Laurisa White Reyes's Blog, page 116
January 20, 2014
THE BOOK TRUCK EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT
Hi Everyone!
My son, Marc, is finally ready to launch his Eagle Scout project - a book drive for a non-profit L.A. based organization called The Book Truck . The Book Truck provides new and gently used books to at-risk teens in the Los Angeles area. Marc's goal is to collect 500+ books by February 15th. He will also be constructing two rolling book carts for the organization to use.
Best-selling children's book author, Cornelia Funke , is a strong supporter of The Book Truck. You can learn more about The Book Truck here: http://www.thebooktruck.org
If you'd like to participate in Marc's Eagle Scout project, please bring your new and/or gently used young adult and adult books to the Santa Clarita Schmooze at Barnes & Noble, Valencia on February 13th 7:30-9:00pm (and enjoy our guest speaker Jenn Reese , author of Above World and Mirage,) or ship to:
Marc Reyes
Eagle Scout Donation
28020 Newbird Drive
Saugus CA 91350
Thank you so much for your support!
January 19, 2014
BOOK REVIEW: THE FALSE PRINCE by Jennifer A. Nielsen
* Win The Rock of Ivanore and The Last Enchanter!
* Writer 2 Writer: Endure to the End of Your First Draft
* Book Review: The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
Welcome to Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (MMGM), a weekly event hosted by author Shannon Messenger. For a list of other MMGM posts, click
HERE
.
__________________________________________________________
THE FALSE PRINCE
Jennifer A. Nielsen
Scholastic, Inc.
352 pp.
Ages 10 - 14
In this first book in a remarkable trilogy, an orphan is forced into a twisted game with deadly stakes.
Choose to lie...or choose to die.
In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner's motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword's point -- he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage's rivals have their own agendas as well.
As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner's sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together.
An extraordinary adventure filled with danger and action, lies and deadly truths that will have readers clinging to the edge of their seats.
MY REVIEW:
Well, I wouldn't go so far as to call it remarkable (from the summary). But did I enjoy it? Yes.
I'd heard so much hype about this book (which won 2013 Best Middle Grade fantasy book for both the Cybils and Whitney awards) I expected more from it. Don't get me wrong. The book is well-written and the story engaging, but I figured out the entire plot from the first chapter. And I often found myself doing the eye roll at some of the story elements that conveniently appeared just when our hero needed them to.
But enough complaints. What did I like about The False Prince? Sage has attitude. A lot of it actually, bordering on unlikable. But he's overall a good enough guy to convince readers to root for him along the way. Lucky for him (one of those conveniences I mentioned) that a member of court just happens to choose him as one of the potential stand-ins for the lost-at-sea heir to the throne. My favorite character was Imogen, a mute kitchen servant who isn't really a mute at all. (I never fully grasped what she gained by her muteness.) And I actually liked Conner, the despicable fellow plotting the whole false prince thing, until he ends up being so very stupid as to be the only one NOT able to figure out the truth about Sage when everyone else already has. (Another convenience.)
Nielsen's unembellished writing style and distinct characterizations make up for the rather mundane plot, though I will say that what I as an adult found mundane and predictable, my kids found exciting. And what kids' think of any book is what counts. When my six-year-old asks when he could listen to books two and three, I knew he was hooked. For that I give The False Prince:
CONTENT RATING:
Profanity: None
Sexuality: None
Violence: Moderate
* Writer 2 Writer: Endure to the End of Your First Draft
* Book Review: The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
Welcome to Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (MMGM), a weekly event hosted by author Shannon Messenger. For a list of other MMGM posts, click
HERE
.__________________________________________________________
THE FALSE PRINCEJennifer A. Nielsen
Scholastic, Inc.
352 pp.
Ages 10 - 14
In this first book in a remarkable trilogy, an orphan is forced into a twisted game with deadly stakes.
Choose to lie...or choose to die.
In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner's motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword's point -- he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage's rivals have their own agendas as well.
