Starting a Micro Business by Carol Topp

With unemployment rates high, the teen population is finding it harder and harder to find work. Adults are competing for the same minimum wage jobs. But there’s an alternative—starting a micro business. What is a micro business? It is a very small, one-person business that you can start easily and quickly with what you already know or own. No money needed, low risk and no debt! Students can spend as much time running a micro business as they wish and can even close it down during busy times. The best advantage for teens to own a micro business is that it not only brings in extra cash (often more than imagined), but students end up learning a great deal about business, money and themselves. It may lead to an entrepreneurial life or at the very least, prepare students for higher learning opportunities.

Starting a Micro Business will help teenagers earn money while learning how to start their own business. A micro business is simple to start, usually home-based, low risk, educational and easy for a busy student to run. This book offers ideas, a business plan, starting with no debt, pitfalls to avoid and resources to get a teenager started making money running their own micro business.

Carol Topp, CPA advises teenage business owners though her Micro Business for Teens book series. Carol’s day job is accountant to business owners, and she enjoys teaching teenagers to succeed beyond their dreams. Students appreciate how she shares what they need to know in clear and helpful lessons. Her website is MicroBusinessForTeens.com

Spring Cleaning: A Time For a Teenager to Make Money
by Carol Topp

Here are some ideas for a micro business a teenager can start this spring:

• House cleaning: Offer to tackle large jobs like washing windows, moving furniture, etc. Many people are grateful for a young, strong teenager to help them with heavy lifting. What is easy for you might be very difficult for them, especially if they are an older person.
• Routine house cleaning: Some customers need regular house cleaning and may hire you on a weekly or monthly basis. Don't wait for them to ask: offer to come weekly or twice a month and see what they say.
• Attic cleaning: Offer to help people do a job that they put off, such as cleaning an attic.
• Garage cleaning: A big job that can earn you big bucks!
• Yard cleanup: Offer to trim bushes, pull weeds, plant flowers and spread mulch to spruce up a yard.
• Car and van cleaning: People spend a lot of time in their automobiles and their cars and vans need frequent cleaning. Melissa gladly paid to get her van cleaned inside and out every week because her four children could really make a mess in it. You can make some cash by offering to clean a van inside and out.
• Organize. Organize a house, playroom or garage. Charge the customer for any bins, tubs and labels that you purchase for them and then add on the value of your time. Take before and after photos to use on your advertising fliers.
• Declutter: Do you love HGTV shows on organization? You might be able to find someone to hire you to declutter their house like you see on TV.
• Garage sales: Advertise, organize and run a garage sale for your neighbors. Get several neighbors to participate together and really earn the bucks!
• eBay sales: Offer to sell your neighbors' stuff on eBay and take a cut for yourself. Combine the decluttering, garage sale and eBay tasks into a full package to help your customers profit from their excess stuff.

(This is an excerpt from Carol's article. Full article available at docstoc.com)

One lucky commenter here on my blog will have their name entered in a GRAND PRIZE drawing to win a COMPLETE SET of Carol Topp’s Micro Business for Teens series!

Starting a Micro Business ISBN: 978-0-09829245-0-1 Retail price: $9.95

Running a Micro Business ISBN: 978-0-09829245-1-8 Retail price: $9.95

Money and Taxes in a Micro Business ISBN: 978-0-09829245-3-2 Retail price: $9.95

The Micro Business for Teens Workbook ISBN: 978-0-09829245-2-5 Retail price: $14.95

The Pirate Daughter’s Promise by Molly Evangeline

Several weeks ago, I received an e-mail from a homeschool graduate, inviting me to review a book she had written.  I had never heard of Molly Evangeline before – but, being the homeschool mom of a 17-year-old aspiring author, I was intrigued.  I knew that Ashley would be as well. 

Now, I must say that Ashley and I are not big fans of pirates and pirate stories.  She has seen Pirates of the Caribbean – I have not.  So, when I saw the book description, I wasn’t sure if this book would be a good fit for either of us.  However, something prompted me to reply to Molly in the affirmative. 

Orphaned at a young age, Skylar McHenry grew up as little more than a servant and shunned by everyone around her because of her reputation as a pirate's daughter. Each day Skye faces is marked by some new struggle. Her only hope is to rely on her heavenly Father's care and comfort and the solace of her best friend, Will, who has become more than dear to her.

Just when an unexpected encounter gives Skye a small glimmer of hope that things might change in her favor, her world is shattered. She is awakened in the night by cannon blasts. Pirates storm the orphanage, drag her away, and force her aboard their ship. The cruel captain's intentions are clear. He will extract from her, through any means necessary, the location of the treasure hidden by her father. For Skye to divulge the location would mean breaking the last promise she made to him. She's certain she never will, but what happens when the lives of those dearest to her are at stake?

The Pirate Daughter's Promise is full of daring high seas adventure; sweet, wholesome romance; surprising discoveries; unlikely new friends; and the rewards of trusting in God even when life seems impossible.

