Chicken Little may have thought the sky was falling but Peter Pika is sure the glaciers are melting and is off to talk to the Mountain Monarch about it. Joined along the way by friends Tammy Ptarmigan, Sally Squirrel, Mandy Marmot, and Harry Hare, they all wonder what will happen to them if the glaciers melt. Where will they live, how will they survive? When Wiley Wolverine tries to trick them, can the Mountain Monarch save them? More importantly, can the Mountain Monarch stop the glaciers from melting?

4-6 pg For Creative Minds educational section in the back

40-60 pg cross-curricular Teaching Activities and 3 Interactive Quizzes available free on the book’s homepage

eBooks with Auto-Flip, Auto-Read and selectable English and Spanish text and audio

My Comments:  My Southern California second graders and I enjoyed this book as we do all of Sylvan Dell books.  It was somewhat hard for them to relate to since they have little to no experience with cold weather, ice, or glaciers.  Nevertheless, it presented great teaching opportunities.  The illustrations were colorful and realistic.  Illustrations are always one of the most important aspects of a children’s book (especially non-fiction).  While reading the children picked up the “Chicken Little” resemblance of the story.  I knew it was familiar, but they nailed the title of Chicken Little.  This aspect made the story more engaging for the children.  It also made it fun to read. The Accelerated Reading level of this book is 3.6, and the interest level is ages 4-9.  We have yet to find a Sylvan Dell book we dislike!

***CONTEST ALERT! *** The publisher ,Sylvan Dell, would like to give away a copy of this book.  If you leave a one sentence comment sharing one topic you would like to see addressed in a children’s non-fiction book,  you will automatically be entered into the contest to win a copy of this book.  Easy, easy, easy!  The contest will close on May 31, 2012.

A Promise for Miriam, the first book in a brand-new romantic series from popular author Vannetta Chapman, introduces the Amish community of Pebble Creek and some of the kind, caring people there. As they face challenges to their community from the English world, they come together to reach out to their non-Amish neighbors while still preserving their cherished Plain ways.

Amish schoolteacher Miriam King loves her students. At 26, most women her age are married with children of their own, but she hasn’t yet met anyone who can convince her to give up the Plain school that sits along the banks of Pebble Creek. Then newcomer Gabriel Yoder steps into her life, bringing his daughter, an air of mystery, and challenges Miriam has never faced before.

Will Gabe be able to let go of the past that haunts him? He thinks he just wants to be left alone, but the loving and warm community he and his daughter have moved to has other plans for him. After a near tragedy is averted, he hesitantly returns offers of help and friendship, and he discovers he can make a difference to the people of Pebble Creek—and maybe find love again.

My Comments:  This book includes several sub plots and just when one is completed another begins.  I loved it!  Instead of several short novels, A Promise for Miriam is one meaty book (over 300 pages).  The Amish in this story are quite conservative.  They utilize outhouses and do not have indoor plumbing.  Yet they survive and thrive in this environment.  Gabe and Grace come to Pebble Creek and quickly adjust after being in a more liberal group in Indiana.  Miracles seem to abound in this quiet community.  Friends and family are extremely supportive, which Gabe quickly discovers.  Amish romances seem especially sweet to me – no pretense, just sincere, hard-working people.  I’ll add this to my list of favorite Amish novels!

Follow the photo journal of Carolina, a critically ill loggerhead sea turtle, as she is cared for and nursed back to health at the Sea Turtle Hospital of the South Carolina Aquarium. Just like hospitalized children, Carolina goes through a variety of emotions and procedures during her care and recovery process. When she first arrives at the hospital, she is too sick, weak, and confused to understand what is happening. She has blood drawn, x-rays taken, gets shots, and is fed through an IV…just as ill children may be! As she gains strength, she begins to interact with her caregivers and to, begrudgingly, understand that they are really trying to help. Join her as she interacts with her many caregivers and her sick or injured roommate turtles. Celebrate the happy day she is released back into the open arms of the ocean – a healthy and happy sea turtle! The “For Creative Minds” section includes a craft, game ideas and information on sea turtles. The author and photographer donate a portion of their royalties to the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Program at the South Carolina Aquarium.

My Comments:  My second graders LOVED this book.  We read it together and it enabled so much great discussion about illness.  Children, of course LOVE animals and since we live in Southern California and not too terribly far from the Ocean and Sea World, many of the children have seen turtles.  We couldn’t believe how large Carolina was!  The illustrations were superb.  The information was age-appropriate and these books are so educational!  They include other information you can use in the classroom (would be really awesome for homeschoolers too!)  The appropriate age for this book is: 4-9

The Accelerated Reading Level is: 3.6

***NEW ALERT*** The publisher (Sylvan Dell) will be giving away one copy of this book through The Friendly Booknook.  All you have to do is leave a comment telling me  what your favorite sea animal is and why – nothing long, just ONE sentence.  The winner will be chosen at random.  You will have until May 31 to comment on this blog in order to win a copy of the book.  I know you will enjoy it as much as my second graders and I did.

