A Brand New Adventure Series for Kids

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

November 21, 2022 by Laura Leave a Comment

A Brand New Adventure Series for Kids

with Special Guest Mike Curtis

In “A Brand New Adventure Series for Kids,” Episode, #174, Meredith Curtis interviews Mike Curtis, pastor and author of a brand-new series (and her husband!). He has written an amazing new series for children and teens: The Noland Kids Adventures. Mike shares his journey that led him to share his story. Learn all about the series and why your kids will love to read it!

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

Show Notes

Introduce Mike & Ministry https://www.powerlinecc.com/

Noland Kids Adventures https://www.powerlineprod.com/books/the-noland-kids-adventure-series/

How It All Began

Rockford Park, Bedtime Stories to Children, Stories to Grandchildren

Covid-Strikes!

Needed to entertain kids at home listening to sermon

First Novel

The Key House

Newly Inherited House 150-Year Old Secret, Clues to Hidden Treasure

Mystery/ Adventure, Hardy Boys meets The Goonies

Who is This Series Written For?

Christian Kids 10-14

Second Novel

Lost City of Light

Coming November 25th, 2022

How Can Listeners Get Book?

Amazon print or Kindle

Our website PowerlineProd.com

Reviews

Leave Reviews

Spread the Word

What Books are on the Horizon & When?

Legend of the Craftsman King & Secret of Paradise Cove

Sign up for our Newsletter

The Key House

HUGE Black Friday/ Cyber Monday Sale!

Travel God's World God Bless the USA Exploring States & Territories by Meredith Curtis at Powerline Productions

Travel God's World God Bless the USA Cookbook by Meredith Curtis and Laura Nolette at Powerline Productions

God Bless the USA State Capitals & Abbreviations by Meredith Curtis at Powerline Productions, Inc.

Travel God's World God Bless the USA State Flags & Seals by Meredith Curtis at Powerline Productions

Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed Under: Finish Well Tagged With: adventure, adventure series, book, books, Christian, Christianity, Education, family, fiction, Finish Well, homeschool, homeschooling, Laura Nolette, literature, Meredith Curtis, Parent, read, reading, series, youth

7 Classic Books Every Homeschool Mom Should Read

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

September 5, 2022 by Laura Leave a Comment

7 Classic Books Every Homeschool Mom Should Read

In “7 Classic Books Every Homeschool Mom Should Read,” Episode, #169, Meredith Curtis shares her favorites with you – books that have inspired, equipped, and encouraged her. These books will change your life and your perspective. Grab a cup of tea or mug of coffee and learn about some classic books that you will want to read and reread again.

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

Show Notes

The bookcase outside my door.

Books impact our lives. Some of my books are like special friends who have spoken into my life and brought forth something new.

L’Abri by Edith Schaeffer

Frances & Edith Schaeffer’s ministry in Switzerland.

Focus on creating a nurturing environment and ministering in and from the home.

For Better or Best by Gary Smalley

As a young couple, we attended this author’s conference and had our first introduction to the vast difference in the way men and women think. Also how different their needs are.

He also wrote If Only He Knew.

Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp

My favorite book on parenting. It really shows how to parent by imitating Jesus as a shepherd of our children’s hearts.

Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer

I love art and beauty and classic books. Edith opened my eyes to the true art involved in creating a home from interior decorating to fostering integration of ages, I love this book!

Creative Counterpart by Linda Dillow

A great book on how to be a wife from the relational to the practical including organization.

The Christian Family by Larry Christenson

Every Christian should read this book on the the how, what, and why of God’s design of the Christian family. Covers roles and responsibilities, including the family’s Saviour – Jesus and parent’s role in the spiritual nurture of their children.

Spirit of Loveliness by Emilie Barnes

Lovely inside and out, Emilie reminds us to add beauty in our world to fee our soul. I love all her books but this is my favorite!

Sign up for our Newsletter

Resources

All our curriculum is built around living books 😊

Travel God's World Geography by Meredith Curtis

British Literature & Writing High School Class

HIS Story of the 20th Century by Meredith Curtis

Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed Under: Finish Well Tagged With: book, books, Christian, Christianity, classic, Education, family, Finish Well, homeschool, homeschooling, Laura Nolette, literature, Meredith Curtis, mom, Parent, read, reading, woman, women

Off the Shelf: Summer Mom Reads

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

August 4, 2022 by Sharon Rice Leave a Comment

Off the Shelf: Summer Mom Reads Episode 101

In this episode we talk about on of our favorite things – books. More specifically, we discuss our some of our recent and future books just for you mom!

