One of my favorite things to do when I’m not writing is walking around a good used book store! I’m fortunate to have three different wonderful used book stores within an hour’s drive, so last week I visited all three in one day! I found a ton of great used books ranging from Sigmund Brouwer’s Accidental Detectives to Bill Myers’ The Guardian, book #5 in his Forbidden Doors series, one of my favorites!
Check out everything I found in the video below!
November has come to a close and we’re already a week deep into December! We’re all set up for Christmas and looking forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus all month and into January. Last month I read 13 books, and really enjoyed many of them. In the latest vlog post, I’ll share the books I read last month and which ones I recommend!
Six years ago when I finished the last pages of Scorpia Rising, I remember feeling satisfied with the ending to an epic series, but also sad to see some of my favorite YA characters sign off for good. So when I happened to spot Never Say Die on the shelves of my local bookstore, I grabbed it with a gasp. Alex Rider was back! I raced home and plowed through Anthony Horowitz’s latest, so excited to find out what happened next to the youngest spy in MI6.
Alex is grieving the death of his caregiver and friend Jack Starbright when he receives a mysterious email that Alex believes has to have come from her. He embarks on a journey to find out anything he can about what exactly happened to Jack. Is he being manipulated again by MI6? Or has a villain from the past resurfaced to take revenge? Only Alex Rider can stop what’s coming before it’s too late. Because the fate of hundreds of lives hangs in the balance — including his own.
Horowitz is back at the top of his game with thrilling chases, huge action set pieces, and crazy revelations. I would say Horowitz is always best when he’s racing through the action, and a little weak when it comes to characters. At the beginning of the book, Alex is really processing the death of Jack, and that felt surprisingly real, along with the hope that she might be alive. Throughout the novel, we’re kept guessing whether Alex is being manipulated or whether Jack is actually alive, and Alex’s emotions trail through that journey well.
One interesting thing to note here is that the typical plot formula of an Alex Rider novel is broken with Never Say Die. Usually there is an ending stinger where the main villains return after the plot has been foiled. But this time, that does not happen. No spoilers, but it was definitely a top-notch end to an insane ride. Also, fans should rejoice, because this doesn’t sound like the end of Alex’s adventures in espionage!
If you haven’t read an Alex Rider book, what are you doing with your life? Pick up Stormbreaker and see what the hype is about. And if you’ve been a fan all along, definitely dive into this latest installment in one of Horowitz’s best series to date.
I‘ve been looking for a fun new Middle Grade series to dive into, and I must say, after pounding through Carl Ashmore’s THE TIME HUNTERS, I think I might have found it! From the thrilling mystery shot into the dark of the opening pages to the final showdown with the villains, this book does not disappoint. Epic battles, chases, intrigue, a touch of heart-warming family bonding done well, all packed into the pages of this first installment of the THE TIME HUNTERS SAGA.
Becky and Joe are pretty average kids. Or at least they think so. Because when they visit their mysterious Uncle Percy Halifax for the summer, things are definitely above average. What Uncle has a sabre tooth tiger for a pet? Or rather mysterious companions who smell slightly of time travel? For that matter, what Uncle has a mission to complete for a friend who died in his arms? What begins as curiosity ends with an epic time-traveling adventure across, well, time and space!
Overall, this book had me in its grip throughout. Lots of adventure and mystery to keep me turning pages deep into the night. However, I will say a couple times I had to push through some middle sections before the action picked up again. Becky sometimes flip-flops between seeming like a thirteen year old and a three year old, which was a little jarring. And for pages at a time I forgot that she even had a younger brother.
But if you’re looking for a fun adventure series, this one definitely fits the bill. So rev up the campervan, or your other favorite time-traveling vehicle, and head into the past. You won’t want to come back to the future until it’s over!
In 2013, School Library Journal asked families: How many parents read bedtime stories to their kids? According to the poll, about “two-thirds of parents don’t read to their kids every night” (Bayliss, 2013).
Bedtime stories were a huge part of my elementary years. I loved it when my parents would come and read me a story before I drifted off to sleep. Those times not only sparked my imagination, but gave me valuable face time with my parents.
The heart behind Reckless was to give parents, grandparents, guardians, and foster parents the opportunity to connect with their kids through a fun adventure, Bible stories, challenging devotionals on kid level, and discussion questions that can be used throughout the day to continue the conversation.
But maybe you’re thinking: I’m not a very good bedtime storyteller. Well, here are 5 tips on how to be a better bedtime storyteller.
1. Read the story or chapter ahead of time.
Before you take that picture book, chapter book, or story into your child’s bedroom, read it ahead of time. It sounds so simple, but if you know the general direction of where the story is heading, it will help you heaps in telling the story more fluidly. If there are words that you don’t recognize or names you don’t know how to pronounce, a quick Google search for a definition or pronunciation will have you reading more like a pro.
2. Use voices for different characters.
Everyone can make a silly voice or two. Or maybe you can bust out a fun accent for a central character in the story. If you can, mix it up for every character in the story. Speak in a squeaky voice for a mouse or a deep voice for a moose. Give a British accent to the Grandpa, or a southern one to that quirky talking bird.
If you are totally stuck and think: “I just can’t do any voices!” then take a minute to search for Amy Walker on YouTube. She has hordes of videos that will teach you how to speak in an accent in seven minutes or less!
3. Speed up — slightly! — at the exciting parts.
Since you already read the story ahead of time (right, right?), you’ll know when an exciting part might be coming in the story. Speed up your reading just a pinch — not too much, or your kids won’t understand what you’re saying! Putting a little extra speed to an adventurous moment will make a story come alive for your kids.
4. Let your kids interact with the story.
Don’t just close the last page, say “Good Night!”, and rush out the door. Take a couple minutes to ask your child some questions about the story: What was their favorite part? Who was their favorite character? What did the characters learn in the story? If your child was telling the story, what would have happened at the end?
Talking about the story together will help your child process what they’ve heard and help them to relate the story to their own life.
5. Keep reading stories to your children — even when they’re “too old.”
Even if your kids are getting into their upper years of Grade School, take time to continue reading stories together as a family. Even older children love a good story — it’s all about which ones you choose. Ask your kids what book they would like to read together every night and let them be the ones to pick it out at the bookstore or library.
Reading to your child even as they get older will be something they soon won’t forget. It might just spur their love of reading and yours as well.
If you’re looking for a fun book to read to your kids, check out Reckless on Amazon.com!
