A BOY WITNESSES THE FALL OF UFOs. NOW EVERYONE IS AFTER HIM.
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2019 Silver Medal Winner – READER’S FAVORITE ★★★★★
Twelve-year-old Ben Archer’s life is turned upside-down when UFOs crash near his grandfather’s house. And when a dying extraterrestrial entrusts him with a superpower, he is catapulted into hair-rising adventures across land, ocean, and space.
Now everyone is after him. The government considers him a cumbersome witness to The Cosmic Fall, a deadly shapeshifter wants his ability, and Ben finds himself in a race against time to unravel the secrets of his new-found power before they catch him.
With no choice but to flee, Ben joins forces with the sole survivor of the crash – an alien man called Mesmo. And while the destinies of boy and alien become inextricably linked, one question hovers above their unlikely friendship: why did the aliens come to Earth in the first place?
The Alien Skill Series is a science-fiction adventure story for fans of Percy Jackson, Epic Zero and Crime Travelers.With over 50,000 copies sold and ranking at the top of “Amazons. Com’s Children’s Explore Canada best-seller list” for over 6 months, these upper middle-grade books have won the hearts of young and old alike, turning them into a best-selling, award-winning coming-of-age series filled with superpowers, alien contact,hidden enemies, and a thought-provoking glimpse into the way we treat our planet. Ideal for young readers (10-12+) and the young-at-heart.
Another amazing book, it is number one in a series of six books, and I will certainly be reviewing the other books for you. I am, giving this book ★★★★★ as I found it to be a great read that kept my attention until the very last page.
These books are available from Amazon.com and Amazon.ca
Welcome back to the New Professor Owl’s Book Corner, if you remember in the last few newsletters, we, we were asking our readers opinions on the monthly issues, and most of you thought that it was too long and requested a shorter version more often.
So, we have decided that there will be a new weekly issue, with book reviews, and literacy assistance and puzzles. This will be published once a week.
Please continue to give us feedback on our progress and let us know what you like and dislike after all this is your newsletter, and we want you to have it the way you enjoy it.
Starting this month as promised, on the last day of each month you will receive just the Community Boards latest events for the coming month.
What’s happening at Variety?
We’re coming together to create impact.
Events provide ways to get children with disabilities out in their communities to socialize and participate in fun. Donors, volunteers, and families rally around a common goal: to extend these opportunities to every child who needs them.
SATURDAY, FEB 11, 2023
FEBRUARY 11 – FEBRUARY 15TWITCH.TV
ShowHeart Twitch Charity Concert ~ Join us for ‘ShowHeart’, Variety’s Twitch Charity Concert featuring up to 50+ musicians/bands from across the world. The streamathon will broadcast live on Twitch.tv over a… EVENT DETAILS
Keep up with what’s happening, latest programs and communities we’re working in, impact stories, and how you can lend your voice to children and parents who need it most.
REMINDER: If you need someone to help you with homework, or with problems you are experiencing we are listing some numbers and links below where you can receive help ~ Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868. Available24hours a day to Canadians aged 5 to 29 who want confidential and anonymous care from trained responders. To access support through Facebook Messenger, see the Kids ~ Help Phone above.
Professor Owls Book Corner still wants you all to stay safe by wearing your masks, maintaining distances required and washing hands in the hope that Covid 19 and all its variants will soon be back to normal. A lot of countries are now hoping for us all to get back to normal but in the meantime stay safe. Although a few restrictions have been removed, in Canada. Please,do follow any of the restrictions of health and Governement offices announce and stay safe.
Remember, however, if you need someone to help you with homework, or with problems you are experiencing we are listing some numbers and links below where you can receive help ~ Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868. Available24hours a day to Canadians aged 5 to 29 who want confidential and anonymous care from trained responders. To access support through Facebook Messenger, see the Kids Help Phone above.
Autism Awareness Month in April aims to celebrate and promote acceptance for the condition that occurs in one in every 54 children as of 2020 in the United States. Autism, a complex developmental condition affecting the patient’s ability to interact, communicate, and progress, has not one but many subtypes.
