Recent Reads: Meerkat Madness by Ian Whybrow

Meerkat Madness by Ian Whybrow
Publisher: Barron's Educational Series
Publication Date:  April 1, 2013

 

Format: Paperback
Source: BEA 2013  (Yes, I still have books in my TBR from BEA.)

Rating:


 

 


Goodreads Synopsis: 

"Meerkat Madness " is an uproarious mini-novel for kids in Barron's frantically funny, stupendously silly, and fun-filled "Awesome Animals" series. Kids will start laughing the moment they open this short, easy-to-read novel--and they'll keep on turning the pages to find out which new tricks these hilarious Meerkats are getting ready to concoct next. Comical black-and-white cartoon-style illustrations appear on many pages to capture the story's zany spirit. All "Awesome Animals" novels are divided into chapters, so that boys and girls can put the books down when Mom calls them for dinner--though kids will want to pick these stories up again as soon as they can! 

Review: 
This was a cute book and I liked it but it wasn't anything spectacular, to me at least. We follow four Meerkats on an adventure that has them fighting off birds of prey, other Meerkat tribes, and even vroom-vrooms. 

I enjoyed the information that this book shares about Meerkats and how they do things - the hierarchy of their groups, how they eat and watch for predictors and how they interact with one another. The story was very fun as well. These four kats are trying to leave their burrow for a new one and their experiences are fun filled and exciting. The book is written in a very clever way, in that everything is from the Meerkat's point of view so human things are foreign to them and it makes for some laugh-out-loud moments.

I think younger readers will get a kick out of this book, it is cute, informational, and fun, and there are even illustrations as well.

Recent Reads: Into That Forest by Louis Nowra

Into That Forest by Louis Nowra
Publisher: Amazon Children's Publishing
Publication Date:  September 3, 2013

 

Format: paperback ARC
Source: BEA 2013 (Yes... I am that behind reading them). Receiving this book in no way effects my opinion or review of the book.

Rating:
 


 



Goodreads Synopsis: 

Two girls.
Two tigers.
Four years in the wild.

Two girls survive a terrible flood in the Tasmanian bush and are rescued by a pair of Tasmanian tigers who raise them in the wild. Their story of survival is remarkable, as they adapt to the life of the tiger, learning to hunt and to communicate without the use of human language. When they are discovered and returned to civilization, neither can adapt to being fully human after their extraordinary experience. Totally believable, their story will both shock and captivate readers as it explores the animal instincts that lie beneath our civilized veneer.

 Review: 
This is one of those books that I will likely remember snippets of forever, but it was a strange book on so many levels. I enjoyed the book, it was interesting... however there were a lot of things I was not too fond of.

So the likes: this was an interesting story, girls living with tigers and how they adapt. I found it neat how they became so animalistic and how they learned to interact with the tigers. 

My ehhhh moments: this book was so sad, everything about it was kind of depressing. First the girls experience a flood, then loss of family, then throughout the book there are other instances where I was gasping out of surprise and sadness at what happened. I even teared up a lot at the end.

My 'nope' moments: First thing, I think it is important to understand while reading this book, that they aren't tigers like we know tigers - they are Tasmanian tigers -- which are extinct... so I was super confused for a while about when this was taking place. I was also a little weirded out by Hannah in the beginning of her time with the tigers, she just all of a sudden is fine with eating a dead (not even plucked) non-cooked bird. Now I know that hunger does a lot of crazy things to a person but this seemed SO extreme given the timeline and I was a little put off by it.

Like I mentioned, I will remember this book for a long time... so it did have an impact, but not all good.
 
 

Recent Reads: The Abominables by Eva Ibbotson

The Abominables by Eva Ibbotson
Publisher: Amulet Books, An Imprint of Abrams
Publication Date:  October 2013

 

Format: Paperback ARC
Source: BEA 2013

Rating:



Goodreads Synopsis: 

Renowned literary great Eva Ibbotson delivers a final novel in her classic, much-loved style. A previously unpublished work from this favorite author, The Abominables follows a family of yetis who are forced, by tourism, to leave their home in the Himalayas and make their way across Europe to a possible new home. Siblings Con and Ellen shepherd the yetis along their eventful journey, with the help of Perry, a good-natured truck driver. Through a mountain rescue in the Alps and a bullfight in Spain, the yetis at last find their way to an ancestral estate in England—only to come upon a club of voracious hunters who have set their sights on the most exotic prey of all: the Abominable Snowmen.
Briskly funny and full of incident, The Abominables is vintage Ibbotson. With unforgettable characters and thoughtful messages about the environment and advocacy, it’s a generous last gift to her many devoted fans.

