School's Out For Summer! Let's Make a Summer Reading List Together.

You know you just sang that line in your head.  At least those of us over the age of 30something should be familiar with that famous line from Alice Cooper's song.



Nonetheless, whether you are familiar or not, school is out or nearly out for most of the US.  And with a whole summer ahead, what better to post about than Summer Reading for kids of all ages.  I have an entire list of some of my family's favorite books and choices for reading this summer.



What I don't know is, what is on YOUR list?



Mom Loves 2 Read is making a Summer Reading List that will be posted and updated as followers and visitors comment below with suggestions of favorites, classics and new TBR books that are recommended for kids of all ages.

So, please start commenting below with the  Title and Author of the book, and what age range you feel it is best for.  I will add them to the list (see button on right side of blog)

0-5 (Infant - Preschool)

5-10  (Elementary)

10-15 (Middle Grade)

15-21 (Young Adult)

18+  (Adult - clean only please) 

(feel free to add the genre: mystery, romance, sci-fi)

Hailee by Penny Zeller ~ another amazing review

Hailee by Penny Zeller

Montanna Skies Series #3 

At twenty years of age, Nathaniel Maxwell Adams Jr., better known as Nate, fulfills a prophecy he made eleven years prior by moving to Pine Haven. What he hadn't planned in his youth, though, was to become a pastor, especially since his parents adamantly oppose the idea. So, as he shepherds a flock in the growing Montana town, he feels called to another smaller yet no less significant mission field: his mother and father.



For years, orphan Hailee Annigan was just a ragamuffin, roaming the Cincinnati streets trying to keep food in the mouths of her two younger brothers and herself. This often meant thieving, which landed her in the Sanctuary of Hope, a home for delinquent youngsters. There, her life changed, thanks to her patient, loving teachers. Now, at eighteen, she pursues a dream to become a teacher herself and bravely accepts a position in Montana. She still has faith that she'll find her brothers again someday, but for now, she's ready to put the past behind her.



When their paths converge in Pine Haven, their lives begin to overlap in ways they can't ignore. And they must discover if God intends for their destinies to converge, as well.



(spoilers ahead. . . . )







I was  drawn to the main character Hailee from the beginning of the book.  Her story of love and sacrifice for her younger brothers endeared her to me right away.  I was captivated

by the circumstances that led her ultimately to Pine Haven as the new teacher, and her reluctance to build the relationship between her and Nate due to her fear of others learning of the sins in her past.

Nate has his own issues to deal with as he tries to follow God's plans for his life in spite of what his parents plans for him.  I liked how the author showed that although he was determined to be obedient to God's call on his life, he was never disrespectful when speaking with his parents.  Although I could see how it would be tempting when they refused to acknowledge his chosen profession, or the fact that as a grown man he should be able to determine his own way in life and choose not to follow in his father's footsteps.  I admired his honesty and willingness to seek help from his Uncle when uncertain, and his faith in God even during difficult situations.

Both Hailee and Nate are believable characters, both have a faith in God and make for an interesting story well worth reading.  Once again, author Penny Zeller has written a wonderful piece of Christian Fiction with a sweet, heartwarming romance thrown in.  I definitely recommend this book, and this series to any CF lover!







About the Author:

Penny Zeller is the author of several books and numerous magazine articles. She is also the author of the blog "A Day in the Life of a Wife, Mom, and Author" www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com where she also provides weekly doses of inspiration and humor, along with movie reviews from a Christian worldview, and interviews with some of her favorite author friends.

Among other books, Penny is the author of "McKenzie," "Kaydie," and "Hailee" in her Montana Skies Historical Romance Series (Whitaker House) and "77 Ways Your Family Can Make a Difference: Ideas and Activities for Serving Others" (Beacon Hill).

Penny is an active volunteer in her community, devoting her time to assisting and nurturing women and children into a closer relationship with Christ. When she's not writing, Penny enjoys spending time with her family and camping, hiking, canoeing, and playing volleyball. While she is generally a health nut, Penny does have one small weakness: hot tamales (yes, the little red candy kind!)



Penny loves to hear from her readers at her website, www.pennyzeller.com

and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pennyzellerbooks

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

20 Recipes Kids Should Know by Esme Washburn

Kids of all ages love to help Mom and Dad in the kitchen.  From stirring the cake batter to trying to crack eggs without dropping shell pieces in the mix, kids love to learn how to create fun foods.  To promote this love of cooking, having kid-friendly cookbooks with easy recipes is a great way to provide independence and creativity in the kitchen.  Here is one of my new favorite recipe books just for kids ~ ~ ~ written by kids!

