Blog
As a homeschooling veteran, I review middle-grade stories to help parents, librarians, and teachers choose good books.
Look for author news here too!
Jack Zulu and the Waylander’s Key by S.D. Smith and J.C. Smith, a review
Jack Zulu and the Waylander’s Key is a compelling portal fantasy with a 13-year-old hero facing lots of odds. It’s written by an author well known in the homeschooling community, S.D. Smith (“rabbits with swords”) and his son J.C. Smith.
Red Rain by Rachel Newhouse, a review
Red Rain by Rachel Newhouse is a welcome addition to any library of Christian books for middle grade and up. It's a suspenseful series opener with several illustrations, set 50 years in the future. Earth is governed by a grim single government bent on destroying...
Beneath the Swirling Sky by Carolyn Leiloglou, a review
I bought Beneath the Swirling Sky by Carolyn Leiloglou because I was drawn by its cover. This is only the second time I can recall doing that. It turned out to be a Christian middle grade book with an interesting plot and memorable characters. In short, a winner! And,...
Another Selah Award Finalist!
Secret of the Lost Dragons, Book 2 of my Guardians of Time series, has been named a finalist in the prestigious Selah Awards for Christian Fiction, 2023. Book One, The Dog Snatcher, also received this distinction in the previous year.
Road Trip Rescue by Becca Wierwille, a review
Road Trip Rescue by Becca Wierwille tells the story of a lonely young girl, heartbroken by the disappearance of her dog two years before, who suddenly finds hope.
In St. Louis? Let’s have an author visit
I'm offering an author visit to a literature or history class in school or co-op. Kids can dress up as their favorite historical characters, and then I will lead a discussion about these characters and their stories. We'll focus on good storytelling. There will be...
Badge of Honor by Susan K Marlow, a review
Badge of Honor by Susan K Marlow tells the tale of a twelve-year-old boy in Gold Rush California. Well, it's past the first years of the gold rush. In fact, it's fifteen years later, in 1864, and young Jem's family has been in town, first prospecting and now ranching,...
It’s live–My Kickstarter for Search for the Hidden Throne!
My Kickstarter campaign for Search for the Hidden Throne, Book 3 of my series, is live! Help me pay for my illustrator. You'll receive various books, audiobooks, ebooks, keys, and naming rights in return! It's good through March 7, midnight. Tell your friends!
Power Pup vs Tommy Trigger-Finger, a review
Power Pup vs Tommy Trigger-Finger is the first book in Amanda Trumpower's amusing series for middle-grade reluctant readers, Power Pup. While it is a super-hero tale, it's not a graphic novel, but an illustrated story. Investigative reporter Mittens Meow is a cat who...
Tinker by Jill Williamson and Luke Williamson, a review
Tinker by award-winning author Jill Williamson and her eighth-grade son Luke Williamson is a great tale for middle-grade reluctant readers. It's sci fi, or actually space opera. Young Tinker is an orphan, taken in by his evil uncle and uncle's two sons who keep him...
The Great Ice Cream Truck Heist by JJ Johnson, a review
The Great Ice Cream Truck Heist by JJ Johnson tells a funny and memorable tale. Full of bravado and self-doubt, Iggy, age 12, leads or tries to lead his neighborhood kids working together to solve a mystery. This is Book 4 in the Iggy and Oz series, and it's a keeper....
Kickstarter, Search for the Hidden Throne: Help me fund my illustrator for Book 3!
I'm preparing a Kickstarter campaign to help fund Guardians of Time Book 3, Search for the Hidden Throne. Cover reveal! See above! Get in line to be one of the first to see the new book when it comes out later this spring. Get bundles of ebooks, audiobooks, and signed...