Wandering Star

Zodiac ReadAThon

by Romina Russell

Giveaway alert: Enter for a chance to win either one (1) grand prize set of Romina Russell’s Zodiac Series in paperback, including Zodiac, Wandering Star, and Black Moon (32.97) or to be one (1) of five (5) second place winners to receive a copy of Zodiac by Romina Russell (ARV: $10.99 each). NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter between 12:00 AM Eastern Time on June 26th, 2017 and 12:00 AM on July 17, 2017.  Open to residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are 13 and older. Winners will be selected at random on or about July 21, 2017. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

I really do think this one was better than the first. So many times as a series progresses, especially when there is 4 a second book kinda drags. This is not the case with Wandering Star – it was right up there with Zodiac and I think it might have even been better. In Wandering Star you can feel the story getting more involved and diving deeper into the action packed Zodiac world. Rho’s character really faces some obstacles and not just the normal teenage ones. She faces those to but her world has been turned upside down and she has been stripped of her title. I think she does the most growing in this book. There are a few twist and turns that leave you with “Wait, did I just read that right?” moments. There is some budding romance going on but this book is more than that. I can’t wait to continue this story with Black Moon. Will it be right up there with Zodiac and Wandering Star? Or will it be even better?

About the Book:

 Rho is ready to live a quiet life until Ochus appears to her, bearing a cryptic message that leaves her with no choice but to fight and she embarks on a journey through a new set of Houses that reveal much more about the Galaxy and herself.

I was going to create some really cool cookies for this book but we didn’t eat the last “tester” batch of decorated cookies in time. Fingers crossed I create them for Thirteen Rising. We did however find some really cool Nebula prints that would look really pretty printed and framed and placed on a wall. I just did a quick google search of Nebulas and found the ones they want for the room color redo. This one kinda reminded us of the Wandering Star cover a little. We got a poster print at Staples for under 12 bucks! 🙂

SCHEDULE:

 

Week One:

July 17 – Bookiemoji

July 18 – 

July 19 – 

July 20 – Picture Books to YA

July 21 – The Book Nut

Week Two:

July 24 – In Wonderland

July 25 – The Hardcover Lover

July 25 – The Eater of Books!

July 26 –

July 27 – The Swoony Boy’s Podcast

July 28 –

Week Three:

July 31 –

August 1 – YA and Wine

August 2 –

August 3 –

August 4 – Four Violet

Twitter Chat: August 6th @ 8PM EST Hosted by @buttermybooks @ ButterMyBooks

Lights, Camera, Middle School! BabyMouse Tales from the Locker

Series: BabyMouse

by Jennifer L Holm

illustrated by Mathew Holm

 

 

*** On Sale Now***

For Babymouse, middle school is like a monster movie. You can never be sure who’s a friend and who’s an enemy, and the halls are filled with mean-girl zombies. Instead of brains, the zombies hunger for stuff—the perfect wedge sandals or the right shade of sparkly lip gloss—and they expect everyone to be just like them.

But Babymouse doesn’t want to fit in—she wants to stand out! 

 

 

I’ve read BabyMouse graphic novels, picture books and now a chapter book. Guess you can say I’m a big BabyMouse fan. I just love the writing style whether it is a graphic novel, picture book or this chapter book the writing just flows so well. The stories really capture you and hold your interest and the pictures just enhance the story so much.  This book has it all the chapter book story and graphic novel illustrations. It will appeal to both girl and boy middle grade readers. BabyMouse and her group of friends are likable and realistic. They are not perfect they fight – mess up – get their feelings hurt and navigate through school, family and friendship just like the reader does. Middle school can be tough and scary at times. They have left the safe nest of elementary school and trying to spread their wings a little and testing how just what they like as a big kid and what they might be good at. I know my soon to be middle school reader can’t wait to see that is offered club wise at her middle school. BabyMouse knows what she wants to try film club. She can direct and write her first film for the whole school to see. She has a great group of friends to help her out and even the schools best actors to act in it. Now if only she doesn’t let all the fame and attention go to her head. Sadly she does have a lapse of judgement and makes quite a few great supporters upset. Can she fix the mess she has created before friendships are ruined and can’t go back to the way things were? Grab a copy of Lights, Camera, Middle School! to find out. We really loved this middle grade book and hope there will be more middle grade adventures to come.

