Smart kids love solving the mysteries presented in the Encyclopedia Brown series of books by author Donald J. Sobol. As a parent, I like Encyclopedia Brown books because they encourage kids to read carefully and to notice and remember the details of what they are reading.  I also like that our hero, Leroy “Encyclopedia” Brown, is celebrated for [...]

    Are your kids ready for some football? If your kids are football fans, they will love the books on this list of football books for kids and teens: T is for Touchdown: A Football Alphabet by Brad Herzog - Packed with facts and richly illustrated, football fans of all ages will enjoy this as a [...]

    Others may have their names in the record books, but Hank Aaron is the only “Home Run King” who is a hero in our house.  Hank Aaron hit 755 home runs and was a tremendous all-around ballplayer, but what makes him a role model is the strength, determination and class he has exhibited throughout his [...]

        The following list includes Newbery Award-winning books that are favorites among boys: The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt (2008 Newbery Honor)  7th grade boy and his teacher meet after school in the 1960s. Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko (2005 Newbery Honor)  12 year old Moose Flanagan and family live on [...]

      Everyone loves Fatheads, those huge, lifelike action shots of sports stars that you can stick on your walls.  Even parents like them because you can stick them up and peel them off without damaging the wall. Fatheads are a bit pricey (about $100 for a lifesized Tom Brady, for example) but they can completely transform [...]