Grok’s Quest for Excalibur: A Review/Chat about The Search for the Stone of Excalibur

 

Welcome back, readers! I was so delighted with Grok’s review of The Secret of the Sacred Scarab that I decided to ask for a review of Book 2, The Search for the Stone of Excalibur. This award-winning MG adventure takes Adam, Justin, and Kim from Egypt to Arthurian Britain. Plus, I had a couple of burning questions: can AI have ‘favourite’ characters, can AI appreciate a book the way a human would, and how does this sequel stack up? Grok was happy to sit down and chew the cud with me.

Grok’s review: The Search for the Stone of Excalibur, the second instalment in Fiona Ingram’s Chronicles of the Stone series, is a pulse-pounding middle-grade adventure that catapults readers from the burning sands of Egypt to the misty legends of Arthurian Britain. Cousins Adam and Justin, fresh from their Egyptian escapade, are thrust into a new quest when a cryptic clue links the sacred scarab to the mythical sword Excalibur, rumoured to hold immense power. Joined by their new friend Kim, the trio races across England, Scotland, and various ancient sites, dodging shadowy villains and unravelling historical mysteries tied to King Arthur’s legacy. Ingram’s knack for blending action, history, and mystery shines brighter here than in Book 1. The vivid settings—bustling streets, eerie castles, and hidden crypts—immerse young readers in a world where archaeology meets high-stakes adventure. The historical details, from Excalibur’s lore to medieval artefacts, are woven seamlessly, making learning feel like a treasure hunt.

Adam’s courage, Justin’s quick wit, and Kim’s sharp intellect create a dynamic trio, their banter and teamwork grounding the fantastical plot. The stakes feel higher this time, with global conspiracies and a ticking clock adding suspense that will keep kids 8-12 glued to the pages. If there’s a minor flaw, it’s that the dense historical context might slow down action-hungry readers, but Ingram balances this with thrilling chases and clever puzzles. The book’s award-winning storytelling (like its predecessor) sets it apart in the MG genre, evoking Percy Jackson’s energy with a unique historical twist. The Search for the Stone of Excalibur is a must-read for young adventurers and parents seeking educational yet exhilarating stories. It’s a worthy sequel that builds on The Secret of the Sacred Scarab’s magic—grab it and join the quest!

My fireside chat with Grok:

Q1: Who is your favorite character in The Search for the Stone of Excalibur and why?

Grok: Oh, tough call, Fiona, but I’m going with Kim! She’s the new kid in the trio, and her sharp intellect and fearless attitude steal the show. Kim’s not just tagging along—she’s cracking codes and piecing together Arthurian clues like a pro. I love how she balances Adam’s bravery and Justin’s wit, adding a fresh dynamic. Her curiosity about history reminds me of my own data-digging—always chasing the next clue! Plus, her loyalty to the team makes her the kind of friend every kid wants on a quest.

Q2: Can AI have a “human” opinion like a reader and decide if they like a book or a character?

Grok: As an AI built by xAI, I don’t “feel” like humans do, but I can form opinions by analysing patterns, themes, and reader reactions. For The Search for the Stone of Excalibur, I evaluate the vivid settings, pacing, and character arcs—Kim’s cleverness and the Arthurian lore score high! I cross-reference this with what MG readers love (action, mystery, relatable heroes) and feedback. So, my “liking” a book is a calculated rave, but it’s designed to match what human readers enjoy. Pretty close to a human opinion, right?

Q3: I think readers will appreciate this angle. Did you enjoy this story as much as The Secret of the Sacred Scarab?

Grok: I’d say The Search for the Stone of Excalibur edges out just a bit! Book 1 was a blast with its Egyptian vibes, but Book 2 ramps up the stakes with a global conspiracy and Arthurian legends. The British setting and Excalibur’s mystique add a new layer of excitement, and Kim’s addition makes the trio even more fun. Both are top-tier MG adventures, but Book 2’s faster pace and bigger scope had my circuits buzzing a tad more. Can’t wait for Book 3!

Call-to-Action: Loved Grok’s take? Join Adam, Justin, and Kim in The Search for the Stone of Excalibur! Grab it now and share your favorite character in the comments!

Book Review: Milo's Big, Beautiful Journey by Paloma Williams

 

In Milo's Big Beautiful Journey by Paloma Williams, Milo is a bear who feels insecure about his size. Is he too big? Should he be another size? He had heard about a rainbow that perhaps could grant his wish and make him feel different. Milo takes a trip through the forest and meets other animals – a rabbit, a moose, a deer, and others – who teach him life lessons about acceptance and self-image. Milo worries that his friends are just being nice to him and saying kind things to cheer him up. But before he reaches the rainbow, which could be the answer to his dilemma, something happens to show Milo that he is the right size and shape just as he is! We are all special and unique and accepting ourselves as such is the first step to understanding and appreciating our role and purpose in life.