 Review: 

I received The Abonimables at BEA 2013 and I am sad to say that many of the books I received are still in my TBR pile – I went a bit overboard…  Anywho, this book was very cute. I had not heard of Eva Ibbotson before this book, but she was a beautiful writer of whimsy. She took a surreal topic and although far-fetched made it seem possible. In the book we meet Lady Agatha, a young girl kidnapped by a yeti. She lives with them and raises the children, teaches them all sorts of things, and when marketing and development start to take over their homestead she decides that they should move to her old home in England, the Farley Towers.

The book is filled with illustrations and because I only had an ARC some were even just the rough sketches, I am told that the released book has these in full color and I bet that they are adorable. I pictures were a wonderful addition to the story – they really captured what I was seeing in my head as I was reading the tale and those types of images are always the best.

Ibbotson’s tale is a fun-filled adventure for young readers with learning embedded throughout on their journey from the Himalayas to England. This was a very easy read and I think both boys and girls will enjoy it. Amulet markets it for ages 8-12 but if read a loud I think younger audiences can enjoy as well.

 

Recent Reads: Randi Rhodes Ninja Detective and the Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit by Octavia Spencer

The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit by Octavia Spencer
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available: Now! October 15th, 2013

 

 
Format: Paperback ARC
Source: Publisher at BEA 2013

My Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis:

Meet Randi Rhodes, the world's first ninja detective! Mystery abounds in this delightful new middle grade series from Academy Award-winning actress Octavia Spencer.

Deer Creek is a small town whose only hope for survival is the success of their Founder's Day Festival. But the festival's main attraction, a time capsule that many people believe hold the town's treasure, has gone missing.

Randi Rhodes and her best friend, D.C., are Bruce Lee-inspired ninjas and local detectives determined to solve the case. Even if it means investigating in a haunted cabin and facing mean old Angus McCarthy, prime suspect.

They have three days to find the treasure the future of their whole town is at stake! Will these kids be able to save the day?

Review:
Randi Rhodes is the only child of author Herb Rhodes, the mastermind behind the great detective series staring Glenn Street; so it isn’t surprising that Randi herself aspires to be a great detective.

After the passing of her mother, and her father giving up his writing for a while; they move to the small town of Deer Creek where a mystery has occurred, the time-capsule has gone missing. Randi is determined to show her father that she is no longer a baby and that she can help the town solve this crazy misdeed.

I have to say, this middle grade book pleasantly surprised me. It was full of adventure, a great strong female character who likes having a black belt and doesn’t want to be pink and frilly, and a great cast of characters overall. The plot was fun and fast paced and a middle grade reader would definitely enjoy this book. To make it even more awesome there is an appendix of Ninja Detective things to do along with the book: like how to spy, make a casting of a footprint, and there is even a place to login on a computer and become part of the ninja detective team. This interactive aspect is really building on what middle grade readers like with their books.

Overall, I found the book easy to read and enjoyable. I think both boys and girls in the middle grade range would also love it!


View all my reviews

Recent Reads: Hit the Road, Helen! by Kate McMullan

Hit the Road, Helen! By Kate McMullan

Publisher: Capstone and Myth-o-mania

Available: Now, July 1st

 

Format: Paperback ARC

Source: Publisher from BEA 2013

 
 My Rating:



Background:  Hit the Road, Helen! Is the story of the Trojan war and how it “really” went down. Narrated by none other than the famous god Hades, it retells the evens leading up to and during the epic battle of the Greeks and Trojans over what seemed to be a woman, Helen. Little did we know, that is not the story at all, but instead a story of the gods getting too wrapped up in the lives of humans.

