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Ingrid Law
Ingrid Law's debut novel, SAVVY, is an imaginative coming-of-age tale about a gifted family whose members are given a supernatural power when they turn 13. In this interview with Kidsreads.com's Chris Shanley-Dillman, Law explains what inspired this innovative storyline and discusses the similarities and differences between herself and her protagonist, Mibs. She also describes how she infused the book with life lessons she's learned the hard way, shares details about an upcoming sequel and reveals what kind of savvy she would choose for herself if she was ever given the opportunity.
» Read an interview with Ingrid Law and the review.
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Meg Cabot
The protagonist of Meg Cabot's most recent series is Allie Finkle, a spirited nine-year-old with a Type-A personality who takes sudden life changes in stride by making up rules to live by, like "You can never make a second first impression" and "Don't stick a spatula down your best friend's throat." In this interview with Kidsreads.com's Jana Siciliano, Cabot explains what inspired these novels aimed for tweens, and compares her main character's wacky family and upbringing with her own. She also describes her favorite spots to write, shares her thoughts on making and breaking rules, and reveals what's in store for Allie in future installments of the series.
» Read an interview with Meg Cabot.
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 THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY Tote Bag Sweepstakes
To celebrate the release of THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY AND THE PERILOUS JOURNEY by Trenton Lee Stewart, Kidsreads.com has teamed up with Little, Brown for Young Readers to give 25(!) lucky kids the chance to win a Bag of Books containing not only a copy of THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY AND THE PERILOUS JOURNEY, but also some of the coolest books from some of your favorite series published by Little, Brown for Young Readers. In a big tote bag, winners will receive one copy of THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY and the sequel, THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY AND THE PERILOUS JOURNEY, along with ATHERTON: THE HOUSE OF POWER and ATHERTON: RIVERS OF FIRE by Patrick Carman, MAXIMUM RIDE: THE ANGEL EXPERIMENT by James Patterson and VAMPIRATES: DEMONS OF THE OCEAN by Justin Somper.
» Click here for all the contest details.
» Read reviews of THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY and THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY AND THE PERILOUS JOURNEY.
» Visit the official website of the series, www.MysteriousBenedictSociety.com
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 ALLIE FINKLE'S RULES FOR GIRLS Giveaway
To celebrate the August 5th release of the second installment in Meg Cabot's Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls series, Kidsreads.com is giving 10 readers the opportunity to win a copy of the first two books, MOVING DAY and NEW GIRL.
MOVING DAY by Meg Cabot
When nine-year-old Allie Finkle's parents announce that they are moving her and her brothers from their suburban split-level into an ancient Victorian in town, Allie issure her life is over. She's not at all happy about having to give up her pretty pink wall-to-wall carpeting for creaky floorboards and creepy secret passageways --- not to mention leaving her modern, state-of-the-art suburban school for a rundown, old-fashioned school just two blocks from her new house.
THE NEW GIRL by Meg Cabot
Allie is very excited for her first day of school at Pine Heights Elementary. She is going to be in the same class as her new friends Erica, Caroline and Sophie, and she loves her new teacher, pretty and stylish Mrs. Hunter. Plus, she’s getting a new kitten --- the first pick of showcat Lady Serena Archibald’s litter!
There is only one problem in Allie’s perfect new life: one of the girls in Allie’s new class, Rosemary, doesn’t like her. In fact, Rosemary says she’s going to beat Allie up after school!
» Click here for all the contest details.
» Click here to read a review of MOVING DAY.
» Click here to read an excerpt from MOVING DAY.
» Click here to read our interview with Meg Cabot.
» Click here to read Meg Cabot’s bio.
» Visit the official website of the series, www.alliefinklerules.com.
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SAVVY by Ingrid Law
For generations, the Beaumont family has harbored a magical secret. They each possess a “savvy” --- a special supernatural power that strikes when they turn 13. Grandpa Bomba moves mountains, her older brothers create hurricanes and spark electricity…and now it’s the eve of Mibs’s big day.
