Archive for May, 2012

So long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodnight – Kristin’s “Au Revoir” Post

May 28, 2012 · Filed under Author Interview, Dystopia, Fantasy, Fiction, High School, Humor, Intermediate (3-5), Magic, Middle School (6-8), Nonfiction, Novels, Paranormal, Picture Books, Poetry, Primary (K-2), Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction

There’s a sad sort of clanging from the clock in the hall

And the bells in the steeple too

And up in the nursery an absurd little bird

Is popping out to say, “Cuckoo”

Regretfully they tell us but firmly they compel us

To say goodbye to you

I thought that the beautiful music from one of my favorite musicals, The Sound of Music, would convey my message pretty well. Yes it’s true, I will no longer be a regular blogger on Mackin Books in Bloom. I have found another position that is closer to home.

I have really enjoyed my time here at Mackin, and I hope that my posts have helped to expand your collections! I have really enjoyed writing about angels, dystopian fiction, picture books, and so much more. Thanks to my fellow bloggers for giving me the unique opportunity to blog about what I already love to read! *And who knows..you might still see me every once and awhile on here!*

In closing I would just like to highlight my top 6 (you didn’t think I could do just 5, did you?) favorite posts that I did over the past year. Feel free to check them out again if you would like:

Shatter Me

-This was probably my all-time favorite novel of the year. Tahereh Mafi is uber-talented, and I cannot believe we have to wait a whole year to read her 2nd installment. This one is a ‘do not miss’!

Angels in Teen Fiction

-When I started working at Mackin, I had no idea that ‘angels’ would be so popular! Titles are still coming out such as Rapture, the final book in the Hush, Hush trilogy, Heaven, and many more. Who knew that angels would have such staying power?

Animal Poetry

-Who knew that one could get so much joy by reading a line such as this: “Nice to Meetcha! You smell delish!/Wanna share my water dish?” Being the goofy animal-lover that I am, is probably why I enjoy these much more than the average person. But, you have to admit that kids will love them too!

The Pledge

-This book is another one of my favorites from this year. It had all of the elements that I love in a novel, paranormal, fantasy, royalty, suspense..I could go on! Kimberly Derting is so gifted, and I loved my author interview with her as well. Don’t forget to check out The Essence, which comes out in January 2013. Check out the cover (below)..can you say gorgeous? I am dying to read this one, since she left us with such a cliffhanger in The Pledge.

Unlikely Animal Friendships

-I know..here we go with the animal stuff again. It fascinates me how much the animal kingdom is able to accept other species as their own. It’s heartwarming, and a little heartbreaking because I wish people would be more that way.

Last but not least: The Space Between

-Amazing doesn’t even totally compliment Brenna Yovanoff’s new novel. When she writes, she is able to completely engulf you into a world that is so unknown to you, yet familiar. Daphne is now one of my best-loved heroines, even though she is half-angel/half-demon. On a side note, Brenna’s interview was a pleasure to do. She was easy to work with and so willing to answer all of the questions I had. I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us with Paper Valentine.

Signing off…

Kristin J.

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Book Review: BZRK

May 24, 2012 · Filed under Fiction, High School, Reviews, Science Fiction · Tagged , , ,

BZRK by Michael Grant. 2012. 9781606843123. Gr 9-Adult.

Everything about this book screamed, “Pick me up! Read me!”  From the blocky, embossed copper title letters to the tagline on the front cover, which states, “In this war there are only two outcomes: Victory or Madness.”

BZRK is the brainchild of Michael Grant, who is also the co-author of the Animorphs series with his wife, Katherine Applegate, as well as author of the popular young adult series Gone.  BZRK centers around a secret organization of mostly teenaged, tech-savvy, gamer types.  They are tasked with battling for the world’s freedom, which is threatened by BZRK’s evil counterpart, the less-than-insidiously named Armstrong Fancy Gifts Corporation (AFGC).  The battle is fought primarily with nanotechnology, both biological and mechanical.  AFCG’s leaders are two of the most creative and terrifying villains I have come across.  They are conjoined twins bent on altering human minds towards their endgame of peace and harmony, at the expense of personal freedom and identity. This wicked pair works together to make for one great villain, as they inspire just the right amount of sympathy and revulsion in the reader.

