The Review Is In :: Kid Crazy and the Kilowatt King - A Quirky Fantastical Children's Story

About the Book

If you’re looking for a different kind of bedtime story for your quirky child, look no further than Kid Crazy and the Kilowatt King written by Claudio Sanchez and beautifully illustrated with a sci-fi meets steampunk vibe by Arthur Mask. “The idea for Kid Crazy actually started as a rock opera in the vein of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars,” says Sanchez, “but as it took shape, it began to feel like something that could appeal to a child’s imagination—a kind of fantastic journey with a lesson.”

The 80-page story begins with a Kid Crazy seeking out a better way of life in his world by adventuring to the City with a strange droid named Denunzio Gots. The City is ruled by the ever-grumpy King Kilowatt, a rude king who makes his subjects sing to him. The pair set sail in a car made of bread through a fantastic and beautiful landscape. When Kid eventually meets the king, he decides it’s time someone teaches him a lesson about the power of the word “please.”

Not only of the illustrations colorful in this futuristic tale, but the written words conjure the imagination to create its own images: pigeons in pearls, melting candy bar men, trees made of embers filled with dragonfly birds, and more. Sanchez, also a singer/songwriter, does a great job at captivating the reader's attention with his colorful phrases converted from his original song, "A Friend to Enemies."

My youngest son enjoyed the rhythm of the story and the details of the characters. He thought the illustrations were marvelous and overall, he enjoyed this book. I loved the opening dedication quote to the author’s son, “If ever you feel the world is on your shoulders, remember: it’s actually in the palm of your hand. “

Kid Crazy and the Kilowatt King is available from Indie Bound and on Amazon. 

About the Creators

Claudio Sanchez (author) is the front man for the conceptual rock band Coheed and Cambria, with over 3 million albums sold worldwide. He is also the creator of several comic books, including The New York Times best-selling series The Amory Wars.

Arthur Mask (illustrator) illustrates books, magazines, games and comics. An eclectic mix of passions

inspire him: from horror movies and music to retro video games. His mother says his first drawing was of a mosquito, but now he prefers to draw monsters. He lives in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

{A free copy of this book was provided from the publisher, One Peace Books, and by PR by the Book, for review by Texas Homemaking.}

The Review is In :: In the Forbidden City and This is the Greatest Place!

Earlier this month, my postman delivered a handful of beautifully crafted children’s books for me to review and share with my readers. In addition to the RoamingReindeer, I also received This is the Greatest Place! written by Brian Tse, and In the Forbidden City by Chiu Kwong-chiu.  

Both This is the Greatest Place! and In the Forbidden City are about Chinese culture and are a part of a new series to explore Ancient China put together by the China Institute in America, the oldest American organization devoted exclusively to China. Through the four book series, children will learn about the Forbidden City and its impact on the people who lived there.

 

In the Forbidden City takes readers (ages 9+) on an adventure throughout the monumental palace’s walls. Accompanied by a mischievous cat, readers will encounter the people who have walked through the Forbidden City’s halls and gardens, including emperors, empresses, and rebel leaders. In addition, they will hear exciting tales about the power struggles within the palace and the intrigues of everyday life.

Similar in style to David Macaulay’s illustrated books (Castle, City, Cathedral), this book is not only fantastically illustrated with highly detailed line drawings of its buildings, gardens and courtyards, it also includes a plastic magnifying glass for inspecting drawing detail and allows for the characters to come to life. The book includes numerous foldout spreads to capture the interest of the reader.

In addition to being a visually grabbing book, it is filled with historical information about the Ming and Qing dynasties. My older son’s favorite section of the book was the timeline of Emperors which included an anecdote about each one.

 

 

In contrast to the black and white line drawings of In the Forbidden City, the colorful and playful illustrations in This is the Greatest Place! (The Forbidden City and the World of Small Animals) will have your younger readers (ages 5-9) falling in love with such a uniquely designed book. Full of vibrant colors, lift flaps, foldouts, and adorable animals, this book grabbed the attention of my younger son who thoroughly enjoyed learning about how nature supplies us with the wonders that enrich our lives.

In addition, this book teaches children about Chinese architecture and how nature’s influence can be seen around us, as well as how people and animals can live together in harmony.

Both books would make excellent companions to a lesson on ancient Chinese culture, the Forbidden City or even architecture. This link provides educators with more resources on teaching about the Forbidden City.  Both of my children enjoyed these stories and I will keep an eye out for the next two books in the We all Live in the Forbidden City series. Along with the books, here is a website to help explore the Forbidden City.

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The creator of In the Forbidden City, Chiu Kwong-chiu, is an artist, designer, and professor who explores Chinese traditional visual arts along with adopting groundbreaking ways to interpret and promote Chines art and culture. 

The creators of This is the Greatest Place!, Brian Tse and Alice Mak, are internationally renowned children’s book artists. They are well known for their heart-warming and educational stories for children.  

{Disclaimer: PR by the Book provided me with review copies at no cost.}

The Review is In :: The Tree of Water by Elizabeth Haydon

The next installment of the acclaimed young readers series, The Lost Journals of Ven Polypheme: The Tree of Water, written by bestselling author Elizabeth Haydon, is now available for purchase and would make a great gift for any lover of science fiction. Geared towards children ranging from ten to fourteen, The Tree of Water takes its readers on an epic adventure. In addition to The Tree of Water, there are three previous titles in The Lost Journals of Vent Polypheme series.

