Meet the New Teen Study Bible! Win a Prize Pack Valued $150!

Do you know a teen who is looking to go deeper in their personal Bible study? The all-new CSB Teen Study Bible would make a thoughtful gift this holiday season. Order the new Teen Study Bible for the teens in your life! Check out all its cool features and enter for your chance to win an awesome prize pack from Lifeway Christian Resources!

Main Features:

• Convenient, portable trim size 
• Book introductions connecting Christ to every book of the Bible 
• Concise Q&A style study notes on every page 
• Topical articles tackling more complex faith questions 
• Devotionals to help foster personal growth 
• “Learn, Love, Live” focused Q&A callouts

My Review:

Carefully designed and formatted to provide the best reading experience, this Teen Study Bible stands out as a perfect companion to teenagers eager to achieve a more in-depth understanding of the Scripture and explore the connection between God's Word and their everyday life.

My favorite feature of this Bible is the Q&A style study approach, which helps learners grasp the most important information about each section with ease and focus. The topical articles also take a Q&A format to address many of the pressing questions teens may raise during their study. For example, "Do I have to choose between the Bible and Science?", "How do we know God exists?" "How should we talk to non-Christians about Jesus?". I also like its inclusion of charts, maps and infographics to facilitate comprehension and memorization.

Well-made and well-organized with content written specifically for the younger generation, Teen Study Bible makes a worthy gift for every student by equipping them with the resources and guidance they need to search for truth in the Scripture. Order a copy here.

A Forest, A Family, A Harbor, A Home Virtual Tour: Review & Giveaway

What does HOME mean to you? What comes to mind when you hear that simple word? Author and artist Nikki McClure shares her perspective in her newly released picture book A Forest, A Family, A Harbor, A Home. Learn more and enter to win a hardcover copy!

My Review:

Filled with warmth, wonder and joy, A Forest, A Family, A Harbor, A Home tells a cozy, calming tale that evokes deep feelings about family, home, nature and adventure.

The story centers on a young boy living with his family in a forest. He enjoys hunting mushrooms in the woods and sipping hot cocoa with his parents when he returns home. As he grows older, he ventures into the harbor and further into the big city. The world outside the forest is fun to explore, yet home remains the place where he truly belongs, where he is always liked and loved.

Using simple language and delightful details of daily life, the narrative follows the protagonist's growth in a loving family that stays close to nature and wildlife. For many young readers, the child's experience is unique, fascinating and eye-opening. It demonstrates the joy of living in nature along with the thrill of adventure. More importantly, the story reminds readers of the significance of family and home as a constant source of love, peace, comfort and safety.

Besides its heartwarming messages, the book impresses the readers with its striking cut-paper artwork, which incorporates splashes of bright colors with symbolic meanings. Most notably, warm yellow hue fills all the home scenes to signify coziness. From fireplace and firewood to candles and oil lamps, the illustrations feature many interesting artifacts indicative of the family's lifestyle. Love and care between family members are reflected in such sweet memories as a warm hug, a hot meal and sharing chores. Meanwhile, the serenity and beauty of nature are neatly captured through vivid images of trees, waves, raindrops, and wild animals.

Beautifully written and creatively illustrated, A Forest, A Family, A Harbor, A Home is a charming read that sheds light on the true meaning of home. It encourages youngsters to love nature, celebrate growth and treasure their loved ones, including furry family members.

About the Book:

Ages: 4-8 | 48 Pages
Publisher: Norton Young Readers (2026) | ISBN-13: 978-1324125105

Gorgeously handcrafted, rooted in the nature and landscape of the Northwest, and threaded with the experience of child- and parenthood, A Forest, A Family, A Harbor, A Home is a rich and deeply felt meditation on the intimacy of home, the wonder of the world, and the magic of discovery.

Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Norton

Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal: Activity Book/Novel Study Virtual Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Looking for fun learning activities for the days leading up to Halloween? Check out the award-winning middle grade fantasy Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal and its companion Activity Book/Novel Study by Ryan Cowan. With 31 chapters and 31 days of standards-based activities — one for each day in October — this book set is designed to turn Halloween countdown into a month-long reading adventure. Enter to win signed copies and an exclusive t-shirt!

My Review:

Featuring excerpts from the novel, discussion prompts and open-ended questions based on academic standards and Bloom's Taxonomy, Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal: Activity Book/Novel Study is a carefully crafted companion book to Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal, which was reviewed here. Consisting of 31 lessons that correspond to 31 chapters of the novel, the activity book aims to help middle graders deepen their understanding of the story and its messages while sharpening their reading and writing skills.