AFCG plans on infesting world leaders’ minds with nanobots, controlled by “twitchers”, who are those adept at video games, and consequently, good at guiding these bots through the landscape of the human body. The nanobots eventually reach the brain and can “rewire” them to be under AFCG’s control.

All of this results in battles between BZRK and AFCG, with settings ranging from the streets of New York City to the surface of the human eye (sidenote: when nanobots are being controlled by humans on the eyeball’s surface, it is humorously referred to by BRZK members as “eye-skating”).  Grant conjures wonderful imagery of the micro-world, describing what pores, cells, and even fleas look like from a nanobot’s perspective.  Keeping up with the large cast of characters, the battles in the macro-world and micro-world, and the fast pace of the story is dizzying, but in a good way.

The word that kept coming to mind while reading BZRK was “cinematic”.  The themes of good versus evil, espionage, and bioterrorism seem tailor-made for Hollywood.  I could almost see the movie trailer and hear the sonorous voiceover as I pictured the stunning Hollywood special effects. And, sure enough, upon doing further research, I saw that BZRK has been optioned to be made into a big budget Hollywood movie.  The book has a companion website, complete with hi-definition book trailer, forums, blog, and a sharp-looking digital comic book series, among other things.  With BZRK the first book in a planned trilogy, it is poised to make a Hunger Games-like run.

Guestblogger:  Ryan H.

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Book Review : Snow in Summer : Fairest of Them All

May 21, 2012 · Filed under Fantasy, Fiction, Middle School (6-8), Novels, Reviews · Tagged , , , ,

Snow in Summer : Fairest of Them All by Jane Yolen.  November, 2011.  9780399256639.  Gr. 5-8.
Snow in Summer’s life came to a crashing halt when she was seven and her mother died. Her father no longer sings or tends to his beautiful garden and instead goes to his wife’s grave every day. Summer is left in the care of Cousin Nancy who becomes a second mother to her. Then, one day her father returns from her mother’s grave with a new woman and shortly thereafter, he remarries. A new woman who brings poisons and a magical mirror with her. A woman who Cousin Nancy claims is a witch. Stepmama has plans for Summer and her father, including stealing their land and years of their lives.

But Summer thwarts Stepmama’s plans, and with the help of Cousin Nancy and old folk magic, Summer keeps Stepmama’s evil plans at bay. When Stepmama cannot convince Summer to join her evil ways, she enlists the help of a hunter to take care of the problem once and for all.

This is a great novel to teach fairytales and fairytale variations. Yolen re-images Snow White into a post-depression Appalachian setting with fantastic results. She incorporates local dialect to make the characters sound more authentic and changes details of the classic story to keep readers guessing. Readers likewise can take their favorite fairytales and imagine new settings and plot twists for them. They can place Cinderella in the present day or The Twelve Dancing Princesses in WWII and see how that affects the fairytale.

This novel can also be used to look at point of view. Although the story is told mostly from Summer’s perspective, several chapters are narrated by Cousin Nancy and Stepmama. These chapters provide back story and an alternate perspective to the overall story. Readers and students could combine this with the fairytale element and try narrating a well known fairytale from a different character’s perspective. How did Cinderella’s stepmother see the story? Or did things really end happily ever after from wolf’s perspective in Little Red Riding Hood? I think they will have fun re-imaging their favorite fairytales from a different character’s prospective.

Sometimes I don’t always like it when publishers change the cover when they publish the paperback, but I’m a fan of this paperback version so I thought I’d share.

Lindsey L.

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Science Heroes

May 16, 2012 · Filed under Biography, History, Intermediate (3-5), Nonfiction, Picture Books, Primary (K-2), Science · Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, at least according to a recent Hot Topics list we created, but I can’t think of better heroes for kids than scientists.  Here are a few new titles that just may convince your students that science is a great adventure.

Rachel Carson, a pioneering environmentalist, took on the chemical industry in her book, Silent Spring.  She bravely spoke out against the damage that chemicals had been doing to our earth and animal life at a time when no one wanted to talk about it.  When Silent Spring was published in 1962, it became a national best-seller and sparked a public outcry as people realized for the first time what was happening as a result of the overuse of pesticides and other chemicals.  Laurie Lawlor and Laura Beingessner create an inspiring story in their picture book biography, Rachel Carson and Her Book that Changed the World.