You can learn more about Molly here, or by visiting her blog.  The Pirate Daughter’s Promise is the first in a series of 4 books, called the Pirates & Faith Series. 

These books are all available on Amazon.com and are also available for the Kindle.

I passed this book along to Ashley when it arrived, not sure at all what her thoughts might be.  I was pleasantly surprised.  I’ll let her take over from here ---

Ashley’s 2 cents . . .  Mom got this book for me to review and I wasn’t sure what to expect of it. Because, well, I’ve never really been interested in pirates. At all.

So when I saw the book, I was kind-of reluctant to read the book. I let it sit in my room and wait to be read. Eventually, I picked it up and started to read.

And I was really surprised.

As soon as I started it, I couldn’t put it down! It surprised me. It had suspense, romance, a little bit of sword-fighting, everything that people want to read in a book.

I didn’t want it to end! I wanted it to keep going on. As with any good book, they end way too soon.

I recommend this book to any teenager! If you like romance, suspense, pirates, you’ll like this book! It had such a great mix of everything you would want in a book.

I hope to read the next books in this series, as soon as I can get a hold of them.

Save The Date by Jenny B. Jones

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingSave The DateThomas Nelson (February 1, 2011)byJenny B. Jones

You’re invited to the engagement of the most unlikely couple of the year.

When the funding for Lucy’s non-profit job is pulled, she is determined to find out why. Enter Alex Sinclair, former professional football star and heir of Sinclair Enterprises—the primary donor to Lucy’s Saving Grace organization. Alex Sinclair has it all . . . except for the votes he needs to win his bid for Congress. Both Lucy and Alex have something the other wants. Despite their mutual dislike, Alex makes Lucy a proposition: pose as his fiancée in return for the money she desperately needs. Bound to a man who isn’t quite what he seems, Lucy finds her heart – and her future – on the line.

Save the Date is a spunky romance that will have readers laughing out loud as this dubious pair try to save their careers, their dreams . . . and maybe even a date.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Save The Date, go HERE.

I write Christian fiction with a few giggles, quite a bit of sass, and lots of crazy. My novels include the Katie Parker Production series and So Not Happening. I would also like to take credit for Twilight , but somewhere I think I read you’re not supposed to lie.

When I’m not typing my heart out (or checking email), I teach at a super-sized high school in Arkansas.
My students are constantly telling me how my teaching changes their lives and turned them away from drugs, gangs, and C-SPAN.
Okay, that’s not exactly true.

Some facts that are true include:
I've always been refined!
A. I got my camera confiscated by big boys with guns at the American Embassy in Europe this past summer. O la la!
B. I once worked in a seed mill office and cleaned out mice on a regular basis. Ew.
C. I’m a former drama teacher.
D. I didn’t pass my drivers test the first time. Or the second…
E. I attract stray animals like a magnet.
F. I used to assemble and test paint ball guns for a local factory...

Since my current job leaves me with very little free time, I believe in spending my spare hours in meaningful, intellectual pursuits such as:
-watching E!
-updating my status on Facebook
-catching Will Ferrell on YouTube and
-writing my name in the dust on my furniture

I’d love to hear about you, so drop me a note. Or check me out on Facebook.

Ashley’s 2 cents . . . I’ve always had high expectations when it comes to Jenny B. Jones. I have read many of her books in the past – The Katie Parker Series and Just Between You and Me – and have loved all of them. So when this book came in the mail, I took it before Mom could even get her hands on it.

Just like I expected, this story caught my attention and I loved it right away. It’s  a GREAT book that I recommend to everyone who loves to read. I’m sure that you’ll find this book worth your while.

Jenny B. Jones never disappoints. :)

*** Ashley got mentioned on Jenny’s blog – you can see it here.

Heidi Says . . . Ashley’s right – Jenny doesn’t disappoint.  I finished this book last night and I loved it too.  She has a style of writing that is just so down-to-earth and fun to read – it’s REAL.  I appreciate that.  You feel like you’re reading a story about your next door neighbor or your best friend (and you quickly become friends with the characters in her books).  I found myself cheering for Lucy right on through, and was very pleased with the story’s ending.

Yes, as always, we recommend Jenny B. Jones. 

The College Planner by Carolina Pad & a GIVEAWAY

I love school supplies!  Don’t think that just because we homeschool, we don’t still go shopping for school supplies, because we do.  And, since they are a weakness of mine, I don’t usually say “no” when the girls ask for things like pencils and notebooks, etc.  We find that, over and over again, we end up with products from Carolina Pad (because their products are oh! so trendy and fun!)

Recently, Ashley and I were introduced to a new product by Carolina Pad – their 17 Essentials College Planner.  Ashley hasn’t yet decided what she wants to do after high school, which means that we’re not 100% sure about college yet.  However, is not being sure an excuse for not making plans?  I think not!  I’m a major planner, so I’d rather make the plans and then not need them, rather than the other way around.

