Blog Tour (Guest Post/Review): UNCLE JOHN'S BATHROOM READER FOR KIDS ONLY! (Collectible Edition) by Gordon Javna (A/MG)

UNCLE JOHN'S BATHROOM READER FOR KIDS ONLY!

by Bathroom Readers' Institute (Gordon Javna)

Release date: April 8th, 2014

Published by: Portable Press

Genre: For all ages

Format: Hardback, eBook

Format read: Hardback from the publisher/tour host for an honest review.

SUMMARY 

Here is an exciting chance to own the very first Uncle John's Bathroom Reader For Kids Only! in a hardcover edition with all new illustrations! 

When our younger readers demanded a Bathroom Reader of their own, Uncle John put together this brain-boggling easy-to-read collection of facts, fads, quotes, history, science, origins, pop culture, mythology, humor, and more! Plus it's full of wacky and fun illustrations and Uncle John's famous "running feet" — those fun and fascinating facts on the bottom of every page. 

Curious young readers will learn about the real Dr. Seuss, baseball superstitions, the birth of The Simpsons, how carnival games are rigged, the history of dining on scorpions and tarantulas, shocking truths about thunder and lightning, and disgusting bodily functions like ear wax production and digestion (and why they're important), and much, much more!

GUEST POST by Gordon Javna

How do you narrow down what facts are important enough to go into a “Bathroom Reader?”

We're very discerning. We don't mind sharing a fact that will make {you} groan, or go, “Eww!” but we don't want to include any facts that might make you barf on the book. 

Other criteria: It should make you say, “You've GOT to be kidding me!” 

We like to include information that you haven't heard before — 

odd history, strange science, unusual origins. 

The only exception: jokes, because who doesn't want to know how to tell when an elephant’s been in the fridge? (By the footprints in the butter.) 

Or what you call a fly with no wings. (A walk.)

MY REVIEW

This book was so much fun to share with my kids! It is truly more than just a 'bathroom reader' - filled with so many wonderful facts that most people would never even think of, let alone wonder. This book kept us entertained for a very long time, and in just one sitting. It is a great book to just pick up and read randomly - just skip around and pick a page. Even more fun if you read out loud with your family and friends - quite a lot of these 'random facts' are funny and will set you all into a fit of giggles. But, and I assure you, you will also learn a lot. Some may be trivial, but a quite a lot are historical facts that is quite useful information. Definitely a fun way to learn new things.

There SO many fun and odd facts! A few of our favorite are:

- Creepy Cuisine: "People have been eating strange food since... well, since people first felt hungry. How hungry would you have to be to try some of these delicacies?" page 15.

(Ewww... who would have thought to make a meal out of these... things!)

- More Gross Stuff: "Essential (but nasty) information about your body." page 119.

(And he wasn't kidding, SO gross!)

- Travel Guide to Imaginary Lands: "Let Uncle John be your guide to some fantastic places that can only be found in books. Forget the movies - there's nothing like a great novel." page 260.

(LOVE that he tells us how to get to Narnia, Never-Never Land and a few other magical places!)

And at the bottom of every single page, throughout the entire book, there are additional miscellaneous facts! Like...

"Kid power: On average, a child laughs 400 times a day; an adult laughs about 15." page 131

"In one day, your blood will travel nearly 12,000 miles." page 136

"When dogs and humans sleep together, they dream at the same times." page 204

Over 280 pages filled with amazing knowledge - I know that my kids and I will continue to pick this book and read odd bits and will definitely share the knowledge with each other and others too! Definitely a fun book to gift, to all readers and nonreaders! To kids and adult too!
We look forward to picking up more of Uncle John's books soon!


(I received a hardback from the publisher/tour host for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.)

