Online school, being stuck at home, and social interactions from screens have become the new norm. Without school, friends, and the routines that they’re used to, kids everywhere could use an escape. The new normal is hard so I’m appreciative of things like Star Stable that lets kids take the focus away from coronavirus and back to being kids.
If you’re not familiar with Star Stable, Star Stable Online has inspired kids ages 9-14 to discover adventure, ignite creativity and build friendships for the past 10 years. Centered in the magical world of Jorvik, players care for horses, face challenges, and build friendships in a game where adventures, horses, and mysteries wait to be explored.
Recently Star Stable expanded to include a book series and music featuring the characters. All center around the magical world of Jorvik and allow anyone to jump into the fantasy world at any time.
About Soul Riders: Jorvik Calling
For kids who love getting lost in books that aren’t required reading, the first book in the new Star Stable book series can help transport them to the fantasy world of Jorvik. The new Soul Riders: Jorvik Calling (affiliate link) brings the magical world to life for young readers around the world.
Even if your tween has never heard of or played the online game, Soul Riders: Jorvik Calling is for any reader who enjoys magical adventure books. This book takes the all-girl team of heroes called Soul Riders on an adventurous journey to save Jorvik together.
Through the book, readers follow the Soul Riders as each of them forge a special bond with their horses. Each of the Soul Riders discoverers their own unique powers and how it’s their destiny to save the world. The book’s positive message shows that each girl is a hero in her own right. It also doesn’t discount the individuality of characters who are complex and relatable, yet each has struggles and triumphs that will resonate with young readers.
Tweens and teens will immediately fall in love with themes of horses, the challenges faced by those online and in the pages of the book, and the friendships. There’s no shortage of adventures, horses, and mysteries waiting to be explored!
Soul Riders: Jorvik Calling retails for $8.99 but if you’d like a sneak peek, the first five chapter of are available for free as an e-book here.
4 Free Star Stable Activities That Encourage Learning
Star Stable knows lockdown, quarantine, and social distancing means that it’s a tricky time for millions of people everywhere. They recognize staying at home away from people we love makes us feel alone. Since nobody ever has to be lonely in Jorvik, Star Stable has developed free reading related learning activities that allow them to engage their academic skills in fun ways.
Recognizing that kids can be motivated to learn through the story, Star Stable’s free reading related learning activities allow tweens to engage their academic skills in fun ways while playing apart together.
From core subjects to fine arts, here’s a look at the free Star Stable activities that your tweens will enjoy beyond the pages of the book. After all, the best learning happens when kids are motivated and interested in the subject matter!
The free discussion guide for Jorvik Calling can help you spark an in real life conversation with your tween about the book but if they have friends who are also reading the book, encourage a virtual book club. A virtual book club can be done over Facetime with a friend or with many friends over Zoom or Google Meet. It’s a nice way for tweens to connect during a time when they’re forced to be apart.
Jump Start Your Creative Writing
At a time when our kids’ worlds have been turned upside down and everything familiar to them has evaporated, creativity can either soar or plummet. If your child needs inspiration, Soul Riders author Helena Dahlgren has provided 10 short creative writing lessons designed to warm up writing skills through a mini writing assignment.
School based music lessons may have ended when school did but tweens can join their favorite Star Stable game characters as they come to life in Star Stable Music. Star Stable Music brings the in-game artists and bands to life, and spans country, pop and rock genres. Game characters are uniquely represented with real-life talent and original songs that can be found on Spotify, Apple Music and more.
Audiobooks are a wonderful way to escape the here and now and Star Stable’s takes listeners on a journey into the world of Lisa and Starshine in the short story, Texas Bluebell. As Lisa rides out for another day of adventure on the beautiful Starshine, she’s troubled by some difficult memories. This 21 minute story is the perfect length for taking some time to find a cozy spot for a listen.
Soul Riders: Jorvik Calling retails for $8.99. Star Stable Online is free to play up to level 5 and other levels are unlocked with a monthly fee, starting at $8.49/month.
Star Stable Giveaway!
Star Stable provided product and compensation for this post, but all opinions are my own.
