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

The Mystery of the Missing Falls: The Kingswell Kid Detectives Book 1 Virtual Tour: Review & Giveaway

Are you into searching for clues and cracking secret codes? Then you may enjoy reading The Mystery of the Missing Falls, debut book in The Kingswell Kid Detectives series coauthored by Jen Weaver and Gayle Veitenheimer. Enter to win one of five paperback copies!

My Review:

Creatively crafted by two Bible teachers, The Mystery of the Missing Falls is a page-turning, thought-provoking middle grade novel demonstrating the power of faith, family, friendship, kindness, teamwork and forgiveness.

Luka, a police officer's son, and Ember, a preacher's daughter, are cousins who share a passion for solving mysteries. Their town's oldest mystery seems to be the perfect first real case for their new detective agency, especially when cousins Jake and Callie from the Kingswell family become their first paying clients. With insider intel and the secret weapon of prayer, the Kingswell kid detectives get a head start in the contest for finding the missing waterfalls and hidden treasures. Unexpected challenges however, keep coming in their way. The clock is ticking. Can they unravel the puzzle before everyone else?

With relatable and likeable characters involved in an exciting, action-packed adventure, the story keeps young readers engaged as they follow the junior detectives' lead to gather clues, decipher coded messages, and explore the unknown. Each of the four main characters have their unique strengths and weaknesses. It's inspiring to see how they realize their mistakes, overcome their shortcomings, and grow together as a team. Their experience reminds readers of the importance of family, friends, kindness and teamplay. It also teaches practical investigative and problem-solving skills that could come in handy in our real-life adventures.

Woven into the mystery-solving challenge are common questions that children have regarding their relationship with God. Can each prayer be heard and answered? How can God's voice be recognized and distinguished from one's own imagination? The novel addresses these valid concerns by providing concrete examples through the characters' conversations and experiences. It hence prompts young readers to ponder over how they can connect and communicate with God on a deeper level.

Entertaining and heartwarming, The Mystery of the Missing Falls helps instill Christian values into children from an early age. Free from violence, villains and dark forces, it makes a delightful read for young mystery and sleuth lovers.

About the Book:

Ages: 8–12 | 192 Pages
Publisher: Kregel Publications (2026) | ISBN: 978-0825452864

Luka and Ember are ready to put their new detective agency on the map, and the town’s oldest unsolved mystery might be just the case to do it. When cousins Jake and Callie — who are at odds with each other — join the investigation, the young detectives set out to uncover the truth behind the missing falls, help mend an age-old family feud, and discover an unexpected tool along the way: prayer.

Blending high-stakes sleuthing and page-turning adventure with the questions kids really ask about God, The Mystery of the Missing Falls invites young readers to discover that prayer is more than talking to God — it’s part of an ongoing relationship with a God who speaks, listens, and meets them in everyday life.

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

Bella and Bird Explore Sadness Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

When you feel sad, would you like someone to sit beside you and help you process your emotions? Bella and Bird, the beloved emotion explorer duo, are back with more useful information and tools in Bella and Bird Explore Sadness, written by award-winning children's book author Dr. Deana Plaskon, who is also a licensed mental health counselor and equine-assisted therapist. Enter to win a signed copy, or all three books in the series!

My Review:

Inspired by real farm animals and real-life experiences, Bella and Bird Explore Sadness is the second installment in the Bella and Bird Emotion Explorers series. It shares healthy ways to manage sadness through a gentle, heartfelt and soothing story that may easily resonate with young readers struggling to handle their big feelings.

Seeing Molly sitting under a tree alone with a sad face, Bella offers to sit next to her in silence. Bird joins in with a tissue to let Molly wipe her tears. Feeling comforted, Molly opens up to talk about how she feels and what makes her feel that way. Bird shares his secret to feeling lighter, while Bella helps Molly clear her mind and find solutions. With tears turning into smiles, Molly learns a lot about expressing and navigating her emotions.

Bella, the wise, calm horse, and Bird, the humorous, chatty swallow, make a wonderful team of emotion explorers. Both kind and patient, they take thoughtful steps to cheer Molly up. Besides providing company and comfort, they reassure Molly that it's normal to feel sad at times and a good cry can help her feel better. Being honest about her true feelings is healthier than trying to hide them or suppress them. After knowing the cause of Molly's sadness, they encourage her to let out her feelings, change her mindset and explore better alternatives to the status quo.

Along with Molly, young readers learn to recognize, name and understand their emotions. They are informed about different kinds of sadness, simple and fun breathing techniques like feather breathing, as well as healthy emotional outlets like painting or drawing. Further, they are inspired to focus on positive thoughts, embrace emotions as signals for their underlying needs, and solve a problem by addressing its root cause.

The friendly conversations initiated by Bella or Bird with Molly suggest ways parents and educators may approach a youngster who needs guidance for emotion regulation. It's not always easy for adults to fully understand the triggers of a child's emotional responses, but as Bella and Bird demonstrate, they can at least be present, listen, and help untangle complex feelings through communication.

The charming nature-inspired artwork well complements the narrative by vividly depicting adorable animal characters with distinct personalities while expressively capturing the subtle changes in Molly's emotions as she gains knowledge and acquires new skills. Who wouldn't want friends like Bella and Bird to accompany their journey as emotion explorers?

Beautiful, meaningful and educational, Bella and Bird Explore Sadness exemplifies a valuable children's book that teaches emotional intelligence through an uplifting, relatable tale.

About the Book:

Ages: 5–10 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Bella and Bird Books (2026) | ISBN: 979-8987268452

Molly cried. She really cried. When Molly comes into the pasture, gloomy and sad, Bella, the wise horse, and Bird, the wisecracking barn swallow, step in to help. Together, the friends set out to explore why Molly is sad and offer valuable lessons and better ways to cope. By the time Molly leaves the pasture, she's gained new insights, is in better control of her feelings, and has tools to take along with her.

Bella and Bird Explore Sadness provides a foundation for readers to explore, understand, and effectively manage sadness, and serves as an invaluable tool for starting honest conversations about big emotions.

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