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, June 30th - Candace's Book Blog
Tuesday, July 1st - Cindy's Love of Books
Wednesday, July 2nd - Proud Book Nerd
Thursday, July 3rd - Bumbles and Fairy-Tales
Friday July 4th - Cassandra M's Place

 Monday, July 7th - Sweet Southern Home
Tuesday, July 8th - Confessions of a Book Addict
Wednesday, July 9th - Little Red Reads
Thursday, July 10th - Me, My Shelf and I
Friday July 11th - Bewitched Bookworms

Monday, July 14th - Kindle and Me
Tuesday, July 15th - Snowdrop Dreams of Books
Wednesday, July 16th - Hott Books
Thursday, July 17th - alwaysjoart
Friday July 18th - Captivated Reading

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Gordon Javna

The life of Gordon “Uncle John” Javna, editor-in-chief and publisher of the Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader series, reads like one of his books. There’s a lot of fun, intriguing—often odd—information lurking around every corner. He went to art school, and then went on to become a musician, real-estate developer, writer, restaurateur, president of a pre-school, brew pub owner, and editor—not all at once, mind you, but he has been all of these things.

Eventually, though, he realized that because of his love of fascinating facts (and being a bathroom reader himself), he was naturally suited, perhaps even destined, to bring the joy of trivia to the world in a fun, informative way. He assumed the pseudonym Uncle John for the Bathroom Reader series and since then, Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader has become the longest-running, most popular series of its kind in the publishing industry.  To date, there are more than 15 million Uncle John’s Bathroom Readers in print and his fanatical flock of followers span from Australia to the United Kingdom and beyond.

Guided by their obsession with unusual trivia, amazing origins, and forgotten history, Gordon “Uncle John” Javna and his staff at the Bathroom Readers’ Institute have made Uncle John’s Bathroom Readers a must-have for book and gift stores worldwide for over two decades.  Gordon continues to expand his porcelain province from his throne room in Ashland, Oregon.

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Google+

Kismet Book Touring

Cover Reveal: ALMOST MAGIC by Kathleen Bullock (MG)

ALMOST MAGIC

by Kathleen Bullock

Expected release date: May 2015

Published by: Spencer Hill Press Midgrade

Genre: Middle Grade

Format: Paperback, eBook

SUMMARY

Ever since she turned twelve, Apple Bramblewood’s life has been plagued by visits from weird creatures. It seems she is a rare Attractor, a Wizard whose sole talent is solving the clamorous demands of very odd beings, usually in the most unorthodox, haphazard, and klutzy ways. 

Apple doesn't want to be an Attractor; her most passionate goal is to attend the ordinary middle school with ordinary kids where her perfect older sister, Cornelia, is allowed to go.

Her parents have no doubts about Cornelia’s magical prowess, but Apple seems destined to be home-schooled forever.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Kathleen Bullock

In addition to Almost Magic, Kathleen Bullock is the author of Far Corners (Time Travel/ Historic) and The End of Dominion (MG/YA Fantasy). 

She is the author-illustrator of ten picture books for children (Simon & Schuster and other publishers), a winner of the ABA Before Columbus Award for Illustration, and a first place winner in the 2011 Surrey International Writing Contest. 

She works as a free-lance author/illustrator for Guardian Angel Books and magazine and for Incentive Publications (now owned by World Book, Inc.) illustrating over one hundred educational books and programs. 

Kathleen lives with her boisterous, extended family in beautiful Southern Oregon.

Goodreads

Cover Reveal: LITTLE MISS EVIL by Bryce Leung and Kristy Shen (MG)

LITTLE MISS EVIL

by Bryce Leung and Kristy Shen

Expected release date: 

Published by: Spencer Hill Press Midgrade

Genre: Middle Grade

Format: Paperback, eBook

SUMMARY

When you live in a volcano, ride to school in a helicopter, and regularly see your dad on the news with the caption “EVIL GENIUS” underneath his picture, it takes a lot to rattle you.

Until you get a message that says: We have your father. Deliver the NOVA in 24 hours or we will kill him.

What’s a NOVA you ask? It’s a nuclear bomb capable of turning the city into a radioactive mushroom cloud, and ever since Fiona’s dad built it, it’s caused nothing but grief. But telling him to stop building weapons is like telling Michelangelo to stop painting.
And that’s why thirteen-year-old Fiona has a flamethrower strapped to her arm. After all, who’d mess with a girl who can throw fireballs?

