Homeschool Friday - Zoe's Hiding Place

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

Zoe's Hiding Place (Good News for Little Hearts)

By: David A Powlison

Illustrated By: Joe Hox

Publication: October 6, 2018 by New Growth Press

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Animals, Picture Books, Christian, Manners

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate link. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--This beautifully illustrated book invites children to remember that the Lord is near when they are anxious. Zoe, a fearful mouse, is worried about a class trip. As she talks with her parents, Zoe realizes that she can turn to God for help. Papa Mouse gives her a verse from the “Great Book” that she can read when she is afraid. She learns that she can tell God all about her fears, and he will comfort her. Also included is a tear-out page of “Back Pocket Bible Verses” that will give children a practical way to remember God’s words when they are afraid.

A new series of hardback, illustrated children’s books for three-to eight-year-olds—each centered on an animal family—bring gospel help and biblical counsel to families. The animal characters, colorful illustrations, and the real-life issues each animal family face will captivate children. The first three books address anxiety, anger, and failure bringing biblical help and hope to issues every child faces. The last page of each book contains information for parents on how God, in his Word, helps children apply biblical truth to specific issues. Together children and parents will be guided by the stories into meaningful conversations about living by faith in the details of everyday life.

I absolutely love the Good News for Little Hearts series. There's always a Scripture where a book dedication usually stands. Zoe's Hiding Place features Psalms 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble." Zoe's Hiding Place is 32 pages long, but of course, it isn't an AR book so finding an exact book level for reading purposes would just have to be a guess, but I would put these books on par with the Berenstain Bears which ranges from a level-2 to a level-4. Either way, this is a book that I've read to my kids, not a book that my kids have grabbed for supplemental reading purposes (at least so far).

The book starts with Zoe commenting about how under her purple patchwork quilt is her favorite place to hide because she feels so safe and cozy. On the walk to school, Zoe dives into her fairytale book. She barely notices her friends joining her. At school, Miss Minnick announces that they have been invited to visit the Mulberry Meadow Art Museum in the morning. Zoe isn't as excited as everyone else because she's remembering her last trip to the museum where she got so lost looking at a painting that she didn't notice her class leaving. Zoe's mind begins to fill with worries and fear. Mama came in to talk to her. She tells Zoe that worry wants you to believe that you're all alone, but God and Jesus are both with you. She explains that you can trust God to keep you safe. Mama encourages Zoe to turn her fears into prayers and instructs her to listen carefully to the adults in charge of keeping her safe. Zoe wakes up and prays before heading to the museum. Her father gives her a paper with Philippians 4:5-6 on it and tells her to pull it out to read when she feels afraid.

On her way to school, Zoe notices the beauty around her. She doesn't feel afraid, she feels God's presence and peace. She prays again when they arrive at the museum. And she realizes that she forgot how much she loves the art museum. Zoey gets lost in a painting once again and doesn't notice the class leaving, but when she realizes it, she brings the paper out of her pocket and prays again. Then she remembered that all she had to do was find the Great Oak at the beginning of the meadow. And there was her class. Miss Minnick realizes that she needs to do a better job keeping up with her class, but Zoe is okay after all.

At the end of the book is a section to parents about helping children with anxiety. And then finally, there are four "Back Pocket Bible Verses" that you can pull out and give to your child/children for when they are anxious. Philippians 4:5-6, 1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 121:7-8, and Psalm 23:1.

Picture books that teach about Biblical character in a way that children can understand and apply in their lives are among my top favorite books. This entire series is great. Zoe's Hiding Place gets 5 Stars. Have you or your child read Zoe's Hiding Place? What did you think? Let me know!

All Things Halloween Review - Sunrise on the Reaping

Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games, # 0.5)

By: Suzanne Collins

Publication: March 18, 2025 by Scholastic Press

400 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Source: Borrowed from the e-library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--When you've been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for?

As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.

Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.

When Haymitch's name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He's torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who's nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town.

As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he's been set up to fail. But there's something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.

I don't often return to series that I feel has been complete when additional books are written over time. Especially if a large amount of time has passed, and even more especially if the new book is a prequel. The Hunger Games already had a prequel that I wasn't the least bit interested in. I tried to force myself to get it and read it just to complete the series, but I was never interested in President Snow's story, so I never finished The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, but Haymitch was a much more interesting character from the original books in my opinion, and I heard good things about it from my nephew. So I decided to check it out. And I actually listened to this almost non-stop on our trip to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, TN in April.

Because this is a prequel, you already know how Haymitch's story ends. He wins his year of the hunger games. He is District 12's only winner. And he lives alone in the winner's village, drinking himself into a stupor more times than not. And yeah, so that's exactly where Sunrise on the Reaping ends. What the reader doesn't fully know or understand is the journey to get there.

I want to discuss some topics in detail, but I don't want to spoil anything for the reader since we already know so much about how this story ends; spoiling anything else would make the book pointless. I won't say that Sunrise on the Reaping is necessary to enjoy the series, but it does make an already interesting character more understandable and interesting.

