Book Review and Author Interviews, Kid Ministry

Book Review of QUINN SAYS GOODBYE by Christie Thomas

Cover of Quinn Says Goodbye
Quinn Says Goodbye

In Quinn Says Goodbye, written by Christie Thomas and illustrated by Sydney Hanson, Quinn meets a new friend, an injured firefly named Blink. She and her mother help the firefly heal. Quinn doesn’t understand why one evening, when she wakes up, Blink is gone. Mama is there to help comfort Quinn and reassure her that God promises to always be with us.

Quinn Says Goodbye is designed to help children cope with grief and loss. It includes a section in the back with conversation starter questions for parents and caregivers, to assist with those difficult discussions that occur in life.

I thought Quinn Says Goodbye was a sweet story, and I loved the illustrations. Quinn’s big eyes!! And the use of light was really eye-appealing. I was inspired to make a Pinterest Board of Owls and FIreflies. Maybe you will like one of the pins and want to try a craft with your child. Here is the link to the board.

I had the opportunity to meet Christie at a writing conference in May. She is full of ideas and energy, with a contagious smile and laugh. I really enjoyed getting to know her!

Christie, I wish you all the best with this book and all of your writing endeavors!

You can purchase book on Amazon and at other book retailers.

Author Christie Thomas
Author Christie Thomas

About the author:

Christie Thomas writes about cultivating authentic faith in the home. She is the author of Quinn’s Promise Rock and the interactive devotional book Wise for Salvation. She has also written for various websites, including the MOB Society and For Every Mom. Christie lives in Alberta, Canada, with her husband and three boys. You can visit her website here.

Book Review and Author Interviews

Book Review: Steam Jobs in Cybersecurity by Cynthia Argentine

Cover of Steam Jobs in Cybersecurity
Steam Jobs in Cybersecurity by Cynthia Argentine

I’m beyond excited for my one of my critique partners, Cynthia Argentine! We meet monthly to encourage each other on with our writing. It has been a blast to watch this project become published!! Congratulations, Cynthia! I am so happy for you!!

Here is my review:

Technology is everywhere, and as this book explains, the technology field holds many future job opportunities. Jobs such as–a Cybersecurity consultant, Malware analyst, Cyber-Forensic Investigator, Security Software Developer, Information Security Administrator, Cybersecurity Engineer or Architect, Cybersecurity Lawyer, Cryptographer, Cyber Incident Responder, and Penetration Tester. Yet, it can be difficult to explain to kids what exactly those jobs are.

This book does a wonderful job of breaking down complex ideas into understandable language for young readers. It would make a great addition to any classroom library, as it will help students understand and become interested in future job opportunities in the cybersecurity field. In addition, there is a fascinating two page spread about the large security breaches that have occurred in recent years, and the author even included an interview from an expert at Purdue University. The book includes a pre-reading assignment for students as well as a post reading comprehension check with extension activity options that teachers are sure to love!

About the author:

Author Cynthia Argentine
Author Cynthia Argentine

Cynthia Argentine writes creative nonfiction for children and teens. She likes to discover amazing true stories and share them with readers. Most often, she writes about science, technology, and people who work in those fields.

Her love of nature stems from her childhood in Virginia. She grew up near the Chesapeake Bay and often explored the area by canoe. Later, she lived in Vermont, gardening in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter. She has worked as an author, journalist, environmental consultant, and piano teacher.

Cynthia is curious about many things, from music and art to botany and history. She likes to explore both the abstract and the analytical, the poetic and the precise. She believes there is something interesting about nearly every topic. Learn more about her books and magazine articles at https://cynthiaargentine.com.