The Turning What Curiosity Kills

Imagine finding out you can shapeshift into something not human. Mary Richards fears her turning will mess up her new life with a loving family in Upper East side Manhattan. She fights against the urges and desires. Then two boys show up, one from school and another one from the local deli, urging her to embrace the turning. Will she?
 
The Turning What Curiosity Kills is Gossip Girls meet the paranormal. In this case curiosity can kill. Read more of my review at YABC.

Monster Slayers! A FREE D&D Game (for home or in your library!)

Hi! Kimberly here. :-) I got this from my publisher (they also publish the D&D stuff) and thought it was total coolness. I mean, hey, who doesn't like free stuff, especially stuff for librarians? And we're talking MONSTERS! And Monster SLAYERS! So check it out!

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Are you a parent who wants to share the fun of Dungeons & Dragons with your kids, but you’re worried that the rules are too complicated or a standard adventure would tax their attention spans? Are you a teacher or librarian* who would like to introduce your students to the game, but you’re reluctant to take on the regular time commitment of a full-blown campaign?

There are a great many reasons to share D&D with kids. Besides being just the kind of imaginative play that kids naturally engage in, Dungeons & Dragons develops an array of essential educational skills, including:

Math skills
Reading skills
Writing skills
Cooperation and leadership
Problem-solving
Creative thinking

We’ve heard from many of you out there that you’ve been wanting to unlock these benefits for your kids, but you feel that they’re not ready for the basic game or you just don’t have the time to run your own campaign. So we put together this variation, based on the new novel for young readers, Monster Slayers by Lukas Ritter. Monster Slayers: The Heroes of Hesiod captures the flavor, fun, and educational benefits of Dungeons & Dragons in a fast-paced, easy-to-learn experience for kids ages six years old and up.

Monster Slayers: The Heroes of Hesiod requires no previous knowledge of Dungeons & Dragons, and all you need to play is included in this adventure, aside from a few dice and pencils (and some friends to play it with). Play time can be as little as fifteen minutes or as long as an hour, depending on how many monsters you run.

Monster Slayers: The Heroes of Hesiod isn’t just for kids. It’s also a fun diversion for experienced players who need their D&D fix but don’t have the time for a full-length game. Or share it with your non-gamer family and friends who claim to be intimidated by the rules of the game. It won’t be long before they’re hooked on the game you love!

Give it a try and let us know what you think! Download it now (PDF)!

*For more information about using D&D in the library, including a packet (D&D Adventures in the Library) with a letter you can use to introduce the game to parents or administrators, visit our D&D in the Library Page.

A New Dawn Your Favorite Authors on Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Series

This book is a collection of essays from some favorite authors on the Twilight Series. I admit, I couldn't put this book down! Some topics deal with how Bella's fear of aging might be a reflection of our society own fear, how much of a bad boy Edward really is, and also some history of the werewolf legends.
 
A New Dawn is a great book for Twilight fans! Read more of my review at YABC.

This just in from Random House:

Random House Children’s Books and Kids Crooked House Team Up to Host Magic Tree House Essay Contest
Grand-Prize Winner Receives Custom Designed Kids Crooked House Playhouse Inspired by Mary Pope Osborne’s bestselling Magic Tree House Book Series

NEW YORK, NY – April 26, 2010 - Random House Children’s Books and Kids Crooked House are kicking off an essay contest for kids to promote adventure, imagination, and creativity: themes that are all reflected in Mary Pope Osborne’s bestselling Magic Tree House series. The grand-prize winner will be awarded their own Magic Tree House: a custom designed playhouse by Kids Crooked House, creators of the most whimsical playhouses for children. Ten runner-up winners will receive a Magic Tree House book autographed by Mary Pope Osborne, beloved author of the wildly popular New York Times bestselling series that has now sold nearly 70 million copies.

The Magic Tree House series, first published in 1992, follows brother and sister duo Jack and Annie as they journey back in time via a magic tree house, traveling to exotic places and meeting famous historical figures. Children interested in entering the essay contest must submit a response to this question: Write about an adventure you would like to have in the Magic Tree House. Where would you go and what would you do? Mary Pope Osborne will review the submissions and choose the winner.

Essay entry forms are available for download at MagicTreeHouse.com and must be mailed to Random House offices at 1745 Broadway New York, NY 10019. Entries will be accepted from April 27 through October 31, 2010. The winners will be announced in mid December 2010.

“There is nothing more exciting than a child using their imagination and this essay contest is a great outlet. No one knows boundless imagination better than Mary Pope Osborne, a truly creative and artistic author. Kids Crooked House is honored to work with Ms. Osborne and a partner like Random House to help make this an exciting endeavor for many children,” said Glen Halliday, creative director and CEO for Kids Crooked House.