Synopsis:

As Royal Reporter of the land of Serendair, it is the duty of young Charles Magnus "Ven" Polypheme to travel the world and seek out magic hiding in plain sight. But Ven needs to escape the clutches of the nefarious Thief Queen, ruler of the Gated City, whose minions are hunting for him. His friend, the merrow Amariel, has the perfect solution to his dilemma: Ven and Char will join her to explore the world beneath the sea.

As they journey through the sea, Ven finds himself surrounded by wonders greater than he could have ever imagined. But the beauty of the ocean is more than matched by the dangers lurking within its depths, and Ven and his friends soon realize that in order to save thousands of innocent lives, they may have to sacrifice their own. For everything in the ocean needs to eat…


Special Interview with Elizabeth Haydon, documentarian, archeologist, and translator for Ven's journals:

         The main character in The Lost Journals of Ven Polypheme series is Charles Magnus "Ven" Polypheme. Tell us about him.

 

Ven was an interesting person, but he really didn’t think so. He and his family were of a different race than the humans who made up most of the population where he lived, the race of the Nain. Nain are an old race, a little shorter and stockier than most humans, with a tendency to be on the grumpy side. They live about four times as long as humans, are very proud of their beards, which they believe tell their life stories, don’t like to swim or travel, and prefer to live deep in the mountains.

 

Ven was nothing like the majority of Nain. He was very curious, loved to travel, could swim, and longed to see the world. He was actually a pretty nice kid most of the time. He had the equivalent of a baby face because only three whiskers of his beard had grown in by the time The Tree of Water took place, when he was fifty years old [around twelve in Nain years]. He had a great group of friends, including the merrow and Char, who were mentioned earlier. It is believed that his journals were the original research documents for two of the most important books of all time, The Book of All Human Knowledge and All the World’s Magic. The only copies of these two volumes were lost at sea centuries ago, so finding the Lost Journals is the only way to recover this important information.

             Are there more books coming in this series?

 

Well, at least one. In the archaeological dig site where The Tree of Water was found was another journal, a notebook that Ven called The Star of the Sea. We are still working on restoring it, but it looks like there are many new adventures and different kinds of magic in it. The problem is that it might have been buried in the sand with an ancient bottle of magical sun tan lotion, which seems to have leaked onto some of the journal’s pages. This is a very sad event in archaeology, but we are working hard to restore it.

 

As for other books, it’s not like we just write them out of nowhere. If we haven’t found one of Ven’s journals, there can’t be another book, now, can there? We are always looking, however. We’ve learned so much about ancient magic from the journals we have found so far.

 

        You are a best-selling author with other books and series for adults. What made you want to write books for young readers?

 

I like young readers better than adults. Everyone who is reading a book like mine has at one time or another been a young reader, but not everyone has been an adult yet. Young readers have more imagination and their brains are more flexible—they can understand magical concepts a lot better than a lot of adults, who have to deal with car payments and work and budget balancing and all sorts of non-magical things in the course of their days.

 

Besides, many adults scare me. But that’s not their fault. I’m just weird like that.

 

I think if more adults read like young readers, the world would be a happier place.

 

        Tell us where we can find your book and more information about where you are these days.

 

You can find The Tree of Water anywhere books are sold, online and in bookstores. There are several copies in my steamer trunk and I believe the palace in Serendair also has one. I also sent one to Bruno Mars because I like his name.

 

At the moment, I am on the beautiful island of J’ha-ha, searching for a very unique and magical flower. Thank you for asking these interview questions—it has improved my mood, since I have only found weeds so far today. I am hoping for better luck after lunch, which, sadly, is peanut butter and raisin sandwiches, olives, and yellow tea again.

 An excerpt of The Tree of Water is available online. In addition, I am hosting a giveaway for one lucky reader to win a copy of The Tree of Water.



a Rafflecopter giveaway


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About the author:

Elizabeth Haydon was working in educational publishing in 1994 when she met up with an editorial friend and mentor in New Orleans at the American Library Association conference. He asked her to write for him a fantasy that might cross over to other genres and contain some of their shared mutual interests: medieval music, history, anthropology, and herbalism among others. Thus, The Symphony of Ages was born. These novels have made numerous "Best of the Year," as well as national bestseller lists. A harpist and madrigal singer, Elizabeth Haydon lives on the East Coast with her husband and three children, where she is writing fantasy novels for both The Symphony of Ages for adults and the Lost Journals of Ven Polypheme for children.

The Review Is In :: The Prodogals - Giants in the Land by Clark Rich Burbidge

 

Award winning author, Clark Burbidge, returns with another superb piece of juvenile fiction in the form of his second novel - The Prodigals - of The Giants of the Land series. This novel is also illustrated by Karl C. Hepworth.

During Burbidge's first novel, The Way Things Were, our hero, Thomas, overcomes trials as he travels the unknown lands seeking out the town's missing giant friends. Along the way, Thomas learns that no matter how small we may be, we all have the capacity to be giants so long as we live like them, as a giant's heart is measured by his deeds for others.