As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner's sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together.
An extraordinary adventure filled with danger and action, lies and deadly truths that will have readers clinging to the edge of their seats.
MY REVIEW:
Well, I wouldn't go so far as to call it remarkable (from the summary). But did I enjoy it? Yes.
I'd heard so much hype about this book (which won 2013 Best Middle Grade fantasy book for both the Cybils and Whitney awards) I expected more from it. Don't get me wrong. The book is well-written and the story engaging, but I figured out the entire plot from the first chapter. And I often found myself doing the eye roll at some of the story elements that conveniently appeared just when our hero needed them to.
But enough complaints. What did I like about The False Prince? Sage has attitude. A lot of it actually, bordering on unlikable. But he's overall a good enough guy to convince readers to root for him along the way. Lucky for him (one of those conveniences I mentioned) that a member of court just happens to choose him as one of the potential stand-ins for the lost-at-sea heir to the throne. My favorite character was Imogen, a mute kitchen servant who isn't really a mute at all. (I never fully grasped what she gained by her muteness.) And I actually liked Conner, the despicable fellow plotting the whole false prince thing, until he ends up being so very stupid as to be the only one NOT able to figure out the truth about Sage when everyone else already has. (Another convenience.)
Nielsen's unembellished writing style and distinct characterizations make up for the rather mundane plot, though I will say that what I as an adult found mundane and predictable, my kids found exciting. And what kids' think of any book is what counts. When my six-year-old asks when he could listen to books two and three, I knew he was hooked. For that I give The False Prince:
CONTENT RATING:
Profanity: None
Sexuality: None
Violence: Moderate
January 17, 2014
BOOK REVIEW: THE CHOCOLATE WAR by Robert Cormier
* Win The Rock of Ivanore and The Last Enchanter!
* Writer 2 Writer: Endure to the End of Your First Draft
* Writer 2 Writer: Writer's Challenge #1
THE CHOCOLATE WAR
Robert Cormier
Random House Childrens
272 pp.
Ages 12 - 17
Stunned by his mother's recent death and appalled by the way his father sleepwalks through life, Jerry Renault, a New England high school student, ponders the poster in his locker-Do I dare disturb the universe? Part of his universe is Archie Costello, leader of a secret school societ-the Virgils-and master of intimidation. Archie himself is intimidated by a cool, ambitious teacher into having the Virgils spearhead the annual fund-raising event-a chocolate sale. When Jerry refuses to be bullied into selling chocolates, he becomes a hero, but his defiance is a threat to Archie, the Virgils, and the school. In the inevitable showdown, Archie's skill at intimidation turns Jerry from hero to outcast, to victim, leaving him alone and terribly vulnerable.
A high school freshman discovers the devastating consequences of refusing to join in the school's annual fund raising drive and arousing the wrath of the school bullies.
MY REVIEW:
I picked up this book on the recommendation of Mr. Richard Peck, author of more than 40 books for kids and teens include Newbery Award winner A Year Down Yonder and his most recent best-seller, The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail.
A fan of books such as Lord of the Flies and The Outsiders, I thoroughly enjoyed The Chocolate War, a story about the struggle for power and control in an all-boys Catholic school. Father Leon assigns the boys to sell chocolates to raise funds for the school. The sale is voluntary, but is it really? One boy defies expectations and authority by refusing to sell. At first it is just an "assignment," a required dare given him by The Vigils, the school's "secret" mafia-like gang. But when the assignment is supposed to end, Jerry's refusal becomes a showdown between him and Leon and the Vigils' manipulative leader, Archie.
Like other classic stories like this, The Chocolate War is both inspiring and disturbing. While I could have done without the references to 'jacking off' and boys oogling girls' breasts (which, I suppose, does lend itself to realism) the story engaged me from the very first sentence: THEY MURDERED HIM. It's one of the best foreshadowing moments in all of children's literature. Quite frankly, The Chocolate War ought to rank as one of the top twenty novels teens should study in high school.