Apparently, these guys.

Big mistake.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Bryce Leung and Kristy Shen

Bryce and Kristy are a tag-team writing duo with way too many voices in their heads. 

As engineers living in Toronto, they can’t be safely contained by mere cubicle walls, and therefore must spend every other waking moment writing to keep the crazy from leaking out at the office. 

When not writing or working, they spend their time parachuting into volcanoes and riding polar bears while tossing dynamite at rabid kangaroos. Yup, that’s right. Sometimes they can’t even believe how awesome their lives are.

Blog Tour/Guest Post: THE NINJA LIBRARIANS: THE ACCIDENTAL KEYHAND by Jen Swann Downey (MG)

THE NINJA LIBRARIANS: THE ACCIDENTAL KEYHAND

The Ninja Librarians #1

by Jen Swann Downey

Expected release date: April 15th, 2014

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky Kids

Genre: Middle Grade - Mystery, Adventure

Format: Hardcover, eBook

SUMMARY

Just a little story about your average sword-swinging, karate-chopping, crime-fighting ninja librarians.

Dorrie Barnes had no idea an overdue library book would change her life. 

When Dorrie and her brother Marcus chase her pet mongoose into the janitor's closet of their local library, they accidentally fall through a passage into Petrarch's Library - the headquarters of a secret society of ninja librarians who have an important mission: 

protect those whose words have gotten them into trouble. 

Anywhere in the world and at any time in history.

Dorrie would love nothing more than to join the society. 

But when a traitor surfaces, she and her friends are the prime suspects. 

Can they clear their names before the only passage back to the twenty-first century closes forever?

GUEST POST

Why mix Ninjas and Librarians???

Ah yes. Why mix ninjas and librarians? Even as a child, I thought of librarians as fulfilling a sort of sacred magical duty. They were the keepers of the books! The keepers of stories, legends, and great fat tomes full of history's unplumbed secrets. As I got older, I began to also appreciate librarians as important players in the long-term struggle by many to nurture and protect notions about the need for citizens to have access to freely flowing information. They understand well the need to protect books and other writings from those who would suppress or destroy them, and the need to protect the authors of such writings from censorship or punishment.

Once I realized that I wanted my story to revolve around a secret society of librarians, it was terrifically easy to imagine librarians not just as intellectual warriors, but literal ones as well, with only a slightly expanded job description, and only a slightly altered typical day. Hm...something like:  1p.m. - catalogue new arrivals: 2 p.m. - assist a patron to find a book when said patron knows only one word in the title, and the author's middle initial;  2:30 p.m. - excuse one's self from colleagues in order to slip through time in order to help break out an imprisoned "heretical" writer in a different century, an hour before he was scheduled to be burned at the stake. 

The lybrarians of Petrarch's Library are not literally ninjas. They don't wear black hoods (unless that works for a particular mission), and are not members of a feudal Japanese society of mercenaries. They do, however, share with historic ninjas, a high degree of training in secrecy, stealth, and specialized skills useful to attaining their goals. That similarity suggested the strangely elastic modern qualifier of "ninja" for librarian.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Jen Swann Downey

Jen Swann Downey's non-fiction pieces have appeared in New York Magazine, the Washington Post, Women's Day, and other publications. 

Her first middle-grade novel, THE NINJA LIBRARIANS, will be published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, April 1, 2014. 

Jen divides her time between libraries and other places, and will never stop looking for lickable wallpaper.

Goodreads / Website / Twitter

http://www.sourcebooks.com/

Cover Reveal: BEN FOX, SQUIRREL ZOMBIE SPECIALIST AT YOUR SERVICE by Daisy Whitney (MG)

BEN FOX, SQUIRREL ZOMBIE SPECIALIST AT YOUR SERVICE
by Daisy Whitney
Expected release date: October 14th, 2014
Published by: Spencer Hill Middle Grade
Cover design: Slake Saunders
Genre: Middle Grade 
Format: Paperback, eBook

SUMMARY

Ten-year-old Ben Fox has good friends, a great dog, and a lightning-fast little sister who drives him a bit batty. The only thing in the fifth grader’s life that’s truly annoying–well, besides having to wear braces on his feet every day–is the family’s wily Siamese cat, Percy. Ben has always suspected something was off about Percy...