In The Prodigals, our hero, Thomas, once again finds himself facing a threat not only to his land, but to his very way of life. This time, however, Thomas is much older and wiser, as well as the Land's Forest Ward. He has two grandchildren, Tommy and Rose, who unknowingly will become the saviors of the land.

Throughout the land, raiders have begun attacking towns and taking whatever they please, including people. Tommy's sister, Rose, is taken captive during one such raid by a man named Big John to be pressed into slavery. Tommy is eager to save his sister and in turn save the land. But, he cannot do it alone and must call upon his grandfather, Thomas, his giant friend, Earthwatcher, and a lost band of prodigals. Together, they can move mountains.

Excerpt: My mother is a wise and beautiful woman, so perhaps you are partly right. She taught me that we cannot runaway from who we are becoming. We carry it with us. What I carry is something worth having. You act like you carry nothing. I don't believe it. Surely in the past you have felt hope born of mercy. I sense in you a spark of hope that may still help you become something of greater worth...(Rose to Big John)

What I love most about Burbidge's juvenile novels is that they are clean and pure and very different from the majority of literature for this age range. I often have to review books my boys bring home from the library and several times say, "I'm sorry, but you can't read this as it is inappropriate." I definitely do not have to do this with Burbidge's books.

My eldest son (7th grader) recently read this novel and he thoroughly enjoyed it. He felt the novel was a toned down version of Ranger's Apprentice and Robin Hood.

I'd personally recommend this book for sixth graders and above. 

Included in this book was an illustrated map of the land, as well as a sneak peek of book three in the series.

Clark Burbidge's next novel out is book three of Giants of the Land series. It will be titled The Cavern of Promise. You can keep up with the Giants here.

 {I was provided a copy of this novel to review by the publishing house: PR by the Book, LLC.}

The Review is In :: Audrey Bunny by Angie Smith

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. - Psalm 139:14

Audrey Bunny is one of the most endearing children's storybooks of the year. Written by the engaging Angie Smith and illustrated by the talented Breezy Brookshire, Audrey Bunny, is a lovely story of imperfection and God's love.

Last week, upon a friend's recommendation, I purchased this beautiful book at our local Lifeway store. It sat on the table for two days before I finally had a chance to read it to my youngest son. Overall, he really enjoyed the story (as did I), even though he found it a bit sad at first.

The premise is simple. A little bunny is often overlooked in a toy store by children because she has an imperfection. However, one day, a little girl named Caroline visits the store on her birthday and chooses the imperfect bunny. She names her Audrey and their life together begins. Each day, Caroline plays and imagines with Audrey and Audrey tries her best to hide her imperfection in fear that she will no longer be loved by her Caroline lest it be discovered. One day, the little girl takes her bunny to school for Show and Tell. Audrey is dreadfully fearful she will be discovered and her life with Caroline will be over. Yet, to Audrey's surprise, Caroline always new about the imperfection and that was why she was chosen, - "I chose you, Audrey, and I love you more than you could ever know." 

In addition to a lovely story, the book includes a Parent Connection section which offers discussion questions for you and your child(ren). I found this story to be helpful to children in understanding we are all imperfect, but that we are all loved regardless of those imperfections. I highly recommend adding Audrey Bunny to your child(ren)'s library collection this Fall.

Here's a look at Audrey Bunny from the eyes of the author, Angie Smith.



Angie dedicates this beautiful story to her daughter, Audrey Caroline, whom she and her family lost at childbirth. For more on her testimonial Two and a Half Hours with Audrey, please visit this link.
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Angie Smith is the wife of Todd Smith (lead singer of Dove Award winning group Selah), best-selling author of Mended, I Will Carry You, and What Women Fear, and one of the most popular speakers and blog writers in the country. She holds a Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology from Vanderbilt University and lives with her husband and daughters in Nashville, TN.

Breezy Brookshire is a 22 year old illustrator living in Indiana with her family. She has her own studio and blog, the Breezy Tulip Studio.

The Review is In & Giveaway :: Sparkly Green Earrings by Melanie Shankle







Recently, I had the pleasure of reviewing Melanie Shankle's newest book Sparkly Green Earrings, a memoir of motherhood. Through her charming chapter titles (like Shamu & the Chicken Spaghetti, We Don't Throw Sand, and Like a Band of Idiots We Go Down the Highway), Melanie joyfully shares her transition into Texas homemaking and becoming a Big Mama, as proclaimed by her darling daughter Caroline.

Along for the ride is her husband, Perry, whom supports her in the decision to leave the non-gratifying job in Pharmaceutical Sales to stay at home during Caroline's early years. While Melanie advocates this is not the book for those looking to find expertise on motherhood, she does contend it is a way to share the ups and downs we all face as parents. Melanie hopes her book, "...will keep you warm at night knowing someone else shares your brand of crazy." I can definitely relate!

Here's an excerpt from Sparkly Green Earrings:

"But as it turned out, my heart was the one that began to change. And I didn't go down easily. I cried over the surrender of the family I had always envisioned in my head and had to come to a place where I realized God had other plans for us. Truthfully, part of me felt like a failure and wondered why I wasn't one of those women who could raise six kids and homeschool all of them and serve milk and cookies every afternoon in some clever way like all the moms on Pinterest do."
 