I give Cormier's masterpiece:
CONTENT RATING:
Profanity: ModerateSexuality: ModerateViolence: Moderate
* Writer 2 Writer: Endure to the End of Your First Draft
* Writer 2 Writer: Writer's Challenge #1
THE CHOCOLATE WARRobert Cormier
Random House Childrens
272 pp.
Ages 12 - 17
Stunned by his mother's recent death and appalled by the way his father sleepwalks through life, Jerry Renault, a New England high school student, ponders the poster in his locker-Do I dare disturb the universe? Part of his universe is Archie Costello, leader of a secret school societ-the Virgils-and master of intimidation. Archie himself is intimidated by a cool, ambitious teacher into having the Virgils spearhead the annual fund-raising event-a chocolate sale. When Jerry refuses to be bullied into selling chocolates, he becomes a hero, but his defiance is a threat to Archie, the Virgils, and the school. In the inevitable showdown, Archie's skill at intimidation turns Jerry from hero to outcast, to victim, leaving him alone and terribly vulnerable.
A high school freshman discovers the devastating consequences of refusing to join in the school's annual fund raising drive and arousing the wrath of the school bullies.
MY REVIEW:
I picked up this book on the recommendation of Mr. Richard Peck, author of more than 40 books for kids and teens include Newbery Award winner A Year Down Yonder and his most recent best-seller, The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail.
A fan of books such as Lord of the Flies and The Outsiders, I thoroughly enjoyed The Chocolate War, a story about the struggle for power and control in an all-boys Catholic school. Father Leon assigns the boys to sell chocolates to raise funds for the school. The sale is voluntary, but is it really? One boy defies expectations and authority by refusing to sell. At first it is just an "assignment," a required dare given him by The Vigils, the school's "secret" mafia-like gang. But when the assignment is supposed to end, Jerry's refusal becomes a showdown between him and Leon and the Vigils' manipulative leader, Archie.
Like other classic stories like this, The Chocolate War is both inspiring and disturbing. While I could have done without the references to 'jacking off' and boys oogling girls' breasts (which, I suppose, does lend itself to realism) the story engaged me from the very first sentence: THEY MURDERED HIM. It's one of the best foreshadowing moments in all of children's literature. Quite frankly, The Chocolate War ought to rank as one of the top twenty novels teens should study in high school.
I give Cormier's masterpiece:
CONTENT RATING:
Profanity: ModerateSexuality: ModerateViolence: Moderate
January 15, 2014
BEST BOOK REVIEW EVER!!!
This young lady made my day with her Vimeo book review of THE LAST ENCHANTER:
Book Review - The Last Enchanter from JL on Vimeo.
Book Review - The Last Enchanter from JL on Vimeo.
January 14, 2014
WRITER 2 WRITER: WRITER'S CHALLENGE #1
* Win The Rock of Ivanore and The Last Enchanter!
* Writer 2 Writer: Endure to the End of Your First Draft
* M 2014 TBR List
Welcome to Writer 2 Writer , my weekly discussion of topics important to...you guessed it...writers! Today I'm introducing a new game called WRITER'S CHALLENGE. I give you two examples of a sentence and you tell me which one is correct! Today we're going to tackle COMMAS.
Let's get started! Here is the first two examples:
A) Jeannette slammed the bedroom door and Brian flopped back onto the bed.
B) Jeannette slammed the bedroom door, and Brian flopped back onto the bed.
Answer: B
Rule: Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.
Tip: If you can remove the conjunction and read each clause as an independent sentence (each with a noun and verb) then a comma is required.
Let's try one more that is closely related:
A) Billy opened his book and sat down to read.
B) Billy opened his book, and sat down to read.
Answer: A
Rule: Don't put a comma between the two verbs or verb phrases in a compound predicate.
Tip: If you remove the conjunction and one clause cannot form a complete sentence, a comma is not required.