Autism Awareness Month in April aims to celebrate and promote acceptance for the condition that occurs in one in every 54 children as of 2020 in the United States. Autism, a complex developmental condition affecting the patient’s ability to interact, communicate, and progress, has not one but many subtypes.
What is the purpose of the National Autistic Society?
Who is the head of Policy at the National Autistic Society?
When did the National Autistic Society get its name?
Is the National Autistic Society a member of Autism-Europe?
Image: ukskydivingadventures.com
Autism Awareness Month –. April 2022. Autism Awareness Month in April aims to celebrate and promote acceptance for the condition that occurs in one in every 54 children as of 2020 in the United States. Autism, a complex developmental condition affecting the patient’s ability to interact, communicate, and progress, has not one but many subtypes.
National Autism Awareness Month. Nearly a quarter century ago, the Autism Society launched a nationwide effort to promote autism awareness, inclusion and self-determination for all, and assure that each person with ASD is provided the opportunity to achieve the …
April is National Autism Awareness Month. Join the Autism Society in getting involved with the autism community.
Estimated Reading Time: 4 mins
We’re Here to Help Chat with Us. Autism Response Team Chat. There are no available agents at the moment. You can also reach the Autism Response Team by phone or email: 888-288-4762, en Espanol 888-772-7050, or help@autismspeaks.org.
A bestselling modern classic—both poignant and funny—narrated by a fifteen year old autistic savant obsessed with Sherlock Holmes, this dazzling novel weaves together an old-fashioned mystery, a contemporary coming-of-age story, and a fascinating excursion into a mind incapable of processing emotions.
Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. Although gifted with a superbly logical brain, Christopher is autistic. Everyday interactions and admonishments have little meaning for him. At fifteen, Christopher’s carefully constructed world falls apart when he finds his neighbour’s dog Wellington impaled on a garden fork, and he is initially blamed for the killing.
Christopher decides that he will track down the real killer, and turns to his favourite fictional character, the impeccably logical Sherlock Holmes, for inspiration. But the investigation leads him down some unexpected paths and ultimately brings him face to face with the dissolution of his parents’ marriage. As Christopher tries to deal with the crisis within his own family, the narrative draws readers into the workings of Christopher’s mind.
And herein lies the key to the brilliance of Mark Haddon’s choice of narrator: The most wrenching of emotional moments are chronicled by a boy who cannot fathom emotions. The effect is dazzling, making for one of the freshest debut in years: a comedy, a tearjerker, a mystery story, a novel of exceptional literary merit that is great fun to read.
My son-in-law loaned me his copy of this book, as he knew I was interested in learning as much as posible abour Autism. This book was so well written, I recognized many behaviors. When the website for the vacation ad, turned out to be authentic, I was convinced! I really thought Christopher to be a real person and the book a true story! Boy was I surprised to learn it is fiction and Mark’s knowledge and understanding is just next level impressive! As an avid reader, I have to say this book is incredibly unique.
Events are a great way for us to reach people across the country so we can network, share information, raise money, and have fun – sometimes all at once! From Rock for Dimes to Opening Doors for Accessibility, we host a variety of events for a variety of purposes. Find out about MODC’s Fundraising Events, Sporting Events, and Free Community Events.
OpportuniTEA with Kate Linder and Y&R Friends is coming in 2022! Funds raised suScience Club Tuesdays: April 19, 2022 to May 24, 2022
This is a series of 6, one and a half workshops to teach young students science concepts using hands on experiments. This series of workshops will introduce young students various scientific concepts integrated with many social skills. Students will engage in hands on activities, watch spectacular demonstrations, and work on educational science-themed experiments that will reinforce concepts they have learned. This program will also have a strong focus on building fundamental social skills that will progress and foster the development of social literacy. This series will provide an environment for students to grow through a balanced combination of STEM based learning and social development.
