Best of Summer 2013 Kid Lit Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Best of Summer 2013: Kid Lit Giveaway Hop hosted byYouth Literature Reviews and Mother Daughter Book Reviews.

From YouthLitReviews: This giveaway hop is an opportunity for a community of kid lit bloggers, teen lit blogger, authors, and publishers to come together and share their favorite books of the summer! There are almost 70 great giveaways as part of this hop! Click here to check them out!

I am giving away one of two books. I will leave the choice up to you. Will be using Book Depository to send the book out and random.org to choose the winner from the comments. And that is how you enter. In the comments, with your book choice and email so I can contact you if you win. Now. On to the two books to chose from:

THE EMERALD ATLAS-Called “A new Narnia for the tween set” by the New York Times and perfect for fans of the His Dark Materials series, The Emerald Atlas brims with humor and action as it charts Kate, Michael, and Emma's extraordinary adventures through an unforgettable, enchanted world.

 
These three siblings have been in one orphanage after another for the last ten years, passed along like lost baggage.
 
Yet these unwanted children are more remarkable than they could possibly imagine. Ripped from their parents as babies, they are being protected from a horrible evil of devastating power, an evil they know nothing about.
 
Until now.
 
Before long, Kate, Michael, and Emma are on a journey through time to dangerous and secret corners of the world...a journey of allies and enemies, of magic and mayhem.  And—if an ancient prophesy is correct—what they do can change history, and it is up to them to set things right. (Good Reads)

ZERO TOLERANCE-Seventh-grader Sierra Shepard has always been the perfect student, so when she sees that she accidentally brought her mother's lunch bag to school, including a paring knife, she immediately turns in the knife at the school office. Much to her surprise, her beloved principal places her in in-school suspension and sets a hearing for her expulsion, citing the school's ironclad no weapons policy. While there, Sierra spends time with Luke, a boy who's known as a troublemaker, and discovers that he's not the person she assumed he would be--and that the lines between good and bad aren't as clear as she once thought. (Good Reads)

Happy Hopping Everyone!

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

What? Another Monday is here already? The time is a flying by and that is fine with me because tomorrow is my first day at the new school. Prep time before the kids are back, oh yes yes it is. I here I must SQUEE. Even went shopping for new school clothes. Will confess that it was all I could do to keep myself from buying school supplies.

This is the final Marvelous Middle Grade Monday of the summer! Hope you had a great one and are looking forward to the fall.


It's always been my favourite time of year and now even more so because of #Cybils. Even if you are not applying, start thinking of books in all the different categories that you'd like to see nominated. I did apply again this year and even if I don't get placed on my panels of choice I am ready to take part by nominating and helping spread the word!


Here is some of my Marvelous Middle Grade reads, I recommend you check out:

House of Secrets 

Oh my, what a ride. It has everything that would have appealed to middle grade me who loved dark and scary, creepy gothic style. It also captivated with the crazy world the siblings are pulled into via a curse unleashed by a rather nasty being. And I loved loved the sibling relationship...so real, believable, it really made the book pop. Siblings with very different personalities that will clash, but when the going gets tough the sibs get tight. Good stuff.

From Goodreads:

The Walker kids had it all: loving parents, a big house in San Francisco, all the latest video games . . . but everything changed when their father lost his job as a result of an inexplicable transgression. Now the family is moving into Kristoff House, a mysterious place built nearly a century earlier by Denver Kristoff, a troubled writer with a penchant for the occult.

Suddenly the siblings find themselves launched on an epic journey into a mash-up world born of Kristoff’s dangerous imagination, to retrieve a dark book of untold power, uncover the Walker family’s secret history and save their parents . . . and maybe even the world.

The Year of Billy Miller

Speaking of showing real and true family relationships. This book does that via the voice of Billy Miller. A short novel with fourth sections that take us through those relationships and into the year. Billy is in grade two, so it will most likely have the highest appeal to younger and same age. However, I am thinking this will be one to share with my third graders. In both cases with readers who are already strong or as was pointed out in a review (can't remember which! Maybe Ms. Yingling?) as a read aloud. I am a huge Kevin Henkes fan and think he is a master at portraying kids in their family and peer dynamics in his picture books and novels.

From Goodreads:

When Billy Miller has a mishap at the statue of the Jolly Green Giant at the end of summer vacation, he ends up with a big lump on his head. What a way to start second grade, with a lump on your head! As the year goes by, though, Billy figures out how to navigate elementary school, how to appreciate his little sister, and how to be a more grown up and responsible member of the family and a help to his busy working mom and stay-at-home dad. Newbery Honor author and Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes delivers a short, satisfying, laugh-out-loud-funny school and family story that features a diorama homework assignment, a school poetry slam, cancelled sleepovers, and epic sibling temper tantrums. Illustrated throughout with black-and-white art by the author, this is a perfect short novel for the early elementary grades. Yeah, so quite likely more a chapter book than a middle grade-especially when it comes to Cybil Nominations?

Ta for now and thanks for stopping by. Will see you around the blogosphere as I head over to Shannon Messenger's to see what Marvelous Middle Grade Goodness she is a rounding up for us!

