Summer Reading 2021 The Secret Science of Sports

 

Science may not be what comes to mind when people think of sports, but our favorite pastimes wouldn't work without STEM. Without an understanding of body science athletes wouldn't know about carbo-loading to stockpile energy before an event. No technology would mean no improvements in the materials for our golf balls or bicycles. Don't forget wearable technology like fitness trackers. What about engineering? Yes, we need that to design a more aerodynamic football or alter the shape of a tennis racket to create more of a sweet spot. But math and sports? Most emphatically, yes. How else could we track the stats of favorite players or create our own fantasy football team?

Jennifer Swanson, author of Save the Crash-test Dummies and Astronaut-Aquanaut, has put together a fascinating look into how STEM affects all areas of sports from equipment design to league standings. Illustrations and diagrams show the difference between early football helmets and today's gear, why kicking a soccer ball up makes it travel farther, or NBA field goal percentages from various spots on the court. Informative sidebars explain carbon nanotubes and how to test your reaction time. There are even suggested activities like measuring your vertical leap or testing drag in water.

Whether you know someone who is a sports enthusiast and would appreciate this look inside how it all works or a science lover who enjoys seeing concepts applied to everyday activities, this is the perfect book for middle grade readers of either sort. It will also make a great addition to science and STEM classes where teachers can pull pertinent examples to accompany lessons on gravity, friction, and other concepts.

For more information about the author's other books and projects visit jenniferswansonbooks.com or catch up with her on social media: Facebook @JenniferSwansonBooks, Twitter @JenSwanBooks, Instagram @jenswanbooks, and YouTube @jenniferswanson. Jennifer also has a podcast about how scientists, engineers, and experts solve problems. Check it out at https://solveitforkids.com/ to see the topics they have covered so far and the amazing list of guests.

Summer Reading 2021 The Christmas Bookshop

 

Fans of Jenny Colgan will happily return to the Scottish setting of The Bookshop on the Corner and The Bookshop on the Shore, this time nestled in the delightful city of Edinburgh. Protagonist Carmen is the younger sister of Sofia - successful lawyer, wife, and mother. When Carmen loses her job, she winds up living in the basement with Sofia's nanny. But as she slowly gets to know her nieces and nephew and begins to revive the failing bookstore of one of Sofia's clients, Carmen also meets a couple of prospective dates. Will this perpetually resentful younger sister choose the jetsetting author or the quiet guest lecturer at the local university? 

As fun as the story is with its misunderstandings, rivalry between Carmen and nanny Skylar for the notice of the guys, and carefully revealed backstory of the bookshop's owner - what really captured my attention was the strong sense of place. Edinburgh is one of my favorite places, and the city comes through as almost another character rather than just the setting of the book. The castle high above, Holyrood Palace at the other end of the Royal Mile, the way so many of the homes and shops in the Old Town seem to grow organically from the hillsides...every description captures the city perfectly. 

It was also a pleasure to have Ramsay and Zoe from The Bookshop on the Shore make appearances. After all, it makes sense that a rare bookdealer like Ramsay would know a collector and merchant like Mr. McCredie. Colgan's stories always have an element of getting a second chance at life (and love) for her characters. This one is no exception and has the added charm of happening in a lovely city at Christmas. 

Summer Reading 2021 Jingle Bell Wolf

Terry Spear's shapeshifter romances are always full of adventure and attraction. This time around Gabrielle works on overcoming her bad memories of a ski trip wtih her parents by heading to Colorado with a couple of friends. When her friends are held up by work, she has to force herself to try out the activities rather than sitting by the fire in the lodge all day. Landon owns the resort with his siblings and has no patience for rule breakers - until he finds Gabrielle taking an after hours swim in the lodge's pool.  Suddenly the wolf from sunny Florida and the ski expert find themselves spending a lot of time together. Between late night swims, ski lessons, and rescuing an avalanche victim the pair grow closer by the day. Will they find a way to stay together when their careers are on opposite sides of the country?

