Laurisa White Reyes's Blog, page 113

SPEAK 4 RAINN 15: Sexual Assault Awareness Campaign

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network has teamed up with MacMillan Publishing and Laurie Halse Anderson to raise money in support of Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month. Donate $25 or more and receive one of several items signed by Anderson including a signed SPEAK poster, signed copy of SPEAK, and a chance to appear in the upcoming SPEAK graphic novel.

This is a prevalent issue in our society, and worthy of our attention. Mac Millan will match donations dollar for dollar up to $15,000.

If you are interested in more information or in making a donation, visit the RAINN website HERE .

GRAMBO by Beth Navarro and Betsy Hamilton

I don't usually post about picture books, but this is one you can't miss. In Beth Navarro's debut picture book, GRAMBO, a boy discovers his grandma is not your average grandma. She's a secret agent! Grandmas can do anything.

At present the paperback book is available only through Amazon. The illustrations are really funny, and the premise is even funnier. The author is offering some great incentives for purchasing multiple copies at only $7.85 a piece.
A great addition to any kid's Easter Basket! 

BOOK REVIEW: FIGHTING FOR DONTAE by Mike Castan

Welcome to Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (MMGM), a weekly event hosted by author Shannon Messenger. For a list of other MMGM posts, click HERE .
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FIGHTING FOR DONTAE
Mike Castan
Holiday House
Ages 12 +


Javier's life is going nowhere fast. He hates seventh grade, his pop is locked up, and his mom can't even afford to buy him shoes. At least she's sober . . . for now.
Javier and his friends are in a gang, but he doesn't even know why he joined the Playaz in the first place, since hanging with them is like asking for trouble from the cops. When he is assigned to work with the special education class, Javier thinks that the one thing he had going for him in middle school-his social life-is over. Little by little, though, Javier realizes that he actually enjoys reading to Dontae, a severely disabled boy his age. When everything else around him is falling apart, working with Dontae becomes the one thing worth fighting for. 
MY REVIEW:

This is a really good story, straight forward and hard-hitting. Fighting for Dontae does not soften the harsh realities of living in a lower income gang-infested neighborhoods. It's all here: the drugs, the violence, the absent fathers, the frequent hopelessness. Javier has one thing that sets him apart: empathy. He discovers that there is more to life than wearing the latest shoes or looking cool to his friends through volunteering with the special ed students at his school. Castan's unembellished story is a fast read but is one that leaves a long-lasting impression.


CONTENT RATING:

Profanity:  High
Violence:  High
Sexuality:  Low
Substance Abuse:  High

BOOK REVIEW: ROSE UNDER FIRE by Elizabeth Wein

ROSE UNDER FIRE
Elizabeth Wein
Disney-Hyperion
368 pp.
Ages 14 - 17

While flying an Allied fighter plane from Paris to England, American ATA pilot and amateur poet, Rose Justice, is captured by the Nazis and sent to Ravensbr ck, the notorious women's concentration camp. Trapped in horrific circumstances, Rose finds hope in the impossible through the loyalty, bravery and friendship of her fellow prisoners. But will that be enough to endure the fate that's in store for her
Elizabeth Wein, author of the critically-acclaimed and best-selling Code Name Verity, delivers another stunning WWII thriller. The unforgettable story of Rose Justice is forged from heart-wrenching courage, resolve, and the slim, bright chance of survival.
Selected praise for Rose Under Fire: "Wein's unself-consciously important story is timeless, ageless and triumphant." -The Los Angeles Times"Wein's second World War II adventure novel captures poignantly the fragility of hope and the balm forgiveness offers." -The New York Times* "[Wein] has crafted another indelible story about friendship borne out of unimaginable adversity." -Publishers Weekly, starred review
Winner of the 2014 Schneider Family Book Award for Teens
MY REVIEW:
Oft times sequels don't live up to the books that spawned them. Rose Under Fire is not one of these. I absolutely love Wein's Code Name Verity and was understandably concerned about whether its follow-up could fulfill my lofty expectations. My concern was completely unwarranted.
Rose Under Fire is one of the most powerful novels about the holocaust experience ever written. Don't get me wrong. I loved The Book Thief. I loved The Boy Who Dared and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. But this book trumps them all. Rose is an American ATA transport pilot flying for the British during World War II. She is captured by the Nazi's and sent to Ravensbrook concentration camp where she spends the next six months in the company of the Rabbits, a group of women who were used in Nazi medical experiments.
Rose's story is vivid, shocking, horrifying, touching, memorable and life-altering. I cannot give enough praise for Wein's simply brilliant story-telling. If you read no other book this year, read Rose Under Fire -- and of course, Code Name Verity. Two books worthy of everyone's attention. They literally made me weep.
Read my review of Code Name Verity

CONTENT RATING:
Profanity:  HighViolence:  HighSexuality: Moderate (rape is mentioned) 

WIN A COPY OF THE ROCK OF IVANORE

WORD SPELUNKING posted an interview with me a couple of weeks back. She's giving away a copy of THE ROCK OF IVANORE!!! Giveaway ends soon, so stop by her blog to enter!!!  HERE

