Thursday, March 21, 2013

Odd Duck


Odd Duck


Odd Duck by Cecil Castelluci is a wonderful find!  Written in graphic novel style with great full page illustrations, we learn about one odd duck who does things in very odd ways (like balancing a teacup on her head, even when she swims).  She is perfectly happy living her life with no friends...until one day, a new neighbor moves in next door.  Who is that odd duck with the odd colorful feathers, odd yard-art, and odd routines? 

Even if graphic novels aren't your thing, give this one a try.  It is not all villains and super heroes!  It is a celebration all our differences.

Here is a sample page. 

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

In Lucia's Neighborhood



In Lucia's Neighborhood by Pat Shewchuk is a fun book to get you thinking about your neighborhood.  It takes us through a typical day in 7 year old Lucia's neighborhood.  Can you find things that are also in your neighborhood?  How about the places...the celebrations?  Take us through a typical day in your neighborhood!  Or maybe even an extra fun day in your neighborhood!

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me preview this book.  It will be a great addition to an elementary library collection and is sure to become a "go-to" book for teachers. 

Sunday, March 3, 2013

The Action Bible and Handbook

The Action Bible: God's Redemptive Story    The Action Bible Handbook: A Dictionary of People, Places, and Things

If you happen to be looking for a child friendly bible....this is it.  It includes the bible stories we are familiar with, but in graphic novel style!  It is called The Action Bible: God's Redemptive Story.  There is also a companion book, The Action Bible Handbook: a Dictionary of People, Places, and Things, both by Sergio Cariello.  The kids I have seen pick up this book, end up devouring it.  The book trailer by David C Cook and retrieved from YouTube is the perfect trailer for these books.  Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to preview The Action Bible Handbook.  It is a great reference book as it cross references both an actual Bible verse and The Action Bible page for the term looked up.  The companion book came out on March 1, just in time for Easter!


Thursday, February 28, 2013

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen


The False Prince (The Ascendance Trilogy, #1)



What do Kings, Queens, & Princes; servants, orphans, & treason have in common?
...a false Prince...and in only two weeks! 

This is a must read!  It is about a deceitful man named Connor, who is supposed to be loyal to the court, who takes four boys from different orphanages to groom them into becoming the next Prince.  The trials and tribulations of this scenario make the book a page turner.  There is danger and suspense around every corner, lives at stake, and plenty of secrets.  The antics of one of the boys, Sage, will keep you smiling.  He is brilliantly cunning and defiant. 
 
The great news is that The False Prince is the first in a trilogy.  The next book, The Runaway King, is fresh out on the shelves!  I can't wait to read it!!! 

The Runaway King (The Ascendance Trilogy, #2)

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

World Read Aloud Day - March 6


Following Read Across America day, we can join in on the world-wide endeavor.  March 6 is World Read Aloud Day.  Click on the picture above to go directly to their website.  

We can help celebrate this wonderful day by reading aloud, giving a book to someone, or donating money through their website.  The following is 2013's World Real Aloud Day's video, filmed around the world.  Join the reading fun that is sweeping the world!




Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Read Across America Day - March 2


Get ready to help build a nation of readers!  March 2nd is National Read Across America day.  It was started 1997 as a culminating event to celebrate the National Education Agency's literacy program to help our kids love books! 
 
...and what a coincidence?  It is Dr. Suess' birthday too! 


 
For our little ones - Click on the picture above to visit Seussville and have lots of fun! 
For our educators - visit here for many classroom ideas.                                                                                                          
 
 

Thursday, February 21, 2013

The Fox Inheritance


The Fox Inheritance (Jenna Fox Chronicles, #2)


 
When I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Fox Forever, thanks to Macmillan, I realized that I hadn't reviewed The Fox Inheritance.  These are the 2nd and 3rd installments of the Jenna Fox Chronicles.  The first is The Adoration of Jenna Fox which I absolutely adored.  I decided I must go back and write about The Fox Inheritance.  I highly recommend that these books be read in order. 
 
The second book, The Fox Inheritance finds our favorite characters Jenna, Locke, and Kara 260 years later.  It is mostly the story of Locke and Kara, entering a world they no longer know, in bodies that they recognize as theirs, but they don't feel like theirs.  Where are they?  Why is everything so futuristic?   And...where is Jenna? 
 
After reading the first book, I was very satisfied with the ending.  After reading the second book...no way!  I can't wait to read Fox ForeverIt is expected to be released March 19.  Watch for my review of Fox Forever coming soon.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

The Lions of Little Rock


The Lions of Little Rock



The Lions of Little Rock by Krisin Levine appears on the Texas Lone Star reading list for 2013 and rightfully so!  This book captured my heart.  It is the tale of two best friends helping each other with their weaknesses.  Liz helps Marlee find her voice and Marlee helps Liz learn when to NOT use hers.  Their friendship finds trouble when Liz's secret is out - she is a Negro, going to a white school.  The girls decide this is ridiculous and shouldn't matter at all.  But, during the time of integration...it does.  What lengths will the girls go to see each other, help each other, and keep secrets from their own families?  What harm will these decisions bring?   This historical fiction book takes place in Little Rock, Arkansas during very tumultuous times.  This era is brought to light in a way that the reader will feel - not just read.  I can't recommend this book highly enough.  Fantastic!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Like Bug Juice on a Burger

Like Bug Juice on a Burger

If you liked Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie, you will love Like Bug Juice on a Burger!  Julie Sternberg and Matthew Cordell have done it again.  A humorous, yet challenging trip to summer camp is the plot of this one.  Matthew Cordell's illustrations move the storyline along and add the perfect touch and visual appeal.  I sure hope there are more of these little treasures to come - I'll like any juice on any food in this format. 

