Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon-Final Round Up, Winners & the next read-a-thon

I'm so grateful for everyone who stopped by to share what they were reading and am so looking forward to carrying on our dialogue in the months to come. Now, just in case the time flies by on us and we get busy with out other blogging and reading adventures, I've picked the dates for our next Marvelous Middle Grade Read-thon. This time it will run from a Sunday to a Sunday.

NEXT Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon : Sunday, June 3-Sunday, June 10. Hope to see some of you again and say, bring freinds, your kids, their friends!


BUT (gads, am I sounding like an infomercial?) I am not waiting until then to host another read-a-thon. 


Next up is one for OH (MG/YA) Canada. Here's the deets so far:

"Oh (MG-YA) Canada" Read-a-thon

GOAL-Read as many middle grade and young adult books by Canadian Authors as possible from a Sunday to Sunday.

WHEN-Sunday March 4, 2012-Sunday March 11, 2012

HOW TO PARTICIPATE-I will be create a separate post with a Mr. Linky to sign up with. Read what you can in an 8 day time period. A book a day, every other day, or it might only be one or two. It is up to you. 

GIVEAWAYS and "RULES"- participating gets you one entry into the prize packs (TBA) being offered. Extra entries for sharing what you're reading either by commenting on my daily posts or writing your own post. If you read three or more MG or YA books from Canadian Authors, that will get you another entry. If there is anything that is unclear please email me justdeb AT debamarshall DOT com


Alright, time for the final round up for our Marvelous Middle Grade read-a-thon.


Charlotte of Charlotte's Library did a round up of her reads for the week:


Charlotte's Library: Middle grade read-a-thon wrap up

I did mine yesterday and am still in fact finishing up three books, including Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu, which is going to be one of my favorite reads of this marathon.

If you've loved doing this and don't want to leave Middle Grade too far behind, do check out Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays that Shannon Whitney Messenger started. Each Monday we talk about favorite middle grade reads, do interviews, share brand new books, look back at the classics.

Seeeoooooo....I should probably announce the winners of the giveaways? Have them all done--well, after having Charlotte win on of the books she was donating for the giveaways....yep.

Here.

We.

Go.



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


ERICA from the Book Cellar The Book Cellar: Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon


2. The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann, Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes, ARC of Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver


Shannon Ms. Houghton's Class 


3. Signed copy of Latasha and the Little Red Tornado by Michael A. Scotto


Akoss Nye Louwon – My Spirit | a search for the writer in me


4. Signed copy of Latasha and the Little Red Tornado by Michael A. Scotto


 Charlotte of Charlotte's Library

5. e-copy of  Fright Flight by Lisa Ard


Eric of Book Man

6. e-copy of  Fright Flight by Lisa Ard


Angelhorn


7. The Book of Wonders by Jasmine Richards 

The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia


8. Fairy Lies by E.D. Baker.

The Space Between


9.THE FOURTH STALL and THE FOURTH STALL PART 2-by Chris Rylander Goes to:


Heidi Geo Librarian: Marvelous Middle Grade Readathon


10. HERO'S GUIDE TO SAVING YOUR KINGDOM by Christopher Healy goes to


Teril and her kids SNARKY MAMMA: Middle Grade Read-athon 


Congrats everyone! I will be emailing as well so I can get your snail mails.


Until next time...Happy Reading!

Middle Grade Read-a-thon Final Day and It's ooover!

Good Monday morning all! Thanks so much for taking part. Later today I will be back with the final round-up of all the books we read and announcements of the winners of the giveaway! I am reposting my reads from yesterday (basically the whole post). Did me a little sleeping in this morning. Have a great day and see you all this evening! Oh, one more thing....it is MMGM and Shannon W. Messenger is giving away a copy of Bread Crumbs by Anne Ursu. I am currently reading this beautifully told tale-I'd say get over to Shannon's and get thee entered in that giveaway!

                            The Fourth Stall by Chris Rylander
-has a real Stand by Me vibe to it
-Mac is one cool kid, readers will like him, alot.
-strong believable characters with adults way in the back ground (well, except for the fabulous playground scene when Mac and Vince were kindergartners). so. well. done.





Juniper Berry by M.P. Kozlowsky (started this one instead of Billionaire's Curse which is on my ipad, my eyes needed a computer break)

-LOVE
-would say good for fans of Series of Unfortunate Events, Coraline, Spiderwick Chronicles. I'd hand this to someone who is also a fan of The Grimm Sisters



Blizzard of Glass by Sally M. Walker 
This came highly recommended from a co-presenter at a reader-writer con, fortunate enough to snag the ARC from her, after patiently waiting and desperately hoping no one else took the second copy!  From the author's website: This riveting, true story of a collision of two ships in Halifax Harbour in 1917 will appeal to readers on many levels. First, it is a gripping tale of a collision that resulted in damage not only to the ships, but then to the town as an explosion erupted from the munitions carried on one of the ships, followed by a tsunami, and massive fires and flooding. As the townspeople attempted to recover, a snowstorm and huge drifts further complicated the terrific damage. Secondly, it is a glimpse into the life and culture of the period. We learn about the daily life including the schools, homes, and telegraph station, as well as Canada's efforts to support England in World War I. And finally, we see the disaster unfold from five very personal viewpoints. - Leigh Geiger, Ph.D You can also check out the Kirkus Review here.


Still working on finishing these ones (included my so far thoughts), but won't be done before midnight.

LOVE-would pair this with Rick Riordin's Books, Cinda Chima Dragon's Heir and the other two in the series my brain is too tired to think of. King Arthur retold, reinvented and oh so well.

First off, love his writing style! So many spots I wanted to stop reading so I could say to the hubs...oh! listen to this. And, it's funny, relatable, fast paced. I'd be booktalking this one along with The Invisible Tower and words like "So, who likes Percy Jackson, 39 Clues" 

what beautiful storytelling

Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon-Final Day and a Round Up!

Wow.

We are the last day of the read-a-thon.

A quick up-date from me then will be back with more later. I am now reading FOURTH STALL by Chris Rylander. By the time I hit page 20 I was off and running with a wow-yet another book can't wait to share with kids. I am thinking fans of Gordon Korman (ie School, Toilet Paper Tigers) and Andrew Clements (any of his) in particular. And, thought you all might like to check out the Great Kid Books blog. You know, just incase you are looking for more middle grade to read and share!

Great Kid Books: ages 8-12

And, must not forget Charlotte's Sunday Fantasy and SFF round-up!

Charlotte's Library

Following is our read-a-thon round up:

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! 

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