Junior Program WednesdaysApril 20, 2022 to May 25, 2022
This program is designed to engage and motivate children’s’ interest in learning science- and engineering-related subjects. This is done through the use of motorized LEGO models and simple programming. WeDo 2.0 supports a hands-on, “minds on” learning solution that gives students the confidence to ask questions and the tools to find the answers and to solve real-life problems. Students learn by asking questions and solving problems. No prerequisite required.
Intermediate ProgramSundaysApril 24, 2022 to June 5, 2022 (No Class May 22)
This program is a challenging and enriching program that offers children extensive and comprehensive understanding of the mechanical, design, build and programming aspects with respect to the EV3 Mindstorms in real world challenges. The knowledge and understanding is geared to link directly to potential careers and feats of engineering. Our mission is to give each participant exposure to the field of engineering and show them the fun of problem solving and critical thinking using an engineering mindset. No prerequisite required
Coding 101ThursdaysApril 21, 2022 to May 26, 2022
This is a series of 6 one hour workshops to teach young students computer science concepts using an easy to learn programming platforms. This series of workshops will introduce young students to coding concepts. They will learn to use Scratch 2.0. Young students will be learning about their Scratch editor, stage area, sprites, blocks and palette and writing basic scripts. Students will be able to share their interactive media with other students in the classroom. They will continue to learn about science and engineering concepts and will code alongside our teaching leads.
Spring 2022 Spring 2022 Science Club Tuesdays: April 19, 2022 to May 24, 2022 This is a series of 6, one and a half workshops to teach young students science concepts using hands on experiments. This series of workshops will introduce young students various scientific concepts integrated with many social skills.
hollandbloorview.ca › services › family-workshopsWorkshops and Events | Holland BloorviewWhen events are able to be held in-person at Holland Bloorview, supervised on-site childcare is available for a limited number of children who are 30 months old and over. Children under 30 months must be accompanied in the playroom by a caregiver over the age of 18 at all times.
happeningnext.com › event › spring-2022-hollandSpring 2022 Holland Bloorview FIRST Robotics – Junior Program …Dates: Wednesday 5:30-7:30 pm, April 20, 2022 – May 25, 2022. Eligibility: Participants must be able to safely and successfully participate in a structured 2-hour large group program. Participants must be interested in participating in the selected robotics program as well as be motivated to work towards a selected goal actively throughout the session.
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 fifty-fifth opportunity to share positive uplifting stories to inspire, give hope and motivate others. This is our last post as sadly #WATWB is ending. I have enjoyed the experience in being part of such a positive project and one I will continue in my own way. The two co-hosts, this month are: myself,
Those who know me can tell you how passionate I am about sharing positive information for and about young people with disabilities and learning challenges also seniors who are still following their dreams despite their age and health.
I can relate to the story this month, as my longtime dream has always been that of writing for children with special needs, at times I must say I wonder if I am too old.
This story is about a 95-year-old man who has recently published his first children’s book which is a remarkable success and. he also has other book on the way. It just goes to show one is never too old to start over again. So, there is hope for me yet.
So, I will not give up and hopefully by the end of the year, I will be able to finish the books I am writing.
I received a complimentary ARC copy of Under Lock & Skeleton Key (Secret Staircase Mystery #1) by Gigi Pandian from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press /Minotaur Books in order to read and give an honest review.
…As a cozy this really has it all, a complex, interesting mystery with thrill, chills and intrigue along the way….…
Being a fan of Gigi Pandian’s Jaya Jones series, I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to read and review Under Lock & Skeleton Key, the first book of her locked room Secret Staircase Mystery Series.Those of you familiar with the Jaya Jones series will find some homage paid to it in this newest series however it works well as a standalone.
