Twelve Days of Giving: Let It Snow

Welcome to Twelve Days of Giving, where I post for twelve days and recommend books for your holiday giving!

Today, I'm just featuring one book for you. I posted a review of Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle last year AFTER Christmas. Which is kind of too late for the stocking-stuffery goodness that is this book. Hence, I re-post.

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Okay, with three YA powerhouses joining forces to write delightful, funny, sweet Christmas stories, how can you go wrong?

Um... you can't. At least not in my opinion.

I really wanted to get this review up before the holiday because I think it makes a fantastic stocking stuffer. But, uh, that didn't happen. You should still read this book.

Here's a bit of a summary from Amazon: "A Christmas Eve snowstorm transforms one small town into a romantic haven, the kind you see only in movies. Well, kinda. After all, a cold and wet hike from a stranded train through the middle of nowhere would not normally end with a delicious kiss from a charming stranger. And no one would think that a trip to the Waffle House through four feet of snow would lead to love with an old friend. Or that the way back to true love begins with a painfully early morning shift at Starbucks."

I loved these stories because they're funny. They're sweet, but not over-the-top romantic mush. They're smart. They're about smart, imperfect characters. And they fit really well together. Characters from the first story show up in the other two (and vice versa). Perhaps my favorite scene is at the very end where all the major characters end up together in a Starbucks.

Let it Snow is a feel-good read for the discerning teen reader. Highly recommended for fans of any of the three authors. Read more (better) reviews at Parenthetical.net, Fyrefly's Book Blog, and Pop Culture Junkie.

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Review of Let It Snow was originally posted December 30, 2008. Copy was lent to me by my awesome friend J.

Let it Snow is perfect Christmas Day reading, snug by the fireplace. If you have Nerdfighters on your shopping list, don't miss this one! It'll be a favorite that your teen will bring out every winter.

Be sure and check out the rest of the 2009 Twelve Days of Giving and the 2008 Twelve Days of Giving for more ideas!

Twelve Days of Giving: Falalalala

Welcome to Twelve Days of Giving, where I post for twelve days and recommend books for your holiday giving!

Know a band geek? A first-chair violinist? Or any musically-inclined teens or tweens? Today you're in luck because today's list features books about young musicians.

The Rising Star of Rusty Nail by Lesley M.M. Blume. Living in the tiny town of Rusty Nail, Minnesota during the Cold War, Franny is certain that her talents as a pianist will forever go unnoticed. Then Franny gets a stroke of good luck. One of the young bachelors in town gets married to a Russian woman and brings her back to Rusty Nail. When Franny discovers that Olga is an accomplished pianist, she will stop at nothing until Olga agrees to give her lessons. But can she convince her? And is Olga a Russian spy? And will the rumor-mongering townspeople drive Olga away before Franny becomes rich and famous?

The Mozart Season by Virginia Euwer Wolff was a favorite of mine when I was a tween musician. I read it again and again. When Allegra Shapiro decides to enter a prestigious violin competition, she spends the summer preparing for it. This meant a lot to me since I was a young musician, too.

And, of course, you'll also want to pick up Good Enough by Paula Yoo for that young musician. Patti Yoon is a gifted musician and a perpetual parent-pleaser with her straight A's and Ivy League aspirations. When Patti sets eyes on the dreamy Ben at All-State Orchestra auditions, everything begins to change. And Patti begins to realize that "her" dream of attending an ivy league school was actually her parents' dream. She starts figuring out that "successful" is not necessarily the same as "happy" and that she'd better think about what she wants for her future. (Read my full review of Good Enough.)

A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban. Zoe Elias dreams of playing the piano at Carnegie Hall. She's certain that just given the chance, she might turn out to be a prodigy. She's picturing playing recitals on a grand piano while elegant people dressed in their finest sit in the audience. Imagine her surprise when, instead of the piano she was so hoping for, her parents get her an organ. An organ that comes with lessons from Maybeline Person and her book of organ songs... Hits from the 70s.

