Peer Pressure vs True Friends by Dr. Orly Katz

     Children have questions once they get into junior high.  How do I deal with peer pressure? How do I find true friends?   How do I set boundaries?  And how do I deal with gossip and rumors? We as parents may be able to answer one or two of these questions but not in a way children can relate to.  This book breaks each question down for the children and gives them the tools to work through it all.  Examples are given so children can relate to the question they are working on. Parents should read this before or with your children so you understand the book.  

     I love books that teach children. This is one. It breaks things down into relatable and understandable parts. It gives them a way of working through each section.  This is one I have my own children working through and they are doing much better at handling things at school.  Dr. Orly Katz covers issues most parents don't know how to break down and explain to their children. It is one your house needs. I highly recommend it. 

     I found no issues with this one.

      I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because it should be part of the parents handbook. 

Passions, Strengths and Self Esteem: The Extensive Guide to Surviving Jr. High by Dr. Orly Katz

     Remember Junior High? The things people said. The things they did.  Are your children going through junior high now? Are they afraid of being laughed at? Of being picked on?  This manual is fantastic for helping kids figure out how to be themselves.  Given the keys and tools, children can figure out who they are inside and be able to stand up for themselves. Exercises, helpful tips, quizzes and questionnaires, along with a personal journal guide children in the way to find out about themselves.

     This series of books is wonderfully helpful! Children will be able to figure out why their peers do and say the things they do.  I found it to be done in a fun style and it's easy to understand.  My own children enjoyed it once they got into it. I do suggest you read it with your child or before your child so you know what they will be dealing with.  It's amazing.  Well written and such a terrific tool.  This one helps in areas where parents aren't sure how to approach them. 

     I found no issues with this one.

     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because it's a teaching tool worth it's weight in gold.

After The Evil by Cary Allen Stone

     Detective Jake Roberts is having a really tough time. He's been shot and he shot and killed a young woman.  Handling this hasn't been easy, but he's trying.  While he's dealing with his issues, there is a killer working overtime.  This killer has crossed federal lines and so the FBI is involved.  Jake knew it meant Mika Scott would be in town.   
     They nickname the killer the "Who's Your Daddy Killer".  Controlling men of authority seem to be dying way to often.  Mika Scott and Jake Roberts, along with Jake's department,are working the case to stop the killings.  Question is, will they stop the killer before they strike again?

     This is a chilling, page turning thriller! Extremely well written and characters so relatable you'll be sure they live in your neighborhood.  I absolutely LOVE this book.  I'm not usually impressed with thriller/mystery type books, but this one is a must read.  I could feel my skin crawling as each murder took place. I was unsettled by how easily the killer got away. It's simply an amazing read.  You'll enjoy the side stories as much as the main one. You need to put this one at the top of your TBR pile.

     I found no issues with this one.

     I gave this one 5 cheers out of  5 because it really is that good. 

Busy Dizzy by Dr. Orly Katz

       A typical day at school, probably the first week or so, and Miss Young has problems.  Her students seem to be very quiet.  She even has one little girl who cries when her mother drops her off. Miss Young knows exactly what's happening though. It's the bizzy dizzies.  

     I LOVE THIS BOOK! Dr. Katz has developed a wonderful book for teachers and parents who have little ones just beginning school or preschool.  It's a way of explaining those little voices in their head, you know the ones, they say we're unhappy or scared, we're lonely or frightened?  You and your littles will love this book. I'm sure it will be one you read many, many times.  I enjoyed the fact it gave a name to those feelings. I know littles will have fun with it.  I recommend this to parents and teachers alike.  It's a terrific tool, use it!

     I found no issues with this one.

     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because I wish I'd had it when my teens were young.  It's the perfect tool. 

Snapshots by Mehreen Ahmed

     A journey to four continents.  The days captured in diary-like fashion for us to enjoy. We see history come alive as we visit each place.  Speaking to locals gives us an even bigger picture of what happened in each area.  Though crowded with modern buildings, cars and fashions, the past peeks through and allows us a chance to once again see it as it once was. The air comes alive with past glories. Let's join the trip.

     Ms Ahmed does a wonderful job of recounting history and the modern aspects of each area we visit.  Well written, it puts you in the spot as if you were walking along side Ms Ahmed.  There are even some excerpts concerning Islamic history. I could hear the music and see the fashions of each period as I read. I  enjoyed being able to see these areas in history.  The travel and food listed made me feel as though I'd been there myself.  A perfect read whether you're traveling to these places or not.

     I found no issues with this one. 

     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because I was swept away in the romance and splendor of each area. 

     

Nella A Ballpark Worker by Candace Taylor Johnson

     Nella is a design student looking for work.  She needs to pay her tuition and her bills.  She finds a job at the ballpark working with the uniforms.  She enjoys her job very much and meets several of the ball players.  Then things take a turn for the worse when she sleeps with the most popular player.

     This book was a difficult read. It's very Dick and Jane like in it's writing and shows no emotion.  It's very bland and unexciting no matter what happens. I do NOT recommend this book.  It needs much work before I would classify it as a book.

     I gave this one 1 cheer out of 5 because it's so flat. 

The Wizard In Wonderland by Ron Glick

     Ever wonder what happened after Dorothy and Toto went home?  They are now living in Oz with Aunty Em and the rest of the family.  Oz is different now too.  It's still the beautiful place you remember but the wicked witches are no longer active.  Everyone lives in peace.. or so it would seem.  News travels to Oz of a wicked witch searching for Dorothy.  Dorothy, however, is searching for the wizard. He seems to have just disappeared.  While looking for him, Dorothy and Alice, from wonderland, meet.  Things get quite mixed up from there.  Alice ends up in Oz and Dorothy in Wonderland.  Each girl must try to adapt and figure out how to get home from where they are.  

     A mix of Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz, this book will keep you on your toes.  Well written and the lovely twist of two classics melding into one book, make this a fun read.   Interestingly enough, this twist works.  It gives the reader a chance to imagine what it would be like to be in Dorothy or Alice's shoes.  Mr. Glick does a fantastic job of staying true to both stories while adding a few of his own characters.  I enjoyed this one.  It felt like I'd been dropped, with Dorothy, into Wonderland and with Alice, into Oz.  I was once again twelve years old and reading two of my favorite books. 

     I did find it a bit confusing at times because there is so much going on. I felt it worked out in the end though.

     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because it's an enjoyable read for all ages.