Still Hope in Theaters February 5! Win an Amazon Gift Card!

It's hard to imagine how a survivor may fully recover from the trauma caused by trafficking. Follow 16-year-old Hope's heartrending journey in Studio 523's upcoming release Still Hope. Buy tickets today to watch Still Hope in theaters starting February 5th! Plus enter to win an Amazon gift card after reading more about the movie.

Synopsis:

Hope, a teenager from a tight-knit community, finds herself in danger when the person she believes to be a new friend proves unsafe. Taken from all she knows, Hope is forced into sex trafficking and stripped of her identity. After finding freedom from her captors, Hope discovers that survival is only the first step. Inspired by true stories, Hope’s journey is a powerful illustration of the courage it takes to walk the complex path of recovery.

Guest Post: Should You Open a Custodial Roth IRA For Your Child?

The pros, cons, and what parents should know before getting started.

If you’re anything like me, there’s a moment where it suddenly hits you: Oh wow, we’re responsible for helping them make smart money choices. Not just saving for college or covering the next sports fee, but teaching them how money works long-term.

For some parents, that realization may come when a teenager starts earning money. For others, it may come much earlier.

One financial tool you may consider is a Custodial Roth IRA.

At first glance, it can sound a little…intense. A retirement account for a kid? When they still need reminders to put their shoes away? Totally fair reaction. But the reason so many parents are curious about Custodial Roth IRAs is simple: time. When you start investing for your child early—even if it’s just small amounts—they have decades for that money to grow.

That said, a Custodial Roth IRA isn’t a magic solution or a must-do for every family. There are some really compelling benefits, but there are also trade-offs that parents should understand before jumping in.

What Is a Custodial Roth IRA?

At its core, a Custodial Roth IRA is just a retirement account for a child who earns money—but with a grown-up managing it (that’s the “custodial” part).

Because kids under 18 (or 21, depending on your state) can’t legally open and manage their own investment accounts, a parent or guardian steps in as the custodian. You’re the one opening the account, choosing the investments, and keeping things on track—for now. The account itself, though, is in your child’s name, and eventually, it becomes fully theirs.

The big requirement to know upfront? Your child must have earned income. That means money from an actual job—like working at a coffee shop, lifeguarding, babysitting, tutoring, or even certain types of self-employment. Birthday money, allowance, and chore payments don’t count here, which surprises a lot of parents at first.

What makes a Custodial Roth IRA especially appealing is how it’s funded. Contributions are made with after-tax dollars, but once the money is in the account, it can grow tax-free. And if your child follows the rules, they’ll be able to withdraw that money tax-free in retirement.

One important thing to understand is that this isn’t a savings account you can dip into whenever you want. While there’s some flexibility, the purpose of a Custodial Roth IRA is long-term growth.

Eventually—usually when your child turns 18 or 21—the custodial part ends, and full control of the account transfers to them. At that point, the money is theirs to manage.

Kloe's New Friendship Virtual Tour: Review & Giveaway

What are you looking forward to in the New Year? How about making some new friends who may help you face new challenges? Follow a middle schooler's unique journey in Kloe’s New Friendship by K.M. Selvidge. Enter to win a signed copy!

My Review:

As the second installment in the illustrated chapter book series, Kloe’s New Friendship tells a gripping tale about trust, friendship, resilience, inner strength and complex sibling relationships.

After winter break, Kloe returns to school to find a new student sparking her curiosity and an old friend acting absent-minded. In a moment of weakness, Kloe spills her bestie Terry's secret to her brother Wreny, who uses it to humiliate Terry in public. Will Kloe manage to make amends with Terry? Will she and her new friend Jilly figure out a way to outsmart their troubled siblings?

