A family lifestyle blog
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book to review. Opinions shared are mine.
So, I freely admit that I was passionate about reading this book mostly because I really wanted to read This Is Where It Ends, but I don’t own that book. I did have a copy of Before I Let Go, so….that was a simple decision. After finishing the book in 2 days, let me sum up my reading experience in 3 words.
Disclosure: I received complimentary tickets for the Incline Railway; opinions shared are mine.
A few days ago, my students listened to the “I Have a Dream” speech and cheered when Dr. King mentioned Lookout Mountain. Ironically, very few of them could identify just where Lookout Mountain was! My own kids know, thanks to our recent visit to Chattanooga. We took the Incline Railway to the top of the mountain. Here’s what it was like!
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Disclosure: I received a free copy of Coldwater from the publisher. Opinions shared are mine.
Bad brothers have been a thing since, well, the actual beginning of biblical history. Cain and Abel ring a bell? How about Jacob and Esau? Many cultures have myths about siblings gone bad. Set vs. Osiris, Romulus against Remus, and such stories give credence to the term “bad blood.” A few years ago, one of my former students was fatally shot by his older brother. Such stories have a sense of darker omen than just a conflict of personality. There’s something, somehow worse than regular violence, that makes us cringe harder when a brother could turn against his own flesh and blood. The book Coldwater by Samuel Parker takes us to a backwoods town where Michael Sullivan literally turned dark side.
Disclosure: If noted, I received these books for review. Opinions shared are mine.
Another batch of books have made its way to my “Read” shelf on Goodreads. Without doing a post for each, I decided to share mini reviews for them.
Disclosure: I received an advanced copy of this book free from the publisher. Post contains affiliate links; if you make a purchase, I may earn commission. Opinions shared are mine.
When I tell people that I teach 6th grade language arts, they often shudder and mutter an apology. Though it’s comical when that happens, it also makes me realize how much I love the chance to work with kids. They truly keep me young! I’ve been in a 6th grade classroom for 21 years; while I’ve aged in that time, the children are always the same age. They’re clever and innocent with a youthful wisdom that sometimes betrays their years. Maybe that’s why I enjoyed reading from 12-year-old Eddie’s perspective in the novel The Chalk Man by C. J. Tudor.
Disclosure: Post contains affiliate links; if you make a purchase, I may earn commission. Opinions shared are mine.
You might say “Bah humbug,” but this year I bought my own Christmas gifts. My husband didn’t complain, I was happy, it was all good! One of the top items on my list was Portrait of Vengeance by Carrie Stuart Parks. I absolutely love the Gwen Marcey series, and was so excited for book #4!
Disclosure: Thanks to Thunder Bay Press for sending me the Disney Princess Felt kit. Opinions shared are mine.
When my kids were younger, I looked for non-sugar gifts for holidays. We didn’t eat much candy, so it usually went to waste at our house. The kids got their sweets from goodie bags at school or when we visited friends. Some of the best low-cost, sugar-free gifts I found were balloons, art supplies, and books. The Disney Princess Felt includes the art supplies and the book instructions to make 10 of these little cuties! [Read more…]
Disclosure: I received a complimentary trip to Rock City; opinions shared are mine.
You’ve seen the signs and the bold barn roofs, right? SEE ROCK CITY is an iconic message that everyone seems to know, yet not many really understand. Last fall, we had the chance to visit Rock City Gardens in lovely Chattanooga, Tennessee. We stayed at a campground in Chattanooga and drove about 15 minutes to Rock City. It’s a destination that needs to be on your bucket list! Plan a trip for spring break or summer vacation. You’ll be surprised how special this place is!
Disclosure: I received this book free through the blog tour. Opinions shared are mine.
Historical fiction is my go-to genre. I love learning a little something more each time I read, and Liz Tolsma always provides an excellent view of life during a wartime era. Of all the Liz Tolsma books I’ve read, The Melody of the Soul is my favorite. [Read more…]
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher. Opinions shared are mine.
Sharing books with kids is the very best part of my job as a language arts teacher! I’m always on the lookout for books that middle grades students won’t be able to resist. There are key features that I look for…and The Ambrose Deception has them! [Read more…]