As the book opens, we meet Tempest Raj who has recently fallen from grace as a magician in Las Vegas After a trick goes horribly wrong Tempest barely escapes with her life but loses her reputation and is publicly disgraced. After losing everything Tempest returns to her family’s home in California. Tempest’s childhood home was far from normal, she grew up in a home any kid would love, filled with secret staircases and enchanted gardens. Her family owned the Secret Staircase Construction company which specializes in hidden and unique home designs inspired by magic. Her mother, the company’s creative vision, long gone, her father struggles to keep the company afloat. When Tempest was doing well with her Las Vegas act she had been sending money home to help her family but now she is doing all she can to find a way to help them.
When the body of her stage double is found inside a long-sealed wall in her father’s current project, she feels compelled to get to the bottom of it. When strange things begin to happen to Tempest along with her look-alike’s murder it is becoming clear that Tempest is at the heart of the murder, and she must solve it before she becomes the killer’s next victim.
Under Lock & Skeleton Key by Gigi Pandian is a unique and extremely fun cozy mystery. I love the fact her books feature diverse, multi-faceted characters who all feel well-formed and really add to the story. As a cozy this really has it all, a complex, interesting mystery with thrill, chills and intrigue along the way….featuring some great Indian food (with recipes at the back), everything a reader could ask for. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the further adventures of Tempest Raj.
Remember, however, if you need someone to help you with homework, or with problems you are experiencing we are listing some numbers and links below where you can receive help ~ Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868. Available24hours a day to Canadians aged 5 to 29 who want confidential and anonymous care from trained responders. To access support through Facebook Messenger, see the Kids Help Phone above.
Professor Owls Book Corner still wants you all to stay safe by wearing your masks, maintaining distances required and washing hands in the hope that Covid 19 and all its variants will soon be back to normal. A lot of countries are now hoping for us all to get back to normal but in the meantime stay safe. Although a few restrictions have been moved, in Canada you still must use a mask. which will be reviewed at the end of March 2022. There are however some school boards that have removed the use of masks while in school after the March Break.
Have yourselves a wonderful March Break but stay safe everyone, and if you should have questions or problems, please feel free to use the numbers above.
Cruel Prince meets A Court of Thorns and Roses in this sexy, action-packed fantasy about a girl who is caught between two treacherous faerie courts and their dangerously seductive princes.
Brie hates the Fae and refuses to have anything to do with them, even if that means starving on the street. But when her sister is sold to the sadistic king of the Unseelie court to pay a debt, she’ll do whatever it takes to get her back—including making a deal with the king himself to steal three magical relics from the Seelie court.
Gaining unfettered access to the Seelie court is easier said than done. Brie’s only choice is to pose as a potential bride for Prince Ronan, and she soon finds herself falling for him. Unwilling to let her heart distract her, she accepts help from a band of Unseelie misfits with their own secret agenda. As Brie spends time with their mysterious leader, Finn, she struggles to resist his seductive charm.
Caught between two dangerous courts, Brie must decide who to trust with her loyalty. And with her heart.
This book had me hooked from the first couple of pages I knew then that this was going to be an enjoyable read, and I was not disappointed
The world-building here is great and it is not just your typical fae story. I like reading the Lexi Ryan books. I loved the rules of the curse and the twists and the way the story they were told as kids had so much meaning behind it! easily I really loved how much Brie risked for her sister and the things she was willing to do to save her, but she also discovered so much about herself, and I love the way she embraced it easily be While this book could be easily be thought to be about a girl having to choose between the two different men in her life, brie was so much more complex than that and it was also a love for her sister that had her so driven and showed how far and willing she was ready to go to save her! Finn is such a complex character and I’m so excited to see more of him in the next book I love the circle that he has and the found family aspect there’s a lot more to his circle than meets the eye.
Contact Lexi by clicking hereor finding her on social media.
Award-winning author Lexi Ryan is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of hot contemporary romance and sexy, action-packed YA fantasy. Her books have sold over a million copies. A former English professor, she considers herself lucky to have traded stacks of grading for emotionally charged storytelling. She is happiest when at home in Indiana with her husband and two children, where you can find her lifting weights, reading copiously, hanging out with her family, and thanking her lucky stars.
