Just Sayin'

GIVEAWAY

MACKALL, DANI DALEY
JUST SAYIN'

Dear Mom,
Have you found yourself yet?
Gram ust gave me a hard time telling me not to give you a hard time. She said I shouldn't write anything sad or whiny. So I guess this letter will be short.
I miss Julie.
I miss Nick.
I even miss Travis.
Okay, I miss you too.

Nick and Cassie almost had their perfect family: their parents were getting married, and that meant a best-friend brother and a sweet little sister for Cassie, and Nick would have Cassie as his partner in crime. When their parents mysteriously call off their wedding and Cassie is left in her Gram's care, Cassie and Nick become "almost-step" pen pals. Through letters, they scheme about how to get on their favorite game show, The Last Insult Standing, and just maybe figure out how to get their parents back together. Just Sayin' is a heartwarming, funny story told through letters, demonstrating the power that words have to tear people apart or bring them together.

My Review:

Yes, I know I said last Sunday that I would review A Dark Road Home by Elizabeth Ludwig today but then I realized that next Saturday is St. Patrick's Day and since A Dark Road Home is an Irish tale I wanted to leave it for a St. Patrick's Day review because...well, I'm into details like that. And I'm Irish. :-)

We interrupt the regularly scheduled retro read for a new release in Christian Fiction kidlit -- because we're all about supporting Christian Fiction here at BestReads no matter the genre or intended reading audience.

I first fell in love  Dani Daley Mackall's storytelling last summer when I read her World War II Historical Romance, With Love, Wherever You Are and then discovered that she is a multi-published, award winning author of Young Adult and children's fiction. My library has become my best friend (well it was already my best friend but now it's my bestest best friend) because they have a collection of this author's novels. Woot! And this gem was among that bounty.

It's touching and funny and subtly hard-hitting as Mackall tackles the power in words. Love the letter writing format! The publisher had some fun with creating unique fonts for each letter writer and the understated background sketches add to the pen pal ambiance.

Cassie is a fire cracker with a passion for vocabulary. She's audacious, dramatic, sarcastic and tenderhearted. And a schemer. She's not shy about sharing her feelings in letters but it's when her pastor suggests she write to God...well, that's when things begin to get interesting.

Brilliant and heartwarming -- this novel may target preteens but I think there's plenty here for us 'slightly' older readers to enjoy!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Just Sayin', leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 18 2018.

The Radical Book for Kids

THORNTON, CHAMP
THE RADICAL BOOK FOR KIDS

A kid-sized explorer's guide to faith and life

The Radical Book for Kids is a fun-filled explorer's guide to the Bible, church history and life for boys and girls age 8 and up. Along with examining some of the most exciting realities in the universe, the handbook is vibrantly illustrated and chock-full of fun facts and ideas. Deep truths are communicated to elementary and middle-school aged kids while stimulating their curiosity and sense of adventure within a gospel-centered framework.

This power--packed book is radical in more ways than you might think! It is 'radical' in the sense of the original meaning of the word, "going to the root or origin." The Radical Book for Kids will take children on a fascinating journey into the ancient roots of the Christian faith. But it's also "radical" in the more modern sense of being revolutionary. Kids read about men and women who learned to trust Jesus and stand for him -- displaying radical faith -- even when everything seemed against them.

But The Radical Book for Kids is also 'radical' -- meaning fun or cool -- in the eyes of a child. Kids read about ancient weapons (and how to make one), learn about jewels, create pottery, discover ancient languages, use secret codes, locate stars, tell time using the sun, play a board game that's 3,000 years old -- and more.

Check out the table of contents, skip around, or read straight through. However a child chooses to explore it. The Radical Book for Kids will open new vistas for their imagination and help to make straight paths for their feet.

My Review:

Fun, facts and engaging graphics make this a winner of a read. Beautiful hard copy edition with stunning illustrations that will appeal to any age -- even adults. And it's chock-full of interesting tidbits and a diverse combination of topics that will keep young readers returning to its pages again and again. I love the way the author has meshed high-interest, kid-friendly topics with solid biblical history. There are stories and biographies to read, questions to ponder and crafts to make. The starting point for many happy hours of fun.

My thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group and New Growth Press for providing me with a copy of this book.

http://litfusegroup.com/author/cthornton

Blue Ribbon Trail Ride

GIVEAWAY

FERRELL, MIRALEE
BLUE RIBBON TRAIL RIDE

Thirteen-year old Kate and her friends came up with the perfect way to raise money for her autistic younger brother and others to attend summer camp—a horse scavenger hunt! As local businesses donate money and prizes, Kate keeps the entry fees in her mom’s antique jewelry box.

But when the box and the money disappear, Kate and her friends must unravel the clues, hold on to hope, and solve the mystery along the Blue Ribbon Trail Ride.

My Review:

What can be more exciting to a preteen than a book about horses and friends and exciting adventure? Not much -- unless you add a mystery into the mix. This is the fourth book in the Horses and Friends series but it reads well as a standalone. I haven't read the first three books yet and had no problem connecting with the characters and setting.