 All I know is that this homeschool Mom doesn't serve milk and cookies to six kids either! I delighted in the silliness and the reality that Melanie shared in response to her new experiences at being a Mom. She tells all sorts of wonderful stories about catching vomit, discovering lice, overstrict preschools, birthday envy, travel adventures and more in this absolute page turner of non-stop laughs and "Oh, we've done that before" moments.

One of my favorite ladies in homemaking, Ree Drummond (aka The Pioneer Woman), agrees Sparkly Green Earrings is "Side-splitting, utterly relatable...nothing short of a delight." Beth Moore finds it to be "Profoundly insightful, witty and relatable...Relish this ride - you won't be sorry you took it."

If this sounds like the book for you, enter to win your very own copy from Texas Homemaking! After 48 hours, I'll announce a winner. Make sure to leave a comment on this post and I'll randomly select a winner.

_________________

Melanie Shankle is the author of TheBigMamaBlog.com. She is also a regular contributor to ThePioneerWoman.com, and she serves as the emcee for LifeWay's annual DotMom conference. She resides in San Antonio with her famly.

{Please see my disclaimer policy in regards to this post.}

The Review Is In :: You Don't Know Me by Susan May Warren

 

Annalise Decker is the model citizen, soccer mom and perfect wife, at least that is what the community of Deep Haven believe, including her family. She’s actually Deidre O’Reilly, former drug abuser from St. Louis, whose testimony put a dangerous criminal in prison. Her handler, Agent Frank Harrison, helped her to be reborn as Annalise by faking her death and erasing her past. Frank believed Annalise would be safe in Deep Haven, until now.

Fast forward twenty years and Annalise catches a glimpse of Frank entering the local coffee shop and knows she’s no longer safe, her family is in danger and she has to make a choice: leave or stay.

Susan May Warren’s You Don’t Know Me is a constant page-turner from the moment Annalise locks eyes with Frank. The life she knows and loves is forever changed in an instant.

While a romantic thriller, Warren’s novel also broaches the subjects commonly discussed in marriage: sacrifice, betrayal, trust, love, honesty and family. Yet, Annalise’s story pushes each of these themes to the extreme as readers are taken on a ride of emotional strife.

You Don’t Know Me primarily focuses on Annalise; however, the title is applicable to several main characters. Annalise’s husband, Nathan Decker, strives to prove to his community and himself that he is nothing like his father – the man who killed a fellow Deep Haven resident while driving under the influence. Yet, his mayoral campaign’s financial debts are a secret he hides from his wife. Annalise and Nathan’s eldest son, Jason, wants nothing more to be than Romeo in the upcoming school play. He and Annalise keep his audition secret from Nathan further fueling marital stress. Claire, the Decker’s middle child, feels her mother doesn’t know her at all, especially when it comes to her boyfriend, Tucker (an off the cuff kid whom always seems as if he is up to no good). However, Tuck is a teenager who has had a rough life and is just looking for acceptance, much like Nathan Decker.

Warren’s characters have a natural depth making them realistic, believable and relatable. Who hasn’t wanted to fit in, feel accepted and be known for what was truly in their heart?

Aside from a wonderfully written Christian novel, Warren includes discussion questions for readers to ponder, making You Don’t Know Me a great book club read.

 

 



Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning author of more than thirty novels. For more information on her new release, previous titles and more, visit her website. Here is a link to purchase You Don't Know Me.

{Side note, Susan May Warren got her inspiration for You Don’t Know Me while on a flight. She sat next to a distraught woman and asked how she was doing and why she was traveling. Warren discovered the woman was visiting her daughter for one last time. Her daughter witnessed a murder and she needed to enter the Witness Security Program.

When I wrote this blog post, I was flying to Wyoming. I wondered what each passenger on my flight had encountered in their lives; as well as what stresses they were currently experiencing. Thank you God, for all of my blessings.}

 

Please visit my disclosure policy regarding this review.

The Review is In :: Aftermath



Just as God's brilliant light streams through pieces of broken glass, His eternal love also shines through our broken hearts with His gentle gift of grace. - Margaret McSweeney



At some point in time, we will all lose someone we love; it is inevitable. Author Margaret McSweeney hopes to ease the loss and suffering we may feel through her newest book, Aftermath: Growing in Grace Through Grief.

McSweeney's book draws from and expands Carolyn Rhea's (her mother) book When Grief is Your Constant Companion: God's Grace for a Woman's Heartache, a book of 52 devotional poems written after the loss of Rhea's husband. McSweeney also includes other family writings she discovered when dealing with her own grief after the loss of her mother.

Throughout the novel, the author shares her own emotional experiences while processing the aspects of grief: shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. At each chapter, McSweeney provides scriptures to comfort, counsel from grief experts, a section for readers to journal with use of guided questions, and poetry from her mother's book.
McSweeney also gives input on how to handle grief through the holidays and special occasions; as well as, how to capture a loved one's legacy  and to find grace in the wilderness.

Excerpt:
Margaret McSweeney lit a candle in loving memory of her father, Dr. Claude H. Rhea Jr., who died in Paris on 9/19/90 while on a business trip. The last thing he did before heading to Charles de Gaulle Airport was to come to Notre Dame to light a candle and to pray for someone who had wronged him in a business deal. His final lesson to give during life was that of forgiveness.

