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Saving Noah by Lucinda Berry

October 21, 2017 by Leah 13 Comments

When I had my baby shower for my first child, everyone wrote a tip on an index card for me to read later. Most people wrote things like, “sleep when the baby is sleeping”. However, a few people wrote, “love your child unconditionally”. Seems easy enough, right? But what if your child does something so horrific and vile that you can barely look at them? Will you still be able to love your child unconditionally? Saving Noah by Lucinda Berry is a thought provoking novel that will have you questioning yourself from start to finish.

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About Saving Noah by Lucinda Berry from Amazon

Meet Noah—an A-honor roll student, award-winning swimmer, and small-town star destined for greatness. There weren’t any signs that something was wrong until the day he confesses to molesting little girls during swim team practice. He’s sentenced to eighteen months in a juvenile sexual rehabilitation center.

His mother, Adrianne, refuses to turn her back on him despite his horrific crimes, but her husband won’t allow Noah back into their home. In a series of shocking and shattering revelations, Adrianne is forced to make the hardest decision of her life. Just how far will she go to protect her son?

Saving Noah challenges everything you think you know about teenage sexual offenders. It will keep you up at night long after you’ve read the last page, questioning beliefs you once thought were true.

Saving Noah

Lucinda Berry did an EXCELLENT job grabbing my attention with this book. Her style of writing is such that you feel like you are part of a conversation. For me, personally, I prefer books like that. Those are the books that I have a hard time putting down. Any time I put the book down, I couldn’t stop thinking about the book. Would I be able to love my child if they did something like this? How would I handle this situation? I finished Saving Noah yesterday and this book has been on my mind ever since. The last book to cause me to really think like this was The Shack.

About the Author

Dr. Lucinda Berry is a trauma psychologist and leading researcher in childhood trauma. She uses her clinical experience to create disturbing psychological thrillers, blurring the lines between fiction and nonfiction. She enjoys taking her readers on a journey through the dark recesses of the human psyche. If she’s not chasing her eight-year-old son around, you can find her running the streets of Los Angeles prepping for her next marathon. To be notified of upcoming releases, please visit: https://about.me/Lucindaberry.

I highly recommend Saving Noah by Lucinda Berry. If you haven’t read the book yet, do it! The book is free with Kindle Unlimited! Join Amazon Kindle Unlimited 30-Day Free Trial. If you decide to read the book, please let me know what you think of it.

The Best Early Chapter Books for Boys

October 19, 2017 by Leah 18 Comments

Reading didn’t always come easy for my son. He struggled for several years during elementary school. As a parent, it is really hard to watch your child struggle with any aspect of reading. They so desperately want to read what their friends are, but have a hard time getting through the book. Besides always encouraging them to read and reading with them, it’s also good to make sure that you have books available to they want to read and interests them. Below are some of the best early chapter books that my son (and daughter) really liked!

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

Image via Pexels

When my son was little, I remember it seeming like it was really hard to find books that were geared towards little boys. Everything seemed really girly. However, after many trips to the library and scanning Amazon, we were able to find a bunch of books that my son liked.

Early Chapter Books for Boys

The first early chapter books I remember my son liking, was the Geronimo Stilton series. This series is about a newspaper editor that is spooked by the littlest things. Each book is about him being brought into one crazy adventure after another. With full color pictures and text, this book series is one your son will love to read!

Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye (Geronimo Stilton, No. 1)

Like Geronimo Stilton, this next series by Jeff Brown is also about a boy and his various adventures. Flat Stanley takes you with him on his adventures while he fits under doors, slides down drainage grates, etc. Your son will be entertained from start to finish!

The Flat Stanley Collection Box Set: Flat Stanley, Invisible Stanley, Stanley in Space, and Stanley, Flat Again!

What little boy doesn’t love aliens? The Alien in my Pocket series is a cute series that are quick reads and enjoyable. Two kids and a little blue alien set out on an adventure to save the world from an invasion. This book is filled with illustrations to peak your child’s imagination and keep them coming back for more!

Alien in My Pocket #1: Blast Off!

The Fly Guy series has always been a favorite in this house. With 20 books currently in the series, Tedd Arnold has captured kids interest with a fly! Book one starts out with Buzz capturing a fly for the pet talent show. Everyone tells Buzz that a fly can’t be a pet. Buzz and Fly Guy prove them wrong, all while entertaining kids and giving them the confidence the need to read early chapter books!

Hi! Fly Guy

What kid doesn’t dream about being a millionaire when they get older? With this next book series, Benji Franklin, Kid Zillionaire kids are introduced to the concept of being an entrepreneur, making money and using the money for good…not selfish means. I think, in this day and age, that is such an excellent message for our kids!

