August 31, 2011

Book Trailer: Hades by Alexandra Adornetto

Hey all - I love book trailers because they really do hook some of my reluctant readers in.  Well today I have the books trailer for Hades the sequel to Halo by Alexandra Adornetto.  

Check it out!






Here's a bit about the book:



Heaven Help Her. 


Bethany Church is an angel sent to Earth to keep dark forces at bay. Falling in love was never part of her mission, but the bond between Beth and her mortal boyfriend, Xavier Woods, is undeniably strong. But even Xavier's love, and the care of her archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, can't keep Beth from being tricked into a motorcycle ride that ends up in Hell. There, the demon Jake Thorn bargains for Beth's release back to Earth. But what he asks of her will destroy her, and quite possibly, her loved ones, as well.


The story that Alexandra Adornetto built in her bestselling debut, Halo, comes alive in action-packed and unexpected ways, as angels battle demons, and the power of love is put to the test.

And here are some links to learn even more!

See Alexandra Adornetto on tour this Fall: http://www.facebook.com/penfataletour


Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/AlexandraAdornetto 


Macmillan page for the book & author: http://us.macmillan.com/hades



CLOSED!
Now would you like to win a copy?????
Here's how!

Must be a US Resident
Bust be at least 13
Fill out the form by Sept 9th
Cross your fingers! :)





WOW: The Death Cure by James Dashner


This is inspired by a meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. In this post I talk about books yet to be released that I'm excited about OR already published book's I've seen that I'm really wanting to read. I also like to try and find books other bloggers aren't sharing so that more books are shared.

I'm Waiting On:

The Death Cure
James Dashner
Release: Oct 11

I sooooo cannot wait for this one!!!! I've read the first two in the trilogy, so this is it - the end!  What is going to happen to Thomas and the other Gladers.  Can Theresa be trusted?  Can anyone?   I've got to know!!!!!

I've reviewed the other two.  If you're interested you can click to them below:


August 30, 2011

For the Guys+Tween Tues=Lunch Lady Fun! (REVIEW)

Tuesday is Tween Tuesday.  The time in the week that I for sure step back and look at those awesome books out there for the tween set - AKA 9-12 year olds.  Today I'm combining it with For the Guys Friday to look at a fun tween boy book.
Title: Lunch Lady and the Field Trip Fiasco
Author: Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Copy Obtained: From publisher

Summary

Lunch Lady and the Breakfast Bunch are on a school field trip to a famous art museum. But while Lunch Lady is busy taking in all the culture, the kids have caught onto something strange—some of the artwork looks suspiciously fake! Now Dee, Hector, and Terrence are determined to get to the bottom of this conspiracy, but Lunch Lady is too awed to catch on.  Will she snap out of it and come to the rescue? Or will the Breakfast Bunch have to handle this operation alone?
My Review

Because so many of my boys love the Diary of a Wimpy Kids books, I'm always on the look out for more graphic novels to share with them.  When I was offered this one, I snatched it up.  I'm glad I did!

This is a really cute book that makes that great ladies of the lunch - The Lunch Lady- the hero.  Working in a school I just love that! The story is really quick paced, perfect for reluctant readers or any boy who enjoys books that really move along.  The dialogue is cute and witty with some simply goofy tone.  That goofy tone lets the reader know that they shouldn't expect to be faced with any serious issue and instead should just enjoy the fun. And fun it is!  I mean how could a book where the hero uses a fun gadgets like GPS gum, a carrot flash drive and a spork phone, not be fun!  I giggled at each one of those by the way!

The story focuses around the Lunch Lady and Breakfast Bunch (three curious kids), trying to solve an art heist.  As an adult I knew who the "bad guy" was, and I think kids might too but the point of the book is to have fun not to be a crazy detailed mystery.  I think it succeeds.  

For the Guys?  Yup.  Although it's the Lunch LADY the Breakfast Bunch has two boys in it.

Final Thought:  Perfect silly fun
Best stick-with-you image:  The sport phone!!!!
Best for readers who:  Like graphic novels and silliness
Best for ages: 9-12 for sure.  I would recommend it to my 5th graders but not much older.