But now he’s sure of it—Percy has raised an army of squirrel zombies in the backyard and they’re ready to take on Ben's beloved dog, Captain Sparkles.

Now Ben must figure out how to stop the dastardly cat, especially since Percy and his newly reanimated squirrel friends are gunning for nothing less than a full-scale Animal Zombie Apocalypse—when all the dogs start to behave like cats!

The battle won’t be easy though, because squirrel zombies are the most dangerous animal zombies of all…

MY THOUGHTS

"A modern-day cross between Bunnicula and Goose Bumps."

My boys and I give this cover a 5 out of 5 stars!

Totally gives the a great "Goose Bump" vibe!

And what's better than having a 10yo and 7 1/2 yo approval ;)


ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Daisy Whitney

By day, Daisy Whitney is a reporter and ghostwriter. At night, she writes novels for teens and is the author of THE MOCKINGBIRDS and its sequel THE RIVALS (Little, Brown). Her third novel WHEN YOU WERE HERE releases in June 2013 (Little, Brown), and her fourth novel STARRY NIGHTS (Bloomsbury) hits shelves in September 2013. When Daisy's not inventing fictional high school worlds, she can be found somewhere north of San Francisco walking her adorable dog, watching online TV with her fabulous husband or playing with her fantastic kids.  A graduate of Brown University, she believes in shoes, chocolate chip cookies and karma. 

Goodreads / Website / Twitter

March New Release Giveaway Blog Hop!!!

Welcome to the MARCH NEW RELEASE GIVEAWAY HOP!!!

Hosted by Giselle of Bo-ok Nerd 

Here are a bunch of March releases that I am looking forward to!!!...

- Panic by Lauren Oliver (YA)

- #16ThingsIThoughtWereTrue by Janet Gurtler (YA)

- The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski (YA)

- Liv, Forever by Amy Talkington (YA)

- Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy (YA)

- Half Bad by Sally Green (YA)

- Ruins (Partials #3) by Dan Wells (YA)

- Safe With Me by Amy Hatvany (YA)

- The Riverman by Aaron Starmer (MG)

- Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover (NA)

Giveaway rules: 

- Must be 13 years or older, with parents permission, to enter.

- International residents may enter; must be able to receive shipment from The Book Depository.

- Must choose one (1) Middle Grade, Young Adult or Adult book that is being released in March 2014. 

- Giveaway ends March 31st, 2014.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stop by the rest of the tour to win more!!!

Goodluck!!! 

Book Spotlight and Giveaway: REAL MERMAIDS DON'T SELL SEASHELLS (Real Mermaids #4) by Helene Boudreau (MG)

Teenage girls have to deal with a lot of tough firsts. 

First zit. First crush. First... mermaid’s tail?

In the fourth installment of Hélène Boudreau’s breezy, fun and “unputdownable” Real Mermaids series, our favorite mer-girl Jade can’t think of a better way to celebrate peace in the underwater mer-world than with a tropical vacation in the Bahamas with her family and BFF.

REAL MERMAIDS DON'T SELL SEASHELLS

Real Mermaids Series #4

by Hélène Boudreau

Release date: February 4th, 2014

Published by: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Genre: Middle Grade 

Format: Paperback, eBook

SUMMARY

Sun, surf and tropical breezes are no ‘day at the beach’ because being a teenage mermaid never takes a vacation.

With all the mers in Jade’s life now safe, happy and legit (with passports to prove it) and the underwater mer-world off the coast of Port Toulouse on the road to democracy, it’s time to relax and plan for the future. Jade can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with a tropical wedding in the Bahamas with Mom and Dad to finally make their family ‘official’.

