Super Spawn's MG Book of the Week

I thought it would be fun to let my kiddos have a chance to share their love of reading with you all, and maybe even provide some recommendations you wouldn't have otherwise known about. Plus, it gives a good picture of what actual MG aged readers are reading!

 This week, Super Spawn's pick is:

Trayaurus and the Enchanted Crystal

by Dan Middleton

 

After a day of experiments, Trayaurus and DanTDM are about to call it a night when a strange-looking crystal plummets to earth, breaking into five pieces that scatter far and wide. DanTDM and Trayaurus recover one of the shards and quickly realize they are in possession of an object more powerful than anything they’ve ever known.

Word reaches DanTDM and Trayaurus that other pieces of crystal have been recovered—a group of pigs have harnessed the crystals’ power to enable them to talk. But they’re not alone—Dan and Trayaurus’s archenemy, Denton, has also found a shard and manipulated its power for evil. He has created a cloning machine and is producing a terrifying marauding army intent on hunting down the remaining crystals in his effort to become all-powerful.

It’s down to DanTDM and Trayaurus to stop him. Will they prevail, or will the forces of evil be too great for them to overcome?

 

Things you should know about Super Spawn:

1. He is CRAZY about Minecraft.

2. He laughs hysterically at the videos Dan TDM puts on YouTube when he gets to watch them.

 

 

With that being said, the kiddo has been looking forward to this book since he first heard it was coming out. When we went to the book store over the weekend, it came as no surprise when he picked this one up. This is another of those books that isn't in the AR system for school, and so puts me through a lot of angst over it. I love that he still wants to read it though.

 

Anyway, Super Spawn devoured this book in a day, and immediately started reading it again. He laughed the entire way through it, and said it's one of his favorite books EVER. (Yes, he put that much emphasis on the ever.)

 

So if you've got a young Minecraft lover in your life, I'd say this one is worth picking up for sure. Maybe next week I'll get him on the blog to tell you all about a book himself. He also got FUZZY by Tom Angleberger, so maybe he can review it soon! If you have any MG recommendations for my boy, we'd be happy to hear them! 

Parenting the MG Reader

Being both a mom and a writer adds a lot of complexities to the task of developing my children as readers. It has been heavy on my mind the past couple of months as I've watched one child blossom and the other struggle in my own home over their school reading requirements.

I don't know about the rest of the world, but in our school district the kids are on the Accelerated Reader program (AR for short). Which means they read a book and then take a comprehension test on it, which earns them "points" toward their goals for the term.

Within this system the kids are also given reading levels and goals to reach in that regard as well. For Super Spawn, who is now 9 and in 4th grade, he's reading at a 7th grade level as of the beginning of winter break. Curly Girl is 7 and in 2nd grade, and she's reading at a 3rd grade level. Which is great!

Until I take them to the book store.

Super Spawn is big into middle grade fiction, which is wonderful. I've been sharing some of my all-time favorites with him this year. HARRY POTTER, PERCY JACKSON, MAGYK, and more! The issue arises when we're standing in front of a shelf of hundreds of books and I have to pull out my phone and plug the titles into the AR search to see if 1. there's a test for this book, and 2. if it's in his pre-set range. Let the frustration begin.

New releases? Not in the AR system. Could take months for it to show up there.


What does he want to read? The newest LAST KIDS ON EARTH book, of course.


But guess what, even though it's now in the AR system, it's no longer in his range. He's moved above it level-wise. Except he loves this series, and he wants to read it no matter what. 

 And I'm supposed to tell him what? Sure, I'll get it for you and you can read it, but it can't count toward your school goals? 

Sorry, but that's a load of crap. It's almost like a punishment for reading something he loves just because it's below his level. I hate that for him. However, I still bought him the book.

With Super Spawn I also have the added challenge of appropriateness. Yes, he reads well above his grade level, and only continues to improve. We're reaching the point where books like DIVERGENT are falling into his reading range. Now, I LOVE that series. I own all the books and movies. But just because it falls within his capacity to comprehend it, doesn't mean he's at the right maturity level for it. *Cue freakout because he wants to read it, and he knows I've read it, and it's staring at him on our bookshelf begging him to read it*

Our kids are being pushed to challenge themselves to read more complex stories, which is fantastic. Until you hit that wall where they've leveled up beyond their maturity and their teachers are still pushing them farther.

In the case of Curly Girl she's being pushed really hard to read higher level books, which causes her to take less tests, to struggle with her goals, and to not want to read her AR books at all. They're pushing her too fast. Let her just be a 2nd grader for a minute! She will grow at her own pace! The transition from early readers to novels is a hard one for kids. Super Spawn struggled with it too. It just takes time.