Like the first Wolff Brothers story, this takes place in Silver Town, so the pack there shows up - Darien and Lelandi,  Silva and Sam, Doc Mitchell, and the rest of the Wolff family.  And since it is set at Christmas time, the traditional Silver Town competitions for the best snowmen, snow sculptures, gingerbread creations, and lighting displays are included. Gabrielle's friends are jaguar shifters on a JAG mission, one that will remind readers of Ashley Judd's "Double Jeopardy" role. And, of course, the Wolff's lovable St. Bernard - Rosco - is there for all the petting and belly rubs he can get.  

Longtime fans of Spears and newcomers to the world of her shifter stories will all have an enjoyable read just in time for the holiday season. (Publication date October 26)

We Can Color! Virtual Book Tour

 

We Can Color! Coloring Book Giveaway

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a set of the We Can Color! coloring books, as well as a Crayola Inspiration Art Case Coloring Set!

One (1) grand prize winner receives: A set of the eleven We Can Color! coloring books, as well as a Crayola Inspiration Art Case Coloring Set.

One (1) winner receives: A set of six We Can Color! coloring books.

ABOUT THE BOOK

We Can Color! Fun & Facts Coloring Books

Created by Daniel Gershkovitz

All Ages | 70 Pages

Publisher’s Synopsis: Who doesn’t love to color beautiful illustrations and learn interesting facts that enrich the mind?

If you also like amazing drawings and cool facts and believe it’s important to impart knowledge and broaden your child’s horizons, the We Can Color! series was created especially for you!

These eleven books cover topics that will interest anyone at any age: Dinosaurs, Vehicles, Aircraft, Space, and Animals from around the world in their natural environment: Farm, Jungle, Ocean, Savannah, Forest, and Desert!

Did you know that the most dangerous animal in the savannah is the hippopotamus? That the oldest koi fish lived to be 226 years old? That some goats can climb trees? And that the terrible T-Rex was not the biggest dinosaurs predator?

How big is the Sun relative to the Earth? What was the first man-made object to reach space? What is the fastest land animal? The tallest? The heaviest?

Did you know that scorpions glow in ultraviolet light? That male seahorses are the ones that get pregnant? That one of the astronauts lost his glove in space? That one of our planets was given its name by a girl in elementary school? And that there is an aircraft that takes off like a helicopter but flies like a plane?

Do you know the speed of the fastest truck in the world? Or how much does the heaviest tractor weighs?

What is the price of the world’s most expensive fighter jet? How much does an Air Force One flight hour cost?

What is the most venomous snake in the world? The most venomous jellyfish? The most poisonous frog? And do you know how to distinguish between a mammal and a fish in the ocean? Or how to tell a jaguar from a panther?

Next to each of the 330 full-page illustrations you can color, there are interesting facts: over 1,375 facts throughout the 11 books!

• All the books contain full-page original coloring pages that are not repeated!

• The extra-large pages are 8.5 x 11 inches in size!

• All the illustrations are single-sided to prevent bleed-through and can be torn out and displayed without losing the images on the back!

• All the illustrations and information are suitable for ages 5 and up. Children, teens, and adults will enjoy relaxed moments while coloring and learning fun facts!

The We Can Color – Fun & Facts Coloring Books series includes the following books:

The Great Dinosaurs of the Earth!

Space Technology and Our Solar System!

The Coolest Aircraft in the World!

The Coolest Trucks in the World!

The Coolest Vehicles in the World!

The Great Animals of the Farm!

The Great Animals of the Ocean!

The Great Animals of the Jungle!

The Great Animals of the Savannah!

The Great Animals of the Forest!

The Great Animals of the Desert!

PURCHASE LINK

https://amzn.to/3lrUtnt

MY REVIEW

The Coolest Aircraft in the World! features 125 facts about aircraft of all sorts from the earliest history of aviation through future technology innovations. Let me tell you just a few highlights from within its pages. Each spread includes a page of facts and a full-page illustration. The book begins with a quick overview of early aviation - the myth of Icarus, the Montgolfier balloon, and the Wright brothers. Other spreads introduce various helicopters like the Chinook shown carrying heavy equipment in slings and the MI-26 used at the Chernobyl fire fighting operation. Hot air balloons are shown in several shapes (including a honeybee), and airships from th Hindenburg’s time are also covered. Airplanes of all shapes and sizes fill many of the pages. There are World War I Fokker triplanes, a B-52 Stratofortress, a Concorde, and the X-15 rocket plane. The facts include details about the size, development cost, or various uses of the craft. For the F-14 Tomcat it explains that the plane “became famous worldwide following the movie Top Gun starring Tom Cruise.” Some illustrations show the aircraft in flight across the sky while others show takeoff and landing, firefighting, or other operations. Whether users are interested in coloring or learning about the craft, they will enjoy all the content about these awesome machines.