Tween Tuesday was started by GreenBeanTeenQueen.

August 29, 2011

Cover Crush: This is Not a Test

I soooo love book covers. Honestly I've been known to drag my sister through the bookstore to show her a cover I like or hunt down certain students to show them.  It really is like I have a crush.  So once a week I like to highlight these covers.

This Week I'm Crushing On:


by Courtney Summers

This cover was just released this week, and I LOVE it!  I love how her hair covers her face.  It creates such an empty feeling.  I can tell right away that it's not a light-hearted read.  Plus, once you really look at it you notice the spray of what looks like blood in the upper left corner.  Wow!

Lastly it has the same feel as The Forest of Hands and Teeth, so that gives it an advantage in my heart.  

Thoughts??

August 27, 2011

IMM and Owl of the Week

Hey all it's that time again - In My Mailbox! This is the time I share what I got in my mailbox, shopping bag or at the library.

Got some great books this week


For Review
Beautifully Broken by Sherry Soule

Won
Blood Red Road by Moira Young - Audio Book
Your Best Friend, Meredith by Melissa Glenn Haber

Bought or Given
Perfect - Pretty Little Liars #3 by Sara Shepard
The Night Tourist by Katherine Marsh
Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready
Posssession by Elanna Johnson


Owl of the Week

I got this cute door notepad door hanger.  Luv it :)


August 25, 2011

Book Review: Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt


Title: Okay for Now
Author: Gary D. Schmidt
PublisherHoughton Mifflin Harcourt
Copy Obtained Through: NetGalley

Summary

Midwesterner Gary D. Schmidt won Newbery Honor awards for Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boys and The Wednesday Wars, two coming-of-age novels about unlikely friends finding a bond. Okay For Now, his latest novel, explores another seemingly improbable alliance, this one between new outsider in town Doug Swieteck and Lil Spicer, the savvy spitfire daughter of his deli owner boss. With her challenging assistance, Doug discovers new sides of himself. Along the way, he also readjusts his relationship with his abusive father, his school peers, and his older brother, a newly returned war victim of Vietnam.
My Review

I have to start by saying that I LOVED The Wednesday Wars.  I loved it so much I read it aloud to my 7th graders.  They loved it!  And when I heard that this book focused on one of the characters from that book, I knew I had to read it.  Soooooo very glad I did.

Doug Swieteck is a minor character in The Wednesday Wars who is seen has kind of a bully and a trouble maker - well ok is brother is more.  You hear about "Doug Swieteck's brother" over and over.  You never know, though what Doug's story is.  Okay for Now tells you his story, and now that I know it I will read The Wednesday Wars with new eyes.  

Doug's home life is not good.  Anything good he has is taken away.  He says several times in this book that when things are going good - that's always when things go the most wrong.  And for Doug that is a pretty accurate description of his life.  That slowly begins to change when he moves to a small town.  It was completely amazing to watch Doug face difficult sitiuations over and over, but still get up and slug on.  And what was more amazing what his ability to see the beauty surrounding him when it would've been so easy for him to ignore it.  I saw this first when he described his mother's smile - how beautiful it was.  When I read that part I knew Doug would be ok if he just kept going.

The way Doug's emotions were described for this seemed so real.  The author really put you inside his mind and heart.  He allowed Doug to be honest within his thoughts you so get the real Doug.  His fears, dreams, wants, what gives him joy, what makes him worry. You knew it all, and some of it was hard to hear! I have to confess that through large portions of the book I had tears in my eyes because of how honest it was. It was hard to read what Doug thoughts others thought of him - especially the teachers in his new school. He thought they didn't trust him, that he wasn't smart, that he'd wreck their things.  As as teacher it felt awful to realize that kids in my school probably feel that way.  But it was that raw honesty the reader got that made the hope that also came through that much more strong and believable.  

The begining of Doug beginning to believe his life could be good start with a book of painting by John Audubon and it led to a friendship with a man that refused to see anything Doug except good and talent.  This friendship then leads to more and more people believing in the good in Doug.  And that leads to amazing things for Doug.  It was so uplifting, and in the end my heart felt full (ok ok that was a little cheesy! - but true!)

