It's A Book by Lane Smith

For a change of pace, I want to share this short video of the children's book, It's A Book by Lane Smith. Now that texting, tweeting, blogging, and Web browsing take up many hours of our waking hours, it's refreshing to remember the simple joys of reading a book. Watch the monkey explain to the donkey that It's A Book! Find some time to read during our Thanksgiving week vacation or cuddle up with a youngster and read a BOOK!!

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

The Last Child by John Hart

Once in awhile a book comes along that grabs my attention from the very first page. The intrigue, the characters, the setting, or the author's choice of words. John Hart's The Last Child was all of that plus the thrill of the events unfolding. This book is a suspenseful thriller!

Johnny Merriman is searching for his twin sister who has not been seen in a year. She was picked up by a stranger when she was 12 years old and their family hasn't been the same since. His father has left, his mother tries to mask her pain with drink and drugs, even the police officer who worked diligently to find Alyssa is distraught.

Johnny has a plan to find her. He's convinced she is still alive. He puts himself in harms way often - seeking out the local sex offenders, sneaking out of the house driving into remote areas, drinking with his friend, skipping school, and more. You'll find yourself on the edge of your seat and hoping that Johnny will be safe and that he'll find Alyssa.

I love suspenseful mysteries with all the twists and turns that John Hart has cleverly written in The Last Child. I always try to figure out the mystery before the book's end. I came pretty close in this book but Hart outsmarted me again. That's what makes him an award winning author!

John Hart's website

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm