My New Book, Felicity and the Raccoons!

I'm so excited to announce that my lasted book, Felicity and the Raccoons has been published recently!

Felicity Sparrow and hr best friend Cairn have faced all sorts of dangers on the many adventures they've had togethere. But when thet two sparrows meet a couple of friendly young raccoons who talk about historical figures lik Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass as if they're alive right now, the sparrows aren't sure what to think! And when the raccoons claim that a famous person...from history needs help, Felicity and Carin realize that they're about to head off on their biggest adventure yet!

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Narrated by Patrick Stewart

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a delightful Christmas story and the version narrated by Patrick Stewart is very well done.

He doesn't narrate the novella word for word as it was written by Dickens, but focuses on the key scenes, keeping the richness of the original language. Patrick Stewart is a master at narrating, especially with a book like A Christmas Carol. Ebenezer Scrooge is a selfish, money hungry man who doesn't treat others very well, and sees people as only a means to get money. But when he's visted by his dead business partner Jacob Marley and three ghosts, The Ghost of Christmas Past, The Ghost of Christmas Present, and The Ghost of Christmas Future, Mr. Scrooge learns some things. He especially develops some empathy for Tiny Tim, the son of his employee Bob Cratchet, and realizes if Scrooge doesn't change his ways and increase Bob's salary, Tiny Tim will die. Tim's inclusion in the story was important in my opinion, because it is crucial for the readers to see that Scrooge's change to a better man wasn't just because of his fear for himself, but because of his compassion for Tim Cratchet and others. A Christmas Carol has 1800s language in it, so young kids might need some help understanding the vocabulary. Otherwise, it's a great story for kids as well as adults.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness is a powerful middle grade novel about a boy named Conor dealing with the pain of his mom's illness, his fear of her dying, and his guilt that he just wants her pain and his pain to endeven if it means losing her.

He doesn't know what to do to deal with his wish for the pain to end, and thinks it makes him a bad person. But along comes a giant monster formed out of a neighborhood yew tree to show him some tough love and realize certain things about himself. It's a great book with deep emotions that readers of all ages can connect to.

Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great by Judy Blume

Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great by Judy Blume was a favorite book of mine growing up, and I listened to it on audiobook recently.

Sheila is an interesting girl, scared of dogs, but afraid to admit it. Her family goes to Tarrytown, New York for the summer, the neighboring town of the famous Sleepy Hollow made famous by Washington Irving's story. She meets and makes friends, but one drawback for her is that she's too scared to admit she can't do things, like yo yo, or that she's scared of things, like swimming. Will Sheila be able to get over this flaw by the end of summer? Read the book and find out!