* Writer 2 Writer: Endure to the End of Your First Draft
* M 2014 TBR List
Welcome to Writer 2 Writer , my weekly discussion of topics important to...you guessed it...writers! Today I'm introducing a new game called WRITER'S CHALLENGE. I give you two examples of a sentence and you tell me which one is correct! Today we're going to tackle COMMAS.
Let's get started! Here is the first two examples:
A) Jeannette slammed the bedroom door and Brian flopped back onto the bed.
B) Jeannette slammed the bedroom door, and Brian flopped back onto the bed.
Answer: B
Rule: Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.
Tip: If you can remove the conjunction and read each clause as an independent sentence (each with a noun and verb) then a comma is required.
Let's try one more that is closely related:
A) Billy opened his book and sat down to read.
B) Billy opened his book, and sat down to read.
Answer: A
Rule: Don't put a comma between the two verbs or verb phrases in a compound predicate.
Tip: If you remove the conjunction and one clause cannot form a complete sentence, a comma is not required.
AND THE WINNERS ARE...
Congratulations to the following giveaway winners!!!
Lisa Farber won a collection of 6 YA novels in the Clear My Shelf Giveaway Hop!
Cynthia Clubbs won The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab in the YA Faeries and Fantasy Giveaway Hop!
Lisa Farber won a collection of 6 YA novels in the Clear My Shelf Giveaway Hop!
Cynthia Clubbs won The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab in the YA Faeries and Fantasy Giveaway Hop!
NO STRINGS ATTACHED GIVEAWAY HOP
* Win a collection of 6 Young Adult Novels
* Writer 2 Writer: Writer's Challenge
* Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card in the Time Trapped Blog Tour
Welcome to the NO STRINGS ATTACHED GIVEAWAY HOP hosted by I Am A Writer, Not A Reader. If you haven't done a hop before, it's pretty simple. Just hop from one participating blog to the next for many chances to win. Complete least of participating blogs is below.
This hop is special because there is nothing you have to do to enter. Everyone gets one free entry, just to say thank you for visiting my blog.
What am I giving away?
THE ROCK OF IVANORE: (Nook or Kindle) The annual Great Quest is about to be announced in Quendel, a task that will determine the future of Marcus and the other boys from the village who are coming of age. The wizard Zyll commands them to find the Rock of Ivanore, but he doesn’t tell them what the Rock is exactly or where it can be found. Marcus must reach deep within himself to develop new powers of magic and find the strength to survive the wild lands and fierce enemies he encounters as he searches for the illusive Rock. If he succeeds, he will live a life of honor; if he fails, he will live a life of menial labor in shame. With more twists and turns than a labyrinth, and a story in which nothing is at it seems, this tale of deception and discovery keeps readers in suspense until the end.
THE LAST ENCHANTER: (Nook or Kindle) Months have passed since Marcus and Kelvin succeeded in their quest to find the Rock of Ivanore. Kelvin is living as royalty in Dokur, and Marcus is studying magic with Zyll. When Fredric is murdered and Kelvin becomes king, Zyll and Marcus head for Dokur in hopes of protecting Kelvin from meeting the same fate, though it quickly becomes apparent that none of them are safe, and Marcus has had disturbing visions of Zyll's death. With the help of his old friends Clovis and Bryn, joined by new friend Lael, a feisty girl in search of her mother, Marcus uncovers a powerful secret that will change the course of his life forever.
GIVEAWAY TIME!
To be eligible to win, just select your free entry below.U.S. addresses only, please.This giveaway will end on January 21st.a Rafflecopter giveaway
* Writer 2 Writer: Writer's Challenge
* Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card in the Time Trapped Blog Tour
Welcome to the NO STRINGS ATTACHED GIVEAWAY HOP hosted by I Am A Writer, Not A Reader. If you haven't done a hop before, it's pretty simple. Just hop from one participating blog to the next for many chances to win. Complete least of participating blogs is below.This hop is special because there is nothing you have to do to enter. Everyone gets one free entry, just to say thank you for visiting my blog.