The New Policeman by Kate Thompson. JJ and his family have been noticing that lately there's not enough time in the day to get everything done. When JJ discovers a time leak between his world and the world of faerie, he'll have to figure out how to fix it. Irish music plays a huge part in the story, so I highly recommend the audiobook (which includes snippets of music between each chapter) or pairing this one with a CD of Celtic music!

Band Geek Love by Josie Bloss. Senior Ellie Snow knows that this year will be the best ever. She's trumpet section leader with her very own solo. Her best friend is drum major. Nothing will stop her!! Until an uber cute guy distracts her, causing her to flub her solo on the last day of band camp. And then she finds out that this kid is joining her section without having gone through band camp. Control-freak Ellie is pissed... until she takes a better look at him and discovers that she just might have a tiny crush on him... and he just might like her back. Don't forget to pair this one with its sequel, Band Geeked Out. Perfect for the drum majors in your life.

Be sure and check out the rest of the 2009 Twelve Days of Giving and the 2008 Twelve Days of Giving for more ideas!

Third Hunger Games book coming in August!

Big news tonight... Scholastic has announced that the third book in the Hunger Games series will be published August 24, 2010. The title has not yet been released.

Say it with me, now:

*Squeee!*

Thanks to @Miss_Tammy for the head's up!

Now, back to your regularly scheduled evening.

Twelve Days of Giving: Books for Those Boys

Welcome to Twelve Days of Giving, where I post for twelve days and recommend books for your holiday giving!

But what do we buy for the boys??? Nonfiction on a topic that interests them is always a good bet, but here are some other suggestions, too.

For younger boys:

Wanna know our most popular requests from little guys at the library? Trains, quickly followed by dinosaurs. How lucky that there are a couple of books that COMBINE THE TWO. If you want to be a Story Hero in the eyes of your little guy, consider All Aboard the Dino Train by Deb Lund and Dinosaur Train by John Steven Gurney.

Truckery Rhymes by Jon Scieszka. Jon Scieszka's Truck Town books have been a huge hit with the kids at my library. Bright pictures and funny text feature trucks, trucks and, well, more trucks. This is perfect for the vehicle enthusiast on your list.

And speaking of our Ambassador for Young People's Literature, you also shouldn't overlook his The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. Written by Scieszka and Lane Smith, this is a great choice for elementary students with its wacky, irreverent humor. When I broke it out in After School Adventures, they begged me to read story after story.

Another author wildly popular with boys at my library is David Shannon. A particular favorite seems to be No, David! When David breaks all the rules, he's constantly hearing "No, David!" Exuberant illustrations accompany simple text that'll have the boys giggling for sure.

Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex is another great choice for elementary kids. From Frankenstein to zombies to the Phantom of the Opera (who can't get the song It's a Small World out of his head), all kinds of monsters appear in the humorous poems within this book. Can't get enough? Make sure you pick up the sequel - Frankenstein Takes the Cake.

For older boys:

Annnd I'm back to Scieszka (what can I say? He's awesome!). Knucklehead by Jon Scieszka is a mostly true story about Jon's childhood growing up with five brothers. It's laugh-out-loud funny and the short chapters and photos included will appeal to reluctant readers as well as voracious ones. Read my full review of Knucklehead.

The number one most requested children's book at my library? Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. Hands down. The newest installment, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days, just came out in October and makes a perfect gift. Pair it with the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book or a journal of your choice to fan the creative spark within.

If you're buying for a guy who loves action-packed tales, look no further than Percy Jackson and the Olympians. With the movie coming out in February, there's no better time to get your guy started on this excellent series. Start with the first book, The Lightning Thief, or go hog wild and get this nifty Percy Jackson and the Olympians boxed set. Pair it with a promise to see the movie together when it comes out.

Can a book about cancer be funny? It can when it's by Jordan Sonnenblick. Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie is one of my all-time favorites. Steven's minding his own business, playing the drums and crushing on a hot girl at his school when his five-year-old brother is diagnosed with leukemia and everything changes. What could be a truly depressing storyline is treated with Sonnenblick's incomparable humor. It's a story with a lot of heart and a lot of laughs.

