This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Bobbi Chegwyn is the author of the Radical Ray series, four SEL chapter books for children aged 7 to 13 that tackle the emotional realities kids face before the teenage years hit.
The series covers kindness in action, family complexity and absent fathers, self-worth and limiting beliefs, and grief, making it one of the only SEL chapter book series for boys that addresses all four emotional realities in a single connected story.
After nearly twenty years working in human behaviour, Bobbi drove a school bus in her local Ohio community and watched what children aged 7 to 13 were carrying every single day. That experience became the foundation for Radical Ray.
The books are used by elementary school teachers, school counselors, and parents looking for grief books for kids, self-esteem books for 10 year olds, children's books about confidence for boys, and fiction books to help kids deal with grief and family change. Each book includes built-in discussion guides making them ready to use in the classroom or counseling room with no preparation required.
The Radical Ray series has received a five-star Readers Favorite award and is endorsed by a licensed therapist and a parents of boys coach.
meetradicalray.com
Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite
Radical Ray: A Father's Return by Bobbi Chegwyn explores the complexities of family, identity, and the power of love. The book follows nine-year-old Ray Roxby as he navigates the unexpected return of his estranged father, Matthew, and embarks on a school project called The Heritage Quest. What begins as a search for missing pieces of his family history transforms into a journey of self-discovery and understanding. The narrative weaves Ray’s internal struggles, his relationships with his mum, Shirl, and Grandma Leila, and his evolving perspective on what truly defines family. Through Ray’s interactions with his family and friends, readers are invited to reflect on their own relationships and the ways they show up for the people they care about. The story also highlights the importance of forgiveness, not as a way to excuse past mistakes, but as a means of finding peace and moving forward.
The supporting characters add warmth to the story. Grandma Leila’s wisdom and Shirl’s quiet strength provide a strong foundation for Ray as he navigates his emotions. Bobbi Chegwyn portrays Matthew’s struggles with self-doubt and fear with sensitivity, making his journey toward reconnection realistic. The book’s themes are universal, making it a meaningful read for children. It encourages readers to think about their own stories, the people who shape them, and the power of perspective. The inclusion of prompts and activities at the end of the book further enriches the read, offering opportunities for reflection and discussion. Radical Ray: A Father's Return is an inspiring story that reminds us of the importance of love, understanding, and the courage to embrace our own stories.
