adventure, books for boys, books for teenagers, books into movies, children's books, John Marsden, kids books, thriller, Tomorrow, Tomorrow when the war began

Books into Movies – Tomorrow when the war began

Tomorrow, When the War Began (The Tomorrow Series #1)
by John Marsden

Australian teenager Ellie and six of her friends return from a winter break camping trip to find their homes burned or deserted, their families imprisoned, and their country occupied by a foreign military force in league with a band of disaffected Australians. As their shock wears off, the seven decide they must stick together if they are to survive. After a life-threatening skirmish with the occupiers, the teens retreat to their isolated campsite in the bush country and make plans to fight a guerilla war against the invaders. Writing in a distinct voice and showing rare intelligence and sensitivity, Ellie recounts their courageous battles against the Goliath in control of their land. She also records her feelings and observations about the romantic partnerships that develop within her small circle of friends, and shows how they mature and blossom during this time of crisis. Though readers are left wondering whether these heroes and heroines will survive (one is severely wounded at the end of the novel), Ellie's uncommonly honest and clear narration makes this coming-of-age adventure a story they won't forget. Fast-paced and provocative, it's a natural for book talking.
Jack Forman, Mesa College Library, San Diego
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A gripping tale, told with Marsden's customary incisiveness.

The movie is due for release on September 2nd 2010

Teaching with Tomorrow when the war began
Introducing and teaching Tomorrow, When The War
Year 10 Context study: Close study of a novel and its author
Tomorrow When the War Began Booktalk
2007 Student Essays Tomorrow, When the War Began

Ages 3-7, children's books, friendship, Kellie DiPucchio, kids books, Queen Rania of Jordan, Sandwich Swap

This week’s bestseller – The Sandwich Swap

The Sandwich Swap [Hardcover] Newest Printing
by Queen Rania of Jordan al Abdullah and Kellie DiPucchio

Lily and Salma are best friends. They play together and stick together through thick and thin. But who would have ever thought that ordinary peanut butter or plain old hummus could come between them? Lily and Salma don’t quite understand each other’s tastes, but does that mean they can't be friends? They understand far better than a lot of gown ups that these things hardly matter and that friendship is the most important thing of all.

Her Majesty,Queen Rania’s children’s book is inspired by her own experience. As written by Kelly Dipuchio, it is a warm-hearted and gently humorous fable about two girls who become aware of their subtle cultural differences, only to have their friendship strengthened as a result. Her Majesty travels the world promoting children’s causes as well as cross-cultural understanding and tolerance

Amazon is selling the book for $9.49 reduced from $16.99

Ages 9-11, ages 9+, animals, Charlotte's Web, children's books, E.B. White, friendship, kids books, Newbery Medal

This week’s “favourite” – a story of animal friendship

Charlotte's Web
E. B. White , Garth Williams

An affectionate, sometimes bashful pig named Wilbur befriends a spider named Charlotte, who lives in the rafters above his pen. A prancing, playful bloke, Wilbur is devastated when he learns of the destiny that befalls all those of porcine persuasion. Determined to save her friend, Charlotte spins a web that reads "Some Pig," convincing the farmer and surrounding community that Wilbur is no ordinary animal and should be saved. In this story of friendship, hardship, and the passing on into time, E.B. White reminds us to open our eyes to the wonder and miracle often found in the simplest of things.

Amazon is selling "Charlotte's Web" for $7.99

ages 9+, books for teenagers, children's books, Closed for the Season, Edgar Allan Poe Awards, kids books, Mary Downing Hahn, thriller

Award winner: Closed for the Season

Closed for the Season by Mary Downing Hahn has won the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Juvenile Fiction

Another well-done, action-packed mystery from Hahn. This book starts off as seventh-grader Logan Forbes learns that a murder had been committed in his family's new house three years earlier.

Myrtle Donaldson, a bookkeeper accused of embezzling from the local amusement park, was found dead in her ransacked house and her killer is still at large.

Logan's next-door neighbor, Arthur Jenkins, a sixth grader with a bottomless stomach and a quirky personality, is convinced that Mrs. Donaldson was falsely accused, and he wants Logan to help him find the real perpetrator. The boys discover a letter and puzzle left among the woman's possessions that convinces them they are on the right track. Their investigation includes visiting the abandoned and overgrown Magic Forest amusement park, a reporter with secrets, shady property developers, a menacing convict, and purloined library materials.