If you're buying for a guy who likes his books on the scary side, take a look at Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman. To be completely honest it's been almost a year since I read Ryan's story about what happened at the dredge and it still gives me the heebie-jeebies. The text is linked with online videos that continue and add to the story, giving a unique element to the story.

Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver is another one of my all-time favorites. This is an action-packed story set in prehistoric times. When Torak's father is killed by an evil spirit bear, Torak is charged with saving the world. Only... he has no idea how to go about doing it. Thus begins the first book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series.

Find more ideas for the guys on your holiday gift-giving lists at Guys Lit Wire (for teens) and Guysread.com.

Be sure and check out the rest of the 2009 Twelve Days of Giving and the 2008 Twelve Days of Giving for more ideas!

Twelve Days of Giving: More for Twilighters

Welcome to Twelve Days of Giving, where I post for twelve days and recommend books for your holiday giving!

Last year's sixth day of giving featured books for the Twilighters in your life. As the numbers of Twilighters grow and grow, I have a couple additions to that list (for YAs and adults, say grades 9+).

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. Ever since she was attacked by wolves as a child, Grace has felt a special bond with a particular wolf that appears in the woods outside her house every winter. After wolves attack one of her classmates, Grace's wolf appears to her one night... as a human. Sam. And Grace knows that she loves him. But she also knows that she's going to lose him. For as the temperature drops, Sam's days as a human are drawing to a close. And to be together, Grace and Sam have to be willing to risk everything.

Girls on Team Jacob will eat this one up (and maybe some on Team Edward, too.)

As You Wish by Jackson Pearce. Viola was so in love with her boyfriend Lawrence that when he announced that he was gay, it broke Viola's world. She doesn't know who she is anymore. And when a jinn shows up to offer her three wishes, she wants to take her time deciding, even though Jinn is impatient to get back to his home world. But the longer Jinn stays, the more Viola realizes that there's something special about him. And if she makes all three wishes, Jinn will go back to his world. A bird and a fish might fall in love, but where would they live?

As You Wish is very different in tone from the Twilight books, but the wonderful romance will satisfy Twilight fans.

These next two are not books that I've read myself, but from what I hear they may be perfectly suited to the Twilighter on your gift-giving list.

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. Here's the publisher's summary:

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

Fallen by Lauren Kate. Here's the publisher's summary:

There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce--and goes out of his way to make that very clear--she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story.

Consider one of these titles (or one of these titles) for the Twilight fan on your list!

Be sure and check out the rest of the 2009 Twelve Days of Giving and the 2008 Twelve Days of Giving for more ideas!

Twelve Days of Giving: Books Into Movies II

Welcome to Twelve Days of Giving, where I post for twelve days and recommend books for your holiday giving!

I posted about some book-and-DVD pairings last year, but this year I have some more ideas. Here are some book-and-movie pairings for your tweens and teens.

In Dani Noir by Nova Ren Suma, thirteen-year-old Danielle is dealing with her parents' recent divorce. Just like in the noir films she loves, she's starting to realize that she doesn't know who she can trust and when a mystery crops up, Dani just might be the femme fatale to solve it. Pair this with any of the films Dani loves in the book - Notorious, Gilda, The Third Man, Sorry Wrong Number...

The Year of the Bomb by Ronald Kidd was one of my favorite tween titles of the year. Paul and his friends are excited to find out that a movie is being filmed in their small California town, but they soon get caught up in the McCarthyism that's running rampant in 1956. When I read this one, all the details about the filming of the movie made me really curious to watch Invasion of the Body Snatchers, so pair that DVD with the book for fans of historical fiction or B-movies.

This year marked the 40th anniversary of the first moonwalk. If you're buying for a tween or teen interested in space, pair Mission Control, This is Apollo by Andrew Chaikin and Alan Bean with the movie Apollo 13. Mission Control, This is Apollo takes a look at all the different Apollo missions with stunning paintings by astronaut Alan Bean. Also consider pairing it with the HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon.