All of this to say that I'm not sure putting all of these restrictions and guidelines on our children's reading is as beneficial as we (as parents) are told it is. Isn't there a better way? Wouldn't more freedom to choose help to grow their passion for reading far more than shoving a certain level of book down their throat?

As I writer I worry the implications this has on the novels we put out. What if, because of my sentence structure, my book is labeled as a 6th grade reading level, but the content is appropriate for a high school level of maturity? Is that going to automatically put my book in that "you can read it but it won't count" crowd? I'm not sure I like that one bit.

Do any of you have thoughts on this or similar experiences to share? I'd love to hear them.

Friday Fives -- A World Away

1.  Of course this would have to be Harry Potter, because -- it's Harry Potter.  I mean, you guys know me well enough to know OF COURSE I want to live in the magical world.  :D

2.  Perhaps the world of Once Upon A Marigold would be fun -- I mean, as long as I wasn't the one on the evil witch's bad side.  


3.  For the most part, I would not want to live in the worlds Juliette Marillier creates (even though they rank among my all-time favorites).  Let's face it, they're kinda evil.  Except maybe Wildwood Dancing...which that's really all about the choices you make.  Sorta.  No?  Well...still...I can't have a list without one of her books at least.  


4.  I'm realizing most of the books I read are either set in the real world or in REALLY SCARY other worlds.  Hmm...


5.  Dr. Seuss.  Maybe I could live in Oh the Places You'll Go...




Can you guys name five book worlds you'd like to live in?

On Paper Hangover Today...

Sometimes I Fail, so You get a Recommendation!

So, obviously I fail today.  Because it's 1pm and I'm just now realizing I was in charge of the Teen Scene post today.  Sorry, guys!  I'll blame it on the sick kid I'm home with.  ;)

In spite of my obvious lack of teen topic, I thought I'd share a book I read with you guys.  It's an ARC from Simon Pulse, the novel will be released January 3, 2012.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO SURVIVE THE APOCALYPSE

By Lucas Klauss

 

Continue Reading...

Friday Fives -- I had strange taste

Admittedly, I had wide-ranging (and somewhat strange) reading tastes as a kid.  (We're gonna go with stuff I read in elementary school here.)  Want proof?  Here you go:

1.  One Last Wish (series) by Lurlene McDaniel -- I read every one of these books, plus anything else she published.  I think I was eight when her first book landed in my hands (about a year after we lost my sister) and seeing as her books are about dealing with death, I was hooked.  For total honesty -- I still have them all tucked neatly in a trunk in storage. 

2.  The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner -- This is another one of those I loved so much I still have the book at home.  


3.  Black Beauty by Anna Sewell -- How many times did I read this book?  I could never count them all.


4.  David Copperfield by Charles Dickens -- My mom bought me all the illustrated classics by the time I was in 3rd grade.  I loved them all.


5.  Rudolph and Me (I don't know who wrote the story though) -- This was a book my grandmother had made for my cousin and me (one each, of course), where we were the main characters in this tale of us setting off with Rudolph to save Santa and Christmas.  I thought it was THE most awesome thing on the planet to have my name in a book.  :)


What about you guys?  What were your favorite childhood books?

Friday Fives -- Banned Favorites

As it turns out, I love quite a few banned books.  (And guys, my High School obviously didn't have a copy of this list, because every book we read in four years worth of Lit Honors is on it. lol) Do any of mine make your top five list?

1.  Harry Potter -- all of them. Of course.  You didn't expect anything else in this spot did you?  ;)

2.  1984 by George Orwell -- one of those books I was forced to read in High School and wound up LOVING.  Who knew that was possible?

3. The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney

4.  Farenheight 451 by Ray Bradbury -- Another school book I *gasp* enjoyed.

5.  Goosebumps by R.L. Stine -- I can't believe this series makes the list.  My sister and I used to devour these books like nobody's business!


There you have it, my list of astonishment as I realized pretty much all of my favorite books growing up were on the banned list.

Book Recommendation -- Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

By John Green and David Levithan

 

Blurb from Goodreads: "One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical."

I freaking loved this book.  LOVED.  In fact, I think you can officially consider me a John Green/David Levithan fangirl.

On the serious side though, let's talk about why I love this book so much.  First of all, the characters are so full of depth and voice it's as if you're standing right there in the halls of their high school with them.  (Tiny, OMG how I love Tiny, is probably the best of all of them with his super-spectacular sparkly self.)

