Sunday, September 15, 2013

Raising Boys By Design

Raising Boys By design authored by Gregory L. Jantz , PhD and Michael Gurian with Ann McMurray is a book that will offer parents of boys some great information. The authors give amazing insight into how boys think, work and function. As a mother of a son with ADHD, I often feel at a disadvantage because I don't always know when my son is "just being a boy" or when there's more to it. This book gave me some great tools in relating to my son on a higher level.

The authors wrote about how the school system can often fail our sons. This is something I agree with heartily. I previously homeschooled and still appreciate how I was able to teach my son exactly how HE needed to learn. While the "system" may fail our sons, I really believe it depends on each teacher. There are some that understood that boys need to be active, while others do not. This is something I have learned as a Mom. Pre-being a mother of a son, I would have expected boys to sit still and quiet like my daughter. I've learned that this is not how it works with him. He learns best when he is active. Studying math facts while playing catch with my son is much more effective than having him sit on a chair across from me while making him answer flash cards. I'm so thankful for the reminder of this fact about how boys learn. It will enable me to be a much better mom when it comes to homework time!

I also liked how this book gave information from a male perspective of how things are for boys growing up and hitting puberty. Puberty scare me! This book helped me to understand more about what will be happening with my son. I'm heading into this stage prepped with some good reading material and many hours spent on my knees!

I highly recommend this book to Mothers, Fathers, Youth Pastors and Teachers!

I received a complimentary copy of Raising Boys By Design from Waterbrook Press in exchange for this review. I was in no way paid for this review.



Saturday, September 7, 2013

Rules of Murder

Julianna Deering brings us to the 1930's era in England in her book "Rules of Murder". Drew Farthering returns home to his estate to find an unwanted visitor. He quickly takes care of the situation.

During a big party at his estate, Drew and Madeline (the visiting niece of his step-father discover a dead body. This is when things turn interesting! There was more than just one victim! Who is the killer? Drew is determined to help solve the mystery of who murdered the victims. His best friend Nick (son of the butler) and Madeline are alongside Drew helping him to figure out who the murderer is!

I liked how this book kept me guessing. There were times I was sure I knew who had committed the murders, however there would be a twist that brought doubt to my mind. I would then think someone else was the killer. After, I got past the difference in the style of speaking from the 1930's, I was hooked. This was a very fast and enjoyable read for me.

This is a very different type of book for me. It is the first murder mystery I have ever read. It definitely has caused me to want to read more! I would be very delighted to read more of Julianna Deering's book.

I received a copy of Rules of Murder from the Bethany House Book Reviewers program. This fact in no way influenced, nor sought to influence, my opinion of the novel.