20 Recipes Kids Should Know by Esme Washburn

The perfect book for children, this fun and engaging cookbook is
written and photographed by a pair of young sisters for budding chefs.



Whether
they're helping stir cake batter or producing their own YouTube cooking
channel, kids of all ages are getting increasingly busy in the kitchen.
This cookbook features twenty classic recipes that are fun, healthy,
adaptable, and easy to prepare. From banana bread and the perfect
grilled cheese to breaded chicken and apple pie, each recipe is written
in a clear, accessible style that young cooks of every level will be
able to follow. The author is a young chef whose love of

cooking
developed from her own family's food traditions like baking popovers
with her grandmother and Sunday-night pizza making. By teaching kids
basic recipes that can be adapted in endless ways, this book is the
perfect launching pad to finding their way around the kitchen--or
launching their own cooking careers.



With fun and easy recipes like this one my 11 year old loves for strawberry shortcake (was delicious for my Mother's Day brunch in bed this year)

And don't forget the Banana bread and chocolate chip cookies she and her sister made me for my birthday!  So yummy!

 

Whether your kiddos are beginners in the kitchen, or seasoned chefs, this book is a great addition to any youngster's CookBook collection! 

Check it out on Amazon (affiliate) for $11.70

Or in most bookstores for $16.95

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

National Geographic is Poetic ~ Review: The Poetry of US

The Poetry of US (ages 8-12, $24.99) contains
more than 200 poems, all showcasing the diverse people and places of of
the United States. Curated by former U.S. Children’s Poet Laureate J
Patrick Lewis, familiar verses and brand new voices accompany striking
photographs as the reader embarks on a literary
trip through all 50 states and the many cultures, traditions, histories
and passions that define us.   



Poems are arranged by region, from coast to coast, and among them are works by Langston Hughes, Dorothy Parker, Robert
Frost, Naomi Shihab Nye, Walt Whitman, and more. Reflecting the United States’ melting pot of people, the distinctive
voices of immigrant and minority writers as well as poems in Spanish,
Arabic, and Korean with accompanying translations
into English are also featured.  



From the
familiar to the surprising, subjects include people, places, landmarks,
monuments, nature, and celebrations. Inspiring, thought-provoking and particularly timely,
this collection of poetry and photography eloquently reveals the spirit that unites US.     

Early praise for The Poetry of US:

“...an expansive gathering, with dazzling visuals” - Kirkus

Review:

Celebrate the gift of language and the vibrant culture of the United
States with this collection of classic and never-before-published
poetry. Poems are arranged by region, from coast to coast,and are designed for family sharing, but geared to
younger readers, this beautifully illustrated treasury is a must-have
for the family bookshelf.



With three children ages 10 to 17, plus several nieces ranging from age 2 through 7; there is a lot of opportunity for reading and family enjoyment of books in my house.  Poetry is one of those subjects that I personally love but have trouble getting many of the kiddos to read or listen to.  The Poetry of US is a wonderful book that has easy to read and understand poetry that caters to kids (and adults) of all ages.  Even the 17 year old boy got involved reading to the younger girls.  I loved the cultural poems in the variety of languages that were translated into English.  


A book I recommend for any household!





Affiliate link for purchase:  AMAZON

 

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Summertime BLUES ~ what happens when the children run amok!

I found this post that I had put on my blog a few years ago.  Summer Break is coming fast and I have only a few outings planned for the kiddos.  I want to keep them busy, yet still give them time for carefree fun. 

I am interested in ideas!  What do you do with your kiddos during breaks from school when you are not gone on vacation?  I do have some chores for them but also want some fun ideas that are low-cost to entertain them and also stimulate their minds.   Here is what happened in the previous post . . . . . .

 

When in doubt about how to get the kiddos to get along during school breaks - separate them.

If that doesn't seem to work, or you want them to learn to get along - make them play a game together - come up with a NEW way to play an old game - or work together on a fun project (like a welcome home banner for Dad who is on a work trip) - oversee them for a few minutes to get them started - then tell them to find the best way to work together without arguing!  



You can even offer a prize or incentive for getting along well! (yes I do resort to bribing my kids on occasion)

There is always taking them to a local park to let them run off steam - but during hot and humid summer days the park is not always the best idea.  And what about when mom is trying to get Homework, housework (or blogging) done?  Well, again I say separate the little monkeys and give them each something to do alone - read a fun book, color a picture or two, fold towels or washrags (ideas for younger kids) - CLEAN YOUR ROOM - lol for the older ones, or play something alone - 

AND if all else fails - call in the Grandparents for help!

Any ideas?  Please leave comments below with YOUR school break ideas for helping the kiddos not argue, fuss and drive Mom insane! ;)

Mom Loves 2 Read is the Mother of Three Active little monkeys children ages almost 12, 8 and 5.  



