Professor Owl’s Book Corner. Week of September 22nd,2021

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Welcome back to week two of our new weekly newsletter, we hope you enjoyed our last issue set up, and you found our new format easier to follow.

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This week we will share with you a video on, and how other students found the first week back to school and their reactions to Covid 19.

 

 

Need someone to talk to? 

Kids Help Line   Phone e-mental health services available 24/7  across Canada. This means we are here for you/  Call  1800-668-6868 ~ htps://www.safehelpline.org 

 

   

Shadow and Bone

 

 

 

by Leigh Bardugo

Enter the Grishaverse with Book One of the Shadow and Bone Trilogy by the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Six of Crows and the Crooked Kingdom.

Soldier. Summoner. Saint. Orphaned and expendable, Alina Starkov is a soldier who knows she may not survive her first trek across the Shadow Fold—a swath of unnatural darkness crawling with monsters. But when her regiment is attacked, Alina unleashes dormant magic, not even she knew she possessed.

Now Alina will enter a lavish world of royalty and intrigue as she trains with the Grisha, her country’s magical military elite—and falls under the spell of their notorious leader, the Darkling. He believes Alina can summon a force capable of destroying the Shadow Fold and reuniting their war-ravaged country, but only if she can master her untamed gift.

As the threat to the kingdom mounts and Alina unlocks the secrets of her past, she will make a dangerous discovery that could threaten all she loves and the very future of a nation.

Welcome to Ravka . . . a world of science and superstition where nothing is what it seems. It is thrilling, magical, and captivating! Great word building, amazing story, and interesting characters, this book has it all!

I really loved reading this book and can’t wait to know what happens next. Makes me so motivated to read the next books in the series.

A New York Times Bestseller
A Los Angeles Times Bestseller
An Indie Next List Book
This title has Common Core connections.

Read all the books in the Grishaverse!

The Shadow and Bone Trilogy
(previously published as The Grisha Trilogy)
Shadow and Bone
Siege and Storm
Ruin and Rising

The Six of Crows Duology
Six of Crows
Crooked Kingdom

The King of Scars Duology
King of Scars

The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic
The Severed Moon: A Year-Long Journal of Magic

Praise for the Grishaverse

“A master of fantasy.” —The Huffington Post
“Utterly, extremely bewitching.” —The Guardian
“This is what fantasy is for.” —The New York Times Book Review
“[A] world that feels real enough to have its own passport stamp.” —NPR
“The darker it gets for the good guys, the better.” —Entertainment Weekly
“Sultry, sweeping and picturesque. . . . Impossible to put down.” —USA Today
“There’s a level of emotional and historical sophistication within Bardugo’s original epic fantasy that sets it apart.” —Vanity Fair
“Unlike anything I’ve ever read.” —Veronica Roth, bestselling author of Divergent
“Bardugo crafts a first-rate adventure, a poignant romance, and an intriguing mystery!” —Rick Riordan, bestselling author of the Percy Jackson series

 Shadow and Bones and all other books are available from http:/www.amazon.ca. http://www.amazon.com. https//:www.kobo, com other fine book stores and your School and Public Libraries.

Professor Owl’s Book Corner, Week of September 15th.2021

 

BACK TO SCHOOL ` ISSUE

Welcome back to Professor Owl’s Book Corner!

During our short break, we read some of our readers’ letters, saying that they had found our monthly newsletter too long, and asked if we could make it shorter, with this in mind there will be making some changes.

We will be breaking down the newsletter into four small weekly ones, that will be posted every Wednesday.

These newsletters will still cover many of your favorite pages including the weekly book of the week in our Book Corner, Crafters Corner, Literacy help, Community Boards, and Writers Corner. We will also include some “Help Links”.

It is September again and many schools around the world are welcoming their students back to school after two years of Covid 19 that interrupted school for many young people.

Most of you tried online learning some did their learning other ways. Students around the world are going to school under quite different circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many schools have reopened with varying degrees of extenuation depending on government guidance, while others haven’t reopened at all but instead implemented distance learning. We will take a visual tour of what and how students around the world are dealing with during this unusual time.