Carolina Pad teamed up with Seventeen Magazine to create a “stylish and functional all-in-one filing system to keep your application process in order and on track.”  Here’s the planner that we received to review ===>

Cute, huh?  The other style available is also black & white, but with hot pink.  Both are great options for girls, but I’m wondering if they’re planning to creating some more masculine styles (as I can’t see many boys flocking to these 2). 

In any case, when you open the binder, you have an expandable file on the left-hand side.  This picture doesn’t really do it justice, but imagine if I were to lift up that lime green flap – under it are 4 separate pockets, with clear tabbed dividers.  This section would be great for holding all those extra, loose papers that you collect.

On the right-hand side, you see the cover page.  Carolina Pad has designed this planner JUST FOR YOU.  As a planner creator myself, this is important to me.  I love that they have put this planner in a 3-ring binder.  That way, if there are forms that you absolutely don’t need, you can remove them.  Likewise, if there’s something they’ve forgotten to include (I doubt it, but you never know), you can add forms and papers to it as well. 

There are 8 tabbed dividers in the back.  It is recommended that you use these to file applications BY COLLEGE.  Another use would be to label the various sections in the planner and tab those sections.  There is an included page of 42 color-coordinated labels to use with these tabs.  See?  They thought of everything!

The front few pages of the planner contain a “college planning  timeline” which suggests what you need to do during your Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years of high school.  This section is followed up by personal information and a blank college planning calendar (you fill in the months and dates).  There are forms for recording test scores, scholarships, grants, and loans, etc.  There are even blank pages for essay brainstorming! 

In the back, there are repeated pages, to use for the various colleges you apply to.  These page are for general information, estimated costs, visit notes, and interview notes.   Oh, and don’t forget deadlines!

Both Ashley and I would recommend this planner to anyone who is college bound (again, it will probably appeal much more to girls). 

Would you like to win one?

Carolina Pad has graciously offered an additional copy of the 17 Essentials College Planner for me to give away to one of my readers. 

If you would like to win, please leave a comment telling me what appeals to you (or your student) about this planner. 

For additional entries, you may do any/all of the following (please be sure to leave the required number of comments for each entry):

• Visit Carolina Pad on Facebook (1 entry)
• Visit the NEW Studio C by Carolina Pad Facebook page (1 entry)
• Follow Carolina Pad on Twitter (1 entry)
• Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect (1 entry)
• Follow ME on Twitter (1 entry)
• Share about this contest on your blog, with a link back to this post (3 entries)
• Tweet about this contest with a link back (be sure to use hashtag @carolinapad) (2 entries)
• Post about this contest on your Facebook page with a link back (2 entries)

And a few more, just for fun:

• Share a funny college memory of your own (1 entry)
• Tell me what college you/your child is most interested in attending and why (1 entry)

This contest will be open until noon (est) on Monday, November 15th (Ashley’s birthday!)  At that time, we’ll do a random drawing to select our winner.  This contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada ONLY.  (Individuals who have won a prize package from Carolina Pad in the last 90 days are not eligible to win.)

NOTE: I received a free copy of the 17 Essentials College Planner from Carolina Pad in order for me to write this post.  The thoughts and photographs included above are my own.  I was not compensated in any other way. 

Win an autographed copy of Price of Truth by Susan Marlow HERE!

Since we started our homeschool journey many years ago, we’ve had opportunity to get to know some amazing people.  Some come into our lives for a season, others are here to stay!  Such has been the case with author Susan Marlow.  I met Susan years ago, when I first started working for TOS as the E-Book Reviews Specialist in the Schoolhouse Store and when we both blogged at HSB.  My daughter Ashley has taken Susan’s writing class – Reach for the Stars – not once, but twice!  My daughter Gracie appears on the cover of Book 4 of the Circle C Adventures – San Francisco Smugglers.

We’ve not yet had opportunity to meet Susan in person, yet we all consider her a friend – and long for the day when our paths might cross! 

  

We are HUGE fans of Susan’s Circle C Adventure series and Ashley, Gracie, and I have all been quoted with endorsements in the books.  So, it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to book 6 in this wonderful series – Price of Truth . . .

Andi wants to surprise her mother with the perfect birthday gift. But working in town after school puts Andi in the wrong place at the wrong time. She witnesses a back-alley crime that places a beloved citizen at the scene. Will the price of telling the truth about what she saw be too high if it means losing Taffy forever?

 

If you’ve read the other books in the series, then you’ll definitely want to add Price of Truth to your collection.  If not, each book in the series works just fine as a stand-alone, so you can start with any book and easily relate to the characters. 

Andi Carter is one of my all-time favorite  book characters.  She is adventurous and fun-loving and always manages to pull herself out of her various scrapes with grace and a good attitude.  She’s a role model that you’ll pleased to introduce your  children to.  Though a female character, even your sons will enjoy reading about Andi’s adventures as she’s got a great deal of tomboy in her and finds herself in some interesting situations!

Be sure to check out the Circle C website for information on purchasing these great books (buy the whole set and save!)  While there, you’ll want to check out the FREE enrichment study guides available for each book.  All parents love these, but especially homeschool parents who are always looking for ways to expand the learning! 