Aftermath  will comfort, guide, and aide those who suffer from grief or loss. I encourage you to use this book to help with your own journey through grief or to share with others who are facing loss. I will be recommending this title to members of our church.

Margaret McSweeney's previous titles include A Mother's Heart Knows and Go Back and Be Happy. Readers can keep up with McSweeney at Kitchen Chat or the Pearl Girls blog.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Aftermath, please visit this link. If you would like to see what other bloggers are saying about this book, please visit this link.

{I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher, New Hope Publishers.}

The Review is In :: Live to Give

If you combine what breaks your heart and what you are passionate about, you can change the world for God. - Austin Gutwein

Austin Gutwein is not your ordinary author. He's a teenager, as well as a non-profit creator. His newest release, Live to Give: Letting God Turn your Talents into Miracles, is his second published book. Austin has a gift.

After watching a video about African children losing their parents to the AIDS virus, a nine year old Austin felt called to do something. But what could a child do for others half-way around the world? Austin used his gift and love of basketball.


On World AIDS Day in 2004, he shot 2,057 free throws to represent the 2,057 kids who would be orphaned during his day of school. Through sponsorships from parents and friends, Austin raised over $3,000 that day to give hope to eight orphans in Zambia.

Over the past eight years, Austin's efforts have created Hoops of Hope, the largest free throw marathon in the world. With an estimated 40,000 people in more than 25 countries participating, Hoops of Hope has raised more than $2.5 million to build schools, medical clinics, dormitories for orphanages, and the only computer lab in Zambia.

In Live to Give, primarily written for those 12 and older, Austin engages readers in the idea that one person can really make a difference. His main biblical example is from John 6 - the famous story of Jesus feeding the masses with the loaves of bread and fish. Austin believes this story of the Bible shows more than just Jesus performing a miracle; it is an example of how the young  can be part of something bigger, for it was the boy's lunch that fed the many. Austin insists that if individuals would take the things that make them unique and focus on how to use those God given gifts or talents, than they too could make a difference in the lives of others.

"For me, it was shooting hoops to raise money. [God] wanted me to give my time and my favorite hobby. For the boy in the multitude of 5,000, it was his lunch. For you...well, this book is meant to help you discover what that is," Austin writes. "But there is one common theme throughout all of our stories: we all need to live to give because we were made for it. Nothing beats living this way! Nothing we could eat, drink, buy, play, watch, or win in life can compare to the feeling of giving ourselves away, using 'whatever gift we have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God's grace.'"

Beyond just the idea of living to give, Austin also offers young readers ways to deal with social issues, such as bullying, peer pressure, comfort zones, confidence, and more.

Austin discusses how to live to give by exploring these four concepts with his audience and asking readers to discuss them with their parents: 1. What you passionate about; 2. The things that break your heart; 3. The way you want to serve God; and 4. What your praying and dreaming about, and what God has led you toward so far. Even as an adult, I see the relevance of these concepts in my own life.

As a parent, I would recommend other parents read this book before they share it with their children. Austin has several great points for parents; ideas/concepts we may sometimes overlook or forget. I especially found his letter to adults worth sharing.

Excerpt:
Dear parents, youth workers, and everyday heroes,
      Every time you say yes to a child or to a child's dream, you are having an impact. You are having an impact larger than you'll ever know. You may never know how big a story God is going to write through your child, and it all can start because you say yes. To have an impact, say yes. Be the parent or children's pastor or youth pastor who says yes to their dreams. Be the one who encourages them like none other. And never have doubts as to whether or not you are having an impact. You are.

If you would like to purchase Live to Give for the young reader in your life, please visit this link. To view what other bloggers are saying about Austin Gutwein and his newest novel, please visit this link. For more information on Hoops of Hope, Austin's non-profit, please visit this link, where you can get involved and make donations.

Win and Kindle Fire and have $250 donated to the charity of your choice!
Enter Today - 8/9-8/25!

{I was provided a copy of Live to Give by the publisher, Thomas Nelson.}

The Review is In:: Giants in the Land



Award winning author, Clark Burbidge, offers up a  superb piece of juvenile fiction in the form of his newest novel: Giants in the Land, book one of The Way of Things series.

Engaging from the start, the story features the trials and adventures of Thomas, whom the giants dub The One, as he travels the unknown lands seeking out the town's missing giant friends.

Excerpt:
"The giants not only did things for the people that they could not do for themselves, but they also deeply affected how the townsfolk felt about themselves and their belief that nothing could upset their lives. The people went about their daily activities with the confidence that whenever they came upon a job too large, an obstacle too heavy, or a threat too great, the giants would step in. The townsfolk knew in their hearts that the giants would always be there to make things run smoothly."

But, once they've mysteriously left the town, the townsfolk are beside themselves searching for answers and trying to figure out how all the town's work will be accomplished without their helpers. Thomas feels it in his heart that he must seek out the giants and answer the town's questions, thus, his story begins.

Along the way, Thomas finds many perils: dehydration, a wolf pack on the hunt, drowning, continuing his trek though injured, and more. Thomas uses his faith, his father's memory, and his drive to save the town to keep going until he reaches his goal.

Eventually, Thomas finds his way to the Land of Giants and receives all the answers to his questions as well as an explanation of Thomas' title.

