If you have tweens or middle school aged children, this is a fantastic way to get a kindle loaded with 50 age-appropriate books for them.
Author: macjam47
I am an avid reader who loves to share my thoughts about the books I read. Other activities I enjoy are doing things with my grandchildren, baking and cooking, gardening, Pilates, and deep water exercise.
The Banks of Certain Rivers by Jon Harrison
THE BANKS OF CERTAIN RIVERS will draw you in immediately with its backstory where we meet Neil Kazenzakis (Mr. K), husband, father, friend, teacher, coach. It is here that we learn first of his wife Wendy and son Chris, and the terrible accident that Wendy has in a swimming pool that left her in a permanent comatose state. Their son Chris, an eighth grader, witnessed the accident.
We move forward a few years and find that Neil has more to deal with than seems humanly possible. His wife Wendy remains in a nursing home, he and Chris both are still struggling to move on, and he is caring for his mother-in-law Carol, while at the same time, maintaining her home. On top of everything else, Neil has fallen in love with Lauren, the nurse taking care of Carol. Neil must tell Chris, but fears it is more than a young person can handle given the state of his mother’s health. Add to all this is a video that went viral showing Mr. K knocking a student to the ground. Can he prove his innocence and that the video is a fake? With his job and reputation on the line and Chris’ loss of respect for him after Neil tells him he has been in a relationship for two years, Neil feels his life is spiraling out of control. With the determination and help of understanding and caring friends, Neil is able to move forward.
I don’t like spoilers, and this book is difficult to talk about without revealing too much. It is well written with a plot that will keep you turning the pages. It is about love and redemption, loyalty and trust. It is about putting what life throws at you into the proper perspective and getting on with one’s life.
The characters were so well developed that I felt an immediate bond with each one. I wanted Wendy to recover, and at first didn’t like Lauren because I felt she stood in the way of that recovery. I wanted to hug Chris and help him through the murky waters of grief, sadness, distrust, and disappointment. It was so much to put upon a teenager.
There is no doubt in my mind that this is a five star book. Once I started reading, I was unable to put it down. With so many layers to the story and personalities elaborated so beautifully, this is one book I wholeheartedly recommend.
About the Author
Born in Michigan, Jon Harrison studied English literature and geological sciences at Ohio University. A lover of the outdoors, he moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in 1994 and has lived there ever since. When not writing, he enjoys skiing, running, and climbing.
The Banks of Certain Rivers is his first novel.
Follow Jon Harrison on:
Webpage – Harrison Pages
Twitter – @HarrisonPages
Goodreads – Jon Harrison Author Page
FaceBook – The Banks of Certain Rivers
Buy The Banks of Certain Rivers
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to meet Jon Harrison at Books by the Banks. Shown here on the right with author Catherine McKenzie on the left.
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Storytime by Josie
THE FORGOTTEN PUMPKIN by Hugh G. Earnhart
THE FORGOTTEN PUMPKIN is a delightful autumn story for children about a sad pumpkin who was forgotten when Farmer Pond and his sons went to the fields to harvest all the pumpkins. Mr. Pond was in a hurry to gather the pumpkins and forgot to pick the large pumpkin that grew next to the woods far from the road.
The big beautiful pumpkin was so sad it began to cry. During the night, the pumpkin’s cries became so loud that it woke the animals in the nearby forest. They came to the field and asked, “Pumpkin, why are you crying?” Pumpkin explained he had been forgotten and he was sure he would make a nice smiley jack-o’-lantern.
The animals looked at each other and came up with a plan to move the pumpkin near the road and carve it into a jack-o-lantern.
The story will hold a child’s attention with the surprising ways the pumpkin was transformed into a smiling jack-o-lantern with the darling characters beautifully illustrated by Susan Foland Ertel.
Do I recommend THE FORGOTTEN PUMPKIN? Absolutely!
About the Author (from the last page of the book)
Hugh G. Earnhart is a retired history professor, a Korean War Veteran, and an Ohio State Master Gardener/Naturalist from Poland, Ohio, where he lives with his wife and flower consultant, Mary Kay. Being a flower judge also makes use of any free time. He is a member of the Giant Pumpkin Grower’s Association of America, Canfield, Ohio chapter.
About the Illustrator (from the last page of the book)
Susan Foland Ertel’s whimsical artwork reflects her interest and love of animals. She is the author and illustrator of Belle, The Hound That Was Found. Susan lives with her husband and pets in Wilmington, Ohio, where they enjoy their seven grandchildren.
I bought THE FORGOTTEN PUMPKIN at Books By The Banks, Cincinnati, OH, and promised the author an honest review before passing it on to my granddaughter.
THE FORGOTTEN PUMPKIN can be purchased at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Booksamillion, Powell’s, Joseph Beth Booksellers, and many of your favorite indy bookstores.
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Spotlight on Women’s Rights Activist Malala Yousafzai
A must read post from the lovely Christy Birmingham.
Activist Malala Yousafzai. Original Photo Source: AK Rockefeller, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Flickr
Malala Yousafzai first came to public attention in 2009 when she wrote a BBC diary about life in Swat Valley in Northwest Pakistan, where the local Taliban had banned girls from attending school. Her diary chronicled her desire to remain in education and for girls to have the chance to be educated.
She wrote it under a pseudonym, Gul Makai, the name of a heroine from a Pashtun folk tale. Three years later, in 2012, she was shot in the head and neck due to this, after her school bus was boarded by a member of the Taliban. Her recovery process began in Pakistan and continued in England, where she now lives with her family. Today, Malala is 17 years old.