Soon, Jade is enjoying the tropical sunshine, all-you-can-eat buffet, and island day trips. But when Jade gets lost in the island’s famous waterfront Straw Market, something doesn’t feel quite right. A body splashes into the water as a cruise ship enters the harbor and a teen boy selling conches from his boat behind the market knows more than he’s willing to admit.

With no body, no leads, and no other witnesses, though, the local police don’t seem too concerned. Maybe Jade’s imagination has been acting up on her, just like Cori said, considering everything she’s been through in the past few months.

But with Mom and Dad off on a honeymoon excursion it wouldn’t hurt to check things out, would it? Little do Jade and Cori realize, they are about to uncover more secrets about the splashing body, dangerous cruise ship cargo, and more questions than answers lurking in the nearby Caribbean waters.

MY THOUGHTS

I adore this series to pieces!!! It has been so much fun reading all about Jade and her mermaid experiences - being a teen is not easy. And being a mermaid-teen is even harder!
Lots of humor and adventure!!!
I am really looking forward to reading the conclusion to the Real Mermaid saga!!!

To see my reviews of the first three books to the Real Mermaid series,
please click here!!!

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Hélène Boudreau

Hélène Boudreau never spotted a real mermaid while growing up on an island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, but she believes mermaids are just as plausible as giant squids, flying fish, or electric eels. 

She now writes fiction and nonfiction for kids from her land-locked home in Ontario, Canada. 

Real Mermaids Don’t Wear Toe Rings was a 2011 SCBWI Crystal Kit Member Choice award finalist.

Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Cover Reveal: THE FIRES OF CALDERON (The Balance Keepers #1) by Lindsay Cummings (MG)

THE FIRES OF CALDERON

The Balance Keepers #1

by Lindsay Cummings

Expected release date: September 23rd, 2014

Published by: Katherine Tegen Books

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy Adventure

Format: Hardcover, eBook

SUMMARY

The first book in an epic middle grade fantasy adventure series that takes place in an underground society at the center of the earth. 

Packed with action, humor, magic, and mystery.

After following a mysterious map into the woods and then under the woods, eleven-year-old Albert Flynn learns he’s a Balance Keeper — someone with special magical skills for fixing problems in three underground Realms at the Core of the earth. His new job is important; 

if the realms fall out of balance, the world above could be in great danger.

Albert and his Balance Keeper teammates Birdie and Leroy arrive in the Core not a moment too soon. There’s an Imbalance in the Calderon Realm 

and it’s threatening to bury Albert’s hometown of New York City in a mountain of ash.

The three must train hard completing mental and physical challenges, but above all, they must harness the power of their Tiles — unique superpowers given to each Balance Keeper. 

So far, Albert’s mastered the art of not mastering his Tile....

With the situation in Calderon growing worse every day, can Albert, Leroy, and Birdie restore balance before New York is destroyed forever? 

Will Albert master his Tile before it’s too late?

Perfect for fans of Percy Jackson, The Unwanteds, 

and the classic Journey to the Center of the Earth.

MY THOUGHTS

This sounds amazing!!! Definitely a book that both my boys would love to read - 

they just started the Percy Jackson series and are mesmerized with the books, and movies too!

We just picked up The Unwanteds not too long ago and hope to read it soon!

The cover is wonderfully illustrated and has already caught my son's attention; and, of course, being the organized 10 year old that he is, he has already added this to his wishlist - release date and all, lol!!! 

Can't wait!!!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Lindsay Cummings

Lindsay Cummings is the 20-year-old author of THE MURDER COMPLEX, as well as its sequel, coming 2014 from Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins, and the MG trilogy THE BALANCE KEEPERS, coming Fall 2014 from Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins.

Lindsay deals with chronic fatigue, can’t get enough of her two pesky German Shepherds, wolf cub, and two horses. She's still waiting on her letter from Hogwarts--it was probably just lost in the mail.

Goodreads / Website / Blog / Twitter

Waiting On Wednesday #61: THE YEAR OF SHADOWS by Claire Legrand

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by  Breaking the Spine. 

