Monday, March 31, 2014

File Under: 13 Suspicious Incidents by Lemony Snicket; Spotlight

Happy Marvelous Middle Grade Monday! 
Today I'm so thrilled to be apart of Little Brown's feature for Lemony Snicket's FILE UNDER: 13 SUSPICIOUS INCIDENTS.
Here's a little bit about the book.


Out tomorrow, April 1st, 2014, Lemony Snicket's newest release, File Under: 13 Suspicious Incidents, will be available to purchase in print, ebook and audiobook formats. The audiobook features the talents of Holly Black, Libba Bray, Kon Klassen, Jon Scieszka, Ira Glass & Rachel Maddow. 

Crack the case with Lemony Snicket in File Under: 13 Suspicious Incidents. Set in the same mysterious world as All The Wrong Questions series, the young apprentice investigates thirteen suspicious incidents occurring around town.

In the thirteen top-secret cases, paintings have been falling off of walls, a loud and loyal dog has gone missing, a specter has been seen walking the pier at night—strange things are happening all over the town of Stain'd-By-The-Sea. Called upon the investigate, young Lemony Snicket collects clues, questions witnesses, and cracks every case. Join the investigation and tackle the mysteries alongside Snicket, then turn to the back of the book to see the solution revealed. 

Perfect for fans of Encyclopedia Brown, File Under: 13 Suspicious Incidents welcomes readers into Lemony Snicket's world of deep mystery, mysterious depth, deductive reasoning, and reasonable deductions. 

I am so thrilled to now show with you an excerpt from Holly Black's narration of "Midnight Demon" by Lemon Snicket.



About The Author


Found out more of the mysterious Lemony Snicket here.

Friday, March 28, 2014

The Magisterium Series: The Iron Trial by Holly Black & Cassandra; Cover Reveal, Excerpt & The Characters On The Cover


Yesterday I shared the cover reveal for Cassandra Clare & Holly Black's The Iron Trials here on Mundie Moms, which is book one in their MAGISTERIUM middle grade series. What a fabulous MG cover it is! Cassie also shared a link on Tumblr yesterday to read an excerpt (which is part of USA Today's cover reveal, also from yesterday) from the book and she told fans who each of the characters are on the cover are. Here's what she said:
ETA: Who are the three children on the cover of The Iron Trial? I loved the cover! - 
Aaron is in the center. Callum is on his left, and Tamara on his right.

About The Book
By: Cassandra Clare & Holly Black
Published by: Scholastic / Double Day
To Be Released on: 9/9/2014
Series: Magisterium Book #1
Pre-Order The Iron Trial from: Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads

Most kids would do anything to pass the Iron Trial. Not Callum Hunt. He wants to fail. All his life, Call has been warned by his father to stay away from magic. If he succeeds at the Iron Trial and is admitted into the Magisterium, he is sure it can only mean bad things for him. So he tries his best to do his worst – and fails at failing. Now the Magisterium awaits him — a place that’s both sensational and sinister, with dark ties to his past and a twisty path to his future. The Iron Trial is just the beginning, for the biggest test is still to come… (per Cassie's site)

You can find out more about the series via Cassandra Clare's site and Scholastic.
I can't wait to read this one! I'm so excited she and Holly are doing a middle grade series together. This is a 5 book series I'm anxiously awaiting to feature here on Mundie Kids. 

Monday, March 24, 2014

Wish You Weren't by Sherrie Petersen, Blog Tour: Guest Post & Giveaway



Hello & welcome to today's WISH You Weren't blog tour stop. I'm so thrilled to have debut author, Sherrie Petersen on the blog today to talk about her debut middle grade book, which was released last week. First, here's a little bit about the book.


About the Book

By: Sherry Petersen
To Be Released on: 3/17/14
Genre: Middle Grade Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Marten doesn't believe in the power of wishes. None of his have ever come true. His parents ignore him, his little brother is a pain and his family is talking about moving to Texas. Not cool. So when he makes an impulsive wish during a meteor shower, he doesn't expect it to make any difference.