 

Thank you so much Random House Books for Young Readers, Jennifer L Holm and Matthew Holm for allowing my middle grade reader and I read this adorable chapter book. We hope there will be more tales from the locker to come. All thoughts and opinions are my own and not influenced by the free book. 

Zodiac ReadAThon

At the dawn of time, there were 13 Houses in the Zodiac Galaxy. Now only 12 remain….

by Romina Russell

Giveaway alert: Enter for a chance to win either one (1) grand prize set of Romina Russell’s Zodiac Series in paperback, including Zodiac, Wandering Star, and Black Moon (32.97) or to be one (1) of five (5) second place winners to receive a copy of Zodiac by Romina Russell (ARV: $10.99 each). NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter between 12:00 AM Eastern Time on June 26th, 2017 and 12:00 AM on July 17, 2017.  Open to residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are 13 and older. Winners will be selected at random on or about July 21, 2017. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

Looking for some fun summer reading. Zodiac is a great series that might just be your ticket to getting your middle grade reader or high school reader opening a book over the summer. Book 4 of the series is getting ready to come out and Romina Russell and Penguin Teen are doing a fun readathon working up to its release. We’ve all read Zodiac in this house and can’t wait to read the whole series. Funny thing is this book came out before all the talk and addition of the 13th zodiac sign. I don’t know maybe there always was one but it’s new to me. So we found that kinda funny that before it became official her book already had it! Thirteen Rising comes out August 29 which is the day before her birthday so perfect timing. We are having fun with the space themed series. You got space – constellations – fantasy – action – weather disasters that are destroying the houses – and a strong kick butt girl character Rho! I love this series and even better it’s a great series for even your middle grade reader. While the main character is a girl it’s a space fantasy so even boys might like it. Go to your library and  grab copies of: Zodiac – Wandering Star and Black Moon so you and your readers can participate in the read along. Then you will be ready for Thirteen Rising on August 29th. While we are not 100% sure that is the last book of the series – we kinda hope it’s not. My high school reader likes to wait and binge reads the whole series when the final book comes out.This is the one series that broke my daughters rule on waiting. She devoured Zodiac and said she might not wait till July 17th to start Wandering Star. 🙂

About The Book:

Rhoma Grace is a 16-year-old student from House Cancer with an unusual way of reading the stars. While her classmates use measurements to make accurate astrological predictions, Rho can’t solve for ‘x’ to save her life—so instead, she looks up at the night sky and makes up stories.

When a violent blast strikes the moons of Cancer, sending its ocean planet off-kilter and killing thousands of citizens—including its beloved Guardian—Rho is more surprised than anyone when she is named the House’s new leader. But, a true Cancerian who loves her home fiercely and will protect her people no matter what, Rho accepts.

Zodiac Constellation Cool Wall Art: 

We were going to make Zodiac based room decor but I haven’t finished it yet. Why didn’t I finish it yet? Because I’ve been reading – baking  and binge watching SuperGirl and the Great British Baking Show with my girls. Why didn’t anyone tell me those shows are so good and cute. Anyway I didn’t get around to finishing it. This is the project we are doing it’s by Martha Stewart but it’s not that hard and I think it’s going to turn out great! 🙂

Zodiac Constellation Wall Art source and instructions

ZODIAC REREAD SCHEDULE:

Week One:

June 26 – Paper Trail YA – Spotlight

June 26 – Live Love Read – Spotlight & Zodiac Magnets

June 26 – Novel Knight – Spotlight

June 27 – The Book Lounge

June 28 – YA and Wine – Review & Wine

June 29 – Life Within The Pages – Review

June 29 – In Wonderland – Book Look

June 30 – The Book Talk – Spotlight

June 30 – The Heart of a Book Blogger – Mood Board

Week Two

July 3 – Picture Books to YA – Review & Zodiac Decor

July 4 – The Hardcover Lover

July 4 – Wandering Bark Books – Spotlight

July 5 – The Eater of Books!

