As our time in Paris comes to an end, I’m sitting in the hotel after another 20,000-step day, trying to process a trip that went by far too quickly—but was pretty much perfect. From the quiet cobblestones of Montmartre to the iconic skyline, this city has a way of making every moment feel like a scene from a story. We were incredibly lucky with perfect the weather for our whole trip. Honestly, every single day was full of adventure and fun - simply walking around the city, ar

If the Seine is the heart of Paris, Montmartre  is its soul. Today, we put our walking shoes to the ultimate test. There’s a reason the characters in my adventure stories are always on the move—because the best discoveries happen when you’re willing to climb a few hundred (or maybe thousand?) stairs! The Climb to the Clouds We started at the bottom and worked our way up toward the Sacré-Cœur Basilica . While Montmartre has always been famous for its "staircase streets," the c

They say the best way to understand a city is to see it from its heart. In Paris, that heart is the Seine. Today, I took the metro and then hoped on a Batobus for a water tour. Seeing the Paris monuments glide by from the deck of a water taxi was amazing. As a writer, I’m always looking for "perspective." From the street, Paris is a bustling metropolis. From the water, it’s a silent, stone masterpiece. Floating Past History There is a specific magic to passing under the Pont

Taken March 16, 2025 on Spring Break Greetings from Paris! While Spring Break usually finds us enjoying the cherry blossoms in Vancouver, my family and I have traded the Pacific Northwest for the streets of France this year. We've just arrived, but I plan to sit in a few cafés reading Catching Fire  in French (It's called L'Embrasement and it’s a challenge for me, but fun!). I've even got the audio through Libby to follow along with when I get tired. It's been fun to my wife

We’ve all seen it. Your child is the "smartest kid in the room" at home. They know the material backward and forward. But the second they stand up for a school presentation or step onto the field, they freeze. Every parent knows the 'choke'—when a smart kid freezes under pressure. The Karate Choke  explores how Jake Murphy finds his voice when the spotlight is on. In my book The Karate Choke , Jake Murphy (known as "The Brain") deals with exactly this. He can outsmart almost

Every parent of a middle-grader knows that somewhere between ages 8 and 12, the world shifts. Friendships that seemed simple in kindergarten become complicated. The "cool kids" start to have a magnetic pull, and suddenly, being yourself feels a lot harder than it used to. paulbreau-author-strategy-books-for-reluctant-readers This social tightrope is exactly what Mia Vigore walks in my book, Friendship or Fame. The Struggle of the "Quietly Talented" Child Mia has a gift—an ama

If you’ve ever heard your child say, "Reading is boring," it’s probably not that they hate stories—it’s that they haven’t found a book that moves at the speed of their brain. For kids used to the instant feedback of video games or the quick cuts of YouTube, a slow-starting book feels like homework. To bridge the gap, you need High-Interest, Fast-Paced  stories. 5 Fast-Paced Books for kids who 'hate reading" Here are five picks that are specifically designed to hook the "unhoo

Every parent of a reluctant reader knows the "Three-Page Fade." Your child picks up a book, reads the first three pages, sighs, and puts it down. According to resources like Reading Rockets , finding the right 'fit' is the number one factor in turning a reluctant reader into a regular reader. As an author, I spend hundreds of hours studying exactly what makes a child keep turning the page. It’s not just about the cover; it’s about the hook . Best sports books for reluctant re

Does your child treat picking up a book like a chore? I’ve been there. As an author and a parent, I know the look: the glazed eyes, the heavy sigh, and the magnetic pull of the nearest screen. Often, the problem isn’t that kids "hate" reading —it’s that they haven’t found a book that moves as fast as their favorite video game or YouTube channel. Middle-grade readers (ages 8-12) crave instant-reward pacing.  They want cliffhangers, high stakes, and relatable humor. To help jum

Few places are as important to a community as a great public library. For readers in Vancouver, that place is the amazing Vancouver Public Library . Libraries have always played a special role in the lives of readers, especially young readers. They are places where curiosity is encouraged, where imagination is nurtured, and where every child can discover stories that help them see the world in new ways. They are also one of the few free places left for people of all economic

The 3-Step Strategy to Hook a Reluctant Reader (Without the Screen-Time Battle) We’ve all been there. You find a "classic" book you loved at their age, hand it to your middle-grader with a smile, and… nothing.  It sits on the nightstand collecting dust while the iPad glows until bedtime. As an author, I’ll let you in on a secret: It’s not that your child hates reading.  It’s just that most books are competing with the high-speed, instant-reward world of video games and social

What Reviewers are Saying: Surviving Summer Camp It’s been an incredible few months for Eddy and his brothers! Since the release of Surviving Summer Camp , the middle-grade blogging community has been diving into the wilderness with the Breau brothers—and the feedback has been heart-pounding and heartwarming. Whether you are a parent looking for a book to hook a reluctant reader or a teacher searching for the next great classroom adventure, here is a look at what the experts

Summer camp stories often bring to mind images of friendship, adventure, and personal growth. Paul Breau’s Surviving Summer Camp captures these themes with a fresh perspective that resonates with readers of all ages. This blog post explores a detailed review of the book, highlighting key moments and memorable quotes that reveal why this story stands out. For those interested in a thoughtful and engaging read about the challenges and joys of summer camp, this post offers a co

Summer camp stories often bring to mind images of friendship, fun, and maybe a little mischief. But Surviving Summer Camp by Paul Breau takes the classic camp tale and turns it into a gripping survival adventure that middle grade readers won’t be able to put down. Praised by Briar's Reviews with a perfect 5.0 out of 5 stars, this book stands out as one of the best middle grade reads, blending humor, suspense, and heartfelt moments in a way that appeals to kids ages 8 to 12.

https://gpattridge.com/2025/12/12/surviving-summer-camp/ I'm so excited to report that the always amazing Greg P from Always In the Middle has reviewed Surviving Summer Camp for his latest Marvelous Middle Grade Monday! Buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1777976634 Check out the link above for the full review, but here are some highlights: Greg P said: " The 30 chapters zip by with the engaging narration by young Eddy. His thoughts and actions are exactly what you m

Right behind the classic question about where my ideas come from, the one I hear most often is, “Why do you write for middle grade readers?” The people who ask this are almost always adults. Kids already know the answer. They can feel the importance of this age. These years matter. This is the stage when they begin to see themselves more clearly, when friendships form and shift, when confidence rises and falls, and when the world suddenly feels bigger and more complicated. It

https://www.bookwormforkids.com/2025/09/surviving-summer-camp-by-paul-breau.html I want to give a huge shout out and thank you to Tonja at Boomworm for Kids for her thoughtful review of Surviving Summer Camp . In her words " Summer camp will never be the same after experiencing it through Eddy's eyes." She said " These pages hold a fun mix of survival, adventure, and humor to keep the story going the entire way through. Something happens on every page, and this includes ever

Surviving Summer Camp review by Log Cabin Library https://logcabinlibrary.blogspot.com/2025/08/its-marvelous-middle-grade-monday-with_098...

It's always fascinating for me to peek behind the curtain into artist's creative process. I was fortunate enough to work on the book...

Some nice words from the folks at the Whistler Independent Book Awards: Plot: Coherent, well developed narrative arc; age appropriate and...