Sylvia Earle was as interested in nature as Rachel Carson was, but her interest took her in a very particular place: underwater.  She discovered the wonders of the underwater world as a child when her family moved to coastal Florida, and she never stopped wanting to know more about sea life and do more for them.  In Life in the Ocean, Claire A. Nivola brings Earle’s love of the sea truly alive with striking illustrations next to inspiring text.

“When you next look out over the ocean, stop to think of the vast mountains, valleys, and plains below its surface.  Think of how it breathes and gives us life.  And think of all the wondrous creatures it holds in its waters—from whales, to busy, colorful coral reefs, to those living firework displays that light up the cold black waters of its mysterious depths.”

You won’t be able to see the ocean in the same way after reading this book.

In 1934, Ruth Harkness had never seen a panda bear.  She’d never been to China, and she’d certainly never been on an expedition into any kind of wilderness.  She was a fashion designer, who lived in New York City—hardly the sort of person you would expect to be an explorer.  Her husband was the explorer in the family, and he was the one on a mission to bring a panda back from China.  But when he died on the expedition, Ruth decided to continue the expedition herself.  Mrs. Harkness wasn’t a scientist, but by bringing the panda back from China, she made a significant contribution to zoology that shaped American attitudes toward wildlife.  Melissa Sweet’s illustrations create a strong sense of time and place that make Mrs. Harkness and the Panda great for history or social studies classrooms.

Once you have your students excited about science, don’t miss the chance to show them how they can be a part of it—right now!   Citizen Scientists has all the information and inspiration to get kids contributing to real scientific projects just by observing the natural world with their fresh perspectives and reporting their results.  This engaging book is a particularly great resource for classes studying butterflies, birds, or frogs, but nature lovers of all sorts will appreciate the opportunity to be part of something big.  With this book, we can all be science heroes!

Bibliography:

Citizen Scientists: Be a Part of Scientific Discovery by Loree Griffin Burns. February 2012. 9780805090628. Gr 3-6.

Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle by Claire A. Nivola. March 2012. 9780374380687. Gr 2-5.

Mrs. Harkness and the Panda by Alicia Potter. March 2012. 9780375944482.  Gr K-3.

Rachel Carson and Her Book that Changed the World by Laurie Lawlor. February 2012. 9780823423705. Gr 2-5.

Blogger: Mindy R.

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Blinded Me with Science! – Science Fiction Novels for Teens

May 14, 2012 · Filed under Dystopia, Fiction, Grade Levels, High School, Middle School (6-8), Novels, Science Fiction · Tagged , , , , , , ,

Congratulations, Ms. Provence–you are the winner of an autographed copy of Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore.  Please e-mail us your address at booksinbloom@mackin.com, and we will send it out to you today.  And thank you to everyone who commented!

“She blinded me with Science”..I bet you are humming the chorus right now, since it is quite catchy! Science fiction is definitely all the rage right now (Hunger Games, anyone?), so I wanted to highlight some new titles that you may have missed. Your teens will be amazed by tales of time-travel, courageous young women, and cyborgs. Enjoy!

Tempest by Julie Cross. 2012. 9780312568894.

If you are looking for a time-travel novel that is written in blockbuster movie fashion, Tempest is your ticket! Nineteen-year-old Jackson is a normal guy, getting a college education and enjoying time with his girlfriend Holly. And he just so happens to be able to jump through time without anything changing in present time. Everything changes when Holly is shot. Jackson is transported into the year 2007 and is forced to meet Holly again for the first time.

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver. 2012. 9780061978067.

The second installment in Oliver’s Delirium series will surely have fans eagerly awaiting the thrilling conclusion to this trilogy. Pandemonium picks right up where Delirium left off in the aftermath of Lena escaping to the Wilds. Lena is no longer the innocent, somewhat naive girl we once knew. She’s defiant and courageous—a fighter. Readers will enjoy the underlying theme of love winning out over prohibition in this amazing novel.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer. 2012. 9780312641894.

In this first book of the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder is a cyborg mechanic living in New Beijing while a plague sweeps the Earth. She is regarded as a second-class citizen with a secret past, whose life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai. Suddenly she finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle and a forbidden romance. Fans of fractured fairy-tales will love this new, futuristic twist on the classic Cinderella story.