Kids Crooked House is inspired by, and infused with, Maine and its natural wonders. Glen and his cousin, Jeff Leighton, built their first crooked house because they loved being outside and wanted their kids to love it, too. Glen and Jeff’s goal is to encourage children to use their imaginations as wildly as possible, and with the diverse range of playhouses Kids Crooked House offers, it isn’t very hard to do.

“I’m so excited about this contest, knowing it will inspire an adventure and allow children to be as creative as they dare. I can’t wait to read their ideas, and learn about where they would like to go! This essay contest touches on my main goal in writing the Magic Tree House books: to encourage children to go on adventures using their own imaginations,” said Mary Pope Osborne.

Contact information:

Random House: Elizabeth Zajac | 212.782.8530 | ezajac@randomhouse.com
Kids Crooked House: Kerri Moran | 404.664.2090 | kerri@taylormoranpr.com

Review: Scarlett Fever

It's time to reconnect with Scarlett (O'Hara) Martin from Suite Scarlett. She's back in Maureen Johnson's sequel, Scarlett Fever. And back with her are her dysfunctional family, older sister Lola who has just broken up with mega-rich Chip, Maureen who has recovered from cancer and is being nice to everyone for some unknown reason and Spenser, still trying to make an acting career. Mrs. Amberson has recently moved out of her suite at the Hopewell Hotel and has started a talent agency, her only client at the moment being Spenser.

The plot revolves around the entire family--there's something going on with all of them. Life is hectic in the Martin household. It's also fun, funny, zany, with calamities galore. If you liked Suite Scarlett, which I know you did, then you'll like Scarlett Fever. Read my review on YABooksCentral.com for a little (not a big) plot summary. I don't really want to spoil the story for you. Enjoy.

Stringz

Jace Adams is used to disappointments. When his mother moves them to Seattle to live with his aunt, he hopes life will change. One night he decides to play his cello on the street to make some extra money. Someone throws in a business card with a $100 bill and offering to instruct him.  

Stringz is one of those books that grabs you from the first line and pulls you along with a character that's likeable with a huge heart. Read more of my review at YABC.

The Lorax

Dr. Seuss has gone high tech. Have you got an iPhone or an iPod? Check out the books and apps available from Oceanhouse Media. They are really well done, especially when you look at what other books for kids are available on iPhone/iPod (there are some good ones, but there are some stinky ones too).

I've downloaded and installed Dr. Seuss's ABC's, The Lorax and The Lorax Garden app. Both of the books are wonderful for kids -- featuring both an auto-play feature and a "read it yourself" option. The words are also highlighted as the story is read. The books aren't just "sit and watch" though; kids can touch the pictures on the page or the words and be told what the appropriate word is. The illustrations, of course, are pure Seuss and as magical as they always are.

The Lorax Garden app is also engaging and well done. My 2 year old toddler even likes it, though he requires some help to use it. You have to re-grow the forest in a number of locations and he loves watching the trees and flowers grow.

I highly recommend these, especially if you've got a fidgety kid and an iPhone/iPod. It's how we get through long airplane trips with The Max. And you'll feel less guilty about it when the books & games are educational.

**Note: I purchased Dr. Seuss's ABC's myself, but free copies of The Lorax and the Lorax Garden app were provided to me by the publisher for review consideration**

Review: The Giant-Slayer

The Giant-Slayer by Iain Lawrence is a giant sized tale that will provide huge reading pleasure. In 1950, twelve-year-old Laurie's best friend, Dickie, is hospitalized with polio. He's in an iron lung machine and shares a room with two other children, Chip and Carolyn. The children can't move, can do nothing all day. To pass the time, Laurie makes up a story.

Once upon a time, there was a giant named Colossus who terrorized the countryside. One evening, in a horrible thunder storm, during a crack of thunder, Jimmy is born to an innkeeper and his wife. At that exact moment, Colossus has an uneasy feeling. He knows that when Jimmy grows up, he will come looking to kill the giant. The only problem is that Jimmy is less than three feet tall. How can a three foot tall boy kill a huge giant?

Find out the answer in The Giant-Slayer by Iain Lawrence. After that, read his other books.

An Interview with The Author of 13 to Life

Hi everyone! Teen Interview Maven Melanie here, stopping by to tell you that Shannon Delany has been interviewed on YABC! Here are a few of my favorite questions/answers:

What's the one question that no one ever asks you and you wish they would?

Why does the world of 13 to Life open so slowly?

It opens up the same way my narrator’s (Jessie’s) awareness of the weirdness going on around her does—she only sees and accepts things when there’s no longer any way for her to deny or dismiss their existence. She’s like most of us. We live our lives on one level of awareness. Yes, we sometimes ask questions, but if we don’t like the answer we bury it.

How does your spouse/significant other feel about your writing career?

He’s amazingly supportive. If I didn’t have a very supportive spouse, I wouldn’t have a writing career. Or I wouldn’t have a spouse. ;-)

What was your big break?

