Trailer Tuesday

Coming Friday to a theater near you...The Book Thief.

Based on one of the most incredible books that I've ever read, I am very excited to see that it was made into a movie. But I am also slightly hesitant to go see it. There are so many ways that it could go wrong.

I hope that it lives up to the book...I will let you know what I decide to do.

Until then, here is the movie trailer. It does look good!

Trailer Tuesday

In honor of Friday's movie release of Ender's Game, I thought that today's Trailer Tuesday should be the movie trailer. Just to make sure you are excited to see the movie.

I really enjoy this book, and loved when our 8th graders read it as a classroom novel. It has been awhile since that has happened, but there are some classes that will be studying it once again this fall, so that is good news. I can't wait to see how the movie compares with the book...should be entertaining!

Trailer Tuesday

LOVED this picture book! So fun! And this trailer is just as cute. Got little kids in your life? Quick, go check this book out!

Trailer Tuesday

Also Known As by Robin Benway was one of my top picks this summer for my middle school (but it works great for high school as well). I am a fan of Benway and really enjoy her writing style, stories, and the characters that she creates.

I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars, and I'm anxiously looking forward to the next book in the series. Especially after watching this author interview. If you are a fan of the Heist Society series by Ally Carter (which is INCREDIBLE), you will truly enjoy this one. 

Trailer Tuesday

I really enjoyed Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt. And that's not really surprising because I am a fan of all of the author's previous books.

Such a fun book! I give 4 out of 5 stars to it. And I think that it's great for 6th grade and up.

From the Publisher: 
When Mallory discovers that her boyfriend, Jeremy, is cheating on her with an online girlfriend, she swears off boys. She also swears off modern technology. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in 1962, Mallory decides to "go vintage" and return to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldnt cheat on you "online"). She sets out to complete grandmas list: run for pep club secretary, host a dinner party, sew a homecoming dress, find a steady, do something dangerous. But the list is trickier than it looks. And obviously finding a steady is out . . . no matter how good Oliver (Jeremys cousin) smells. But with the help of her sister, shell get it done. Somehow. Lindsey Leavitt perfectly pairs heartfelt family moments, laugh-out-loud humor, and a little bit of romance in this delightful contemporary novel.

I thought this author video was a fun little segment to get you in the mood for reading the book. Enjoy!

Trailer Tuesday

Better Nate than Ever (Tim Federle)

Okay, I LOVE this book. LOVE. IT! 

Do you love to sing? Act? Dream of being on Broadway?

Do you watch Glee? Dance Moms? 

Do you just ever feel like you don't fit in? Want to find a place where you can be yourself?

Seriously, this book is for just about everyone, and will be the top of my list of recommendations in the fall. This is the perfect middle school book, as it has a little something for everyone...boys...girls...doesn't matter.

So, I thought that instead of gushing about how much I like the book, I'd show you a clip of the author talking about how he came to write it. And in this 4 minute clip, I think it's possible that I have fallen in love with the author as well.

I also included a clip of him reading the first few pages of the book...the perfect book talk.

Now, the one contention I have with the book is the cover. Why, oh why, did the publisher create such a "babyish" cover? The cover reads 3-5th grade to me (and I'm sure my students will think the same), but the book is the perfect 6th-8th grade book (Nate is in 8th grade). Please, please, please, do not judge this book by it's cover.

Trailer Tuesday

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.

Trailer Tuesday

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. . .

Trailer Tuesday

This Trailer Tuesday (and all Trailer Tuesdays this summer) will also count for Book a Day reviews because it is a book that I included on my Summer Reading suggestions. 

I have already purchased copies for the library and will be booktalking this quite a bit when I return to school in the fall. I think that fans of dystopian series like Matched and The Hunger Games will enjoy this book. Happy Reading!

From the publisher:
Two of you exist.
Only one will survive.

The city of Kersh is a safe haven, but the price of safety is high. Everyone has a genetic Alternate—a twin raised by another family—and citizens must prove their worth by eliminating their Alts before their twentieth birthday. Survival means advanced schooling, a good job, marriage—life.

Fifteen-year-old West Grayer has trained as a fighter, preparing for the day when her assignment arrives and she will have one month to hunt down and kill her Alt. But then a tragic misstep shakes West’s confidence. Stricken with grief and guilt, she’s no longer certain that she’s the best version of herself, the version worthy of a future.

