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...

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...

A big shout out and thank you to Briar's Reviews for taking the time to post a review for Friendship or Foul Play, glad you enjoyed it. Reviews help other readers find my stories, so it's very much appreciated. Here's an except from the review: Briar's Reviews Awards Friendship or Foul Play 5-stars! "Friendship or Foul Play: Taylor Takes Her Shot by Paul Breau is a lovely, easy to read, middle grade book focused on female friendship and sports. I love a well written middle gr

It was a two year labour of love, but my new middle grade novel Surviving Summer Camp is available now! Fans of Holes , Hatchet , or...

Torn between her best friend and the cool kids... Mia Vigore has an amazing voice and loves to sing, but she’s shy and introverted. With the help of her best friend Siarra, she finds the courage to join Senior Choir. As Mia learns to share her talent, other students take notice, especially the competition. Mia decides to train with a more experienced singer and her friendship with Siarra becomes strained. With the prestigious Winter Festival solo on the line, Mia wonders if s

Reviewed by Tiffany Turner, Dec 1, 2019 The Holiday Season is kicking off right now, and you may be in search for a reading present for the child in your life. So, I’ll be highlighting some awesome books and authors that I find over the next few weeks. The first I’d like to tell you about is a great new series from a Canadian author, Paul Breau . He has put together a great middle grade novel as the first in his Step By Step series. The book is called Siarra Jones Skating Int