A New Reading Adventure: The Cities of Adventure Series by Rishi Piparaiya

I love to travel. And I love to read. 

So when I discovered the Cities of Adventure series by Rishi Piparaiya, I couldn't wait to get my hands on a few books! 

Books about travel have such a special place in my heart because I think they help you visualize places you maybe haven't personally experienced. I admit, one of my favorite things about Dan Brown's books (Angels & Demons, The Da Vinci Code) is reading about Robert Langdon racing through some of my favorite cities in Europe, uncovering secrets. I've been to the Vatican before, but Angels & Demons made me want to race back to Rome and rediscover some of the areas Dan Brown discusses in the novel with the information the book provided. I love when reading and real life intersect!

A new reading adventure: exciting stories for young readers

The Cities of Adventure Books by Rishi Piparaiya. 

These new adventure books, available on Amazon, are that intersection of travel and adventure for kids. My middle daughter, my most avid reader of my three, sped through these great chapter books, embarking on a city-wide adventure in three major metropolitan areas around the world. 

The Race to Phar Lap's Saddle follows kids Neil and Tara through this exciting Australian City as the kids find themselves on mission to recover a stolen artifact. The book includes a kid-friendly map of the city, as well as travel tips, some differences between American English and Australian English and lots of cool facts about the land down under.

Cities of Adventure: The Race to Phar Lap's Saddle.

Framed in Hollywood tells the tale of a famed and framed Hollywood actress. Sally Sinclair is a well-known actress who is accused of committing a crime on the set of her latest film. Is she guilty? Or innocent? The books incorporates some of my favorite spots in Los Angeles- Rodeo Drive, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Sunset Boulevard. You can also learn cool facts about the US and some of your favorite celebrities in the back of this fun book. 

Cities of Adventure: Framed in Hollywood

The Secret of the Snallygaster takes place in our nation's capitol, Washington D.C. Tara and Neil, the tale's star brother and sister duo, are on vacation in DC when a long-hidden family secret is revealed. The secret turns their vacation on its head, and the duo race to save a mysterious and magical creature, the snallygaster. We loved reading the tidbits about America in the back of the book and my middle daughter is mapping out all of the places she wants to go visit in Washington thanks to this book. 

There is already a fourth book out about New York City that we haven't read yet, called The Men from B.A.G.E.L. These books are all available on Amazon for $12.99. I am not an Amazon affiliate, so I don't stand to gain anything if you purchase through the links I've provided. There are more books coming in this series about cities all over the world. What a fun way to expose your kids to new cities and cultures and foster their love of reading!

Showing off a city map in a Cities of Adventure book from Amazon.

I did receive these books for free in exchange for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

  

Kids' Summer Reading Incentives

I love to read. Like, love love to read. I read 6 books in May and have more than 70 (that is not a typo) stacked against my bedroom wall just waiting for me to dive in. I prefer chick lit by British authors as well as mysteries and thrillers. The last great book I read was The Paris Orphan, although I do wish the ending had been different.

These days, my kids feel the pull of screens more than I would like them to. It's hard to convince them to put down YouTube Kids and read a book. In the summer, I institute 20 minutes of reading every day. It can be more but it can't be less. Somedays they read willingly, somedays it's a real challenge. 

Check out the great article I recently did for Zulily about starting a book club for kids! I loved doing this with my girls when they are little and am trying to convince my youngest to round up a few friends start one herself. 

My most avid reader with her current favorite book, The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl.

Luckily, there are lots of great summer reading incentives for kids out there right now. My girls can get earn all kinds of great stuff, from free books to free food, just by sitting still and reading a book. Why won't someone do that for me?! I'd be the happiest mama on the planet if someone gave me freebies for doing something I already love...

Summer Reading Challenges (with Incentives!) for Kids

Summer Reading Challenge with the Arlington Public Library- Fill out the reading log between June 1 and July 31 and then bring the completed log to the library for a goodie bag! Previous goodie bags have included coupons for food and ice cream as well as fun items to celebrate a job well done by your kiddos!

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Challenge- Print out the log sheet and fill it out with books your kiddos read this summer (for kids in grades 1-6) and then bring to your closest store for a free book from a pre-approved list.  

Pizza Hut Camp Book It!- Free pizza just for reading? Yes please! Complete the monthly reading journal with your child and they will receive a coupon for a free personal pizza. Yum! 

Scholastic Summer Reading- Join this virtual reading program where kids can complete challenges and earn virtual rewards. There is new content weekly, where kids can gain access to all kinds of unique content from favorite authors and more. 

H-E-Buddy Reading Club- Read 10 books and fill them in on the linked log sheet. Then mail the completed form, by October 1, to H-E-B in San Antonio and your child will be rewarded with a special prize! 

Chuck E Cheese Reading Rewards Calendar- Have your child read daily for two weeks and record it on the linked calendar. Then bring it to your closest CEC for 10 free play points! Score! 

Kids can earn free pizza with Camp Book It!