Until his annoying brother disappears.

With the present uncertain and his brother’s future in limbo, Marten finds himself stuck in his past. And if he runs out of time, even wishes might not be enough to save the ones he loves.


Wishing on a Star – Or are you? by Sherrie Petersen

What kid hasn’t made a wish on a star, hoping that somehow the wish will come true? Greek astronomer Ptolemy was one of the first people to write about the magic of wishing on stars. But most of the time when people wish on “stars,” they’re wishing on other things found in the sky.

  1. Venus is the planet most often mistaken for a star. Since it’s the closest planet to the Earth (about 25 million miles away), it tends to be the brightest thing in the sky. Depending on where it is in orbit, Venus has been called “the star of the morning” or “the first star I see tonight.”
  2. Jupiter also gets mistaken for a star. It doesn’t orbit nearly as close as Venus (the closest it gets is 365 million miles away), but its sheer size makes it easily visible without a telescope, even in areas with light pollution.
  3. Shooting stars aren’t actually stars. They’re meteors (small particles of debris from space) that blaze brightly when they come in contact with our atmosphere.
  4. Comets produce some of the best meteor showers. When the Earth passes through the tail of a comet (we pass through six big ones every year, including the Perseids in August) you can see up to 100 “shooting stars” an hour.
  5. Meteors that actually make through the atmosphere and land on Earth are called meteorites. Meteors can reach speeds between 30,000 and 90,000 mph and burn at a temperature of 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Usually these hot temps cause the meteor to disintegrate. Depending on whom you ask, anywhere from150 to 500 recoverable meteorites make it to Earth each year.

    So next time you’re looking up at the night sky and making a wish, make sure the bright light you’re wishing on is actually a star, at least if you want that wish to come true! SHERRIE PETERSEN still believes in magic and she loves to write (and read!) stories that take her on fantastic adventures. In addition to writing middle grade novels, Sherrie moonlights as a graphic designer, substitute teacher, freelance writer, school newspaper advisor, yearbook advisor and mother of two children. She spends her free time watching movies, driving kids around and baking cookies. Or eating them.

About Sherrie Petersen



Sherrie Petersen still believes in magic and she loves to write (and read!) stories that take her on fantastic adventures. In addition to writing middle grade novels, Sherrie moonlights as a graphic designer, substitute teacher, freelance writer, school newspaper advisor, yearbook advisor and mother of two children. She spends her free time watching movies, driving kids around and baking cookies. Or eating them. WISH YOU WEREN’T is her debut novel.

Follow Sherrie On
Twitter: @SherriePetersen
Website | Blog | Facebook | Goodreads

Praise for WISH YOU WEREN’T:
“If you’re looking for the same old formula middle grade fantasy, this isn’t it. Wish You Weren’t is magically real. You wouldn’t be surprised if you met Marten in “real” life, but what he encounters in this story is pure magic.” ~VALERIE HOBBS, award-winning author of Wolf, Sheep and Minnie McClary Speaks Her Mind

“Wish You Weren’t is a sweet story about the blessings of family contained within the rip-roaring roller coaster of time travel. It is a page turner that kids are going to love!” ~KATIE D. ANDERSON, bestselling author of Kiss & Makeup

“I love all the science details mixed with fantasy in Wish You Weren’t — just the kinds of flights-of-science-fancy I wish I had as child!” ~SUSAN KAYE QUINN, bestselling author of the Mindjack Trilogy, Faery Swap and Third Daughter

“Fun and accessible, rich with realism and heart, this magical adventure reminds us of the things truly worth wishing for.” ~CASEY McCORMICK, literary agent intern and blogger at Literary Rambles

The Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, March 21, 2014

Mega-Awesome Adventures (Free) eBook From Disney Hyperion


Check it out Disney book fans! You can get a FREE Disney ebook with cool sample chapters from six popular authors & get a sneak peek from Percy Jackson's GREEK GODS!!