As if waiting wasn't hard enough, the family gets scary news two days before Mibs’s birthday: Poppa has been in a terrible accident. Mibs develops the singular mission to get to the hospital and prove that her new power can save her dad. So she sneaks onto a salesman’s bus…only to find the bus heading in the opposite direction. Suddenly Mibs finds herself on an unforgettable odyssey that will force her to make sense of growing up --- and of other people, who might also have a few secrets hidden just beneath the skin.
» Click here to read a review of SAVVY.
» Click here to read an excerpt from SAVVY.
» Click here to read our interview with Ingrid Law.
» Click here to read Ingrid Law’s bio.
» Visit the author's official website, www.IngridLaw.com |
GREAT BOOKS FOR BOYS
Kidsreads.com Founder Carol Fitzgerald frequently has been told by mothers how difficult it is to get their sons to read. Some are busy participating in sports and other extracurricular activities, watching television, playing video games and surfing the Internet, while others simply don't like to read, no matter how much free time they may have.
This inspired Carol and her then-11-year-old son Cory, an avid reader, to compile a list of books that Cory thinks are great reads for boys. Included are series titles and stand-alone fiction that cover a variety of genres: fantasies, mysteries, thrillers, action/adventure novels and historical fiction. While many of these selections also will appeal to girls, they especially will capture the attention of boys, who often are much more reluctant readers.
UPDATED! We have added to our list to reflect those books that have been released since our law update in August 2007. Among our most recent additions are THE BOOK OF TIME by Guillaume Prevost, THE GOLLYWHOPPER GAMES by Jody Feldman, THE SEEMS: THE GLITCH IN SLEEP by John Hulme and Michael Wexler, RALEIGH’S PAGE by Alan Armstrong, and updates to such popular series as Alex Rider by Anthony Horowitz, Chronicles of Ancient Darkness by Michele Paver and Pendragon by D.J. MacHale.
» Click here to see our complete list.
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 Fans of the classic American Girl series, be sure to clear your calendars for at least one day in July, because on July 2nd your favorite amateur sleuth/aspiring reporter sneaks her way into theaters for the release of Kit Kittredge! Though TV movies have already been made about fellow American Girl characters Molly, Felicity and Samantha, this is the first to make it to the big screen. So join this all-star cast, featuring Abigail Breslin, Joan Cusack, Julia Ormond, Chris O’Donnell, Stanley Tucci and more, as Kit and her best friend Ruthie investigate a string of robberies in 1930s Cincinnati.
» Click here to read more about this film.
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June’s roundup of Cool New Books includes ONE SMALL STEP, a middle grade novel from Children of the Lamp author P. B. Kerr about a 13-year-old boy recruited by NASA for their secret space program, which will require him to journey to the moon with two chimps as his partners; CITY OF TIME, the second installment of Eoin McNamee’s adventure-filled Navigator Trilogy that sees the moon coming closer to the sun and people fearing the world will end; ACTING OUT, a collection of original one-act plays written by six Newbery winners (including Avi, Sharon Creech and Patricia MacLachlan); and SUDDENLY SUPERNATURAL: SCHOOL SPIRIT, the first of three books by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel that introduces readers to a girl who takes after her mother in a very special way --- she has the ability to see spirits and communicate with them. » Click Here
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June’s roundup of New in Paperback titles includes MR. CHICKEE'S MESSY MISSION by Christopher Paul Curtis, in which the Flint Future Detectives investigates the disappearance of Rodney Rodent, who jumps into a mural to chase a demonic-looking gnome and vanishes; VAMPIRE ISLAND, Adele Griffin’s tale of three vampire siblings struggling to make sense of New World ways on the island of Manhattan; Matt Haig’s SAMUEL BLINK AND THE FORBIDDEN FOREST, a funny and captivating fantasy about two children whose eccentric aunt’s endless rules are just the beginning of their problems; and LISTEN!, an award-winning novel from Newbery Honor author Stephanie S. Tolan that explores the heartwarming connection between a 12-year-old girl and a wild, abused dog. » Click Here |
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THE BATTLE OF THE LABYRINTH: Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Book Four by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson isn’t expecting freshman orientation to be any fun. But when a mysterious mortal acquaintance appears on campus, followed by demon cheerleaders, things quickly move from bad to worse. In this latest installment of Rick Riordan's series, time is running out as war between the Olympians and the evil Titan lord Kronos draws near. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
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EVER by Gail Carson Levine
Newbery Honor author Gail Carson Levine has created a stunning new world of flawed gods, unbreakable vows and ancient omens in this spellbinding story of Kezi, a girl confronted with a terrible destiny. Attempting to thwart her fate, Kezi and her love, Olus --- the god of wind and loneliness --- embark on a series of dangerous and seemingly impossible quests. Reviewed by Sarah Hannah Gómez.
