Blog
As a homeschooling veteran, I review middle-grade stories to help parents, librarians, and teachers choose good books.
Look for author news here too!
Thick as Thieves by Susan K. Marlow, a review
Susan K. Marlow's middle grade novel Thick as Thieves tells a tale of 1880s California, ranching in the San Joaquin Valley. Thirteen-year-old Andi Carter immerses herself in caring for her horses when her mare gives birth to twins. At school one day, a new kid sits...
Light of Mine by Allen Brokken, a review
Light of Mine by Allen Brokken tells an allegorical tale of three children, ages 6, 9, and 12, set in what seems like 19th century rural America. The idyllic farm life of Ethan, Aiden, and Lauren descends into turmoil when Dad declares that he will leave to fight approaching Darkness.
Mulan: Before the Sword by Grace Lin, a review
n Mulan: Before the Sword, Grace Lin takes her turn as storyteller of the Chinese folk tale of Mulan, female warrior of old.
My Novel, The Long Shadow, Is Born!
It’s here! The Long Shadow, my debut novel, is born today. I am so thrilled and thankful that so many people, including kids and adults, are reading it and telling me they love the book. Including, for example, Covenant Seminary professor Jerram Barrs: “I loved this book.”
Alone by Megan E. Freeman, a review
In Alone by Megan E Freeman, twelve-year-old Maddie meant to plan a secret sleepover with a smorgasbord of Twinkies, soda and frozen pizza. But her friends cancel and she sleeps by herself at her grandparents’ apartment. Then she wakes up to a new world–one with no other people in it.
I Am David by Anne Holm, a review
Anne Holm, a Danish journalist and author, wrote this novel in 1963 about a twelve-year-old boy who grew up in a concentration camp in Eastern Europe and remembers nothing else. David’s life and outlook are uniformly grim. He has never even smiled.Anne Holm, a Danish journalist and author, wrote this novel in 1963 about a twelve-year-old boy who grew up in a concentration camp in Eastern Europe and remembers nothing else. David’s life and outlook are uniformly grim. He has never even smiled.
A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus, a review
Kate Albus has penned a World War II story, A Place to Hang the Moon, that engages the reader magnificently. Three orphans lose their only relative, their wealthy, cold and distant grandmother. Then their lawyer and former housekeeper send them with other children to...
Coo by Kaela Noel, a middle-grade book review
Coo by Kaela Noel, a middle-grade tale, tells the story of a girl raised by pigeons. It's a sweet story; by the end of it, you too will want to learn pigeon-language. I guarantee you'll never see pigeons in quite the same way again. A flock of pigeons in New York...
Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri, a book review
In this book, Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri, the author channels his twelve-year-old self, an immigrant living in Edmond, Oklahoma.
The Long Shadow by Phyllis Wheeler: Cover Reveal!
Rejoice with me! My dream is coming true! My debut novel, The Long Shadow, comes out June 1 from Elk Lake Publishing. It’s an anti-racist novel for kids 10-14. I’ve been wanting to write a children’s book since I was 13!
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart, a book review
A middle-grade book review: Twelve-year-old Coyote Sunrise and her dad, Rodeo, wander America in their retrofitted school bus, with no plans, no schedule. Well, there is one scheduled item–a weekly call to Coyote’s grandma. In a call to Coyote in Florida, Grandma casually tells her that the park down the street is going to be dug up for development in four days.
His Gift by Joan C. Benson, a review
His Gift by Joan C. Benson tells the inspirational story of a gifted teenage concert pianist. Molly has entered a competition sponsored by the Detroit Symphony in the fateful fall of 1929.