My thoughts on grief and loss

Hi everyone, this week’s post will be a personal story from chapters in my life where I have had to deal with grief, loss, and learn to live again. I hope you read this with an open mind as I don’t think of myself as someone who’s had to struggle much but has enough life experience to have learned this lesson quite young.

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Be light like a bird by Monika Schroder

Hi everyone, this week’s post takes us to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where we meet a young girl and her mother. To be honest, even though the loss of her father is strong here, this story has a bit of everything your typical middle-grader might go through. Have a read, see if you and tween like it…

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This June we talk about grief and loss

Hi everyone, winter is here in New Zealand, and my little patch of Auckland is feeling the cold  quite well. This month I will be featuring titles that talk about loss and grief, because it’s part of life. I hope the titles I’ve selected can help any parents and teachers approach the subject with their younger readers.

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Words in deep blue by Cath Crowley

Hi everybody, this week’s review post is a teen book. I selected this book and it’s cover for a number of reasons. Mostly because the font used evoked emotions within me that made me think this would be a modern classic… I guess I’ll need you to decide if I’m right or wrong…

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Into the hurricane by Neil Connelly

Hi everyone, this week’s post, as the title suggests, tells the tale of how two teenagers survive a hurricane. This is a book that covers quite a number of dark themes and I would suggest parents and teachers read it first before allowing your teenager. Despite this tiny disclaimer, this is one of those stories that will keep you well awake into the early hours of the morning…

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If only by Adele Broadbent

Hi everyone, this week’s post is a read intended for teenagers; specifically those from New Zealand. However, if you have a tween or teen reader who’s interested in conservation and the welfare of marine animals, then this is a perfect read for them. Why not see if it’s a contender for their TBR lists…

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Circa now by Amber McRee Turner

Hi everyone, this week’s post is a review of a quirky and moving book I found some time ago. The edition I read had a different cover but the story still lingers in my memories. I hope you enjoy this read and getting to know young Circa and her family…

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Zane and the hurricane by Rodman Philbrick

Hi everyone, this first review post features one of the worst natural disasters to hit North America in these modern times: Hurricane Katrina. If you like me were curious as to why it was claimed as ‘the worst’ this book will be able to give you some of the answers…

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Six extra stories on kindness

banner shaoed image. middle large image of five children in silhouette holding hands with orange sun behind them. top three images parts of book covers. top left part of roof and Because of You in white. top middle kids walking with dog in woods. top right blue sky and mockingbird in black. bottom left part of image of girl with arms outstretched. bottom middle white writing Stella by Starlight dark blue starry sky. bottom right bowl with orange goldfish and The Fourteenth Goldfish cramped under it.

Hi everyone, this extra post includes six titles that I really enjoyed reading. A few have even awards for their story and writing. For me, the young protagonists here embody all that falls under the umbrella of kindness and compassion. Without sounding too preachy…I would encourage you and your tween to check out the post below and start talking about what kindness means to you…

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