July 5 – Teacher of YA

July 6 – The Hermit Librarian – Review & Zodiac Playlist

July 6 – Swoony Boys Podcast – Review & Book Look

July 7 – Mundie Moms

July 8 – Quirky and Peculiar – Spotlight

Week Three

July 10 – A Perfection Called Books – Cancer Mood Board

July 10 – The Biblio Life – Spotlight

July 10 – The Book Vortex – Spotlight

July 11 – Fly Leaf Chronicles – Review

July 11 – The Book Nut – Reading Habits By Your Zodiac

July 12 – Resch Reads and Reviews – Zodiac Inspired Makeup Look

July 13 – Four Violet

July 13 – Rants and Raves of a Bibliophile – Zodiac Inspired Snacks

July 14 – Novel Novice – Styled By Books

July 14 – The Blonde Bookworm

July 15 – The Book’s Buzz – Zodiac & Galaxy Nail Art

 

Twitter Chat: July 16^th @ 8PM EST Hosted by Brittany @ Brittany’s Book Rambles

Doctor Who (meets Mr Men and Little Miss)

originated by Roger Hargreaves

written and illustrated by Adam Hargreaves

I have to say I’ve never actually read or even looked at a Mr Men or Little Miss book. I guess when my bookworms were little they never grabbed copies from the library. I don’t remember having them in my Pre-K classroom but I might have that was a very very long time ago. I am a huge Doctor Who fan – well I’m a big David Tennant and Matt Smith as the Doctor fan.  I started watching when the 9th Doctor came on and while he was OK I was happy when he made the switch. Anyway back to these cute books.

I was sent Dr First – Dr Fourth – Dr Eleventh and Dr Twelfth. I really wish they had a Dr Tenth but oh well maybe it will be in the works. These books are made for Dr Who fans from older readers to adult. While they are picture books I’m not sure they would hold the younger picture book readers and listeners attention. I really love the Dr Eleventh book the most. The author really captured Matt Smith’s characters personality and I could hear his voice and River Songs as I was reading. We have this on display with our adipose, Tenth and Eleventh doctors wands and the Tardis.  While I read the First, Fourth and Twelfth there wasn’t the connection of watching and loving them for me. I still enjoyed the books but missed that connection to the story. We kept the Dr Eleventh book and passed on the other 3 to a big Dr Who fan we know. 🙂 They were really happy and loved them very much.

If you know of a big Dr Who fan that has loved them through all the long years these little books would be perfect for them. They would really enjoy them and they would be cute in a Dr Who display.

Thank you so much BBC and Penguin Young Readers for sending us these 4 Dr Who books. All thoughts and opinions are my own and not influenced by the free book.

Orbiting Jupiter

by Gary D Schmidt

 

 

I’ve been seeing this book at my library for a few years now, and I’ve grabbed it many times but never read it before returning it. Well I finally grabbed it and sat down and read it in one sitting. Oh my gosh this book wrecked me! I had so many feels while reading this heartwarming and heartbreaking book!! I hope it wins many book awards because they would all be very well deserved. I was immediately drawn into the characters and felt like I had known them for a long time. Jack telling the story of his foster-brother Joseph and how Joseph’s only real goal was to find his daughter Jupiter was what intrigued me about this book. It is told by a 12-year-old boy  about a 14-year-old boy. That right there I’m not sure has ever been done, add the fact that they are just babies themselves. Joseph had a bad home life, heck he had the worse home life and got put into foster care. After a few tumbles he ended up with a loving opening family that ended up being his forever home. He wasn’t going to settle down till he got Jupiter back even if it meant doing it on his own. The book takes a drastic turn and I pretty much bawled through the last half of the book. Grab a copy of Orbiting Jupiter you will not be disappointed!!

