Middle Grade Read-thon Day 6 and Day 5 Round-Up

Happy Day 6 of the Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon. It's been a fabulous week of seeing what everyone is reading and celebrating Middle Grade! Day six post is a short one to start us off. I am going to be coming back through out the day to update what I've finished, what I've started. Pretty excited about this. Have some old books that have been in my to read piles for too long and have some brand new ones that are coming out in the next couple of weeks (ones I've been looking forward to).

EDITING TO ADD- wonderful blog to check out. Totally missed this one in the initial post. Will add it there...and here!

The O.W.L.-Outrageously Wonderful Literature From the Middle Grades

Not sure if I've mentioned this, one thing I want to do this year is start a book club for 8-12 year olds in the small community I've moved to, hopefully it's  up and running by the next read-a-thon we do. I'd love to involve them.
Round-up Day 5

And Shannon is discovering the amazing of the Hunger Games. It really is a series that crosses all reading interests. I know boys, in particular (one 12, one almost 13) who don't like to read, er, except for those books. Or, I should say didn't like to read--with them Hunger Games was a gateway book. I'd also recommend her Underland Chronicles, a middle grade fantasy series. I had a young girl in another book club years ago. She didn't like to read she told me. I told her it was okay to come to the club, maybe we'd find something she liked someday. Well. Gregor the Overlander stepped in and boom...she went from not taking away any books I took in to wanting to be first on anything I booktalked. (Oh, I didn't book talk Gregor, she found that one on her own, I always encouraged her to wander around the shelves, pull books out, try it, if she didn't like it or couldn't finish it that was _okay_.)

You can still sign up for this read-a-thon and all the giveaways as we are reading until tomorrow at midnight (mst).

Hah! And that's a short post from me? Cheers and Happy Reading All!

MG Read-a-Thon Day 5 and Day 4 Round-up

Read-a-thon Day 5 (tad late with the update. Slept in! I guess I can't say I never sleep in anymore, huh?)


Day 5 is upon us and the reading is moving along, although I've slowed down some. Will be starting a new book today. And it was not on my original pile. I received an e-galley from Net Galley on this one. It's from Source Books Jabberwocky and can tell you now I'd just have fun holding it up to show kids and saying...Zeke Bartholomew...SUPER SPY!

 I'm looking forward to tomorrow I must say. That and Sunday will be my big read-a-thon days. I am hoping to gorge myself with words.


Might be a bit early for this, but I wanted to let you all know that I've enjoyed doing this so much, I am planning on doing an OH (MG/YA) Canada READ-A-THON in February. Thinking it would be a good way to kick off Oh MG/YA Canada 2012. Basically will work the same as this one, only the focus will be on reading Middle Grade and Young Adult written by Canadian Authors. Will be working out the initial details next week, so I can have signing up ready to go the following week.
Happy Friday...and Happy Reading!

Speaking of signing up for reading type things. I'm in for Mr. Schu's and Mr. Sharp's It's the Newbery Challenge (might I add, stress free, build your list, do your reading, diy--_stress_ free) 

DAY FOUR ROUND-UP!  For those just happening by or following along, still time to sign up join in the fun. 

 

Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon Day 4 & Round-up for Day 3

Morning everyone! Hope you are still enjoying our MMG Read-a-thon. I know I'm loving hearing what you are all reading and rounding them for others to check out.

I am starting off day four with The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies.  I actually started it last night after finishing up with the fabulous that is THE FAMILIARS. Not quite sure what I will pick after I'm done with Lemonade War, but possibly it will be I FINALLY by Wendy Mass. 

For today, I thought I'd share some of my favorite middle grade blogs. Naturally I love all the MMGM crew! Here are some others :


From the Mixed-Up Files...

PROJECT MAYHEM

Charlotte's Library

Smack Dab in the Middle

Welcome to my TweenDom (she's on break right now)

The O.W.L.-Outrageously Wonderful Literature From the Middle Grades

If you have some particular favorite blogs that have a focus on middle grade I'd love to hear about them.


Next up, the round up! Here's what's been read and is being read. As per, still time to sign up for those who'd like to jump in on the middle grade reading wagon and commenting with what you're reading gets you an extra entry in the giveaways!

Hunger Games a title that a grade six teacher is sharing with her class, AND she's getting the T-Shirt to wear as she reads! AWESOME!

Something I need to do this year is read more non-fiction for kids. That's what Dana has been doing for this, so needless to say my to read list is already started! 

Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon Day 3 & RoundUp Day # 2

It's day 3 and the reading marches on. I read My Very Un-Fairytale Life and am now finishing up the reading of The Familiars. When I get home tonight I will pick the next one. Going contemporary this time 'round, though not as many in my TBR pile from last year, I see.

What about all of you? I know some of us have limited time right now and that's okay! Even if you on board and reading a book or two on the weekend, it works for me. Thinking next go round I could call this even..Middle Grade Reading Week Challenge or something.

Now, before I get to the round up, I have a bit of a squee moment! Walden Books is donating some books for the giveaway. Will be getting to that soon, but first, let's round it up, shall we?