Second, I love that this book completely encapsulates gay characters without making it anything out of the ordinary.  They're gay.  So what?  That's just who they are.  I LOVE that. 

Third, I am an utter and complete sucker for musicals.  Ah, what I would pay to see Tiny's performance up on stage.  I'm sure the show would reach epic beyond epic levels.

Fourth, we'll go back to Tiny because I love him so much.  He's not afraid to put himself or his feelings out there, and all he wants is to see people happy and be appreciated.  And the arc of the characters is so wide and so well done with Tiny being the driving force behind it all -- I just can't quite put it all to words.

Fifth, it's funny!  So funny I laughed out loud sporadically through the whole book.

In fact, I loved it so much that mere hours after finishing it, I passed it to a friend and demanded that she read it immediately. 

What about you all, have you read Will Grayson, Will Grayson yet?  What'd you think? 

Also, go check out my post over on Paper Hangover today in celebration of banned book week!

Banned Book Week

Super Spawn made a video for you guys for the kickoff of banned book week.  Enjoy!

Big words from a little guy, "Please don't ban my books."

As a mother, I feel it's important to point out that I fully support parents being involved in, and knowing what, their kids are reading.  What is fine for one child or teen to read may not be suitable for the next for a variety of reasons.  However, just because one child is lactose intollerant doesn't mean every child should go without cheese.

Hope you all have a great Monday.  :)

Road Trip Wednesday -- Cover that up!

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.

This week's topic:

What are your all-time favorite book covers?

All time?!  I don't know how I would ever even begin to choose.

How about this, I'll share my recent favorites that I've pinned on Pinterest?  Call it even?  Good.

 

Book Recommendation -- The Liar Society

The Liar Society

By Lisa and Laura Roecker

Blurb from Goodreads: "Kate Lowry didn't think dead best friends could send e-mails. But when she gets an e-mail from Grace, she’s not so sure.

To: KateLowry@pemberlybrown.edu
Sent: Sun 9/14 11:59 PM
From: GraceLee@pemberlybrown.edu
Subject: (no subject)

Kate,
I'm here…
sort of.
Find Cameron.
He knows.
I shouldn't be writing.
Don't tell.
They'll hurt you.

Now Kate has no choice but to prove once and for all that Grace’s death was more than just a tragic accident. But secrets haunt the halls of her elite private school. Secrets people will do anything to protect. Even if it means getting rid of the girl trying to solve a murder..."


This book is so much fun!  I blew through the three hundred some odd pages at lightning speed trying to figure out all the clues and solve the mystery of Grace's email.  Talk about a page turner!  The mystery of a dead best friend is one that had me glued to the pages.  I just. couldn't. put. it. down.


Kate, the MC, was an awesome character.  One minute I'd be laughing at her offhanded snark, and the next I'd have fat alligator tears rolling down my cheeks.  There were moments I squirmed through an embarrassing scene right along with Kate, and you can bet when she felt slighted, so did I.  The Roecker sisters did an amazing job delivering an emotional punch.  It wasn't just Kate either, all of the characters had voices that pop off the page at you.  Seth was one of my favorite with his need to ask five million questions a minute, and his determination to find a conspiracy in everything.  He was such a cute character I wanted to ask him to be MY best friend!  lol


If you enjoy a good mystery with characters that are engaging and well-rounded (not to mention the killer plot!), this is the book for you.  

I highly recommend.

Pottermore

My blood is magical.

Er, at least that's what the site said when I made the cut for Pottermore early registration Sunday morning.  :)  <-- that's an understated smiley.  I feel more like this:

 

 If you're clueless, go to the Pottermore Insider and read.  The site is an online reading experience for the Harry Potter books.  You've heard of it, right?  It opens to the public in October, but they're having a string of contests for a week to allow a million (I think) people in for early beta testing.

Being over the top excited to get in on this early is one thing, but to think about the implications this could hold for all books is another. 

Think of it this way -- it's turning the whole book, the whole reading experience, into an interactive experience.  A game almost.  From where I'm sitting, this looks like a whole new realm to be opened up and explored, most especially for those reluctant readers.

I know there have been things like interactive book apps for kids and such, but Pottermore is taking it to a much higher level.  You don't just read the book, you live it.  Sometimes I think we all wish we could live inside some of our favorite stories, and now we get to go one step closer to that.

What do you guys think?  Excited about Pottermore?  Interested to see where you think it could take the future of books.  This is not meant as a doomsday for books post.  I think anything that draws more people in to reading is great.  :) 

Friday Fives (16) - Line Up!