Books and Authors Mentioned on Show

Sharon’s list:

Suzanne’s List

Some of our other Favorite Authors

Jenny L. Cote
Bryan Davis
Chuck Black
S.D. Smith

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Android | TuneIn | RSS | More

Filed Under: FPEA-Connects, Uncategorized Tagged With: books, read, reading, reading list, Summer books

Books Guys Love

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

April 18, 2022 by Laura Leave a Comment

Books Guys Love

In “Books Guys Love,” Episode, #158, Meredith Curtis, mother of a son who loves to read now, but didn’t always in those early years, had to search out books for her son to read. She found a treasure trove in authors like Howard Pyle, Paul Hutchens, RM Ballantyne, GA Henty, Sir Walter Scott, and Scott O’Dell. Meredith will share 21 authors that boys will enjoy reading throughout the homeschool years.

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

Show Notes

As much as times change, the things that beat in the hearts of little boys and young men stays the same. Let me introduce you to some timeless classics that still captivate the hearts of guys of all ages who still love thrilling adventures and fearless heroes.

What Kind of Books Should You Give Your Children?

Living Books

Classic Books (doesn’t matter age—classics are timeless)

Wholesome Books

Books with Good Role Models

Meet the Authors and Find Out Why Guys Love Their Books

George Sheldon

Felix Sutton

Scott O’Dell

Hugh Lofting

Albert Payson Terhune

William O. Steele

Jim Kjelgaard

Howard Pyle

Paul Hutchens (Sugar Creek Gang series)

Walt Morey

Quentin Reynolds

RM Ballantyne

GA Henty

H Rider Haggard

Robert Louis Stevenson

Sir Walter Scott

Rudyard Kipling

Mark Twain

James Fenimore Cooper

Jules Verne

HG Wells

Sign up for our Newsletter

Resources

These resources help your teen grow in virtue and life skills/soft skills

National Parks Fact Cards by Meredith Curtis

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed Under: Finish Well Tagged With: book, books, boy, boys, Christian, Christianity, Education, family, Finish Well, guy, guys, homeschool, homeschooling, Jesus, Laura Nolette, Meredith Curtis, Parent, read, reading

Educate – FREEDOM Tools Part 2

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

March 31, 2022 by mediaangels Leave a Comment

In the previous episode, we began talking about my FREEDOM toolbox–7 tools for making the most of our time so that we can live balanced, peaceful lives. These are the tools:

Focus
Reflect
Educate
Eliminate
Discipline
Organize
Multitask

Today we’ll look at the third tool: Educate.

It’s easy for homeschooling moms to get so caught up in educating our children that we forget about educating ourselves! We can get caught up in curriculum, lesson plans, and goals for our children that we completely neglect our own personal growth.

But the truth is that we ALL need to expose ourselves to new ideas and new strategies on a regular basis for all three major life areas: personal, family, and business. You need to sharpen your own skills and broaden your mind, learn new ideas and methods for training and educating your children and running your household, and discover new ways to build your business, if you have one.

In addition, if you want your children to value reading and learning, they need to see YOU reading–for pleasure as well as for learning.

In this episode of the “Flourish at Home” show, you’ll learn a variety of ways to make the most of your reading, such as keeping a reading journal, writing in your books, and keeping a record of your reading.

Maybe you’re thinking, “Sure, I’d like to read more, but I don’t know how I can possibly fit it into my life. I already have too much to do without adding one more thing!” You’ll also discover practical tips for fitting learning into your life, such as taking advantage of the wide variety of formats available now, using audiobooks to multitask, using family time for independent reading as well as reading aloud, and the always-popular reading at bedtime.

Join us for encouragement and practical tips to keep learning and growing throughout your entire life!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Android | RSS

Filed Under: Ultimate Homeschool Radio Show Tagged With: books, Education, learning, reading

Books Girls Love

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

February 23, 2022 by Laura Leave a Comment

Books Girls Love

In “Books Girls Love,” Episode, #154, Meredith Curtis, mother of four girls, shares their family’s favorite authors, including beloved authors enjoyed for four generations. She talks about the books they wrote and why girls love them. We’ve all heard of Jane Austen, Louisa May Alcott, and Lucy Maud Montgomery. However, have you heard of Milly Howard, Lois Lenski, Elizabeth Yates, Patricia St. John, Kate Seredy, and Martha Finley? Find out why these books have delighted girls of all ages for decades.

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

Show Notes

As much as times change, the things that beat in the hearts of little girls and young women stays the same. Let me introduce you to some timeless classics that still captivate the hearts of girls of all ages.

