman and the next day it was gone?
I don't mean melted, I don't mean knocked down... I mean your snowman got up and walked away? This is exactly what happened to Carter James! He built an epic snowman but when he woke up the next day, his snowman had moved to the next-door neighbor's yard, and then it disappeared.
Bring in the Ghost Patrol!
This is where the Ghost Patrol - Desmond Cole and Andres Miedoso - come in. Carter goes to the Ghost Patrol office and asks for their help. Carter gives them a detailed description of his snowman and the guys are on the case! As they are on their way to look for the snowman they are ambushed by the neighborhood snowball bully, Cindy Lee.
Do they ever find the snowman?
I'm going to give you a tiny spoiler alert here - yes they do! And they quickly find out that they wish they hadn't because this is not Frosty the Snowman. He is not nice and Andres thinks he wants to eat them.
Do Desmond and Andres tame the snowman or do they become a snowman snack?
Read this awesome story to find out what happens to Desmond, Andres, the snowman, and even Cindy Lee!
Why I love this book!
I love this book series so much because it is a chapter book but it is an easy read for younger readers. When I read this to my 3rd graders, they hung on every word and did not want me to stop until they find out how it ended. This is categorized as scary however, it is very mild scary. Younger kids who want to read from the scary genre will love this without being scared too much.
What could make this book even better?
I have created a PowerPoint that has pictures from the book so the students can see them as you read. It also has comprehensive questions and thought-provoking questions. My students loved this because I tell them that it is trivia time to see can answer the questions first. They absolutely loved this and it really helped them get more into the book. I could not keep these books on the shelves.
What would you do If you were born in a prison and you dreamed of the day you turned thirteen so that you can get out, but one day Interest Level: 3-6
What would you do If you were born in a prison and you dreamed of the day you turned thirteen so that you can get out, but one day the chance comes about for you to escape? Would you take the opportunity to run or wait the four more years before you are released? This is the situation that Pong faces. He was born in Namwon Prison. He and his best friend, Somkit, dream of the day when they can go live in the city under the bright lights. They have grown up hearing the stories of the great fire and the governor who blesses everyone with the lights. One day Pong has a chance to escape and he takes it, but he finds out that life outside the prison isn't much better for a runaway. His arm has a tattoo that lets everyone know that he is on the run so he has no peace. He also finds out that only the wealthy have the bright lights. The poor have little to no lights at all. Many years later, Pong crosses path with the warden of the prison and his family. Nok, the warden's perfect daughter, recognizes him and vows to take him down in order to restore her family's name. As Pong goes on the run with Nok chasing after him, they both discover things about themselves and their past that shake them to their core. Will Nok capture Pong and turn him into the governor for Pong to go back to prison for the rest of his life? Will Pong be able to help the poor people who take him in and help them get the light that they deserve? Will Pong and Nok get the happy ending that they both deserve? Read this incredible book to find out these answers and so much more!
I absolutely love this story! The friendships, old and new, are extremely loyal and unselfish. Courage to stand up for what is right, even when you are standing up to a giant, is the theme throughout this story, despite the outcome. These friendships light up the world!