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday with The Heartbreak Kid, #Cybils and Some Housekeeping

Hey all! I am back and ready to roll with blogging at my new spot, "My Library Notebook". I kind of messed up how I made the switch so I know some of you are wondering where my blog disappeared to! I re-directed my domain back to my host servers. It is now  going to function as my author website, www.debamarshall.com . Have non-fiction middle grade book on Russia coming out with Weigl Publishers so just making preparations for that.

ALSO--this fall I start my dream job which is running a school library. Hence the "My Library Notebook". Thought when I did the nifty switcharoo, you would all still be pointed to this blog. NOPE. So, here I is at mylibrarynotebook@blogspot.ca

CYBILS are here, they are here! Love this time of year.

Applications are open for Cybils Judges! Please do go read the requirements and if you think you are a fit, apply. Don't think it is not possible, or that you are not qualified. If you love children's literature, read it, blog about it, review it, this could be for you. And if you are not successful the first or second time, apply again. That is what I did. Now, lots and lots of reading is required as a first round judge...you will be giving over your live for a couple of months. But let me tell you it is so worth it to be part of a team of professionals who are just as passionate about finding the best of the best when it comes to high kid appeal with the kind of literary quality that makes you go...whoa.

Finally, it is Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. Boy I love this day and so appreciate that decided that Middle Grade deserved a special day. Speaking of Marvelous Midde Grade, watch for announcements coming this fall and winter about The March of the Middle Grade, formerly hosted by Jill at the Owl. This 2014 it will be Akoss and myself taking it over.
Shannon Messenger

My suggested read for this Monday is The Heartbreak Messenger by Alexander Vance. Watch this book trailer:




Read this blurb from Goodreads: Twelve-year-old Quentin never asked to be "The Heartbreak Messenger," it just kind of happened - and he's not one to let a golden opportunity pass him by. The valuable communications service he offers is simple: he delivers break-up messages. For a small fee, he will deliver such a message to your soon-to-be ex-girlfriend. If you order the deluxe package, he'll even throw in some flowers and a box of chocolates...well, you don't want to leave a girl completely alone.

At first, Quentin's entrepreneurial brainchild is surprisingly successful. But as he interacts with clients and message recipients, from the teary-eyed football player to the dangerously powerful soccer chick, it doesn't take him long to start wondering whether his business will create negative repercussions in how life, especially for his relationship with his long-time best friend Abigail. Quentin discovers the game of love and the emotions that go with it are as complicated as they come - even for an almost innocent bystander.

And let me tell you this one if filled with heart and funny and believable kid characters who are on the cusp of becoming teens, but still very much middle graders. This is a book I could easily hand to a boy or girl. At first I was concerned that the cover might be something I'd have to talk a boy into taking, but after seeing the video and taking a second look at it, that could just be me-either way I am totally book talking this one.  Heck, I will even quote the author if I have to. From his website:

Don't let the pastel hearts on the cover of this book fool you. It's chock full of manly chest-thumping testosterone. Heck, I cry every time I read it.

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I mean, I laugh.

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Laugh every time I read it.

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Laugh until I cry. Yeah...that's it.

Have one young summer reading club member (boy) who I am pretty sure will love this. He is a fan of Gordon Kormon, Louis B. Sacher and Gary D. Schmidt.  I am saying he and many others will be a fan of Alexander Vance!

Until next Monday all!

Still on that Blog Break

Howdy all! Still on the blog break but will be heading to Shannon Messenger's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday Round-Up next week with a guest post. 

Hope summer is treating you all well. Ta for now.

MMGM and an out of this WORLD Visit with @AceHansenMG

Hey all! Taking a break from a break because I have a really important visitor with me today. He actually let me ask a few questions about him and his upcoming release! And before you continue with the interview, do let apologize about the smell...green farts you know. Not me! Not me! Him. Seriously, Ace. You could have held on to that one. 

Okay, maybe not. Anyway, here is some information on Ace's book.

From the publisher: When a mysterious green gas crisis breaks wind, the Global Air Group (GAG) offers a million-dollar prize to the first person to discover the cause. Julius Caesar Brown dreams of winning the cash so he can pay off Jake the Snake, the blackmailing bully who threatens to ruin his chances with the cutest girl in fifth grade. But Julius can barely pass a math test, let alone solve an international scientific mystery. What he needs is money. Fast. His mom volunteers him to help the Zombie Lady. Yeah. The crazy woman down the street who every kid knows eats boys’ brains. But Miss Crabtree’s no zombie. And winning the million-dollar prize may not be as far-fetched as Julius once thought.

And now....the interview! 

I have been following your book release countdown on twitter. A tweetdown if you will. Can you give my readers an update on your book release date? The ebook releases on July 12th, 2013. The print book will be out sometime before December.

Share some thoughts on why it is a must read? Because everyone needs to laugh out loud. And let's face it, green farts are funny!

Do you have a favorite writing spot? My bed. Snack? Gummy worms. Send me some, okay? Writer gear and wear?Pajamas. Anything similar to Anglelina? Since I live inside of her (I'm kind of a parasite) we enjoy all the same habits. 

