The Familiars: Three Are Choosen

The Familiars by: Adam Epstein and Andrew Jacobson
www.harpercollinschildrens.com

Secrets of the Crown is book 2 in The Familiars series by Epstein and Jacobson. This amazing fantasy/adventure book continues the quest for three very unlikely heroes to follow as the travel far and beyond to save their world and all those who live in it- animal and human.

Book 2

Book 1

Familiars, animals with special powers, have been partners and companions with their human friends for countless years. Our three prophesied heroes- a telekinetic cat, a spell binding bluejay and a water viewing tree frog have to leave their loyal humans behind while they search for the Crown of the Snow Leopard. Securing the Crown is their only hope in stopping Paksahara, an evil familiar, from destroying all that is dear to them.

Secrets of the Crown takes the reader to new, exciting and dangerous lands, introduces creatures never spoke of before and binds loyalty, friendship and family into an unstoppable force. Readers, be ready for a journey that leaves you with so many unfamiliar tales you can't stop turning pages.

Books one and two have set the stage for an epic clash of two very determined and opposing forces! Book three is sure to provide familiars and human companions a quest to end all evil encounters... or will it be just the beginning of yet another unforgettable adventure?

***Book three is in my Anticipated Book Box where I will wait impatiently for it to materialize.

-Note to readers: The Familiars is going to become an animated film- read it BEFORE you see it!

The Underwear Dare

The Underwear Dare: 5th Grade Couldn't get any Worse!

By: The Nardini Sisters

Sorelle Publishing Inc.

Imagine starting school and finding that you will be in the same class as the bully that has tormented you all through elementary school. Think life couldn't get worse? Think again...your dad has decided to marry his mom, making you roommates both in and out of school!
Eddie and Josh must find a way to survive during this unpleasant turn of events. Creating a series of dares that only boys could come up, the  reader is entertained with a series of embarrassing and gross events.

The Nardini Sisiters have shared a book that is so realistic, you can well, smell the tension. As problems are encountered resolutions are found leaving the reader with a realistic and fun to read story about life's adventures in today's pre-teen world.
       
Guest review by Mrs. Simpson-
This is a book that you should read! It is about normal kids finding themselves in not the best situations. It is interesting to see how they get themselves into and out of the mishaps. This book exceeds the gross factor scale of all books read!

The back cover has a warning label:

"Read only if you can handle being grossed-out by

popping vomit, silent but deadly farts, vibrating burps

and other dares not for the faint of heart!"

Guys Read that will Also "Thrill" Gals

Guys Read Thriller

Edited by J. Scieszka

Harper Collins Children- Walden Pond Press

Stories by M.T. Anderson, Patrick Carman, Gennifer Choldenko,
Matt de la Pena, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Bruce Hale,
Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Anthony Horowitz, Walter Dean Myers,
and James Paterson.  Illustrated by Brett Helquist.

"A body on the tracks

A teenage terrorist

A mysterious wish-granting machine

The world’s worst private detective "

Being released this month is Volume 2 of the Guys Read Library. There couldn't be a better collection of suspenseful short stories today! The mysterious titles give a hint to the characters and mayhem readers will experience. The Old, Dead Nuisance, Thad, the Ghost, and Me, the Snake Mafia, and The Double Eagle Has Landed are a few stories that will keep you reading. Pudding by Krosoczka shares text with art giving a new look to short stories.


One of my favorite reasons I love this series is simple- short stories that can easily be abandoned if not quite what I want to read, with a new set of characters on the next page.

Just so there is full disclosure, this anthology has a female author, Margaret Peterson Haddix and you may even read about a girl or two in the stories. I know that boys will love this book, but girls will be reading and enjoying this as much as they devoured the 1st book of Guys Read: Funny Business.

A great site to find more guy reads choices: http://www.guysread.com/books/ 

Fall Book Releases/ Purchases

This fall is one of the busiest and most exciting seasons I have seen when it comes to middle grade and young adult book releases. Many of these books I couldn't resist pre-ordering and will soon be on the shelves under our Wall of Wonderful.

Here are a few new releases that I would love to share:
    


   Vordak the Incomprehensible: Rule the School by: Vordak T. Incomprehensible-Sequel to Vordak the Incomprehensible: How To Rule the World

    Darth Paper Strikes Back: An Origami Yoda Book by: Tom Angleberger Sequel to The Strange Case of Origami Yoda
   Sprinkles and Secrets by: Lisa Schroeder  Sequel to It's Raining Cupcakes
   The Familiars #2: Secrets of the Crown by: Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson  Sequel to The Familiars
   Ashfall by: Mike Mullin http://www.mikemullinauthor.com/
   Ashes by  Ilsa J. Bick

   The Death Cure by: James Dashner Maze Runner Trilogy final book

    Shut Out by: Kody Keplinger    
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7dbHLq8gG

Mrs. P's Magic Library Writing Contest

Our 1st Skype this year will be with Mrs. P in her Magic Library!

She will share information about her writing contest and a few laughs.

Here is some information  from her web site:

http://www.contest.mrsp.com/

Did you ever read a story and think, “I could do that!” Well, now’s your chance to prove it. Enter Mrs. P’s 3rd Annual “Be-A-Famous-Writer” Contest. Write a story, submit it to MrsP.com – and Mrs. P herself might read your story on her website!

ENTRY DATES September 1st to October 15, 2011

For Writers ages 4 to 13 years of age

Mrs P invites children to write a story on any topic, no less than 250 words and not to exceed 1,000 words. It may be fiction or non-fiction. All participants must be between the ages of 4 and 13 years old. There are two age competition categories: 4 to 8 years of age, and 9 to 13 years of age.

The two (2) Grand Prize winners’ stories will be read by Mrs P and original illustrations will be created. The lucky child will receive an actual copy of the story in addition to having it posted on the web site (www.mrsp.com) for viewers to watch and enjoy. MrsP Enterprises, LLC pays all costs of producing the winning book and video. Additionally, all 10 finalists in the contest receive prizes from the contest sponsors. Powell’s Books, the largest independent bookseller in the world, who has been a sponsor since the first year of the contest and our new sponsor, Sakura of America, an innovator in writing and artistic tools, believes in the Power to Express® - the idea that EVERYONE has ideas and thoughts worthy of expression. Sakura’s advocacy of individual self-expression makes them a perfect new sponsor of Mrs. P’s writing contest.

Warrior Sheep Go West

The Warrior Sheep Go West 
by: C and C Russell 
Sourcebooks Publishing


The rare breed warriors are back with a quest that will take them from England, over the Atlantic Ocean and into the hot Arizona desert in the USA.
After seeing a pop up message on the laptop playing music in their barn, the warriors are sure that "Red Tongue" is out to destroy every ram, ewe and lamb in the world. This was declared as truth in the Songs of Fleece Prophecy hundreds of years ago.
Following the prophecies directions to "Go West" Wills and friends end up in Las Vegas.  Will they be able to stop the "Red Tongue" monster before it is too late? 
Travel along with the rare breeds and enjoy a mystery that is full of fun and silliness.