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FOUND: Book One of The Missing, by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Thirteen-year-old Jonah has known for the longest time that he’s adopted. For him it’s as normal as having an annoying younger sister, and he’s fine with it. But when he starts receiving mysterious letters in the mail hinting that his adoption is anything but normal, his life gets tossed into a mysterious whirlwind adventure from which he may never return. Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman.
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THE DRAGON’S CHILD: A Story of Angel Island, by Laurence Yep with Dr. Kathleen S. Yep
In 1922, 10-year-old Gim Lew Yep has to leave his home in China and travel by ship to America. He doesn’t want to say goodbye, but his father, whom he barely knows, insists he return to America with him to find work. However, the real test comes at the holding station on Angel Island, just off San Francisco. That’s where Gim Lew and his father must undergo an intense interrogation to gain access to America. If they fail, their family could starve! Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman.
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PUDDLEJUMPERS by Mark Jean and Christopher C. Carlson
Thirteen-year-old Ernie Banks seems to cause of a lot of trouble at the orphanage where he lives. With threats of being handed over to the youth authority, Ernie has one law chance to prove himself, spending three weeks working on a farm. However, he manages to find himself in even more trouble as he falls deep into a mystery involving a missing baby, an ancient prophecy, a blue crystal acorn, tiny magical creatures called Puddlejumpers, and nasty, evil Troggs intent on destroying the earth. Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman.
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OTTOLINE AND THE YELLOW CAT written and illustrated by Chris Riddell
Someone has been stealing the lap dogs of the society women of the neighborhood, or so it seems. But Ottoline Brown and Mr. Munroe, her hairy, silent companion, uncover a canine crime ring led by a sneaky yellow cat. Mr. Munroe must go undercover to break up the ring and return the dogs to their worried owners. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman. |
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OUT OF THE WILD by Sarah Beth Durst
"Once upon a time" is a phrase that makes 12-year-old Julie, the daughter of Rapunzel, shudder. She previously defeated the Wild, which wants to engulf the 21st century world and turn everyone into mindless fairy tale characters, forever looping through a fairy tale story. And now the Wild is baaAAAAck! Julie must go on a quest (which includes flying on top of a bath mat while dodging fire-breathing dragons)in an attempt to save the world from enchantment yet again. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.
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CHANCEY OF THE MAURY RIVER by Gigi Amateau
On the night that Chancey is born, a "fire star" gallops across the sky, a signal that a great horse has entered the world. But it will take many years of hardships and neglect before the orphaned albino will believe that the prophecy is truly meant for him. Reviewed by Carole Turner.
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 WARRIORS: POWER OF THREE #3: OUTCAST by Erin Hunter
In the third installment of Erin Hunter’s popular fantasy series, Lionpaw, Jaypaw and Hollypaw set out on an exciting adventure far from home. Each has a unique goal for the quest, but the journey is fraught with dangers --- and discoveries. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon and excerpted.