What would you do if you lost your mother and your father and you had no choice but to go live with an old aunt that you didn't even know? You would bWhat would you do if you lost your mother and your father and you had no choice but to go live with an old aunt that you didn't even know? You would be super sad, right? This is what has happened to 13-year-old Piper and her brother, Phoenix. Their father worked in construction and was sent overseas by the American government to rebuild ruined hospitals and schools in a country torn apart by war. One day he went missing and has not been heard from in two years. Then one night their mom was coming home from work on a rainy night when her car was in a wreck and she passed away. With no other family but an old aunt that lives thousands of miles away from their home, they are forced to go and live with her in Maine. When they arrive at the house they are given very strict rules for the huge mansion of a house that seems more like a museum than a house. They are not allowed to run in the house, they are forbidden to eat anywhere except the kitchen, and they are absolutely prohibited from ever going into the library. This might be okay for some but for Piper and Phoenix, this is bad for two reasons - 1) they are avid readers and love all books, and 2) there is a book that seems to be calling their names. That may sound crazy because a book can't talk... or can they? When Phoenix takes the book, Novus Fabula, from the library their lives are forever changed. With the help of Mr. Greene, the butler, and Sofia, the cook, and their aunt's three dogs, Piper and Phoenix begin to slowly heal. But when they find out a secret that their aunt has been keeping, will things ever be the same again? Is their dad alive and if so, why hasn't he come home to them? Will Piper and Phoenix discover that magic truly does exist and if so, will they discover the source? Will Aunt Beryl ever warm up to Piper and Phoenix and make her house a home or will they always feel like an outsider? Read this incredibly amazing story to find out!
This Is one of the most refreshing books I have ever read! Piper is a girl after my own heart! Her love of books and reading makes my heart smile! She is also extremely loyal to her friends and family. Even when things are not going her way (like when all of her books were taken away from her) she still showed respect to those in charge. She was also dealt some tragic cards and even though her faith in God wavered she never truly gave up in Him. This is one of the most heart-warming stories I have read in a very long time! This has quickly become a #1 story in my book! Please do not miss this book about tragedy, rebounding from that tragedy, family, friendship, love, mystery, magic, and most of all that God is in control and when we are ready to accept Him He will be there for us! Follow me:
Doesn't a road trip sound like fun? You would think so, but Samantha is not looking forward to it. Samantha is always trying to impress her parents anDoesn't a road trip sound like fun? You would think so, but Samantha is not looking forward to it. Samantha is always trying to impress her parents and sisters, all whom seem to excel at everything they do. Samantha tries one thing after another - tennis, dance, volleyball, cheerleading, soccer, acting, track, softball, and even art - Sam stunk at everything she tried. So since Sam had no plans for the summer she was roped into going with her mother to sunny Florida to her grandmother retirement home condominium. She is far from excited to visit a grandmother that she barely knows, much less spend time with her overbearing, workaholic mom. To make things even worse, her mom is forcing her to keep a diary, the Dear Me Journal, that her mom is promoting for her memory-making company, Make It Take It. Sam's summer vacation is going downhill fast! Things go from bad to worse when Sam's mother is called back to work for an emergency project and Sam is left with a grandmother she hardly knows, her Bible-loving friend, Mimi, and her grandson, Brandon (who by the way is gorgeously cool baseball superstar). Sam doesn't believe that things can go from worse to holy-cow-this-is-a-disaster but boy is she in for the surprise of her life! As Sam, Gram, Mimi, and Brandon set out on the adventure of a lifetime nothing seems to go right. As they take off on the backroad, swampy roads of Florida they encounter turtles that cause a wreck, alligators and swamp mud, breaking into a church, sleeping at an abandoned camp in a monsoon, and having to use the Restroom of Horror at the Friendly Fill-Up gas station. When things really get bad, Sam's Gram is rushed to the emergency room, not once but twice. Will Sam's Gram get to compete in the Seniors Got Talent Karaoke contest that is on her bucket list? Will anything go right on this trip? Will Sam be able to keep all of what is happening from her mom? And what will Sam do when she gets a phone call that something bad has happened at home? Will the diary that she is having to keep be a burden or be the one constant in her life? Read this incredibly funny book to find out the answers.
I just loved everything about this book! I had so much empathy for Sam because when I was growing up I never felt like I could find my talent either. She doesn't feel cool and she sure feels uncomfortable around super-cute boys (me again!). Nancy Cavanaugh has written an outstanding book about getting to know your family, finding unexpected friends, and exploring who you actually are what your true talents are. Do not miss this amazing book!!
