Sunday, June 30, 2013

Anomaly: Dystopian YA with a Twist


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Normally, I don't read dystopian books (think Hunger Games). Our world is weird enough without imagining what it will be like in the future after a horrific war or tragedy. However, my daughter and I have thoroughly enjoyed Krista McGee's other books, so I decided to give Anomaly a try. I am so glad I did.


Thalli is different. And different is not good in the State that is left after a nuclear holocaust. But she feels deeply. She tries to hide, but she can't. To avoid annihilation, she becomes a test subject. The story winds through her learning about the real Designer as she learns about love. This story scrapes away to the essense of what is important: God, love, freedom. The pages turn effortlessly...and the ending left me longing for the next installment.

Bottom-line? This is an engrossing read and one my husband and 12 year old enjoyed as well.






Thalli has fifteen minutes and twenty-three seconds left to live. The toxic gas that will complete her annihilation is invading her bloodstream. But she is not afraid.Decades before Thalli’s birth, the world ended in a nuclear war. But life went on deep underground, thanks to a handful of scientists known as The Ten. Since then, they have genetically engineered humans to be free from emotions in the hopes that war won’t threaten their lives again. But Thalli was born with the ability to feel emotions and a sense of curiosity she can barely contain. She has survived so far thanks to her ability to hide those differences. But Thalli’s secret is discovered when she is overwhelmed by the emotion in an ancient piece of music. She is quickly scheduled for annihilation, but her childhood friend, Berk, convinces The Ten to postpone her death and study her instead. While in the scientists’ Pod, Thalli and Berk form a dangerous alliance, one strictly forbidden by the constant surveillance in the pods. As her life ticks away, she hears rumors of someone called the Designer—someone even more powerful than The Ten. What’s more, the parts of her that have always been an anomaly could in fact be part of a much larger plan. And the parts of her that she has always guarded could be the answer she’s been looking for all along. Thalli must sort out what to believe and who she can trust, before her time runs out… Purchase a copy here. Learn more at Krista’s website. Click to start reading Anomaly for free.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Search & Rescue Review


Cara here: Two of my writing friends have come together for a series for middle-grade readers. Set in Rock Harbor, Michigan, the setting for one of Colleen's series, this books brings back characters moms have grown to love in a book that is perfect for 10-14 year olds.  Here's my daughter's take:

In Search & Rescue, 8th grader Emily O'Reilly is accused of stealing a necklace. Even her dad believes she did it. Determined to clear her name, Emily begins a search for the truth.

I loved this book (4 out of 5 stars). It's one I'll re-read, especially when the next one releases. I'd read the adult Rock Harbor books and enjoyed seeing all the charcters from those books again.

Emily's deepest desire is for a puppy of her own that she can train to be a search and rescue dog. Her stepmom works with Bree training search and rescue dogs, and Emily can't wait to join their team. But her dad won't let her get a puppy because he thinks she stole the necklace. He forces her to give that money to the woman who lost the necklace. The only way to reserrect her dream is to prove she didn't steal the necklace.

Even though I figured out the mystery, I kept reading because I needed to know that I was right. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Giveaway happening on my other blog...

Over on my other blog, I'm giving away this collection of YA nonfiction titles. Come on over and participate!


Friday, November 16, 2012

Three Christmas Books I love to Read with My Kids


I know Thanksgiving is next week, but I'm thinking about the Christmas books I want to read to my kids this year. It's always fun trying to decide which ones we'll enjoy together as a family. Here are a few of our favorites, and I want to know which ones you love, too.

The Velveteen Rabbit: I realized the other day when I picked up a copy at Kohl's that I hadn't introduced my younger two to the story. And the older two didn't remember it. Time to remedy that. The story begins with Christmas, but is really a story of so much more including the power of love. How a stuffed animal becomes real through the love of a little boy. I get sentimental just thinking about the story.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Courageous For Teens



Raising godly teens and tweens is a challenge. Whether you're a young person who wants to grow in your faith or a parent trying to lead your young person as they mature, it can be tricky to find books that will help in that process. Courageous for Teens is one of those books.

The book intertwines scenes from the movie Courageous with scripture and profiles of Bible characters who lived with courage. Abraham movign to a new land. Ruth moving to a foreign land. Add many of your favorite Bible stories to the list. Each chapter then ends with five application questions and each section ends with a page of recap. For example "Joshua found courage through...", "Gideon gained strength by..." When the teen finishes this book, they will have examined courageous faith, leadership, priorities, and influence.

It's a book the teen can tackle alone, in a group, or with their parents. It's easy to read and grasp the concepts. Then the challenge begins of applying those to your life.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Beginner Bible iPad app






Tuesday, October 9, 2012

For Parents: Hot Buttons




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