by Carolyn Leiloglou | Adventure, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Juvenile Fiction, Middle-grade, Recommendations
It isn’t often that I begin reading a novel and think, “This is absolutely delightful.” But that’s exactly what happened when I picked up The Ink of Elspet, the first book in The Inkwell Chronicles by J.D. Peabody. Even better, I think readers...
by Carolyn Leiloglou | 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 Leiloglou | 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 Leiloglou | Book Lists, Character Training, Cultural Diversity, Education, Middle-grade, Older Elementary, Parenting, Recommendations
I haven’t encountered too many middle grade novels about homelessness for kids, but two good ones happened across my path recently. If you haven’t encountered it personally, child homelessness isn’t something you and your kids have thought about....
by Carolyn Leiloglou | Highschool, Historical Fiction, Imagination, Juvenile Fiction, Middle School, Middle-grade, Recommendations
The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams is a story about storytelling. And who better to write such a book but master storyteller Daniel Nayeri, author of the award-winning Everything Sad is Untrue? I enjoyed the audiobook version, read by the author,...
by Carolyn Leiloglou | 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 Leiloglou | 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 Leiloglou | Juvenile Fiction, Middle School, Middle-grade, Recommendations
Roll With It by Jamie Sumner is a heartfelt book full of quirky characters. It touches on so many issues: living with a disability, dementia, complex friendships, standing out, and family. But if I were to pinpoint one theme it would be that accepting help and...
by Carolyn Leiloglou | 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 Leiloglou | Books about Books, Historical Fiction, Middle School, Middle-grade, Read Alouds, Recommendations
Did you ever wonder what kind of adventures Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy would have gotten up to if they hadn’t found their way into Narnia? What about the other millions (yes, millions) of children evacuated to the British countryside during World War II? And...