Read chapter 1

A young architect at a prestigious Chicago firm, Bethany Quinn has built a life far removed from her trailer park teen years. Until an interruption from her estranged mother reveals that tragedy has struck in her hometown and a reluctant Bethany is called back to rural Iowa. Determined to pay her respects while avoiding any emotional entanglements, she vows not to stay long. But the unexpected inheritance of farmland and a startling turn of events in Chicago forces Bethany to come up with a new plan.

Handsome farmhand Evan Price has taken care of the Quinn farm for years. So when Bethany is left the land, he must fight her decisions to realize his dreams. But even as he disagrees with Bethany’s vision, Evan feels drawn to her and the pain she keeps so carefully locked away.

For Bethany, making peace with her past and the God of her childhood doesn’t seem like the path to freedom. Is letting go the only way to new life, love and a peace she’s not even sure exists?

My Comments:  This book hooked me right in, got slow in the middle and ended well.  I was looking for a little more “scandal” in parts – at least that is how my predictions went, but it was clean throughout and believable problems with faith.  The faith issue was resolved a little easily for me – maybe mine was similar and I felt I struggled more than Bethany, but again believable.  The message on faith was clear and not preachy.  People lived out their faith.  I like that.  Struggles vary in the story, peoples’ experience with faith differs throughout.  Some relationships were not resolved which may possibly result in a series instead of a stand-alone story.  The setting of rural Iowa brought back great memories of living in Iowa for eight years.  This refreshes me after living in Southern California for 9 years!  I look forward to more books from this author!

I received a free review copy from WaterBrook Press.  This book was released on May 8, 2012.  See link above and read chapter 1.

Eighteen months after the tragic Grove Street Fire took the life of her husband, David, and four other heroic firefighters, Susan Marlowe thinks she’s finally beginning to heal.

But then she discovers that David carried a secret to his grave.

A secret that changes everything she thought their marriage had been.

For the sake of their sons, can Susan forgive the unforgivable?

Andrea Morley lost her closest friend in the fire. But she has no right to mourn him. Instead, she must forever grieve in silence—because her dearest friend was someone else’s husband. Peter Brennan carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. As Hanover Falls’ fire chief, he was responsible for the brave firefighters

who lost their lives that awful November night.

Can he ever shake the feeling that he should have somehow prevented the tragedy?

As he tries to rebuild the team at Clemens County’s Station 2, it seems he might find comfort in the arms of the woman he least expected.

My Comments:  I thought this a perfect ending to the series!  In the other two books, it seemed that Susan Marlowe was almost perfect.  She reached out and ministered to others after her own husband died.  This books shows she was flawed and had problems just like everyone else.  Her life was not perfect and neither were her children.  She struggles with issues like everyone else in the story – hers, however, are secret and not known to all.  Pete Brennan struggled as well – not perfect – just human with human faults and frailties.  I hated to see this series end, but it did so neatly and happily.  Most questions were answered and I like that – not to be left hanging at the end of a series.  Ms. Raney is an interesting writer capturing real human emotions.  I look forward to reading more books authored by her!

Book Description

Shortly after burying her unfaithful husband, Georgia Peyton unexpectedly inherits the derelict Stardust motel from a distant relative. Despite doubts from the community and the aunt who raised her, she is determined to breathe new life into it. But the guests who arrive aren’t what Georgia expects: Her gin-loving mother-in-law; her dead husband’s mistress; an attractive but down-on-his-luck drifter who’s tired of the endless road; and an aging Vaudeville entertainer with a disturbing link to Georgia’s past.

Can Georgia find the courage to forgive those who’ve betrayed her, the grace to shelter those who need her, and the moxy to face the future? And will her dream of a new life under the flickering neon of the STARDUST ever come true?

My Comments:  This is such a great book!   The setting, Louisianna in the 1950s, represents a time when polio was somewhat of an epidemic.  Georgia, the main character, continues to withstand surprise after surprise with a great attitude.  I liked her more and more as the story progressed.  Single mom and newly widowed, Georgia inherits a old, broken-down motel and decided to make it her dream come true.  She faces opposition and a ton of hard work to make it a go.  Of course, romance plays a part, but not huge, just right.  The whole story includes romance, but doesn’t revolve around it.  If you want to read a great book, a book that is different than the norm, I recommend this!

This book will be out the middle of May.  I received an advance e-copy from NetGalley.

Unearthing a lost memory may cause her to lose everything she holds dear… but could it also set her free?

Bryn Hennesey, a volunteer at the Grove Street Homeless Shelter, was there the night the shelter burned to the ground and five heroic firefighters died at the scene. Among them was her husband, Adam. Like the rest of the surviving spouses, Bryn must find a way to begin again. But Bryn must do so living with a horrible secret.…

Garrett Edmonds’s wife, Molly, was the only female firefighter to perish in the blaze. As her husband, it was his job to protect the woman he loved.… How can he go on in the face of such unbearable loss and guilt?