What’s happening at Variety? ~ We’re coming together to create an impact.
Events provide ways to get children with disabilities out in their communities to socialize and participate in the fun. Donors, volunteers, and families rally around a common goal: to extend these opportunities to every child who needs them.
The Access Expo
FRIDAY, SEP 17, 2021
8:00AM-7:00PM VARIETY ONTARIO 3701 DANFORTH AVENUE, SCARBOROUGH ON
The Access Expo
Back for the second year in a row, the Access Expo is a free 2-day event taking place on September 17 and 18, 2021, and will host exhibitors at Variety…
EVENT DETAILS
Golf Fore Kids
FRIDAY, SEP 24, 2021
8:00AM – 2:00PM REMINGTON PARKVIEW GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Golf Fore Kids
Golf Fore Kids Charity Tournament *Registration is FULL* BID FOR KIDS Online Auction is LIVE! As part of our Golf Fore Kids Charity Classic, we are running an Online Auction! …
`EVENT DETAILS

  WHAT”S NEW?~We are OPEN! New COVID Protocols

Variety is open! Ahead of the new provincial policy, we will be requiring proof of vaccination from our members, and as of September 13, 2021, bookings are not required to use our facilities. We will still be operating at 50% capacity. If you are looking to reactivate your membership, call our front desk at 416-699-7167 or email membership@varietyontario.ca. For more information on memberships, click below.

READ MORE
• The Access Expo is One Week Away! September 17-18th
The Access Expo is returning for the second time to Variety Village this September! In the first ability expo since COVID, discover ability-enhancing products and services, play adaptive sports, and attend informative workshops. There’s something for #everyBODY!
Come join us, it’s free:

READ MORE
• SHOP: The Inclusion Initiative
The Inclusion Initiative’s Spring/Summer 2021 collection is now available! They have everything from activewear to sweaters, t-shirts, hats, kids’ apparel, and more! Click below to see what’s in store – 100% of net proceeds will be donated to Variety
When you purchase their apparel, you take the pledge to play for inclusion. #IPlayForInclusion

READ MORE
Upcoming Events
• The Access Expo
SEPTEMBER 17 & 18, 2021 VARIETY VILLAGE

• Golf Fore Kids Charity Classic
SEPTEMBER 24, 2021, 8:00AM-2:00PM REMINGTON PARKVIEW GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

• Truck or Treat Food Truck Festival
OCTOBER 30 & 31, 2021 VARIETY VILLAGE/BIRCHMOUNT PARK COLLEGIATE PARKING LOTS

Variety programming empowers children with disabilities to be seen, participate, and feel included. We bring accessible facilities to life with sports, fitness, activities, summer camps, skills training, and coaching for competitive and Paralympic athletes. Through local partnerships, we extend our reach through accessibility training and education.
• 2 Swimming Pools
• Cardio Room
• Accessible Equipment
• State of the Art Weight Room
• MONDO Indoor Track
• 3 Full-size Sport Courts
LEARN MORE ABOUT US

Dodging for Dimes – Get your corporate team or a team of friends together for this fast and fun charity dodgeball tournament. No training, no practice, just loads of fun with a big impact on Canadians living with physical disabilities.
•
Johnny Reid – A Time for Having Fun – Johnny Reid wants to remind everyone that Christmas – regardless of the circumstances – is A Time for Having Fun!
•
Join us on September 17th for our virtual job fair! – Come find out what positions are available and what makes March of Dimes Canada such a wonderful place to work.
•
Kitchen Ceilidh – Join us November 7th for some good craic and cook along with Chef Brooklyn Hillier with entertainment by J.P. Cormier!
•
National Family Caregiver Day – A Moment for You: A Conversation Among Caregivers – Join us on Tuesday, April 6, for a virtual conversation of the incredible unseen contribution of caregivers.
•
Opening Doors for Accessibility – If you are an individual living with a disability, health professional, caregiver, or family member, you should attend this free community resource showcase.
•
opportunities with Kate Linder and Y&R Friends – OpportuniTea high tea in Toronto and Calgary, features Kate Linder (Esther Valentine), along with her actor friends from the top-rated North American soap opera The Young and The Restless.
•
Rock for Dimes – Find out when Rock for Dimes battle of the bands will be coming to your community at http://www.rockfordimes.ca
•
Spiking for Dimes – Get your corporate team or a team of friends together for this fast and fun charity volleyball tournament.
March of Dimes Canada Head Office
10 Overlea Blvd.,
Toronto, ON M4H 1A4
Tel: 416-425-3463
Toll-free: 1-800-263-3463
Fax: 416-425-1920