What lengths would you go to in order to save what you love? Would you fight the evil forces in hopes that good will win? Lenora haInterest Level: 3-6
What lengths would you go to in order to save what you love? Would you fight the evil forces in hopes that good will win? Lenora has been away for over a year from the magical library that she loves so much. She has been patiently waiting to go back and when her chance finally comes she is so excited, that is until she gets there and everything has changed. The library is under a new director and all of the books are gone and replaced with books about how wonderful the new director is. Lenora is shocked to find the shelves empty, the librarians have been fired, and her mentor has been demoted. Lenora has been given the mission to take down the new leadership but she is just one girl. How can she do this on her own? She meets a young girl named "Lucy" (this is not her real name but I promise you will find out her true name) who happens to be the new Director's daughter. Lenora and Lucy go on an epic adventure to try and save the library, and along the way they meet some very unlikely people and creatures that become an invaluable source of power and friendship. Can Lenora battle the evil forces that are ruling the library and bring the books back before they are destroyed? Can she save the librarians jobs or are they kicked out of the library forever? And most importantly, in the mist of all of this can she fulfill the vow that she promised to always strive to find an answer for any patron? Read the exciting second book to The Library of Ever by Zeno Alexander to find out if Lenora is successful or if the library falls to ruins forever!
I absolutely love this book series because, of course, I am a librarian. I love Lenora's passion for books and knowledge and her bravery to fight for what is right! This book is full of fantasy, magic, action, adventure, true friendship, and the hunger for knowledge. Do not miss this second book (and I'm really hoping it is not the last one) in The Library of Ever series!
Have you ever felt like running away from home? Like things are seriously bad and you just have to get away? Like you want to go to punish your familyHave you ever felt like running away from home? Like things are seriously bad and you just have to get away? Like you want to go to punish your family? Meet Margaret - she is tired of things changing all around her so she decides to escape it all! She has lost her best friend and is having to navigate middle school on her own, her sister now has a boyfriend and doesn't have time for her, and she wakes up one morning to find a red suitcase packed by the front door. Margaret is at the end of her rope so when she finds the picture of her family from their trip to Foreverland Amusement Park, she knows just what she has to do. She packs her backpack with essentials like hand sanitizer (she is a serious germaphobe), money, sunscreen, and her favorite stuffed animal. She is supposed to be at a summer camp for computer geeks (which she is not), she buys a train ticket, and makes her way to Foreverland. She is so excited because she gets to ride rides she was never allowed to and she can eat the horrible, unhealthy, but so amazing foods like hot dogs and hamburgers. She is living the life until she accidentally chokes on the hot dog and a boy saves her life. This boy keeps popping up all around her and then he leave an origami flying saucer that has an X marking the spot where they need to meet. Jamie is like no one she has ever met. He has so much energy and knows Foreverland like the back of his hand. Margaret goes through the haunted house and decides the bed in which Dracula lays is the best hiding spot for the night. Things go alright considering she is sleeping in a haunted house, but things go all wrong. She leaves her backpack on the bed and ventures off to the kitchen to see if any of the workers happen to have left some snacks. Just at that moment the head security comes in to turn off the lights and finds her backpack. Now she has no money and no train ticket back home. The next day Jamie takes care of her and Margaret ends up having the time of her life! But Margaret learns that Jamie has a dark side too. Why is he here and who is he running away from? What happens when they are caught by the head of security? Will they be forced to go back home? And will Margaret ever find the truth about Jamie's life? Read this absolutely amazing, incredible, magnificent book for 2020!
This is the first book in a long time that has grabbed my heartstrings and pulled them so tight I thought it would burst! If you've read any of my post then you know I am a fairly slow reader so when I say I read this in less than a twenty-four hour time span, you know it was incredible! I could not put this book down! Margaret and Jamie are two peas in a pod and both have so much going on in their young lives. The friendship that forms between them in such a short time is remarkable. I was NOT ready for this book to end!! DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK!!!