This is were we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released! The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night and, quite possibly, to make our shelves look all pretty too :)

What I'm waiting on... 

THE YEAR OF SHADOWS

by Claire Legrand

Expected release date: August 27th, 2013

Published by: Simon & Schuster Books for Young

Genre: Middle Grade

Format: Hardcover, eBook

SUMMARY

Olivia wants a new life—and it might take ghosts to get it. A heartfelt, gently Gothic novel from Claire Legrand.

Olivia Stellatella is having a rough year.

Her mother left, her neglectful father -- the maestro of a failing orchestra -- has moved her and her grandmother into his dark, broken-down concert hall to save money, and her only friend is Igor, an ornery stray cat.

Just when she thinks life couldn’t get any weirder, she meets four ghosts who haunt the hall. They need Olivia’s help -- if the hall is torn down, they’ll be stuck as ghosts forever, never able to move on.

Olivia has to do the impossible for her shadowy new friends: Save the concert hall. But helping the dead has powerful consequences for the living . . . and soon it’s not just the concert hall that needs saving.

Why I'm waiting for THE YEAR OF SHADOWS...

It has been described as a scary, spooky, strange story with memorable characters and heartbreaking moments... usually Middle Grade isn't so gothic and dark - sounds really, really intriguing! 

A definite must read for me! 

And isn't the cover gorgeous?!
(Click to see it bigger!)

What are you waiting on this week??? 

Beehive Book Haul and News #44: The HUGE Middle Grade Edition

I hope you have all had a wonderful week in books :) 

Update: Still feeling sicky :(

So far, I have a Vitamin D deficiency, not to be confused with Vitamin B which is what I've been told for many many years. Lack of Vitamin D will cause extreme fatigue, joint aches and pains, dizziness and headaches. All of which I have been experiencing for a long time, but even more so recently. I have something else that is going on too, nothing to worry about though :)

I have my Vitamin D pills, medicine and a good diet to follow now! I hope to start gaining my energy back within the next few weeks. I haven't been able to read because of the dizziness/tiredness :( But I hope that changes soon, makes me so sad to not be able too. Can't wait to see my blog back up and running to the way it was! (This post took me 3 days to put together, lol!)

Miley update: She's up to 95%! And a pain in my butt, lol! She's been spoiled and is in high demand of attention... any walkers out there?! ;) 

Thank you all so much for your kindness and patience! 

I do have a few posts for this week, so I hope you all visit back soon! 

I'm participating in Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post and Showcase Sunday :)

What I received for review from Macmillan/MacKids...
- The Barftastic Life of Louie Burger by Jenny Meyerhoff (MG)
- The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut: Bowling Alley Bandit by Laurie Keller (MG)
- Breakfast on Mars and 37 Other Delectable Essays Edited by Rebecca Stern and Brad Wolfe (MG)
- Kelsey Green, Reading Queen by Claudia Mills (MG)
- Zero Tolerance by Claudia Mills (MG)
- Bo at Ballard Creek by Kirkpatrick Hill (MG)
- The Heartbreak Messenger by Alexander Vance (MG)
- Salt: A Story of Friendship in a Time of War by Helen Frost (MG)
- Mountain Dog by Margarita Engle (MG)
- The Treasure of Way Down Deep by Ruth White (MG)

What we bought...
- Reality Check by Jen Calonita (MG)
- Liesel & Po by Lauren Oliver (MG)

What's coming up on the blog next week...
- Blog Tour: IF HE HAD BEEN WITH ME by Laura Rosener (Guest Post)
- Book Blitz: HELL'S HOLLOW by Summer Stone
- Waiting On Wednesday #54
- Review: EMBLAZE (The Violet Eden Chapters/Embrace Series #3) by Jessica Shirvington
- Review: PIVOT POINT by Kasie West

Thanks for stopping by!!! 

Happy reading :) xo

Waiting On Wednesday #53: THE DARK by Lemony Snicket

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by  Breaking the Spine. 