 

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• Upcoming Events
  See all events

September 13  ~ FAMILY EVENT
Transitions Pop-up: Connect with Yorktown Family Services Youth Mentorship Program
Sign up for an opportunity to trial Yorktown Family Services Connect4 Youth Mentorship Program!

September 14 ~ FAMILY EVENT
Transitions Pop-up: Connect with Pro Bono Ontario
Learn about health and financial decision-making when your child turns 18.
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The Keeper of Night
Release date – Oct. 12, 2021

 Kylie Lee Baker (Author)

A girl of two worlds, accepted by none… A half Reaper, half Shinigami soul collector seeks her destiny in this haunting and compulsively readable dark fantasy duology set in 1890s Japan.

Death is her destiny.

Half British Reaper, half Japanese Shinigami, Ren Scarborough has been collecting souls in the London streets for centuries. Expected to obey the harsh hierarchy of the Reapers who despise her, Ren conceals her emotions and avoids her tormentors as best she can.

When her failure to control her Shinigami abilities drives Ren out of London, she flees to Japan to seek the acceptance she’s never gotten from her fellow Reapers. Accompanied by her younger brother, the only being on earth to care for her, Ren enters the Japanese underworld to serve the Goddess of Death…only to learn that here, too, she must prove herself worthy. Determined to earn respect, Ren accepts an impossible task—find and eliminate three dangerous Yokai demons—and learns how far she’ll go to claim her place at Death’s side.

Professor Owls Review:

The Keeper of Night is a story of mixed legends and traditions. Combining the distinctive Reapers of England and combining it with the legendary stories of Shinigami’s and Yochai’s, the author Kylie Lee Baker weaves a dark and sinister tale of death for herself and those who serve her.

This story has a lot of interesting characters including the honorably vague Ren and her consciousness in the form of her younger brother Neven.

The Keeper of Night will leave you guessing throughout the story and trying not to hold your breath for the second book.

 I would like to thank Net Galley for the advance copy that enabled me to give you information on this terrific book.

 Review
“Sharp and seductive…a fantasy with teeth.” —Julie C. Dao, author of Forest of a Thousand Lanterns

“The Keeper of Night is an absolutely thrilling tale of one girl’s search for identity and a sense of belonging. With its rich worldbuilding, high-stakes and well-drawn characters, Kylie Lee Baker has created a must-read tale.” —June Hur, author of The Silence of Bones

“Dark, gruesome—and absolutely captivating.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Baker’s debut is atmospheric… A cliff-hanger ending will have readers anxiously awaiting the final title in this duology.” —Booklist
Don’t miss the must-read sequel coming in 2022!

About the Author

 

Kylie Lee Baker is the author of The Keeper of Night. She grew up in Boston and has since lived in Atlanta, Salamanca, and Seoul. Her writing is informed by her heritage (Japanese, Chinese, and Irish), as well as her experiences living abroad as both a student and teacher. She has a BA in creative writing and Spanish from Emory University and a Master of Library and information science degree from Simmons University.

 

This book will be available from   www.amazon.com, http://www.amazon.ca, and  www.kobo.com    

Professor Owl’s Book Corner ~ Book of the week ~ 22/08/21

The Forest Kingdom

(Asperfell Trilogy, Book 2)

by Jamie Thomas

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Briony is free from the walls of Asperfell, but not from its strange and savage world.

