When I was a child, I found this book on my great grandmother’s shelf. The author wrote it for her goddaughter in 1924, and it is full of the games she and her 13 neighboring cousins played. I only had two cousins nearby, but we spent many a rainy day flipping back and forth through the book, scheming about what we would play when the clouds finally cleared.

The Daring Book for Girls is just such a book, updated for the modern girl. Filled with stories, facts, games, and activities, nearly any girl can find something to catch her fancy. The mechanical gal among us might use it to build a scooter. Someone on their way to camp might take it in the car to read up on female explorers, and then turn the page to figure out how to paddle the camp canoe. And just about any girl would want to know how to levitate a pal at a slumber party!

But don’t take my word for it. Here’s what a real, live girl has to say:

“This is the kind of book that you read while you are trying to do something new. I like the cool science experiments like the lemon-powered clock. My sister and I liked the jump rope songs and we learned new hand-clapping games. I also learned how to tie a bandana, how to run a lemonade stand, and how to make a sit-upon when we go camping.” (Eden, age nine)

Unlike reprinted ‘remember when’ books, author Miriam Peskowitz keeps things current by including items no vintage writer would have even considered for girls: science facts, sports how to’s, financial information, and things involving tools and pocketknives are peppered throughout the guide. The author also includes stories about women of color—like the espionage adventures of singer Josephine Baker, or the surprise discovery of Sara Culberson, a modern-day tribal princess of Sierra Leone. Other multi-cultural nods include the stories of ancient queens from around the world, how to tie a sari, and illustrations which include children of various skin colors. And The Daring Book for Girls sounds even better in Spanish: El Libro Aventurado para las Chicas!

One more added bonus…you can pick up a beautiful hard-bound copy for under twenty bucks!

This is just the kind of book a favored aunt would give her spunky niece. And aren’t you lucky—it’s here just in time to give a girl you love the gift of adventure this holiday season! (Click here to buy in English or in Spanish.)

This review is sponsored by MotherTalk. The reviewer did not recieve compensation for this review. Find my other weekly reviews at Magpie Suggests.

The Reincarnationist
M.J. Rose

The holidays are coming up and with all that stuff added to your to-do list, you’ll need a novel to escape into at the end of your busy. The Reincarnationist an international thriller by M.J. Rose, is the ideal book for your escapist reading.

The story follows photographer Josh Ryder and archeologist Gabrielle Chase as they track the hidden treasure that could unlock many secrets—including the answer to the question, “Is reincarnation real?” But as Josh slips in and out of his present day reality, and Gabrielle deals multiple personal threats, what once seemed like the simplest archeological dig quickly turns into a morass of danger and intrigue.

There’s a good size cast of characters in this book, and as most of them have more than one life to live, there are plenty of intriguing story lines to follow. (My favorite was the subplot involving artists and patrons in a very young New York City.) The reader also gets a two-for-one deal in the settings, as the stories move through ancient and modern Rome, as well as New York past and present. If you’ve traveled in either of those cities, you get the fun of saying “I’ve been there!” as the characters move through various historic landmarks.

Managing her large cast, M.J. Rose is a deft story teller and keeps us up to speed on all that is happening. Ms. Rose is no fool – the novel’s ending will make you long for a follow-up, say, maybe a nice little trilogy? And for her further marketing chops, check out The Reincarnationist’s blog which features posts of various phenomenon which will appeal to anyone harboring a past life as Xfiles fan. Rose’s professional site also has interesting information about her start as a self published author, which no doubt will appeal to some us aspiring blogger-writers.

Summary: A fast, intriguing read with an intriguing para-psychological plot.

This review is sponsored by MotherTalk. Click here to see their recommended reads. Click here for more suggestions by Magpie Girl.

I’ve got three book reviews for your Summer reading list over at Magpie Suggests: Maximum Ride for ‘tween sci-fi fans, Angel and Apostle, for lovers of classic lit, and The Devil in the White City for a suspense ful beach read. Flit on over there and tell me what you think….