The Lightning Thief By Rick Riordan

My daughter and I are reading the Percy Jackson series together.

I liked this book and would feel very comfortable reading it to any child.

While similar to Harry Potter, it did not leave me feeling uncomfortable with the subject matter as did Harry Potter (call me a prude, the kidlets tease me all the time).

Instead of witches and wizards, this book is about the gods of mythology. We all learn about them sometime in school. My daughter actually learned about them in second grade. I think I was in high school.

Percy is a Half Blood. Find out Who's his Daddy, what Mt. Olympus/Zeus is like and how about Tartarus/ Hades. Of course there is a quest involved.

I read through this book pronto-speedy because, yes, it was fun and the plot entertaining but also because I have not only one stack, but several stacks of books I am going to read this year (and five of them are Percy Jackson).

Now if she would just finish book two. I want to read as many as possible before the movie comes out next month

ISBN: 978-078685629-9

Christmas Jar by Jason F. Wright

I buzzed through this small book in one evening after the kidlets went to bed. I couldn't put it down.
To be honest, you can kind of figure out what the message is going to be. BUT the story line to deliver that message totally surprised me. Very cute and we are reading it as a family now.
This would be a great tradition to start. Not only by giving the jar away, but for newlywed's who are just starting their own traditions. I am seriously considering doing all of my Christmas shopping just like they did. Then maybe I won't over do it... again.
The book and jar would be a great gift for neighbors or family members.

Christ Centered Christmas By Sharon Velluto and Suzanne Meredith

If I were to purchase ONE book for the Christmas season for family lessons and activities. This would be it. ( Outside of Church publications that is)

I have used it for nearly ten years and still haven't been all the way through it.
What it contains:
*A short Christ Centered lesson based on familiar Christmas symbol
*Simple ornament depicting the traditional symbol designed to accompany the lesson
*Suggested hymns/songs from the Hymn book and Children's Songbook.
*Scripture references from the four Standard Works
*Optional materials including thoughts, inspirational articles, stories, games, recipes, etc

For a more complete review visit my other blog here