Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and T.J. Scripps to bring you this post.

Girls often go through a phase of loving rainbows and unicorns. Some never outgrow it. A couple of weeks ago Hazel and I were at the house on Cape Cod. We were trying to pack up and clean up as it was the day we were heading home. We heard thunder and a little bit later it started pouring. We kept going on with our chores. When the rain stopped the sun came out. It only rained for five to ten minutes. I happened to look out the window and quickly called Hazel downstairs and grabbed my phone. I was able to capture the full rainbow through the screen door and part of the rainbow without the screen.

So yes, some of us do not grow out of loving rainbows. Hazel also got some photos of it. It had been a while since I had seen a rainbow. It always makes me feel so blessed and happy. Today I get to share a book with you that has many rainbows and sparkles. It is Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light by T.J. Scripps. After my review there is a link to a rainbow themed STEM lesson and a giveaway!

About the Book:

G low in the Dark: A Streak of Light Written by T.J. Scripps and Illustrated by Dane Doubel

Ages: 8+ | 202 Pages | Publisher: Skybok Press | ISBN: 979-8991217477

Publisher’s Book Summary: Ruby, a regular 10-year-old girl with fiery red hair and wild green eyes, has her life turned upside down when her grandmother gives her a magical dreamcatcher. One night, it transports her to the dazzling planet of Starland, where she discovers The Aura Embassy, a magnificent glass castle floating in space. There, she meets alien kids and Royal Light Beings, who welcome her as one of their own. Excited to unravel Starland’s mysteries and connect them to her own world, Ruby faces danger as sinister Dark Beings threaten to extinguish all light, both on Starland and Earth. With thrilling challenges ahead, Ruby must maintain her disguise, uncover secrets, and stop the dark forces before it’s lights out forever. Join Ruby on her daring quest to save the world’s light!

Purchase Links:

About the Author

T.J. Scripps, based in Austin, Texas, spends loads of time in South Africa, where she grew up. She’s a passionate traveler, always off to weird and wonderful places far from the beaten track, hunting for new signs. Her favorite aura-charging spots are lakes, rivers, and oceans – basically anywhere wet and wild. She’s into historical adventures, stargazing, and wandering down trails like a lost hobbit, all while hanging out with kids from all walks of life.

Catch T.J. at any Renaissance festival – she’ll be the enchantress casting spells and charming everyone. Her hobby? Collecting oddities and curios that make you wonder, “What even is that?” She’s also a fireworks and bonfire fanatic. All these unique quirks have woven their way into Ruby’s world.

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About the Illustrator

Dane Doubell was born in the 1980s—back when computers were the size of microwaves and dial-up was the soundtrack of the future. As a child, he dreamed of drawing robots and building them to take over the world—so far, he’s nailed the drawing part.

From Me:

This book is perfect for those rainbow loving tweens!! The main character, Ruby, is ten. It is full of adventure and a bit of mystery. Ruby is trying to piece together what happened to her the night she hung up the dreamcatcher her grandmother gifted her. She dreamed about this magical trip to space where she discovered a planet called Starland. On Starland there are light beings who send messages to humans to help grow their auras. A strong aura helps the human be happy and confident. Weak auras can fall victim to the dark beings from Shadowland that eat weak auras. They do things to humans to make them get upset or frustrated and thus weaken their auras so they can snag them. Now that Ruby knows this, she sees the messages and wants to interpret them, but she really wants to go back to Starland. Starland was the most beautiful place she has ever seen. It was full of rainbows, jewels, stars, and sparkles.

The book goes back and forth a bit between present time and a year ago. Most of the book takes place in the past, however. I am assuming this has to do with the sequel as there really doesn't seem to be a reason for the different times in this book. The story however is creative and fun. Starland sounds amazing and like every young girl's dream place. I love how there are mentions of the science behind a rainbow and how Mother Nature is in charge of the entire universe. Nature has a huge presence in the book even with the glittery scenes.

I can see this book being a fun one for kids to read on their own or as a class book as an introduction to studying light and rainbows. It is also perfect for getting kids to notice things in nature more. After all a feather crossing your path is a sign as is seeing a bee get pollen from a flower. In a world so full of technology it is nice to bring fun ways to get kids back to nature. It reminds us that we all need nature and sunlight to refuel our bodies. The book calls it refueling our auras but often it is for calming our minds.

Rainbow STEM Activities

To go with this book, I would suggest a nature walk and also some lessons on light refraction and the science behind rainbows! For more of the science involved in rainbows be sure to check out this post by National Geographic Education. Science Kids shares some fun rainbow facts and a science experiment. Teach Beside Me shares some easy rainbow experiments. Little Bins for Little Hands also shares some rainbow themed STEM activities. Here are a few more STEM activities shared with me.

1) Creating Light Patterns with a CD from Buggy and Buddy

2) Using a rainbow maker

3) Homemade Spectroscope from Buggy and Buddy

4) Making rainbows with a prism (no post but always an idea)

5) Rainbow Bridge STEM Challenge from STEAM-Powered Family

Giveaway:

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a signed paperback of Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light! Imagine the thrill of being the one lucky winner who will receive a signed hard copy, a Montessori Toy Interactive Constellation card pack, a Scratch & Play Scripps National Spelling Bee activity book, and the official dictionary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee 2025 “Words of the Champions”! Good luck!

Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light -- Review & Giveaway