Sunday, November 20, 2011

The Phantom Limb by William Sleator and Ann Monticone

The Phantom Limb

Author: William Sleator and Ann Monticone

Publisher: Amulet Books

3½ out of 5 stars

It is just a box.  It’s called a mirror box.  If I stick my right hand in one side I can see my left hand on the other, even when it’s not in the box.  It’s weird to see your hand in one place, but feel it in another.  The hand in the box is a copycat.  Everything I do, it does as well.  If I wave, it waves.  If I snap my fingers twice, it snaps its fingers twice.  If I pull my hand out of the box, it… stays in the box.  This is more than just a box.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Glow

Author: Amy Kathleen Ryan

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

5 out of 5 stars

The mission: Travel across space to reach New Earth.
The goal: Populate New Earth in order to start the human race anew.

You have been given everything you need in order to survive.  Everything should go as planned.  Nothing should go wrong.

What you didn’t see coming: You are not alone.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

The Why Chromosome: Why Boys Do Love Books Recap!

Last Sunday I had the pleasure of attending The Why Chromosome: Why Boys Do Love Books!  The event was put on by Bridge To Books, an amazing non-profit organization who's goals are to connect kids with books and promote literacy and reading.  The Why Chromosome event was all about why boys DO love to read.  Six male authors were featured at the event, and all of their books feature male protagonists as well.  The event took place at Mrs. Nelson's Toy and Book Shop.  I had a spectacular time!  There were parents, teachers, educators, authors, and bloggers there, and of course boys of all ages!  Young or old, boys came to celebrate their love of reading.  Here's a look at the event:

The Why Chromosome Authors

Andrew Smith- author of Ghost MedicineIn The Path of Falling ObjectsThe Marbury Lens, and Stick
Greg van Eekhout- author of The Boy at the End of the World and Kid vs. Squid
G. Neri- author of Ghetto CowboyChess Rumble
Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty, and Surf Mules
Jonathan Auxier- author of Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes
John Stephens- author of The Emerald Atlas
Allen Zadoff- author of Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can’t Have and
My Life, the Theater, and Other Tragedies

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After eating a delicious lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs, chili, and an array of mouth-watering desserts, the event was ready to begin!  First, we had a very fun icebreaker to start off the event.  We paired up with a partner and had to come up with a list of books that had male protagonists.  Each book counted as a point and if you had read the book that counted as another point as well.   Next, the authors were asked questions about how the book industry has changed, boys and reading, and what got them started as authors.  I took some video of the panel answering questions, and you can watch them below.  You'll have to excuse my loud laughter, but I hope you enjoy!