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Pop’s 6 Favorite Books of 2018

ByMichael Thal

In 2018 Pop read and reviewed 36 young adult novels. All of the books received 5 pops because they were thought provoking, imaginative, and the author’s writing style exemplary. Below you’ll find seven of his favorites plus his award-winning novel, Koolura and the Mayans. Title: Koolura and the Mayans   Author: Michael Thal Awards: 2018 eLit…

Print books vs e-books
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Print books vs e-books

ByMichael Thal

What are the differences between electronic books and print books? For starters electronic books, or e-books require a device like the Kindle, Nook, or iPad. A Kindle can cost from $80-$350 while a Nook could run from $139-$269. iPads are a bit more costly from $94-$1149. On all devices files are downloaded from the Internet…

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YA Fantasy into a Medieval World

ByMichael Thal

Elai Nelson and the Prophecy of the Child is book one of the Fire on the Clouds Trilogy. The novel begins when Elai’s home is broken into by two goons who kill his adoptive parents and attempt to kidnap him. But with the help of his talking toothbrush (you read that right) the sixteen-year old manages…

Growing up Deaf
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Growing up Deaf

ByMichael Thal

Audiologists acknowledge four levels of deafness—mild, moderate, severe, and profound. Author Cece Bell is severely to profoundly deaf. At the age of four she contracted meningitis, robbing her of most of her hearing. When she started public school, Cece was mainstreamed into a regular classroom. She knew she was different from the other kids due…

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Murder on the Seine

ByMichael Thal

Corporate trainer and amateur sleuth, Lysi Weston is on the road again with best friend Grace Wright. This time the duo are in Paris, France where they are assigned the task of presenting a model of their management training seminar to the American Chamber of Commerce in France in hopes of educating chauvinistic Francophiles on…

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When Nana Dies

ByMichael Thal

  Dear Pop, My mother is very sick and will soon pass. What do I tell my children about death and dying? Sad Mom Dear Sad Mom, Grandparents are an important part of your children’s lives because Nana and Papa link them to our past as well as provide them comfort, love, and understanding. Since…

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Infants and American Sign Language

ByMichael Thal

Dear Pop, My daughter will have a baby this spring. I want to teach my grandchild American Sign Language (ASL) but my wife thinks that will only confuse the child. I say it will empower my granddaughter. Who’s right? Deaf Grandpa Dear Deaf Grandpa, You’re right. Now let me tell you why. Soon after birth,…