Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery Series (5 books)

I love mystery series. I don't care what age they are for, I will read them! The Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery series is one that I enjoyed every single book in the 5 book set! 

Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce is book 1 where we are introduced to 12 year old, Myrtle Hardcastle, her teacher, Miss Ada Judson, her father, Mr. Hardcastle and their cat, Peony. Set in Victorian England, this series is full of interesting side characters, fast-paced mysteries and a spunky young sleuth who isn't afraid to get dirty, even when Miss Judson begs her to behave like a little lady. 

Each book in the series is perfect for any aged reader who loves a good mystery like I do. 

I hope you enjoy. 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab your copies here:  

Myrtle Hardcastle Box Set

Premeditated Myrtle

A Rover's Story

 

Now, this isn't my normal read. I'm not a robot person (unless its R2-D2 or BB-8), but I had heard and read so many great reviews on A Rover's Story by Jasmine Warga that I just had to try it out. I'm also trying to read more books that my young male students might enjoy. I am so glad I took a chance on this book because it was fabulous and completely adorable! 

The reader sees through the eyes of Resilience, a Mars rover being built and prepared for a mission to the planet Mars. Res walks us through the process of getting ready, landing on Mars and what all the incredible scientists have to do to get a mission like this up, running and continuing to run. 

You fall in love with Res, Fly (his drone helicopter friend), and all the scientists that are working on the project. This book helps readers see how important team work is and how when we work together, great things happen. 

I have a young tutoring client who found out that I was reading it and he said, "Miss Emily! We are so reading that next!" I told him that its officially on our, to read next, list! 😄 

I really hope you enjoy this as much as I did! 

Now, go and READ!

Grab your own copy here: A Rover's Story

Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs

 

One of my tutoring clients showed me his, Battle of the Books, list for this school year. He told me he has a goal to read as many as he could. I told him I would read them too so we could talk about them afterwards so he could be extra prepared for battle of the books. One of those books was The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs by Betty G. Birney.  

Eben McAllister lives in Sassafras Springs where nothing happens. He wants to see the world and, especially, the seven wonders of the world he learned about in school. Sassafras Springs only has rows and rows of crops! His dad challenges him to find Seven Wonders in Sassafras Springs within a week. If he does, Ebens dad will send him to Colorado to visit family. Eben takes on this challenge with excitement and glee! 

Throughout the week, Eben finds wonders that he never thought possible from people that he was scared to talk to previously. People that, to others, were aloof or strange. 

This book is sweet and wholesome and just plain good. It helps readers see that the outside appearance everyone sees isn't what's on the inside of a person and that we all have stories from our past. This book was just a joy to read. It is on the shorter side, so even reluctant readers or readers who struggle can finish it and feel accomplished. It is a great read for the whole family! 

I hope you enjoy. 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab your own copy here: The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs

Homer on the Case

 

One of my favorite things to do is shop the rows of the library for new reads. That's where I found Homer on the Case by Henry Cole. I had read other books by Henry Cole and really enjoyed them, so I decided to give it a try! It was such a cute story, I was glad it came home with me from the library. 

Homer is a homing pigeon that loves to read detective comics from the newspaper. While flying around the local park he sees a group of devious animals stealing from humans. The local police are stumped by the thefts and only Homer and his new friend, Lulu, the talking parrot, can solve the mystery and return all the stolen goods. 

This is such a sweet, fun story that is perfect for animal lovers of all ages. It is on the shorter side which is nice to help kiddos finish it quickly and feel accomplished with themselves because they finished a book! It's great for the whole family. 

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 

Now, go and READ!

Grab your own copy here: Homer on the Case

Beyond Ivy Walls

Rachel Fordham is one of my favorite clean romance authors! Beyond the Ivy Walls was released in 2024 and it is reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, one of my favorite movies. 

We follow Otis Taylor, a self-inflicted recluse. He hides so no one can see his scars and think less of his families name. When a mysterious message about a long lost family member comes into his possession he has to face his worst fear: stepping back out into society. He will do anything to find his family! He crosses paths with Sadie West, a spunky, hard-working woman who helps him find peace in the situation around him. Not only with himself, but also with his family and the past that still haunts them all. 

Fordham's books are the perfect blend of romance, whit and even some historical elements. I have read all of her work and have enjoyed all but one... we can talk about that later 😊 

All of her books are stand alone novels with beautiful story-lines and great endings. 

I hope you enjoy! 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab your own copy here: Beyond Ivy Walls

Winterborne Home Duology

 

I've read Ally Carter since I was a teenager and have loved every book I have read. Side note: she has a new adult series, but the reviews I've read mention things that aren't normally what I read so I'll just stick with her YA/ Middle Grade books. 

When I recently found this duology, I sat down and finished both books within a 24 hour time period! I couldn't put them down! My heart broke when I finished the last one because I knew it was over. These books suck you in and don't let you go until the last 'The End'! 

In the first book, Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor, we get introduced to a group of five orphans who are adopted into the Winterborne home for gifted children. Gabriel Winterborne, the dead heir to the Winterborne estate, has left his home in the hands of some interesting characters and its up to the five orphans to figure out who is good and who is evil.  

There is mystery, intrigue, a creepy mansion, a sword-wielding vigilante, an evil uncle, and a ghost that haunts the mansion at night. This series is just fabulous! A total page turner that will keep any reader, young or old, hooked until the very end.  

The first book is Vengeance and Valor and the second is Mayhem and Mystery. They must be read in order or you will spoil all the good stuff and be really confused! 😂    

I hope you enjoy these as much as I did! 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab your copies here: 

Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor

Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery

The Beat I Drum

Previously on the blog, I talked about Dusti Bowling's book Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus (check out the post on April 18, 2025). During my research online about this series, I found out that a new book was going to be added and I FREAKED!!! I was so excited. When I saw it on the shelves in the store I immediately grabbed it, and read it that weekend! 

The Beat I Drum by Dusti Bowling is about Connor (who we meet in the first two books). He has recently moved to a new part of Arizona to be closer to his dad. Starting in a new school is hard enough, but Connor has Tourette Syndrome and when people don't understand why you randomly bark like a dog, it makes it hard to find your place in a new surrounding. 

Connor finds a great group of friends who introduce him to what this new town has to offer. At school, he finds a love for his music class. His teacher, Ms. Chen, works with him to find a musical instrument that helps Connor work through a lot of inner turmoil. 

Words cannot fully express how much I love this series and The Beat I Drum is the perfect addition! It is positive and uplifting. I really enjoyed how Dusti Bowling wove the Tourette Syndrome through the book. Connors ticks just became natural to the reader and you fall in love with his story and his new group of friends! This series would be best read in order so you can see the character development and know who is who. It's wonderful for all readers, young and old!! 

Read it! It's fabulous! 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab your own copy here: The Beat I Drum