Pre-Teen Boys

Give the Gift of Learning this Holiday Season

ByMichael Thal November 9, 2017

Holiday shopping is right around the corner. Are you really looking forward to spending hours fighting for a parking spot or waiting in long checkout lines at Macy’s, Sears, or Best Buy? If you want to avoid the hassles, think about buying your favorite child a book this year. You will want your book choice…

The Power Club: An Interview with Author Greg Gildersleeve

ByMichael Thal October 28, 2017

About the Book Title: The Power Club Author: Greg Gildersleeve Genre: MG Fantasy / Adventure “Some create darkness . . . or teleport . . . or fly. Damon creates darkness. Since he possesses a power, he must live in “the district” along with other powered teens. It’s a comfy living: a strip mall, two…

The Impact of Homelessness on Children

ByMichael Thal September 7, 2017

How to Steal a Dog is a heart wrenching novel about homelessness and its affects on two young children. Georgina Hayes is forced to live in a car with her mother and little brother Toby. Her father abandoned them, they were soon evicted from their home, and Mrs. Hayes had to scramble to find two…

Flying to the Fire: A YA Thriller

ByMichael Thal July 22, 2017July 22, 2017

Flying to the Fire is the second book in Elyse Salpeter’s Flying Series. The central character, Danny Anderson, a thirteen-year old deaf child with special gifts, has the unique talent of communicating with the souls of the dead. In the first book in the series, Flying to the Light, Danny is six when a crazy corrupt…

5 YA Books Critics Have Enjoyed

ByMichael Thal July 10, 2017

During these long summer days, it’s always nice to get out of the heat, sit down by the AC, sip ice-cold lemonade, and read a book. Below are five books by award-winning writer, Michael Thal. Goodbye Tchaikovsky Paperback: $9.99 IBook: $9.99 A violin virtuoso is plunged into a deaf world, necessitating him to adapt to…

A Twilight Zone Story for Kids

ByMichael Thal June 27, 2017June 27, 2017

Many young readers may not know much about “Twilight Zone,” an anthology series hosted by Rod Serling that ran for five seasons from 1959-1964. Episodes included psychological horror and thrillers, fantasy and science fiction. Usually an episode ended with a macabre twist. Author Majanka Verstraete undoubtedly was influenced by Serling’s TV show when she wrote…

New Year’s Resolution: Read More…And Here’s Why

ByMichael Thal December 27, 2016

What are you reading? It’s a simple question that could elicit a complex response and an exchange of ideas. It’s a question that can cut through all the tedious niceties and get right to the issue—the depth of your mind and that of your friend. This is our time of year for resolutions. “I’ll lose…

Enchanting YA Historical Novel

ByMichael Thal December 10, 2016

Echo is a beautifully orchestrated novel by award winning author Pam Munoz Ryan involving the lives of four different children. The book begins with Otto’s story, a young boy lost in a forbidden forest. There, three mysterious sisters—Eins, Zwei, and Drei—who give him a melodious harmonica, rescue him. It is this harmonica that becomes the…

The Time Hunter Series Begins

ByMichael Thal November 18, 2016

Becky Mellor, age 13, is prepared for her worst summer vacation. She has to spend it with her little brother, Joe, at Uncle Percy’s stately mansion, Bowen Hall. To make matters worse, Internet access at the mansion is questionable. Little does Becky realize that her entire life is about to change when she and Joe…

Book Blast: 2016 Books by SCBWI Authors

ByMichael Thal October 19, 2016

The Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCWBI) is holding its annual six-week Book Blast promotion that started October 10 and will continue until November 18, 2016. Book Blast highlights traditionally and independently published books on individual author pages. Picture books for young children, chapter books for older readers, middle grade novels and young…