BLOG TOUR: CHARLIE BUMPERS vs. THE REALLY NICE GNOME

Welcome to Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (MMGM), a weekly event hosted by author Shannon Messenger. For a list of other MMGM posts, click HERE .
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CHARLIE BUMPERS vs. THE REALLY NICE GNOME
Bill Harley
Peachtree Publishing
Ages 8 - 12

Charlie Bumpers has his heart set on playing the role of the evil Sorcerer in the fourth grade play. He's even got the laugh down pat: Mwa-ha-ha-ha! But his dreams of villainous stardom go up in smoke when he finds out that Mrs. Burke has cast him as the Nice Gnome! Determined to rectify this terrible injustice, Charlie concocts one plan after another, but nothing seems to work. To make matters worse, his dad has assigned chores to all the kids in the family and Charlie's job is walking Ginger, the diggiest, sniffiest, and poopiest dog in the universe.

Charlie Bumpers is the perfect series for middle grade readers who love humorous books. Fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid will love it!

Be sure to check out the other books in the series:

INTERVIEW w/ JULIE MUSIL, author of THE BOY WHO LOVED FIRE

THE BOY WHO LOVED FIRE
Julie Musil
CreateSpace
304 pp.
Ages 12 - 17

Manny O'Donnell revels in his status at the top of his high school food chain. He and his friends party in the mountains on a blustery night, sharing liquor and lame ghost stories around a campfire. The next morning, as a wild fire rages in those same mountains, Manny experiences doubt. He was the last of the drunken crew to leave the cave, and he's uncertain if he extinguished the flames. Within hours, he becomes the number one arson suspect.
Santa Ana winds + matches = disaster. You'd think he would've learned that the first time he started a fire.
As he evades a determined arson investigator, Manny, a modern-day Scrooge, is visited by ghosts of the past, present, and future. He's forced to witness the fate of his inadvertent victims, including Abigail, the scarred beauty who softens his heart. Manny must choose between turning around his callous, self-centered attitude, or protecting his own skin at the expense of anyone who gets in his way.

INTERVIEW:



1.   Give us a quick run down of The Boy Who Love Fire.
Manny, a modern teen Scrooge, faces 3 ghosts as he outruns arson charges, falls for his fire victim, & battles for redemption.
I’d classify it as “contemporary with a splash of ghosts.”
2.   What inspired you to write this story?
In 2007 Santa Ana winds fueled a wild fire that surrounded our house then jumped to the next road, destroying three other homes. Our house was spared. That event had a profound impact on me. I wondered, Who started the fire? If it was a young boy, does he have any idea how many lives were changed? That’s what gave me the initial “spark” for The Boy Who Loved Fire.
3.   The cover is amazing! Can you describe your publishing process and why you decided to go indie?
Thank you! I adore my cover, and the process was so much fun. If anyone wants more information about cover design, check out my blog post Cover Design 101: Interview with J. Allen Fielder.
Why did I decide to go indie? Frustratingly close calls. My agent submitted to some really fine publishing houses. We came so close with a couple of editors. After receiving a tough rejection, I read this post by Susan Kaye Quinn. By the time I finished the last sentence, I was sooo excited. I knew I’d indie publish. I had a wonderful conversation with my agent, hired a freelance editor and cover designer, and became a one woman learning machine. Susan Kaye Quinn’s for writers section of her blog is a life-saving resource. If someone out there is even thinking about indie publishing, I’d recommend they start there.
4.   What books/authors have inspired you along the way?
Gosh, so many. I love the writing styles of Jodi Picoult, Sarah Dessen, and Kristin Hannah. My bio says I love stories that grab the heart and won’t let go. Each of these authors wrote stories that still linger with me today.
I’ve become a Hugh Howey fangirl. Not only because I love his WOOL series, which I do. I’m also inspired by him as a writer. If you’re ever feeling low about your own writing journey, check out my post Are you the Tiger Woods of Publishing? Does it matter?That post was inspired by Hugh Howey and his approach to writing and publishing.
5.   What is your favorite or least favorite book-to-movie adaptation and why?
My favorite movie adaptation was The Help. Although there was so much left on the editing floor, they did a wonderful job of bringing the story to life. That’s one of my favorite books. I wish every sumptuous detail could’ve made it to the big screen.
6.  What's next for you ?
My next book! I’m busy working on another YA contemporary novel. Hopefully it’ll be ready by summer. Stay tuned :)

BOOK REVIEW: CRESS by Marissa Meyer

Welcome to Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (MMGM), a weekly event hosted by author Shannon Messenger. For a list of other MMGM posts, click HERE .
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CRESS:  LUNAR CHRONICLES, BOOK III
Marissa Meyer
Feiwel and Friends
560 pp.
Ages 12- 17

In this third book in Marissa Meyer 's bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and prevent her army from invading Earth.
Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl trapped on a satellite since childhood who’s only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s being forced to work for Queen Levana, and she’s just received orders to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.
When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is splintered. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a higher price than she’d ever expected. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai, especially the cyborg mechanic. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.
MY REVIEW:
Can I just say how much I love The Lunar Chronicles??? Well, I do. I love it! Every book gets better and better. I don't know who I'm in love with more, Kai the crown prince of the Commonwealth, Wolf the hybrid lunar guard, or Thorn the Hans Solo-esque rogue. Swoon!
If you haven't read Cinder or its sequel, Scarlett , yet you are totally missing out. Action-packed, romantic, and funny as all get out! This is one series that should be read by absolutely EVERYBODY!!! Read it! Now!  I'm just frustrated that I have to wait a whole year for book IV - Winter !!! Argh!


