Leah Price

Category Archives: MG novels

Fantastic Series & Where to Find Them

There’s nothing better than collecting a series of books. Especially kids books. They take you back to your youth and remind you of days spent reading under a tree and nights hidden under a blanket with a book and a flashlight. You eagerly devour each one, sure of the next waiting patiently for your perusal.

Sometimes it’s enough to simply have your favorite book, but it’s so much better to have all of them, ready and waiting for re-reads on your sick days, rainy days, and bored days. Here’s my list of several Fantastic Series & Where to Find Them.

1. Little House on the Prairie

2. A Series of Unfortunate Events

3. Anne of Avonlea

4. Redwall

 

So if you are in search of the perfect birthday present, Christmas present, or just present in general, be sure to check out these series. They are perfect for the kids who loves to read! Which series do you wish had just one more book?

10 Must Reads for 10 & Unders

One of my favorite conversational topics is books. And every time I find a fellow book lover and we begin to chat, our conversation inevitably comes back to the same question. What was your favorite book to read when you were little? Something I’ve noticed is that many younger children are missing out on some of the great classics. So I’ve listed the top 10 Must Reads for 10 & Unders below.

1. Little House on the Prairie.

I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve read the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. They were my absolute favorites growing up and I still think of Mary, Laura, Carrie, Grace as well as Pa and Ma as people I know. The great thing about these books is that they are educational and can lead to great family projects and learning opportunities. Perfect for both boys and girls (though the boys may have to skip the descriptions of Laura and her sister’s dresses!).

2. Anne of Green Gables.

Maybe it’s because I come from a small town in the South, but the Anne of Green Gables series was one of the most relatable to me. I recognized myself and my town in L. M. Montgomery’s characters. Family legends, gossip, and disagreements pepper these books and leave the reader feeling as if they’ve just returned from PEI every time they turn that final page. These books also hold a special place in my heart because Anne of Green Gables is the first book that made me cry, at least as far as I can remember. And for that, I will always hold their memory dear.

3. The Wind in the Willows.

A perfect bedtime story. The Wind in the Willows is a comforting, magical book with just enough adventure and danger to excite young readers. Its whimsical nature and lovable characters are entertaining and memorable.

4. The Hobbit.

A must-read on my list at a young age. Full of danger, excitement, and magic, this prequel to The Lord of the Rings series is a perfect read for a child interested in heroic quests and exploring the world. The Hobbit features so many good lessons for youngsters, I would highly recommend it.

5. A Series of Unfortunate Events.

Parents, I can guarantee you that you will enjoy reading these books with your children. Lemony Snickets descriptions of situations and explanation of both word meanings and philosophy will entertain both young and old alike. And don’t forget, this book is part of a series. Also, please add Lemony’s autobiography to your to-read list.

6. Summer of the Monkeys.

By the author of Where the Red Fern Grows. Summer of the Monkeys is a great story of love and family in the Ozark Mountains. It’s hilarious in parts with just a touch of seriousness to help bring the lesson across.

7. Little Women.

Who can forget Meg, Jo, Beth, & Amy? Their story is both educational and an entertaining read. A great way to introduce young readers to the importance of sisterhood and the idea of growing up.

8. Black Beauty.

Young readers who love horses will not be able to put this book down. Many of Black Beauty’s struggles struck a chord with me when I first read it.

9. An Old-Fashioned Girl.

This is a great read for kids who are being picked on for being too quiet and/or boring. This is something that bookish kids are frequently accused of and this book, while featuring a character that may be deemed “too perfect”, does a great job of showing what’s really important and the danger of excess in anyone’s life.

10. The Phantom Tollbooth.

Filled with life lessons, parables, and wordplay. The main character is hilarious and his adventures are even better!

There are so many more books that are must-reads for kids, but I’ve listed my top ten here. I’ll follow up soon with another list! I already have four on it! What would you add to this list? What is your favorite must-read for kids?

The Top 7 Great Reasons to Use EBooks for Kids

Like it or not, EBooks are here to stay. I hear and understand the complaints of die-hard readers when it comes to EBooks. They worry about quality and miss the old days of heavy hardbacks and fresh pages. I, too, love books in print. It’s one of the main reasons why I insisted on offering my books in print version as well as digitally.

However, I have to say I’m a sucker for EBooks. I love the ease and simplicity of bringing up a story on my phone, laptop, or other device whenever I have a few minutes free. Or even, if I want to admit it, during otherwise boring activities I’m required to attend. 😉 Another plus I see with EBooks is the reach it can have while encouraging children to read.