What Kind of Books Should You Give Your Children?

Living Books

Classic Books (doesn’t matter age—classics are timeless)

Wholesome Books

Books with Good Role Models

Meet the Authors and Find Out Why They Captivate Girls’ Hearts

Milly Howard

Lois Lenski

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Pamela L. Traveres

Maud Hart Lovelace

Eleanor Porter

Kate Seredy

Kate Douglas Wiggins

Noel Streatfeild

Arleta Richardson

Edith Nesbit

Hilda Van Stockum

Elizabeth Yates

Margaret Sidney

Martha Finley

Louisa May Alcott

Patricia St. John

Frances Hodgson Burnett

Gene Stratton Porter

Lucy Maud Montgomery

Jane Austen

Sign up for our Newsletter

Resources

All our curriculum is built around living books 😊

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed Under: Finish Well Tagged With: author, authors, book, books, Christian, Christianity, Education, family, Finish Well, girl, Girls, homeschool, Jesus, Laura Nolette, Meredith Curtis, Parent, read, reading, teen

Summer Reading List: 2021 Edition

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

July 22, 2021 by Sharon Rice Leave a Comment

Summer Reading List: 2021 Edition– Episode 97

Summer is the perfect time to settle in with a good book. We have some great suggestions for your kids and you! Because reading is not just for kids! Grab a book, a bottle sunblock and head out to the water!

Authors Mentioned on the show:

Ginny Yurich
Tricia Goyer
Jenny L. Cote
Chuck Black
Realm Makers
Connie Albers
Christy Barritt
Lynn Shannon
Susan May Warren
Tricia Mingerink
Jaye L. Knight
Lincoln Smith
Kira Dewey
Juanita Baumpart

For book suggestions: check the Off the Shelf articles in each FPEA Connects issue.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Android | TuneIn | RSS | More

Filed Under: FPEA-Connects, Uncategorized Tagged With: book list, books, reading

Biographies for Book Lovers – MBFLP 254-2

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

October 12, 2020 by Hal and Melanie Young Leave a Comment

Finishing up a listener’s question from episode 245, (“What Are You Reading Right Now?”), this episode Hal is talking about some of his favorite biographies, and why he likes reading this special form of history.

Biography is more than just the facts

Some years ago, Hal started reading biographies to learn more about figures in local history. What impressed him was how, when he’d been reading the life stories of men who had faced challenges and lived life with honor, faith, and courage, it started to show up in his own thinking — “How would such-and-such have handled this?”

That shouldn’t come as a surprise, after all. Paul wrote to the believers at Phillipi,

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble,
whatever things are just, whatever things are pure,
whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report,
if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.

(Philippians 4:8, NKJV)

A life well and truly lived will show evidence of these things. What better way to consider them than to observe how other humans have applied them to the struggles of life?

People are complex

A well-written and honest biography will include the facts of the person’s lifetime, as well as the cultural context he or she dealt with. Much of the current “cancel culture” betrays an inability to recognize the good that a person accomplished in spite of their times, instead forcing long-passed people through a filter of 21st century sensibilities. At the same time, an accurate biography will acknowledge the faults and failures of the subject. Humans are highly complex and inconsistent beings, which may prevent us from reaching our best potential as well as hindering us from sinking as low as we might!

An account of someone whose life work has been assessed through the lens of time, whose impact has been seen by the outcomes of his actions and words, can be a powerful encouragement and example to follow — or an earnest warning of ways and ideas to avoid! And that’s why biographies can be good for the character and soul. It’s worth considering!

If you’d like to know more about biographies Hal mentioned, links are here

(and for history, here are links to books from the first episode )

If you’d like to leave a comment, question, or request, our Listener Response Line is (919) 295-0321

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | Android | TuneIn | RSS

Filed Under: Making Biblical Family Life Practical Tagged With: books, history, reading

History for Book Lovers – MBFLP 254-1

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

October 8, 2020 by Hal and Melanie Young Leave a Comment

Earlier this year we talked about books and authors the two of us enjoy together (episode 245, “What Are You Reading Right Now?”) and we mentioned that each of us has genres we like personally but separately. A caller on our Listener Response Line reminded us that we hadn’t returned to those books – “You teased us a little bit!” she said – so this week, Hal is sharing some books of history and biography which he’s been reading.

