I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys, a review
I recently found myself reading I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys. It’s a young adult historical novel about life in communist Romania as well as the revolution that upended it.
young adult
A Fractured Tale by Phyllis Wheeler and Kandi J. Wyatt
Another writer, K.A. Cummins, suggested we create a fractured tale for our main characters from our very-different family-friendly stories. She
The Girl With Stars in Her Eyes by Dawn Ford, a review
The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes by Dawn Ford leads the reader on a young adult fantasy journey spanning
Big Giveaway for Homeschoolers: I am honored to be included!
My book The Long Shadow, a time-travel tale for ages 13-14, has been chosen for a big giveaway. 20+ Christian
Spark by Jill Shope Hackman, a review
Spark by J.M. Hackman tells the Christian fantasy tale of Brenna, a Pennsylvania schoolgirl just turning 16. Brenna discovers to
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.
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.
Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt, a review
Sometimes I stray from my core mission of reviewing middle grade novels. This novel is almost a middle-grade novel. After
Freerunner by Kathy Cassel, a review
Kia struggles to find a place socially on the track team, leaning heavily on her boyfriend. It’s not easy. And then her abuser–her grandfather–shows up and actually moves in with Kia and her mother. It’s a recipe for disaster, especially for the little six-year-old girl that her grandfather is getting to know as a volunteer at a day care.
Merlin’s Nightmare by Robert Treskillard, a review
Robert Treskillard concludes his terrific YA Merlin trilogy with this book, Merlin’s Nightmare (2014), leaving some threads open for starting
Merlin’s Shadow by Robert Treskillard, a review
Multiple times, it looks like all is lost. How can they survive being stranded on a peninsula, with armed enemies cornering them? How can they survive being surrounded by Vortigern’s murderous men, and then by Pictish barbarians who are only too happy to murder them?
The Hate U Give movie, a review
In the movie “The Hate U Give,” 16-year-old Starr is an African-American living in what she calls “the ‘hood,” a