I wrote a serialized version of 13 to Life at Textnovel.com and won the first-ever cell phone novel contest in the western world. That landed me anagent and a press release got us interest from an editor and movie producer before we even sent out queries. So participating in Textnovel.com was probably my “big break.”

What's on your current reading list?

I’m reading mainly debut novels by YA and MG authors throughout the year this year. If you check out the books written by members of www.Classof2k10.com you’ll essentially see my reading list.

Read the entire interview with Shannon Delany here.

After doing so, be sure to check out Shannon Delany's website and twitter.

13 to Life will be released on June 22!

Hex Hall T-Shirt

In case you missed it, O lucky winners of Hex Hall in last month's YABC giveaway, Hyperion has generously said they'll also be including a Hex Hall T-shirt along with the book you won! How lucky are YOU?? *I* don't have a Hex Hall T-shirt!

Here's what it'll look like, you lucky dawgs:

Krissi Dallas Interview

Be sure to read Krissi Dallas' interview on YABC as she gives great advice to young writers, talks of people who have supported her, and explains what exactly The Cave is!

Click to read the interview on YABC

March Winners!

The winners of the March Contests are as follows:

GONE Winners
vicky dierker
Sarah Fillbrandt
Julia
Alison Ng
Catie S
Helen Keeler
theresa ruddick
Melanie Rosado
Theresa Beres
April Wallace

DEAD TOSSED WAVES Winners
Hillora Lang
elizabeth
Alex Bennett
Amy Hanshew
Grace Nabors

HEX HALL Winners
Meghan Treacy
Cynthia Aguirre
Travis Pearson
Gina Reba
vicki cohn
Angelikka Lin
Barbara Nolan
Veronica Huerta
Nikki Gunnell
Maria Schmidt

The prizes are being mailed out directly from the publisher and they have been notified. So check your mailboxes soon! :-)

UPDATE: Hyperion actually emailed me back and said they're going to be throwing in a Hex Hall t-shirt as well to the winners! Woot!

Runaway

Em Watts is in trouble. Everyone is mad at her. It doesn't help that she's now living in the body of top model Niki Howard. When the real Niki shows up and reveals the truth behind Stark Enterprises, Em turns to Christopher. But will he forgive her for turning away from him? Runaway is the third book in Meg Cabot's Airhead series. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

Review: RUINED by Paula Morris

From Point: 


Rebecca couldn't feel more out of place in New Orleans, where she comes to spend the year while her dad is traveling. She's staying in a creepy old house with her aunt. And at the snooty prep school, the filthy-rich girls treat Rebecca like she's invisible. Only gorgeous, unavailable Anton Grey seems to give Rebecca the time of day, but she wonders if he's got a hidden agenda. Then one night, in Lafayette Cemetery, Rebecca makes a friend. Sweet, mysterious Lisette is eager to talk to Rebecca, and to show her the nooks and crannies of the city. There's just one catch: Lisette is a ghost. A ghost with a deep, dark secret, and a serious score to settle. As Rebecca learns more from her ghost friend -- and as she slowly learns to trust Anton Grey -- she also uncovers startling truths about her own history. Will Rebecca be able to right the wrongs of the past, or has everything been ruined beyond repair?




If you love classic ghost stories with lush settings and lyrical language, read Ruined by Paula Morris.

When Rebecca arrives in New Orleans, the town is still feeling the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Her Aunt Claudia makes her living reading tarot cards in the French Quarter, and she dresses for the role as well as lives it. Rebecca finds a gris gris bag along with many other objects intended to ward off evil in her new room, and everything is uncomfortable and strange at once. Rebecca comes to learn that her life is both deeply rooted in history and the magic of the present - just like New Orleans.

And across the street from her new home lies Lafayette Cemetery.

See the rest of my review HERE at YA Books Central. 

Author Carol Plum-Ucci Needs Help from Jersey Teens

Author Carol Plum-Ucci needs help from teens in New Jersey! From her most recent email newsletter:

"I wanna post on YouTube a couple eerie trips into the Pine Barrens and onto the barrier isles where I'll be pointing out some of the spots where CREED and my other books actually took place. Moss Mill Road, Jersey Devil homestead (alleged), Batsto, some old cemeteries in the Barrens. I'm looking for some teenagers who are fans and who would like to be in those clips, especially if they're not electronically challenged. Bring your own v cam, and we can upload with lots of cuts that way. Pizza afterwards and credits given. A great activity for college apps!"

For more details, contact Carol at plumucci@aol.com

The Body Finder

Violet finds murdered bodies by the echoes they leave. If that's not big enough to deal with, then she develops a huge crush on her childhood friend Jay. Just when she's starting to deal with these emotions, a serial killer comes to her small town. The Body Finder combines elements of The Sixth Sense with Twilight, sure to appeal to paranormal fans who are looking for more than the typical haunting tale. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.