I discovered the PBS miniseries Frontier House and Colonial House this year and they would be perfect to pair with historical fiction from those time periods. For Frontier House, I'd go with Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Lawson. When orphan Hattie discovers that a long-lost uncle has left her a plot of land in Montana, she goes to claim it, but there's much work to be done - can she get it done in time to meet the deadline? For Colonial House, I'd go with The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. When Kit Tyler moves to the Puritan colonies from the warm Caribbean islands, she'll have to learn an entirely new way of living. Her friendship with an older woman of the colony makes it easier... until she is accused of witchcraft.

If you've got historical-minded tweens to buy for, any of these would make a great choice!

Be sure and check out the rest of the 2009 Twelve Days of Giving and the 2008 Twelve Days of Giving for more ideas!

Twelve Days of Giving: My Favorite Nonfiction for the Younger Set

Welcome to Twelve Days of Giving, where I post for twelve days and recommend books for your holiday giving!

Today's Nonfiction Monday and I'd like to highlight some of my very favorite nonfiction books for your holiday giving. Nonfiction is a great choice for giving because kids love to learn interesting facts. Is there a topic that fascinates them? Maybe dinosaurs, trains, pets, or pirates? Try a nonfiction book on that topic. Boys, especially, tend to like nonfiction, but don't discount it for girls, too!

This Monday I'm featuring nonfiction books for younger readers. Next Monday I'll feature nonfiction books for older readers, so be sure to tune in.

The Day-Glo Brothers by Chris Barton, illustrated by Tony Persiani. (Grades 1-5.) Pair this excellent picture book with a set of fluorescent markers or paints and hand it to the young inventor on your list. This true story about the inventors of Day-Glo colors is sure to inspire. Read my full review of The Day-Glo Brothers.

Bubble Homes and Fish Farts by Fiona Bayrock, illustrated by Carolyn Conohan. (Grades 2-5.) Young animal lovers and aspiring marine biologists will be fascinated when they find out how many different ways animals use bubbles! From a place to hide to a communication tool, animals use bubbles for many different things. Read my full review of Bubble Homes and Fish Farts.

Come to the Castle: A Visit to a Castle in Thirteenth-Century England by Linda Ashman, illustrated by S.D. Schindler. (Grades 2-5.) When the earl gets bored and orders that a party be thrown, we are introduced to the host of people who live and work inside the castle. This is a great choice for kids who are fascinated by history or love fairy tales. Read my full review of Come to the Castle.

Mermaid Queen by Shana Corey, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham. (Grades 2-5.) The truly vivid illustrations in Mermaid Queen bring Annette Kellerman, Australian swimmer and inventor of water ballet, to life. This is a great choice for girls who spend a lot of time in the pool. Read a little bit more about Mermaid Queen.

A Den is a Bed for a Bear by Becky Baines (and others in the Zigzag Nonfiction series). (Grades Pre-K-2.) I love the Zigzag Nonfiction series for its nice color photos and simple text. They're great for sharing with preschoolers and beginning readers. Read more about the Zigzag Nonfiction series.

Be sure and check out the rest of the 2009 Twelve Days of Giving and the 2008 Twelve Days of Giving for more ideas!

And if you're interested in reading more great reviews of nonfiction books, check out the Nonfiction Monday roundup at The BookNosher.

In My Mailbox #13

In My Mailbox is one of my favorites memes and it's hosted by the lovely Kristi at The Story Siren.

I got one non-Cybils book in my mailbox this week and I'm very excited about it!

The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott. Simon Pulse, April 2010.

Publisher copy from ARC:

Everyone knows the unwritten rule: You don't like your best friend's boyfriend.

Sarah has had a crush on Ryan for years. He's easy to talk to, supersmart, and totally gets her. Lately it even seems like he's paying extra attention to her. Everything would be perfect except for two tiny details: Ryan is Brianna's boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah's best friend.