Other books read and being read by those participating in the read-a-thon (you know, in case you are looking to grow that to read list!):

About those giveaway additions. The Walden Books additions to our giveaways are:

#1-THE FOURTH STALL and THE FOURTH STALL PART 2-by Chris Rylander
#2-and you can be the first to read...HERO'S GUIDE TO SAVING YOUR KINGDOM by Christopher Healy. This is a very early giveaway for this one. Even before ALA. (I'm not going this year, but hoping to in 2013).

A big thanks to them.

Happy Reading and enjoy the rest of your day all! As always, commenting with what you've been reading and/or recommendations of other mg books you've read in past, gets you another entry into the giveaways!

Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon-Day 2#

Hope you are all enjoy your reading! I must say I am. Really looking forward to the weekend, too. That's when I have two solid days for reading, reading, reading.

I started MY VERY UNFAIRY TALE LIFE by Anna Staniszweski. Oh my, funny! Opening scene with her running from what appear to be killer unicorns and her attempted conversation (NAY, does that mean neigh as in a horse neigh or nay as in no?) with them had me totally hooked. Honestly, I think the cover will sell the book, but I'd also read that scene to really hook 'em in. If you were doing a library visit and had multiple copies you could share, I'd take them...more than one person will want this one.

Also reading, THE FAMILIARS (my signed copy btw...eek!) by Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson. You can go here to read an excerpt. Adore Aldwynn oh yes I do. If I ever get another catty-guess the name he will have!

Quick Notes 'n' Links:

-Yesterday's Round-Up
-More about #mgreadathon and sign up (still time)
-NEW-will add your name into the draws for giveaways for each day you report in and share your lists, your recommends, where you are at, too! 

Middle Grade Read-a-thon-Day One Round Up

Really enjoyed this first day of the read-a-thon. Tween work and blogging I got one book read and it was a gooder.  BIGGER THAN A BREAD BOX by Laurel Snyder. I will be sharing this with the middle grade book club at my old library.

My Booktalk : 12 year old Rebecca will be completely relatable-trying to figure out her place in the world  and trying to do it after her mom leaves her dad. Fitting in at her new school, dealing with her anger towards her mom and navigating the road between her real self (Rebecca) and her new made up self (Becky) isn't easy. But she isn't doing it alone. Helping her along the way is a...bread box. Yes. A bread box she finds amongst a collection of them in her Grandmother's attic. What can a bread box do you ask? Well, how about grant wishes. Wishes that have to fit inside of it, but wishes none the less. Money. New clothes, cool clothes. Ipod. Even a special gift for her mother who Becky is trying really hard to stay mad at. And how about helping her get popular? Really popular. Unfortunately things don't work out that way. In fact, it makes everything a whole lot worse and when she tries to set things right? Well...things get even worse.

Happily, I am not the only one taking part in the MG Read-a-thon this week. Here's a round up of posts and participants, some who are regular MG readers and some who are challenging themselves to pick a few or more. Big thanks to all who a taking part and those cheering us on! I've linked to some of the #mgreadathon posts:

The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia: Marvelous Middle Grade Read-A-Thon
Geo Librarian: Marvelous Middle Grade Readathon
Middle grade readathon « Extreme Reading and Writing
Angelhorn
Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon-January 2, 2012-January 8, 2012 | Nye Louwon – My Spirit
Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon! | Adventures in Writing & Publishing
The Space Between: Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon Jan 2 - 8, 2012

Needless to say, my to read list is growing!

Onward to Day # 2! And, just a quick reminder you can sign up at any time this week. Read one book, read three, read ten. If you read a lot of middle grade, use this as a catch up time. If you don't read a lot of middle grade..let us inspire you with some suggestions or pick up an old favorite to re-read and share.

MMGM 2012 & Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon

It's the first Marvelous Middle Grade Monday of the year. Yay, I say! Hats off to Shannon Whitney Messenger who got us all rolling along this path and who helped me fine tune our shiny new badge, which you are welcome to grab and use in your posts or sidebar or both. MMGM is growing and it's a wonderful way to highlight middle grade. And there is so much out there to love. 2012 promises to be even better. Following are are few links that are just the tip of the book pile.

Looking forward:
The Ten Middle Grade Novels I’m Looking Forward to in 2012 « A Fuse #8 Production
Charlotte's Library: New releases of fantasy and science fiction for kids and teens--the first half of Janury, 2012 edition
Looking back:
The Nerdies Middle Grade Fiction 2011 List
Cybils: 2011 Finalists Middle Grade Fiction
Cybils: 2011 Finalists Nonfiction for Tweens & Teens

MMGM was also the reason I was inspired to host my first ever Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon. Over the year I've read so many great reviews and features that the TBR pile has grown...and grown. You can sign up for this anytime, from now until next Sunday. Read one middle grade, read ten. I only ask that you commit as much time as you can to reading middle grade this week.  Oh--and there are giveaways!

