Title: Enchanted Author: Kontis Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Princesses, Magic Pages: 308 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Ages: 6th grade and up From the Publisher: It isn't easy being the rather overlooked and unhappy youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week. Sunday's only comfort is writing stories, although what she writes has a terrible tendency to come true. When Sunday meets an enchanted frog who asks about her stories, the two become friends. Soon that friendship deepens into something magical. One night Sunday kisses her frog goodbye and leaves, not realizing that her love has transformed him back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland—and a man Sunday's family despises. The prince returns to his castle, intent on making Sunday fall in love with him as the man he is, not the frog he was. But Sunday is not so easy to woo. How can she feel such a strange, strong attraction for this prince she barely knows? And what twisted secrets lie hidden in his past—and hers? I'm highlighting this title today for several reasons: (1) It's awesome! (2) It's this week's Sync free audiobook download. Click here for details.(And it's paired with "Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There" so a good week for audiobooks from Sync). (3) It was on almost everyone's Top 10 books of 2012. (Teen books, Best books, Best audio, etc.) (4) It's awesome! Please do NOT do what I did and say, "Meh, girl in dress on cover...fractured fairy tale spinoff...been there, done that." I let entirely too much time go by until I finally read this book (and honestly, I cannot say ENOUGH good things about this on audio. The narrator is incredible and the production was time well spent). There is so much going on here. Sunday is an incredible mix of all that is great about fairy tale heroines. The world-building is outstanding, and the incorporation of traditional and "fractured" fairy tales in unique and unusual ways is so very clever. I promise, you will enjoy this!
Title: Death Cloud Author: Lane Genre: Fiction, Series, Mystery, Adventure, Classics, Murder, England Pages: 311 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Ages: 6th-9th grades This series starter is a good one, especially for readers looking for a good mystery. From the Publisher: It is the summer of 1868, and Sherlock Holmes is fourteen. On break from boarding school, he is staying with eccentric strangers—his uncle and aunt—in their vast house in Hampshire. When two local people die from symptoms that resemble the plague, Holmes begins to investigate what really killed them, helped by his new tutor, an American named Amyus Crowe. So begins Sherlock's true education in detection, as he discovers the dastardly crimes of a brilliantly sinister villain of exquisitely malign intent. I love a book that imagines the teen years of a well-known fictional character (Sherlock Holmes, James Bond, etc), and this is one of the better ones I've read. It is also the first one to be endorsed by the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. There is a good mystery here, and we get a glimpse at how young Sherlock gets his start. There is also quite a bit of adventure (and a little humor if you're paying attention) that will keep you on the edge of your seat. There are now 3 books in this series, with a 4th coming out in October. And until the 7th, this audiobook is available for FREE download from Sync. It is also paired with the classic Doyle namesake "Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" so you can download one or both for free. A great deal for two terrific books!
Today's Trailer Tuesday/Book-a-Day combo is for Grace Mercy by Robin LaFevers. This book was on SO MANY "best" lists last year, and deservedly so. This is definitely for high school readers and adults (I recommend it to my teacher friends ALL THE TIME), but it is terrific. And the sequel, Dark Triumph, is on shelves now. (Book 3 comes out in February, 2014). Also, the reason that I chose to post this trailer this week is that you still have a few days to score a free copy of the audiobook from Sync. Click here for details! Hurry, tomorrow is your last day.
Today's Book-a-Day suggestion coincides with news about the movie adaptation of the title. The Book Thief by Markus Zuzak is, quite honestly, a book that everyone (older middle school, high school, adults) should read at some point in their lifetime. It is a truly amazing, powerful, and unique book that stays with you long after you read it. The writing will grab you, and you will feel immediately like you have been placed inside the book. As always, I am happy to promote good audiobooks, and this one is one of the best. The narrator of this title does a truly remarkable job. In addition, it is quite nice to hear someone else pronounce all the German words if you are not someone who learned the language in school. From the Publisher: A "New York Times" bestseller for seven years running that's soon to be a major motion picture, this Printz Honor book is an unforgettable tale about the ability of books to feed the soul. Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak's groundbreaking novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can't resist-books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still. The movie adaptation of this book, (which I pray will do the book justice because I fear that this one can go all kinds of wrong if done carelessly), was originally set to come out in 2014. Just last week it was announced that they have pushed UP the release date to November 15th, 2013. WOW! That's almost unheard of. You can read the article on Entertainment Weekly here. I'm looking forward to this!