I have one autographed copy of
Price of Truth
to give away!

Would YOU like to win?

Leave me a comment telling me what appeals to you about this book, or this series.  All entries will go into a random drawing and one winner will be selected at noon next Thursday, the 30th. 

Want more ways to win?  Do any/all of the following.  Be sure to leave a separate comment for each thing that you do, please.  (more comments = more chances to win).

• Post about this contest on your blog with a link back to this post.  (leave 3 comments for this)
• Post about this contest on your FB page with a link back to this post.
• Tweet about this contest.
• Follow my blog.
• Follow Heidi’s Reviews & Reflections on FB.
• Like the Circle C Adventure Series on FB (while there, check out the soon-to-be released Circle C Beginnings series for younger readers!)
• Follow me on Twitter.
• If you’ve read this series of books, tell me which book is your favorite, and why.
• Visit the Circle C website and tell me one thing you learned from the website.
• Put my blog button in your sidebar.

That’s 13 chances to win! Good luck!

The World of Chemistry by John Hudson Tiner

Chemistry is an amazing branch of science that affects us every day, yet few people realize it, or even give it much thought. Without chemistry, there would be nothing made of plastic, there would be no rubber tires, no tin cans, no television, no microwave ovens, or something as simple as wax paper.

This book presents an exciting and intriguing tour through the realm of chemistry as each chapter unfolds with facts and stories about the discoveries and discoverers. Find out why pure gold is not used for jewelry or coins. Join Humphry Davy as he made many chemical discoveries, and learn how they shortened his life. See how people in the 1870s could jump over the top of the Washington Monument.

Exploring the World of Chemistry brings science to life and is a wonderful learning tool with many illustrations, biographical information, chapter tests, and an index for easy referencing.

160 pages • 8 1/2 x 11 • Paperback • Includes Black & White illustrations

Other books in this series can be found here.

Heidi Says . . . This book came to us at exactly the right time.  My 16 year old daughter and I were plugging away at chemistry and wondering why in the world we were wasting our time!  John Hudson Tiner’s Exploring the World of Chemistry actually makes sense!  Now, we not only know why people study chemistry, but we also understand how various things are made. We learned how chemistry ties in with a lot of the things that we are using in our day-to-day lives.  And, guess what?  We’re pretty amazed by chemistry now!

If you’re trudging along through chemistry with no end in sight, I’d highly recommend adding this book as a supplement to whatever chemistry curriculum you are using.  It’s very simple to read, there are black and white illustrations throughout, and each (short) chapter concludes with a question section (these work great for quizzes). 

I will definitely consider adding more books in this series to our school shelves in the future.

Start Here by Alex and Brett Harris

At the age of eighteen, Alex and Brett Harris wrote Do Hard Things—and launched a movement that would change a generation. Young people around the world were ready to be inspired, ready to move beyond complacency, ready to rebel against society’s low expectations.
Now the highly anticipated companion book, Start Here, answers the questions Alex and Brett have received from thousands of teens on their worldwide conference tour and popular online community: How do I get started? What hard things does God want me to do? How do I keep from getting discouraged or burned out? What is the best way to inspire others?
Filled with stories and insights from Alex, Brett, and other real-life rebelutionaries, Start Here is a powerful and practical guide for young people who are ready to take the next step and blast past apathy. Let the rebelution continue.
Alex and Brett Harris are the coauthors of the best-selling book Do Hard Things, which they wrote at age eighteen. Today the twins speak regularly to audiences of thousands on The Rebelution Tour, maintain a hugely popular online presence through their blog, TheRebelution.com, and have been featured on CNN, MSNBC, NPR, and in the New York Times. Raised in Portland, Oregon, the brothers currently attend Patrick Henry College in Virginia.
  I have not had time to so much as pick up this book.  The past few weeks have been out of my control, with Sue’s sickness, hospitalization, and going home to heaven.  This book arrived on my doorstep in the midst of all of that, so there just hasn’t been time to read through it.  For that reason, my review isn’t very educated!
I will say, though, that we LOVED Do Hard Things at our house!  So much so that we ordered the audio version, along with enough copies of the hardback book to give out to all of our junior and senior high Sunday School students.  We went through it over a course of many weeks, and I know that it made an impact on the kids (even if some of them wouldn’t want to admit it).  I firmly believe that Do Hard Things should be required reading by EVERY SINGLE “teenager” in the U.S. 
With that being said, I’m very excited about Start Here and can’t wait to make the time to read it now that things are starting to slow down around here.  Ashley, too, is anxious to see what Alex & Brett have to say in this follow-up to Do Hard Things.  I think that we will work through this new book together so that we can discuss what we are reading.  Maybe we’ll make it a school project!
We no longer work in youth ministry; but I plan to introduce both of these books to the youth leaders at the church we are currently attending.  I hope Alex & Brett are planning to continue their writing, as their books are an amazing ministry to youth (and those who love them!) 
For more information or to purchase, click here.
This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Goodbye Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Sampson