The Mega-Awesome Adventures ebook sampler features a peak into 6 tales of mind-bending, heart-pounding action from authors Rick Riordan, Eoin Colfer, Bruce Hale, Ridley Pearson, Neal Shusterman & Eric Elfman, and Jonathan Stroud. This ebook is perfect for readers ages 9-12. 

Go HERE to get more info about the book, each of the author's series & to download the Free eBook.


Thursday, March 20, 2014

Check Out These Easter Titles from HarperCollins Children's Books

It's only the first day of Spring, and we're already gearing up for the upcoming Spring Holidays! 
Check out HarperCollins Children's Books for Easter. 


*Click on the highlighted book title to be taking to the publisher's page for each book, and find out where you can purchase it from. *

Peek-a-Boo Bunny written and illustrated by Holly Surplice
9780062242655 – $9.99 – Ages 4 to 8 – On Sale: 1/21/2014
Hop along with Bunny and play Peek-a-Boo!

Written by Jodi Huelin, illustrated by Walter Carzon
9780062252227 – $3.99 – Ages 4 to 8 – On Sale: 1/28/2014
Alvin and the Chipmunks are going on vacation in this brand new 8x8!


written and illustrated by Victoria Kann
9780062187727 – $4.99 – Ages 4 to 8 – On Sale: 1/28/2014
Pinkalicious celebrates Easter in this 8x8 storybook complete with a sheet of stickers!

Pete the Cat: Big Easter Adventure written and illustrated by James Dean
9780062198679 – $9.99 – Ages 4 to 8 – On Sale: 1/28/2014
Join Pete the Cat in all new hilarious paper-over-board Easter adventures, complete with poster, punch-out cards, and stickers!

Little White Rabbit Board Book written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes9780062314093 – $7.99 – Ages 4 to 8 – On Sale: 1/28/2014
In this book from best-selling Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes, a curious young rabbit hops through the wide world before finally ending up safe at home.

The Berenstain Bears' Easter Parade written and illustrated by Mike Berenstain
9780062075543 – $3.99 – Ages 4 to 8 – On Sale: 1/28/2014
The Berenstain Bears are back in this Easter adventure!

Bedtime for Chickies written and illustrated by Janee Trasler 9780062274687 – $8.99 – Ages Newborn to 4 – On Sale: 1/28/2014
Cheep cheep cheep! What does it take to get the Chickies to sleep? Fall asleep with the Chickies in this heart-warming bedtime book!

Pottytime for Chickies written and illustrated by Janee Trasler 
9780062274694 – $8.99 – Ages Newborn to 4 – On Sale: 1/28/2014
Learning to go to the potty is tricky for the Chickies! A playful and helpful book for all parents and children as they go through potty training!

Happy Spring!

HAPPY 1st Day of SPRING!


It's been one crazy Winter. Here's to a fabulous Spring, filled with warmer days, and plenty of chances to get out and play, and read under the shade of a tree.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Who's Who 100th Book Contest, Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Happy Monday!! For today's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post, I wanted feature something exciting that Grosset & Dunlap (Penguin) is hosting with their Who's Who book series. If you've not yet checked out this series, you're missing out. Each book in this series features a figure from history, and allows middle grade readers to get to know them better. From Abraham Lincoln, Helen Keller, The Beatles, to Thomas Edison and many more. Whether it be Women's History figures, Political Figures, World History, Explorers, Scientist, Musicians etc, this series has it. I've enjoyed reading this series with my kids. I've gotten many of our Who's Who series from my kids's Scholastic Book Fairs.

Now Grosset & Dunlap (Penguin) needs your help! To celebrate their upcoming 100th book in the series, they are asking for fans to vote on who should be the next Who's Who. Here's a little bit about the 100th Who's Who Contest


About the series
 Grosset & Dunlap’s Who Was? series is the leading biography series for young readers, with over 50 titles featuring famous thinkers, politicians, and history-makers published to date. The eclectic collection includes everyone from George Washington to Walt Disney to Dolly Parton. With their quirky cover art, interior illustrations, and novel-like prose, the Who Was…? books make learning about important figures exciting and accessible for middle-grade readers, both in the classroom and at home. The success of the series has inspired two spin-offs, What Was…?, which describes important historical events and landmarks, andQuien Fue…?, for Spanish language readers.

