(NewsUSA)
"Under the Magnolias"
by T.I. Lowe

T. I. Lowe's gritty yet tender and uplifting tale reminds us that a great story can break your heart . . . then heal it in the best possible way.

Austin Foster is barely a teenager when her mama dies giving birth to twins, leaving her to pick up the pieces while holding her six siblings together and doing her best to stop her daddy from retreating into his personal darkness.

Scratching out a living on the family's tobacco farm is as tough as it gets. Just when it seems she might have something more waiting for her -- with the son of a wealthy local family who she's crushed on for years -- her father makes a choice that will crack wide-open the family's secrets and lead to a public reckoning. Purchase at https://amzn.to/30eay45.

"A Road Trip to Remember"
by Judith Keim

A fun and memorable road trip between grandmother and granddaughter brings about surprises and love as they discover new possibilities for everything they've ever wanted.

Aggie and her granddaughter Blythe drive to Florida, stopping to see old college friends along the way -- particularly Donovan Bailey, the man she'd thought she'd marry. Aggie's son and his wife, Blythe's difficult stepmother, can't find out.

All goes well until Aggie falls while dancing with Donovan. Then Blythe's father is seriously injured in an automobile accident. Blythe and Logan Pierce, Donovan's young assistant, do their best to step in for them at work, fighting their mutual attraction. A fun novel from a prolific author. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3kBE4dB.

"EVE-o"
by Danielle Gomes

Would you sacrifice a few lives to potentially save millions?

When a team of scientists discovers the deadly consequences of a human gene they dub "the evolution gene," they quickly realize that the human race is on the brink of extinction.

As pandemic after pandemic ravages the world, symptomatic of the looming eradication of all humankind, this team heads to the Amazon for one last chance to save humanity. While the modern world is on the verge of total collapse, salvation lies in a forgotten time. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3goseTY.

"Adam Names the Insects"
by Janice Dixon

A great read for the young and the young at heart, "Adam Names the Insects" (with a little help from Eve) is a whimsical telling of an old story. The author takes the reader through a child-like excursion in the Garden of Eden in which Adam inspects the various insects and pronounces each name. He uses the sense of smell to name the stink bug and the sense of sound to name the Bzzz. Readers delight in the clever back and forth between Adam and Eve.

The book has been described as "a clever, refreshing, glimpse into the lives of two delightfully dissimilar individuals tasked with naming the insects." Come along and enjoy the journey. Purchase at http://bit.ly/3kd9OFK.

BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA) -Students and educators alike have been facing increased hardship this school year, navigating hybrid and remote learning environments while balancing schoolwork and other priorities. While individuals of all ages struggle with stress, research shows that teenagers are experiencing more anxiety than other age groups due to the pandemic.

Even before COVID-19, many teens experienced difficulty coping with academic stress, which is now compounded by missing a year of critical developmental socialization. As a result, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 63% of young adults have reported feelings of anxiety and depression in the wake of COVID-19.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year the social-emotional wellness of America's youth has taken on even more importance. Hoping to reach those searching for guidance and needing a place to start, people across the country are sharing resources promoting self-care and wellness tips. In our classrooms, many educators are looking to provide support to their students as children and teens urgently seek resources to better cope with and understand their emotions.

Fortunately, there are proven programs and resources available to improve lifelong social and emotional well-being. One noteworthy nationwide initiative called "Life's Good: Experience Happiness" promotes social-emotional wellness and mental health education in youth. This science-based program is built on six teachable skills that can help individuals overcome adversity and build emotional resilience, according to John I. Taylor, senior vice president at LG USA, the lead sponsor of Experience Happiness.

Developed by researchers at The University of California, Berkeley, the skills are: mindfulness, human connection, positive outlook, purpose, generosity and gratitude. "To help bring these life-changing skills to America's youth, we worked with leading non-profits and educators," says Taylor. "And we're pleased to see positive results. Whether they experience social-emotional learning at school or at home, students who practice happiness skills are better able to cope with stress and demonstrate better behavior towards their work, their peers and their teachers."