EBooks offer:

  • Books at your fingertips. Your kid is bored? Download an ebook! It’s that simple. I know, I know. I hear parents saying “But my kid would rather play a video game or get a new app.” Which brings me to my next point….
  • Many EBooks offer more than just the book. Some books have accompanying apps, games, and more. It’s not something that is extremely common at the moment, but it’s growing.
  • EBooks make any author and any story accessible. Is your child going through a phase of being interested in dinosaurs and paleontology? Just go to your distributor of choice and search with those key words. You can easily find several choices for every interest.
  • EBooks can be tied into your everyday life. Going to a Renaissance festival? Find a book before you attend and build up excitement about that trip. I would have loved this as a child and I imagined kids and parents doing just that when I wrote The Faire Pendant series.
  • EBooks are flexible. One of my favorite things about EBooks are the fact that they are flexible. I don’t have to worry about packing a book which invariably leads to a sore shoulder from my heavy handbag or returning my books to the library on time which I seem to be incapable of doing. I sometimes wonder how many books I’ve “purchased” for the library through my fines.
  • EBooks are cheap. They are! Most EBooks are very competitively priced. When you think about it, an EBook is usually only about the same price as a cup of coffee or a snack. And they keep kids entertained for hours while also being educational. It’s a win-win. And besides, for me personally, I usually have library fines high enough to have PURCHASED the books in EBook form. Anyone else out there have the same problem? No?
  • EBooks are an understood medium for your kids. It’s the new millennium and children now are not like the children I knew growing up. They are highly technical and spend a lot of time using technology. Everything from television to laptops and cell phones to Ipads are what they are familiar with and understand. I try to imagine what I would have thought as a child if I had been in the same situation but it is difficult. Maybe like someone giving me a paintbrush and an easel when I asked for a camera?

Despite all the reasons listed above, I still believe in the power of print. However, like I’ve pointed out, EBooks definitely have a place in our society. I enjoy having access to both print and EBook formats. I read different books in each medium and I love it. What do you think about EBooks for children? Would your child enjoy them?

 

Fun New Years Resolutions to Make with your Kids

It’s that time of the year again. Fresh starts and new beginnings are on the horizon. A new year full of hope and promise lies before us all. And what better time to make change in your life than this time?

Most resolutions are for individuals, but I propose several resolutions between yourself and your child(ren) as follows. If you are looking for some ideas, I have included a list of my favorite resolutions. Pick one (or more!) resolution for the next year from the list below. All hours and terms, of course, are up to you.

  • We will play together. This year, I (the parent) resolve to spend at least two hours every week playing the game of you, (the child(ren)), choice.  If you are feeling very brave, you may leave the resolution as is. If you are not technical, you may want to amend it to exclude video games, computer games, etc. Board games are an excellent choice.
  • We will have a special project. This year, I (the parent) resolve to spend at least two hours every week working on our own special project with you, (the child(ren)). This resolution is one of my favorites as it can take any form. You could take up a hobby, take lessons together, train a pet, grow plants, sightsee around your home, build a dollhouse…. There are just too many choices! Talk with your child(ren). I’m sure they have some ideas!
  • We will imagine together. This year, I (the parent) resolve to spend at least two hours every week pretending with you, (the child(ren)). I’m seeing forts, camp-outs, tea parties, etc. Let your (and their) imaginations run wild.
  • We will create together. This year, I (the parent) resolve to spend at least two hours every week creating with you, (the child(ren)), in the medium of your choice. Drawing, painting, sewing, calligraphy, music, etc. This can be incorporated with a special project very easily.
  • We will cook together. This year, I (the parent) resolve to cook at least one meal every week with you, (the child(ren)). This resolution is very exciting because it turns a somewhat mundane chore into a fun event for the family. If you have multiple children, I suggest cooking with each separately. Their proud faces at presenting the meal they cooked specially with Mommy or Daddy never gets old.
  • We will read together. This year, I (the parent) resolve to read the book of your choice at least two hours every week with  you, (the child(ren)). You may or may not want to include the stipulation of the book of your choice. Instead, you may want to say the book of our choice. Reading with your child(ren) can be so rewarding and enjoyable while also increasing their vocabulary. Reading is such a critical skill very often overlooked in this day and age and such a fun thing to do together.

