C.J. Milbrandt's Blog, page 47
June 5, 2018
#amreading Strangeness
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In Poppy Mayberry, The Monday, we learn that in the city of Nova, every child is born with the potential of developing a weekday power (telepathy, teleportation, telekinesis, etc) depending on what day of the week they’re born. Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters takes a twist on Japanese folklore. And Rowan Hood Returns is the final installment in Nancy Springer’s series. (I didn’t like this one so much, but the first book in the set is amazing.)
June 1, 2018
Water Keep
Water Keep (Far World, #1)
J. Scott Savage
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Marcus is bullied because he’s different—orphaned, branded, crippled. But he’s also indomitable, quick-witted, and has a strange talent that can only be described as magic. When the Dark Circle finds him in his Arizona boarding school, their kidnapping attempt is foiled by a girl Marcus has only seen in his dreams. Kyja pulls him into Far World, a place where everything and everyone has magic … except her.
Talking animals, singing flowers, shape-shi...
May 31, 2018
#MGCarousel – Summer Reading Bingo
Summer Reading! Time for a fresh sticky post, where I’ll keep my June BINGO board, part of the Summer Reading Challenge for #MGCarousel at Elymnifoquent.com, where Elza and I blog about middle grade books.
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Play along! Grab your June bingo board here >>
#BookADayMay Success!
30 Days, 30 Books. Challenges are fun, if only because they push us to try. Accomplishing the goal is icing on the proverbial cake. Elza and I set out to read a book a day in May … and I’m happy to report my success.
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Truth be told, I even went a bit over (with three additional mysteries), but most of these titles are from the middle grade shelf. I discovered some new favorites in May. What have you been reading lately?
Want MORE?!
Join Elza & me for…
Summer Reading Bingo
get your June board
May 30, 2018
Summer Reading Challenge
BINGO boards have been making the rounds via social media, with everyone searching for common ground and (figuratively) covering those squares. Elza and I both filled them out. She posted ours side-by-side on this post, which gives you the chance to see which of us you’re most like.
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Even more exciting, we’re doing a Summer Reading Challenge over the summer, with a new BINGO board every month. Play along by picking up your June board >>
May 29, 2018
#amreading Fancifully
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In Circus Mirandus, Micah’s grown up with his grandfather’s stories about a magical circus, and he believes them all. Especially the ones about the Man Who Bends Light, who once promised Grandpa Ephraim a miracle. The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline is the fifth book in the Enola Holmes series, which introduces us to Mycroft’s and Sherlock’s much younger sister. And in The Last Motley, Roderick the tailor discovers a boy who seems lost and alone, only to recoil at the vivid pattern of diamonds...
May 28, 2018
#MGCarousel
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Reading MG. There’s a new blog especially for lovers of middle grade fiction (for 8-12 year olds). Book reviews, monthly themes, national days, quotes, and cover art. We kicked everything off this month, and we’re gearing up with fresh challenges for June. (Including a round of book bingo for summer reading!) Come follow Elza & me at Elymnifoquent.com >>
BYWAYS: Illustrations
Every one of the Byways Books includes beautiful full-color art by my illustrator, Hannah Christenson. Here’s a sampling from Book #5, Inside the Tree: A Ewan Johns Adventure.
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May 22, 2018
#amreading Dangerously
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In The Evil Wizard Smallbone, Neil runs away from the uncle who beats him and the cousin who bullies him only to find himself on an evil wizard’s doorstep. Getting away proves impossible, but perhaps that’s not such a bad thing. The Whispering Skull is the second book in the ghost-ridden Lockwood & Co. series. (Jonathan Stroud has been added to my Favorite Authors list.) And Wild Boy is the fourth book in the Rowan Hood set (each member of her outlaw band is getting their moment.)
May 21, 2018
BYWAYS: Behind the Header
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How about a look behind the Byways header on Book #13, Among the Tents: A Ganix Johns Adventure? This story follows Ganix to the circus, where he is able to protect his teammates and make new friends. He earns a stage name (or two) and does odd jobs behind the scenes. The cover art for Book #13 features the Neptune Circus carousel.
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Story Excerpt:
The huge three-top tent was packed with people. Hoots and hollers. Whistles and cheers. Excitement hummed through the stands, making Ganix’s stom...