Aside from a solid story plot, Burbidge offers his young readers more than a typical fiction novel. He includes astounding vocabulary - something most books of today's age lack. The author's use of larger life concepts are prolific throughout the novel, as well.

Excerpt:
"The way you live your life will determine who you become. This example will teach them to become what they must to create their own land of giants. One day, they will mourn the loss of those they loved and depended on, just as you have mourned the loss of your father. But the sun will rise the next morning, and they will pick up their axes and plows and carry on the work of the giants."

 In the end, Burbidge imposes the idea upon the reader that we all have the capacity to be giants so long as we live like them, as a giant's heart is measured by his deeds for others.

I'd personally recommend this book for sixth graders and above. I think adults can even glean something from Burbidge's novel, as we sometimes forget that others think of us as giants, too.

Clark Burbidge's next novel out is book two of The Way Things Are series. It will be titled The Prodigals. You can keep up with the Giants here.

Follow the rest of the blog tour for Giants of the Land.
{I was provided a copy of this novel to review by the publishing house: WinePress Publishing.}

The Review Is In :: The Stars Shine Bright

I recently read my first Christian suspense novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Stars Shine Bright by Sibella Giorello is a novel about an FBI agent named Raleigh Harmon. This story is one of many about the agent's life, career, and cases.

In The Stars Shine Bright Agent Harmon finds herself trying to recover from a failing career while on an undercover operation at the Emerald Dunes horse track. First believed to be the scene of race fixing by the mob, Raleigh soon learns there is a much sinister plot unfolding involving home grown terrorism. Raleigh is also battling personal conflicts: her mother's recent committal to an asylum once she learned of Raleigh's secret career; Raleigh's wealthy Virginian fiancee DeMott's nagging rush to marriage; and her precocious, yet handsome, boss' affection.

Caught up in her love for work, she finds herself beginning to question marriage and this sacred promise to DeMott. Among other hot button issues, abortion is discussed when Raleigh discovers Ashley, a horse groom, is pregnant by a man unwilling to keep the child. Lying to loved ones becomes another prevalent theme throughout the novel.

My favorite excerpt from the book is when Raleigh finds herself at her lowest and recalls a conversation between her and her deceased father:

"At some point, life will seem difficult to you. Really difficult. That's life - Raleigh, look at me."

"I'm looking."

"When those hard times come, I want you to remember how Galileo found the truth."

"With a telescope."

He laughed. "Yes, that was part of it." But he pointed to the sky. Black velvet. White lights. "Those stars are there, every day, waiting in the blue sky. We just can't see them. This is what I want you to remember. The stars shine bright when it gets dark enough. The invisible becomes visible."

I don't want to spoil the story line for anyone, so I won't give out too many details. However, I did want to point out how nice it was to read a suspense novel without any off-putting language or content; more often than not, writers rely upon these devices to get the point across. I think Sibella did a marvelous job of conveying her thoughts without including these items.

I enjoyed how the author also worked Raleigh's scientific background of forensic geology into the story. Excerpt:

"There's a pervasive theory in geology called uniformitarianism. It's a long word for the basic idea: the landscape seen today were formed by continuous forces exerted over millions of years...But Bretz, who had a PhD in geology, wrote, it could only result from a massive flooding. In fact, one flood."

This gave more credence to Raleigh's character, as well as Sibella's writing. I loved how science and Christianity melded together to reveal such a dynamic character as Raleigh Harmon.

Sibella Giorello has previously written The Rivers Run Dry, The Clouds Roll Away, The Mountains Bow Down, and Stones Dry Out. She has received two nominations for a Pulitzer prize for previous works. Giorello is also inspired by the Bible in her writings, but notes, "Whenever I say that, some people groan, but those 66 books are sheer poetry, and they cover the most crucial questions. Who is God? What's life all about? Why are we here and what's the plan - for individuals and for humanity?"

Visit Sibella Giorello online at www.sibellagiorello.com

I'm so pleased to be a part of this blog tour. For other blog reviews, please visit http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13526914/sibellagiorello. You may also purchase The Stars Shine Bright here.

{I was provided a copy of The Stars Shine Bright by the publisher, Thomas Nelson}

The Review is In :: Linnea in Monet's Garden

If you haven't read Linnea in Monet's Garden with your children, your family is missing out on a wonderful story about a little girl's journey to the garden of one of history's greatest artists.

First written in 1985 by Christina Bjork and illustrated by Lena Anderson, it has been re-released this 25th anniversary year in printed formats, as well as e-reader formats.

The story begins with Linnea dreaming of Monet's garden with her retired friend, Mr. Bloom, whom encourages Linnea in her art studies. The pair take a trip to Paris together and visit the little pink house where Monet and his family lived. She takes pictures of the famous Japanese bridge and of the variety of flowers amid the garden. She and Mr. Bloom discuss Monet's style of painting: impressionism, as well as his family's interesting dichotomy.

Amid the pages, the reader discovers modern pictures, Monet's art, black and white family photos, sketches, and lively original illustrations. Bjork discusses Monet's failing sight issues and even shows readers comparison views of his drawing as his sight failed.

At the end of the story, Bjork supplied the reader with a list of things to do in Paris including museums, gardens, and markets. She also left a timeline of Monet's life and his family tree, as it can be a little confusing.

