Review: Mightier Than the Sword by Rochelle Melander

I love finding great non-fiction reads for kids, and today's review fits that bill. Better yet, it centers on history and writing (two subjects I adore). 

MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD:

Rebels, Reformers, & Revolutionaries Who Changed the World Through Writing

by Rochelle Melander

Illustrated by Melina Ontiveros

Beaming Books

200 pages

ages 8 to 14

Throughout history, people have picked up their pens and wielded their words--transforming their lives, their communities, and beyond. Now it's your turn! Representing a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, Mightier Than the Sword connects over forty inspiring biographies with life-changing writing activities and tips, showing readers just how much their own words can make a difference. Readers will explore nature with Rachel Carson, experience the beginning of the Reformation with Martin Luther, champion women's rights with Sojourner Truth, and many more. These richly illustrated stories of inspiring speechmakers, scientists, explorers, authors, poets, activists, and even other kids and young adults will engage and encourage young people to pay attention to their world, to honor their own ideas and dreams, and to embrace the transformative power of words to bring good to the world.

GOODREADS   /   KOBO    /   BOOK DEPOSITORY   /   B&N   /   AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

This book is a small treasure for middle graders and older readers as well.

The author has created a book, which highlights historic and modern figures, educates about the various purposes and forms of writing, and manages to steer away from boring the entire way through. Plus, it's illustrated and well organized. In other words, this is one which will shine in classrooms, and I'm even considering adding it to my own homeschooling curriculum.

To say this book doesn't pack variety would be wrong. The author has included figures from different time periods, each from very different backgrounds, different cultures, and different view points on all sorts of themes and issues. This alone impressed me. Then, each figure/personality mentioned receives their own, short 'chapter'. The Table of Contents points out exactly who is where, making it simple for readers to flip to the person they're interested in learning about. There is a short and very direct biography over each person, which points out their general background, reasons for writing, and accomplishments. Then, each one holds a couple short sections, which give helpful points and help readers to develop and improve their own writing skills. All of this is done with bright illustrations, clear and simple to read text, and a lack of unnecessary directions. The end of the book adds even more resources.  

So, this book definitely packs a ton on the education side of things. The author has obviously spent care and time on her research, and masterfully brought the information across in an interesting way for the intended audience. Add the entire inspirational idea that writing can change the world and views...and this is not a book to be overlooked.

And here she is...

Rochelle Melander wrote her first book at seven and has published 11 books for adults, including Write-A-Thon: Write Your Book in 26 Days (and Live to Tell About It) and Level Up: Quests to Master Mindset, Overcome Procrastination and Increase Productivity.  She’s a professional certified coach, an artist educator and the founder of Dream Keepers, a writing workshop for young people. Mightier Than the Sword: Rebels, Reformers, and Revolutionaries Who Changed the World through Writing is her debut book for children. She lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her husband, children, and two dogs. Visit her online at writenowcoach.com or rochellemelander.com

Mightier Than the Sword:

Rebels, Reformers, and Revolutionaries Who Changed the World through Writing

ISBN-10 : 1506466400

ISBN-13 : 978-1506466408

Twitter: @WriteNowCoach

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WriteNowCoach/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writenowcoach/

Review: Mightier Than The Sword by Drew Callander and Alana Harrison

MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD

by Drew Callander and 

Alan Harrison

Penguin Workshop

Middle Grade Fantasy/Adventure

320 pages

Wildly funny and inventive, this interactive book pulls you, the reader, into the action. Yes, YOU!

You wake up in the fictional land of Astorya, where stories from our world come to life. You're a real human being (we assume), and in this fictional world, that makes you a superhero. Armed with your trusty pencil you have the power to create: what you write, draw, or scribble in the book becomes part of the story!

Only you can rescue Prince S. from the evil Queen Rulette. Aided by the Couriers--a French stoat with dangerous dance moves, a giant dung beetle, a fire ninja, a Pegasus-centaur-cowgirl and a super-intelligent femalien chameleon--you must write, draw, and puzzle your way through a hilarious adventure that is unique to every reader! And most importantly, you must prove that the pencil is mightier than the sword. 

 MY TIDBITS

Ready for a mega-blast of originality and super fun? Because that's exactly what this book is. Grumpy and serious are words which don't exist in this wild adventure, which stars the most amazing hero in the universe...and does it well.

You...yes, you, the reader, find yourself in the fantastical world of Astorya. There, you might the most amazing creatures and surprises, but none of them believe you to be a 'real' human. It is a world of fiction, after all. But real humans have a unique superpower, which means you do too. The power of the pencil. Everything you write on paper comes true, and that gives you the perfect weapon to begin the most amazing, hair-brained, ridiculous and dangerous adventure ever.

This book/series is hitting my top ten favorite list for 2019. While I first thought this was another choose your own adventure type of tale, it's not. Written in present tense with 'you' as the main character, it's already in a class of its own...and a good one. The authors pull this combination through seamlessly and really build an amazing story, which flows and draws in. The reader is invited to scribble in the book, solve puzzles, fill in the blanks and all sorts of other things. And each of these activities is related to the story. Although every reader will add their own thoughts and personality, the tale is so well done, that it works.

Fantasy and imagination have literally no limits in these pages. Rather, ridiculous quirkiness and humor in the best and worst degree unfold constantly. The characters are not what you'd ever guess and the adventure takes turns which will have the reader giggling, snorting, wondering what just happened or simply rolling their eyes. It's a royal ton of fun and probably the most ludicrous tale you might ever run across. Add the large amount of illustrations—always a treat—and this one is definitely worth a read.

AND...

COMING...

NOVEMBER 5th, 2019!!!

THE EDGE OF THE WORD

Mightier Than The Sword, #2

by Drew Callander and

Alana Harrison

Penguin Workshop

Middle Grade Fantasy/Adventure

336 pages

The second book set in Astorya places you back in the driver's seat. You're a real human being (we assume), and in this fictional world, that makes you a superhero. Armed with your trusty pencil, you have the power to create. What you write, draw, or scribble in the book becomes part of the story!

You must journey to Astorya's Other Side, a place of monsters and mayhem, to hide the Original original forever. Surely nothing bad could happen to Astorya's precious document there, right? But when the plan goes awry and digital doppelgangers are unleashed on the world, once again only you can save the day.

Write, draw, and puzzle your way through a hilarious adventure story that is unique to every reader! And, most importantly, prove that the pencil is mightier than the sword.

TIDBITS

(my 14 year old son's, not mine)

Since my review pile has long surmounted the roof of the house—and my 14-year-old son had snatched up this one when I wasn't looking—I'm going to share his thoughts. For clarification, he is a Rick Riordan fan and a huge fan of The Wings of Fire series. Simply said, he devoured this book in two sittings (he does have to do homework, school and such) and found it hilarious. 

He says that the characters are crazy, the humor is weird and funny, and it's one of the strangest books he's ever read. And it was awesome. He wishes there were more books like this one and likes how the authors didn't hold to the usual 'rules'. He recommends it and thinks everyone should have a chance to read it.

Now, if that's not a great review, then I don't know what is.

And here are the authors...

A husband-and-wife team, Drew Callander and Alana Harrison have a background in acting, sketch and improv comedy. They also spent many years teaching creative writing to kids in New York City public schools through Story Pirates, a company Drew co-founded in 2003. The book was inspired by the hilarious, bizarre, and wonderful stories that come from the imaginations of children.