Moms Inspire Learning

Thought Provoking Books for Teenage Girls

StrawberryGirl (my 13 year old daughter) has read most of Sarah Dessen's young adult books. The last one she read was called Lock and Key.  When I asked her which book was her favorite, she said it was the book, Dreamland.  I was surprised, because I knew this book was about an abusive boyfriend/girlfriend relationship.

The reason StrawberryGirl liked this book so much was that it was very different from any book she had ever read. It's one of this author's more serious books, so use your discretion when deciding when your daughter might be ready to read it. 

There have been so many reports in the news of abusive relationships, some to the point of extreme violence. I think it's important for teenagers to read books like this so that they are aware of these situations. Everyone knows that feelings of first love can be very powerful, and judgment can become cloudy. That's all the more reason to keep the lines of communication open with our children, and to read books like this along with them.

What's next on StrawberryGirl's list? Well, we just found what looks like a very promising book called North of Beautiful, by Justina Chen Headley. I was so happy to find this new release on Jen Robinson's book page. There you can find a complete book review. When I read Jen's review, I had to get this book for my daughter! It's also on my reading list. This book is especially appealing because it explores inner and outer beauty, both of which are highly relevant to teenage girls.

Dreamland and North of Beautiful are recommended for girls 13 years old and up. I hope you will enjoy them along with your daughter.

Would you like to recommend a book for teenage girls?

A Fun Way to End a Beautiful Day

It was an absolutely beautiful day here in the Northeastern USA! It was 70 degrees and sunny. This photo of a playground reminds me of the many hours and days I spent with my children at the park. They're too old to go on the equipment anymore, but we still enjoy playing sports and having picnics at the park.  Wherever you live, I hope you've been able to get out this week to enjoy some nice weather!

Friday Photo Fun: We've Fallen, But We Can Get Up

We may be travelling against the wind right now...

Sometimes To Move Ahead, You Have to Look Back

When I think about the whole "green" movement, I think about one person:  Al Gore. Even though many people have been trying to spread the many messages that go along with "going green" for many years, it was Al Gore who made this mission a universal one. He lit the fire, and to me, he is a legend.

There are many definitions of the word legend. A legend could be a person, like Al Gore, who has made an indelible mark on history, and has inspired so many people. When I think about the word legend, though, I mostly think about a story that was passed down from earlier times. I find it fascinating to think about stories that have lived on, even though they never were written down in any book.

Top 10 Ways to Raise an Avid Reader, Part 1

As much as I love to read articles online these days, I find this kind of informational reading to be a very different experience from reading a real book, newspaper, or magazine. Why? Well, a computer screen is hard to look at for long periods of time, and it's also hard to focus upon one topic for too long. There are a significant number of distractions. It's great that you can find so much information so quickly, but it's a different kind of reading. It's not easy to find time to read for pleasure when there are so many wonderful informational resources on the internet!

Smiles for You

I realize it's not Friday, but I thought I'd share a photo today anyway. I just changed my blog banner and layout, so why not shake things up a bit?

Last year, I found these "Smile Stones," along with an inspirational poem, at a web site called www.helpothers.org. They brought a smile to my face (as I hope they do for you), but I haven't had a chance to make them with my children until last Sunday.

No Place Like Home

"There's no place like home," Judy Garland says in the classic movie, The Wizard of Oz.

Even though the character of Dorothy starts out wanting to find her "rainbow" in a faraway place, soon all she can think about is finding her way home. Don't we all need to know that we can return to a comforting place, and be surrounded by people we love, after leaping out into the world on our own?

Home is a special place, no matter who you are or where you live. It means different things to different people.  Home is also a great place to have your child start thinking about his or her connection to the world.

Friday Photo Fun: Gazebo in the Woods

Gazebo in the Woods

Surrounded by trees,
We sit in a gazebo
Looking at the pond.

Math to World Connections, Part 3

What do these floor tiles make you think of? They make me think of math.

Math to World Connections, Part 2

What comes to mind when you think of a square?
Do you think of:

• a post-it?
• a tile on your floor?
• a window to the outside world?

Believe it or not, this shape has inspired the learning of math, reading, writing, and even history, for centuries. The best example I can give you is of an ancient Chinese puzzle called a tangram.