Lost in the frozen wilderness, Briony leads her friends ever northward, in search of a rumored cave wherein lies their only hope of returning home to the kingdom of Tiralaen with Prince Elyan, the rightful heir to the throne, to save her people from civil war.

What she discovers instead is an impossible kingdom of opulence and decadence beyond her wildest imagining. Here, an ancient goddess is about to awaken once more… and she has never forgiven Briony’s people for their intrusion into this world, nor the centuries of bloodshed that followed.

Caught in a deadly web of secrets and lies that stretches across generations, Briony holds the fate of two kingdoms in her hands. To leave this new world behind is to condemn its people to anguish and death. But to stay and fight, Briony must abandon her home and everyone she’s ever loved—including Elyan.

To save one kingdom, the other must fall.

A great fantasy series, the storyline and the characters really hold your attention throughout the book.

The plot and storyline just become more intriguing as the story and series develop. I am looking forward to the 3rd book in the series and cannot wait for it to be released.  I give this book five stars!

I would like to thank NetGalley for the advanced copy so that I could review it for Professor Owl’s book reviews.

Available from  www.amazon.com, www.amazon.ca, www.Kobo.com, and other fine bookstores.

Professor Owl’s Book Corner ~ Book of the week August 11th, 2021

These Hollow Vows Hardcover – July 20, 2021

Reviews:

by Lexi Ryan  (Author)

Product description:

“Sexy, surprising, and full of secrets. These Hollow Vows is a lot like the world of Faerie – seductive, enthralling, and dangerous. With two very different love interests, lots of heated moments, and a spectacular ending, this is the fantasy romance I have been craving”—Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Caraval series
 
“A sexy new take on fae fantasy, THESE HOLLOW VOWS swept me away from the very first page and left me breathless and impatient for the next installment. Brie is a smart, capable heroine readers will love to root for in a dazzling new world filled with magic and romance. Prepare to fall for your newest book boyfriend.”—Lisa Maxwell, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Magician.
 
“Lexi Ryan wrote a beautifully broken and epic fantasy that completely blew me way. Complete with twisted fae, love triangles that make my heart pound, and exceptional world building, These Hollow Vows is a must read for fans of Sarah J Maas and Jennifer L Armentrout. I highly recommend and am in dire need for the next book!”—Carrie Ann Ryan, NYT Bestselling Author of the Elements of Five Series
 
“An enchanting story of magic, adventure, and the lengths we will go to for the ones we love. Lexi Ryan takes readers on a rollercoaster ride we won’t forget and leaves us begging for more of this story and world.”—Catherine Cowles, author of the Wrecked series

“Engaging writing and worldbuilding…. a compelling hook.”—School Library Journal

About the Author:

Lexi Ryan is the New York Times best-selling indie author of over twenty-five romance titles, and the 2018 winner of the Romance Writers of America RITA Award for Best Contemporary Romance: Long. Her novels have sold over 725,000 copies. She lives in Indiana with her husband, two children, and a spoiled dog. Twitter: @writerlexiryan.
 Abriella was a great protagonist in my opinion. She was strong, powerful and never backed down from a challenge. There were times where I was expecting her to take the easy way out because that happens a lot with YA protagonists, but honestly Abriella’s actions even surprised me a lot of the time and I was very impressed with her as a character

My review:.

I found the faerie world to be fascinating and a total fun location for the book to take place. The author did a grand job of setting up the differences between the Seelie and Unseelie courts, emphasizing that neither one of them is “good” or “bad”. Overall, this made the story a more fun and realistic too.

I enjoyed this read so much, that I could not put it down until I reached the end of the book, I will certainly be getting the next book in this series when it comes out sometime next year to find out where the  book takes us in Abriella’s next journey/

I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to get this advanced copy so I could review it for you.

Available from: www.amazon.ca, www.amzon.com, www.kobo.com , other fine book stores and your. Public Library.