Out of concern for the health and safety of participants, employees and volunteers amid the COVID-19 pandemic, March of Dimes Canada fundraising sporting events will not be taking place this year. Please check back later for updates.
For the athletes among you, we host sporting events, too! Come on out and play in one of our charity volleyball or dodgeball tournaments all for a good cause!
Fundraising Events
Come out to have some fun and support MODC! Our fundraisers include everything from an art exhibition to a fancy high-tea with the stars of the The Young and the Restless. Find out more about fundraising events in the side menu.
Free Community Events
We also host free events in communities across the country. These are a chance for people living with disabilities to access local resources, tools, and information that might be useful.
Select links from the side menu for details on our Opening Doors for Accessibility events that are held across Canada and learn about Income Tax Reduction presentations held in Ontario.
Remember however, if you need someone to help you with homework, or with problems you are experiencing we are listing some numbers and links below where you can receive help Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-frbaee) or text CONNECT to 686868. Available24hours a day to Canadians aged 5 to 29 who want confidential and anonymous care from trained responders. To access support through Facebook Messenger, see the Kids Help Phone.
Professor Owls Book Corner still wants you all to stay safe by wearing your masks, maintaining distances required and washing hands in the hope that Covid 19 and all its variants will soon be back to normal. A lot of countries are now hoping for us all to get back to normal but in the meantime stay safe. Although a few restrictions have been moved, in Canada you still have to use a mask. which will be reviewed at the end of March,2022.
The Stone of the Seer, book one in the series, features the Vikings, Leonardo da Vinci, and the political turmoil of the 1640s. At Habingdon House, Lady Elizabeth Usborne, Kate, and Tom encounter a magical black stone, mysterious ancient manuscripts, and the incredible time viewing device known as the tempus inpectoris, all while under constant threat from the murderous witchfinder, Daniel Tombes.
The Stone of the Seer is an exciting historical fantasy series of adventure novels for young adults, primarily set in the turbulent period of the English Civil War.
I really enjoyed this book from one of Professor Owl’s favourite authors Simon Rose, who adds so much research to his stories that they really hold your attention to the very last page. I really look forward to sharing my reviews on the rest of the books in this series. I give this book *****
Simon Rose is the author of The Alchemist’s Portrait, The Sorcerer’s Letterbox, The Clone Conspiracy, The Emerald Curse, The Heretic’s Tomb, The Doomsday Mask, The Time Camera, The Sphere of Septimus, Flashback, Future Imperfect, Twisted Fate, Parallel Destiny, the Shadowzone series, and the Stone of the Seer series. He is also the author of The Children’s Writer’s Guide, The Working Writer’s Guide, The Social Media Writer’s Guide, The Time Traveler’s Guide, a contributor to The Complete Guide to Writing Science Fiction and has written many non-fiction books with Crabtree Publishing, Beech Street Books, Weigl Publishers, and Capstone.
Out of concern for the health and safety of participants, employees and volunteers amid the COVID-19 pandemic, March of Dimes Canada fundraising sporting events will not be taking place this year. Please check back later for updates.
For the athletes among you, we host sporting events, too! Come on out and play in one of our charity volleyball or dodgeball tournaments all for a good cause!
Fundraising Events
Come out to have some fun and support MODC! Our fundraisers include everything from an art exhibition to a fancy high-tea with the stars of the The Young and the Restless. Find out more about fundraising events in the side menu.
Free Community Events
We also host free events in communities across the country. These are a chance for people living with disabilities to access local resources, tools, and information that might be useful.
Select links from the side menu for details on our Opening Doors for Accessibility events that are held across Canada and learn about Income Tax Reduction presentations held in Ontario.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Capes for Kids Lunch & Learn
Thursday, March 3, 2022 12:00pm – 12:20pm ET
Are you a first time fundraiser or someone who wants to improve your fundraising game for this year’s Capes for Kids? Join our 20-minute Lunch and Learn to get all the info you need.
