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In Soldier’s Heart, Gary Paulsen crafts the story of a young Minnesota farm boy who leaves home at age fifteen to join the Union forces during the Civil War. This work of historical fiction is more appropriate for older readers as Paulsen pulls his readers onto the field of battle with farm boy Charley. Depictions…

Illustrator Christian Birmingham brings C. S. Lewis’s beloved story, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to young readers in a picture book format. Explore a wintry Narnia, the Beavers’ house, the icy palace of the White Witch, and, of course, Cair Paravel, the castle by the sea through Birmingham’s rich illustrations. “…Aslan is on…

The U.S. military prides itself on being the best in the world. When you consider special warfare operations, the options are many and the bar high: Navy SEALs, Army Rangers and Green Berets, and Delta Force, just to name a few. However, one group stands apart in their mission—Air Force PJ’s or Pararescue Jumpers. Air…

The rowboat rocked gently in the calm ripples of the harbor. Davi, Martin, and Adam dropped their lines into the water and surveyed the nearby battleships. The USS Nevada was anchored closest to the boys, but Adam’s father, a naval lieutenant, worked on the next ship, the USS Arizona. The December morning was calm and clear.…

Illustrator Susan Jeffers introduces a new generation of readers to Robert Frost’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. Jeffers gives Frost’s poem her unique perspective as fur and feathers spring from the pages. Fluffy snowflakes float  down the paper in silent snowfall. Woodland creatures peek from behind bare branches. How many you can find…

Burn Notice Fire fascinates. It flickers and flares. Sparks shoot and singe. Candles, fireplaces, campfires—we are drawn to it. Colors dance and flames flirt with us. How close can you get without burning yourself (or your marshmallow)? Sin holds much of the same fascination. It, too, flirts with us, cajoling us to come a little…

I’ve also been reading through The Shadow Children series by Margaret Peterson Haddix. While I found Book 1 a little slow, the following novels have left me out of breath and with stubby fingernails. Haddix picks up the pace with each one. Plot twists keep readers and characters alike off balance. I’ve currently reading Book…

Officer Buckle’s crime is putting his listeners to sleep with his safety speech—until he buddies up with police dog, Gloria. Suddenly, Officer Buckle is receiving rave reviews, but unknown to the officer, his partner, Gloria, is stealing the show. What will happen when he discovers her antics? Take Peggy Rathman’s Officer Buckle and Gloria on…

Gold Rings and Pigpens “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.”   Proverbs 11: 22 (NIV) Gold rings. Pig noses. Not something you would ordinarily put together. Gold rings belong on hands. Pig noses belong in the slop bucket of the pigpen. So why does God, through…

Twelve-year-old Michael Arroyo and his father dreamed of the Little League World Series. As the playoffs near, Michael’s chances of pitching there just may become reality. Besides having a great arm, however, Michael also has secrets—secrets that could sabotage his Little League World Series debut. Author Mike Lupica serves up  a great baseball story to…