Summer is officially over, but that doesn't mean it's time to stop reading for fun. There are so many great books coming out this month --- some from authors you know and love, others from authors who are new and have us excited --- that we KNOW you are going to want to keep reading.

We're featuring two interviews this month. In the first Louise Borden, author of THE JOURNEY THAT SAVED CURIOUS GEORGE, talks about the benefits of being curious and reveals what surprised her as she went back in time to explore the lives of Curious George's creators. The second interview is with Alan Armstrong, author of WHITTINGTON. In it he talks about his own childhood pets --- a dog named 'Jeep'! --- finding inspiration in E. B. White, and what he's working on next. 

We have updates for some of your favorite series --- Cirque du Freak, Amelia Bedelia, Nancy Drew and Chet Gecko. Speaking of exciting series books, my son plowed through ELDEST and ERAGON during our vacation a few weeks ago. I think we should have renamed our trip The Christopher Paolini Marathon. 

For more series fun: To celebrate the release of the third book in Zizou Corder's LIONBOY series ---- LIONBOY: The Truth --- we're running a contest where you can win signed books and funky bookmarks. Enter by clicking here. 

Beat those back-to-school blues at the movies with two exciting releases. The first is MirrorMask, about a 15-year-old girl who finds herself in a strange new world populated by mysterious creatures. This breathtaking film has inspired a full-color graphic novella by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean. Then there is Duma, the true story of a boy and his pet cheetah. A pet cheetah! Can you imagine? And I think that keeping a dog would be a challenge!

This time of year is perfect for reading outside while it's still nice or going to the movies with your friends and family. Don't let school stress you out. Just remember --- you can always lose yourself in a good book.

Carol Fitzgerald for Kidsreads.com

To celebrate the publication of the third book in the LIONBOY series --- LIONBOY: THE TRUTH by Zizou Corder, Kidsreads.com is running a contest where one grand prize winner will receive the first three books in the series: LIONBOY, LIONBOY:THE CHASE, and LIONBOY: THE TRUTH, all personally signed to the winner! 10 runners up will win a signed copy of LIONBOY: THE TRUTH and a cool bookmark that features all the titles in the series. More about this exciting series can be found by clicking here.

To enter the Kidsreads.com LIONBOY: THE TRUTH Contest, answer the following question on our Sweepstakes Entry Form:

Question: Who is Martha Sortch?

The answer to the question can be found by reading an excerpt from LIONBOY: THE TRUTH here.

More about LIONBOY: THE TRUTH by Zizou Corder
Catspeaker Charlie Ashanti and his parents are reunited in Africa, but not for long. Charlie soon finds himself on a boat bound for the Caribbean, where he and his nemesis, Rafi Sadler, will be sold to the Corporacy! Charlie's parents and his faithful lion friends are in hot pursuit, but can Charlie outwit his captors and topple the Corporacy's wicked enterprise? He intends to pull it off --- no matter the cost --- as the exciting Lionboy trilogy roars to its thrilling conclusion. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

In THE JOURNEY THAT SAVED CURIOUS GEORGE, Louise Borden chronicles the lives of Margaret and H. A. Rey --- creators of everyone's favorite mischievous monkey --- during their time spent in war-torn Europe, circa 1940. In this interview, Borden discusses her fascination with the Reys and the research she conducted that brought these authors back to life for her book. She points out reflections of their personalities in their work, speculates on Curious George's enduring appeal to children of all ages, and explains how she makes complicated historical events more accessible to younger readers.

Kidsreads.com contributing writer Shannon McKenna interviewed Alan Armstrong, author of WHITTINGTON. Armstrong talks about the animals that have been a part of his life and served as the inspiration for some of the characters in his books. He explains what he thinks readers will relate to the most in his current novel, describes his writing routine, and offers valuable advice to aspiring writers.

WHITTINGTON by Alan Armstrong
In Bernie's barn, a menagerie of animals makes room for one more resident --- Whittington, a cat with a talent for storytelling. Even as daily adventures in the barn take place, Whittington entertains the others with a tale about his feline ancestor, who helped an impoverished boy rise to become a London merchant. Reviewed by Shannon McKenna and excerpted.

-To read an excerpt from WHITTINGTON, click here.

Beat those back-to-school blues at the movies with two exciting releases. The first is MirrorMask, about a 15-year-old girl who finds herself in a strange new world populated by mysterious creatures. This breathtaking film has inspired a full-color graphic novella by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean. Our second featured movie is Duma, based on the picture book HOW IT WAS WITH DOOMS. It tells the true story of 12-year-old Xan Hopcraft, who grew up with a pet cheetah at his home in Nairobi, Kenya.

September's roundup of cool new books includes THE KINGDOM KEEPERS, an outstanding thriller written by Ridley Pearson in which five teenagers are pitted against Disney villains and witches; HIGH RHULAIN, Brian Jacques's eighteenth Redwall saga (and an irresistible cookbook based on the series); FLUSH by Carl Hiaasen, a funny novel that also deals with a serious environmental issue; and Dale Peck's DRIFT HOUSE, about three young children who go to Newfoundland to stay with an eccentric uncle and, much to their surprise, enter an extraordinary fantasy world.

THE LAKE OF SOULS: Book #10 in the Cirque du Freak Series by Darren Shan
Darren Shan and his trusted friend Harkat Mulds face monstrous obstacles on their desperate quest to the Lake of Souls. Will they survive the savage journey? And what awaits them in the murky waters of the dead? Reviewed by Carlie Webber.

