by Carolyn | Adventure, Animal books, Chapter Books, Early Readers
I have not one, but several dachshund-obsessed friends. I have to admit, they’ve never appealed to me too much, UNTIL I read A Nose for Trouble by James D. Witmer. Kevin Maximus, the little dachshund with a big imagination, absolutely stole my heart! This brave...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Fantasy, For fun, Imagination, Middle-grade, Recommendations
One of the fun things about being an author is getting to know other authors. This summer, I shared a booth at the Great Homeschool Convention with my friend and fellow author Summer Rachel Short. We both got to hear each other pitch our upcoming middle grade...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Book Lists, Education, Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction, Middle-grade, Mystery, Recommendations
Maybe art has been on my mind a lot with the publication of my own art-themed novel, Beneath the Swirling Sky. I’d love to see more stories that pique kids’ interest in art and creativity. Here’s a round up to some of my favorite art-themed novels...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Bible, Boys, Character Training, Historical Fiction, Read Alouds
The cover art of The Songs of a Warrior by Katy Morgan instantly hooked me. I’ve enjoyed Biblical retellings meant for adults from authors like Francine Rivers and Tessa Afshar, so I was interested to read this. The Songs of a Warrior is a Biblically faithful...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Boys, Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction, Middle School, Middle-grade, Recommendations
A magical world that intersects with ours. A nostalgic 1980’s setting. Engaging characters kids will love. All of this in a new series from a favorite author your kids probably already love. Jack Zulu and the Waylander’s Key is the first book in a new...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Fantasy, Imagination, Magical Realism, Middle School, Middle-grade, Recommendations
When your daughter hands you a book and tells you it’s the best book she’s read in a while, you read it! A Time of Green Magic by Hilary McKay is a fantastical story set in the real world with compelling characters and vivid writing. The Story Living in a...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Fantasy, Older Elementary, Picture Books, Read Alouds, Recommendations
I read lots of picture books that retell or mash up fairy tale, but it’s wonderful to find a fairy tale that feels brand new. The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess by Tom Gauld combines a classic style with more modern sensibilities (read: no wolves or...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Fantasy, Imagination, Juvenile Fiction, Middle-grade, Older Elementary, Read Alouds, Recommendations
If you love fairytales, I have a wonderful book for you. Otto Tattercoat and the Forest of Lost Things by Matilda Woods is a beautiful fairytale about friendship that touches on complex moral themes. The Story When Otto’s mother disappears in their new, freezing...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Boys, Historical Fiction, Middle School, Middle-grade, Read Alouds, Recommendations
If you think your kids wouldn’t enjoy a western, you just might be wrong. When we visited Colorado this summer, I chose an audiobook themed to our location. The Misadventured Summer of Tumbleweed Thompson by Glenn McCarty with illustrations by Joe Sutphin is a...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Character Training, Cultural Diversity, Fantasy, Highschool, Recommendations, Young Adult
The Sunlit Lands Series by Matt Mikalatos is my top pick for kids who have grown up reading The Chronicles of Narnia, The Wingfeather Saga, and The Green Ember Series and are now ready to dive into young adult. These books contain the same kind of deeply true and...