CONTENT RATING:
Profanity:  NoneViolence:  ModerateSexuality:  Milde

BOOK BLAST: THE MAGICIAN'S DOLL by M.L. Roble

THE MAGICIAN'S DOLL
M.L. Roble
Independent
320 pp.
Ages 10 +

They are stronger. They are coming. They will arrive!" Life would be so much better for twelve-year-old Natalie if she and her mother weren’t different; other kids wouldn’t pick on her; she wouldn’t have to get into fights. She would have friends. But Natalie has abilities that set her apart, and despite her very best efforts to have a normal life, her developing “gift” has a way of upending them all. Then one day a big top circus rolls into town bringing with it Beausoleil the Magician, his daughter Louisa, and his mysterious doll. Strange things are afoot with Beausoleil’s arrival, and in his wake, an eerie storm is approaching. Soon Natalie discovers there is more to her world and the people around her than she knew, and that being different is just the tip of the iceberg... The Magician’s Doll sparks readers’ imaginations with a tale of magical discoveries, profound friendships, a fight against evil, and the growth that comes with facing your fears and accepting who you are.

 
Purchase the BookAmazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | The Book Bin 
The Buzz"The story of exceptional and gifted beings secretly living among us is timeless; this exhilarating book is an impressive treatment of that classic storyline. The writing is fast and clear, with a well-developed plot and perfect buildup of action and suspense." ~ 5 Star Review, G. Wagner, Amazon
"This is perfect for kids of the middle grade age. It forces them to look at the way they treat each other and their differences. It makes them look at what true friendship is and what they would do in certain circumstances. I am sure this book was written to be a wonderful story, yet I find it is a great example of teaching kids something without them realizing they are learning I will definitely continue to recommend this book to parents and students." ~ 5 Star Review, Sandra S., Amazon
"I am a eighth grader, and was told to read this book by a friend. I am a huge fan of fantasy and magic, and thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found it well thought through with colorful characters from a variety of backgrounds. The concepts and ideas are fresh and interesting, I especially enjoyed the idea of travel through maps, like Phillipe. I would DEFINITELY recommend this book to all my friends, and will do so as soon as possible." ~ 5 Star Review, Eugenia, Amazon 
About the Author: M.L. Roble M. L. Roble's desire to write a children's novel stems from the nostalgia of her own middle grade reading years where she first experienced books like "The Chronicles of Narnia" and "The Shattered Stone". There have been different books and genres since, but those years fueled an enchantment for story that continues to this day.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ 
* Book Blast Giveaway *  
Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: April 11, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.  

 a Rafflecopter giveaway
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, M.L. Roble and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

 

BOOK REVIEW: SUNRISE by Mike Mullin

SUNRISE
Mike Mullin
Tanglewood Press
539 pp.
Ages 14 +

The Yellowstone supervolcano nearly wiped out the human race. Now, almost a year after the eruption, the survivors seem determined to finish the job. Communities wage war on each other, gangs of cannibals roam the countryside, and what little government survived the eruption has collapsed completely. The ham radio has gone silent. Sickness, cold, and starvation are the survivors' constant companions. 
When it becomes apparent that their home is no longer safe and adults are not facing the stark realities, Alex and Darla must create a community that can survive the ongoing disaster, an almost impossible task requiring even more guts and more smarts than ever — and unthinkable sacrifice. If they fail . . . they, their loved ones, and the few remaining survivors will perish.
This epic finale has the heart of Ashfall, the action of Ashen Winter, and a depth all its own, examining questions of responsibility and bravery, civilization and society, illuminated by the story of an unshakable love that transcends a post-apocalyptic world and even life itself.

MY REVIEW:

Mike Mullin's Ashfall trilogy is as hefty as the topic it tackles - the eruption of the Yellowstone super volcano and the mass destruction that ensues. The entire story follows teenager Alex and his slightly older girlfriend and fellow survivor, Darla. Books I, Ashfall, and II, Ashen Winter, were both packed solid with non-stop action and harrowing near-deadly misses. The third book, Sunrise, is less action and more long-term survival, though there is more than enough guts and gore in this one too. Heartwrenching mass slaughters, piles of cannabilized human remains, and one particular scene where I quite literally scolded the non-present author, "No! You can't DO that!" But he did. Mike Mullin does not pull his punches.
Despite the 500+ page count, I was never bored. In fact I could hardly put the thing down!  I am actually sad that we have come to the end of the trilogy because I've been so invested in Alex and the future of the super volcano survivors. A great read! I highly recommend it.


CONTENT RATING:

Profanity: Moderate
Violence:  High
Sexuality:  Moderate