AMELIA BEDELIA, ROCKET SCIENTIST? by Herman Parish
Mr. Rogers sarcastically calls Amelia Bedelia a rocket scientist after discovering his eyeglasses in the dishwasher. Unfortunately, our literal-minded housekeeper behaves nothing like a rocket scientist at the school's science fair, where chaos (and a volcano) erupts.

TRADE WIND DANGER: Nancy Drew (All New) Girl Detective #13 by Carolyn Keene
While Nancy, Bess and George are vacationing in San Francisco, an older couple keeps popping up everywhere. Coincidence or not, their appearances are arousing the suspicions of Nancy, so an investigation begins. But who knew this would lead to more sleuthing --- in Hawaii?

CHET GECKO'S DETECTIVE HANDBOOK (AND COOKBOOK): Tips for Private Eyes and Snack Food Lovers by Bruce Hale
In this fun and nifty handbook, Chet Gecko and his partner, Natalie Attired, offer tips and techniques for detective work --- such as how to shadow people, collect evidence, and conduct searches --- while including tasty recipes for snacks that only Chet Gecko can dream up. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.

THE LIGHTNING THIEF: Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Book I by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of his third school when a series of unbelievable events occurs. He discovers that the ancient Greek gods of mythology are alive and well, and sets out on a quest to find who stole Zeus's precious symbol of power --- his lightning bolt. Reviewed by Robert Oksner and excerpted.

To celebrate the release of HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE, we've updated our Harry Potter site on Kidsreads.com where you'll find new lists of people, places and things, a new author biography and an interview with J.K. Rowling, and THREE all-new trivia games.

FLUSH by Carl Hiaasen
Noah's dad is sure that Dusty Muleman, the owner of the Coral Queen casino boat, is flushing raw sewage into the harbor, but he doesn't have any proof. Noah --- with the help of some unlikely allies --- is determined to prove that Dusty is guilty of this disgusting deed. Reviewed by Kristi Olson and excerpted.

BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THORNS: The Land of Elyon, Book 2 by Patrick Carman
Alexa thought her troubles were over when she defeated the man who had threatened to bring down Bridewell from within. But now that the walls around her land have fallen, a new, unexpected threat has risen from outside --- and Alexa is involved in a battle much, much larger than her own life. Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman and excerpted.

THE JOURNEY THAT SAVED CURIOUS GEORGE: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H. A. Rey, by Louise Borden
Over the years, millions have followed along as Curious George learned the alphabet, went to the hospital, received a medal, and flew a kite. His most dramatic adventure, though, took place the year before his 1941 debut when his creators, Hans and Margret Rey, embarked on a journey that not only saved their lives but, in a sense, George's as well. Reviewed by Shannon McKenna.

WILLOW RUN by Patricia Reilly Giff
Meggie Dillon's life has been turned upside down by World War II. While her older brother is fighting in Europe, Meggie must leave her comfortable home in Far Rockaway, New York and move to Willow Run, Michigan, where her father will build important planes that will help fight the enemy. Reviewed by Renee Kirchner.

MOLLY MOON'S HYPNOTIC TIME TRAVEL ADVENTURE by Georgia Byng
In the third book of this series, Molly Moon and her pug Petula are kidnapped into 1870s India by a giant maharajah who blackmails Molly into time traveling in order to change events for his own nefarious gain. As Molly travels into the past and the future, she meets (and must try to rescue) younger versions of herself. Can the world-class hypnotist save herself and her beloved dog? Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.

THE SEVEN PROFESSORS OF THE FAR NORTH by John Fardell
Sam, Zara and Ben never expected their vacation to turn into a life-or-death rescue mission. But when Uncle Ampersand is kidnapped by the wicked Professor Murdo, the three children must race to the Arctic to save him. Reviewed by Paula Jolin.

THE MAGIC NATION THING by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
Abby O'Malley has powers --- psychic powers that don't make sense to her at all. She longs for a "normal" life and wishes she didn't possess such powers. However, her supernatural abilities come in handy when she helps her detective mother solve mysteries. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.

THE CALLAHAN COUSINS #2: HOME SWEET HOME by Elizabeth Doyle Carey
In the second installment of the Callahan Cousins series, the girls continue their vacation with their grandmother. As they redecorate the Dorm and negotiate their relationship with "mean girl" Sloan, Neeve uncovers a shocking family secret about her own father. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.

A ROOM WITH A ZOO by Jules Feiffer
Living creatures large and small are assembled in Julie's bedroom. This nine-year-old adopted daughter of Jules Feiffer loves animals, and she's putting together a zoo in her room! Reviewed by Sarah A. Wood.

THOR'S WEDDING DAY by Bruce Coville
What could possibly make Thor --- the massive and mighty god of thunder and protector of all his people --- put on a bridal gown? It all begins when the source of Thor's power, his beloved hammer, is stolen. Reviewed by Joy Held.

BRIGHT LIGHTS FOR BELLA: Star Sisterz, Book 3 by Lana Perez
Will Bella have to watch the production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" from a seat in the audience --- or can she overcome her fear of heights to become a star? Find out in this third installment of the always-entertaining Star Sisterz series. Reviewed by Paula Jolin.

What do you like to read more --- series books or stand-alone titles?

Series books
Stand-alone titles
I do not have a preference.
I am not sure how I feel.

Do you like to read a series as soon it starts, or do you prefer to have a few books already out when you start reading?

I like to read book one as soon as it comes out.
I like it when a few books already are out before I start reading.
I do not have a preference.
I am not sure how I feel.

Besides Harry Potter, what's your favorite series?