 It is October 11th, and FIRST is doing a special tour to 'Say Goodbye to Hollywood Nobody'.
Today's feature author is: LISA SAMSON
and her book: Goodbye Hollywood Nobody
NavPress Publishing Group (September 15, 2008)

Lisa Samson is the author of twenty books, including the Christy Award-winning Songbird. Apples of Gold was her first novel for teens These days, she's working on Quaker Summer, volunteering at Kentucky Refugee Ministries, raising children and trying to be supportive of a husband in seminary. (Trying . . . some days she's downright awful. It's a good thing he's such a fabulous cook!) She can tell you one thing, it's never dull around there. Other Novels by Lisa: Hollywood Nobody, Finding Hollywood Nobody, Romancing Hollywood Nobody, Straight Up, Club Sandwich, Songbird, Tiger Lillie, The Church Ladies, Women's Intuition: A Novel, Songbird, The Living End Visit her at her website. Product Details List Price: $12.99 Paperback: 192 pages Publisher: NavPress Publishing Group (September 15, 2008) Language: English ISBN-10: 1600062229 ISBN-13: 978-1600062223


 AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Monday, July 11, 6:30 a.m. I awaken to a tap on my shoulder and open my eye. My right eye. See, these days it could be one of four people: Charley, Dad, Grampie, or Grammie. “’Morning, dear!” Grammie. Oh well, might as well go for broke. I open the other eye. “Did you sleep well?” I shake my head and reach for my cat glasses. “Nope. I kept dreaming about Charley in Scotland.” We sent her off with her new beau, the amazing Anthony Harris, two days ago. “I imagined a road full of sheep chasing her down.” “That would be silly. They would have to know she hates lamb chops.” Grammie sits on my bed. Yes, my bed. In their fabulous house. In my own wonderful room, complete with reproductions of the Barcelona chair and a platform bed of gleaming sanded mahogany. I burrow further into my white down comforter. I sweat like a pig at night, but I don’t care. A real bed, a bona fide comforter, and four pillows. Feather pillows deep enough to sink the Titanic in. She pats my shoulder, her bangled wrists emitting the music of wooden jewelry. “Up and at ’em, Scotty. Your dad wants to be on the road by seven thirty.” “I need a shower.” “Hop to it then.” Several minutes later, I revel in the glories of a real shower. Not the crazy little stall we have in the TrailMama, which Dad gassed up last night for our trip to Maine. Our trip to find Babette, my mother. Is she dead or alive? That’s what we’re going to find out. It’s complicated. The warm water slides over me from the top of my head on down, and I’ve found the coolest shampoo. It smells like limeade. I kid you not. It’s the greatest stuff ever. Over breakfast, Grampie sits down with us and goes over the map to make certain Dad knows the best route. My father sits patiently, nodding as words like turnpike, bypass, and scenic route roll like a convoy out of Grampie’s mouth. Poor Grampie. Dad is just the best at navigation and knows everything about getting from point A to point B, but I think Grampie wants to be a part of it. He hinted at us all going in the Beaver Marquis, their Luxury-with-a-capital-L RV, but Dad pretended not to get it. Later, Dad said to me, “It’s got to be just us, Scotty. I love my mother and father, but some things just aren’t complete-family affairs.” “I know. I think you’re right. And if it’s bad . . .” He nods. “I’d just as soon they not be there while we fall apart.” Right. So then, I hop up into our RV, affectionately known as the TrailMama, Dad’s black pickup already hitched behind. (Charley’s kitchen trailer is sitting on a lot in storage at a nearby RV dealership, and good riddance. I’m hoping Charley never needs to use that thing again.) “Want me to drive?” He laughs. Yep. I still don’t have my license. Man. But it’s been such a great month or so at the beach. So, okay, I don’t tan much really, but I do have a nice peachy glow. I’ll take it. And Grampie grilled a lot, and Grammie helped me sew a couple of vintage-looking skirts, and I’ve learned the basics of my harp. I jump into the passenger’s seat, buckle in, and look over at my dad. “You really ready for this?” My heart speeds up. This is the final leg of a very long journey, and what’s at the end of the path will determine the rest of our lives. He looks into my eyes. “Are you?” “I don’t know,” I whisper. “But we don’t really have a choice, do we?” “I can go alone.” I shake my head. “No, Dad. Whatever we do, whatever happens from here on out, we do it together.” “Deal.”

I love, love, love these books!  You can see my reviews of the other books in this series by clicking on the Hollywood Nobody links in my left-hand sidebar (listed under Teen & Young Adult books).  No, I'm not a "teen", nor can I even be referred to as a "young adult" anymore; but these books are the B.E.S.T.
Lisa Samson has a real talent for writing books that are appealing to a wide age range of readers.  My 14-year old daughter has read these  books and loves them as much (or maybe even more, if that's possible) as I do.  She definitely writes in such a way to attract teens; but us moms and young-at-hearts will enjoy these books as well.  If you haven't yet met Scotty Dawn, I would highly encourage you to get to know her through these books.  I hope that Lisa will continue writing to this age, and that we'll see more Young Adult Fiction series by her in the near future.  Otherwise, I will totally go into Scotty Withdrawal.
Having read all 4 books in this series, I have become extremely attached to Scotty and I can't believe this series of books has come to an end.  I feel like I've lost a best friend, though I'm so happy for the life that Scotty has found for herself, and the fact that she is no longer a "nobody".  I'm just really, really going to miss her.  I'm just sayin'.......