Don’t Underestimate Me! ~ July #DisabilityAwareness #WATWB

Welcome to the “We are the World Blogfest” (#WATWB ). The #WATWB was inspired by a simple conversation about how all the negativity on social media was weighing on us. Wanting to make a difference, we decided to try to do our part to infuse social media with all the good stories that are out there. We hope to share the stories that show kindness, compassion, hope, overcoming challenges and in general, the impressive resilience of the human spirit. For every dark, negative story out there, there is a positive, heartwarming story that will add some light and lift the human spirit. #WATWB was started in  2017, this month marks our forty-eight opportunity to share positive uplifting stories to inspire, give hope and motivate others. The last Friday of every month bloggers share their stories led by two co-hosts, this month’s co-hosts are myself Sylvia McGrath and Belinda Witzenhausen.

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Those who know me can tell you how passionate I am about writing and promoting Disability awareness. Although originally filmed for the International Day of People with Disabilities 2018, I think it’s a message that should be shared everyday! Don’t Underestimate Me is a wonderful video that speaks volumes and I am sharing it for this month’s #WATWB.

For more information about #WATWB or to join us and help spread positive stories like this click here.

Book of the week ~ 27th., July 2021

The Mystery of Smugglers Cove

(The Mystery Series, Book 1)

by Paul Moxham  (Author)

Are you up for a thrilling adventure?

When twelve year old Joe and his two younger sisters visit Smugglers Cove for the summer holidays, they get caught up in a thrilling adventure that is beyond their wildest imagination.

Follow the children as they flee down a river, are chased by ferocious dogs, locked up in an old manor, get lost at sea, expose a spy, and more!

Book 1 in The Mystery Series, this adventure novel is set in 1950’s Britain, and will suit people who enjoy Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys or the  Famous five books

I was a great fan of Enid Blyton books when I was younger and found the titles were very similar to hers, but it has a style all of its own. I really enjoyed the read.  Looking forward to reading more books in this series.

 Available from  www.amazon.ca, www.amzon.com, www.kobo.com, and other fine bookstores.   You can buy this book for Kindle from Amazon for Kindle at $0

Professor Owls Book of the Week ~ July 16, 2021

Victories Greater Than Death

by Charlie Jane Anders  (Author)

Outsmart Your Enemies. Outrun the Galaxy.

“Just please, remember what I told you. Run. Don’t stop running for anything.”

Tina never worries about being ‘ordinary’–she doesn’t have to, since she’s known practically forever that she’s not just Tina Mains, average teenager and beloved daughter. She’s also the keeper of an interplanetary rescue beacon, and one day soon, it’s going to activate, and then her dreams of saving all the worlds and adventuring among the stars will finally be possible. Tina’s legacy, after all, is intergalactic–she is the hidden clone of a famed alien hero, left on Earth disguised as a human to give the universe another chance to defeat a terrible evil.

But when the beacon activates, it turns out that Tina’s destiny isn’t quite what she expected. Things are far more dangerous than she ever assumed–and everyone in the galaxy is expecting her to actually be the brilliant tactician and legendary savior Captain Thaoh Argentian, but Tina….is just Tina. And the Royal Fleet is losing the war, badly–the starship that found her is on the run and they barely manage to escape Earth with the planet still intact.

Luckily, Tina is surrounded by a crew she can trust, and her best friend Rachel, and she is still determined to save all the worlds. But first she’ll have to save herself.

Buckle up your seatbelt for this thrilling YA sci-fi adventure set against an intergalactic war from internationally bestselling author Charlie Jane Anders

Book 1 of 2 in the Unstoppable Series ~ I am so pleased that this will be a series, it was a very well written book and the characters were all great. The story held my attention right up to the very last page.  I have always been a fan of sci-fi and stories about space.  This one could certainly hold it’s own against Star Wars and some of the great space adventure stories.

I would like to thank NetGalley for the advanced copy, so that I could review it for you this week.

