Review Round-Up

Avraham Perlmutter is just ten years old when his life changes forever.

In 1938, the Nazis arrive in Avraham’s hometown of Vienna, Austria. Desperate to help their son survive, his parents send him to the Netherlands. But the invading German army soon follows. During the ensuing war-torn years, young Avraham braves harrowing captures, daring escapes, torturous hiding, and heartbreaking losses. Yet he also experiences the goodness of humanity through the strangers who help him.

Surviving the Holocaust takes ingenuity, guts, and sheer determination—all of which he calls on again, when he fights to establish the State of Israel during its War of Independence.

And when mere existence isn’t enough, Avraham moves to the United States to continue his education and pursue his dreams.

Determined takes the reader on an unforgettable journey filled with suspense and danger. But it is more than just a remarkable story of survival—it is a testament to human kindness, even in the darkest of hours, and to the achievements made possible through relentless perseverance.

This unique autobiography will inspire readers of all ages—spanning fans of historical memoirs to readers seeking an uplifting perspective on a life fulfilled.

Review:
I am so honored to have received this story for review.  There is something about World War II and the Holocaust that is of interest to me.  There is so much sadness that follows that time and I am inspired by the story of survival and overcoming tragedy.   You get to see the Avraham in many roles and get a great overview of him as a whole person, not just parts of him.  He is amazing, heroic...successful in life and sharing his story.  This book has everything one needs to really understand what happened during that time, with pictures and documents (which add so much to this amazing story).   I am so grateful that he has has shared his story with all of us! Thank you Avraham, so very much.  5 stars

A novel about three generations of midwives (a woman, her mother, and her grandmother) and the secrets they keep that push them apart and ultimately bind them together

THE SECRETS OF MIDWIVES tells the story of three generations of women devoted to delivering new life into the world—and the secrets they keep that threaten to change their own lives forever. Neva Bradley, a third-generation midwife, is determined to keep the details surrounding her own pregnancy—including the identity of the baby’s father— hidden from her family and co-workers for as long as possible. Her mother, Grace, finds it impossible to let this secret rest. For Floss, Neva’s grandmother and a retired midwife, Neva’s situation thrusts her back 60 years in time to a secret that eerily mirrors her granddaughter’s—a secret which, if revealed, will have life-changing consequences for them all. Will these women reveal their secrets and deal with the inevitable consequences? Or are some secrets best kept hidden?

Review:
This book follows three generations of women: Floss, Grace and Neva.  With one pregnancy is revealed many secrets come to light.  There is more to family than just blood.  There is so much that is beautiful about this book and I think book club will really enjoy it.  3.5 stars

Now in a fully updated and expanded edition, Levy and Orlan's classic text on attachment provides a comprehensive overview of attachment theory, how attachment issues manifest, and how they can be treated. The book covers attachment-focused assessment and diagnosis, specialized training and education for caregivers, treatment for children and caregivers and early intervention and prevention programmes for high-risk families. 

Review:
Many of you may not know that I was once a social worker.  I still maintain my license and attend trainings.  There are times when I attend a training and it resonates with me.  My training on Trauma & Attachment Focused Therapy was one of the best I have ever attended and the book that was available at the training was one that I had to have,  This book is THE resource on attachment.  It focuses on so many aspects of the disorder and ways to treat, prevent and support those dealing with this disorder.  4.5 star resource.

Here she goes again! Gracie, a dwarf kangaroo from the thirty-sixth universe, is skipping across the cosmos to her dream destination: St. Petersburg, Russia. She's traveling with Gibson, a Maine coon cat whose life she saved when he was unceremoniously dumped in front of a Pennsylvania corn field. Expectations and reality quickly collide. What she expected to find was a city of wintery white nights, a city dotted with a hundred islands linked by dozens of imposing bridges, all book-ended by majestic sculptures cast in bronze. She expected to feast her eyes on historic buildings splashed with pink, yellow and blue pastels. Instead, she finds herself back in the 18th century, in Russia's Imperial Golden Age. This is not the city I expected, she laments as she stands bewildered near the entrance to the city's center of activity, the perpetually busy post office. Then, when Empress Catherine arrives in her royal carriage and points a bejeweled finger at the ever-so-handsome Gibson, and declares: I want that cat...the fun begins.

Monsters. Mad Scientists. Danger.

Dark forces are converging on the sleepy town of Autumn’s Hallow. Monsters in the woods, mad scientists on the loose and sinister minions lurk. Four young friends must band together to uncover a secret plot that threatens them, the town they live in and the people they love. It’s up to Blaine Davis, Daschle Gaunt, Shelley Merry and Drake Harker, heirs to fantastic powers to stop an evil that threatens to consume the world. Can the Monster Squad thwart the evil Victor von Frankenstein in time? Find out in Book 1 of an exciting new series!