Circle C book 4

In the past, I have prided myself on giving very honest reviews.  When I love something, I tell you and I hope that you can read my enthusiasm.  When there's something about a book or product that I'm not too crazy about, I tell you that too, while trying to add in some balance and appreciate that others will have differing opinions and like things that I don't care for.
However, for about a week now, I've been wondering how to present this book to you - it's the latest in the Circle C Adventure series by my friend Susan Marlow.  I mean, seriously, how can a mother be unbiased about a book when her daughter is on the cover?!  Yep, that's my Gracie up there - the little one on the right - looking so sad and in need of help. 
So rather than trying to write a typical Reviews by Heidi review, first of all I'm just going to say BUY THIS BOOK!  Why?  Well, not just because my baby's on the cover, but because this is the BEST CIRCLE C BOOK YET!  We know because the girls and I received the manuscript of this book from Susan many months ago and we could barely put that thing down until we read to the end.  I loved this one  because it has true, historical facts mixed in with the traditional Andi Carter fiction; and the storyline just really melted my heart.
We each got to write an endorsement for this book, so I'll share them with you here:
Ashley says "I have read all of Andrea Carter's adventures and this one is my favorite! This book was so interesting that I had trouble putting it down between chapters. I liked the San Francisco setting and the fact that the story line was based on historical events."
Gracie says "I liked this book because it was interesting and exciting. I really liked hearing about the little Chinese girls in this story. I kept asking my mom to read more and more."
And I say "Susan Marlow has done it again! in Andrea Carter and the San Francisco Smugglers, Susan proves that Andi's adventures aren't limited to the ranch. In San Francisco, Andi finds new challenges that she meets head-on with her usual sass and spunk. Through it all, she remains true to her family values and Christian principles, and continues to be a character that young girls can relate to and admire."
Yes, as you can tell, we've come to love Susan and her books.  You will too!  If you've never read any of Susan's books, I would encourage you to pick them up and share them with your kids (boys will enjoy them too).  You can purchase them at the Schoolhouse Store, or ask for them at your local Christian bookstore.

The Light Across the River

Several months ago, I had the opportunity to review a great book by Stephanie Reed called Across the Wide River.  If you didn't read my review, click on the book's title to check that out.  If you haven't read the book, I would encourage you to do so.
Lucky for me, I had the opportunity to preview Stephanie's newest book, The Light Across the River, which is a sequel to Across the Wide River.  This book continues the saga of the Rankin family and the underground railroad;  this time highlighting young Johnny Rankin (one of Lowry's younger brothers).  It seems young Johnny can't keep a secret, though he longs in the worst way to help his family in their quest to free runaway slaves.  Johnny's father sees something in young Johnny and decides to trust him with a big job~ helping to transport Eliza and her baby to the next stop on the Underground Railroad.  (If you've ever read the classic Uncle Tom's Cabin, then you're already familiar with Eliza's story.)
I must say that I enjoyed this book even more than its predecessor!  It captured my interest from the  very beginning and held it straight through to the end.  Stephanie tells this tale in the third person, but you get both Johnny's and Eliza's perspectives;  and it's all extremely interesting, intriguing, and exciting.
If you've read the first, you must read the second.  If you haven't read either of these books yet, you're missing out!  Though fictionalized, these would make a great addition to any study of 1800's America~ especially one related to the slaves and/or the Underground Railroad.  The publisher (Kregel) classifies these books as "Juvenille Fiction"~ that may be so, but I promise that you adults will love these books too (I know I do)!

That Sinking Feeling by Janyre Tromp

There was nothing I could do to help the paramedics or my dad, and I couldn't face what I'd done...I'd wanted to be the hero...the one to save the city from a rash of burglariesto be famous for breaking the story. But none of that mattered. Not anymore. I'd disobeyed my dad and almost killed my best friend in the process.

Audrey Barringer really does try to be a "good kid." But with a bratty, overly perfect little sister and a brain-twisting burglary case that points to her best friend's family, there's no way this firecracker is going to stay out of trouble. That Sinking Feeling not only explores the fascinating underwater world as Audrey and her best friend, Max, dive for clues, it also shows what it means to be a good friend and one of God's children. Recommended for ages 8 to 12.

My thoughts:  Ashley was originally supposed to be the "reviewer" of  this  book.  But, she just couldn't seem to get "into" it.  So, I decided to pick it up and give it a try.  I did find it a  bit "slow" at first and can see why the first chapter or so didn't hold her interest.  But, goodness, once I got a bit further into the story, I was quickly sucked into the msytery and suspense that was going on in the pages of this book;  so much so that I couldn't wait to get to the end!  There is an awful lot of excitement packed into the 121 pages of this book. 