Be careful when choosing your resolutions as they are an oath and a promise between yourself and your child(ren). If you have limited time, make sure you adjust the hours in your resolution. It’s fine to go over, but most children will notice if you don’t meet the minimum. Remember, these resolutions cannot ever be a waste because you’ll be spending time with some of the most precious people in your life.

My resolution is to create more fun games, ideas, stories, and content for children in my newsletter. I have a lot of plans brewing and I’m very excited about it. What do you plan on resolving for the new year? Are you going to use any of the suggestions above? Do you have any additional suggestions of fun resolutions to make with your child?

An Atterberry Christmas free for kindle!

So I put together a little Christmas present for everyone and I hope you like it! I wrote a short story in The Faire Pendant Series for Christmas and I have it free for five days on Kindle. It’s called An Atterberry Christmas (The Faire Pendant Series) and is a Christmas short. It features characters from The Faire Pendant Series. Here’s the excerpt from the back:

Glenna’s life is anything but ordinary. The daughter of renaissance festival vendors, Glenna’s days are filled with magic and medieval reenactments as she travels the faire circuit with her family.

Then one day, Glenna’s life changes forever. With the help of a pendant, she discovers Otherworld. An enchanted realm, Otherworld is the land in which all of the myths and magic woven by the renaissance players comes to life!

In An Atterberry Christmas, it’s Christmas in Otherworld! All the creatures and people of Otherworld are preparing for the upcoming festivities and Glenna can’t wait to be a part of it! But as soon as Glenna arrives, she finds a mysterious note from Atterberry. Has something happened to the magician? Can Glenna find him in time? And can she save Otherworld’s Christmas?

 

The story is around 8,500 words and is free for a limited time on kindle. It was SO much fun writing this Christmas short.  It really got me in the Christmas spirit writing this story. That and decorating the tree, baking cookies, BEING OFF OF WORK! lol, shopping for presents, wrapping presents, playing Christmas music, etc. What gets you in the Christmas spirit?

The Ultimate Cheat Sheet on Kids and Reading

The Ultimate Cheat Sheet on Kids and Reading

“My kid(s) hate(s) reading!” I can’t tell you how many times I have heard a parent say this very thing at book signings and events. But every time I hear it, it breaks my heart. There is no reason that a child should hate reading and there are several ways to encourage a love of reading in a child. I rarely have the opportunity at these events to have an in-depth conversation with parents about their children and reading, but if I did, here is what I would say:

1. Your child hasn’t read the right book. THE BOOK. Every avid reader knows what I’m talking about. That first book that grabs you as a kid and sticks with you. The one you re-read even today. When your child finds that book, believe me, he or she will be a reader.

2. Your child doesn’t like to read because you don’t like to. I see this one a lot. Parents can be very dismissive of reading in their own lives, but when it comes to their kids, they expect them to “do as I say, not as I do.” If you want your kids to love reading, try to love it too! Even if you only read with them, as long as you act as if you enjoy spending that time with them, they’ll enjoy it, too.

3. Your child may need a bridge. Huge books can be intimidating for a child, even small books can scare them away, especially if they struggle with reading or have only just begun to learn. Put yourself in their place. Imagine that you have taken one semester of French and suddenly, the teacher wants to read a book an inch thick! You would dread it, too! For this reason, I suggest starting with something less difficult. If you have to start with a comic book and then build to a spin-off series and then middle grade and then young adult, what’s the harm in that? Give them a book with a subject that is something they are interested in and they will usually read about it.

4. Try different avenues. In this day and age, there are so many options for reading that haven’t existed before. For example, all of my books in The Faire Pendant series are available on Amazon. Through Amazon, I have the opportunity to offer a free ebook copy with every print purchase. This can be downloaded on a phone, tablet, computer, etc. A parent or sibling can easily read the ebook copy along with a child and engage in conversations with them. Or use audiobooks while driving if needed! It can become a treasured and valuable part of your commute, believe me. Reading is a great tool to build conversation! Speaking of which….

5. Use books as a communication tool. So many books provide a moral that may be something a parent wants to talk about with their child. For example, self-confidence is the theme of my book, The Tale of Atterberry (The Faire Pendant Series Book 1) while bravery is the topic in the sequel, The Ballad of Captain Thatch (The Faire Pendant Series Book 2). Reading books with a moral can open up conversation with your child. And besides, children love to have one on one attention from their parents.