About the Book: 

Jack, 12, tells the gripping story of Joseph, 14, who joins his family as a foster child. Damaged in prison, Joseph wants nothing more than to find his baby daughter, Jupiter, whom he has never seen. When Joseph has begun to believe he’ll have a future, he is confronted by demons from his past that force a tragic sacrifice.

Awards & Honors:

Capitol Choices 2016 Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Books of 2015, Middle Grade Booklist Best Young Adult Books of 2015 ALA Notable Books for Children 2016, Older Readers VOYA’s Perfect Tens 2015; 2016 Winner, Notable Books for a Global Society CCBC Choices 2016, Fiction for Young Adults 2015 Cybils Awards Nomination, Young Adult Fiction ILA Young Adults’ Choices, 2016 Reading List YALSA 2017 Best Fiction for Young Adults Children’s Book Committee Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of 2016, Coming of Age

The Go Between

by Veronica Chambers

 

 

 

I don’t know I just wasn’t feeling this book. I guess it was the rich kids having rich kid problems that let’s face it I’ve never experienced that just threw me off. I didn’t really connect with the characters and just felt that it was an OK book but maybe one that just wasn’t for me. I’m sure there is a reader out there for this book and they would love it. As for me and my middle grade reader we liked it alright but both of us decided it wasn’t on our recommend list.

 

 

 

About the Book: 

She is the envy of every teenage girl in Mexico City. Her mother is a glamorous telenovela actress. Her father is the go-to voice-over talent for blockbuster films. Hers is a world of private planes, chauffeurs, paparazzi and gossip columnists. Meet Camilla del Valle Cammi to those who know her best.

When Cammi s mom gets cast in an American television show and the family moves to LA, things change, and quickly. Her mom s first role is playing a not-so-glamorous maid in a sitcom. Her dad tries to find work but dreams about returning to Mexico. And at the posh, private Polestar Academy, Cammi s new friends assume she s a scholarship kid, the daughter of a domestic.

At first Cammi thinks playing along with the stereotypes will be her way of teaching her new friends a lesson. But the more she lies, the more she wonders: Is she only fooling herself?

Thank you Delcorte Press for sending me a copy of The Go Between. All thoughts and opinions are my own and not influenced by the free book.

Addie Bell’s ShortCut to Growing Up

by Jessica Brody

 

 

Oh my gosh this book is simply precious! I loved every minute of this cute book! I reminded me of one of my all time favorite movies: 13 Going on 30.  Lucky for  Addie Bell doesn’t skip all those years and head straight to 30 she just skips those wonderful awkward tween years. In doing so she has altered everything she thought high school was going to be like. She soon see’s popularity comes with a price and she wants everything to go back to the way it was before she made that wish. So many times kids want to grow up to fast or think if only I was older things would be so much better. This book represents those feelings so well. I simply can not recommend it enough. This book will be gifted to every tween girl reader I know. I think this is a great summer read for girls entering middle school for the first time or even high school for the first time. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Addie Bell’s ShortCut to Growing Up – this book was my first 5 star read of 2017!!!

summary: Seventh grader Addie Bell can’t wait to be in high school, where everything seems cooler and more fun. What if there was a way to be older . . . right now?

Addie’s parents won’t let her have her own phone, she doesn’t have any curves, and her best friend, Grace, isn’t at all interested in makeup or boys. Then, on the night of her twelfth birthday, Addie makes a wish on a magic jewelry box to be sixteen . . . and wakes up to find that her life has been fast-forwarded four years! Suddenly she has everything she’s always wanted (like a driver’s license and a closet full of cool clothes). But Addie soon discovers that a lot more has changed than she expected—including her friendship with Grace. Can Addie turn back time and take back her wish . . . or has she lost the chance to experience what could have been the best years of her life?

Thank you so very much Jessica Brody and Delacorte for allowing me to read Addie Bell’s Shortcut to Growing Up. All thoughts and opinions are my own and not influenced by the free book.