I would probably up the recommended age group for this one~ maybe switch it from "Tween" to "Teen".  The main characters in the book, Audrey and Max, are 13 and 14 years old, respectively;  I feel kids of that same age group could more easily relate to these characters than younger children could. 

Something very refreshing about this book was the fact that, though Audrey and Max are best friends, there is no romantic innuendo whatsoever.  They are just that~ FRIENDS.  That's unusual.  It's so hard to find books for teens where  boy-girl relationships are portrayed as platonic.  So, I must commend the author for the relationship that she has created  between these two characters!  And, although the book is written in the first person (Audrey's), Max is a strong enough character that this book would  be interesting to boys as well as girls.

That Sinking Feeling is the first in a series called Blue Water Mysteries.  I don't believe any of the other books have been published yet.  At a price of $5.99, this book is worth adding to your library.  You can purchase it directly from the publisher, or at Amazon.com or Christianbook.com (check here first~ I just noticed CBD sells it for $4.99!)

*Oh, I should also add.......now that Ashley knows that I read the book and enjoyed it, she'll definitely read it too!  Maybe you'll even see a review for it on her blog one of  these days.

Across the Wide River by Stephanie Reed

I just finished reading this great book last night!  Wow!  Though fictionalized, this book is based on actual facts about the Rankin family- a very influential and active family in the Underground Railroad. 

Across the Wide River is the story of Lowry Rankin.  We follow his life from being a young boy, all the way to early adulthood.  His father was an abolitionist minister, and the Rankin family helped over 2,000 slaves find their way to freedom.  Lowry was the one who snuck most of those slaves, under the cover of night, to the next stop on the "railroad". 

I really enjoyed this  book.  Stephanie has done a fantastic job of telling the Rankin family's story.  By the end of the book, I felt as though I knew Lowry Rankin as a friend.  I could relate to his thoughts and feelings, though I cannot even fathom how stressful their lives must have been, but how fulfilling!

One thing that impressed me about this book was the summary and author information on the  back cover- what prompted Stephanie to write this book was reading the historical landmark signs while passing through Ripley, Ohio as a child.  I have a confession to make~ I am crazy about those signs, and always have been!  I think I thought I was the only one.  Now, I have a "kindred spirit" in Stephanie! 

I was excited to find that Stephanie has a new blog right here at HSB.   I encourage you to visit her blog, where you can see a picture of the actual Rankin family home or read how you can help get the Rankin home added to the World Heritage List. 

I also encourage you to read this book!  Though categorized as "Teen Fiction", I think this book is a great read for anyone.  Not only would this book make a wonderful supplemental reading for someone studying the Underground Railroad, but I think it's the kind of book that everyone should read, just to put life into perspective.  Oh, and I hear that there is a "sequel" to this book in the works~ yeah! 

Andrea Carter and the Dangerous Decision by Susan Marlow

About a month ago, I confessed my fascination with children's literature, and shared my review of a book called Andrea Carter and the Long Ride Home by Susan Marlow.  Andrea Carter and the Dangerous Decision is the 2nd in a series of tween fiction books by Susan Marlow, called the Circle C Adventures. 

I have another confession to make.....I was supposed to be reading through these books WITH my 13-year old daughter, Ashley.  But, the thing is, she's got herself wrapped up in another series of books right now, and I just couldn't wait.  So, I picked up Andrea Carter and the Dangerous Decision last night, and finished it up this morning.

This book, much like the first in the series, was so fun to read!  I feel like I know Andi Carter personally, and I enjoy sharing in her wild adventures.  She reminds me a bit of myself, as she seems to attract trouble whether she tries to or not!  In this book, as the title suggests, Andi is faced with a difficult decision, a decision that could ultimately cost her her life.  But, she's a smart, brave, and resourceful girl and, in the end, she always comes out ok.  As a matter of fact, she's definitely a hero at the end of this story. 

Andrea Carter is a great role model for young girls.  I would highly recommend purchasing these books for your young teen, or tween daughter (actually, I see no reason why boys wouldn't enjoy these books also).  I'm anxious for book 3~ Andrea Carter and the Family Secret, due to be released this winter.

Can't wait to read the book and want a sneak peek?!  Click below:

(you may want to turn off my music first)

 

Edited to add:  Click on any of the following links to purchase:

CBD



Amazon



The Old Schoolhouse store

The Other Sister by S.T. Underdahl

I recently had the pleasure of “meeting” author Susan Thompson Underdahl on Adoption Writers. In addition to being a wife and mother, Susan is also an adoptee and a neuropsychologist. Susan has used her experience as an adopted child who has had the opportunity of reuniting with her birth family to write this book……

The Other Sister is the story of Josey Muller, a high-school girl whose main focus in life is getting good grades, hanging out with her two best friends, and dreaming of that cute, untouchable guy at school that all the girls have a crush on. Then, one day, things change for Josey. Her mother tells her something that she never imagined she would hear; Josey has a sister! Josey’s parents made some mistakes in high school that resulted in the birth of their first daughter; both sets of parents insisted that the baby be given up for adoption. Though Josey and her two brothers knew nothing of this older sibling, her parents never lived through a day without thoughts of their first child, where she was, and what she was doing.

