What you think does matter

FREE QR Code from Google For years, creating a simple QR code felt like it should be easy—but somehow never was. Every time I needed one, I ended up on a third-party website that promised “free” QR codes, only to discover the catch later. Some made me pay to download a high-resolution image. Others worked for a while and then suddenly paused my code unless I upgraded to a monthly plan. A few even started showing ads or redirect screens before sending people to the link I actually wanted them to see. It was frustrating, especially when all I wanted was a clean, reliable QR code that sent readers straight where they needed to go. That’s why discovering how easy it is to create a QR code with Google felt like such a relief. Look how clean and beautiful it looks: Google offers a completely free, no-strings-attached way to generate QR codes, and it takes less than a minute. There are no subscriptions, no expiration dates, no surprise ads, and no “upgrade to unlock” messages. The QR code si...

What happens when a child loses more than she can explain—and finds connection in the most unexpected place? The Missing Moo is the first book in the Secrets of Whisper Pine series, a middle school mystery that gently explores loss , belonging , and inclusion , wrapped inside a suspenseful story that keeps young readers turning pages late into the night. Set in the shadowy woods of Whisper Pine, this story follows a girl struggling to find her footing after everything familiar has changed. When a cow mysteriously disappears, it sparks more than just a search—it opens the door to hidden truths, uneasy secrets, and a mystery that refuses to stay buried. Though the mood is dark and atmospheric, the heart of the story is warm and meaningful. Children who feel out of place, unheard, or unsure of where they belong will recognize themselves here. Parents will appreciate how the book handles difficult emotions with care, showing how connection —to people, to animals, to place—can help heal...

How to Keep Children Reading Books? Motivating children to read more has become one of the biggest challenges for parents, educators, and—let’s be honest—authors too. After all, if kids don’t read, authors don’t survive. But this isn’t just about book sales. It’s about attention, imagination, and helping children discover that reading can be just as powerful as any screen in their hands. We’re raising kids in a world ruled by TikTok, social media, video games, YouTube, and streaming platforms. Even adults struggle. I’ll be the first to admit it—Netflix eats away at more of my time than I’d like to admit. If I weren’t actively writing a book series, I probably wouldn’t read nearly as much as I do. Between researching story ideas, reading books on writing, and enjoying a good mystery or fantasy novel, reading has become part of my job. But that brings us back to the real question: How do we motivate children to read? The answer might be simpler—and more surprising—than we think. One of t...

Behind Hidden Doors   A Mystery That Refuses to Stay Simple What starts as a missing cow quickly turns into something much bigger. Whisper Pine isn’t just a sleepy town with friendly neighbors—it’s a place full of secrets, half-truths, and uneasy silences. The clues come slowly, and the twists don’t feel rushed or obvious. This isn’t a “solve it in one chapter” mystery. It’s the kind that keeps you thinking, flipping pages, and mentally replaying scenes after you put the book down. One Amazon reviewer described it as a “refreshing mystery” that could be enjoyed by readers of all ages, praising the twists and turns and eagerly waiting for the next book. The story doesn’t talk down to younger readers, but it also doesn’t overwhelm them. Instead, it invites everyone along for the ride. Emily, Growing Up Between the Lines Emily is thirteen, right at that awkward, fascinating age where childhood starts slipping away—but adulthood hasn’t fully arrived. She’s curious, stubborn, thoughtfu...

The Missing Moo - Mystery Adventure If you like mysteries where things aren't what they seem, you should check out The Missing Moo: Secrets of Whisper Pine. It’s about Emily, a city girl who thinks her summer on a farm is going to be incredibly boring. She spends her first few days getting chased by 'troublemaker' chickens and trying to figure out how to survive without the comforts of city life. But then, the farm’s most famous prize cow, Daisy, is kidnapped and it’s not just a simple theft. Emily and a boy named Bill find themselves in the middle of a dangerous plot involving secret letters, hidden keys, and a shadowy figure who is definitely not who he says he is. If you like stories where regular kids have to be brave and solve a crime that the adults can’t quite handle, you’ll really like this one. Plus, it’s the first in a series, so there’s more to the mystery and Emily with Bill later on! This story hits fast and close to the heart: A brave girl who refuses to give ...