Trailer Tuesday

Today's Trailer Tuesday is in honor of the TWO authors visiting Evergreen today.

First up, Lisa McMann, author of so many books/series that are popular with Evergreen readers. Here's an interview with her where she discusses one of these books.

And a trailer for one of her new series, "The Unwanteds." Love it!

Here is the book trailer for The False Prince, by Jennifer A. Nielsen. I loved this book and am so glad the sequel is out.

I am so excited to meet both of these amazing authors today!

Trailer Tuesday: Eve and Adam (Grant/Applegate)

Action, suspense, and sci-fi combine in this new title by two popular authors: Michael Grant (author of the Gone series), and Katherine Applegate (author of The One and Only Ivan and the Animorphs series).

Definitely series possibilities, but I don't know if it will be a series. A very interesting premise that will have you talking. Check out "Eve and Adam" soon! 

Trailer Tuesday: Legend & Prodigy (Lu)

Today is the day that I have been waiting for since I first picked up Legend by Marie Lu. The sequel, Prodigy, has been released!

Now, to be honest, I read an advanced copy of Prodigy before today. But I wanted to share the excitement with you so I thought that I'd use today's Trailer Tuesday to introduce you to both books. If you haven't read them yet, run right now and check them out from the library! You will not regret being introduced to June and Day.

Trailer Tuesday: Tiger Lily (Anderson)

Oh my gosh, I LOVE this book.

Love it!

Couldn't get enough of it! And completely regret not reading it in time to put it on my "holiday gift books" list.

Trailer Tuesday: Breathe (Crossan)

This week's Trailer Tuesday is more of an author interview. Sarah Crossan, author of Breathe, tells us where she got her inspiration for the book...and some good advice for wannabe writers out there!

If you are a fan of dystopian/sci-fi books and you haven't read Breathe yet, I highly recommend it (and not just because her inspiration for the story was a trip she made to Washington). 

In this post-apocalyptic world, there is a shortage of air, and the government controls who gets to breathe it. I enjoyed that this story is told from the alternating perspectives of the three main characters, and that it leaves room for the story to continue (in a planned trilogy). Great, suspenseful writing.

Trailer Tuesday: What's Left of Me (Zhang)

While I've been away from school, I have been reading, but chemotherapy has kept me from posting reviews. So, for the next several Tuesdays, I thought that I would use Trailer Tuesday to get you excited about a book that I enjoyed, but haven't mentioned here yet.

This first one is for the first book in a new series: What's Left of Me from The Hybrid Chronicles by Kat Zhang. 

Eva and Addie are sisters that share the same body. Over time, one of them was supposed to settle and the other would become the dominant one. Except Eva won't settle...and only Addie knows that she still exists.

A unique and intriguing sci-fi story! I can't wait for the next book in the series...

Trailer Tuesday: Shadow and Bone, The Movie

I posted on Sunday about how this book by debut author Leigh Bardugo would make a good movie (and a good gift for fantasy lovers on your holiday list). Turns out, I'm not the only one. One of the "Harry Potter" movie producers thought so too and snapped up the movie rights. Here's the scoop on making it into a movie: 

Holiday Gift Ideas: Assault (Falkner)

Title: The Assault
Author: Falkner
Genre: Fiction, Science Fiction, Aliens, War, Spies, Action
Pages: 288
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Now, you must understand that I do not typically read straight up science fiction, the kinds with aliens, weapons, and intergalactic wars. But a middle school librarian friend recommended it, so I figured I should read it. And I am so glad that I did.

This is a terrific book for sci-fi fans of both genders, and the start of the author's new Recon Team Angel series. The fast-paced, page-turning action is non-stop. The characters are well-drawn and believable, and the story is movie-worthy. There is nothing missing from this one.

I found this fan-made book trailer that does a pretty good job explaining the book for you, so I'm going to let it do the talking. I'll just say that I am anxiously awaiting the second installment of this series!

Trailer Tuesday: Seraphina

One of the better fantasies that I've read recently. Very sophisticated, great world building, political intrigue, assassination plots, and lots of secrets...oh, and there's dragons.

Trailer Tuesday: Blogtastic! series

This is an enjoyable series, especially for girl fans of the Wimpy Kid books who always ask me for a Wimpy Kid book for girls. These are the books for you!

Trailer Tuesday: Planet Tad

One of the funniest books that I've read in a long time. I love Tad! I hope there's more to come!