Thirteen is an action packed blockbuster, Red Dawn meets 1984. The perfect book for kids 10-14, even those who don’t like to read!
About Thirteen
Jack wants to hang out with his friends but his Mom’s rules keep him grounded. Until one morning, when they wake up to gun fire and their whole world changes. Foreign soldiers have invaded his home cutting off power, knocking down communication and restricting travel. To make matters worse he does not know if is Dad is alive, wounded or dead. He needs to find out but his Mom doesn’t care, the soldiers are in his way and the cop in his life won’t help him.
My Thoughts
I love youth novels, they are always full of adventure and with a different viewpoint that gives great insights to youth and how they connect with their peers. Thirteen is a very age appropriate novel for youths that I believe they can easily relate to (wanting to do more than their age allows them to, wanting and needing to contribute and understanding of world events).
The plot really makes you think, could something like this happen in present day Canada? We are accustomed to our security and safety but will this always be the case? Jack struggles in this novel with wanting independence but wanting security from his Mother, wanting to help but the terrifying reality of war scares him. He is a young man who is almost lost in how he should behave and how he can protect his Mother. Throw in a divorce and separation from his Father and you have a young man who many youths could relate to. He is confused, proud and wants to enjoy his social life.
Shannon writes very well and the novel is easy to follow from start to finish. With the adventurous and thought-provoking plot line, it was easy to not put my book down!
Shannon grew up in Enderby, BC where her family roots run deep. She relied on books and imagination as a child to escape the world beyond. She went to UBC and earned a BA with a concentration in Political Science and Economics. World events, social justice and human motivations became a passion of hers. This passion is a driving force in all her stories.
After a career in the financial field, she decided to stay home and raise her two children until school age. She currently resides in BC’s Lower mainland with her two teenage children. Thirteen is her debut full size paperback novel.
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I am a visual and hands on learner. I have to touch, see and do things myself to really grasp what I am being taught. This is why I love museums and traveling so much, nothing brings a textbook or story to life more than seeing it in front of your eyes.
My children are very much like me in this way. They like to touch, hear and see what they are learning up close and since they have so much energy, if I can get them outside it’s even better!
Scenic Caves Nature Adventures, located in Collingwood, Ontario, provides individuals of all ages a rich history and educational experience in a unique, natural environment that encourages learning and stepping out of your comfort zone.
Explore the geography of the Niagara Escarpment
The Niagara Escarpment stretches some 725km from the Niagara Falls area to Tobermory, which began its formation 450 million years ago. This area was once under water. I know when we looked out from the top of the mountain, it was hard to imagine that the area was once covered in water but fossils in the rocks prove that this is true! (Scenic Caves Nature Adventures).
The caves are great examples of fissures, where pieces of the escarpment would ease away from the Escarpment. Scenic Caves was an incredible experience to hike through; we went up, then down a little bit, peeked over an edge, crossed a bridge and then finally descended into the caverns. It may sound odd but we hiked up the mountain, only to hike down at the top into the caves!
It was an incredible experience to stand in the middle of the Escarpment and just look up. It really brings home how powerful our planet truly is.
Learn about the historical roots of this area.
The Scenic Caves Nature Adventures sits on lands that has a rich and deep history, from Native Americans to settlers from the 1800s. There are several signs along the path pointing out historical points (Suicide Point, where a young woman threw herself off the side of the mountain) to the caves that sheltered the people during attacks.
It is so important for children (and even adults!) to understand and appreciate this history. You can even follow-up this experience with learning about the area and the Native Americans from this area online or in books.
Experience engineering marvels!
Scenic Cave Nature Adventures is home to two incredible structures: Suspension Bridge and the Thunderbird Twin Zip Line.
The Suspension Bridge is the longest in Southwestern Ontario, a fact our boys were quite proud of once they crossed the whole bridge not just twice but four times! They were determined to race across all 126m, shaking it for their poor Mother who felt almost sick with the slight sway they caused! The swaying was well worth the views that literally stole my breath away. You can view right out to the Georgian Bay and up the mountain, with beautiful forestry surrounding you.
Want an interesting fact? No one knows quite how much weigh the bridge can hold but they do know that their can never be too many people on the bridge! The bridge can hold people standing front to back, shoulder to shoulder and stacked four high the entire length of the bridge!
The Thunderbird Twin Zip Line is the longest zip line in Southern Ontario and the longest twin zip line in Canada. It stretches half a mile long! Located at the very top of the mountain, this was the best way for my boys (husband and eldest) to make their way back down the mountain. They literally soared over top of the trees, feeling like they would touch the tree tops at any time but could control the speed at any time. There is an age and weight requirement for this ride (which is for your safety) so make sure you meet these requirements before making promises to your children.
Get Active!
With plenty of space to move around, walk, jump and explore, Scenic Caves allows your children the freedom to learn while burning some of their energy. We hiked through the forest for roughly thirty minutes which looped back onto the hills to hike up to the caves.
Just remember to wear proper running or hiking shoes as well as bring a re-useable water bottle. Even with the fall weather, we all worked up quite a sweat hiking through the hills!