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, August 9, 2021 The Children’s Book Review A book series review of the We Can Color: Fun & Facts Coloring Books

Tuesday, August 10, 2021 Lisa’s Reading A book series review of the We Can Color: Fun & Facts Coloring Books

Wednesday, August 11, 2021 A Dream Within a Dream A book review of The Great Animals of the Jungle! Fun & Facts Coloring Book

Thursday, August 12, 2021 Crafty Moms Share A book series review of the We Can Color: Fun & Facts Coloring Books

Friday, August 13, 2021 icefairy’s Treasure Chest A book series review of the We Can Color: Fun & Facts Coloring Books

Sunday, August 15, 2021 Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog A book review of Space Technology and Our Solar System! Fun & Facts Coloring Book

Monday, August 23, 2021 Library Lady’s Kid Lit A book review of The Coolest Vehicles in the World! Fun & Facts Coloring Book

Tuesday, August 24, 2021 The Fairview Review A book review of The Coolest Aircraft in the World! Fun & Facts Coloring Book

Wednesday, August 25, 2021 Life Is What It’s Called A book series review of the We Can Color: Fun & Facts Coloring Books

Thursday, August 26, 2021 J.R.s Book Reviews A book review of The Great Dinosaurs of the Earth! Fun & Facts Coloring Book

Friday, August 27, 2021 Heart to Heart A book review of The Coolest Trucks in the World! Fun & Facts Coloring Book

The Fairview Review is participating in the virtualtour in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Daniel Gershkovitz.

Summer Reading 2021 Pahua and the Soul Stealer

Yet another triumph for Rick Riordan Presents - Pahua's story is full of family, the longing for friends, and Hmong folklore. Being a member of an ethnic minority is difficult for any child. Add in an absent father, a mother working double-shifts, and being constantly responsible for a younger brother - then multiply by the ability to see spirits. Imagine what it would be like to see things no one else is aware of, not be able to talk about it with anyone because you have no friends, and add it to all the other awkwardness. But when an angry ghost threatens her little brother, Pahua will channel her inner shaman and dare to enter the Spirit Realm to protect him.

The author shares her inspiration for the story in her note, which comes at the end of the book. I had never read any Hmong mythology before, but the figures are fascinating. There are nature spirits, demons, dragons, gods, demi-gods, ghosts, elephant spirit guides, shapeshifters. Any reader who has enjoyed Percy Jackson, Paola Santiago, or other characters from Rick's imprint should grab a copy of Pahua as soon as they can. 

Eudora Space Kid Virtual Book Tour

Eudora Space Kid Book Giveaway

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a copy of Eudora Space Kid and a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card!

One (1) grand prize winner receives: A signed copy of Eudora Space Kid and a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card.

Three (3) winners receive: A signed copy of Eudora Space Kid.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Eudora Space Kid

Written by David Horn

Ages 6-10 | 97 Pages

Publisher: David Horn | ISBN-13: 9781736677407

Publisher’s Synopsis: Eudora is a typical 3rd grader. A typical 3rd grader who lives on a 36 deck AstroLiner. In space. A normal girl adopted by what you might call… aliens. Her mom is a dog-like species named a Pox and runs the onboard jail (brig). Her dad is an octopus-like species from the planet Pow. She is a girl who has normal ambitions, like being the chief engineer on an AstroLiner.

Eudora is a girl who comes up with a plan to prove her worth by improving her AstroLiner’s engines and breaking all known speed records. Will she succeed and earn a promotion? Or will she end up in the brig? Again…

Brilliant for engaging emergent and early chapter book readers.