Each lesson comes in the form of a set of reading comprehension exercises, which prompt students to read the novel closely, pay attention to details, make inferences, summarize main ideas, gather key information, understand the relationship between characters, and express their own opinions on relevant topics. As they try to complete these exercises, young readers learn to think logically, critically and creatively.

By focusing on open-ended questions, each reading comprehension exercise doubles as a writing exercise, which trains students to paraphrase the original narrative, organize their thoughts in writing, and provide details/evidence in support of their statements. The process of answering most of these questions is more or less similar to that of composing mini reaction essays. A considerable number of the questions actually teach about the art of writing fiction, encouraging young learners to explore how to build suspense, advance the plot, and use various literary techniques, by studying and analyzing examples from the novel.

As the perfect pair with the well-acclaimed Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal, the Activity Book/Novel Study offers a unique way to celebrate Halloween. The book set makes an excellent choice for homeschoolers, parents and educators looking to bring their middle schoolers' reading and writing skills to a whole new level.

About the Books:

Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal

Ages: 8-12 | 252 Pages
Publisher: For the Northern Star Publishing (2019) | ISBN-13: 979-8351181905 (Hardback) and 978-1097952779 (Paperback)

Elliott attends his third-grade class like any other boy, except that Elliott isn't like any other boy. Endowed with magical powers, Elliott belongs to a secret world called Moonstone—and trouble is brewing. When the evil witch Noir steals The Halloween Crystal, it's up to Elliott and his third-grade teacher, Mr. Moonbeam, to stop Noir from invading the non-magical world on Halloween night. But can Elliott learn to master his powers in time? Designed with 31 chapters so that parents, teachers, and students can read one chapter a day throughout the month of October!

Purchase Links: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal: Activity Book/Novel Study

Ages: 8-12 | 71 Pages
Publisher: For the Northern Star Publishing (2021) | ISBN-13: 979-8761758414

A Novel Study for Improving Reading Comprehension: This activity book includes a series of lessons designed to accompany the award-winning, middle grade book, Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal. The standards-based questions cover all levels of Bloom's Taxonomy and are appropriate for grades 3-5. Complete one lesson a day for 31 days leading up to Halloween!

Purchase links: Amazon | Teachers Pay Teachers

Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape Virtual Tour: Review & Giveaway

Are you curious about life on an aircraft carrier and what it takes to be the captain of such a giant ship? Get an inside look from Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape, picture book by Mark C. Fava. Enter to win a hardcover copy!

My Review:

Written by a retired U.S. Navy captain, Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape takes readers on a fun tour inside the Navy aircraft carrier, showcasing the day-to-day operations of the crew while shedding light on the qualities and responsibilities of a capable leader.

From dress code to daily routines, Admiral Andy introduces various aspects of living aboard the USS Shipshape and shares tips for leading his team with love and might. He shows how to keep the ship in good shape and what keeps the shipmates together so that they can stay on task and on track. His key message is loud and clear: strong character matters as much if not more than skill.

Taking the unique standpoint of a high-ranking Navy officer, the book portrays the aircraft carrier as a place marked with orderliness, discipline and teamwork, where members are valued for their punctuality, honesty, integrity, reliability, diligence, politeness and kindness. It not only educates young readers about the crew's duties, such as cleaning and maintaining the ship, but also encourages them to work hard, think ahead, always be prepared, keep their word, and show appreciation for a job well done.

On each spread, an important message is delivered through succinct sentences with rhyming words, and then summarized by the admiral into a brief, easy-to-follow directive, like "Don't be afraid to ask for help!" and "Be polite and always say 'please!'" This structure helps little ones grasp the gist of the lessons and take appropriate action. Plus, such speaking style fits the role and the character of the captain perfectly.

The book's realistic, lifelike pictures provide a substantial amount of details not covered in the narrative, bringing the vessel to life with a diverse crew of different genders and ethnic origins, as well as different types of aircraft, equipment and facilities their work involves. The inclusion of nautical flags and their meanings is a beautiful touch. Combined with Admiral Andy's introduction, the illustrations allow readers to get a glimpse of Navy life aboard an aircraft carrier.

Informative and instructive, Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape is an impressive character-building book for budding young leaders, especially those with a keen interest in aircraft, ships, U.S. Navy and adventures at sea.

About the Book:

Ages: 3+ | 32 Pages
Publisher: Mascot Kids (2026) | ISBN-13: 979-8-89138-803-1

Climb aboard the Navy aircraft carrier USS Shipshape with Andy the Admiral and his crew! This ocean adventure is packed full of fun and valuable lessons. Readers will discover that the best Shipmates — and the best friends — show kindness, good manners, honesty, and teamwork. Welcome aboard, Shipmates!

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