What I found lovely was Bjork's use of reality in her story about Linnea. She spoke with Jean-Marie Toulgouat and Philippe Piguet, Monet's step-great-grandsons, whom shared the family photos shown in the story.

An all around wonderful story, but also a very informative biography; I highly recommend Linnea in Monet's Garden as part of this year's top reads.

Caution: There is a section in the story regarding Monet's family history. At one point, Monet lived with his second wife before they were married and before she had officially separated from her husband. I wanted to disclose this as it might offend or catch some parents off guard.

{Disclosure: This book was provided to me in digital format free of charge by the publishing company Sourcebooks.}

The Review is In :: Cleaning House by Kay Wills Wyma



Is childhood entitlement becoming a problem in your home? Are you looking for a solution to encourage kids to take responsibilities and chores seriously? If so, you have got to read Kay Wills Wyma's Cleaning House, a mom's 12 month experiment to rid her home of youth entitlement. But, you don't have to take my word for it.

"In an age of youth entitlement, this is a must read for moms who desire to raise godly kids with servant hearts!" - Joe White, president of Kanakuk Kamps

"Parents, take note: Kay Wills Wyma's experiment could change your life, especially if your kids suffer from 'me first!' syndrome. If you want your children to be more responsible, more self-assured, and more empathetic, Cleaning House is for you." - Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family

Kay begins Cleaning House with her newly discovered epiphany: her children don't appreciate what they have and they definitely don't understand where their possessions truly come from. She feels they believe they are 'owed' things. Her biggest push to change the way her household runs is when her eight year old son asks one day, "Why should I make my bed? That's your job!"

As a stay-at-home mother of five in the age range of three to fourteen, Kay was at her wits end. She decided to redo her thinking and implemented changes forever altering her family's lives. She set up a rewards and loss system strictly dependant on the children and her actions for each day of the month. She began each month with a challenge and $30 in a jar. If the monthly challenge was met each day, the money stayed in the children's jars. If the goal was not met daily, money was removed from the jar and paid to Kay for services rendered. It didn't take long for the kids to catch on.

The tasks Kay assigned her family were simple, but worth knowing and doing correctly. She wanted her children to gain something more than responsibility - she wanted them to gain self-confidence, understanding, respect, and a sense of pride in their accomplishments. She hoped, through their constant positive actions, her children would come to reap the rewards of their hard work; as well as build a stronger relationship with their siblings.

The Cleaning House challenge for the Wyma family included the following tasks to be mastered: make a bed and maintain an orderly room, cook and clean the kitchen, do yard work, clean a bathroom, get a job, do laundry, do handy man tasks, host a party, work together, run errands, put others first through service, and act mannerly. Kay didn't ask her children to do all of these things on Day One; she gradually worked up to these objectives throughout the year.

I really enjoyed the way Kay set up her book. She went beyond just discussing how she got her children to participate each month; she included in every chapter advice from her "Ironing Board," a group of special friends, what her children learned at the end of the month, as well as what she learned. She also added wonderfully inspiring quotes, as well as great links to resources.

One of my favorite chapters in the book deals with teaching the children to cook and clean up a kitchen. Every child must prepare an evening meal once a week. Of course, she helps the younger children, but even they must pick out a recipe and go shopping for the ingredients. I enjoyed Kay using these lessons as teaching moments every chance she got. Her youngest child was unfamiliar with a grocery store and the definition of produce. Her eldest child tried to get by with purchasing the family dinner because he was not confident in his cooking abilities.

Even if your children help out around the house, I believe your family can glean something positive from Cleaning House. I'm not sure I would implement the monetary system used in this experiment, but I did like the ideas behind it and how Kay tried to teach her children fiscal responsibility along with mastering tasks. I highly recommend this book for all stay-at-home parents as we (the larger communal we) often times tend to do the work for our children instead of allowing them to do things for themselves. I'm also very glad Kay Wills Wyma cared to shared her story with all of us.

Here is your opportunity to read the first chapter of Cleaning House.

{I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.}

The Review is In :: Chasing the Sun

Bethany House Publishers recently sent me a review copy of Chasing the Sun by Tracie Peterson; it is the first of The Land of the Lone Star series.

The heroine, Hannah Dandridge, finds herself being a mother to her half-siblings during the Civil War in rural Cedar Springs, Texas. Her father has traveled to Vicksburg to aid his ailing mother, yet failed to return in a timely manner, leaving Hannah and her ranch hands to fend off the Comanches. To add to Hannah's plight, her father's partner, Herbert Lockhart, intends to marry her and the previous ranch owner, William Barnett, has returned home from the war to reclaim his family's property seized by the Confederacy.

What's a girl to do?

In this western love story, Tracie Peterson guides the reader through Hannah's struggles, as well as her constant faith in the Lord. While the story can be quite predictable at times, Peterson's characters come to life. The reader will find themselves rooting for Hannah as she braves the Comanche or having a sympathetic heart when she learns of her father's demise. While Hannah is originally from Vicksburg, Peterson writes her as a true Texas woman.

I encourage you to pick up a copy for yourself; I can't wait to read the rest of The Land of the Lone Star series.

