Way Back Wednesday ~ Echo – Pam Muñoz Ryan

Looking for a terrific book for a tween mother/daughter summer book club?  Echo would be a terrific option!  This post was originally published on 11/09/16.

Echo was another favorite for our daughter as she read the nominated books for the Texas Bluebonnet Award.  The book is a bit larger than most nominated works (592 pages), but the length did not dissuade her as a reader.  She truly could not put this one down.  I found her reading it every time she had a chance as well as a number of times she really needed to be doing other things.  Echo is beautifully written and provides a considerable degree of depth and complexity for the reader.  Using three stand alone historical fiction stories that focus on the need to be brave, the author expertly interweaves them together using the musical ability of the children and a harmonica as a special link.  This book lends itself for discussion and would make a great text for a mother/daughter book club. 

Way Back Wednesday ~ Mrs. Spitzer’s Garden – Edith Pattou

Looking for a lovely book to give to a beloved teacher at the end of the year?  Mrs. Spitzer’s garden is a winner!  This post was originally published on 01/11/10.

Beautiful pictures coupled with simple text provide a powerful message. Mrs. Spitzer’s Garden highlights the impact and influence teachers have in helping children to grow.  Mrs. Spitzer is a teacher and is given a packet of seeds at the beginning of the year by the principal.  The reader is then able to follow the journey the seeds take with Mrs. Spitzer.  Just like real children in the classroom each seed is different and requires specialized care and attention to blossom.  This book shares an important message in a lovely manner.

Hello Stars (Faithgirlz/Lena in the Spotlight) – Alena Pitts and Wynter Pitts

Our daughter always enjoys the Faithgirlz books! They are a quick, easy, fun read.  As a parent I love that these books do not include any content of concern, and they encourage behavior that displays kindness to others.

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Handlebar Marketing, no other compensation was given.  All remarks are my personal and honest opinions. 

Word of Mouse – James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein

Word of Mouse is a terrific book which features Isaiah the Mouse. Although Isaiah is scared about just about everything after being raised in a laboratory, he is very smart and has a will to succeed. Through a very special friendship with a girl he meets after escaping from the laboratory, Isaiah discovers that he has the power within him to make the world a better place.

Love Letters from God: Bible Stories for a Girl’s Heart – Glenys Nellist

Love Letters from God: Bible Stories for a Girl’s Heart features eighteen Bible stories – Nine from the Old Testament and nine from the New Testament that share the contributions of female Bible characters.  Each two page spread is beautifully illustrated and includes a featured Bible verse as well as a pop-up love letter from God.  Each love letter provides a personalized message for the reader in letter form that shares God’s love.  This sweet book is a wonderfully encouraging Bible story collection.

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Handlebar Marketing, no other compensation was given.  All remarks are my personal and honest opinions. 

NKJV – The Woman’s Study Bible

The Woman’s Study Bible is a beautiful volume that is specifically geared toward women.  It is a true study Bible and includes many maps, charts, and study notes.  I particularly enjoyed the biographies of women from the Bible that are included.  This Bible would be a lovely Mother’s Day gift.

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers, no other compensation was given.  All remarks are my personal and honest opinions. 

The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog – Adam Gidwitz

Once our daughter started reading this book, she couldn’t put it down.  The Inquisitor’s Tale is a fantasy story set in France during the Middle Ages.  Each chapter is a different tale told by a different story teller at an inn.  Ultimately their stories weave together to share the experiences of the three magical children and their holy dog.  There is a lot of depth and complexity to this book.  It could be enjoyed by tween and teen readers as well as their parents.

Brave is the New Beautiful: Finding the Courage to Be the Real You – Lee Wolfe Blum

Brave is the New Beautiful is a little gem that is filled with stories of brave women which will inspire you and make you think.  Each story is a small sub-section of the book and is followed by reflection questions.  It is a terrific Christian growth resource for individual or small group study.

While this complimentary book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity Group, no other compensation was given.  All remarks are my personal and honest opinions. 

The Joy of Letting Go: Releasing Your Teen into Real Life in the Big World – Vicki Caruana

The Joy of Letting Go: Releasing Your Teen into Real Life in the Big World is a weekly devotional.  Inspirational readings and quotes encourage the reader to understand that the goal of parenting should be to help your child embrace her journey and become independent. 

While this complimentary book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity Group, no other compensation was given.  All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.