This is were we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released! The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night and, quite possibly, to make our shelves look all pretty too :)

What I'm waiting on... 

The Dark

by Lemony Snicket
Illustrations by: Jon Klassen

Expected release date: April 2nd, 2013

Published by: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Genre: Children/Middle Grade

SUMMARY

Laszlo is afraid of the dark. 

The dark lives in the same house as Laszlo. Mostly, though, the dark stays in the basement and doesn't come into Lazslo's room. But one night, it does.

This is the story of how Laszlo stops being afraid of the dark. 

With emotional insight and poetic economy, two award-winning talents team up to conquer a universal childhood fear.

BOOK TRAILER - The Dark by Lemony Snicket



Why I'm waiting on THE DARK...

What child isn't afraid of The Dark???
Some adult still are ;)

I am really curious to seeing how Lemony Snicket handles The Dark...

What are you waiting on this week???

Beehive Book Haul and News #43

Happy weekend :) 

A few updates...

- I have been feeling sicky all week and really tired. I tried to keep up with correspondence but have failed, so sorry! I will be taking next week off from blogging and most things related to blogging to relax, get my energy back and catch up :) 

- Miley Rose is doing SO much better! She's almost to her old self again! Her surtures were removed this past Wednesday and her scar is looks wonderful, better than what I've seen on people, lol! She still needs to be monitored with activities such as no running and no rough play. But she's back to her old diet and moving around freely, a much happier pup :)

Thank you all who have asked about her! 

What happened on the blog last week...
- Review: Requiem (Delirium #3) by Lauren Oliver
- Review: Delirium Short Stories (Hana, Annabel, Raven, Alex) by Lauren Oliver
- Cover Reveal/Teaser Tuesday #4: The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram (Giveaway)
- Blog Tour: Dear Cassie by Lisa Burstein (Review/Giveaway)
- Waiting On Wednesday: Between the Lives by Jessica Shirvington
- Blog Tour: My Life After Now by Jessica Verdi (Guest Post and Review)

I'm participating in Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post and Showcase Sunday :)

What I received for review...
- One (ARC) by Leigh Ann Kopans (YA)
- The Symptoms of My Insanity (ARC) by Mindy Raf (YA)
- The After Girls by Leah Konen (YA)
- The Magician's Towers (Oona Crate Mystery #2) (ARC) by Shawn Thomas Odyssey (MG)
- Cloneward Bound: The Clone Chronicles #2 (ARC) by M.E. Castle (MG)
- Requiem (Delirium #3) (signed!) by Lauren Oliver (YA)
- Pivot Point (ARC) by Kasie West (YA)
- Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3) by Cassandra Clare (YA)

What we bought, traded, won, etc...
- The Miseducation of Cameron Post (eBook) by Emily M. Danforth (YA - for $1.99 on Amazon)
- Strong Enough to Love (eBook Novella) by Victoria Dahl (Adult - Amazon Freebie)

Mentions and THANK YOU's...
- Leigh Ann Kopans, author of One
- Penguin, Merit Press/F+W Media, Egmont, and Harper Teen/Epic Reads
- DAC ARC Tours

What's coming up on the blog next week...
I will be taking the week off from blogging and stuffs to recuperate, relax and catch up :) I hope to be back in full swing next week! You can still reach me by twitter or email!

Thanks for everything guys!!!

See you soon, and happy reading :) 

xoxo

A "Nobel Beehive Award" Review: THE FELLOWSHIP FOR ALIEN DETECTION by Kevin Emerson

I am so happy to finally be able to share my review today!

You can also find Kevin Emerson's guest post about "Road Trips, Parents and Roswell" here!

And a giveaway too!!!

The Fellowship For Alien Detection

by Kevin Emerson

Release date: February 26th, 2013

Published by: Walden Pond Press

Genre: Middle Grade - Fantasty, Sci-Fi

Format read: ARC

SUMMARY

Two kids from opposite sides of the country find themselves on a road trip to save the world from an impending alien attack - and bolster their middle-school transcripts in the process. 