What would you do to find your missing parents? Would you go into the deepest parts of the swamps of Florida and live off of only the things of natureWhat would you do to find your missing parents? Would you go into the deepest parts of the swamps of Florida and live off of only the things of nature? Adam and his parents were driving home from Disney World late one night when something stepped out in front of their car, causing them to crash. When Adam woke up, he was in the hospital and his parents were missing. He described what he saw, no one believed him - not the police and not even his Uncle John. It wasn't a human and it wasn't a bear. The newspaper report called it a "Sasquatch-like creature" and that's when he knew he had to start telling people he didn't remember anything from that night. Adam moves in with his Uncle John and has to start a new school. When he gets into trouble on day one for fighting a student makes fun of him for seeing Bigfoot, he knows he can't go on like this. He has to do something! He starts searching for Bigfoot sighting and he finds a man that lives just about 20 miles from where he is. He sneaks away and walks the 20 miles until he finds the house described in the article. Adam finds out that Stanley lost his wife and his daughter because of his Bigfoot sighting and is now an old miserable man. Stanley tells Adam to forget what he was and move on with his life, but that is hard for Adam to do since he knows his parents are missing. He has to either find his parents, or get a great picture of a Bigfoot so that people will know he is not crazy. He fills his backpack full of supplies that he finds in Stanley's barn, he takes his boat, and he heads to the Suwannee River. Not long after he sets off in the rickety old boat does he lose most of his food and supplies, thanks to an enormous sturgeon, he loses the boat. Adam is now deep in the swamp with only his pocketknife and a penlight, he has to learn how to survive off of nature. Adam lives in the swamp for two months. Does he ever find the elusive Bigfoot? If he does find one, can he get a picture to prove he is not crazy? After two months, does Adam ever find his parents? Does Adam even survive? Read this incredible book to find out these answers!
Watt Key is one of my favorite authors! His books will keep you on the edge-of-your-seat right from the beginning. If you love action and adventure survival stories, you will love this book! I admire Adam for his determination to find his parents and his, his bravery to face down a deadly creature, and cleverness for living off of the land and trying to survive at all costs. This is a must read!!!
If you have ever dreamed of becoming an author, where would your inspiration come from? Michael Bond didn't grow up thinking he wouInterest Level: 3-6
If you have ever dreamed of becoming an author, where would your inspiration come from? Michael Bond didn't grow up thinking he would become a writer but little did he know that he would become one of the most well-known authors ever. Growing up Michael was not the greatest in school but he grew up in a loving home where his parents read to him every night. He quit school at the age of 14 and began working odd jobs during World War II. He joined the army and during this time he wrote stories but was rejected many, many times by publishing companies. One day he was sitting at his typewriter trying come up with a story when he began looking at the teddy bear that he purchased for his wife. He started writing and within a little over a week he had created a story of Paddington Bear, but would he continue to get rejection letters or would this finally be his big chance? Read this incredible book to find out!
Let me just begin by saying that I am not a big nonfiction or biography fan but this book might just change my mind! From the first page, Rosanne pulled me into the life of Michael Bond and I couldn't stop reading. It was so interesting finding out the background of one of the most iconic book series ever written. If you are a Paddington fan or not, you will love this story!!
Imagine there is something that you love to do but people tell you that you can't do it just because you are a Interest Level: 3-6; Reading Level: 3.6
Imagine there is something that you love to do but people tell you that you can't do it just because you are a girl. We know that's not fair, but back in the day that is how things were. Katherine loved to run but in the 1960's women did not run and they sure didn't sweat. People would ask her if she was in trouble when she ran. When she went to college there were no women's track teams. She was allowed to train with the guys but she was not allowed to compete. When she learns about the Boston Marathon, a 26 mile race, she knows that she has to run in it, but no woman has even run in it before. She signed up as K.V. Switzer, not using her first name, Katherine. When the race began several men tried to stop her. Katherine knew she had to finish this race to prove that a woman could do it. Does Katherine overcome all odds and stay in the race? Is she able to complete the race to show that a woman can run and finish this historic race? Read this inspiring story to find out these answers.