Play time!
Every child likes to play right? Once we finished up with our exploring we headed back to the main area and had a quick picnic lunch by the playground before the kids went on a train ride through the grounds.
Scenic Caves Nature Adventures also boasts a Gem Mining activity near the entrance, that allows your child to mine for gems just like they did in the old days! Both boys enjoyed this immensely and couldn’t wait to wrap up their goodies. We then headed off to play mini golf. Which was the best way to end our day, especially since I won! Just joking, all three of my boys beat my score.
Scenic Caves Nature Adventures is an action packed, educational experience for the whole family. Make sure you plan to spend at least three hours, we were there for just under five hours and the children would have stayed longer if we had brought along more food with us!
How do you take education outside?
Disclosure: I received passes to Scenic Caves Nature Adventures to facilitate this post. All opinions expressed are my own.
Come on a adventure with six year old Miko as helps Sandman save the wonderful world of Dreamland.
In this adventure set in the style of James and the Giant Peach, we are introduced to a brave six year old boy named Miko who is on a adventure to help Sandman save Dreamland.
Every night, the children of the world are sent to the magical world of Dreamland thanks to the kind and magical Sandman. But when the Master of Nightmares, steals the powerful Sand of Dreams and takes control, Sandman is in for big trouble. Sandman needs a brave hero and recruits six year old Miko. Together they set off on an adventure to help save the dreams of all the boys and girls of the world.
You and your child can explore the world of dreams in this enchanting tale. Kids are always full of questions of where do dreams come from? What about nightmares? Sandman has always played a special role in children’s lives. This movie brings to life these childhood stories in a fun and sweet way that you can cherish together as a family.
My Canadian and American readers, can now enter to win their own copy via the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!
Unlike their black-billed cousins, yellow-billed magpies are rarely found outside California’s central valley. So when they begin showing up in Samantha O’Malley’s dreams, she wonders: are they calling me home?
About Yellow-billed Magpie
Disappointed by failed fertility treatments and the break-up of her marriage, Samantha returns to her home town and slips into old habits, resuming her teaching career, even hooking up with an old lover. But she also renews her friendship with Craig, the school custodian she honors as her spiritual guide. The work they do together with Samantha’s special education students will lead her to discoveries she never thought possible.
Yellow-Billed Magpie is a love story, a spiritual journey, a quest to look beyond appearances to the mystical rhythms that guide the human heart.
My Thoughts
I loved Yellow-Billed Magpie from start to finish. Each chapter was a special journey with Samantha as she begins a journey to find herself. Samantha is a spiritual and kind soul, her work in special education gives her a unique outlook on life.
I love how Samantha was strong enough to make the decision for herself to start over. She knew in her heart that the life she was living was not right. She wasn’t happy or satisfied. While this was a tough choice for her, she knew in her heart she had to make it. Although she questioned herself at times, it was signs that helped her realize that this was the best choice for her. Meeting her old spiritual guide, her old flame and a chance to help a special child with a communication tool she gave up on long ago.
Yellow-Billed Magpie is a wonderful journey that you take along with Samantha, as you witness her struggles, her hope and her journey of faith. You will not want to put this novel down!
Nancy Schoellkopf has been telling stories and writing poems for many lifetimes. It goes without saying she’s needed a second income, so this time around she happily taught amazing children in special education classes in two urban school districts in Sacramento, California. A full-time writer now, she enjoys lavishing attention on her cat, her garden and her intriguing circle of family and friends.
I think it is pretty safe for me to say that dental health is one of the most important health concerns for most adults and their children. We want our teeth and gums to be healthy so we visit the dentist every six to twelve months, we brush our teeth twice daily and floss. All of this is done so our teeth remain strong, gums are healthy all of which gives us a healthy and confident smile.
The traditional plastic covers are a breeding ground for bacteria to grow, which I am sure you have seen when water and tooth paste build up on them. Sharing toothbrush holders can pass germs from one toothbrush to the next.
This is where the IntelliDent toothbrush shield comes in. The Intellident Toothbrush Shield is made up of a breathable, quick drying material that acts like a barrier for your toothbrush protecting it from airborne bacteria and germs. The toothbrush shields have been laboratory tested to be 99.9% effective as a barrier to airborne germs and bacteria.
The shields come in packages of ten and each shield is individually wrapped to ensure freshness and no cross contamination. Intellident recommends replacing the shields every seven days to ensure maximum protection.
The shields were honestly the easiest thing to open, very similar to band aids and our toothbrushes slid right into the pockets no problem. It fit all of our toothbrushes (from the youngest to eldest). With their sleek and white design they look more than okay on our toothbrush sitting in a toothbrush holder. It has even sparked a few conversations with family about dental health and toothbrush bacteria (and maybe even a few debates) which is a great thing. The best part is the peace of mind that no bacteria or germs will unintentionally find it’s way onto our toothbrushes which could make us sick.
Check out this helpful video from Shape on Intellident Toothbrush Shields:
Make sure you follow Intellident Toothbrush Shields on Twitter for updates and information!
Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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About Thirteen