Any great writing tips you have picked up from your mentor? She's a slave driver! Once she gets going, it's every day. Day in and day out. She never takes a day off! But she feeds me gummy worms, so I tolerate her. Angelina is your mentor I assume? She's more like an odd older sister. 

Future projects you can share with us? There's a clue in the last chapter of the book. Even super secret ones? Bead spring. Mogollon natives. Time travel. That's all I'm saying' We promise to not tell anyone. Sure you won't!!!

How are you enjoying life as a debut author? I've published thousands of books on my home planet, but this is a first for Planet Earth. I'll let you know how much I'm enjoying this debut author life when I figure out how many gummy worms I can buy from the sale of this book. I'm hoping for at least 10000 pounds. That ought to last me a few months. 

How are you planning school visits. I'll be appearing as myself. Green skin and everything. Angelina works for the local school district, so I'm hoping she can get me past the principals. 

You will be taking Angelina with you? Nope. I"ll be going it alone. She's too old and too serious. Doesn't even laugh at my jokes. And she refuses to buy me gummy worms after the last incident. . . 

Let her do some of the talking? No way!

Are you looking forward to visits in person and possibly via Skype? I can't wait. Earth kids are hilarious. They ask the funniest questions!

I have a feeling that you have a burning question you really wanted me to ask. Why don't you just go on ahead and answer it. Um, tell us what the question is too please. Do aliens fart green, you ask? Yes we do! And our gas smells like turtle breath. Ace.....don't you dare fart right now. 

Here's my website:  http://www.acehansenmg.com

Here's the link where you can buy the book from the publisher: http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=652&category_id=144&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1&vmcchk=1&Itemid=1 

I'm really hoping it shows up on Amazon soon!

Me too, Ace! Thanks for sharing your website. Hope you don't mind, I am going to share Angelina's website, too. And her twitter handle...and yours too of course! 

Angelina's website. She is just an all around awesome write you keeps #wipmadness running year round. Her twitter handle.

Ace's twitter handle.

Happy MMGM all! And see you back over on Shannon Messenger's site where it all started!

Happy Canada Day and Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Wishing all of my family and fellow Canadians a happy Canada Day. Will be spending the day with family and friends taking in some of the events in our wee town!

My summer reading is moving right  along I must say and my reading pile is slowly going down. Also working my way through many a net galley ARC! Having said that what I am falling behind in is my blogging and writing. So this week there is no blog post for MMGM and I am thinking that it is time to....gads...choose which one will get my focus this summer. Had I taken a page from some fellow bloggers and done posts up ahead of time this would not have been a choice I had to make. So will be using that page next summer for sure. And the choice goes to...

writing. Working on those picture books and that novel. Taking part in #teacherswrite.

I know I am going to miss the blogging and sharing what I am loving to read. Heck, I may not be able to stay away. But, ta for now and will see you all on twitter and your blogs as I make the rounds to see what you are all up to!

Finally, when I do start posting the book love I should have a new blog that will be dedicated to being a school librarian, the books I read, the books I share.  I imagine I will also be learning a thing or two from the kids I work with!

#MMGM with The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

In order to prepare to read The Fire Chronicle (provided by the publisher) by John Stephens, I needed to read the first in the series. This one:

I cannot begin to tell you how good it was. No, wait a minute! Yes I can. The fantasy world, character development and plotting was so good I was marveling when I wasn't lost in the world created. I also really enjoyed all the hints of other fairytales, books, mythology that were included-added a surprising depth and reality to the book that made me admire the author's skills even more. Plus, I must add that the plot is a little complicated and I truly appreciated how the author recapped-it was done so well and it never felt like an information dump. Some might feel this way? I am not sure. But he did it via characters having to update each other on what had happened to them. I found how he did this rather kind of well done. Would be interested to see what others think. Each of the siblings had their own arc that was subtle and believable and there were moments where the author backed them into a corner you would think they couldn't possibly get out. I won't tell you who gets out of what mess, but will encourage you to read this and also recommend it to your young readers who are fans of fantasy with some serious scary moments and battles. 

I will be reading The Fire Chronicle this week and I must say I am very excited to be doing so.

More on the book from the publisher:

Called “A new Narnia for the tween set” by the New York Times and perfect for fans of the His Dark Materials series, The Emerald Atlas brims with humor and action as it charts Kate, Michael, and Emma's extraordinary adventures through an unforgettable, enchanted world.

 
These three siblings have been in one orphanage after another for the last ten years, passed along like lost baggage.
 
Yet these unwanted children are more remarkable than they could possibly imagine. Ripped from their parents as babies, they are being protected from a horrible evil of devastating power, an evil they know nothing about.
 
Until now.
 
Before long, Kate, Michael, and Emma are on a journey through time to dangerous and secret corners of the world...a journey of allies and enemies, of magic and mayhem.  And—if an ancient prophesy is correct—what they do can change history, and it is up to them to set things right.

Happy Marvelous Middle Grade Monday all and here is the link to head back to Shannon Messenger's. She's the one who started all this Monday fun for us Middle Grade readers. And she has a review and a giveaway to day!