  A Time Travel Adventure for Kids and Tweens Ages 8-12 The Time Skippers and the Lost Ruby A homemade time machine. A lost royal ruby. A prophecy that could change the course of history forever. Thirteen-year-old Libby is used to her zany grandmother, physicist Professor Evelyn Zamenhof, and her crazy antics. But lately, Libby noticed Evelyn has been acting stranger than usual, disappearing for long periods and working away in her lab. Then, one day, Libby receives a mysterious letter from her grandmother and finds out Evelyn is in trouble. Lots of trouble. After inventing the Chronorocket 1.1, a compact time machine handcrafted from a thermos, Evelyn is kidnapped by a mysterious group demanding Edward the Black Prince’s long-lost ruby, believed to be the key to Britain’s political power. Libby, along with her art historian mother, Milly, will have to travel back in time to retrieve the gem and save her grandmother. When all they have is a cryptic prophecy to lead them to the gem,...

READ 6 FREE CHAPTERS A Missing Cow Leads to a Secret and Danger. It’s a story that starts quietly—and then won’t let you go. It begins on a farm. A normal summer. And then Daisy goes missing . Now, Daisy isn’t just a cow. Not to Emily , anyway. To her, Daisy is comfort. Routine. Home. When everything feels uncertain, Daisy is the one thing that makes her feel safe. So, when Daisy disappears, Emily knows something isn’t right. The adults shrug it off. “One of those things,” they say. But the silence feels wrong. And the truth—whatever it is—feels dangerous. This isn’t just a mystery about a missing cow. It’s a story about growing up , about feeling alone , and about that terrifying moment when you realize the adults around you might not be telling you the whole truth. The Missing Moo: Pulls Readers In At first glance, it looks like a mystery set on a farm. But give it a few chapters… and you realize it’s doing something deeper. This is a small town built on secrets. Friendly fac...

A Bad Time Is Good for You Nobody likes bad times. They’re uncomfortable, stressful, and often feel unfair. Whether it’s losing a job, struggling with bills, or watching your plans fall apart, bad times can make you want to give up. But what if I told you that bad times aren’t just something to survive—they’re actually good for you? That may sound strange, but it’s true. Every bad time carries lessons, opportunities, and a chance to become stronger. As parents, it’s one of the most powerful things we can teach our kids and teens. Life won’t always go their way, but if they learn how to handle tough seasons, they’ll be ready for success when it comes. Let’s look at three important truths about bad times—and how you can use them to grow and teach your children. First, bad times are necessary if you want to succeed. Nobody wants to go through hard moments, but they often show us what we couldn’t see before. Think of it like this: when everything’s going well, we rarely stop to check what’...

Sometimes the best lessons for kids don’t come from textbooks—they come from stories. In Chapter 3 of Secrets of Whisper Pine: The Missing Moo , Emily is slowly learning that life on the farm isn’t just chores and animals. It’s about belonging, laughing through mistakes, and finding comfort in unexpected places. She still battles the chickens (and usually loses), but she also discovers that the farm is starting to feel like home . Even more, she develops a special bond with Daisy the cow—a reminder that animals often understand us in ways people sometimes don’t. This chapter is a goldmine for teaching kids about adapting to new environments, family connections, and building confidence through challenges. Here’s how parents and teachers can turn Emily’s story into an engaging lesson. ✨ Lesson Theme: Belonging and Finding Joy in Everyday Challenges 📝 Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will: Identify how Emily’s feelings about farm life are changing. Recognize...

Your Child Doesn’t Love Reading: What To Do  If you’re like most parents, you’ve probably worried at some point about your child’s reading. Maybe your son groans every time you ask him to pick up a book. Maybe your daughter used to love story time but now rolls her eyes when you suggest it. Or maybe you’ve noticed your child isn’t reading at the level you think they should be. These worries are normal. Reading is such a big part of school—and life—that it can feel scary when your child doesn’t seem interested. You may wonder if they’re falling behind or if something is wrong. Take a deep breath. You’re not alone. Many parents struggle with the same concerns. And the good news is, with some patience, creativity, and encouragement, you can help your child rediscover the joy of reading. First, let’s talk about why kids lose interest. Sometimes reading feels like hard work. If your child struggles with certain words or has a hard time sitting still, books may feel more like a chore tha...

