The Cowgirl Way - Women in the Wild West....

Middle Grade & Young Teens will love The Cowgirl Way: Hats Off to America's Women of the West...it is a wonderful use of old photos and illustration to bring life to stories of women on horseback!

Kids will love this book and will not even realize that they are learning. That is due to author Holly George-Warren's brilliant mix of story telling and visuals.

What I loved was that the author didn't present these women as "also rans". You know, where their story is more about how they worked with their more popular male partner.

This brief telling of the stories and in some cases legends of women who were riders, wranglers, ranchers, showgirls, rebels and even outlaws are just enough information to send students to their libraries and computers to learn more.

...and at this age isn't that the goal - little snip its of story that tantalize and incite curiosity?


BTW - take a minute to check out the fabulous photos posted by the author of famous cowgirls!


Product Description from Amazon:

The 1840s ushered in the beginning of the largest migration in US history. People in crowded Eastern cities and Missouri River towns were feeling the pull of the Western frontier. It was the dawn of a new era of expansion, and over the next few decades, the making of a new kind of pioneer. It was the birth of the cowgirl!

Welcome to the world of nimble equestriennes, hawkeyed sharpshooters, sly outlaws, eloquent legislators, expert wranglers and talented performers who made eyes pop and jaws drop with their skills, savvy and bravery. In this fascinating account of an ever-evolving American icon, Holly George-Warren invites readers to saddle up with a host of these trailblazers who helped settle the West and define the cowgirl spirit.

Tweens and Teens alike will love this one...

Ghost Huntress Book 2: The Guidance

By Marley Gibson

This is Ghost Huntress Book 2: The Guidance the second book in the series Ghost Huntress Book 1: The Awakening being the first, about Kendall and her friends Celia and Becca.

While kids are definitely going to be sucked into this world (I couldn't put it down) - it will offer them more than just a good read about hunting ghosts and helping them "cross over" (after all doesn't Melinda - The Ghost Whisperer, do that once a week on TV?).

It is Kendall's special gift that exposes her to a multitude of teen woes. In "The Guidance", Kendall conquers her own fears and finds the special gift of being able to look past a person's actions to the cause of those actions.

The ghost hunting business is thriving in this small Southern town that at one time was an encampment for Union soldiers during Sherman's March to the Sea. So we learn some of the history of Georgia and what life was like to be a Southerner when Union troops took over some of the larger properties.

Author Marley Gibson is genius! She must have been channeling a teen ghost to set the scene so well. The book is written in "teenager" - by that I mean that, while you may not "get" some of it, your kids will love it!

The topics covered behind the scenes include, mental health, bullying, shame, blame, young romance and most important responsibility - to yourself, for your actions and to your gift!

One last thing - a couple of other reviews said that they really disliked the "product placement" in this book. Do you really think that the mention of "Timberland" and other brand names is out of money issues (esp. for the film if planned)? Or could it be that brands are a huge part of every teen conversation? Sit on a city bus at 8AM in any medium to large Metro area - that is what kids talk about! They don't say - I want new shoes - it is "I'm scoping out the new Skechers after class - you up for it?"

While this is a definite read for teen girls (the friendship between Kendall, Celia and Becca is great), I think that teen boys will also enjoy this fast moving romp through the spirit world!

Product Description from Amazon

Kendall and her ghost hunting team is the talk of Radisson, Georgia, but one person isn’t so pleased. Courtney Langdon doesn’t appreciate Kendall’s new popularity or her relationship with Jason, Courtney’s ex.

So Courtney begins dabbling in the paranormal world. At first it’s all a game to draw attention away from Kendall. But Courtney doesn’t know what she’s getting into—or what wants in her. This is one game that’s about to turn deadly serious.

And for more about Kendall and the ghost huntresses, check out http://ghosthuntress.com !