The narrator, Jefferson White, did a great job. I can't tell you the last time I listened to a book entirely narrated by a male, but I enjoyed this one. Sometimes the female voices were a bit much, but it didn't bother me too much.

Sunrise on the Reaping was better than I thought it was going to be. At one point, I was hoping for an ending that was different from what I knew to be the actual ending. So to get me invested enough to hope against what I know to be true felt like a feat well accomplished. Sunrise on the Reaping gets 4 Stars. Have you read or listened to Sunrise on the Reaping? What did you think? Let me know!

This review is part of my All Things Halloween event--a month of fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, mystery/thriller, etc reviews and books.

All Things Halloween Review - Thorns and Fire

Thorns & Fire (The Ashes of Thezmarr, # 2)

By: Helen Scheuerer

Publication: July 31, 2025 by Alchemy

448 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Magic, Fae

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Perfect for romantasy fans, Helen Scheuerer’s spellbinding sequel to Iron & Embers, Thorns & Fire, delivers heart-wrenching choices, a found family to root for and a love that defies the odds.

A golden thread joined them, a bond that went deeper than love – and it had nearly destroyed them.

Wren Embervale and Torj Elderbrock share a dark and bloody history. With Thezmarr on the brink of another war, and overwhelmed by the force of their feelings for one another, Torj discovers there is far more to their bond than mere passion. The legendary Warsword is determined to protect Wren at all costs, even if it means lying to her . . . Even if it means losing her forever.

Meanwhile, Wren is struggling to find her place in the world – both as an advanced student of alchemy at the ancient academy of Drevenor, and as one of the heirs to a lost kingdom. With the midrealms once again facing destruction, Wren must decide: loyalty or liberation? Legacy or love?

As new political players emerge, Wren discovers that her gift for alchemy is more powerful than she ever imagined – and that it could tear the kingdoms apart.

Will she and Torj find their way back to each other, or will the ancient magic that binds them become their undoing?

From the author of the bestselling The Legends of Thezmarr series, Thorns & Fire by Helen Scheuerer is the second book in The Ashes of Thezmarr trilogy.

Iron and Embers was one of my most anticipated books from 2025. Yet, I ended up disappointed with the ending, mostly. That being said, I knew I wanted to continue the series, but I also knew I wasn't thrilled about starting Thorns and Fire because of where the characters left off in the previous book. So I didn't run out to pick this one up. I guess this is probably one of those series that it might be better to wait until all of the books are published and then binge-read them one after the other.

Thorns and Fire starts immediately where Iron and Embers left off. Wren has to replicate the solution she made that nullified the alchemy that takes away royal and warsword power. She's under a time crunch as the people's vanguard is gaining traction and followers.

Wren and Torj are broken up. Wren doesn't accept Torj's answers or non-answers, more like. She is determined to get to the bottom of why he broke things off with her. I don't want to spoil anything, but when she does get to the bottom of the answers, I really wasn't happy with her reaction. I'm not saying it wasn't justified or that I would have had a different reaction. But the nature of her search indicated that she knew Torj wasn't being entirely honest with her. So for her to feel betrayed by what she found, I just found that to be too convenient for conflict to drive the plot forward and didn't feel entirely authentic.

Overall, I will say that Thorns and Fire was better than Iron and Embers for me, Language is still a lot. And spice is on page. You can skim that as I do. I do plan to finish this series as I already have book 3, Silver and Smoke in my possession, but so far I've been less impressed compared to The Legends of Thezmarr series which The Ashes of Thezmarr is a spinoff of. Thorns and Fire gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read Thorns and Fire? What did you think? Let me know!

This review is part of my All Things Halloween event--a month of fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, mystery/thriller, etc reviews and books.

Sunday Post - 10/18/26

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

I can't believe that I've missed two Sunday Posts in a row. I don't think that has ever happened in the history of my blog. But October is our busiest family month of the year. So that makes sense. Going all the way back, I can't remember every day details. Tuesday the 29th of September, Big Girl had a doctor's appointment to check up on some increased asthma/breathing problems she's been having during activity. All the kids had ball games that night and the following Thursday as well. After school on Friday the 2nd, my parents came to get the kids to spend the weekend with them. Husband and I went out to eat for a rare date night. Saturday the 3rd was my dad's birthday. I worked on consigment tagging and prepping most of the day. I did get a good bit of reading and listening to an audiobook done during that time. Sunday we had fellowship meal at church and had more visitors than we usually do. Monday the 5th, the kids ended up having ball games. Monday wasn't the normal game day, but things got rearranged that week. Tuesday the 6th I had a hair appointment in the morning. The kids had ball games, but before games started they did a tent decorating contest and the kids playing ball got to trick or treat at all the different team tents. That was a lot of fun, but hectic. Thursday the 8th was a packed day. Big Boy had nature class. Little Boy hung out with my parents. Big Girl had band. Then we met up with friends after to eat lunch and play at the park. My sister and niece ended up evacuating the hurricane and came to my parent's to stay the weekend. We went to my parents' after the park and hung out until dinner. The kids ended up spending Thursday and Friday nights there. I did have to pick the boys up early Friday morning, the 9th, for haircuts. I hung out with them until dinner again. Saturday, we had a family birthday celebration for all of our October birthdays (Husband's birthday was also that day). We have 5 total birthdays in my side of the family during October. That was a great day of celebration since we don't all get together too often. Sunday, Little Boy went off on vacation to Tennessee with my parents. Tuesday the 13th after some school, Big Girl and I took her trumpet to the music store to get some work. (Her slides were stuck and a few other tweaks.) Husband went to pick it up on Wednesday for us. Thursday, we had band. Afterwards, we went to Kohls to do a return and then to Shoe Station to get shoes for the family for family pictures. Big Boy ended up having pitching practice late Thursday night. Friday the 16th was a mostly normal day. And then yesterday, I took consignment items to drop off.

