The adventure in Crazy Eights: Myla Maps Out a Mystery now extends beyond the page. The Cadet Club Field Kit is a free printable companion for readers ages 8–12, created by J.C. Moran, author and award-winning board game designer. Drawing on her experience designing board games, Moran created an additional mystery that unfolds alongside the book, giving readers clues to follow and a case of their own to solve as they read. Readers participate in their own investigation throug

As parents and educators, we spend a great deal of time helping children become better readers. We search for books that match their reading level, celebrate completed chapters, and encourage them to read a little more each day. While those milestones matter, one quality has an even greater influence on a child's learning journey: curiosity. The Harvard Graduate School of Education identifies curiosity as playing a vital role in children's cognitive development, shaping how t

Summer is one of the best times for children to discover the joy of reading. Without homework, tests, and busy school schedules, they finally have the freedom to choose stories that genuinely interest them. It's why many families head into summer with reading goals, library visits, and a stack of books waiting to be enjoyed. But as the weeks go by, summer has a way of filling up. Days become packed with vacations, pool time, camps, sports, and spontaneous adventures. Those bo

There’s something unmistakable about the way a mystery begins. It doesn’t ease into the story or take its time setting the stage. It offers a question almost immediately and invites the reader to pay attention. For middle graders, that kind of invitation can often be especially compelling. This is an age group defined by curiosity. Questions come naturally, often faster than answers. There’s a growing sense of independence, a willingness to form opinions and test ideas, even

There’s a quiet moment many of us recognize. A child picks up a book, flips through a few pages, and then sets it aside without much thought. No frustration, no resistance. Just a decision it isn’t for them. It’s easy to assume that a child simply doesn’t like reading. But I’ve never been entirely convinced that’s the case. When I was younger, I didn’t read a lot of books. I preferred being outside, always moving and imagining. Stories were something my parents and grandpare