Title: Code Name Verity Author: Wein Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, War, Friendship, Spies Pages: 343 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars...can I give it more? Ages: High school, Adults of all ages, and maybe a sophisticated middle school reader (I have it in our library) It's likely that I do not even need to mention this book to you because it was on more "Top 10" and award lists in 2012 than I can count. I had it at the top of last summer's high school reading list. It's even in paperback already (albeit, with what I think is a horrible cover compared to the hardback. Seriously, truly horrible...see below...did the publisher not really read the book? That cover does not set the right tone AT ALL). So why the heck am I mentioning it today? Well, a couple of reasons, not the least of which, it's just so good that you must read it! The main reason I decided to make today's post about an "old" book is that I recently went back and listened to it on audio and I fell in love with it all over again. FELL. IN. LOVE. AGAIN. The audio production on this book is BRILLIANT! The narrators give a tremendous reading. A must to listen to! Perfect for long road trips, plane rides, or just sitting by the pool and relaxing. Grownups, PLEASE do not care that this book was published for "young adults." This is one of the best books that you'll read in a long time, and I recommend it to my teachers, friends, and neighbors all the time. Also, did you love "Fault in our Stars" and in desperate need of a book to make you feel like that? This is the one for you.
From the Publisher: Oct. 11th, 1943-A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before its barely begun. When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn't stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, shes living a spy's worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution. As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage, failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy?
This is an incredible story of war, friendship, fighting for what you believe in, love, hope, and truth. It will stay with you long after you read it. It is crushingly sad, incredibly hopeful, and yet, not sappy or sentimental in any way. And the historical detail in it makes you rush to the author's notes at the end to find out if Maddie and Verity were real people.
Another Trailer Tuesday/Book a Day combo for you today. This one I read to prepare for a national webinar that I presented this spring for YALSA/ALA (American Library Association). In January, Crusher, by Niall Leonard, was voted one of the Top 10 Audiobooks for teens of the year previous year. I agree. The audio is terrific, but this is also an excellent mystery for high school students, especially boys. The fast pace, and twist and turns, will keep you turning pages (or wishing your drive wasn't so short so you could keep listening). I was glad to discover this title, and definitely put it on my Summer Reading list! From the publisher: The day Finn Maguire discovers his dad bludgeoned to death in a pool of blood, his dreary life is turned upside down. Prime suspect in his father’s murder, Finn must race against time to clear his name and find out who hated his dad enough to kill him. Scouring the sordid, brutal London underworld for answers, exposing dark family secrets, and facing danger at every turn, Finn is about to learn that it’s the people you trust who can hit you the hardest. . .
Are you like me and like listening to audiobooks? Or, are you traveling this summer via plane, train, or automobile and will be confined to this small space with family members that might make you a little crazy? Then check out this FREE source for downloadable audiobooks. Each week of summer, SYNC offers 2 free audiobooks that you can download to your smart phone, iPod, computer, etc. And once you download them, they are yours to KEEP! Click here to find out the calendar of titles. Two new titles are available each week, from May 30th- August 15th. Text "syncya" to 25827 to receive a text when new titles are released. There are some GREAT TITLES this year...many are my favorites that I've been recommending to students all year! Anyone can participate, there's no required sign-up or personal info or credit card needed, the titles are in MP3 format compatible with ANY digital player or computer. The choices each week are one top Teen book (like "The Raven Boys," "The False Prince," and "Enchanted"), and one top Classic ("Frankenstein," "Hamlet," and "Through the Looking Glass.") All the directions on how to download the files are on the website, including a "how-to" video. If you take advantage of this, let me know what you think!
Yes, we're back! After taking a year off because our school name and grade configuration changed (we wanted to make sure that we were starting off fresh this school year), we are up and running again. Here's the trailer for The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens. I've been booktalking this one a lot this week for several reasons. #1: IT'S A GREAT BOOK! #2: the audiobook is read by the amazing Jim Dale (of Harry Potter audiobook fame). #3: the sequel is coming out in a few weeks! Enjoy...and welcome back to the blog.
Traveling to the beach this summer? Visiting grandparents? Forced to ride in the car with your family to a destination far, far away? Than you need audiobooks...and some good headphones.
Each week, from now until August 17th, you can download two totally FREE audiobooks through SYNC. Though you've missed some great titles that were available during the first few weeks (sorry for not reminding you sooner!), there are still terrific titles to be had!
Anyone can participate, there's no required sign-up or personal info or credit card needed, the titles are in MP3 format compatible with ANY digital player or computer. The choices each week are one top Teen book and one top Classic. All the directions on how to download the files are on the website, including a "how-to" video.
If you take advantage of this, let me know what you think!
Do you like listening to audiobooks? Would you like to try an audiobook for free? Each week, from July 1st until September 1st, you can download two totally FREE audiobooks through SYNC http://www.audiobooksync.com/!
Anyone can participate, there's no required sign-up or personal info or credit card needed, the titles are in MP3 format compatible with ANY digital player or computer. The choices each week are one top Teen book (like "Beastly," "Hunger Games," and "Bloody Jack"), and one top Classic ("Treasure Island," "The Power of One," and "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.") All the directions on how to download the files are on the website, including a "how-to" video.
If you take advantage of this, let me know what you think!
Title: Enchanted
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