Review: The Myth-o-Mania series is a group of books that parody the mythology of centuries ago in a way for young readers (ages 9-13 is what my ARC tells me) to learn as well as enjoy themselves. Hades is a very funny narrator for this tale and it also shows him in a different light. Normally Hades is represents as a hot head, angry all the time, shepherding the dead in the underworld. Here in this tale, he is trying to stop the war with all of his ideas, even though they are not working well. He is just a normal character.

The book is a very complete picture of the events leading up to the war and then the war itself with all the big pieces of history included. Hades spins it as if the war is all Zeus fault and also includes snippets about a good number of the gods who participated.

This is the ninth book in the series and I have not read any before this one, however I may just go to the library and grab them. It was a good thing that these seem to be stand alones as well. You can read them in any order really and it seems the next one is already in the works, per the epilogue. I learned a good amount of information I had forgotten and it was delivered in a fun and lighthearted way for young readers. I recommend this book to young readers and parents for their children to learn/enjoy at the same time.

BEA Giveaway!

It is the best of all things! A BEA GIVEAWAY.

 

I brought home a lot of books from BEA and I am also in the process of moving from Virginia to Vermont -- I know -- I did not think this through. So now I have books that I would like to share with you!

 

So for this giveaway (US Only, Sorry International Lovelies) I am giving away some of the YA and MG books I brought home... both are paperback and ARCs

 Please enter with the Rafflecopter below and I will notify the winners via email when the giveaway ends. 1 winner will win the bunch

~May the odds be ever in your favor~

 

 

Hit the Road, Helen! by Kate McMullen

Riptide by Lindsey Scheibe

+ some swag

Images from Goodreads

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BEA 2013 Re-Cap (Part 2)

Hello again lovely readers! I wanted to tell you about the awesomeness that was BEA this year...

I had a wonderful time in NYC with my husband attending BEA for the first time this year, all thanks to my marvelous family who all chipped in to help me go: Meghan, Dad, Carol, Howie and Auntie! I love you all and thank you!

So I know that many people do their tips list before BEA but this was my first time so here are my thoughts about all of it and pics of the goodies and fun!

Some things about NYC and BEA:
1. If you get into the city early, do not spend a day walking around the city then going to BEA, make plans for another trip -- Andy and I walked Central Park and the MET on Wednesday before the exhibitors opened on Thursday and so by the time we got to the show we were exhausted and sore :( 

2. Comfy shoes are a must! I was so glad I thought about this, I work my flats and they were great the whole time, until they started falling apart due to all the walking, but they were old...so my bad.

3. You would be surprised to know that people, bloggers, librarians, exhibitors all dressed very well for the event. On Thursday I wore a nice colorful shirt and comfy skirt and on Friday I wore long shorts with a frilly tank and was a little under dressed I felt like. Most people there are there to work so dress accordingly if you do...casual work is what it seemed to be. 

Friday BEA2013

R.L. Stine :)

4. If you are planning to eat, plan out your day. The food at the expo center was great, but super expensive. You could easily leave the expo and walk a few blocks over for restaurants that are better priced. While reading the internet before I left I thought around Jarvis was going to be empty of food, I think it is just because people didn't want to walk ... If you don't mind the adventure walk a few blocks out, there is a bunch there.

5. There is so much to say for shipping books. I wasn't going to cave and ship anything, but a 20lb backpack and still a day to go through the fun was killing me, so I shipped things back home. It was costly but worth the lack of pain on the way home...and the room left for more goodies before we left (Andy thought I was crazy).

The Cute!

6. Cabs! So I live near Washington DC and in DC it is pain to get a cab, you have to call the dispatch and pay crazy amounts, in NYC they are everywhere all the time and about $1 rate :) utilize these if you don't wanna walk/ shuttles are full. They drive like maniacs but it is part of the NYC experience!

7. Rolly Suitcase and a backpack! I brought a backpack and a duffel on the trip and my shoulders were killing me when I got home. What I found at the show was that few people actually brought a backpack...and it is brilliant for this kind of thing. Think about it, even weight on your shoulders and load so room for goodies...run outta space? then you grab a free bag and fill it too....As for my duffel, not such a hot idea. Bring a rolly suitcase for clothes and books it is easier when leaving after walking.carrying things for 2-3 days.