Love the dynamics between Kate, Melissa, Tori and Colt. They make an intrepid team that can't be beat. Especially when it comes to cracking a case. When fundraising money goes missing and threatens the chance for autistic children to attend a special summer camp, this fab four sets out to make things right. They unravel clues in hot pursuit of a heartless thief. They learn some important lessons along the way and I love how the author seamlessly weaves Christian living throughout the story. That mix of adventure and inspiration make for a truly captivating read.

My thanks to the publisher and Litfuse Publicity for providing me with a copy of this book

http://litfusegroup.com/author/mferrell

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Blue Ribbon Trail Ride please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 14 2016 . Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

May the K9 Spy

Kav asked for my help with this review since I have more of a handle on all things canine. Arrrooooo! Besides I like to read with my human and I especially like it when she reads about four-footed heroes and heroines. Like:

May is the heroine of two books with a third set to come out sometime this year. Arrrrrrffffff (wagging tail madly) -- I can't wait! If you like fur-raising adventure you'll like May's story. Kav says she's a kind of canine James Bond with a bit of Maxwell Smart thrown in. I think that's a good thing. I just know I like how May's adventures keeps my tail wagging and my tongue lolling.

May's the perfect heroine. She's got spunk and heart and a sleek silvery coat and the cutest whiskers. Sigh. I was a goner on page one. She's got a unique Schnauzer voice that emotes well with my sheltie brogue. I think we'd be a match made in heaven...or Paris...except for the

C-A-T

 

Yeah. There`s one of those in the book. A Parisian feline. (lip curls up to expose recently cleaned pearly white canines.) Grrrrr. But I have to admit that Leonce wasn`t that bad...for a...well, you know!

But I still think a French poodle would have made a good secondary character instead.  That`s just my humble opinion though. Mickey the Mouser next door begs to differ. We got into a fight over it...but then we never got along anyway. As far as I`m concerned, dogs belong on one planet and cats belong on another and don`t get me started on voicing my opinion on squirrels.

That`s my highest rating, just so you know. I liked all the unexpected plot twists even if the action got my hackles up a time or too. Grrrrr. And there were some surprises I didn`t see coming. I love it when an author keeps me on my toes. That`s why May and KC Frantzen deserve my four paw salute.

You can find May`s books at Amazon.com -- and BONUS -- May Finds A way : Peril in Paris is free all this week so go download it NOW!

http://www.seasonsofhumility.blogspot.ca/2013/07/launch-of-may-k9-spys-blog-tour.html

The Christmas Pony

GIVEAWAY

CARLSON, MELODY
THE CHRISTMAS PONY

With Christmas around the corner, the Turnbull family is in need of a few small miracles.
It is 1937, and Lucy Turnbull knows better than to wish for a pony this Christmas. Her mother has assured her in no uncertain terms that asking for a pony is the same as asking for the moon. Besides, the only extra mouths they need at their boarding house are the paying kind. Then an interesting pair of strangers comes to town, and Lucy's world changes forever.

My Review:

 A beautiful Christmas story told in a timeless, traditional fashion. It has the substance and drama of an old classic Christmas movie. The kind you know you will enjoy over and over again for years to come. I think the fact that the story is told from a child's point of view makes it all the more magical. And watching the romance develop from Lucy's perspective makes it even more special. Unique in that the story would appeal to young girls as well as adults, The Christmas Pony celebrates the warmth and true meaning of the holidays.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Christmas Pony, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday December 2 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

My Favorite Bible : the Best Loved Stories of the Bible

Giveaway!

DEBOER, RONDI
TANGVALD CHRISTINE
MY FAVORITE BIBLE : THE BEST LOVED STORIES OF THE BIBLE

Bring the bible alive!

The most treasured stories of the Bible come alive in My Favourite Bible.

Start your little ones on a lifelong love of God's Word!

This colorful and dynamic gospel-centered Bible storybook guides children through the foundational truths of Scripture. Each story is fully and vividly illustrated and includes a simple narrative with things children ages 4 - 8 love: repetition, rhythm, and energy, along with a key biblical theme, a key Bible verse, an activity page, and discussion questions. Adults and children will cherish time together as they grow closer to God.

My Review:

First things first. I'm a school librarian and I take notice of little details that most people don't. Like how a book is bound and the quality of the paper it is printed on and My Favorite Bible is superior on both counts. It's a solid little hardcover book with pages that are thick enough to withstand the chubby little fingers of eager toddlers. That's important when you're thinking about purchasing a keepsake bible. And this is definitely a keepsake.

I get the feeling that the authors definitely prayed over this project because they have managed to keep the spirit behind each bible story they share. There is rhythm and reverence in every tale, each complemented by cheerful artwork that is both childlike and engaging. The artist has cleverly hidden 77 butterflies within the pages of the book giving added enjoyment to young readers. An added bonus to parents and teachers is that each story makes a lovely readaloud and will be a pleasure to share. In addition, the authors have included both a family talk page (including a scripture and faith-based discussion ideas) and a family fun page (simple activities that compliment the bible story) at the end of each story.

This would make a great first bible for a toddler and ideal for beginning readers.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like to win a copy of My Favorite Bible : the Best Loved Stories of the Bible leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please put the title in the subject line. Draw will be held and winner announced on Friday December 23. Please note: unlike my other giveaways this offer is only for US and Canada. I'll be mailing the copy I was given to review and since it's a solid little thing the cost of mailing it would be prohibitive overseas.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".