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“Zuno, Come!” My dog Zuno is a white Labrador retriever. He likes to run and take naps. He likes people food and rawhide bones. He comes when I call. Unless it’s bath time. Then, he runs. Bath time requires a chase and a firm hand during the bathing process before Zuno finally “escapes” and shakes…

Twists and turns fill this Amazon adventure as Jake Lansa joins his father on a jaguar expedition in Brazil. Roland Smith’s list of characters vary as much as the rain forest creatures around them. Flanna—Jake’s father’s girlfriend that he neglected to mention. Silver—the mysterious boat owner who is a little too eager to help them.…

I’ve Got My Eye on You Have you ever had the feeling someone was watching you? Maybe you were talking in class or passing a note only to look up and find the teacher’s eyes on you. God tells us in Psalm 1:6 (NIV) that His eye is on us and it’s a good thing:…

For you Ranger’s Apprentice fans, John Flanagan has authored a new series called Brotherband Chronicles. The Outcasts, the premiere novel of the series, takes place in Skandia, but our new hero, Hal, has Araluen blood in his veins. This novel walks us through Skandian brotherband training which prepares boys for their adult roles as Skandian sailors and warriors.…

School Shopping Have you started school shopping? New shoes. School supplies. Backpacks. Lunch boxes. A new outfit for the first day. How do you choose your stuff? Cool brands? Designer logos? The sale of the day? The first day of school sends us shopping for other things too. Friends. Who will you avoid and who will…

I started The 39 Clues series several years back, but never finished, so I thought I would give it another go. Book One: The Maze of Bones is written by Rick Riordan of Percy Jackson fame. The series pits members of the Cahill family against one another in a search for clues, the ingredients for a mysterious but…

Soak It Up Water. We splash in it to cool off, shower in it to wash away the dirt and grime, and soak in it to soothe sore muscles. We drink in cool iced water to replace summer’s sweat, and to keep our bodies well-hydrated. Plants and trees need water too. Without it, healthy green…

This adventure/fantasy story whisks the reader into the exotic, mythological tales of India. In The Iron Ring, Lloyd Alexander brings his hero, young King Tamar, through innumerable challenges which shake his world, one in which the warrior’s code of honor is everything. Honor, caste, dignity. All are in question and Tamar struggles to redefine his…

Unseen Guardians: Part 2 Last week, we talked about the guardianship of Mom and Dad’s words. Reread the passage below and refresh your memory: “My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you;…

Tentacles, Roland Smith’s sequel to Cryptid Hunters, sends the Wolfe team hunting for Architeuthis, the giant squid. However, Noah Blackwood is hunting the Wolfe team and only Grace is safe. Smith’s character, Dr. Ted Bronson, rivals Ian Fleming’s Q as some incredible technology appears in the novel. I love the sonic cannons. What could you…