Homeschool Friday - Jake's Brave Night

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.

Jake's Brave Night

By: Crystal Bowman

Publication: June 10, 2007 by Zonderkidz

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Early Reader, Level-2, Picture Books

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--Jake is excited about having his own bedroom, but when it comes time to go to sleep, he is afraid of the dark and afraid of being alone. Jake tries to conquer his fears by turning on the bedroom light. When that doesn’t work, he takes his animals to bed with him. Then he tries crawling under his bed. When none of these methods work, he crawls back into bed and finally falls asleep. The next morning, when Jake tells his parents what happened, they get him a night light and remind him that God is with him all night long. The next night Jake has no trouble falling asleep.

Jake's Brave Night is a ZonderKidz Level-2 reader. Jake is used to sleeping in the room with his sister, but now that he's growing up, he has his own bed and bedroom. He does his bedtime routine which includes brushing his teeth, puting on his pajamas, his father reads him a Bible story, and his mother prays for him before bed. But Jake has trouble sleeping. First he's scared of the dark so he turns on the light. Then his stuffed animals have scary shadows so he turns the light back off. Then he feels lonely so he grabs his stuffed animals to sleep with but there's no room. He puts them back up, but tries to sleep under the bed instead. But now the floor is hard and cold. He finally goes to sleep, but he is so tired the next day. His parents talk to him about not being alone in his bed at night because God is always with him, and God never sleeps. The next night Jake is able to sleep peacefully.

It's funny that my son chose to read this when he did. He's going through a phase of waking up scared and lonely during the night for about a month now. I love that Jake's Brave Night incorporates God, prayer, and peace. This story could have easily been fluff. So many of our level-2 readers are just mindnumbingly boring stories. But having a story that encourages faith in God and His protection over us in this way is exactly what children need to be reading.

Jake's Brave Night gets 5 Stars. Have you or your child read Jake's Brave Night? What did you think? Let me know!

June 2026 EOM Wrap Up

I read 10 books (not including children's books).
Igniting Lies (Burning, # 1) by Rebecca Donovan
I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011 (I Survived) by Lauren Tarshis
The Wind Weaver (Reign of Remnants, # 1) by Julie Johnson
I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863 (I Survived) by Lauren Tarshis
Silver Elite (Silver Elite, # 1) by Dani Francis
I Survived the Galveston Hurricane, 1900 (I Survived) by Lauren Tarshis
Rain of Shadows and Endings (The Legacy, # 1) by Melissa K Roehrich
Dire Bound (The Wolves of Ruin, # 1) by Sable Sorensen
Fury Bound (The Wolves of Ruin, # 2) by Sable Sorensen
The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillon

I reviewed 8 books (not including mini reviews of children's books).
First and Forever by Lynn Painter
An Accidental Marriage (The Gentleman's Gamble, # ?) by Deborah M. Hathaway
A Foolish Proposal (The Gentleman's Gamble, # ?) by Kasey Stockton
Forever is the Sweetest Con by Joanna Thurlow
Igniting Lies (Burning, # 1) by Rebecca Donovan
A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams – A Historical Novel of the Woman Who Helped Shape America from the Shadows by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie
A Novel Engagement (The Gentleman's Gamble, # ?) by Anneka R Walker
A Bewildered Bachelor (The Gentleman's Gamble, # ?) by Holli Jo Monroe

Other Posts:
Sunday Post - 06/07/26
Sunday Post - 06/14/26
Sunday Post - 06/28/26
Top Ten Summer 2026
Top Ten Most Anticiapted Releases of Q3/Q4 2026
Can't Wait for Trust Fall by Lynn Painter
Can't Wait for Spirit Lands (The Spice Road, # 3) by Maiya Ibrahim
Can't Wait for Light of My Life by Kasie West
Can't Wait for Twined Fates (Tangled Hearts, # 3) by K. Bromberg
Homeschool Friday - Clifford's Manners
Homeschool Friday - The Spooky Sound
Homeschool Firday - Facts About Frogs and Snakes
April & May 2026 EOM Wrap Up

Goals:
I'm a few days ahead on my Bible-in-a-year plan.
I've read 84 out of 110 books (including children's books).