I didn't think to do these at home last night (woops) so I'm going from my Nook library and what I can find online. Hope I don't screw any of them up.  Anyway, all of them have something in common -- they make you immediately curious about the situation and are full of voice.

1) From THE GODDESS TEST - "I spent my eighteenth birthday driving from New York City to Eden, Michigan, so my mother could die in the town where she was born." 

2) From DELIRIUM - "It has been sixty-four years since the president and the Consortium identified love as a disease, and forty-three since the scientists perfected a cure."

3) From IF I STAY - "Everyone thinks it was because of the snow."

4) From THE HUNGER GAMES - "When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold."

5) From HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE (of course) - "Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much."

What about you, what are your favorites?

Book Recommendation -- Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook

So, I read a book over the weekend.  Two actually, but one of them was mine so it doesn't count.  ;)

Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook

By Donald Maass

In essence, what this book does is ask the hard questions on character development, plot, structure, pacing, etc.  And Maass gives examples from recognizable books to drive his points home.

I worked through this entire workbook this weekend, and let me tell you -- it's one of the best investments I've made in my writing.  Yes, I'm serious.

The questions through this workbook helped me look at my story in an entirely different way.  It made me turn my thinking around and consider aspects I'd never even thought to consider.  Which, can we say awesome?  It was awesome.

I have pages and pages of notes to use to work through my revisions because of this awesome book -- and they're not even huge changes, but they're changes that'll bring a big punch to the story.  I highly recommend everyone snatch a copy of this.  I'll be using it on all of my novels from now on.

Have any of you used the workbook before?  How'd you like it?

Road Trip Wednesday -- What are you reading?

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.

This Week's Topic:

You're re-reading one of your favs when someone asks the dreaded question: "What's that book about?" Give us your best off-the-cuff blurb of any book, any genre, and have your readers try to guess the title in the comments!

Okay, well...this is hard!  How do I even pick a book to use?!  AAAA!!!  ;)

Here it goes:

"Fifteen year old Nina lives in fear of turning sixteen.  Most girls her age are anxious to receive the Governing Council-ordered tattoo upon their sixteenth birthday, but to Nina, becoming a "sex-teen" is the last thing she wants.  Once she has that tattoo, there's nothing to stop the boys that eye her with such hunger."

Okay, go ahead and guess!  Do you know what book I'm using?

Friday Fives in the Summer Sun

Visit Paper Hangover to join in!

Summer is my favorite time of year, and not just because of all the great books that come out.  But that totally plays a big role.  I'm going to take this prompt as a reason to recommend you some of my all-time favorite summer reads!




1)  Jemima J by Jane Green -- Now, this is not a YA book, but it's one that I've read several times and always enjoy.  Lots of humor, and actually quite empowering.





2)  You Wish by Mandy Hubbard would make an excellent summer read.  Romance, humor, a teen learning about life, and a spark of the fantastical -- it doesn't get much better.





3)  Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris -- Guys, I just adore this book.  Again, humor, romance, fantasy -- total summer read WIN.




4)  Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins -- If you haven't read it yet...well, why not?  Make sure it's on the top of your summer reading list!






5)  The Princess Bride by William Goldman -- Nobody's reading list will ever be complete until they've read this one.




What do you think, lovelies?  What are your five best summer reads?

Book Recommendation -- The Day Before

The Day Before

By Lisa Schroeder

 

 Blurb from Goodreads: "Amber’s life is spinning out of control. All she wants is to turn up the volume on her iPod until all of the demands of family and friends fade away. So she sneaks off to the beach to spend a day by herself. 

Then Amber meets Cade. Their attraction is instant, and Amber can tell he’s also looking for an escape. Together they decide to share a perfect day: no pasts, no fears, no regrets. 

The more time that Amber spends with Cade, the more she’s drawn to him. And the more she’s troubled by his darkness. Because Cade’s not just living in the now—he’s living each moment like it’s his last."


First of all, I got this as an ARC thanks to Simon and Schuster's egalley program.  (Yay!)  This book will debut on June 28th from Simon Pulse.

Now, when I downloaded this galley, I didn't realize it was a novel in verse.  To be honest, I've never been a big fan of poetry (Feel free to slaughter me for saying that.)  So when I realized this was a story told in a poetic form, well, I was nervous.


But I have good news.  It. Was. Wonderful.

The words flowed along at a rhythmic pace, deepening and lifting the story in ways that wouldn't have been possible had it been told any other way.

