Reivew: House of Dead Maids

Who are Tabby and Himself. Why were they chosen as the new maid and master of Seldom House? They’re not blood relatives of the current maid and master. Why are they locked in their bedroom at night? Why are there ghosts roaming Seldom House and who are they? Are Tabby and Himself in for a similar fate?


Clare B. Dunkle’s House of Dead Maids will answer all of these questions. Dunkle’s latest book is a well written, scary story of people and ghosts roaming an old mansion, full of locked rooms, dusty furniture, strange doings. The book is full of mysterious twists and turns, now you think you know the answers, now you don’t. Will you be able to guess the answers? You might have a ghost of a chance.

Review: Trick or Treat, Old Armadillo; written by Larry Dane Brimner and illustrated by Dominic Catalano

Trick or Treat, Old Armadillo written by Larry Dane Brimner and illustrated by Dominic Catalano will make a great addition to any children's holiday library collection, right next to Merry Christmas, Old Armadillo.

Read the YABC review here.

Exclusive: New Clues from Nightshade's Shay Doran

If you're following along with Shay's Shadow Days, I've got an exclusive puzzle for YABC readers to figure out.

I just received this book from Shay: Roundabout Papers by W.M. Thackeray

Inside I found these pages:

The first page says:

"The searchers in many small company scour with a dangerous strength"

The second:

"Alistair had his men journey the great world by sea, looking for her immortal grave"

So, Nightshaders, what does it mean?

If you think you know, post your ideas on Shay's Facebook page or make a YouTube video and tag it with the label "Nightshade" so everyone can see what you discovered. If you help Shay unravel his puzzles, you might become a character in the upcoming prequel that will be given out for free to those who pre-order Nightshade. 

Let me know what you think!

Losing Faith

After Brie's sister, Faith, dies, Brie's world crumbles.  Her parents are in denial, her friends don't know how to talk to her, and her boyfriend shows his true colors.  Brie is numb with grieve and questions not only how Faith died but her own faith as well.  Right when Brie tries to get her life back together, she finds someone who might know the truth.  Losing Faith is a story of two sisters and one who refuses to believe her sister committed suicide and will do everything to find the truth.

Click here to read more

Review: The Guardians of Ga'hoole: The Capture

Soren, a young barn owl, can't wait for his first adventure out of the nest. Flying is what owls are made for, and Soren felt, way down deep in his gullet, that his first flight would be amazing. He'd soar and dive and swoop, just like the Guardians of Ga'hoole, the heroic owls who starred in the legends Soren's father told.

But long before he's even learned how to hop from branch to branch, things go terribly wrong for Soren. While his parents are off on a hunting trip, he falls from the nest! He can't remember how it happened, but he has a sinking suspicion his brother might have pushed him. And before his parents return home to save him, Soren is owlnapped by two rogue owls and taken to St. Aggie's, an institution for orphaned owls. Only Soren's not an orphan, he has a family, and he wants nothing more than to find a way back to them. But can Soren escape St. Aggie's before he's brainwashed into their evil service?

Click here to find out what I thought about this first book in the Gaurdians of Ga'hoole series by Kathryn Lasky.

The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Gross Junior Edition

When I saw the ads for this book I knew I had to have it!  Yes, I admit it.  I'm very juvenile when it comes to body sounds.  Plus I love the Worst-Case Scenario books!  The latest book in this series goes over all things slippery, slimy, and skinky.  I laughed as I read this book outloud.  You will too!  The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Gross Junior Edition will guide kids on how to survive boogers, bloody noses, barfing emergencies, and yes, even how to deal with a gas leak.  Um, not the car one!  Hilarious handbook!

Click here to read more

Review: Countdown

Franny Chapman has a loony, veteran uncle, a practically perfect little brother, an Air Force Major father, an older sister who may or may not be a Communist and a backstabbing best friend. The cute neighbor boy who just moved back to town complicates life still further. Not only has her life gone crazy, so has the world. Khrushchev and Kennedy splatter the news in 1962 when Russians move missiles to Cuba. Franny and her friends practice air raid drills and “Duck and Cover” in school in case of nuclear attack. With missiles aimed at the country, fear pervades the nation.

Click here to read more.

Review: Elsie's Bird

Born and raised in the city of Boston, Elsie knows no other life but the clop of horse hooves on cobblestones and the screaming of gulls at fish boats. Even after her mother’s death, the city remains her home. That is, until her father decides to flee old memories and move their little family west to the Nebraskan prairie. There, Elsie feels alone amongst the wide-open, silent skies; only her canary, Timmy Tune, keeps her company with his music. But when Timmy Tune escapes his cage ... Click here to read more.

Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

It needs no introduction, so hop on over and read the review of Mockingjay, the final installment of The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins!

Breaking Waves: An Anthology for Gulf Coast Relief

This press release just in from Book View Cafe:

Breaking Waves: An Anthology for Gulf Coast Relief
Edited by Tiffany Trent and Phyllis Irene Radford
Only $4.99 - Download now!

Join writers from all genres in defense of the Gulf Coast with Breaking Waves: An Anthology for Gulf Coast Relief. Edited by Phyllis Irene Radford and Tiffany Trent, Breaking Waves offers up glimpses of maritime splendor, poignancy, and humor through the works of poets, essayists, and Hugo and Nebula-award winning authors like Ursula K. Le Guin, Vonda N. McIntyre, David D. Levine, and more. All proceeds from the sale of this anthology will go to the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund of the Greater New Orleans Foundation.

Table of Contents:
Introduction, Tiffany Trent
Introduction: Phyllis Irene Radford
In England in the Fifties, Ursula K. Le Guin
A Little Song, A Little Dance, David D. Levine and Andrine de la Rocha
A Modest Proposal for the Perfection of Nature, Vonda N. McIntyre
Site 14, Laura Anne Gilman
The House That We Built, David Gessner
Black Gold, Tiffany Trent
Autumn Leaves, James Sallis
My Mother's People, Elaine Isaak
The Blue Curtain, Brenda Cooper
Christmas Count, David B. Coe
Eternal Return to the City of New Orleans, James Sallis
Javier Dying in the Land of Flowers, Deborah J. Ross, writing as Deborah Wheeler
Origami Action Heroes of Singing River, Sandra McDonald
The Power to Change the Shape of the Land, Dayle A. Dermatis
The Girl Who Dreamed of the Sea, Judith Tarr
The Sea Around Us, Rachel Carson
Terra Incognita, Camille Alexa
Suicide Note, Mario Milosevic
Serpent Singer, M.H. Bonham
Emergency, Nancy Jane Moor
Preparing for the Hurricane, James Sallis
After the Dragon, Sarah Monette
Comet Summer, Jennifer Stevenson
Backtiming, Randy Tatano
Rescue Work, Pati Nagle
Candace, Judith Tarr
I Sing a Song of Mourning, Dayle A. Dermatis
Galveston, P. G. Nagle
Indigo Bunting, Lyda Morehouse
Paradise, Vonda N. McIntyre
Photographs: Carolyn McIntyre
Shark Attack, Sue Lange
Disaster Relief, Kristine Kathryn Rusch
A Field Guide to Ugly Places, Patrick Samphire
Troubled Water, Kelly Ramsdell Fineman

August Giveaway Winners

Congrats to our August 2010 Giveaway winners!


CROSSED OUT Winners:
justkidink
kerrie
lancemib
veganchick
yabook.spark

THE THIN EXECUTIONER Winners:
krae991
lg4154
cynthiareads
bookaholic117
dreamfaux
yabook.spark
ruthlessu
cmg090110
meredithfl
wins4jim
jessica62781
1superkris
djulie5
herrinfamily
cyt46

JUSTIN BIEBER: THE FEVER! Winners:
intomist
barbbqtoo
coindragon15
amycastellano74
djulie5

CHERUB: THE RECRUIT Winners:
lancemib
hypercyber
julie102794
kenandsophie
loneil
angela67p
inavanessa2009
mycosyco
twirlaba
1superkris

Guardians of Ga'Hoole Winners!

Congrats to lisacarr7, winner of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole grand prize, including a copy of the first book THE CAPTURE and a $50 Fandango gift card to enjoy the film on the 24th!

Also congrats to these four runners up winners, who will each receive a copy of the first book, THE CAPTURE:

lg4154
traymona

skberlin5

kayswederski

If you see the film, Legends of Ga'Hoole, on the 24th, be sure to let us know what you think!

Review: The Good Garden

María Luz Duarte and her family own a farm, but when the land loses its goodness and food supplies run low, her father must leave home to find work. María Luz must tend the garden on her own. Then a new teacher moves into the area ... Click here to read more.

Nightshade Exclusive: Meet Shay Doran!

While on vacation last week, a mysterious package arrived for me. Here's what I found inside:

There was a silk calla lily nestled gently inside torn book pages. Attached to the bow? A key that doubles as a USB drive. Here's what I found when I did a little plug 'n play -- A message to me from Andrea Cremer!

Isn't she gorgeous? And wicked smart, too, because this promo for NIGHTSHADE is nothing short of genius. 