It all culminates in a terrifying nighttime showdown among the kudzu at the Magic Forest where the truth is revealed. This is an enjoyable mystery with just the right amount of frightening and dangerous elements to entice readers. Logan is a sympathetic character—a new kid in town trying to find his place in the pecking order, almost immediately befriended by someone on the lowest rung who turns out the be the right friend for him.

It is available at Amazon for $10.88 reduced from $16.00.

Ages 9-11, ages 9+, books, children's books, funny books, John Scieszka, kids books, short stories

Funny business

The Book ....

Guys Read: Funny Business

Authors: Jon Scieszka, Mac Barnett, Adam Rex, David Yoo, Paul Feig, Kate Dicamillo, Christopher Paul Curtis, Eoin Colfer, Jack Gantos

Jon Scieszka has been writing books for children since he took time off from his career as a teacher. He wanted to create books that boys would enjoy by enticing them with witty humor. He is the author of the crazy best-selling picture books The True Story of the Three Little Pigs and The Stinky Cheese Man. He has received several honors, including mentions on the ALA Notable Book and Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book lists, the Children's Choice Award, and the Caldecott Honor Medal. His original trade chapter book series, the Time Warp Trio, has sold over two million copies. Born in Flint, Michigan, Jon now lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two children.

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Walden Pond Press (September 21, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-0061963735

You can order it now from Amazon

Ages 3-7, children's books, Deborah Niland, Hazel Edwards, Hooray there's a hippopotamus on our roof having a birthday party, kids books

Just released for kids – Hooray! There’s a hippopotamus on our roof having a birthday party

Hooray! There's a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Having a Birthday Party

Author: Hazel Edwards Deborah Niland

The hippo is back to celebrate his 30th birthday with a brand-new book!

Join him and his friends for a jungle-inspired celebration full of games and lots of jungle-party treats!

Download all the things you need for your very own Hippo birthday party here (and find more details about the book)

http://bit.ly/dwo93X

Ages 9-11, ages 9+, books into movies, children's books, Cressida Cowell, funny books, history, How to Train Your Dragon, kids books, movies from books

This week’s book into movie – How to Train Your Dragon

How to Train Your Dragon (Heroic Misadventures of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III)

Cressida Cowell

Young Hiccup may be the son of Stoick the Vast, chief of the Hairy Hooligans, but he isn't exactly heroic Viking material.

When he and the other boys of his tribe are sent on a mission to fetch dragons to train, Hiccup comes back with the scrawniest creature ever seen. Toothless, as Hiccup names him, is also rude, lazy, and greedy, but when the tribe is faced with horrible danger, Hiccup's unorthodox dragon-training techniques prove successful and he and his unique beast become true heroes. Sprinkled throughout with funny sketches, scribbles, and ink blots, this is a goofy and exciting tale of an underdog who proves that brains can be just as important as brawn.

Kids will hoot at the ridiculous names and sympathize with Hiccup's exasperation with his truly obstinate but strangely lovable dragon. A delightful read that fans of Ian Whybrow's "Little Wolf" series (Carolrhoda) will particularly enjoy.

Watch the trailer for the movie

More information on the book

Ages 9-11, ages 9+, children's books, Demigod Files, kids books, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Rick Riordan

This week’s bargain book: The Demigod Files

The Demigod Files (A Percy Jackson and the Olympians Guide)

~ Rick Riordan

This slim volume is clearly intended as a stop-gap product to tide eager readers over until the final volume of the series is released. In addition to three previously unreleased short stories about Percy and his companions, it also includes such filler as interviews with the same, along with word games, portraits of some of the Gods and their half-blood offspring, and the inevitable sneak preview of Book 5. The short stories are the meat of this book, and are filled with Riordan's trademark anachronistic humor. The first one puts Percy and his enemy Clarisse, the daughter of Ares, on the same team as she tries to retrieve her father's chariot, which has been hijacked as a prank by her two immortal brothers. The second story relates an incident that occurred during one of Camp Half-Blood's infamous Capture the Flag games, when Charlie Beckendorf, the camp counselor for Hephaestus, is captured by a horde of giant, poisonous ants, and has to be rescued with the help of a mechanical dragon. The final story brings Percy, Thalia, and Nico, the son of Hades, together at the request of Persephone to help retrieve Hades's stolen sword, the loss of which could be deadly to the Gods, and the resolution of which forms a lead-up to the probable events of Book 5. Despite the fact that this is more of a marketing package than anything else, the quality of and interest in the three stories likely justifies its purchase.

List price: $12.95 You pay: $5.18