Amber and Cade are both such rich characters.  Through the whole story one of the main driving forces is finding out who these people are.  What is it that drives them to be all alone at the beach? 

I don't know if I can really say much else without giving the story away.  Thing is, this is a fast read with an emotional intensity I didn't expect.  It is worth every minute you spend reading it.

Even if you don't have a love of poetry, I recommend you give it a try.  I'll be seeking out the other books Ms. Schroeder has written now for sure.

Book Recommendation -- The Goddess Test

Okay, so I wasn't going to do a book rec this week.  You know, change and all.  But GUYS I READ THE MOST AWESOME BOOK AND I JUST HAVE TO TELL YOU ABOUT IT!! 

Ehm.  Sorry about that.  ;)  I finished it at about two this morning, so I'm a little over the edge today.  lol

The Goddess Test

By Aimee Carter

Blurb on Goodreads: "It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.
Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.
Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess."


IT WAS SO GOOD!!!

I wasn't sure about the book when I started it, but it didn't take long to fall in love with the story.  Kate is a great main character, and for most of the story I was right on the same page as her.  Sometimes I did want to smack her, but it wasn't for any bad reason.  Just because I could see what was going on and she couldn't.  :)

And Henry is The Most Awesome EVER.  OMG I HEART HENRY.

At first he's kinda scary, but guys!  *swoon*  Let me tell ya, Carter has got the whole romantic tension bit in the bag.

You definitely want to pick this one up.

Book Recommendation -- Where She Went

Where She Went

By Gayle Forman

 

Blurb from Goodreads: "It's been three years since the devastating accident ... three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.  Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Julliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance."

Phew.  Okay, so, I loved If I Stay.  Let there be no question about that.  But I was terrified that Where She Went would disappoint me. 

I'm so happy to say:  It didn't.  Not even a tiny bit.

Adam's character is incredible.  The emotional intensity is incredible.  Everything about this book is incredible.

I keep typing up big comments about the book and then realize that no matter how I try to veil them, I'm spoiling the ending.  So, I'm not going to say anything direct about the story, because getting there is the most important part.

This is the kind of book that changes you.  I highly, and with most sincerity, recommend you read it.

Have any of you read it yet?  What'd you think?

Friday Fives -- Cover Lust

So, this week's topic on Paper Hangover's Friday Fives is: FIVE book covers you're currently lusting over. 

Oooh, I love this topic.  :D   My five:

 

 

They all give that same kind of feeling.  Dark, but beautiful.  Relatively simple designs that speak volumes about the stories between the covers.

Love.  Love, love, love.  I hope one day I get a cover as beautiful as these.  *dreams*  *sighs*  ;)

What about you?  What covers are you lusting over?

Book Recommendation -- Virtuosity

Virtuosity

By Jessica Martinez

Blurb from Goodreads: "Now is not the time for Carmen to fall in love. Two weeks before the most important violin competition of her career, she has bigger things to worry about—like growing out of that suffocating “child prodigy” label, and not disappointing her mother. But it isn’t just the wrong time. It’s the wrong guy. Jeremy is Carmen’s most talented rival, and according to her mother, he’s only interested in one thing: winning. He isn’t the only one. Carmen is so desperate to win she takes anti-anxiety drugs to control performance nerves. But what started a year ago as an easy fix is now a hungry addiction. Her mother insists now is not the time to quit, but Carmen is sick of not feeling anything on stage and even more sick of doing what she’s told. When the darker side of the classical music industry and her mother's ambition collide, Carmen must choose between her career and her love for music."

First, take a moment and stare in wonder at that magnificent cover.  It's just so PRETTY! 

Guys.  Oh, guys.  Seriously...I am without words.

This book is so moving, so full of emotion and hope and love and life, that it absolutely sings on the page.  It was 100% unputdownable.  I kept sneaking peeks at it while I was at work.  I devoured it in the evenings, on my lunch break, any spare moment I could find.

It not only stole my breath, it stole my heart.  I can't stop thinking about it, about Carmen, about how brave she was, and how noble. 

Funny side note -- I always wanted to play violin.  I played guitar, but it never felt right.  I begged my parents, pleaded with them, to let me take violin lessons.  They couldn't afford to buy me a violin though, not to mention the fact that there was probably nobody anywhere near us that could give me lessons.  But it was a dream.  :)  This book brought the dream back, and I may just put playing violin on my bucket list now.

I can't tell you enough how simply amazing this book is.  You're just going to have to read it when it comes out in October.  And don't worry, I'll remind you about it.

A humongous thank you to Simon and Schuster for the egalley.