Josey’s mother gets a call from a social worker, telling her that her first daughter is searching for her and would like to meet her. Audrey (the “other sister”) is 25 years old, looks much like Josey, and even shares many of the same interests and career goals. The book cycles through Josey’s response to the entire situation- starting with nonchalance, working through fear and resentment, and ending with joy and happiness.

Susan has certainly done a fantastic job of making the characters in her book very real. It’s been awhile since my teen years, but I felt very drawn in and quickly became a teenager all over again while reading this book. The character of Josey had thoughts and feelings much like any other teen girl these days. The issues that she dealt with, both at school and in her family, were true-to-life.

This book was a refreshing read for me. Adoption is a topic very near and dear to my heart. I’ve had the opportunity of reading many adoption-related books for adults and young children, but the teen market is very sparse in this area. Susan has taken her life experiences (she, herself, being The Other Sister- Audrey) and woven them into a story that most teen girls will really enjoy reading (whether their lives have been touched by adoption or not).

Note: Unlike most of the books that I have reviewed in the past, this book is not written from a Christian perspective. Other than a few brief references to inappropriate behavior (by Josey’s older brother) and the fact that Josey’s mother is a heavy smoker, I didn’t find anything offensive in the book.

Laura Christianson wrote: “I predict a ‘made for TV’ movie in this novel’s future.” I agree! I look forward to more reading more of Susan’s books in the future!

Andrea Carter and the Long Ride Home by Susan Marlow (post originally titled "Confession: I love children's books!")

If you happen to follow the list of reviews in my left sidebar, then you can probably tell that the above confession is true (Kate sure knows it!)  When the review lists come out, I'm all over those childrens book titles~ then I can't wait to receive the books, read them, and look at all the great illustrations! Of course, this is all under the guise of sharing them with my kids~ but the truth is, I LOVE them myself! I still remember (and have) many of the childrens books that my mom read to me when I was a child~ I just get attached to them. 

Anyway, when the opportunity presented itself to review some "tween fiction" books, I was thrilled!  It reminded me of being about 12 years old, and falling in love with the Trixie Belden books.  Let me tell you, I devoured those books!  I'm sure there must have been times when I frustrated my mom~ begging to go to the  bookstore and buy the next book(s) in the series.  And, yes, I still own them~ and am trying to pass them off on Ashley!

This past week has just been a joy for me.  Each afternoon, we loaded Ian up in the stroller and set off on a walk~ we dropped Gracie off at Good News Club~ and Ashley and I proceeded on to my parents' house.  With Ian sound asleep in the stroller, we sat on the porch swing, in the shade, and read to each other.  Wow~ what fun~ so peaceful and such a time of bonding.  Here's what we read:

Andrea Carter and the Long Ride Home

by Susan Marlow

Wow!  I felt like a kid again!  This book was awesome!  Ashley and I were quickly drawn into the book, with the very first chapter.  The heroin of the book was so real, that we quickly became friends with her, and set off on an adventurous journey with her.  At the end of our hour each day, we hated to close the book.  The whole walk home, we debated over what might happen the next day, when we could sit down and read more of the story.

Susan Marlow is a very talented writer.  Each chapter ended in such a way that you were left wondering what was going to happen in the next chapter.  I love books like that!  So many books nowadays, even books for adults, are predictable~ you read the first chapter and know exactly how the book will end.  Not so with this book!  As a homeschool mom, what I found so refreshing about this book was that it allowed Ashley the opportunity to use her imagination.  We weren't right with all of our predictions, and that's ok;  it was just fun to wonder. 

Even though this book was set in the 1800's, the character of Andrea was so true to life.  She was feeling like she couldn't do anything right, like her family was always disappointed in her.  I think that's a feeling many young kids have today;  I remember feeling that way too.  Andrea ends up running away and facing some challenges and disappointments.  I won't give away the ending of the story, but I will say that she learns some very important lessons.

If you have a young teen or "tween", I would highly recommend this book!  Ashley and I, though we couldn't wait to get to the end and find out what happened, were so disappointed when we were actually finished reading.  Gracie's week at Good News Club is over, and we could only be so lucky to have an hour's peace each afternoon to read (with Ian around!) 



Thing is, though, we have this book called Andrea Carter and the Dangerous Decision (book 2 in the Circle C Adventure series by Susan Marlow) and we can't wait to get started!  As soon as Ashley finishes her book report/review (which she will be posting on her blog in the form of a letter to the author), we'll get started.

 You know, homeschooling is so great!  Not only do we get to do our school outside on the porch swing, but we get to read awesome books (with a Christian message), and book reports can actually be fun to do!  What could be better?!

Oh, I just need to add~ Susan Marlow is also a big Trixie Belden fan!  Let me just tell you, I was thrilled to find that out about her.  We Trixie fans need to stick together!