On with Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. My first pick for 2012 is one that was in my TBR for the readathon. It's out now, 'cause I read it. Loved it, too because of Maple-she is full of spunk and determination to provide her new baby sister the miracle she needs to live. And, the relationship she has with her older sister Dawn is so realistic-a love and "I can't stand you" thing going on there. They will work it out when they both venture out to find that miracle. Naturally it won't be easy, not like Maple thought. Back in a few hours? No-lightening storm, rain, rapids--poachers, bear (and let me tell you that scene and bear are so well done! I can still see him and feel the girls fear. Well, fear except for when Maple screams him off. Have I mentioned I love her character?) One final note-the voice is bang on, making for a great classroom or family  read-a-loud. Lots of laughter, drama, suspense, tears-repeat.

More on FLUTTER by Erin E. Moulton Indie Bound.Org: Big things are about the happen at Maple's house. Mama's going to have a baby, which means now there will be four Rittle sisters instead of just three. But when baby Lily is born too early and can't come home from the hospital, Maple knows it's up to her to save her sister. So she and Dawn, armed with a map and some leftover dinner, head off down a river and up a mountain to find the Wise Woman who can grant miracles. Now it's not only Lily's survival that they have to worry about, but also their own. The dangers that Maple and Dawn encounter on their journey makes them realize a thing or two about miracles-and about each other.

Erin is a fellow Mixed Up Files blogger. You can learn more about her on Erin E. Moulton.Com.

Don't forget to check out my MMGM peeps (let me know if I've missed listing you). Happy New Year, all!

Shannon Whitney Messenger (a.k.a. Fearless Leader)-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe
Ms. Yingling-Ms. Yingling Reads
Jennifer Rumberger-Children's Author
Joanne Fritz-My Brain on Books
Danika Dinsmore-The Accidental NovelistShannon Whitney Messenger-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe 
Shannon O'Donnell-Book Dreaming
Myrna Foster-The Night Writer
Sherrie Petersen- Write About Now 
Natalie Aguirre-Literary Rambles
Brooke Favero-Somewhere in the Middle
Ally Beecher- Kid Lit Frenzy
Barbara Watson-Novel and Nouveau
Anita Laydon Miller-her middle grade blog
Michael G-G-Middle Grade Mafioso
Jessica Lei-her blog  
Pam Torres-So I'm Fifty
Akoss-Nye Louwon – My Spirit | a search for the writer in me
Gabrielle Prendergast-Angelhorn

Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon-January 2, 2012-January 8, 2012

Welcome to the sign up post my first ever Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon. (#mgreadathon)We'll spend a week together reading, blogging and talking middle grade! Why? Because Middle Grade ROCKS! I love writing it, reading about it and most of all book talking it. Nothing better than matching a book (or five or ten) to readers aged 8-12.

START DATE: Monday, January 2, 2012 

END DATE: Sunday, January 8, 2012 (midnight)

WHAT TO DO: Sign up any time now until January 8 and read as many Middle Grade books (fiction and non-fiction) as you can.  If it's just one book that's great! If it's more, that's great too! That's it...unless you...


TAKE IT A LITTLE FURTHUR (not required):


-Create a read-a-thon pledge
-share a to be read list in a comment to this post or on your own blog, send me the link and I will post it for you.
-plan a giveaway do let me know that and I will add it to the giveaways


MY READ-A-THON PLEDGE: For each book I read I am going to donate five dollars or the actual book to my local library. (www.granumpubliclibrary.ca). Also, throughout the week, I will be posting updates to my reading, plus sharing some of my favorite books and mg blogs from 2011.


THE GIVEAWAYS (so far):

• From me Everyone who signs up will be entered to win one of two middle grade prize packs that I will put together from my own collection. Extra entries for spreading the word-twitter, facebook, blogging. (Canada & U.S.) #mgreadathon

Prize Pack #1-ARC-13 Gifts by Wendy Mass, The Whole Truth by Kit Pearson, Wildwood by Colin Meloy

Prize Pack #2-The Unwanted by Lisa McMann, Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes, ARC of Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver

• Michael A. Scotto-two signed copies of his book Latasha and the Little Red Tornado . Everyone who signs up will be entered. (U.S. and Canada) 
• Lisa Ard- for every book she reads she is offering an e-copy of her book Fright Flight (up to three copies, maybe more! (link to her post).
• Charlotte of Charlotte's Library-is offering a giveaway of two forthcoming middle grade fantasy arcs--The Book of Wonders by Jasmine Richards and Fairy Lies by E.D. Baker.
• Walden Pond Press-TBA! and it's made of awesome

MY TBR PILE (a sampling) :

-a number books from WALDEN POND PRESS-THE FOURTH STALL by Chris Rylander, JUNIPER BERRY by M.P Kowslowsky and BREADCRUMBS by Anne Ursu
-BIGGER THAN A BREADBOX by Laurel Synder.
-The Familiars-Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson
-Storybound by Marissa Burt
-Lemonade War-Jacqueline Davis
-My Very Un-Fairytale Life-Anna Staniszewski
-AND-books written by some of my fabulous co-bloggers @ From the Mixed Up Files of Middle Grade Authors!


I will be reading hardcopies and e-copies alike. On my ipad, on my kindle, on my computer, on my couch. When I am not at work or writing, that is. It is going to be a full and busy week, but in the best kind of way.



If there is anything that is unclear, please do ask me!

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Sign up for MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE READ-A-THON