The Summer King Chronicles offers an epic fantasy adventure series on par with any intended for adults, but these books are written with tweens in mind. “In the tradition of other mythic tales with animal protagonists like Watership Down and Birth of the Firebringer, here’s Song of the Summer King: a story that is only … Read more
Bookish tweens who love puzzles, a good mystery, a little magic or Disney villains are sure to find something in this selection that will captivate. The Island of Dr. Libris (4.5/5 stars, currently priced at $7.99) Celebrate the power of imagination with this action-packed New York Times bestseller that shows that sometimes the real story … Read more
Many of Tom Hanks’ films are family-friendly, and Hanks has become as big a star with kids as with their parents. Most of Hanks’ films have some great lessons to teach as well, about courage, growth, and believing in oneself against all odds. All movie descriptions below are from IMDB.com. Big (PG, 4.5/5 stars, currently … Read more
The sweet, old-fashioned charms of the Penderwicks series takes kids aged 9-12 back to a simpler time. Though it was first published beginning in 2005, this series harks to an era when an overgrown garden or lazy day at the beach was enough to keep a gaggle of sisters and friends happily occupied and there … Read more
The old-school games you used to play with a pencil and pad as a kid are now available as mobile apps! Ultimate Hangman HD (4/5 stars, currently priced at 99 cents) – From Amazon: Ultimate Hangman HD is a must have-hangman game with 4 awesome themes (Doodle Hangman, Chillin’ Chalk, Christmas Snowman and Flower Power), … Read more
The Shakespeare Graphics series uses gorgeous artwork and updated, simplified language to make the great works of the Bard accessible to kids ages 10 and up. These books are a great way to introduce kids to Shakespeare, or help teens better grasp the material when they need to read it in its original form for … Read more
These instrument tuner apps help to ensure kids can keep practicing all summer vacation long, even when they’re away from home. As of this writing, all four are FREE! Guitar Tuner – Guitar Tuna – The Ultimate Free Tuner for Guitar, Bass and Ukulele with Chord tab game and Metronome (4.5/5 stars, currently FREE) GuitarTuna … Read more
Magic, mystery and adventure combine with gorgeous art in the Amulet series of graphic novels for kids aged 8 and up. Fans of fantasy-adventure like The Last Airbender will love this bestselling and highly-rated series. “Anchored by dazzlingly lush art and a complex, character-laden plot, Kibuishi’s Amulet series remains a must-have for all elementary- and … Read more