The Review is In :: For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn

While at MomLife Boot Camp earlier this month, I picked up several great reads. I've already finished one of them, For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn, and for the sake of your current or future husband, I highly recommend reading this book. In fact, I've already got a sign-up sheet for future borrowers - shall I add your name to the list?

In For Women Only, wives or current brides-to-be are given insight into the most important things in a relationship that matter to men. Whether you are just starting your lives together or you have been married for ten years, all women can glean something from this little book.

Shaunti wrote her book based off of a statistical survey as well as personal and written interviews of hundreds of men. She crunched the numbers and presents her findings to the intimate questions and their responses to the reader, while giving insight into the inner feelings and thoughts of men.

The topics touched upon in For Women Only include respect, love, sex, burdens, man's visual nature, romance, our appearance, and more. Some of the answers revealed in this book may surprise you; others may not. Depending on your own self-confidence, some may tear you down, while others may have you saying, "Yes, I already do this."

The chapter that seemed to open my eyes the most was on respect. I've always respected my husband; and I hope he knows that, but after reading Shaunti's words I'm not so sure I have shown enough of it. I'm sorry Jake for always second-guessing driving directions or safety issues. I never knew that was a sign of disrespect to you.

How many times have you asked your husband to pull over for directions? Or asked, "Honey, are you sure?" You see, for women, those types of questions make us feel secure, but for our men, it tears them down, little by little, as they feel we have no confidence in them.

This book will change how you perceive what you say or show to your husband. I never really knew how different husbands and wives truly interpret things.  Ladies, I guarantee you will learn something new from For Women Only. I encourage you to read through this book to better understand your spouse's needs and wants.

As a side note, for those whom have boys, this book also has implications into their lives as they grow older. Moms should always want to build their boys up to be great men, so we need to know what they think and feel as well.

Book Review: The Hunger Games Triology

Have you heard about the girl on fire? She's all over the internet and in the hands of over 2.9 million readers. Katniss Everdeen, the heroine of The Hunger Games trilogy, has even been brought to life by Hollywood. Written by Suzanne Collins and marketed to youth between the ages of 12 and 17, it’s the only book series on the lips of youth since the Twilight saga, and it seems to be the next best thing. But, is it? I had to find out.

After reading the trilogy last week, I have to disagree. While definitely fast paced and almost made-for-movie like, The Hunger Games fell short of greatness. As a cross between The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell, and Lord of the Flies by William Golding; The Hunger Games series misses its mark at truly being a well written piece of prose. The author rushes the books in order to bring the series to a close, leaving the third book, Mockingjay, seeming hastily written.

As an adult reader, I could handle the over played, graphic concepts of murder, oppression, psychological strife, deceit, materialism, denial, among others. My eldest son, however, has no business reading this series. The first book alone has 22 characters murdered in the arena; two fathers dead because of a mining accident; and all other sorts of vile concoctions to engage the readers. Katniss, herself, comes under great mental duress throughout the series due to the unbearable idea of murdering others. How does this affect the child reader?

Sure, one might say Shakespeare’s works have most, if not all of these aspects embedded throughout scenes and acts; the Greek tragedies are riddled with these elements as well. Yet, these stories are not set in our time, in our country, with our children.

Today’s youth have been born into a society very challenged with in-your-face media and instant technological gratification at their fingertips. They see so much of the world at a young age without proper understanding or guidance; and as a parent, I could not hand these novels to my son and say, “Happy reading.” The subject matter is beyond his scope. The idea of children murdering children for sport is psychologically disturbing.

I do not believe in censorship of books. I do believe, however, in knowing what your child can handle per their age and emotional level, as well as walking your child through novels to deal with such grown-up topics. We will read The Most Dangerous Game and Lord of the Flies when the time is right. We will analyze Medea and Agamemnon when he is much older and more mature. There will be discussions on many “hot-topics,” but not yet.

I urge caution when allowing your children to read this series or any all the rage novels without reading or researching them first. I would have been mortified to know I had allowed my son to read this series, for I would have let him down.

Book Review: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

With this novel, I'm not sure how to begin. As cliche as it is to say, it was extremely loud and incredibly close.

You cannot read this story without remembering - where you were, who you were with, the weather, the sounds, the thoughts racing through your mind, the panic, the saddness, and the loss of a presumed safety.

"But I knew the truth, and that's why I was so sad. Every moment before this one depends on this one. Everything in the history of the world can be proven wrong in one moment." 

I kept hoping, wishing, the ending I knew would not be the ending to this book. And yet, though the story's ending was about a boy and his family, the ending was still the same - heartache, saddness, healing, and hope.

As I read, I knew that if I were to look through the list of names from that day, I would find Safran Foer's Thomas Schell. I just knew it. His story would be there; father to Oskar; jeweler; husband; son. However, he is merely a character, yet he represents what so many lost.

"He told me he was on the street, that he'd gotten out of the building. He said he was walking home."
"But he wasn't."
"No."
"He made it up so you wouldn't worry."
"That's right."
"But he knew you knew."
"He did."

For me, this terrible day changed my world view. The idea of presumed safety my generation held since the Berlin Wall fell in '89 was gone. The sense of peace we had always shared had been shattered. Sure, there were conflicts in the Middle East, Somalia, and Bosnia, but that kind of thing couldn't happen here. It just couldn't. And yet, it did.

It is nice to be reminded, even through fiction.