Website
Visit the Who's Who website to learn more, here www.whowasbookseries.com (can enter your suggestion, and features a “leaderboard” for the winners, etc.)

Dates to enter
 Now through June 1st; Winning subject to be announce July 1st.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Rose and the Lost Princess by Holly Webb, Waiting On Wednesday


By: Holly Webb
Published by: Sourcebooks
To Be Released on: April 1st, 2014
Series: Rose #2
Pre-Order from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Add it to Goodreads

Now an apprentice magician, Rose is asked to help find a very special missing person

Turning the worn pages of her spell book, Rose can't believe how much her life has changed. Once a poor orphan, she is now an apprentice to the king's chief magician. But when the country's beloved princess vanishes, everything changes. As rumors of dark magic fly through the city, the king asks Rose for help. She must find the missing princess, before all is lost.

I love it when I stumble across a series I've not heard about before. Though this is the second book in the series, I'm looking forward to picking it and the first book in the series up. I totally love this cover. 

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

One Busy Day: A Story For Brothers & Sister by Lola M. Schaefer, Book Review


By: Lola M. Schafer
Illustrated by: Jessica Meserve
Published by: Disney Hyperion
Released on: March 4th, 2014
Source: book from publisher to review
Rating: 5 Owlets- We Loved It
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Add it to Goodreads

All Mia wants is for her big brother, Spencer, to play with her. But he's always too busy! So Mia paints, and dances, and explores, and keep busy all by herself. But with a little imagination and a lot of love, Mia might just be able to show Spencer that it's a lot more fun to be busy together.

This story is beautifully illustrated and wonderfully told, and one I'd highly recommend getting.

This is an adorable children's picture book, and so fitting for my family. I swear this story mirrored that of my children. The younger sister who wants to play with her big brother, and the big brother doing his own thing, secretly watching his little sister play, and then joining her for a fun afternoon of imagination play. I liked that the story featured both siblings playing by themselves, and using their own imaginations as they play, as well as together. From fort making to playing outside, and taking grand adventures together, Mia and Spencer's story feature the fun and memorable adventures siblings can share without even leaving the comforts of their home.

This book is perfect for toddlers and younger readers, as well as those who are young at heart, and enjoy reading picture books. The story is simple, easy to follow, and the illustrations are engaging, and will be entertaining for younger children.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

No Two Alike by Keith Baker; Book Reviews


By: Keith Baker
Published by: Little Simon (Simon & Schuster)
Released on: 11/4/13
Source: book from publisher to review
Rating: 4 Owls - We Really Enjoyed It!
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Add it to Goodreads

No two snowflakes are alike,
almost, almost . . .
but not quite.
Follow a pair of birds on a snowflake-filled journey though a gorgeous winter landscape to explore how everything, everywhere is wonderfully unique--from branches and leaves to forests and trees to friends and loved ones.
An adorable picture book, with simple text, and a great message about how we're all unique. 

No Two Alike follows these two cute red birds as they explore their forest home. From their woodland friends, to the trees, to the falling snowflakes and tracks in the snow, no two are alike. At first glance things might look similar, like the bird nests in the trees, but upon closer inspection the birds see that nothing is the same. Everything around them, including themselves, is unique.

With great illustrations, and simple text, this is a picture book/board book worth picking up. Toddlers will love it, as will children of all ages. 

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

If Your Kids LOVED Frozen, They May Loves These Books


Harper Collins Children's Books put together a list of fabulous, must read children's books for those who loved Frozen. The books featured below are from their list here.



 

I've read three out of the five featured books, and I loved them! I'll definitely be picking up the other two to read. You can read my reviews for Breadcrumbs and The Winterling. Be sure to visit Harper Collins here, to find out more about each of these books.

I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~