MY REVIEW
Halloween is already magical for most children, but for third-grader Elliott Keene, magic is real. Elliott might look like an ordinary boy living in the ordinary town of Wolf’s End, but he’s actually a young witch from a secret magical world called Moonstone. And he’s not the only one hiding a secret. His teacher, Mr. Moonbeam, has magical powers too!
When the evil Noir sets his sights on the powerful Halloween Crystal, Elliott and Mr. Moonbeam are pulled into a battle to stop him from bringing his monsters into the non-magical world on Halloween night. The only problem? Elliott is still learning how to control his own powers…
What I found so bewitching about this book is that it takes everything kids love about Halloween and throws it into one big, spooky adventure. I especially love the relationship between Elliott and Mr. Moonbeam, and the idea that a teacher often spots the magic inside a child before they can see it themselves. What a nice thought for any young reader who has a teacher they really look up to.
The Halloween colors bring the whole book to life, and I can picture it on almost any bookshelf, practically begging to be picked up! I love the 31-chapter format, an inventive way to get kids reading one chapter a night as they count down to Halloween.
THE COMPANION ACTIVITY BOOK
The 71-page companion Activity Book is designed for Grades 3–5, with 31 activities, one for every chapter of the story. It’s based on Bloom’s Taxonomy, a teaching method that moves children from simply remembering what they’ve read to understanding, analyzing and coming up with ideas of their own.
I thought this was a really quirky way to build comprehension skills that children can carry into other books! I have to put in a good word for the striking Halloween artwork. Illustrator Halo Rife was only 15 years old when he created the artwork, which adds another little layer of magic to the book’s story.
ABOUT THE BOOKS
Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal
Written by Ryan Cowan | Illustrated by Halo Rife
Ages: 8-12 | 252 Pages
Publisher: For the Northern Star Publishing (2019) | ISBN-13: 979-8351181905 (Hardback) and 978-1097952779 (Paperback)
Publisher’s Book Summary: Elliott attends his third-grade class like any other boy, except that Elliott isn’t like any other boy. Endowed with magical powers, Elliott belongs to a secret world called Moonstone—and trouble is brewing. When the evil witch Noir steals The Halloween Crystal, it’s up to Elliott and his third-grade teacher, Mr. Moonbeam, to stop Noir from invading the non-magical world on Halloween night. But can Elliott learn to master his powers in time? Designed with 31 chapters so that parents, teachers, and students can read one chapter a day throughout the month of October!
Purchase Links: Amazon | Bookshop.org
Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal: Activity Book/Novel Study – Grades 3-5
Written by Ryan Cowan | Illustrated by Halo Rife
Ages: 8-12 | 71 Pages
Publisher: For the Northern Star Publishing (2021) | ISBN-13: 979-8761758414
Publisher’s Book Summary: A Novel Study for Improving Reading Comprehension: This activity book includes a series of lessons designed to accompany the award-winning, middle grade book, Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal. The standards-based questions cover all levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy and are appropriate for grades 3-5. Complete one lesson a day for 31 days leading up to Halloween!
Purchase Links: Amazon | Teachers Pay Teachers
GIVEAWAY
Readers who follow along on this virtual book tour will have the chance to win a signed Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal book set!
● Ten winners will each receive a signed hardcover copy of the novel paired with its companion Activity Book.
● One grand-prize winner will receive an exclusive Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal T-shirt, plus a signed, out-of-print copy of the original edition featuring its original cover design.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ryan Cowan grew up in a small town called Middleport, Ohio. He currently lives in Hawthorne, CA. A teacher with more than 20 years of experience, Ryan has taught all grades from K-6. He currently works as an educator in Los Angeles.
Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal is his first children’s book. He wrote the accompanying novel study to help parents and teachers improve children’s reading comprehension.
Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Amazon Author Page
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Halo Rife is an illustrator from Middleport, Ohio. She was 15 years old when she illustrated Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal.
*Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Ryan Cowan. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.
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