CLICK HERE to see our agenda and to register to receive the Zoom link.
Join our LEGO Caped Crusade
Sunday, March 6th, 2022 11:00am – 2:00pm
UPDATE: Please join us virtually for a Capes for Kids event. Due to inclement weather, the in-person event has gone virtual. Join us on the GooseChase app!
CLICK HERE to register and take your shot at winning some awesome prizes!
Redefining Possible with Spencer West
Presented by TD Bank Wednesday March 9th, 2022 12pm ET
Join us for a keynote speech with Spencer West as he shares insights gleaned from a lifetime of overcoming obstacles to help leaders and employees identify their own roadblocks and push past them. Spencer invites his audience to experience the transformation that can occur when we “redefine possible.”
Being a hero can be as easy as grabbing a cup of Joe! Simple Coffee‘s superheroes will be donning their capes all week long, AND donating their hard earned tips!
1636B Queen Street E, Toronto
Want to host an event for Capes for Kids 2022?
If you have any questions or want to create an event for Capes for Kids, please reach out to our team at capesforkids@hollandbloorview.ca
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 fifty-forth 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:
Those who know me can tell you how passionate I am about sharing positive information for and about young people with disabilities and learning challenges. I was also a Literacy Tutor for many years and found it to be the most satisfying volunteer work I was involved with.
Professor Owls Book Corner still wants you all to stay safe by wearing your masks, maintaining distances required and washing hands in the hope that Covid 19 and all its variants will soon be back to normal. A lot of countries are now hoping for us all to get back to normal but in the meantime stay safe.
Remember however, if you need someone to help you with homework, or with problems you are experiencing we are listing some numbers and links below where you can receive help Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-frbaee) or text CONNECT to 686868. Available24hours a day to Canadians aged 5 to 29 who want confidential and anonymous care from trained responders. To access support through Facebook Messenger, see the Kids Help Phone
Pink Shirt Day – Wednesday February 23
On Wednesday, February 23, 2022, all HWDSB students and staff are encouraged to wear a pink shirt in honour of Pink Shirt Day – a day to raise awareness and stand up against bullying.
Pink Shirt or Anti-Bullying Day is recognized annually in communities across Canada. Individuals in schools and workplaces come together by wearing pink shirts to show they are against bullying. The focus for Pink Shirt Day 2022 is “Lift Each Other Up”. “Today our diversity is becoming more visible than ever as people continue to embrace their cultures, identities, and true selves in more open and direct ways; making the need to Lift Each Other Up and have greater acceptance, respect, and inclusion for everyone so important.” (http://www.pinktshirtday.ca/)
Professor Owls Book Corner still wants you all to stay safe by wearing your masks, maintaining distances required and the washing of the hands in the hope, that Covid 19 and all its variants will soon be back to normal.
Remember however, if you need someone to help you with homework, or with problems you are experiencing we are listing some numbers and links below where you can receive help Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868. Available24hours a day to Canadians aged 5 to 29 who want confidential and anonymous care from trained responders. To access support through Facebook Messenger, see the Kids Help Phone
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Welcome back to Processor’s Owl’s Book Corner’s ~ Weekly Newsletter. You will still find our usual special pages along with other interesting things to do.
For the month of February, we will be giving a review of one extra book to celebrate Black History Month every week.
Gossip Girl meets Get Out in Ace of Spades, a YA contemporary thriller by debut author Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé about two students, Devon & Chiamaka, and their struggles against an anonymous bully.
All you need to know is . . . I am here to divide and conquer. Like all great tyrants do. —Aces
When two Niveus Private Academy students, Devon Richards, and Chiamaka Adebayo, are selected to be part of the elite school’s senior class prefects, it looks like their year is off to an amazing start. After all, not only does it look great on college applications, but it officially puts each of them in the running for valedictorian, too.
Shortly after the announcement is made, though, someone who goes by Aces begins using anonymous text messages to reveal secrets about the two of them that turn their lives upside down and threaten every aspect of their carefully planned futures.