And what started the fire that destroyed the dreams and futures of so many? Investigators are stumped. But someone knows the answer….

A fire killed his best friend and his lifelong dream of being a firefighter. The same fire killed her husband and hopes for a family. Can new dreams replace old?

Lucas Vermontez was a proud firefighter like his father. Now, not only has he lost his father and his best friend, Zach, in the fire at the Grove Street homeless shelter, but the devoted rookie can no longer do the work he loves after being crippled in the tragic event. When friendship with his buddy’s beautiful widow turns into more, he wonders, what could he possibly offer Jenna? Jenna Morgan is trying to grieve her husband’s death like a proper widow, but the truth is, she never really loved Zach. His death feels more like a relief to her. But that relief is short-lived when she loses her home and the financial support of her in-laws. Now the secrets of her past threaten to destroy her future.

Can the two forget the painful past and discover new reasons to live and love?

My Comments: I bought both of these books in preparation for the new book in the series, After All.  I read these during the last weekend of my spring break, and I couldn’t put either down until I had finished them.  I loved them!  The stories kept me totally engaged and emotionally involved.  I can’t wait for After All.  These books are quite different from anything I had read in a while.  The characters are real and the Christian message is clear without being overly didactic.  If you want a great read with entertainment and escape value, I would highly recommend this set of books!

Sax Henry left home at seventeen to escape his father’s abuse, leaving his mother and younger sister, Shelby, to fend for themselves. Now, twenty-eight years later, both parents are dead, and guilt compels him to find his sister and make peace.  His quest takes him to the south Louisiana town of Les Barbes where he hopes to find Adele Woodmore, the wealthy woman Shelby once worked for.

Les Barbes is in crisis as a number of people have collapsed and have been taken to the emergency room.  Health officials determine that someone has put cyanide in the food bar and bottled water at Marcotte’s Market. Ten victims are expected to recover. Six others are dead. Sax wonders if he made a mistake coming here, but his fear of dying isn’t nearly as strong as his desire to find peace. Mrs. Woodmore turns out to be his most formidable obstacle. Or is she? Little does he know that he has a divine appointment awaiting him that will propel him toward the God he bitterly resents. A God who has also been in relentless pursuit—of him.

Based on Psalm 34:14, “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it,” this final book in the series is rich with the Cajun flavors of south Louisiana and illustrates what it means to find true peace in an uncertain world.

Rich with the Cajun flavors of south Louisiana, this final book in the Secrets of Roux River Bayou Series is a story of what it means to find true peace in an uncertain world.

My Comments:  I am taking a short break from reading Amish fiction and remembered I enjoyed reading books by Kathy Herman in the past, so I requested this e-book from NetGalley.  I read this book out of sequence in the story, but it can definitely stand alone.  Some of the plot was predictable, but there were also some unexpected twists making the book quite engaging.  Zoe, one of the main characters, deals with some very real un”Christ-like” emotions throughout, making the story believable.  Another character, Emily, frustrated the living daylights out of me with her altruistic behavior.  Overall all, I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it for those who enjoy mystery, suspense, and a strong Christian message.

The year is 1777. America is in turmoil.  And Amish life is far different than today.

Pennsylvania in the late 18th century, once called William Penn’s Woods, was an assortment of different faiths living together for the first time in American history. Included in this tapestry was a small and struggling population called Amish.

Surrounding this peaceful people were unavoidable threats: both Patriots and the British were pillaging land and goods for the sake of the war, young Amishmen were leaving the faith to take up arms and defend freedom. A simple walk in the untamed forests could result in death, if not from bullet or arrow, then from an encounter with a wild animal.

Amid this time of tumult, Adam Wyse is fighting a personal battle. To possibly join the war efforts and leave his faith, which would mean walking away from the only woman he’s ever loved: Lena Yoder. But for that love he’s made a promise that may keep them apart permanently.

When Adam withdraws from Lena, she’s forced to turn to his brother, Isaac, for support. Must Lena deny her heart’s desire to save Adam’s soul? And will life in this feral and primitive New World be more than this peace-keeping people can withstand?

My Comments:  Since I began reading Amish books many years ago, I have yet to come across a book like this one!  Going back to historical Amish in our country was fascinating!  The “rules” were the same, the struggles were the same, yet they seemed to be lived out somewhat differently.  They were surrounded by the Revolutionary War.  Although pacifist, severe physical abuse occurred in the home – and members of the family ignored it or tried to pretend it didn’t exist.  This book had most everything – romance, suspense, mystery, and tension.  I loved it and look forward to more books in this series.

This book will be published the end of April.  I received a e-copy from my great friends at NetGalley.