I will admit a few things that happened seemed far fetched and I the father's story seemed a little unbelievable, but I was able to overlook them because of Doug.  Doug was okay - and would continue to be ok, so I could let that go.

Ok the "cover it all" paragraph:  There is so much that happens in this book from the relationship Doug has with the phy-ed teacher, to his brother coming home from the war, and Lily the girl Doug likes that I can't cover it all.  But every one of those situations and people bring Doug closer to believing it can always stay good and if it doesn't - he'll be okay.  Every situation gives Doug a voice whether spoken or internal that builds him as a character.  They all show what happens when we believe in and support each other.  They were all amazing.

And lastly why I think it rocks for MG:  Kids at this age all face the issues Doug faces to some degree or another.  They don't know if people like them.  They think teachers don't trust them.  They worry about their families.  They hide part of who they are (like Doug hid his art) for fear of being laughed at.  They feel picked on.  This book can help them see that there will be people who will believe in them and that they can, and should, believe in themselves.  It may be difficult, and it may feel like every thing will always go wrong, but at some point it will be okay.  And if they don't really face this - it can help give them empathy for those that don't.  

For the Guys?  YES!!!!!! Although this is more a thinking book I think many boys would relate to Doug even if they don't have a life like him.  I fully expect to get many boys reading it after I read aloud The Wednesday Wars again.

Final thought:  Discouragement meets faith and that leads to knowing you'll be ok.
Best stick-with-you image:  Doug's brother and the coach 
Best for readers who:  Can handing a "thinking" book
Best for ages: 12+

August 24, 2011

Waiting on Wed: First Kill (The Slayer Chronicles) +GIVEAWAY!

First Kill (The Slayer Chronicles, #1)This is inspired by a meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. In this post I talk about books yet to be released that I'm excited about OR already published book's I've seen that I'm really wanting to read. I also like to try and find books other bloggers aren't sharing so that more books are shared.

I'm Waiting On:

First Kill (The Slayer Chronicles)
by Heather Brewer
Release: September 20

Why I'm Waiting

I LOVED the Vlad books that Heather Brewer wrote. I know not everyone did, but I really really loved them.  (see below to links of the reviews) So when I found out she was writing a spin off series from one of the characters I was completely excited.  I can't wait to hear Joss's story!

Summary

You've heard Vlad's side of the story . . . now, it’s Joss’s turn.

With over a million copies already in print, The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod is still sinking its fangs into new readers every day. Now, bestselling author Heather Brewer brings us the other side of the story, from the perspective of Vlad’s former friend turned mortal enemy: vampire slayer Joss Macmillan. In five books that can be read alongside Vlad Tod or entirely on their own, Joss discovers his powers as the youngest, strongest slayer in history. And just in time, too: with all the vampires running rampant, he’s going to need all the help he can get. This action-packed series will quench the thirst of even the hungriest veteran minions.
My Reviews (I read several before I started blogging)

Twelfth Grade Kills
Eleventh Grade Burns
A gush about the series :)

Ok I have a simple giveaway!  
I'm a Master Minion and got some fun Vlad and Slayer swag.  I'll give some Vlad smiley fanged tattoos and a Slayer bookmark to the first three people that reply to this WOW with their email :)

August 22, 2011

Cover Crush: A Beautiful Evil


I soooo love book covers. Honestly I've been known to drag my sister through the bookstore to show her a cover I like or hunt down certain students to show them.  It really is like I have a crush.  So once a week I like to highlight these covers.


This week I'm crushing on:


A Beautiful Evil

Ok here's why I like it - My eyes start at the top and begin to travel down.  I'm like cool, like the kinda muted colors.  But then my eyes travel all the way down her hair, and I'm like WHOA!! a snake! Her hair turns into a snake!!! That is unforgettable!  Can't wait to see it in person to see how it comes across in color.  I wonder if the edging of the snake is raised??

What do you think?