Not only do we get to dip our toe into Shay's world, we also get to interact with him on his Facebook page and watch his webisodes on YouTube. Here's his first episode to get you started:

You gotta admit, Shay is a cutie! And what about that house? I'm going to follow along just so I can go back there each week. And hey, maybe you and I will get a small cameo in the prequel. How cool would that be?

Oh, and did I mention NIGHTSHADE releases on my birthday? And that I had calla lilies at my wedding? It's kismet, I tell you. I'm destined to love this book.

Thanks, Andrea (and Shay)!

A bit about NIGHTSHADE:

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she’ll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters’ laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything - including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

For more about the book and author, visit http://nightshadebook.com/.

Last Chance To Enter Our Guardians of Ga'Hoole Giveaway!

Enter to Win one of 5 copies of THE GUARDIANS OF GA'HOOLE: THE CAPTURE! One lucky winner will also recieve a $50 Fandango gift card to see the movie!


Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'hoole soars into theaters September 24th. This is a film you won't want to miss!

To celebrate the movie release, YABC has teamed up with Scholastic to bring you this awesome giveaway:

One grand prize winner will receive:
- A $50 Fandango gift card and a copy Guardians of Ga'hoole: The Capture by Kathryn Lasky to read the book AND see the movie!

Four runner-up winners from your site will receive:
- A copy of Guardians of Ga'hoole: The Capture by Kathryn Lasky

** This contest ends on September 17th at Noon so the Grand Prize Winner has time to receive his/her Fandango gift card before the movie release. Make sure to get your entry in before the deadline! **


>> Click here to enter the contest! <<

Check out this awesome Owl City music video with Legends of the Guardians footage!




To find out more about Kathryn Lasky's Guardians series, click here: http://www.scholastic.com/gahoole

About the Book -- Guardians of Ga'Hoole: The Capture
When Soren, a young owlet, mysteriously falls from his nest one evening, he's plucked up and taken to the sinister St. Aegolius Academy for Orphaned Owls. Once there, he must use his wits and bravery to escape his captors. If Soren can learn to fly, he might just be able to take refuge with a group of brave owls he'd thought only to be a legend -- the Guardians of Ga'Hoole!

About Kathryn Lasky's New Book -- Wolves of the Beyond: Lone Wolf
In the harsh wilderness beyond Ga'Hoole, a wolf mother hides in fear. Her newborn pup, otherwise healthy, has a twisted leg. The mother knows the rigid rules of her kind. The pack cannot have weakness. Her pup must be abandoned on a desolate hill -- condemned to die. But alone in the forest, the pup, Faolan, does the unthinkable. He survives. This is his story -- the story of the wolf pup who rises up to change forever the Wolves of the Beyond. Find out more at http://www.scholastic.com/wolvesofthebeyond/

About the Author
Kathryn Lasky is the Newbery Honor author of over one hundred fiction and nonfiction books for children and young adults. She lives with her husband in Cambridge, Massachusetts. You can visit her online atwww.kathrynlasky.com

New Teen Reviewer Announced!

I had no idea how hard it would be to choose the next YABC Teen Reviewer. We received so many wonderful reviews, and it was such a hard decision. I hope everyone who entered this year will enter again next year!

Please join me in welcoming the new YABC Teen Reviewer,  Erica!

Erica has been reading for as long as she can remember. Besides her love of reading, she has a passion for show choir, music, and theater. She also shows her rabbits on weekends. You can find her over at her YA book blog, The Book Cellar.

With her extensive reviewing background, we knew Erica would fit right in with YABC. We're already gathering some great books for her, so look for her reviews in the next few weeks.

A huge shout out to 1superkris and Okapi who both made it to the final round with Erica, and a round of applause for all those who entered. Don't forget to enter again next year!

Hope in Patience

Fifteen-year-old Ashley Asher has grown up in fear.  After one very painful experience, she's sent to live with a father she barely knows, and his family, in Patience, Texas.  Her life is better but she can't forget the pain her stepfather inflicted on her.  Nightmares of her stepfather haunt her.  She deals with the stress by scratching herself until she bleeds.  Hope in Patience shows us an abused character who through the love of others goes on a journey to heal herself and no longer be a victim.  A must read!

Read more of my review here

Review: Touch Blue by Cynthia Lord

I'm not sure it's possible to read Cynthia Lord's newest book without feeling touched by the incredibly relateable characters and story. For middle grade readers looking for something real to read...for teachers and librarians needing a new recommendation for young readers, this one's for you.

Check out my YABC review here!