Can't Wait for The Mirror of Infinite Endings

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

The Mirror of Infinite Endings (Once Upon a Broken Heart, # 3.5)

By: Stephanie Garber

Expected Publication: September 22, 2026 by Flatiron Books

256 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy,

( 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 #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING Once Upon a Broken Heart series continues… Return to the Magnificent North and the BREATHTAKING LOVE STORY that has captivated readers all over the world!

Jacks and Evangeline Fox have finally found their happily ever after.

Everything here in the Hollow is wonderful and perfect.

Nothing is going to go wrong.

No one is keeping a secret . . . except for maybe one.

But don’t worry, it’s not going to rewrite reality or alter history or change the ending of Jacks and Evangeline’s story.

Definitely not.

Featuring cameos from fan-favorite characters and twenty full-page illustrations by Lotusbubble, the newest installment in the Once Upon a Broken Heart universe will immerse readers once again in this beloved, #1 New York Times bestselling series. Because every story has the potential for infinite endings.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases of Q3/Q4 2026

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. This week's topic is Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases of Q3/Q4 2026

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1. Burn of the Everflame (Kindred's Curse, # 4) by Penn Cole
2. Tempest (The Lyrian Sea, # 1) by Victoria Aveyard
3. Not Book 4 (Empyrean, # 3.5?, 0.5?, 2.5?) by Rebecca Yarros (not pictured)
4. ACOTAR 6 (A Court of Thorns and Roses, # 6) by Sarah J Maas (not pictured)
5. The Mirror of Infinite Endings (Once Upon a Broken Heart, # 3.5) by Stephanie Garber
6. Kiss of the Black Flame by Helen Scheuerer
7. Peculiar Stars by Rebecca Yarros
8. Twined Fates (Tangled Hearts, # 3) by K Bromberg
9. Throne of the Heavens (The King's Men, # 4) by Connilyn Cossette
10. Miss Beresford & the Beast (Daughters of Somerset, # 1) by Mimi Matthews

Which books are on you anticipating for the next half of the year? Let me know!

A Bewildered Bachelor - Mini Review

A Bewildered Bachelor (The Gentlemen's Gamble, # ?)

By: Holli Jo Monroe

Publication: March 5, 2026 by Brillig Press

250 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

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 bet was simple. The plan was perfect. The result was bewildering.
To win a high-stakes wager, Ambrose Hartley must find a wife, preferably one who will help secure his ideal future. Hardened by past disappointment, he is avoiding fickle emotions by focusing on a logical list of requirements. His plans include a serious courtship, a suitable partner, and a predictable life.

Susanna Fenton is unpredictable, unsuitable, and rarely serious. A contented spinster, she believes love is the only proper reason to surrender her freedom. Having known Ambrose since childhood, she doesn’t hesitate to mock his plan. But as she watches him court eligible ladies, she begins to wonder if what she feels isn’t sisterly concern but jealousy.

As Ambrose’s plan unravels, Susanna worries that she will never measure up to his impossible standards. With their mutual misunderstandings mounting and six hundred pounds on the line, can they find the courage to risk their hearts for a future they never thought to plan?

***The Gentlemen's Gamble is a series about seven men racing to the altar in order to avoid losing a wager. Starting January, the books will release in an unannounced order to keep the loser of the wager a surprise.

Somehow I skipped writing my review for A Bewildered Bachelor upon completing this book. That being said...I finished this book three months before sitting down to write my review of it, once I realized that I never did. And I remember nearly nothing about this book. Also, I didn't highlight anything in my Kindle for notes, impressions, or quotes I wanted to refer back to. I did list it in my spreadsheet when I finished the book with a 4 Star rating. Thank goodness for that. I have racked my brain trying to remember a single thing about this book, but everything I thought I remembered was actually about a different book in this series. I don't think that's a fault of the book, but my fault for not reviewing it promptly. I do remember that it wasn't my least favorite book in this series. I actually did write a timely review of that book, and it will be coming. Maybe I should re-read this book so I can write a proper review. This is probably the worst book review I've published on my blog since I had zero to say about Harry Potter when I was originally listening to those on audiobook back in 2011.

Have you read A Bewildered Bachelor? What did you think? Let me know!