» Click Here.
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QUESTE: Septimus Heap, Book Four by Angie Sage
In this exciting fourth installment of Angie Sage’s bestselling series, Septimus Heap and Jenna are determined to rescue Nicko, who is trapped in another time. However, Septimus has been tricked into a Queste --- and he knows that no apprentice has ever returned from one. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon and excerpted. » Click Here
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PADDINGTON HERE AND NOW by Michael Bond
Since the Browns found Paddington on a railway platform and took him home to live with them, there has never been a dull moment at number 32 Windsor Gardens. But as he explained to them at the start, "Things happen to me: I'm that sort of a bear." After a 30-year absence, everyone's favorite marmalade-eating bear from Peru returns to celebrate his 50th anniversary with a new collection of stories. Reviewed by Brian Farrey. » Click Here
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 Michael Reisman
In Michael Reisman's debut novel, SIMON BLOOM, THE GRAVITY KEEPER, readers are introduced to an inquisitive 11-year-old boy who stumbles upon a way to control the laws of physics. In this interview with Kidsreads.com's Brian Farrey, Reisman describes what inspired the concept behind this series and explains how the story gradually evolved over the course of several drafts. He also reveals plans for recurring characters in future installments, shares his favorite compliment from a fan and recalls the various odd jobs he held before becoming a writer.
» Read an interview with Michael Reisman and the review. |
 Stephanie Watson
Stephanie Watson's debut work of fiction, ELVIS & OLIVE, follows two unlikely friends who form a spying club in order to uncover secrets in their neighborhood. In this interview with Kidsreads.com's Alexis Burling, Watson explains how and why she kept the writing of this novel a secret, and describes some of her own childhood friends and memories that inspired elements of the story. She also elaborates on the book's lesson concerning forgiveness, shares a few of her non-writing hobbies and reveals the unusual things she does when she thinks no one is looking.
» Read an interview with Stephanie Watson and the review. |
 R. L. Stine
R. L. Stine is the bestselling author of --- literally --- hundreds of books for children and young adults, including the titles in his popular Goosebumps, Fear Street, The Nightmare Room, Mostly Ghostly and Rotten School series. In this interview, Stine talks about the inspiration for his latest series, Goosebumps HorrorLand, and explains why these books are even scarier than his previous works. He also discusses how he started writing horror stories at a young age, gives advice to aspiring authors and shares his favorite "fan" letter.
» Read an interview with R. L. Stine and reviews of REVENGE OF THE LIVING DUMMY and CREEP FROM THE DEEP. |
 Blue Balliet
In Blue Balliett's latest novel, THE CALDER GAME --- the sequel to CHASING VERMEER and THE WRIGHT 3 --- Calder, Petra and Tommy set out on another adventure to investigate a new piece of art located in a remote English village. In this interview, Balliett describes why she's always been drawn to the work of sculptor Alexander Calder and discusses the research she performed on both the artist and setting of this third installment in the series --- from getting lost in hedge mazes to eating Cadbury chocolate. She also explains how her upbringing in New York has impacted her storytelling abilities, reveals what she learned about children from teaching grade school and shares what she hopes readers will take away from her books.
» Read an interview with Blue Balliet and the review. |
 Start Your Own Book Club!
Thinking about starting a Book Club? Trying to find new ideas for your Club? Wondering what the heck a Book Club is?! Never fear, Kidsreads has all the answers to your Book Club questions, and some guides to help you lead a good discussion with your friends. Book Clubs are easy to start and lot of fun, so if you love books, this is for you! |
CLASSICS AND NEW FAVES READING LISTS
Listmania! We've freshened up our Reading Lists, adding new titles to our Contemporary Favorites and Classics age categories. Be sure to check them out when you need a great book to read. |
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THE PIRATEOLOGY HANDBOOK: A Course in Pirate Hunting, written by Captain William Lubber and edited by Dugald A. Steer