The Experience Happiness program is available through digital, downloadable resources that help individuals develop tools for better lifelong wellness. Its social impact partners -- Be Strong, Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), Discovery Education, Inner Explorer, and The Greater Good Science Center -- and LG recognize the importance and urgency of delivering these resources. In fact, thanks to outstanding educators championing social-emotional learning, more than 4 million students across the country have already been taught these lifelong skills.

"In this unprecedented school year, it's essential to connect communities to resources that support all students in learning and practicing the necessary skills to build happiness in any learning environment," says Beth Meyer, Vice President of Corporate & Community Partnerships at Discovery Education. "Helping students cultivate self-confidence, manage stress and maintain their well-being so they can thrive has never been more critical."

On the front lines in today's youth mental health crisis are educators who embrace social-emotional learning as a vital part of their curriculum. In honor of their unparalleled impact in providing mental health tools to students, 50 "Superhero Teachers" across the United States were recognized this spring for their dedication to teaching the six sustainable happiness skills and going above and beyond to support their students especially during these challenging times.

"Teachers across the country are championing the use of practices such as mindfulness in the classroom, which remains instrumental in supporting students' ongoing mental health and wellbeing," adds Laura Bakosh, Ph.D., Co-Founder of Inner Explorer. "The LG Experience Happiness program will continue to be pivotal in helping reach more youth and educators with these skills."

Looking ahead, these students will have the tools to manage and improve their emotions as they grow into responsible, motivated, self-aware and (of course) happier adults. For more information, visit lgexperiencehappiness.com.

(NewsUSA)

(NewsUSA)

(NewsUSA)

"The Venice Sketchbook"
by Rhys Bowens

Love and secrets collide in Venice during WWII in an enthralling novel of brief encounters and lasting romance by the bestselling author of "The Tuscan Child" and "Above the Bay of Angels."

As Caroline Grant struggles to accept her crumbled marriage, great-aunt Lettie leaves her a sketchbook, three keys, and a final whisper …Venice. Caroline's quest: Scatter Juliet "Lettie" Browning's ashes and unlock mysteries stored away for more than 60 years.

It's 1938 when Juliet arrives in Venice, reconnecting with the man she loves. But as war closes in on Venice, they're forced to fight, survive, and protect a secret that will bind them forever. Key by key, Lettie's life of impossible love, loss, and courage unfolds. Caroline can make it right again as her own journey begins. Purchase at https://amzn.to/39Emzow.

"The Redhead in the Cove"
by Scott Addeo Young and Ed Addeo

A kayaker outside the San Francisco Giants baseball stadium seeking an out-of-the-park souvenir instead discovers a body washed up on the rocks in the cove adjacent to the stadium.

When the autopsy shows she didn't drown, evidence leads to suspects from a small town in northern Louisiana to San Francisco. One is Johnny Lynch, a veteran Police Inspector and secret lover involved in an affair with the married victim. He calls on ex-partner Steve Lombardi, now a struggling Private Investigator, to solve the case.

Steve's mission weaves him in and out of the many eccentric characters that inhibit the Bay Area. What Steve finds will haunt him forever. Learn more at https://amzn.to/3n9TVBm.

"Climate Courage"
by Andreas Karelas

Andreas Karelas has a message we don't often hear: we have all the tools we need to solve the climate crisis and doing so will improve our lives, our economy, and our society.

But we need stories that are empowering and solutions-oriented, not based in fear. Karelas examines the rapidly falling costs and increased efficiencies of clean energy technologies compared to fossil fuels, the rate of job creation in the clean energy sector, and introduces the inspiring work of climate heroes.

"Climate Courage" shows us how we can move past our collective inaction on climate change and work together to create a more sustainable, clean energy-powered economy that works for everyone. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3uufK1B.

"Swarm"
by Guy Morris

SLVIA . . .Decades ago, an AI program escaped the NSA Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, and has never been re-captured . . . true story.

Derek Taylor, fugitive hacker and contractor to the NSA, is living under the name of a murdered best friend, hiding from powers who still want him dead. Taylor's ties to a terrorist hacker group leave him open to investigation by Lt. Jennifer Scott, the daughter of a Joint Chief -- a woman determined to prove her worth.

But when a Chinese AI internet virus threatens national security, this unexpected assault forces an autocratic US President to deploy a defective AI weapon. Now, Taylor and Lt. Scott must join forces to stop the evil AI virus from crippling America or destroying SLVIA before an apocalypse swarms over Jerusalem. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3arOLeH. 

BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA) - As more venues reopen and both temperatures and vaccination rates rise, people's thoughts turn to summer, and summer vacation. For those on a budget, or working to pay off debts, a vacation may seem like a frivolous expense, but some savvy planning will let you get in some much-needed relaxation.

These tips from a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional can help:

- Set priorities. Make sure the basic expenses are covered, then consider how much you might have to spend on summer activities. Set a budget to prevent overspending, and cut back on some areas if you can to put more in the summer fun fund. Summer is for fun, but not at the expense of sabotaging your smart financial goals.

- Find deals. If you want to travel, take advantage of flexible bookings now offered by many airlines and hotels to attract cautious customers. Other ways to save on travel include using rewards points and traveling at off-peak times. If you want to stay close to home, take advantage of free local activities, festivals, parks, trails, and museums, more of which are opening every day.

If you like to summer in the same spot, and know that it will be a longtime family tradition, consider the financial pros and cons of investing in a vacation home, says CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional Joshua Charles CFP®.

"Many people will purchase the second home with the idea of renting it when they are not using it (Vacation Rental by Owner - VRBO), or use a management company to find renters and manage the property," says Charles. "This can help offset the monthly expenditures, but be careful as you might be dedicating more money, time and energy than you expected to for the venture," he cautions.

Other options for investing in your favorite getaway without the headaches of ownership include:

- Timeshares. Timeshares require less work than homeownership, but they may have pricey recurring fees, so read the fine print, says Charles.

- Fractionals. If you buy a vacation home with a group of people, family, friends, or other investors, the upfront cost is less and there is no need for offseason rental. Plus, there are potential tax deductions.

A CFP® professional can provide guidance and advice to help you plan your best summer ever, whether planning this year's vacation or setting the stage for years of memories.

Visit LetsMakeAPlan.org for more advice about vacation planning and vacation-home investments.

(NewsUSA)

(NewsUSA)

(NewsUSA) - Millions of students who have worked hard at their coursework throughout the year are preparing to take AP Exams this spring, giving them an opportunity to earn college credit and placement.

To help meet the needs of schools and their students, the AP Program is providing as much flexibility as possible for this year's AP Exams. This year, schools across the country will decide whether to administer traditional paper-and-pencil exams, digital exams or both to their students. The 2021 AP Exam schedule has three testing dates for each subject between early May and mid-June. Schools can choose a mix of at-home digital and in-person exams and mix testing dates, as needed.

Whether paper-and-pencil or digital, all AP exams will be full- length. As in the past, AP Exams will measure the full scope of a first-year college-level course and colleges will award credit and placement for scores of 3 or higher. By taking AP exams, students will have the opportunity to earn the college credit and placement they've been working toward all year.

As the 2021 AP Exam administration approaches, the College Board has introduced a digital testing app and digital practice for students who will be taking digital AP Exams, either at-home or in-school. Students can get ready for digital exams right now, by downloading and installing the new digital testing application, and begin practicing with sample questions in the app. We have a few more tips for students taking digital tests:

• Students should download the application and practice on the same device they'll use to test.
• Students must complete exam setup 1-3 days before each exam they're taking.
• Students need to check in 30 minutes before the start of their digital exam. Students should ensure they know what time the exam starts in their time zone.
• Students can only test on a laptop or desktop computer (Mac, Windows, or school-managed Chromebook). A managed device means your school controls the programs that are installed.
• The testing application keeps students from losing their work, even if their Internet goes out.
• There won't be any handwritten responses on digital exams; all answers can be done directly in the testing app.
• Students will be able to request a makeup exam if they experience an unavoidable test disruption.

All students have access to free AP Daily videos and AP Daily: Live Review sessions, which are accessible through AP Classroom on the College Board website. AP Daily has over 21 million full video views since September 2020, and AP Daily: Live Review sessions will be held on YouTube from April 19-29 to help students review course content and skills before exams. Students are encouraged to talk with their teachers about the best ways to practice before their exam. Teachers can also assign videos to students and track which students watch.

Details about AP Exams will be updated regularly on the College Board website and shared through email, online educators' communities, and other social media.

(NewsUSA)