What am I giving away?
THE ROCK OF IVANORE: (Nook or Kindle) The annual Great Quest is about to be announced in Quendel, a task that will determine the future of Marcus and the other boys from the village who are coming of age. The wizard Zyll commands them to find the Rock of Ivanore, but he doesn’t tell them what the Rock is exactly or where it can be found. Marcus must reach deep within himself to develop new powers of magic and find the strength to survive the wild lands and fierce enemies he encounters as he searches for the illusive Rock. If he succeeds, he will live a life of honor; if he fails, he will live a life of menial labor in shame. With more twists and turns than a labyrinth, and a story in which nothing is at it seems, this tale of deception and discovery keeps readers in suspense until the end.
THE LAST ENCHANTER: (Nook or Kindle) Months have passed since Marcus and Kelvin succeeded in their quest to find the Rock of Ivanore. Kelvin is living as royalty in Dokur, and Marcus is studying magic with Zyll. When Fredric is murdered and Kelvin becomes king, Zyll and Marcus head for Dokur in hopes of protecting Kelvin from meeting the same fate, though it quickly becomes apparent that none of them are safe, and Marcus has had disturbing visions of Zyll's death. With the help of his old friends Clovis and Bryn, joined by new friend Lael, a feisty girl in search of her mother, Marcus uncovers a powerful secret that will change the course of his life forever.
GIVEAWAY TIME!
To be eligible to win, just select your free entry below.U.S. addresses only, please.This giveaway will end on January 21st.a Rafflecopter giveaway
January 8, 2014
WRITER 2 WRITER: ENDURING TO THE END (of your first draft, that is!)
* Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card in the Time Trapped Blog Tour
* Win a collection of 6 Young Adult Novels
* Win a copy of The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
Welcome back to Writer 2 Writer , a weekly discussion of topics relating directly to the writing process.
Not long ago, I was interviewed by two high school students for a class project. Their assignment was to interview an author, since that is what they plan to be when they get older. They asked me lots of great questions, but one in particular stuck in my mind:
What is the hardest part about being a writer?
My answer - Finishing a first draft.
I've spoken with countless aspiring writers and this seems to be a universal struggle. Many of those who want to write, who claim to have a story clawing to get out, but who have yet to enter the active world of writing and trying to get published share a similar barrier - they have yet to complete their first manuscript.
I know from personal experience how challenging it is to write a novel. I've written sixteen in the past eight years. The hardest one was the first. Well, maybe the second. Hmmm, on second thought they've all been challenging. But I succeeded. How?
Well, I'll tell you my little secret. But first let me quickly describe why I, of all people, ought to have failed. I have five kids. (Enough said?) I am a stay-at-home mom, which though some people might scoff at that, being home doesn't mean I ever time to sit on the couch and eat bon bons -- or write. My days are completely filled from sunrise to long after sundown with cooking and cleaning and transporting children everywhere, and doing homework (oh, did I mention I've been a homeschool mom for 15 years?). To top that off, I also work part-time from home as a book editor, magazine editor-in-chief AND I am in graduate school.
I feel suffocated just writing all this!
And still I write, on average, two complete novels per year. Now do you want to know my secret? Well, there are two secrets, really, and here they are:
1. BABY STEPS
When I was a kid I was in honors choir for our school district. One of the songs we performed had the following lyrics which I have never forgotten: If you can't climb a mountain then climb a hill. That's much better than standing still. There's a way if you've got the will. And little by little you're there.
I write 500 words a day, most days of the week. That's about two pages double-spaced. Takes me about 20 minutes tops. When my kids were young, I did it late at night after they went to bed. Today I do it before they wake up. That's all the time I have to spare--really. But you know what? Even if I wrote 1 page a day, in a year I have a completed novel.