WOW - they are now 16, 13, and 10!  Coloring doesnt work like it used to!  How do I get them off the electronics and having fun???



These are my personal experiences, thoughts and anecdotes and may differ from your own experiences or opinions.

What happens when the bride wears BLUE? Find out in this review!

The Bride Wore Blue

by Mona Hodgson

The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek—Book 3

Headed toward a fresh start but tethered by her past, Vivian longs to break free, to find forgiveness and love.



At last, the sisters are reunited! The youngest Sinclair, the family“ baby”, is moving from Maine to Cripple Creek, Colorado and joining Kat, Nell, and Ida. But Vivian is a young woman with a will of her own, and made some decisions back in Portland that have begun to haunt her. Will she be able to live up to the expectations of her three perfect and now happily-settled sisters?

The sisters warmly welcome Vivian to the mountain west, but the wild-and-woolly mining town isn’t ripe with opportunities for a respectable young woman. The youngest Sinclair sister is determined to make her own way, so when she’s offered a job as a

hostess in a sporting house, she takes it, thinking the position is appropriate for a tainted, unlovable woman like herself.



 Although she’s convinced she’ll never be asked to entertain privately, Vivian keeps her employment a secret from her sisters, knowing they’d be mortified—as will Carter Alwyn, the kind and godly sheriff ’s deputy who’s sweet on her.

Vivian is descending into a life of secrets, lying to the very people who love her and could help her heal from her mistakes. Will an outpouring of grace remind her that she is still God’s beloved and that her past can be washed as clean as Rocky Mountain snow? 

Author's Web Site           Author Bio          More Info         Read Chapter One        

My Review:

I have now read all three of The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek stories to date.  This third book in the series gives the reader an in-depth look at the "baby" of the family, Vivian.  I felt like Vivian had been a typical spoiled baby sister, wanting her own way before she went to join her older sisters in Cripple Creek, and had learned some hard life lessons in a very difficult way.  Though she seemed to be more mature and to have learned from the mistakes in her past, she seemed to continue to resent her older sister's influence in her life at times, and I think it led to her making more mistakes that could possibly been avoided if she would have just taken the time to talk with one or more of them.



This realistic sibling dynamic made the story much more enjoyable for me, as well as the estranged romance between Vivian and Deputy Alwyn.  The overwhelming lesson of forgiveness, faith and acceptance is an integral part of the story from beginning to end.  This heartwarming story is one that shows how forgiveness, love, and family loyalty can help overcome difficult circumstances.  I also enjoyed the mystery and danger involved that gave the wild west type feel to this story that I really like.



This is a good christian fiction romance, with some wild west outlaws, soiled doves,  train robbery and so much more excitement thrown in the mix.  Although it can be read alone, I do recommend reading the first two books in the series first in order to get to know many of the other characters in this story.

Disclosure: All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

New books in the Fairday collection: Check out this review of the original Secret DMS files!

For this review, I was sent a paperback copy of The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow by one of the authors: Jessica Haight.  I was so excited for the chance to read and review for Jess since she is my most faithful follower on this blog; and since I am always on the lookout for new middle grade books to entice my 10 year old to read more. 



About the book ~ taken from the blog:

The newer book cover!





~ For more info on the book, the authors and some clue-finding fun ~

visit: Jess's blog:   http://jessicahaight.com/The_DMS_Home_Page_.html

or Fairday's blog:   http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/

Fairday on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/fairday

Jess on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/#!/@dmsfiles

My Review:

I fell in love with the characters in this book from page one.  Fairday and her family are unique, entertaining, and completely believable.  I enjoyed getting to know Fairday, her family, Lizzy and the kids in Fairday's new school.  The  mystery and suspense is perfect for young readers (and even older ones like me).  The writing flows and I never had to re-read or pause to figure out what was going on.  I love that the story is easy to read and understand and yet written in such a way that kids ages 10 through teen will enjoy the story, the characters and the adventure.  I am anxious to see what happens next!  The story ends perfectly with a mystery solved, yet with more adventure and mystery yet to come!  Excellent job Jess and Stephanie!  A definite 4.5 stars from this book lover!



On a personal note - I was trying to think of a creative way to entice my 10 year old son to give this book a try.  So, I pretended that the spiders on each page were "scary" to me (I would fake shudders and quickly close the page repeatedly to make him laugh and tease me).  Now, all 3 of my kids tease me about the spiders every time they see the book. - lol



I highly recommend you give this book a try - as I've found out from the blog, this is the first book of a series of five.  I can't wait to read the next mystery solved by the DMS team: Fairday Marrow and the Talking Library!

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.