First came the missing people, missing time events, and untraceable radio signals. Then came Juliette, Arizona, a town that simply disappeared from existence. Suffice it to say, something strange is going on. Enter Haley and Dodger, two kids from opposite sides of the country who both think they can prove that these unexplained phenomena have a very real cause: aliens, and they are about to discover that their fledgling theories about extraterrestrial life are one-hundred-percent accurate.

Having each been awarded a Fellowship for Alien Detection (a grant from a mysterious foundation dedicated to proving aliens have visited earth), Haley and Dodger and their families each set off on a cross-country road trip over summer vacation to figure out what is happening in towns across America. They soon realize that the answers to many of their questions lie in the vanished town of Juliette, AZ, but someone, or something, is doing everything in its power to ensure they never reach it. If Haley and Dodger don't act quickly, more people may go missing, and the world as we know it may change for the worse.

Take a peek at The Fellowship For Alien Detection's first chapter here!!!

MY REVIEW

The Fellowship for Alien Detection is a suspenseful, fast-paced, mysterious, alien adventure!
The first sci-fi that I have ever read that is based in the present and highly believable.
If you are not a believer, Haley and Dodger will definitely make you into one!!!

The story starts with Haley trying to figure out a way to keep the majority of her fellowship a secret from her family. If they knew half the things that were going on, they would not let Haley go on with her investigation. And Haley is determined to follow through; she wants all the credit she can get to build her resume, her dream is to become a newspaper reporter.
So far, Haley has figured out that there has been a pattern of missing time coinciding with missing persons. Every time a Missing Time Field goes off, everyone within a 16 mile radius experiences a loss of 16 minutes and then 'wakes up' disorientated, confused and with similar stories of what they experienced and saw.
The closer Haley gets to putting the pieces together, the closer she gets to finding out why the aliens are here and what they have been doing.

Dodger lives 3,000 miles away from Haley. He's also won a fellowship. But Dodger's reason's for applying for the fellowship and investigating the possibility of aliens is quite the opposite of Haley's:
Dodger has been receiving a radio frequency through his head from a town called Juliette; a town that does not exist on any current map, a town that no one has ever heard of.
Dodger knows that he's always been different from other kids and has never felt like he's ever fitted in anywhere, not even home with his parents. He is determined to find out why - why can he hear this radio station in his head? Why is he so different from everyone else? Why does his father always glook at him like something is not right?

When Haley makes a new discovery, the fellowship tells her she must go home, she's in danger now. But Haley insists on going forward and getting to the bottom of things. The Alto is sent to help her - he works for the fellowship and knows about the aliens, how they work and what they are capable of. But, how does he know so much about them?

Soon after, Haley and the Alto catch up with Dodger -  and things start to really pick up!
Discoveries are made!!! Many!!!
You will not be disappointed!

What really stood out to me the most is even though both Haley and Dodger had some frustrations with their families, in the end, family is what matters the most. Sacrificing and keeping them safe was their top priority.

Kevin Emerson's writing is so kid friendly, interactive and picturesque - which makes up for the length of this book. Seriously, do not be intimidated by 428 pages! The book is hard to put down once you get started and it just flies by!
I highly recommend this book to all sci-fi and E.T. fans! And even those who aren't - it is a great book to introduce those who have always been interested but wary of the sci-fi genre.

FAVORITE QUOTES

"Keep count, and you might start to think you have enough. Numbers are outlaws - bandits. 
They make rules in your mind."

~ Vee (Violet), The Fellowship for Alien Detection, ARC page 236

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Kevin Emerson

Kevin Emerson has never been abducted by aliens, at least not that he remembers. He has been to Roswell, but all he found there was a cool key chain. Kevin is the author of a number of books for young readers, including the Oliver Nocturne series, Carlos Is Gonna Get It, andThe Lost Code, the first book in the Atlanteans series. Kevin is also a musician. His current project is the brainiac kids’ pop band the Board of Education. He lives in Seattle with his wife and two children.

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