Thank you NetGalley and Amulet Books for the digital ARC.  I highly recommend this series for any elementary campus.  Look for Like Bug Juice on a Burger on April 2, 2013.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

[Un]Remembered by Jessica Brody


Unremembered (Unremembered, #1)


Amazing!!   I gave [Un]Remembered 4 of 5 stars on GoodReads.  It begins with a girl (Jane Doe, Violet, Sera, Seraphina) being the only survivor of a plane crash.  The problem is that she has no memory (hence all the names)...and that is where it all begins.  This book was a page turner and sucked me in from the first page.  It is science-fiction, mystery, with a little romance to boot.  I r-e-a-l-l-y can't say too much without giving something away, but I want to say that the romance was not too sappy.  Even though we didn't get to know the boy, Zen, very well, I thought the love interest had a longevity that made it real.  You have to read it and ride the roller coaster of Sera's memory retrieval journey yourself!!  There are so many plot twists that it keeps you wanting more.  I found the end to be satisfying which is something that I always appreciate. 
 
Thanks to Macmillan and Farrar Straus Giroux for sending me this ARC to read and review.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Look for [Un]Remembered at a bookstore or library near you around March 5, 2013.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Rebel Heart

Rebel Heart (Dust Lands, #2)Rebel Heart by Moira Young
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great 2nd book to Blood Red Road. Although it follows that pattern of looking for one of our main characters, there was enough substance to hold my interest. This was an audiobook which takes me a L-O-N-G time to finish (unless I am driving for a distance), so I may have liked it even more had I listened more frequently. It did leave a teaser ending for a third book? I am not sure at the moment if one is planned. I will have to look into it.

View all my reviews

Monday, January 21, 2013

The Archived by Victoria Schwab


The Archived SNEAK PEEK (The Archived, #1)



This book reminds me of The Grimm Legacy - which I loved. I guess I enjoy books with archives and librarians. Hmm, wonder why?  The marketing in getting me to read the first nine chapters was brilliant, because I DO want to read the rest. I got this sneak peek through NetGalley and will be recommending it to the librarian at my son's school. It is easy to read, has the action that keeps middle schoolers interested, and enough mystery to keep anyone interested. The full book will be available on Jan. 22. Yippee...I don't have to wait long!!

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Everbound by Brodi Ashton


Everbound (Everneath, #2) 

I finished this book a couple weeks ago and wanted it to sink in before writing about it.  I read Everneath, Neverfall, and Everbound all in a row.  Neverfall was a short novella that gave me more insight into one of the mysterious characters - Cole.  I really enjoy these short reads!  Everbound is due to be released on January 22.  I received an ARC for which I am very grateful to HarperCollins Children's Books.

Everbound was a typical middle-in-a-trilogy book in some ways and not in others.  Mainly, we had a missing main character from this whole book, like so many other trilogies.  However, I loved how Brodi Ashton created the necessity of the magical and powerful memories of Nikki in the underworld to keep Jack, the missing character, in the forefront of our mind.  I normally feel depressed when one of my favorite characters is not in the book and these strong memory flashbacks alleviated that feeling for me.  Silly, I know.  This book mostly takes place in the underworld.  I enjoyed the intertwining of Ashton's novel ideas with the mythology in the storyline.  This book was an action packed page turner...after all, the faster I read the book, the faster we find our missing character and end his suffering, right?  That was my hope as I read it, anyway...

Monday, January 7, 2013

Slated

Slated (Slated, #1)Slated by Teri Terry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hmmm. I hate to say it, but I was disappointed. I found it monotonous. I didn't feel like we ever got to where we were going. I know nothing about book 2, but I wonder if it would have been better to combine them into one book? The idea is good, the writing style is fine, but I just kept waiting for answers.

View all my reviews

Friday, January 4, 2013

Divergent and Insurgent - HBRC - Day 20 - Create a Book Trailer


For our final HBRC, we are to make a book trailer of our favorite book from 2012.  My #1 book pick from my Top 12 os 2012 is Divergent/Insurgent.  I give you my attempt at a book trailer for these books. 


Make a video of your own at Animoto.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Everneath - by Brodi Ashton




I am so excited...I found a new-to-me series!  I received an ARC of Everbound, and decided I needed to quickly read Everneath, the first in the series.  Now, I need to quickly read Neverfall, the novella.  Then I will finally be ready to read Everbound - which will be available January 22.  I am enamored with this series.  I find the characters and setting to be real, in a fantastical sort of way.  I am in love with Jack and Nikki, and intrigued with Cole.  The setting is out of this world - quite literally.  And my favorite test...I couldn't put it down. 

I went into this series blindly.  Therefore, I want to keep it that way for you.  Let me just say...from Goodreads ..."Everneath is a captivating story of love, loss, and immortality..."

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

2012 Collage of Books Read

Today HBRC-Day 18 is having us create a collage of the books we read this year.  I love this.  Even the simplest collage is very satisfying when it is book covers!  The sad part is...I need to take away my Goodreads 2012 collage from my sidebar and change it to my 2013.  So, at this point it is going from my 78 books to 2.  Blah...

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

New Year's Reading Resolution



Today on HBRC - Day 17 we are sharing our reading goals for 2013. 

I love Goodreads and will definitely participate in their 2013 Reading Challenge.  I try to only list my chapter books (middle school, YA, or adult) there. 

I have been thinking about making my Shelfari (which I don't use), a place for my picture book reads.  We'll see.  No promises there. 

Another goal this year, is that I have just started doing some blogging for publishers.  I want to start some sort of spreadsheet so that I can keep better track of my requests, their requests (by title and publisher), ARCs received (print or digital), turn downs, blog entries, and publication dates. 

And, of course, do better at blogging all that I read...that is a lot like the never ending TBR bookstack!

***Cheers to another great year of reading!***