THE PAST THREE WEEKS

Monday 9/28: Review of Trust Fall by Lynn Painter (3.5 Stars)
Thursday 10/1: All Things Halloween Review of Heartless Hunter (Crimson Moth, # 1) by Kristen Ciccarelli (4 Stars)
Friday 10/2: Homeschool Friday - Jax's Tail Twitches
Saturday 10/3: September 2026 EOM Wrap Up
Monday 10/5: All Things Halloween Review of Web of Vows and Vengeance (The Hirathaen Path, # 1) by Aria Ashbrook (3.5 Stars)
Thursday 10/8: All Things Halloween Review of Rebel Witch (Crimson Moth, # 2) by Kristen Ciccarelli (4 Stars)
Friday 10/9: Homeschool Friday - Gwen Tells Tales
Monday 10/12: All Things Halloween Review of Ruby Red (Ruby Red Trilogy, # 1) by Kerstin Gier (3 Stars)
Thursday 10/15: All Things Halloween Review of Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment, # 1) by Rebecca Ross (4 Stars)
Friday 10/16: Homeschool Friday - Spider-Man The Amazing Story

My annual "All Things Halloween" event is happening. This is my month-long event where I feature reviews from Halloween-y genres (fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, sci-fi, horror, mystery, thriller, and suspense). Over the last few years I've had mostly fantasy books as I just haven't been in the mood for much horror, but still...these are books that can get you in the mood for Halloween.

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: All Things Halloween Review of Thorns and Fire (The Ashes of Thezmarr, #2) by Helen Scheuerer
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Thursday: All Things Halloween Review of Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games, # 0.5) by Suzanne Collins
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Zoe's Hiding Place

NEW BOOKS:

Threshing Day (The Empyrean, # 3.5)

By: Rebecca Yarros

Publication: September 29, 2026 by Entangled: Red Tower Books

224 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Dragons, Romantasy

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--The next book in the blockbuster Empyrean series, Threshing Day contains thirteen stories starring your favorite characters and their dragons. The deluxe first edition includes sixteen beautiful original full-color illustrations by artist Joe Requeza. This breathtaking collectible is available only in the US and Canada while supplies last. Full blurb to be revealed soon!

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Spider-Man the Amazing Story

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

Spider-Man the Amazing Story

By: Catherine Saunders

Publication: January 1, 2006 by Dk Pub

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Level-1 Reader, Early Reader, Superhero

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate link. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Describes how Peter Parker became Spider-Man and tells what his amazing secret powers are.

DK rates Spider-Man The Amazing Story as a Level-1 Beginning to Read book. My son when he was reading level-1 books was always intimidated by this book. It is the average length of a level-1 reader, but I will say that some of the words were bigger than I was expecting from level-1, so I let him wait until he was reading level-2 books to kind of force this one on him. (For example: ordinary, heights, radioactive, exhibition, poison, fantastic, skyscrapers, wrestling, television, burglar, identity, costume, building, strength, Scorpion). If it were one or two words, I wouldn't have questioned it, but there was a challenging word for a level-1 reader on every page. We don't want to discourage readers even while pushing them a little.

The book tells the basic story of Spider-Man/Peter Parker. There's no new revelations. It talks about who Peter Parker was before, how he became Spider-Man, and how he changed after becoming Spider-Man. I liked that he has a story that goes from being picked on by others at school to using his new skills to save people and catch bad guys. What I didn't love and don't see as necessary in a book designed for roughly six-year-olds was the hyper sexualization of Mary Jane. She's wearing a lace-up shirt that emphasizes her breasts and narrows down to a taper into her pants were you can see flesh at her hip. In the next picture, She is clinging to Spider-Man while wearing low-rise jeans and a shirt that shows about 5+ inches of her belly, hip and back, all while showing the V of her abdominal muscles/hip bone and emphasizing the round shape of her butt. I just don't think this was necessary for a young children's book. Also, Aunt May looks positively diabolical and scary. These are some odd choices for a level-1 reader if you ask me.

I don't mind challenging a child to push beyond what they might think they are capable of, and I don't know how DK chooses to rate their leveled readers. I thought some of the words included were a little more challenging for a level-1 book. But the biggest draw back to me was the odd illustrations which depicted Aunt May almost as evil and Mary Jane as hyper-sexualized. Spider-Man The Amazing Story gets 2.5 Stars. Have you or your child read Spider-Man The Amazing Story? What did you think? Let me know!