2. DON'T LOOK BACK
I never, and I mean NEVER edit or revise anything I've written UNTIL the entire manuscript is completed. I don't read what I wrote the previous day. I don't even think about it. I always move forward. My first two novels did take a year to write. Now I can whip out a manuscript in about four months, depending on my anticipated word count.
I actually create an excel spreadsheet for each project, with columns of little squares. Each square represents a page. As I write, I highlight those little squares, one for each page. It is a visual record of my progress. The more squares I fill in, the closer I get to my goal, the more motivated I feel to reach that finish line.
So there you have it, my secrets for completing writing projects. If you are struggling to finish your book, maybe these will help. Do you have a system that motivates you to reach that last page? If so, feel free to share it here.
Come back next week as I take a look at the revision process. See you then!
* Win a collection of 6 Young Adult Novels
* Win a copy of The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
Welcome back to Writer 2 Writer , a weekly discussion of topics relating directly to the writing process.
Not long ago, I was interviewed by two high school students for a class project. Their assignment was to interview an author, since that is what they plan to be when they get older. They asked me lots of great questions, but one in particular stuck in my mind:
What is the hardest part about being a writer?
My answer - Finishing a first draft.
I've spoken with countless aspiring writers and this seems to be a universal struggle. Many of those who want to write, who claim to have a story clawing to get out, but who have yet to enter the active world of writing and trying to get published share a similar barrier - they have yet to complete their first manuscript.
I know from personal experience how challenging it is to write a novel. I've written sixteen in the past eight years. The hardest one was the first. Well, maybe the second. Hmmm, on second thought they've all been challenging. But I succeeded. How?
Well, I'll tell you my little secret. But first let me quickly describe why I, of all people, ought to have failed. I have five kids. (Enough said?) I am a stay-at-home mom, which though some people might scoff at that, being home doesn't mean I ever time to sit on the couch and eat bon bons -- or write. My days are completely filled from sunrise to long after sundown with cooking and cleaning and transporting children everywhere, and doing homework (oh, did I mention I've been a homeschool mom for 15 years?). To top that off, I also work part-time from home as a book editor, magazine editor-in-chief AND I am in graduate school.
I feel suffocated just writing all this!
And still I write, on average, two complete novels per year. Now do you want to know my secret? Well, there are two secrets, really, and here they are:
1. BABY STEPS
When I was a kid I was in honors choir for our school district. One of the songs we performed had the following lyrics which I have never forgotten: If you can't climb a mountain then climb a hill. That's much better than standing still. There's a way if you've got the will. And little by little you're there.
I write 500 words a day, most days of the week. That's about two pages double-spaced. Takes me about 20 minutes tops. When my kids were young, I did it late at night after they went to bed. Today I do it before they wake up. That's all the time I have to spare--really. But you know what? Even if I wrote 1 page a day, in a year I have a completed novel.
2. DON'T LOOK BACK
I never, and I mean NEVER edit or revise anything I've written UNTIL the entire manuscript is completed. I don't read what I wrote the previous day. I don't even think about it. I always move forward. My first two novels did take a year to write. Now I can whip out a manuscript in about four months, depending on my anticipated word count.
I actually create an excel spreadsheet for each project, with columns of little squares. Each square represents a page. As I write, I highlight those little squares, one for each page. It is a visual record of my progress. The more squares I fill in, the closer I get to my goal, the more motivated I feel to reach that finish line.
So there you have it, my secrets for completing writing projects. If you are struggling to finish your book, maybe these will help. Do you have a system that motivates you to reach that last page? If so, feel free to share it here.
Come back next week as I take a look at the revision process. See you then!
January 7, 2014
YOUNG ADULT FAERIES & FANTASY GIVEAWAY HOP
* Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card in the Time Trapped Blog Tour
* Win a collection of 6 Young Adult novels
* Book Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Welcome to the YOUNG ADULT FAERIES & FANTASY GIVEAWAY HOP hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. If you haven't done a hop before, simply hop from one participating blog to another for many chances to win. A list of all participating blogs is below.