New Generation Publishing’s 2014 Children’s Book of the Year Award Winner


Review:
I love when books can capture the attention of both the child and adult alike.  This is a great book for a read aloud with your kids...with humor, adventure and story that is 
engaging and interesting.  I can see why this is an award winning book.  It really has so much to offer and I can see that it would be one a kids would want to read throughout their life...to come back to...to reread.  I think depending on where you are in life certain aspects will connect with you.  I cannot wait to see where this series will take us!  4.5 stars

Defeat Bullying with Love, Laughter and Acceptance! In this imaginative sequel to "T-Bone the Flying Horse," meet Rita Bonita the young horse who is constantly the target of teasing and bullying. Her life is transformed in a wonderful way when she meets a girl and her colorful cast of misfit friends. The girl, inspired by her great friend T-Bone, has formed a circus to help the teased love themselves and stand up to bullying! Join Rita Bonita and her new circus friends as they share laughter and spark the imagination in this fantastical rhyming tale about love and acceptance.

Review:
A story about friendship, acceptance (both of others and ourselves) and love.  Children will all find something to relate to.  A book with colorful and captivating photos will hold the interest of the reader and the story about the affects of bullying will encourage communication on the topic.

Ms. Roman has a wonderful way of introducing younger children and there parents to different countries and this book about Scotland is excellent.

We learn that Scotland occupies about a third of the island of Great Britain and is made up of more the 790 islands.

Since Edinburgh is the capital, many people live, work and go to the university there where they can learn about medicine, law, engineering and science.

Children call their mothers, Mathair and there fathers, Daddah. Some of the more common boy’s names are Ian, Connor or Malcom. Girl’s common names are Kelsey, Margaret and Aillen.

Many people who visit take a trip to Loch Ness, a large freshwater lake in the Scottish Highlands. Some people claim to have seen Nessee a large dinosaur but nobody has even seen a picture of her so they are not sure if she is even there.

Like here golf is a favorite sport and played on a large open field. Of course the idea of the game is the same, to get a small hard ball into a tiny hole with as few strokes as possible.

After learning some of these interesting facts my family definitely would like to visit Scotland, wouldn’t you?. 

Welcome to Hungary! Join Carole P. Roman and learn about this beautiful country in Central Europe. Packed with colorful illustrations, children will learn about the sights, currency, food, and even a few Hungarian words. This critically acclaimed series has been embraced by children, parents, and educators. Deceptively simple, it is jam packed with a vast array of information to ignite any child's interest in the world around them. If You Were Me and Lived in...India- Five Stars ForeWord Review "Roman's If You Were Me books have a simple, winning formula: portray children from other countries and explain how familiar items and customs are the same, and how they differ, in the country being discussed... The appeal of Roman's If You Were Me series is that this information is not offered in the bland style of an encyclopedia entry, but rather as part of a tour of real life in India...It's this organic conversational tone that keeps the book interesting and inspires kids' own curiosity for other cultures." Peter Dabbene The Foreword Review "In Roman's latest installment of her cultural series, she transports readers to India, where she takes them on a whirlwind, detailed tour. Geared towards young readers, the story also works as a primer for readers of all ages...A colorful, engaging holidays and Roman's stories help them realize how much we have in common." Kirkus Reviews 

Series Review:

SERIES REVIEW: What great all encompassing books for kids on countries all over the world. My son is constantly asking me about places all over the world, so these books are right up his alley. It presents great information in a way that is easy for kids to understand. It is like taking a tour of each of the counties within the pages of a book! 4 stars

Fribbet the Frog and the Tadpoles is another great voyage into problem solving and friendship, as well as an adventurous trip into the imagination.

Join the Captain No Beard and his friends as they learn the value of sharing our troubles with others and that help is always there when we need it.

Series Review:

4.5 stars SERIES REVIEW: An awesome adventure books that my kids and I have read over and over again! Great stories, amazing pictures and a great cast of characters! The books are more than just books...they are hours of fun. After we read one of the books I created a treasure hunt for the kids, with a map and real treasure! Such fun when books becomes more than just books and become bonding moments and amazing memories! 4.5 stars

E-Books:

This illustrated books tells a poetic story from a six year old's viewpoint. His mother worries too much in his opinion, until they go on a shopping trip and he gets a real appreciation for just how right his mom is. 


Excerpt: 
She watches me with eagle eyes 
Like I’m a treasured jewel 
She cramps my style, oh man alive 
“MOM, THIS JUST AIN’T COOL” 

Review:
A cute story about growing up and feeling like you are too big to need your Mama until something goes wrong and then she is the only one you want! 3.5 stars

BUY THE BOOKS!!!