Sarah forces herself to avoid Ryan and tries to convince herself not to like him. She feels so guilty for wanting him, and the last thing she wants to do is hurt her best friend. But when she is thrown together with Ryan one night, something happens between them. It's wonderful... and awful. Sarah is torn apart by guilt, but what she feels is nothing short of addiction, and she can't stop herself from wanting more...

Sounds like another awesome read from Elizabeth Scott! I've enjoyed her Perfect You, Something Maybe, Living Dead Girl, and Love You, Hate You, Miss You.

So happy to find this one in my mailbox... What was in YOUR mailbox this week?

Twelve Days of Giving: Books for Your Precocious Kindergartner

Welcome to Twelve Days of Giving, where I post for twelve days and recommend books for your holiday giving!

So you've got a spunky girl traipsing around, eh? Check out some of my favorites for spirited and precocious kindergartners!

Picture Books:


If I Were a Lion by Sarah Weeks. In rhythmic, rhyming text, a little girl tells her tale of woe - she was put in time-out because she was acting wild. While sitting there, she starts to imagine how things would be if she were really wild. This is a perfect choice to young ones with active imaginations.

If you've got a Fancy Nancy fan on your hands, consider Fancy Nancy Tea Parties by Jane O'Connor. We've thrown Fancy Nancy tea parties at my library and this book features ideas for your own tea party! It includes fun recipes, etiquette tips, and more. And, of course, there are tons of other Fancy Nancy titles if that's your thing.

I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry. The giant squid proudly proclaims that he's the biggest thing in the ocean. He's bigger than those shrimp! He's bigger than that turtle! He's bigger than that shark (shhh)! But when he runs into a whale, his worldview might have to change a little... or does it? The funny twist at the ending will have everyone chuckling. This is one of my favorite readalouds.

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch. When a dragon captures her betrothed Prince Ronald, Princess Elizabeth must set out to rescue him. She's a feisty and resourceful girl, but will she get what she really wants? This is the perfect story for feisty girls who would rather do the rescuing than wait around for someone to rescue them!

Easy Readers:

Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems. I am a firm believer that Mo Willems can do no wrong and the Elephant and Piggie books are some of my favorites. The text is very simple and the true strength is in the illustrations. Facial expressions and little details make the books so funny and enjoyable to read again and again. You'll probably want to get all of them eventually, but I'd start with I Am Invited to a Party, There Is a Bird On Your Head, and I Will Surprise My Friend (those are my personal favorites).

Squirrel's World by Lisa Moser. Squirrel's so excited to help his friends that sometimes he goes a little overboard. Can his friends put up with him, knowing that he's got their best interests at heart?

Chapter Books:

These books would make great choice for reading together or for young ones who are already starting to read chapter books. (Also check out last year's 5th day of giving: Cha-Cha-Chapter Books.)

Clementine by Sara Pennypacker. When spunky Clementine isn't helping her friend chop off all her hair, she might be avoiding pointy things or scaring pigeons away from her apartment building. Clementine's a creative girl with too much energy and it gets her into trouble sometimes, but her heart's always in the right place. Also consider the sequels: The Talented Clementine and Clementine's Letter.

Babymouse by Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm is one of my very favorite series and you won't want to miss these graphic novels*. Babymouse is a young mouse with a very active imagination. She loves pink and cupcakes and fancies herself a star. And though almost nothing she does turns out like she expects, that won't stop her from trying! You don't need to read them in order, but you might want to start with #1: Babymouse: Queen of the World!

Be sure and check out the rest of the 2009 Twelve Days of Giving and the 2008 Twelve Days of Giving for more ideas!

*Graphic novels = comic books!

Done! DOOONE!!!

And with 50,275 words, I am officially DONE. Hooray!

I don't actually hate my entire novel (though I do hate most of it) and there remains a small possibility that I might actually make a go of revising this one. I know a few changes I want to make right off the bat.

Let's get through the Cybils first, though, shall we?

To all my NaNoWriMo buddies out there: congrats if you've finished. If you haven't finished yet, YOU CAN DO IT! KEEP GOING! WOOOOO!

I am going to go collapse in a heap far away from this keyboard right now. ;)

(DOOONE!!!!!)