Book review: Mom Made Us Write This In The Summer by Ali Maier

While school’s out in the summer, it’s a great time for kids to read for pure enjoyment.  Because I encourage my kids to make reading a regular part of their lives, some of my favorite free summer activities for the kids are summer reading programs that help motivate them to keep reading throughout the summer.

We’re always on the lookout for good books that the kids will enjoy.  So I was happy to accept a free book recently to review on this blog.  It looked like a fun book for the kids.

The book, Mom Made Us Write This In The Summer (Max and Maggie Journal) by Ali Maier, has a unique concept.  It’s presented as a joint journal written by 10-year-old twins.

Mom Made Us Write This In The Summer by Ali Maier - book review on amerrymom.com                   Mom Made Us Write This in the Summer back cover - book review on amerrymom.com

I thought the journal format, complete with drawings, was a great way to experience the two characters’ different perspectives.  In the book, the point of the journal is for the twins to get along better by seeing things from the other point of view.

The story had a nice moral about family and sibling relationships in a lighthearted and lively tale of their summer adventures.

As a mom, I was happy to pass along the book to my kids after I read it.  I thought they would like it and may even learn something about considering other perspectives that they could apply to their own relationships over summer break.

My kids – ages 8 and 11 – both enjoyed reading Mom Made Us Write This In The Summer.

The twins’ journal entries have a handwritten font and drawings that make it fun for kids to read.

Mom Made Us Write This In The Summer inside page - book review on amerrymom.com

My son thought it was funny and said he could relate to the characters very well. He liked the journal format and felt like he was drawn into the story of the twins’ activities.  He read through the book quickly.

My daughter liked the drawings and enjoyed reading about the characters’ summer.  She could especially relate to Maggie, particularly because they both love the zoo, ice cream, and trips – and because they get stuck going to brothers’ sports events.  She enjoyed the journal style and said it made her feel like “the story was alive.”

The Mom Made Us Write This web site has more information about the book, which is the first in a series.  Two additional books are planned for future release.

Mom Made Us Write This In The Summer is available on Amazon.

I received a free book in exchange for my review on this blog.  All opinions are my own (and my kids’).  This post contains affiliate links, which help support this blog.

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