6. Connect with an author. Many authors incorporate fun activities, news, events, and releases for their fans into their newsletters. Some answer fan mail and provide dates and locations for signings. Communicating with the author of a book can make it come alive for a child and become an exciting addition to reading that they never even considered.

In short, there are many different approaches that can be taken while encouraging a love of reading in your child. Using a hands-on and creative approach is usually the best way and can end up building a life-long “reading relationship” between a parent and child. I love hearing all about the creative ideas and fun activities readers think of from my stories. What is the last book you and your child read together? And what types of fun things did you like to do to encourage reading in your child?

My trip to the Annual Carolina Renaissance Festival!

As many of you realize from my previous post, I was honored to be asked to sign my books at the Carolina Renaissance Festival. I have to say, I had an AWESOME time. The games, buildings, shops, and performers made the faire so real. I loved getting to experience all of it.

But even better than the atmosphere was the opportunity I had to meet not only avid readers, many of them children, but also writers as well. A few of the authors included:

Shelby Bach is the author of The Ever Afters series. They are middle grade and look amazing! I can’t wait to check them out. Shelby was super nice and answered all my many questions. I’d highly encourage everyone to check out her books! I bought one for my sister for Christmas. Shhh, don’t tell!

Christina Berkau Pope & Thomas Berkau were there with their children’s picture book, ABC Charlotte. Their book was really cute with great illustrations. I think it would make a perfect gift for children. I enjoyed getting to meet each of them and chatting about all the games and costumes we saw at the festival (more on that later!)

Faith Hunter and John Hartness also kept me company throughout the day. They were so knowledgeable about writing and the publishing industry. I was impressed!

I didn’t get a chance to visit with Jennifer Hudson Taylor very much, but my sister spoke with her and bought one of her books. I’m working on “borrowing” it from her. 😉

K.A. Thomas was another author I wish I had gotten to chat with more. Her books look really interesting and they are also on my “to-read” list.

And finally, Timothy Tron was there with his book. Anyone who loves genealogy, history, and/or historical fiction should check him out. He has studied the history in his books extensively and it shows!

Now, back to the faire! I had a great time at the Carolina Renaissance Festival. The whole thing was just amazing to me. The talent and hard work that the performers put into creating a character and costume reveals their love of what they do. Plus, the talent that is showcased at Renaissance festivals is always amazing. I feel like it’s a platform and a rare opportunity to see skills that are not easily found nowadays, such as falconry, swordmaking, leatherwork, etc.

Yes, it was very, very cold and a very, very long drive. But I went with family and we had a great time. The mountains were gorgeous, Christmas carols were on the radio, and fun things to see and do were everywhere. It even snowed a little bit on the way home, which was exciting!

I would really also love to thank Park Road Books for hosting us authors. Sherri was great. I can’t say enough good things about her! And if you missed the festival, don’t worry. Sherri has plenty of signed copies from every author in stock at Park Road Books. And if you want a signed copy, I think she’ll even mail it to you!

 

 

The Annual Carolina Renaissance Festival!

I’m so excited to be signing my books at The Annual Carolina Renaissance Festival and Artisan Marketplace! It looks amazing and I can’t wait to meet the other authors. The only downside is that it is going to be a bit chilly, but I’ve packed my outfit (Yes, I’m dressing up if weather allows!) and I’m ready to brave the cold.

Things I’m looking forward to:

  • The food!
  • The company!
  • Meeting lots of kids who love to read AND love renaissance festivals!
  • Traveling to North Carolina. I’ve never been to Huntersville. PLUS, we’ll be driving through the Smoky Mountains (doesn’t that sound like a great name for an adventure?) and it’s fall so the views are going to be spectacular.
  • Maybe getting a little shopping in? 😉

So if you are anywhere near Huntersville, NC this weekend (November 15-16), come out and see me! And if not, stay tuned for my follow-up post, hopefully with pics!

Coming soon! The Faire Pendant: The Ballad of Captain Thatch

Coming soon!

The Faire Pendant

The Ballad of Captain Thatch

 

 

I’m thrilled to announce the upcoming release of The Ballad of Captain Thatch, the second book in The Faire Pendant Series. Here’s a sneak peak at the cover. What do you think?

 

For more information on The Tale of Atterberry, the first book in The Faire Pendant Series, visit Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords!

Book Review of The Tale of Atterberry (The Faire Pendant Series, Book 1) at No Twerking Here Please