Review: The Sixty-Eight Rooms

While on a field trip to the Art Institute of Chicago, Ruthie and Jack discover the Thorne Rooms—sixty-eight intricately miniature rooms of varying time periods that captivate both of them. As they visit the rooms, they happen upon a magical key that shrinks them to a height of five inches. Later, the pair finds a way to sneak into the museum, shrink and visit the actual interiors of the Thorne rooms. But Ruthie and Jack discover there is far more to the rooms than meets the eye. Click here to read more.

How to Turn Your Book Club into a Spectacular Event

Ever want to start your own book club but didn't know where to begin?   How to Turn Your Book Club into a Spectacular Event is a  how to guide that is packed with tons of great ideas and suggestions to help make your club great.

Click here to read more.

The Contemps

Press release for The Contemps:

Contact: Sara Bennett Wealer,
sbennettwealer@gmail.com
Visit: http://www.thecontemps.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUTHORS TEAM UP TO SPOTLIGHT CONTEMPORARY REALISTIC FICTION FOR TEENS
“The Contemps” are Keeping it Real with Outreach, Resources and New Releases

Twenty-one authors have banded together to put real life in the spotlight and to keep readers up-to-date on the latest in contemporary young adult fiction.

“There are so many wonderful authors writing contemporary realistic fiction,” said Contemps co-founder Lisa Schroeder. “As much as we love other genres, the marketplace can feel dominated by paranormal, fantasy, and dystopian novels. We want to celebrate the unique way that contemporary stories help teens feel they’re not alone in this real world.”

“The Contemps” officially launched on August 17 with a mission to help teens, booksellers, librarians and publishers connect with books that feature real-life settings, characters and situations. The group ranges from debuts to veterans with several titles on the shelves, and all have new releases coming out between September 2010 and August 2011. They hope to not just build buzz for members’ books, but to create excitement and appreciation for the contemporary realistic genre in general.

In an August 6, 2010 article in The NY Times about the rise of young adult fiction, historian Amanda Foreman said, “Good Y.A. is like good television. There’s a freshness there; it’s engaging.” The Contemps write about real teen issues in real-life situations with all the energy and grittiness and passion of that age.

That means that The Contemps’ corner of the web (www.thecontemps.com) will be a little more self-disclosey than others. A number of activities are planned, including sharing from the authors’ own teenage years, giveaways, spotlighting other contemporary realistic authors, and multi-author events. You might find a few naughty words thrown in (right next to the shiny clean ones). There may be stories about hanging out, making out, parents, best friends, sexuality, homework, high school bloopers, teachers, bullies, racism, parties, and pop culture. Look for some odd and lively mash-ups!

“We’re reaching out to a variety of audiences,” said co-founder Lindsey Leavitt. “We want readers to know about the wealth of awesome books out there. And we want the industry to know about the authors who create these books. There’s a strong market for contemporary realistic fiction and we plan to demonstrate that.”

The members are: Brent Crawford, Hannah Harrington, April Henry, Kirsten Hubbard, Denise Jaden, Kody Keplinger, Jo Knowles, Lindsey Leavitt, Sarah Darer Littman, Michael Northrop, Sarah Ockler, Micol Ostow, Lisa Schroeder, Elizabeth Scott, Mindi Scott, Emily Wing Smith, Courtney Summers, Kristen Tracy, Melissa Walker, Sara Bennett Wealer, and Daisy Whitney.

The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball

Who wouldn't love to know what the future might hold?  Erin Channing is someone who doesn't really believe in things that can't be explained by reason.  When her favorite Aunt Kiki(aka Aunt Kooky) dies, she leaves Erin a pink crystal ball with a set of weird instructions.  Erin and her best friends decide to try it out.  What happens next is sure to keep you wanting to read more.  The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball is one of those books that's a fun change from the current darker paranormal out there now.

Click here to read more.

Another Pan

Wendy Darling and her younger brother John hate being the poorest students at Marlowe School.  Their father is a professor there.  Others ridicule him.  Both Wendy and John are embarrassed too.  Then Peter, a new RA, shows up.  Wendy finds herself drawn to this hot, mysterious new guy on campus.  Along with Peter, the Book of Gates appears.  This mysterious book draws both Wendy and John into a hidden world where Egyptian myths are very real.  Another Pan is a fun twist on the Peter Pan tale only this time around Peter's desires of immortality come at a cost.

Click here to read more.

The Dead Boys

12 year old Teddy Matthews just moved to Richland, Washington with his mother. While he's out exploring the town, he meets some boys his age. He soon realizes that something is wrong with the boys he is meeting. And what is up with the creepy old tree next door that seems to be trying to get him? Can Teddy figure out what is going on with his new friends and the tree before it's too late?

Click here to read more!