Told through authentic conversations between relatable characters, the story addresses common challenges in friendship, such as sharing and keeping secrets, setting boundaries, and resolving conflicts. While stressing the importance of honesty, loyalty, integrity and kindness, it encourages youngsters to learn from their mistakes, and not to be afraid to acknowledge weaknesses, reach out for help and ask for forgiveness. Kloe's experience sheds light on how to navigate adolescence with growing self-awareness and a support system composed of friends, family members and education professionals. It also suggests that one doesn't have to feel ashamed of or responsible for someone else's wrongdoings, even if that someone is a sibling.

The story features a diverse cast of animals, which readers wouldn't be able to tell without referring to the colorful, expressive illustrations that accompany each short chapter. The pictures provide fun details about each character and help readers keep track of key moments in the narrative.

Engaging and empowering, Kloe’s New Friendship makes a timely read for tweens and teens in the new year, as they undergo significant changes in their bodies and brains.

About the Book:

Ages: 13-18 | 66 Pages
Publisher: Hope Kelley Book Publishing (2025) | ISBN: 979-8218824587

K.M. Selvidge brings back her characters in her second book of the Kloe book series. It’s the second semester, and Main St High is swirling with secrets. Kloe discovers that her brother is not always what he seems, and a new friendship gives her the courage to take matters into her own hands.

Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop.org

Dash and the Lights in the Sky Virtual Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Have you ever seen the Northern Lights? Do you know the science behind this Arctic wonder? Learn all about it in Dash and the Lights in the Sky, the first in the picture book series by Ashley Key. Enter to win a signed copy and a beautifully curated craft box!

My Review:

Inspired by the author's real-life husky and her personal experience, Dash and the Lights in the Sky tells an enchanting tale packed with information about auroras, especially Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights.

At the sight of dazzling, dancing, colorful light ribbons in the night sky, Dash, the curious husky, gets puzzled and scared. He turns to his friend Echo for an explanation. The wise snowy owl shares what she knows about the science of aurora, when Nimbus, the playful Arctic fox, chimes in with excitement. Together, the friends enjoy the most beautiful light show on Earth while learning how and why it happens.

With cheerful rhymes and adorable animal characters, the narrative introduces key scientific terms and explains the cause of auroras in an entertaining and accessible manner. It further explores the impact of altitude, season, magnetic fields, and composition of the atmosphere on the formation and variation of auroras.  Alongside the rhythmic text are stunning graphics, which highlight the breathtaking beauty of the natural wonder with splashes of vivid colors, stars, sparks and shimmers.

Besides a charming story, the book also includes a helpful reading guide for parents, a list of aurora vocabulary explained in kid-friendly language, a deeper look into aurora science with impressively extensive information, and step-by-step instructions for aurora-inspired craft projects, along with the science behind each craft. It offers so much for young readers and their parents to learn and create together!

Lyrically written and vibrantly illustrated, Dash and the Lights in the Sky makes a valuable STEM read aloud for space science enthusiasts, young explorers and animal lovers.

About the Book:

Ages: 0-8 | 50 Pages (hardcover and softcover) 25 Pages (board book)
Publisher: Adventure Press (2025) | ISBN: 979-8993318646

Dash and the Lights in the Sky is a poetic children’s book that combines storytelling, science, and Arctic wonder. One wintry night, Dash the husky looks up at a strange glow dancing across the sky. With the help of Echo the wise owl and Nimbus the playful Arctic fox, he discovers the science of the aurora borealis-the northern lights.

This lyrical narrative blends advanced vocabulary with a sing-song rhythm, inviting children to explore concepts such as atmosphere, particles, and magnetism in an accessible way. Designed for ages 0-8, the book encourages curiosity and sparks early STEM learning while preserving the magic of a bedtime story.

The watercolor-inspired illustrations create a dreamy, Arctic setting, while the built-in Parents’ Reading Guide provides vocabulary support, discussion prompts, and NGSS-aligned extension activities. Ideal for classrooms, homeschool lessons, or cozy family reading, Dash and the Lights in the Sky helps children connect wonder with science-and shows that even the sky holds secrets waiting to be discovered.

Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop.org