The Door Within by Wayne Thomas Batson

This is a review from my daughter who just read this book, reportedly one of the best she has read so far! This is the first book of a trilogy.

The Door Within, by Wayne Thomas Batson, is a fascinating story that you won't want to put down once you start reading. It is about a teenage boy named Aiden, who has to move with his family to his grandfather's house. While he is there, he finds something that sends him on a wild adventure. On this adventure, Aiden becomes a knight for a King, and has to face his fears. He also finds out that there is less than he thinks to complain about in life.
I enjoyed this book because it never got boring. Aiden always has something exciting going on in his quest. It is also a Christian book, and has characters that represent God and us. I think that this book would be enjoyed by both boys and girls or maybe even adults! If you like an action packed book that never gets boring, The Door Within is the book for you!
Barnes and Nobles 
Christian Bookstore

amazon 

Petrie's Family Games

Look for the link to this great game store, coming to the side bar soon!
Local in Colorado Springs and owned by a guy who was one of my good friends in our much younger years. In fact, my mom used him as motivation for me to learn to read..... "Cam read it and liked it, you should try it." And, I did. This game store has all sorts of stuff you really can't find anywhere else locally. It is a great place and a really really needed place. Welcome to the neighborhood Petrie's Family Games.

Summer time books

Roxaboxen by Barbara Cooney is a great book about kids having fun being kids in the summer. They create a village all their own, with money and stores and homes. The unscheduled playtime of the summer gives way to fond memories and great creativity. It fosters community and bonds between playmates and siblings. This, and the books that follow are great stories of what can occur when kids are allowed to just be kids. This is the stuff of childhood memories and "the good old days". May Roxaboxen live on with our kids this summer and summers to come.

In Andrew Henry's Meadow by Doris Burns, a boy named Andrew loves to create. His family does not quite understand his need to invent, and so he finds a meadow in which to play all summer long. He is joined by other kids from the neighborhood who also need a solice in which to create and be. It turns into quite the little village for kids. This book celebrates the creative spirit in kids and the differences in all of us. Another good book about letting kids have time and space to be kids.

The Summerfolk by Doris Burns is another great story about kids creating a little village all their own in which to play and create and live. It showcases the various interests and personalities of the children and the wonderful ways they can get along and have some summer fun.

 This is a super cute book. The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant is a cute and funny book about when the family comes to visit. Maybe you have the family coming and maybe you are the family coming. Either way, it is a good laugh for all ages.

Though I have not read these books, I believe I will be looking for them at the library this summer. They sound like good summer books too!
The Raft by Jim Lamarche  Night in the Country by Cynthia Rylant

Adoption friendly "how babies are made" book

Ok, I wanted to find a book for my boys that talked about where babies come from and included adoption. I have really enjoyed a series the Navigators puts out but they don't include adoption really in the first few books for younger kids. So, the search began. There are some secular ones and if you know of any post it in the comments. But, I really wanted one that also reflects our faith. After much looking I found these two books by Jim Burns How God Makes Babies and the second book God Made Your Body. I really like them and they have photos of kids of all different colors. They both include adoption as how you get your family. The boys like the first one and we have read it several times.
I think this topic may come up earlier for adopted kids because of all the talk about birth families. Anyway, this is a good one.