This story gives me chill bumps! Katherine is such an inspiration to women everywhere! She loved something and did not give up when it was not the "proper" thing to do. She had a goal and she was determined to see it through to the end despite all odds against her. Don't miss this encouraging book!! Follow me:
Imagine that your mom, the person you look up to the most and your best friend, becomes sick and you have to start taking care of her. Welcome to CassImagine that your mom, the person you look up to the most and your best friend, becomes sick and you have to start taking care of her. Welcome to Cassie's world. Cassie and her parents used to go on grand adventures and her mom had an incredible bucket list of things she wanted to do. But when Cassie's mom began forgetting things and losing her focus, they got devastating news. Cassie's mom was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Cassie's world is turned upside down and she has to start taking care of her. Cassie has a hard time with her dad's new rules to keep her mom safe but the worst day of all was when her mom couldn't remember her name. Cassie vowed then and there to make the remaining time she had with her mom magical. Cassie made the mistake of pushing her best friend, Bailey, away when her mom got sick but the great thing about best friends is that they will always forgive you. So with the help of her best friend, Cassie sneaks her mom away on a bus three hours away from home so that her mom can swim with the dolphins. What will Cassie's dad do when he finds out what Cassie has done? And how will Cassie be able to handle her mom when she gets into a life and death situation? Did she make a huge mistake by trying to help her mom fulfill one thing on her bucket list? Read this heartwarming and heartbreaking story about the true meaning of family, friendship, and how to live life to the fullest while you can!
This book is one that really got to me. I can not even imagine having to watch a parent being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, but I sure couldn't imagine having to deal with it at a young age like Cassie. This book will tug at your heartstrings but it is also so full of hope because of the amazing people that she has in her life. I wasn't sure how this book would end but Sandy Stark-McGinnis did a fantastic job! Do not miss this endearing, heartwarming, incredible book!!
What would you do if the entire human population's fate rested on your shoulders? This is what Lan and his famiInterest Level: 3-6; Reading Level: 4.5
What would you do if the entire human population's fate rested on your shoulders? This is what Lan and his family are having to do, they are trying to save the humans that are left after Earth was destroyed. They have been living on Mars for about a year but life is not good so they contacted Planet Choom. The official on Planet Choom agreed for them to come live there but after the long time travel, the new authorities have changed their minds. The problem is, the humans don't have enough fuel or supplies to live much longer. They have to find a way to convince the powers in charge to change their mind. The Zhuri, mosquito looking creatures, are in charge and they agree to allow one family to come on to their planet for a trial run. The Zhuri know that humans are violent... I mean, hello, they destroyed their own planet. Lan, his sister, Ila, and their parents are selected to go because of their talents, especially Ila, who is a fantastic singer. When they arrive on Planet Choom things are not very good because a large mob of Zhuri want to kill them immediately. Things don't seem to be going so well but they do meet a few Zhuri that seem to be on their side and want them there. There are also two other species on Planet Choom, the Kirk and the Ororo. Can Lan and his family persuade the Zhuri to allow the humans to become the fourth species to live on the planet, or will the human race be gone forever? Read the fast-paced, extremely entertaining, science fiction book to find out what happens to the humans!
So I'm going to be completely honest here... I am not a big fan of science fiction. I began listening to this book in my car on my way home from work. Within the first five minutes I was thinking, "ok this is the weirdest book ever!" but I was driving in busy traffic on the interstate so I couldn't just change books or even turn on music so I didn't have a choice but to listen to it. Thirty minutes later I was hooked and I could not wait to get into the car again to listen to it! Actually, I was so addicted to it that I was listening to it in the shower, getting ready for work, and even cooking dinner. This book was fast-paced, entertaining, funny, and even had some nail-biting suspense. This book is the one that may get me to say that I like science fiction! Don't miss it!
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