PURCHASE LINKS

https://amzn.to/3j0gaIn

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Horn is a huge science fiction fan. While his wife sometimes feels like they live in outer space, they really live in New Jersey with their two human daughters and one doggy daughter named Trixie. 

David loves reading science fiction books from both the old and new greats like Asimov, McDevitt, Scalzi, Howey, and more. He also loves reading his kids’ books like My Weird School, Just Grace, The Baby-Sitters Club, Ramona, and the list goes on.

David and his daughters also love watching sci-fi shows like Star Trek, Babylon 5, Stargate, and Star Wars. 

Eudora Space Kid started as stories he told his daughters at dinner.  They loved Eudora’s antics in space.  So now The Great Engine Room Takeover is his first book in the Eudora Space Kid early reader chapter book series.  He can’t wait for you to love Eudora’s stories too. 

For more information, visit https://www.eudoraspacekid.com/.

MY REVIEW

This story reads as a mashup of Junie B. Jones and Star Trek. Eudora lives on the space ship Athena that is part of the Astro Fleet of the Planetary Republic (a bit like Star Fleet in the Federation). Her parents are part of the ship's crew and Eudora is a third grader who plans to be an awesome officer herself one day. In the meantime, she is busy making everyone on board a little crazy. For instance, there was the time that she "accidentally" dropped her Halloween pumpkin into the fusion chamber in the engine room. That was a couple of years ago and she's much more mature and has bigger plans now; plans like...firing the ship's plasma cannons while her class is touring the bridge. Or, what about her plan to prove that she can make the ship's engines break speed records? Eudroa thinks, "Then I could skip the rest of  elementary school and all of middle school.  Why not just go straight to chief engineer?" 

Although the story takes place in space there are plenty of elements that young readers on Earth can identify with and enjoy. Eudora and her sister are adopted and her best friend Arnold has a stepfather. Their parents and Arnold’s stepfather are aliens, but they form loving families to raise the children. There is also friction between Eudora and her older sister Molly, whom she believes will someday have a job in AstroFleet as “Chief Galactic Spelling Bee Planner.” If you know children who enjoy humorous stories about youngsters in school and family situations (even in outer space), then suggest Eudora Space Kid to them.

TOUR SCHEDULE

Sunday, August 15, 2021 The Children’s Book Review A book review of Eudora Space Kid: The Great Engine Room

Monday, August 16, 2021 The Momma Spot A book review of Eudora Space Kid: The Great Engine Room

Tuesday, August 17, 2021 Over Coffee Conversation A book review of Eudora Space Kid: The Great Engine Room

Wednesday, August 18, 2021 Life Is What It’s Called An interview with David Horn

Thursday, August 19, 2021 Glass of Wine, Glass of Milk An interview with David Horn

Friday, August 20, 2021 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers A book review of Eudora Space Kid: The Great Engine Room

Monday, August 23, 2021 The Fairview Review A book review of Eudora Space Kid: The Great Engine Room

Tuesday, August 24, 2021 Tales of a Wanna-Be SuperHero Mom A book giveaway of Eudora Space Kid: The Great Engine Room

Wednesday, August 25, 2021 Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog A book review of Eudora Space Kid: The Great Engine Room

Thursday, August 26, 2021 icefairy’s Treasure Chest A book review of Eudora Space Kid: The Great Engine Room

Friday, August 27, 2021 Me Two Books A book review of Eudora Space Kid: The Great Engine Room

Monday, August 30, 2021 A Dream Within a Dream A book review of Eudora Space Kid: The Great Engine Room

Tuesday, August 31, 2021 Some the Wiser A book review of Eudora Space Kid: The Great Engine Room

Wednesday, September 1, 2021 Heart to Heart A book giveaway of Eudora Space Kid: The Great Engine Room

Thursday, September 2, 2021 Library Lady’s Kid Lit A book review of Eudora Space Kid: The Great Engine Room

Friday, September 3, 2021 Lisa’s Reading A book review of Eudora Space Kid: The Great Engine Room

The Fairview Review is participating in the virtual tour in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and David Horn.