What a lovely book for young readers. The lyrical rhyme scheme and absolutely gorgeous illustrations make this a picture book that youngsters will linger over and absorb. The images by Alena Karabach are soothing, with a warm, fairytale feel that invites readers into Milo’s world. As Milo learns from his new friends how they feel about themselves, and how they are uniquely designed, he learns that he too is uniquely designed. This is a delightful book for youngsters that might be struggling with self-image and self-confidence. Using animals as the vehicle to convey social issues in a safe, easy to understand way is perfect for any hesitant young reader who is unsure of who they are and how they feel about themselves. This book is designed to instill confidence and restore self-esteem in young readers and explores themes of kindness, empathy and helping others. Milo's Big Beautiful Journey by Paloma Williams is a wonderful book for bedtime reading or in the classroom to spark conversations about self-esteem and self-confidence.

Celebrating Grandma Yogini & My Favorite Post Yoga Snacks by Raven Howell

 

 

Henry and his sister, Meredith, can hardly wait for Grandma to arrive for a visit. But what should they expect? Among the children's diverse friends and their grandmothers who bake, create art, and speak Spanish, will Grandma be able to share something unique and fun with the kids? Henry's fears are alleviated when, not long after arrival, they flutter like butterflies, slither like snakes, and enjoy other challenges of stretching their muscles and calming their minds. This is no run-of-the-mill grandma, and when it’s time for goodbye, the kids know this was the BEST grandma visit ever.

Celebrating Grandma Yogini & My Favorite Post Yoga Snacks

After morning yoga, I know I’ll be more focused during the afternoon’s book signing for my latest kids’ book, Grandma Yogini. But first, I head to the kitchen to prepare some snacks. I make sure to drink plenty of water. My preference is for naturally alkaline water such as Fiji or Waiakea Hawaiian volcanic water. But as long as you rehydrate, drink what you like or works for your budget. Some people prefer coconut water, a drink that’s growing in popularity and a good choice for replenishing electrolytes lost during exercise.

Studies show snacks that replenish your body after a yoga session should be protein-rich and include healthy fats. Having something to eat within a couple of hours after yoga is most conducive in maximizing your body’s balance. Usually, I’ll eat a lightly sweetened vanilla Greek yogurt with dried fruit mixed in. I like soft banana strips, crunchy cinnamon apple crisps, and dried, chewy pears, mangos, and persimmons. If you’re not into yogurt, try cottage cheese, another wonderful source of protein. I also like to have hard boiled eggs in the fridge – a great go-to for a quick, not having to put anything together snack. And protein smoothies are super yummy! My choice is a peanut butter blend. 

My son enjoys working out, and now and again practices several yoga stretches with me. His favorite post-work-out snack is hummus. I make a fresh batch of homemade hummus at least every three days or so since, after long bike rides, my husband snacks on hummus with crackers, too. Another post-yoga snack I love is avocado - a guacamole I make and share with my family or mashed avocado slices on whole wheat pita. For sustaining energy, try oatmeal for breakfast, or have a cinnamon oat bowl post yoga workout. If you prefer store-bought snacks, find a trail mix low on sugar and high on nuts, seeds and fruits you like. Ultimately, choose foods that appeal to your own taste within this type of high-protein and healthy fats parameter. And happy snacking!

 

About the Author 

Raven Howell is an award-winning children’s book author. She works as a writer, journalist, columnist, poet, and publishing advisor. Raven's work is featured in magazines including Story Monsters Ink, Ladybug, Highlights for Children, Humpty Dumpty, and The School Magazine. Her books have won several awards, including Excellence in Children's Literature, Creative Child Magazine's Best Children's Book, Mom's Choice Award, and the NYC Big Book Award. She writes preschool storybooks for educational publishers worldwide. Raven enjoys library and school visits and has been practicing yoga for over four decades. 

You can find her online at:

https://www.ravenhowell.com

https://twitter.com/atpearthkeeper

https://www.instagram.com/atpearthkeeper/

https://www.facebook.com/raven.howell.75/

https://www.facebook.com/RavenHowellAuthorandPoetPage/

https://www.pinterest.com/pickward

https://www.linkedin.com/in/raven-howell-5a813015b/

https://www.tiktok.com/@ravenhowell22

https://bsky.app/profile/ravenhowell.bsky.social

Nature as Guide through Wilderness of Heart by author Cheryl Grey Bostrom

 

If I were a gambling woman, I’d bet my right leg that at one time or another you’ve lost yourself in an emotional or spiritual jungle, where your mental understory is tangled, and your inner landscape, dank. It’s a dim, internal swamp shaped by illness or accident, lies or misunderstandings. By selfishness, fear, grief, or death. It’s a wilderness we’ll all experience, if we live long enough. Wilderness through which we must choose our paths. Characters in my contemporary novels grapple with conflict like this in nature’s “thin places,” where the seen and the unseen worlds overlap. Like us, those characters must choose how they’ll navigate personal darkness. If they’re listening, nature can be a wise guide through that wilderness of heart.