August 21, 2011

Poll to Pick a New Design


UPDATE:  I'VE DECIDED TO GET A CUSTOM BLOG DESIGN, SO THANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK, BUT THAT'S WHY I'M BACK TO MY OLD DESIGN :)




Hey all I found TWO! Owl templates.  Would you go to my tester site and look at it then take the poll THERE about which one you like better.  I'm really up in the air about them!!!!

GO HERE to see the other choice and to vote!

Yes the Blog Looks Different! and a WINNER

UPDATE:  I'VE DECIDED TO GET A CUSTOM BLOG DESIGN, SO THANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK, BUT THAT'S WHY I'M BACK TO MY OLD DESIGN :)

As you've probably noticed, things look a little different around here.  I really hadn't planned on changing things up so much, but I came across this great blog that had this cute owl template.  I decided to try it out and liked what I saw.  The other reason I changed had to do with my sidebars.  For over a year I hadn't been able to move a good chunk of my sidebar around! I could add a gadget but not move anything.  That was getting really really old.  With this template I can move things around again! 
 Hope you like it as much as I do :)




I also have the winner of Shrouded Secrets to announce:

Liz T (email starts with Tap.......@yahoo.com)

Please get me your address, so I can get the book sent to you! Congrats!

August 20, 2011

IMM and Owl of the Week

In My Mailbox is the time we share what we got in our mail box, shopping bag and from the library.  
Here's what I got this week:


For Review

Dark Parties by Sara Grant
The Map of Me by Tami Lewis Brown
Accidental Adventure by C. Alexander London

Bought

Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz
Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade
Books 1-3 in the Artemis Fowl Series
Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard

And I also became a Master Minion for Heather Brewer's Vlad Tod and Slayer Chronicles series.


I got:
a t-shirt!!!!!
Bag
Tattoos
Bookmarks

I'll be handing these out to my students :)

This week's Owl of the Week:
this cute school supply stuff I found at Target.  Yes the scissors have owls on it!




IMM is hosted each week by The Story Siren.

August 19, 2011

For the Guys: Michael Grant's New Transmedia Experience: BZRK

On Friday's I like to step back and take a look at some books and authors that would be good for the guys.  I see tons and tons of great girl books in YA, but it feels like the guys are over-looked.  This is my way of putting the spotlight on them! 


Today I'm featuring a new book - Go BZRK - coming out by Michael Grant.  You know Michael Grant, author of the Gone series and the Magnificent 12 series.  But to call it simply a book would be wrong!  

Why I think boys will like it:
Technology, spy-like stuff,  Michael Grant said, "It's going to be vast, bloody, and beautiful. ",  mystery, crazy sounding people.  I think it has eveything they might like.  


Here is how it has been described:

Michael has a new series coming out that was conceived not only as a book, but also as a “transmedia” experience.  This may not be a familiar term to YA fans, but essentially a transmedia story is an interactive narrative told through the written word, video, puzzles, and more. But most importantly, it encourages fans to become part of the action 
Here's some more about the book/experience:
The missing son of a U.N. diplomat... the reemergence of a strange organization... a pair of society twins caught in the middle... this is just the beginning of "Go BZRK," a new transmedia experience from author Michael Grant. 
If you're ready to take the plunge in an interactive story like you've never experienced before, visit societytwins.com and register with nexushumanus.com to take your first steps in a strange and compelling universe. 
Filled with video, puzzles, community collaboration, and more, "Go BZRK" put YOU the player right in the middle of the action as you join Nexus Humanus and unravel a mystery that may hold the key to the fate of all mankind.
I've joined Nexushumanus to see what all the fuss is about :) Check it out!!!

If you're still not sure - here are some answers that Michael Grant gave to questons you might still have:


What is “Go BZRK”? Is this a book or some kind of interactive story? 
Both. The book comes out this winter, but the interactive part starts now.  One leads up to the other, but they're part of a complete package. 


