A Pair of Miracles by Karla Akins (Book Review!)

A Pair of Miracles: A Story of Autism, Faith and Determined Parenting

by Karla Akins

(received in exchange for an honest review)

Genre- Nonfiction / Family & Relationships / Autism Spectrum Disorders

Published by- Kregel Publications

Copyrighted- 2017

Number of pages- 224

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4484-5

Karla Akins’s twins were born with autism and fetal alcohol disorder, and she was warned that they would never be able to function independently.  She wanted to prove that through God anything is possible. 

She has written this book to show that through God many things are possible.  She shares her triumphs and mistakes with humor and lots of practicle advice. 

It is with Akins’s faith and love that her twins are now grown and able to function independently in many ways by helping their father in the church and with other jobs.

About the Author-

Karla Akins has written five books, is the mother of five, and is a co-minister with her husband at Christian Fellowship Church in Indiana.  She has experience with homeschooling, private schools, and public schools.  Her website is www.KarlaAkins.com.

My thoughts-

A Pair of Miracles can be an extremely useful tool for any parent who has a child with autism.  This book is full of pertinent information and encouragement.  I had a hard time putting this book down, because I was laughing and crying as I went on Karla Akins’s journey with her newly adopted twins.  I learned how important it is to have a support system, go with what your instincts are telling you, and the best ways to educate the children.

While the entire book was helpful and had great strategies, I really enjoyed reading the appendices.  I learned different strategies for occupational therapy, different objects that can be used for fidget toys, a list of functional skills, and there are even more resources.

This is a well written book.  I recommend it to you!  I plan on making our homeschooling library aware of this tool.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received A Pair of Miracles, by Karla Akins, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Sacagawea by Karla Akins from Knowledge Quest (Schoolhouse Crew Review)

We received Sacagawea by Karla Akins for review purposes.

                           

 Product:

Sacagawea (Brave Explorers Every Child Should Know) Complete PDF e-book

Vendor Contact Information: Knowledge Quest

Age Appeal: 10 and up

Format: Kindle e-book

Price: $4.97

Sacagawea is an interactive historical novel.  It was released in four episodes- Stolen, Passage, Survival, and Equal.  They are now all together in Sacagawea.

This book is an account of Sacagawea from when she was stolen by the Hidatsa, to the end of her time with the Corps of Discovery.  As the reader delves into Sacagawea’s life, more can be learned by clicking on the highlighted text which goes to websites describing more.  Some of the subjects are prairie dogs, blue grouse, and currents.

Excerpt from Sacagawea.

Our Experience:

We have been studying Sacagawea and the Corps of Discovery this year for school, so I was excited to have the chance to read this book to B and C.  Since we had it on the Kindle, we could read it in the house or outside.  We decided to read it outside, because the weather was perfect.  We read for 30 minutes each time and it was so much fun reading the time flew by.  B and C also enjoyed going to the links for the different websites in the story.  We all enjoyed reading and learning more about Sacagawea. 

I Liked:

• Karla Akins put a lot of effort into writing this book.  There were great descriptions and she included sections from Lewis’s journal.
• The children had fun checking out the links while we were reading the story.
• I liked the inclusion of the Shoshone Indian history, especially Coyote.
• As I was reading, I felt like I was there with the Corps of Discovery.

Disliked:

• I would have like a list of sources.

What B (boy, age nine, officially in third grade) Likes and Dislikes: It is a good book.  You learn a lot.  You learn things that you don’t learn in other books, like how sick they were, especially Sacagawea.  I also like that the author’s opinion about Sacagawea was included.

I think this book is good for kids my age.

What C (girl, age seven, officially in first grade) Liked and Disliked: I liked Sacagawea, because she helped to find food for the Corps of Discovery.  I liked Seaman, because he was a nice dog.  It would be good for kids my age.                            

Dad’s Call: Not available for this review.

Mamma would definitely recommend Sacagawea (Brave Explorers Every Child Should Know) by Karla Akins!