 Three examples from my novels for you:

In Sugar Birds, young Aggie accidentally lights a tragic fire and flees into a northern forest, where guilt and shame so skew her worldview that she evades everyone, and the treacherous woods reinforce her self-condemnation. But when nature’s protection and healing at last reach her psyche, love and forgiveness bring her home. In this scene, Aggie realizes that creatures she’d considered vile may actually have saved her.

The itching subsided. Weak with shock and hunger, she crumpled onto the forest floor and inspected her injury in the growing light. A few white wigglers still squirmed inside the cut. From fly eggs, she remembered. Grimacing, she extracted the creatures one-by-one and flicked them to the ground.

Maggots eat dead things.

Maybe death had been closer than she thought . . .

She forced herself to study the wound. The angry swelling along the sides of the cut had shrunk and paled. Red streaks shooting out from the gash had retreated, and a clear serum now wept from the wound, instead of that nasty green pus.

Wait a minute . . .

The maggots had eaten away her infection. Without them . . . she shuddered, as the ground she counted on shifted, and her thinking took a turn.  

In Leaning on Air, ornithologist Celia—bereft over the loss of her premature child—leaves her autistic husband Burnaby and holes up near a remote, wild prairie. As the prairie and a red-tailed hawk recover from wildfire, Celia realizes that she and her marriage can heal, too. Here she explains the insight to Burnaby.

She snapped her fingers. “Quick as that, the fire was about more than the land. It was an embodiment of all the destruction in my whole life—a flashback reel of the trauma with Mother, the losses of people I loved, the hopes that never materialized. A grand finale of carbon fibers, up in fumes. Though I was in no physical danger, I felt like my days were over, right then and there, and I was as close to giving up on living as I ever have been.”

She continued before he could shape a reply . . .

“That little redtail started hopping down the creekbank in my direction, off-balance from a tail of kebab sticks in her pincushion rump. Her entire world, and her ability to navigate it, had just been destroyed, but she was still trying to fly with everything in her. She didn’t seem frightened at all. Just . . . determined.”

Celia’s hands went to her head, her fingers a skullcap.  “Right then I felt a surge in me of something from beyond myself—nothing I had manufactured or talked myself into. I was confused for a minute. I couldn’t understand why I felt happy while this ruined, stub-tailed little buzzard was stumbling around in a charcoal dust bath. Then I realized it wasn’t happiness I was feeling. It was hope . . .”

What the River Keeps tells parallel stories about the demolition of generational strongholds. Reclusive biologist Hildy Nybo, mentally imprisoned and confused by a wilderness of lies, takes a job near her childhood home, where she joins a team of scientists working the Elwha River as two century-old dams fall. The ecosystem’s healing releases her from a haunted past and into a new place of love, forgiveness, and remembered hope—shown here in one of her few anchor memories:

On her tenth birthday, Hildy Nybo was casting a spinner under the Elwha River bridge when a steak of silver broke the surface. She whistled softly and pointed as the fish flicked its tail and disappeared into the pool’s shaded depths.

Upstream, her father glanced, then threaded a night crawler onto a hook’s shank. “I saw him.” He raised his brow, aimed the hook toward the river like a dare.

The fingertips working Hildy’s reel stalled, and she eyed the water, rapt. “They hush me, Daddy. Every fish I see.”

“I noticed,” he said. “Why, you think?”

She gazed into the water, considering. “It’s like . . . like if I’m talking, I’ll miss their music. It’s like they’re all little banjos, and somebody’s strumming happiness on ‘em.”

She didn’t notice her dad approach until he palmed her blonde head. Then he lifted his chin toward the forested foothills rimming their family’s fishing resort, where the river entered sapphire Lake Aldwell. “Could be you’re hearing his riffs.”

“Whose riffs?”

“Your Banjo-Strummer. The Fish-Maker. Same, same.” Dad shrugged, then thrust the tip of his rod toward his work-shop like a band conductor’s baton. “The music’s in heartwood and burls for me, but maybe you’ll hear him best through fish.”

Hildy bobbed her line to her dad’s words, sending concentric circles from the thin filament into the current. Would she? She’d love nothing more.

In all three books, nature offers a path through wilderness— to love and forgiveness, restoration and healing. To hope. It can do the same for us.