Why “transmedia”? 
There are different approaches to transmedia.  Most people take a single story and reproduce it on various platforms.  My philosophy has been to make each element - ARG, app, web, book - a thing unto itself, each revealing some aspect of the world of BZRK.  I've been fascinated with this is as a new way to tell stories.  The book remains central, but now I can reach beyond the book and create a much more complete world.  I can tell stories that enhance the book, and stories that parallel the book, and stories that are offshoots of backstory.  I guess the answer to "why" is "because it's fun." 


How long is this running? Is this part of a larger picture? 
We'll be running this in several chunks between now and the book release this winter. Because these things have a hard start/stop point, August is a ramp-up phase. There'll be a lot of content coming out, but the experience really gets underway at the end of the month… just in time to distract the kids from their schoolwork. 


What if someone wants to follow the story but doesn’t want to participate? 
You don't have to do anything.  You can do one thing and not another.  But the deeper you plunge the wetter you get.  I think every part of this is fun, I think people will enjoy the ARG, the app, the site and the books.   


App? You've mentioned that a couple times now. 
Just wait and see.  


Ok I'm excited!! Are you?  I'll just have to wait and see what this is all about.  In the meantime I'll check out the websites and start to get immersed into the world of the book.




August 18, 2011

Book Review: Solid by Shelley Workinger

Title: Solid
Author:  Shelley Workinger
Publisher: CreateSpace


Summary

Teens who discover they were secretly genetically altered before birth are brought together at a classified site where they forge new friendships, find love, develop "super-abilities," and even unearth a conspiracy.
My Review

Ok the summary doesn't really tell you a whole lot about the story, but it does cover the basics.  The main character Clio (Calliope) goes to spend some time at a "camp" for these kids that have just found out they were "experiments" - experiments even their parents weren't aware of.  The military brings them in under the story that they want to to find out if the experiments done on them before they were born have affected them in anyway.  At first everything seems legit, but as Clio goes along she develops more and more questions.  She and her new friends at the camp set out to find out if their thoughts are correct.


This story pulled me in right away because I liked Clio and because from the start I didn't trust the story the military has given to these kids and their parents.  I wanted to know what the "real" story was. And because I liked Clio I  wanted to know what she would do about it.  I didn't say how she would react, but I knew she would do more than react.  I knew she would DO something about it.  It was great to have a character well enough crafted that, like a real person, you knew she'd not just roll over and accept the circumstances.  I also liked how, yes they has some sort of super power, but the book's focus was on way more than that. Actually the whole powers part was pretty down-played, and I was ok with that.


The mystery of the whole situation was well done with some great twists that I didn't see coming.  Nothing is worse than a book with a mystery that is easily figured out before the character does.  Had that happened I would've stopped reading!  I definitely was surprised by a few things that were revealed.  But there is still plenty of the mystery yet to be figured out, so I definitely want to continue reading.  I mean this book has a nice wrap up for book's story, but there is much more that is unknown.


The supporting characters were good if not a bit stereotyped - not overly so but a bit.  There was the nervous girl, the athletic guy, the nice boy (Clio's love interest) and the odd girl.  But even being a big stereotyped, they did fit well together making a believable group of friends.  I did like how the one friend Miranda grew on the rest of them throughout the book - she even grew on me :)  


The only slight problem I had with the story was how accepting the parents were of everything.  As parent I think i would've been asking a ton more questions.  I was able to suspend my thoughts on this though and just accept their reactions and actions as normal.


Last I want to mention the love story between Jack and Clio - it was sweet, really sweet.  And I LOVED that they didn't decide that they were destined to be together forever and inexplicably drawn to each other.  They were attracted to each other like teenagers should be!  It was nice to see.  Clio was cute in her over reactions and confusion.  So typical of that age!


For the Guys?  It could be because there are 2 male characters that play a larger role.


Final Thought:  Nice book with great mystery
Best stick-with-you image:  The stars in Jack's room
Best for readers who:  Like to figure out the "real" story
Best for ages: 12+


If you've read Solid and want to read the sequel, Setting, the price for both the print and ebook has been lower!  Check HERE.