As Aces shows no sign of stopping, what seemed like a sick prank quickly turns into a dangerous game, with all the cards stacked against them. Can Devon and Chiamaka stop Aces before things become incredibly deadly?
With heart-pounding suspense and relevant social commentary comes a high-octane thriller from debut author Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé.
This was an unsettling story; it was fast paced and gripping. I truly could not figure out what was happening, and I could not put the book down until I had finished reading it.
This story addressed some solemn issues. There was homophobia and racism, as well as sexual assault and violence. Many of the disturbing scenes seemed exaggerated for the story, yet it also felt like it could happen in real life. I do not want to give away what happens, but this story had a creepy, realistic quality, which made it even more disturbing.
Although I did not think this book could shock me more it did. it blew my mind, made me sad and happy with the ending at least.
The idea currently seems realistic. I had no problems believe the concept and that makes a terrific book ~ A must-read from me.
Four girls with the power to control the elements must come together to save the world from a terrible evil in this “series opener [that] has it all” (Kirkus Reviews).
Years ago, everything changed.
Phantoms, massive beasts of nightmare, began terrorizing the world. At the same time, four girls—the Effigies—appeared, each with a unique power to control a classical element. Since then, they have protected the world from the Phantoms. At the death of one Effigy, another is chosen, pulled from her normal life into the never-ending battle.
When Maia unexpectedly becomes the next Fire Effigy, she resists her new calling. A quiet girl with few friends and almost no family, she was much happier to admire the Effigies from afar. Never did she imagine having to master her ability to control fire, to protect innocent citizens from the Phantoms, or to try bringing together the other three Effigies.
But with the arrival of the mysterious Saul—a man who seems to be able to control the Phantoms using the same cosmic power previously only granted to four girls at a time—Maia and the other Effigies must learn to work together in a world where their celebrity status is more important than their heroism.
But the secrets Saul has, and the power he possesses, might be more than even they can handle…
A fun read, with plenty of action, it kept me hooked right up to the last page.
About the author
Sarah Raughley grew up in Southern Ontario writing stories about freakish little girls with powers because she secretly wanted to be one. She is a huge fangirl of anything rom manga to scifi/fantasy TV to Japanese role-playing games, but she will swear up and down at book signings that she was inspired by Jane Austen.
Sarah has been nominated for the Aurora Award for Best Young Adult novel and works in the community doing writing workshops for youths and adults. On top of being a YA writer, Sarah has a PhD in English, which makes her doctor, so it turns out she did not have to go to medical school after all.
As an academic, Sarah has taught at McMaster University and acted as a postdoctoral fellow at The University of Ottawa. Her research concerns representations of race and gender in popular media culture, youth culture and postcolonialism. She has edited special issues in academic journals such Safundi, Popular Music and Society, and Atlantis: Critical Studies in Gender, Culture and Social Justice. She is also written freelance pieces for The Conversation, Quill & Quire and Zora Magazine.
That’s why we offer sports, activities, skill development, and other participatory programming in community centres and sporting facilities across Ontario.
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.
Events are a great way for us to reach people across the country so we can network, share information, raise money, and have fun – sometimes all at once! From Rock for Dimes to Opening Doors for Accessibility, we host a variety of events for a variety of purposes. Find out about MODC’s Fundraising Events, Sporting Events, and Free Community Events.
OpportuniTEA with Kate Linder and Y&R Friends is coming in 2022! Funds raised support MODC’s Conductive Education program. Check back later for more information.
Program (ODSP)
Life for children with disabilities should be more than accessible. It should be inclusive.
That’s why we offer sports, activities, skill development, and other participatory programming in community centres and sporting facilities across Ontario.
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.
Life for children with disabilities should be more than accessible. It should be inclusive.
That’s why we offer sports, activities, skill development, and other participatory programming in community centres and sporting facilities across Ontario.
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.
Being a hero can be as easy as grabbing a cup of Joe! 
Professor Owl's Book Corner 