Benji Franklin: Kid Zillionaire

When I was growing up, I had teachers that put down kids for reading comic books. It’s always been my philosophy that I want my kids to be reading. I didn’t care what it was that they read (so long as it was appropriate). My son enjoys graphic novels. So long as the book is appropriate for his age and ability, I encourage graphic novels. These are a few of his favorites:

The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, Kung-Fu Cavemen From the Future (Captain Underpants)Hilo Book 1: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth Dog Man: From the Creator of Captain Underpants (Dog Man #1)Star Wars: Jedi Academy

Be sure to check out these great early chapter books for boys (and girls…my daughter liked them too). I always like to make sure my kids get books as part of any gift I give them. These would be perfect for the holidays. Pick them up, put them away and watch your child’s love for reading grow and grow! Check out my list of books for tween girls.

What early chapter books would you add to the list?

True Love Story – Crossing Lex by Debby Caruso

September 29, 2017 by Leah 19 Comments

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About six years ago, I read a book that really affected me. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. That book was The Shack. Literally, for weeks after finishing the book, I had that book on my mind. It made me think differently about things. I haven’t had the pleasure of reading a book like that since…until now. Crossing Lex, by Debby Caruso is a must read, true love story and one of those books that will stick with you, well after you read the last page.

About This True Love Story – from Amazon

It’s 1999 and Danielle is living the dream: working in New York City, creating a brand-new life for herself, and looking for romance. On the cusp of finding just what she’s always dreamed of, memories of past trauma threaten to interfere with what may be the love story of a lifetime. As she moves forward, she will have to decide if she is defined by her past, doomed by her past, or perhaps made better because of it.

Crossing Lex

We all have those memories that seem to pop up when we least expect it. Those moments in time that seem to shape us as a person. The picture that Debby Caruso paints of the main character, Danielle, is amazing. You immediately connect with Danielle and are willing her to push past her demons and have that true love story she is so desperately seeking.

Part way through the book, I started to suspect the ending. Sometimes that annoys me with books. Not with Crossing Lex. With this book it made me want to continue reading all the more. I think part of me was hoping I was wrong. The last few chapters will have you holding your breath as you read them. The imagery Debby Caruso’s words invoke is excellent and leaves you wanting more.

Batty Betty by Kathryn Hast

September 26, 2017 by Leah 13 Comments

One of the things I always wanted for my own kids was for them to know that it was OK to look different, act different, and think different from others. So long as they were respectful and kind to everyone, then I wanted them to always be who they truly are. While we can tell our kids these things (and we should), it’s also good to have books, videos, etc. to carry that message too. Batty Betty, a children’s book by Kathryn Hast definitely expresses that “be who YOU are” message.

*I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All opinions are 100% my own. *

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

About Batty Betty by Kathryn Hast from Amazon

Enter: Abel, the tuba; Eve, the sad banana; and Betty, a giant who dances unapologetically to her own drum. When Abel goes out marching by himself, he finds a sad banana named Eve who has been bullied by local beavers. As it turns out, she’s not alone. The beavers are also out for Betty, who stands out with her towering height and “batty” behavior. Abel sets out to defeat these beavers, but soon discovers it’s not about winning – it’s about finding your own music amidst the ruckus and noise.

Batty Betty

I absolutely LOVED Batty Betty! The author, Kathryn Hast, wrote this book in a very whimsical and lyrical way. The positive messages are sprinkled throughout and are written in a way that allows for discussion while reading and after. Unfortunately, in this day and age, bullying or making fun of kids that are different, is something that happens quite often. Especially in the classroom. Having books like Batty Betty for teachers to read to their students and discuss together as a class, is great! Kids need all the positive messages they can get.

Batty Betty Otis Grows

If you have older children that still love books with pictures, this graphic novel series is one my daughter highly recommends. She read them all very quickly!

10 Books for Tween Girls

September 18, 2017 by Leah 18 Comments

Books are a huge part of our lives in our house. Growing up, I loved to read. Going to the library was one of my favorite things. Even to this day, as an adult, I love going to the library. There’s something about being surrounded by books. When she was younger, my daughter would only check out or ask us to buy her non-fiction books because she felt that if she was going to read, she needed to be learning something. Over the course of the summer, she started branching out and has found quite a few fiction books that she really enjoys! Here are her top 10 books for tween girls!

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Sisters Drama Smile

10 Books for Tween Girls

Below are 10 books for tween girls that my 10, almost 11 year old daughter, really enjoys reading. There is definitely something for everyone! Pick up a few for Christmas and birthday gifts. I don’t know about you, but I always like to make sure I give the kids books as part of their gifts!

Among the Hidden (Shadow Children 1) Harriet the SpyDiary of a Wimpy KidI Survived seriesWarriors seriesRoller GirlAwkwardKristy’s Great Idea Graphic NovelWonderWho Was seriesShe definitely has an eclectic taste in books so there is surely something here for everyone. I personally am a fan of series books, so I like when I can find a good series for my kids to read. When you find a series they like, it ensures that they will have more to read and we want them to continue reading for pleasure! It makes having to read school issued books much easier!

So there you have it, 10+ books for tween girls. What books would you add to the list? I’d love to help my daughter (and other girls) find books they would love to read!