Available from www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.com, www.kobo.com and other fine book stores

Professor Owl’s Book Corner ~ Book of the week ~ July 6th, 2021

THE CROWNS OF CROSWALD

(THE CROSSWALD SERIES ~ BOOK 1)

By D.E. Night (Author)

Ivy Lovely is 16 and she has no idea who she is—or what her powers could be. When she crosses a magical boundary, she discovers a whole new world of enchantment and mystery. Making friends that will last a lifetime—and save her life—she steps into her own abilities and discovers more about her hidden past, magical blood, and the power of Croswald’s mystical stones. But all is not well: a dark history and an evil Queen threatens all that is good. Will Ivy’s bravery and wit be enough?

This is a page-turning fantasy in the tradition of fairy tales, whimsical worlds, and coming-of-age stories.

Curious and whimsical, both shy and brave, Ivy is a hero that connects with readers of all ages. For those who wished that Narnia, Harry Potter, and Alice in Wonderland could go on forever, Croswald opens a whole new world of magic. Recommended as a read-aloud for families and a first middle-grade fantasy read, The Crowns of Croswald is a four-part series that will carry readers to a whimsical world that they won’t want to leave.

This story from the very start is, full of magic and mystery, and plays with themes of belonging, self-discovery, and good and evil. It gave me all of the Harry Potter vibes (which I was so excited about) while still being unique enough to stand apart. If you are looking for a middle-grade fantasy, I highly recommend this one.

I received a copy through NetGalley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This book is available from www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.com, www.kobo.com, and other fine book stores

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Professor Owl’s Book Corner ~ 28th. June 2021 Book of the week.

We are again at the end of June, and as in previous years we usually do not publish our newsletter in the months of July and August, and start in September with our back to school issue.

It seems that most people now have had their COVID19 shots and hopefully by the end of summer things should be on the way to a normal life again, and getting out with your friends.

As in previous years we will still keep our books of the week online, and have some really great New Books to review for you so stay with us to keep with us for some exciting reads.

Around Curiosity’s Edge: Hidden Meridians

by J.P. Hostetler  (Author)

A hidden world waits, a dark society schemes, and a ship sails to protect that which cannot be lost.

Salem Swan knows none of this as he arrives in Easterly. He knows only that he misses his recently deceased mother, that his new guardian, his uncle Ulysses is unique, and that the boat which will now be his home is unlike anything he has ever seen.

Fearful of this new reality, Salem starts to ask questions that uncover the truth about his distant uncle, his long-gone father, and the true nature of the ship. The answers lead him into a place of myth and legend, where fantastic creatures wage an ages-old war with a radical group bent on eliminating them forever.

Rich with mythology from around the world, Hidden Meridians is the first installment of a fantasy series that takes readers into that place that is just around Curiosity’s edge.

I just love this fantasy story, as Salem discovered a magical mystical world, his past, and an impending war, he faced his hardships head on and tried his best to survive and thrive. Salem the main character and secondary character  and storyline where very well developed

The writing style was exceptionally beautiful; the story was well paced and held my attention to the end. as the plot developed and built up, I found that I could not put the book down until I reached the last page.
I look forward to the next book,  and the next adventure. I Recommend this book  to every Fantasy lover, especially the young readers, you will not be disappointed.

I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity of reading and reviewing this exciting book.

This book is available from www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.com and other fine bookstores.

I

Professor Owl’s Book Corner ~ June 25th., 2021 Lets change the way we think about disability. #WATWB

The #WATWB was created as a mission to negate the overwhelming negativity that has been present in our social media streams. For every negative news story in the world, there are plenty of positive, uplifting stories that show hope, compassion and the resiliency of everyday people who face insurmountable challenges. Our hope is to share heartwarming stories that lift the human spirit.
The last Friday of every month bloggers will share their stories led by two co-hosts, this month’s co-hosts will be: myself, Sylvia McGrath, and Belinda Witzenhausen;

Anyone who follows us on Professor Owls Book Corner, will no doubt know that we are advocates for children and young adults with special needs and learning challenges.

In this months blog we are featuring a young man that has by changing his way of thinking about disabilities is now living his dream of being an athlete.

Read about his story here and check out the video below…