@EpicReads #TeaTime Ladies!

 8. Have fun! Yes there are lots of people and lines that are super long, but have fun with it all, you have the chance to meet awesome authors, publishers, editors, other bloggers! Live it up.

Favorite moments: 

Meeting the @EpicReads ladies...they knew me by my twitter handle and that rocked my socks.

Getting RL Stine's and Chuck Palahniuk's autographs, OMG I love these writers:)

 All the goodies...can't leave that out. Thank you to all the publishers for everything you do for bloggers, we truly appreciate it!

 

Have questions about BEA or the Experience? Let me know! Comment below!

Building the Book Pile #54 -- The BEA13 Edition (Part 1)

Welcome to Building the Book Pile! 
A Weekly meme inspired by Stacking the Shelves

Happy Saturday Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

Wow, guys! BEA was AWESOME! I apologize to everyone if you believe posts like this are bragging and ridiculous, but I would love to share some of my BEA grabs with all of you.  I guarantee that there are a bunch of Galleys that I missed and others got, which I will be SUPER jealous about  :/ But I grabbed a bunch of great books and had a blast! See my BEA re-cap post coming soon:)
 

Giveaways Going on NOW!

Armchair BEA: Giveaway 
 
Others may be linked on the right sidebar :) check them out!
 

Coming up on the Blog...

 BEA 2013 Re-Cap
Review and Tour: Wisdom of Hair
MG Book Reviews from the BEA Stack!

What I got this week...BEA 2013!

Disclaimer: I really did try to control myself and only grab YA/MG books, but some of these I could not pass up... oh book hoarding :/
 

BEA 2013 Thursday

 Alright these are the ones I can read from the pic, they are on their way to me (I shipped them)

Lola
The Misadventures of the Magicians Dog by Frances Sackett
Templeton Twins Make a Scene (Book 2) by Ellis Weiner
Awaken (Abandon #3) by Meg Cabot
Meerkat Madness by Ian Whybrow
Ghost Time by Courtney Eldridge
 Into that Forest by Louis Nowra
Taken by Kelly Maine
Abominables by Eva Ibbotson
Splintered (with an Unhinged Preview) by AG Howard

Hit the Road, Helen! by Kate McMullen
Riptide by Lindsey Scheibe
My Basmati Bat Mitzvah by Paula Freedman
 The Killing in the Hills by Julia Keller
The Edge of Normal by Carla Norton
Fractured
The Shade of the Moon (Last Survivors #4) by Susan Beth Pfeffer
If You Were Here by Alafair Burke *autographed
The Grammarian by Annapurna Potluri *autographed
No Safe Ground by Julia Pomeroy *autographed
A Mark Twain Christmas by Carol De Vito  (My Husband Grabbed)
The Tell Tale Start by Gordon McAlpine *autographed
The Darkest Path by Jeff Hirsch
Under the Empyrean Sky by Chuck Windig
Doomed by Chuck Palahniuk *autographed 
The Midsummer Night's Scream by R.L. Stine *autographed
Chalk by Bill Thomson *autographed (not in picture) 

BEA 2013 Friday

Death's Heretic by James Sutter *autographed (my husband grabbed) 
The Creature Department by Robert Paul Weston (glow in the dark cover)
Randi Rhodes Ninja Detective: The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit (Book 1) by Octavia Spencer (from the Children's Breakfast compliments of Michelle at Playing Jokers who attended it)
If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric Gansworth 
Unfed (Undead Book 2) by Kirsty McKay
The Wolf Princess by Cathryn Constable
The 39 Clues Unstoppable Book 1: Nowhere to Run by Jude Watson
The Twistrose Key by Tone AlmhJell


 Links go to Goodreads
There were a few in Pic1 that I couldn't remember since I don't have them all in front of me.

Stay tuned for a BEA 2013 Re-cap Post Monday :)

 

Have you missed anything lately?

Cover Reveal: The Cindy Chronicles

Armchair BEA: Introductions

Armchair BEA: Blogging

Armchair BEA: Giveaway

May Re-Cap

Link me up to your piles! Happy Reading!