From City Streets to Country Fields: A Lesson Plan on Change, Courage, and Finding Home When kids pick up a book, they don’t just read words—they step into someone else’s shoes. In this chapter of "Secrets of Whisper Pine: The Missing Moo" , we travel with Emily, a city-loving thirteen-year-old, as she gets dropped off at her aunt and uncle’s farmhouse for the summer. Suddenly, skyscrapers are replaced with silos, sirens are swapped for crickets, and neon lights give way to moonlight. (* Read free chapters @ The Missing Moo ) It’s not just a change of scenery—it’s a lesson in courage, adaptability, and learning how to make the unfamiliar feel like home. So, how can parents and teachers use this chapter to spark meaningful conversations and activities with kids ages 10–14? Let’s break it down. ✨ Lesson Theme: Adjusting to Change and Finding Comfort in New Experiences 📝 Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students should be able to: Identify Emily’s emotions as...

STOP THE BLAME. Is COVID-19 the real reason your child is failing at school? Can you help your children become better readers and learners? It's easy to look back at the past few years and point to the pandemic as the singular cause of all our current educational struggles. Indeed, the disruptions caused by school shutdowns and virtual learning were unprecedented, leaving many students behind academically and socially. But as a society, we often find it convenient to assign blame to a major event rather than to confront the long-standing issues that have been building for years. While Covid-19 certainly exacerbated existing problems, it didn’t create them from scratch. The decline in a love for learning and reading, as well as a waning interest in education itself, has been a trend for decades. As parents and guardians, we must take a hard look in the mirror. We can't simply blame a global health crisis for our children's lack of interest in reading when we've allowed s...

T he academic comeback we’ve all been hoping for since the pandemic is proving to be a long and challenging road, especially for our middle school students. A recent report from NWEA, a well-regarded K12 assessment and research organization, brings this reality into sharp focus. Their findings, which are underscored by recent data from the National Assessment on Educational Progress (NAEP), confirm that the average eighth-grader today requires nearly a full academic year of additional reading instruction to catch up to their pre-pandemic peers. This is a significant gap, and it highlights a critical issue: many students are simply not prepared for the complex reading demands of middle school and beyond. The data from the NAEP, which shows that a mere 30% of eighth-graders are performing at or above proficiency, paints a clear picture of the challenge. According to researchers, this learning gap is not just a side effect of disrupted schooling, but a symptom of a deeper issue: a lack of...

Why Today’s Classrooms Are Changing — and Why That’s a Good Thing for Your Child When you think back to your own school days, you probably remember desks lined up in straight rows. Maybe a chalkboard at the front, a teacher’s desk in the corner, and a room that didn’t change much from year to year. That’s how school “looked,” right? But today, things are starting to look very different—and for good reason. Across the country, schools are redesigning classrooms in ways that are surprising to many parents. The desks don’t always face forward. There are soft spaces where kids can read or work quietly. You might even see flexible chairs that bounce or rock. Some classrooms have big round tables instead of desks, and students often work in groups or move around during the day. At first glance, it may seem unusual. You might even wonder if all that moving around means less learning. But the truth is, this new style of classroom is helping students learn better—together—and even helping their...

Reading Comprehension Could Be Your Biggest Paycheck As an author and blogger, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the transformative power of words. We live in an age where information is abundant, yet true understanding often feels elusive. There’s a prevailing notion in the content creation world that to reach the broadest audience, you must simplify, distill, and aim for a fifth-grade reading level. The mantra, it seems, is "dumb it down for the masses." While this approach certainly has its place in rapid consumption and casual entertainment, it begs a crucial question: are we inadvertently hindering intellectual growth and, perhaps, even economic prosperity? This brings me to a fascinating and, frankly, sobering insight that challenges our current perceptions. While many might dismiss the idea that advanced reading skills are crucial beyond childhood, experts suggest otherwise. There’s compelling evidence that reading at a higher level—beyond, say, a sixth-gr...