The Value of History

Over half the Bible is historical narrative, and God tells His people to remember the past and talk about it with their children. In Deuteronomy, Moses tells the people:

Remember the days of old,
Consider the years of many generations.
Ask your father, and he will show you;
Your elders, and they will tell you:
When the Most High divided their inheritance to the nations,
When He separated the sons of Adam,
He set the boundaries of the peoples
According to the number of the children of Israel.

(Deuteronomy 32:7-8)

The reference to “nations” and “peoples” says this is more than the history of Israel – it’s all of us as “sons of Adam.” When we learn about history, we’re learning how God has guided people and nations over the centuries, with and without their cooperation or consciousness, and we can learn or take warning by their example.

Our own Benjamin Franklin, whatever his personal theology, observed to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, “I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth – that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?” (here’s a transcript) … and we know this to be true because it’s in Scripture:

The Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.

(Daniel 5:21)

That’s a good thing to remember during this election year! And it’s a good reason to take a look at history, too.

If you’d like to know more about books Hal mentioned, here are links to all of them …

If you’d like to leave a comment, question, or request, our Listener Response Line is (919) 295-0321

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | Android | TuneIn | RSS

Filed Under: Making Biblical Family Life Practical Tagged With: books, history, reading

What Are You Reading Right Now? – MBFLP 245

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

April 10, 2020 by Hal and Melanie Young Leave a Comment

These are challenging times, and whether you need entertainment to pass the idle hours, or something diverting at the end of a stressful day, a good book is great to find. We’re book people, for sure, and we know the value of trusted authors and especially, those who have lots of titles to discover! So this episode, we’re talking about our favorite books and authors – some we share, and some we don’t!

We discovered we both enjoy mysteries

As a genre, good detective stories offer a vision of right and wrong, and the possibility that truth can be found and justice prevail. We really like istories with likeable, well-developed characters, intriguing plots, and particularly, heroes who are fundamentally decent people. Stories with ambiguous or situational morals, protagonists we wouldn’t introduce to our family, or anything supernatural or occult, we don’t enjoy at all – those, we avoid.

Some of the classics we enjoy are the books by Dorothy L. Sayers and Ngaio Marsh, two authors of the “Golden Age” of British detective stories. From the same era, on our side of the Atlantic, are Erle Stanley Gardner (the creator of Perry Mason) and Rex Stout (whose eccentric genius Nero Wolfe was only a lightweight version of the somewhat eccentric author) – both of them, quite prolific! (more below …)

More modern authors, and featuring female protagonists, are Dorothy Gilman (whose Mrs. Emily Pollifax is more of a spy than a traditional detective) and Alexander McCall Smith, a Scottish mediccal professor who remembers his childhood in Botswana with a series about a woman who opens the first “Ladies’ Detective Agency” in her country.

Deserving special mention are the father and daughter duo, Tony and Anne Hillerman. Tony’s novels about the Navajo Tribal Police are packaged as supernatural thrillers, when they’re actually police procedurals placed in the complex culture of “the Rez” – the spooky covers simply recall elements of the traditional religion of “the Dine’ as the Navajo call themselves. His daughter Anne picked up Tony’s characters after his death, and she’s carried on the stories with the same skill her father displayed. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed the Hillermans’ books, and their description of the culture and landscape were confirmed by our travels in Arizona and New Mexico – doubling our enjoyment!

We have other books which Hal prefers more than Melanie, and some the other way around – to find out more about our favorites, check the longer article on our own blog here!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed Under: Making Biblical Family Life Practical Tagged With: authors, books, entertainment, novels, reading

A Brand New Adventure Series for Kids

with Special Guest Mike Curtis

Show Notes

Sign up for our Newsletter

The Key House

HUGE Black Friday/ Cyber Monday Sale!

7 Classic Books Every Homeschool Mom Should Read

Show Notes

L’Abri by Edith Schaeffer

For Better or Best by Gary Smalley

Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp

Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer

Creative Counterpart by Linda Dillow

The Christian Family by Larry Christenson

Spirit of Loveliness by Emilie Barnes

Sign up for our Newsletter

Resources

Off the Shelf: Summer Mom Reads Episode 101

Books Guys Love

Show Notes

What Kind of Books Should You Give Your Children?

Meet the Authors and Find Out Why Guys Love Their Books

Sign up for our Newsletter

Resources

Books Girls Love

Show Notes

What Kind of Books Should You Give Your Children?

Meet the Authors and Find Out Why They Captivate Girls’ Hearts

Sign up for our Newsletter

Resources

Summer Reading List: 2021 Edition– Episode 97

Biography is more than just the facts

People are complex

The Value of History

The Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.

Search

Register Free and Get Special Bonuses

About

Register FREE and Get Bonuses