August 17, 2011

Waiting on Wed: So Silver Bright

So Silver Bright (Théâtre Illuminata, #3)This is inspired by a meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. In this post I talk about books yet to be released that I'm excited about OR already published book's I've seen that I'm really wanting to read. I also like to try and find books other bloggers aren't sharing so that more books are shared.

I'm Waiting On:

So Silver Bright
by Lisa Mantchev
Release: September 13

Why I'm Waiting

Ok I'll confess that I haven't read this series, but it looks amazing AND now when I do read it more books will be out and I won't have to wait for them.  Besides - I absolutely adore the covers!

Summary

All Beatrice Shakespeare Smith has ever wanted is a true family of her own. And she’s close to reuniting her parents when her father disappears. Now Bertie must deal with a  vengeful sea goddess and a mysterious queen as she tries to keep her family – and the Theatre Illuminata – from crumbling. To complicate it all, Bertie is torn between her two loves, Ariel and Nate.

August 15, 2011

Book Review - The Magnificent 12: The Trap

Early today I got the privileged of kicking of the blog tour for The Magnificent 12: The Trap and a fun clue hunt for a signed copy of each book in the series.  Go HERE to see that post.  Now I get to share my thoughts.


Title: The Magnificent 12: The Trap
Author: Michael Grant


My Review

Once again Michael Grant wrote a book that is a fantastic mixture of action and humor.  I giggled one page and held my breath in suspense the next. This story starts with Mack being visited by Grimluk (his mentor) via a bathroom pipe.(yes a bathroom pipe!) Grimluk tells Mack he must hurry and find the other 12.  As he's telling Mack where to look, Grimluk cuts in and out, so he only gets half the information, and half of that is misunderstood. As you can imagine this makes Mack's next steps a little messy, but with Grimluk's insistance that he must get going Mack, along with Stephen, his body guard and Jarrah, the other member of the 12, are off on another fast paced adventure.  The fast pace of the story is fantastic because it really kept me reading.  There just wasn't a pause that would allow me to put it down.  This pace is also fantastic for those reluctant readers who really need the action to keep rolling.  I particularly liked the leprechauns that appear at the start.  They, along with Mack's reaction to them, really made me giggle.

Personally I like when a series introduces some new characters as it progresses. It keeps it fresh.  This story did that.  As the story flew along, a few new characters entered the cast.  Some on Mack's side and some not.  And to keep your attention - you're never sure as new characters enter just who's side they are on!  Don't trust anyone!  I really liked the addition of Dietmar. He both annoyed me and added laughs.  I hope he sticks around for the others books. With the character of Xiao, there is the introduction of more mythical characters including dragons. These were all good additions that seemed like they belonged - not that they were just shoved in to try to make the story interesting.  I will say I wasn't overly fond of Xiao, but I got why she acted how she did - it just got a bit annoying.  

Of course the bad guy - Nine Iron, and bad gal - Risky, make an appearance.  The great thing is that we get a look at their background some.  That helps round out their characters more, as well as adding to the plot. This is done through several flashbacks just like in the first book.  Through these flashback we learn how Nine Iron came to a life of crime.  I really liked how is story is written because it has a very dry kind of humor to it.  I know if I read it aloud to my students it would take a second to sink in, but then they'd get it and laugh.  I also liked the flashbacks because it broke up the story some.  You didn't get bored with the one story (although with all the action boredom would be difficult!) because there was a second one to entertain you as well.  

As with the first book we get to hear a bit from Golem - the mud made Mack look-alike there to take Mack's place back home.  As before he is very silly! I giggled at all his misinterpretations of what is said or done to him.  When Mack tells him his English paper is in his computer - well it was pretty funny!  I do wish there had been a bit more of him.  He is such a funny little character that I enjoyed so much in the first book, so I wanted more in this book.