What am I giving away?
The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.
If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.
And there are no strangers in the town of Near.
These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life. But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true. The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him. As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy. Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
To be eligible to win, you must be a follower of this blog.This giveaway will end on 1/14/14.U.S. Residents only, please. a Rafflecopter giveaway
* Win a collection of 6 Young Adult novels
* Book Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Welcome to the YOUNG ADULT FAERIES & FANTASY GIVEAWAY HOP hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. If you haven't done a hop before, simply hop from one participating blog to another for many chances to win. A list of all participating blogs is below.
What am I giving away?
The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.
If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.
And there are no strangers in the town of Near.
These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life. But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true. The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him. As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy. Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
To be eligible to win, you must be a follower of this blog.This giveaway will end on 1/14/14.U.S. Residents only, please. a Rafflecopter giveaway
January 5, 2014
BLOG TOUR: TIME TRAPPED by Richard Ungar
Welcome to Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (MMGM), a weekly event hosted by author Shannon Messenger. For a list of other MMGM posts, click
HERE
.___________________________________________________________________
Welcome to the TIME TRAPPED BLOG TOUR!!! Below you'll find an awesome book trailer, an excerpt from the book AND a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card! Have fun!____________________________________________________
TIME TRAPPEDRichard UngarPenguin Young Readers320 pp.Ages 8 - 12 The high-octane sequel to Time Snatchers. Caleb thought he'd escaped Uncle's clutches and could have a normal life in 1968, but no such luck. After being forcibly returned to Timeless Treasures and his old job of stealing valuable objects from the past, he learns that things have gotten even more sinister. Training the new kidnapped recruits doesn't seem very important to Frank, Uncle's evil lackey, even though a few of these kids have amazing thieving skills and genius for new technology. But then Caleb figures out it's because Frank doesn't plan on keeping them around very long - or keeping them alive. Stakes are high for all of the time snatchers. If only Caleb can convince the new ones to stop having fun with the technology and use it to save their own lives. Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo
Praise for Time Trapped"Ungar’s follow-up to Time Snatchers (2012) offers more exceptionally good world building and character development—along with heaps of suspense..." - Booklist Online "In the exciting follow-up to Time Snatchers (Putnam, 2012), Caleb has been pulled back into Uncle’s band of time-travelling thieves—snatchers, as they call themselves. ...Readers of the first volume will certainly be interested in the continuing saga. Captivating characters, including a computer with human DNA convinced she is not a computer, and technological prodigies enhance the plot." - VOYA Magazine
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal CashEnds 1/19/14
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
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EXCERPT - TIME TRAPPED
“Wait! What’s your name?” I call after her.
She’s going to disappear into the crowd. The beautiful girl with no name. And I’ll be left wondering . . . Or worse, she’ll say her name and I won’t hear it. Because the noise level in the hall is increasing and a hundred inane conversations are going on around me and despite strict orders from my brain, my ears are picking up random words like belch and freight train, and pumpkin, and I’m afraid that when she finally says her name, I’m going to hear mustard instead and then what will I do—
“It’s Abbie!” she calls out.
Abbie. I’ve got it. Abbie. Abbie. Abbie. Three times should do it. Just in case, I whip open my memory book to jot it down. A scrap of paper flutters out.
I pick it up and gaze at the big loopy letters. She gave me a note! I can’t believe it. I unfold the paper.
Meet me in the park at 4:00 P.M. We need to talk in private.
We do? A beautiful girl needs to talk to me. And not only does she want to talk to me, but in private too. My dreams are coming true. This is incredible. It can take years to get a note like this from a girl, and I’ve done it in just over thirty minutes. A school record. Heck, maybe even a state record. My picture is going to be in Sports Illustrated. Right next to the girl who shot three holes in one during her sophomore year.
I look up to see if I can spot her. But Abbie is gone.