Malala Yousafzai: Awards and Achievements
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Halloween Books for the Very Young
Halloween books for the very young are falling off the shelves everywhere books are sold. There is an abundance of cute ghosts, silly pumpkins, furry black kitties, sweet owls, and even happy witches waiting for someone to discover them and take them home. The little ones who receive them will flip the pages long after Halloween is past.
THE ITSY BITSY PUMPKIN by Sonali Fry (author) Sanja Rescek (illustrator) is a darling little board book, just right for chubby little hands. The little pumpkin rolls down the street and passes some not-so-spooky ghosts and goblins. When he can’t find his way home, a sweet little witch comes to his aid and helps him find his way back. The story isn’t at all spooky and the illustrations are sweet. Told in rhyme, the story will delight children age four and younger.
FIVE LITTLE GHOSTS and FIVE BLACK CATS both by Patricia Hegarty (Author) Julia Woolf (Illustrator) are written in sing-song rhyme, perfect for young ones to memorize. I found the stories and the pictures to be cute. THE FIVE LITTLE GHOSTS are looking for something to play at the end of the day and try a variety of activities from painting to dressing in costume to playing in the garden. In the end, they are all tuckered out and tucked into bed. FIVE BLACK CATS is the story of the cats out on a Halloween prowl and finally end up at the ghosts’ party.
FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS by Dan Yaccarino (Illustrator) is Amazon’s number one best seller in nursery rhymes. It is artfully illustrated with cute Halloween pictures. Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate, The first one said, “My, it’s getting late!” is a poem we all remember from our own childhoods, and is sure to be memorized by young ones. Though suggested for ages 4-8, this book will be enjoyed by children even younger.
These and many other cute, non-spooky Halloween books can be found anywhere books are sold.
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Books by the Banks 2014
October in Cincinnati means Books by the Banks, our book festival. This year I met some new authors and visited with some I had met in the past. It is always an exciting event with lots of authors and many, many books to buy. Since ours is held in October, it is a great time to pick up some gifts for the holidays as well as books for yourself.
My husband came along again this year and took some pictures and helped carry my books.
My first stop was to visit my friend Catherine McKenzie (SPIN, SPUN, ARRANGED, HIDDEN) and Jon Harrison (THE BANKS OF CERTAIN RIVERS – review to come soon).
I then met Marci Jefferson whose GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN is in my TBR and is begging me to read it.
Of course, I also had to stop by and say hi to Mindy McGinnis. Her first book, NOT A DROP TO DRINK, came out last year just before Books by the Banks. Her second, IN A HANDFUL OF DUST, came out just in time for “The Banks”.
A trip to “The Banks” wouldn’t be complete without picking up a few children’s books.
BABY PENGUINS EVERYWHERE! by Melissa Guion
THE FORGOTTEN PUMPKIN by Hugh G. Earnhart (review to come later this week).
Of course, there were other books in my bag but, unfortunately, those authors were not available during the time I was there.
It was a fabulous event and I can’t wait until it comes back next October.
Note: Reviews for all books will be posted as I read them.
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How One Young Woman Broke My Heart and Repaired It
A heart is priceless, as I found reading the book titled a picture is worth… (Photo Source: little*star, CC BY-ND 4.0, via Flickr)
I began reading a picture is worth… this week and my heart broke as I read the first personal essay written by a young woman named Aayilah. a picture is worth… is a book composed of a collection of personal essays written by US high school students; it is designed to be an education curriculum component along with photos, blogs and audio segments. The goal is to inspire learning in young people by encouraging them to share their stories, as well as to develop new ways of educating and connecting students. The story told by Aayilah of her life broke my heart and repaired it, all within one chapter.
Aayilah is a 15-year-old student who came to the US from Trinidad and Tobago to live with her mother…
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Review! Little Dead Riding Hood by Amie Borst and Bethanie Borst
Erik over at This Kids Reviews Books posted a fantastic review on the fractured fairy tale Little Dead Riding Hood by Amie and Bethanie Borst.
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Talon, Come Fly with Me By Gigi Sedlmayer
TALON, COME FLY WITH ME by Gigi Sedlmayer is a wonderful and inspirational story for adults and children alike. It is the tender story of a girls love for the mighty condor, a vulture and nearly extinct. Matica, who because of a genetic disorder is, at age ten, no bigger than a two year old. She lives in Peru and the Indians there fear her and refuse to allow their children to play with her. Without friends and only her four-year brother as a playmate, Matica befriends two condors who eventually give her their egg to protect, nurture and eventually take care of the young hatchling to protect it from poachers.
This beautifully written story deals with disability and the fear of differences as perceived by others and a young girl’s love and devotion to the condors. At times you will laugh, but you will always be amazed. The book is the first in a series of heartwarming adventures.
I loved that Sedlmayer wove information about the condors into her story. While reading TALON, COME FLY WITH ME, I learned a lot about condors that I would never have known otherwise. Though the main character is a female, the book is not gender specific in that Matica could just as easily been a boy. It is certainly appropriate for people of all ages, but I heartily recommend it to the 9-12-year-old readers.
To learn more about the author
Author’s blog – Talon, Family Book Series
Blogspot – Talon
Facebook pages – Gisela Sedlmayer or Talon
Twitter – @GigiSedlmayer
Goodreads – Profile Page
Amazon Author Page – Gigi Sedlmayer
To buy TALON, COME FLY WITH ME
Amazon, Barnes and Nobel, Books-a-Million, Indie Bound, iBooks, Indigo, Google Books, Alibris, AbeBooks.com
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