The story did have some weaknesses.  I found the action didn't build to huge climax.  Like I said there was a ton of action, but it didn't seem to hit a high point, instead to me it all seemed pretty even. Because of that the end of the story kinda fell short for me.  It was suppose to be this huge tension-filled scene but for me it was the same tension as in all the other scenes.  I also found the story a bit short.  When I got to the end I was looking/wanting more.  I think if the story had been a bit longer, and given more more advancement of what would be the story over the whole series, I would've been happier.  To a small degree it felt like it wasn't the whole book.  Now my students who are reluctant readers won't have this same feeling.  They will like a story that is full of action and doesn't go on forever, so for them it's perfect. And in the end that's who it's written for not for me :)

I do want to comment on Mack's phobias.  Mack has a ton of them!  But my favorite is the phobia of developing more phobias!  That just shows how bad his are!  Mack's phobias make him human (even though they are clearly over the top), more realistic and they had some fun humor.

For the Guys?  100% yes! Mack is a character they'll relate to and the story should interest them.

Final thought:  Action, action and more action mixed well with  humor.
Best stick-with-you image: The leprechauns at the airport
Best for readers who: Need short, fast paced books
Best for ages: 9-12


To read the first chapter - click below!



The Magnificent 12: The Trap Blog Tour with GIVEAWAY Clue!

I'm so very very excited today to be hosting a stop on the blog tour for The Magnificent 12: The Trap by Michael Grant.  I read the first book and really thought it was fun, so I was excited to be able to read and promote the second book.  Later today, I'll be posting my review.

But not only do I get to share my thoughts of the book with you, I also get to help you find a clue and enter to win SIGNED copies of both books!

Ready??? Here we go! 
I'm stop #1, so you're hopping at a perfect time.



Tour Introduction
THE MAGNIFICENT 12: THE TRAP (on-sale August 23, 2011) is another fast-paced episode in New York Times bestselling author Michael Grant’s hilarious fantasy adventure series. Mack MacAvoy already answered The Call. Now he must assemble the Magnificent Twelve and avoid The Trap if he’s to save the world from the wicked Pale Queen. But time is short
the Pale Queen’s banishment ends in 35 days and she will be free to destroy the world! Can Mack assemble the Twelve and avoid The Trap?

To join the adventure, read along as Michael Grant introduces characters new and old from the world of The Magnificent 12 and gives sneak peeks at their adventures in THE TRAP. Each post will also reveal a clue about a worldly location the Magnificent Twelve visit in THE TRAP. Follow Michael Grant and the characters to each blog until you’ve discovered all eight locations. At the final stop on the blog tour, enter all eight locations to win a signed copy of both MAGNIFICENT 12 books!



Join The Magnificent 12 online community: Play free games, create an avatar, enter sweepstakes, and earn points at www.themag12.com!


Ready to get your Mag 12 on? Here’s your first character and clue:

Post #1: Grimluk
Grimluk lived a long, long time ago. It was a time before algebra and long division, a time when chickpeas were a main dish, rats were a delicacy, and soap was a very bad word. But more than anything, it was a time of great fear. For the evil Pale Queen loomed at large, and everyone, including Grimluk, had to flee from her. Grimluk was only twelve, but in those days, twelve wasn’t so young. (He was no longer a carefree nine year old, after all!) He had a wife, Gelidberry, and a baby he hadn’t yet named. So when Grimluk fled, so did his family—but not for long.
 
For, unbeknownst to any of them, Grimluk possessed the enlightened puissance, a rare and magical quality. Unfortunately, Grimluk had no idea what enlightened puissance meant. And he wasn’t about to ask! But he played along and, before he knew it, he found himself joining the Magnifica. Three thousands years have passed since then, but Grimluk’s work still isn’t done. He might be really ancient, but he’s still kicking. In THE TRAP, it’s up to him to help Mack find and lead the Magnificent Twelve, even if it means appearing to Mack as a reflection in a toilet in the boy’s bathroom and warning him about The Trap before it’s too late. In Grimluk’s words, “time is shooort!!!”

Clue: THE TRAP location #1: If you’re in Beijing, China and craving deep-fried crickets, centipedes, and lizards for dinner, this is the place to go. Hint: it’s not McDonald’s!


Find the next clue Wednesday at Mundie Moms!

WAIT THERE IS MORE!

To read the first chapter - click below.







If you've never seen the book trailer for the first book check it out.  I showed it to my students last school year, and they wall loved it!