Kristin J.

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Series Review and Giveaway : Graceling, Fire & Bitterblue – Giveaway Closed

May 10, 2012 · Filed under Contest, Fantasy, Fiction, High School, Mackin Picks, Novels, Reviews, Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , , ,

This past Monday our department had the huge pleasure of meeting with Kristin Cashore!  You can imagine our excitement since we’re all crazy about her books and couldn’t wait to meet the genius behind the stories.  Needless to say, she did not disappoint!

In honor of Kristin’s visit, I thought I would do a review of her whole series since we have not blogged about her early works yet.  Technically these books are considered companion books, but I highly recommend reading them in the order they were published.  Also, we received an extra signed copy of Bitterblue that we are excited to give to one of our readers!  What do you have to do to win this fabulous book?  Just leave a comment about something you’ve liked about Kristin’s books, or if you haven’t had a chance to read her works yet, leave a comment and tell us what your favorite fantasy book is.  We’ll announce the winner in our post on Monday!

Graceling. 9780152063962.  2008.  Gr 9-12.

In the land of seven kingdoms, there are exceptional people with different colored eyes who are Graced.  Some may be graced with cooking, dancing, or healing, but Katsa’s grace is killing.  The fiercest warrior in all seven kingdoms, she is used as an assassin and enforcer by her cruel uncle, King of the Middlunds Kingdom.  Tired of being used by her uncle, Katsa creates a secret council to right the wrongs done by each kingdom.  During one of her missions to rescue a kidnapped old man, she meets Po, the man’s grandson and Prince of the Leneid Kingdom.  Together Katsa and Po track down the reasons why any of the seven kingdoms would kidnap an old man.  Along the journey, they discover new secrets about each other and horrifying secrets about one kingdom in particular .

I fell into this world right away, and stayed captivated throughout the entire story.  Katsa is a fierce heroine whose internal struggles were fascinating to read.  Po is definitely in my top 5 for YA male character leads.  He helps Katsa break free from her uncle and helps her better understand her grace.  Overall, this is a great start to a fantastic series.

Fire. 9780803734616.  2009.  Gr 9-12.

Set in a different land from Graceling, Fire takes place in the Dells, a kingdom on the brink of civil war.  King Nash struggles to maintain his rule over the kingdom while rebel lords in the north and south scheme to dethrone him, and thieves run rampant in the mountains and forest.  Fire lives with Lord Brocker and his son Archer far away from the King’s City and the political turmoil.  Fire is the last remaining human monster; one glimpse of her fiery-colored hair can cause the viewer to behave erratically, with either passion or hatred.  Fire also has the ability to control the minds of those around her, a talent that her father used without mercy.  Fire’s isolation ends when King Nash and his brother Brigan ask her for help to uncover a plot to overthrow the kingdom.  Together they travel to King’s City, where Fire not only helps them uncover a dangerous plot, but where she meets a peculiar boy with a similar ability.

I didn’t think I would like this book as much when I found out that Katsa and Po wouldn’t be featured, but I love Fire and Prince Brigan just as much!  Fire struggles with her abilities and her father’s nefarious legacy, while coming to realize that her abilities can be utilized for good.  Cashore creates a second land just as rich as the seven kingdoms.  This book is written as a companion, but I’m glad that I read Graceling first.

Bitterblue. 9780803734739.  2012.  Gr 9-12.

Tracey wrote a promising bloom post about this novel—and it is a promise kept!  Bitterblue takes place eight years after the events in Graceling.  Bitterblue, now 18, is struggling to restore order to the kingdom her father destroyed.  Tired of her advisors keeping information from her, Bitterblue decides to sneak out of her castle at night dressed as a commoner and investigate how to best help her people.  During one of her outings, she meets a printer and a thief who help her try to uncover the truth about her kingdom, including the disappearances of other people who are also searching for the truth.  The farther Bitterblue gets, the more she questions who she can trust, and begins to wonder just how far this conspiracy goes in her own administration.

Bitterblue definitely has a different feel than Graceling and Fire.  There’s a little less action, and has a much more involved conspiracy theory/espionage feel to it.  Secrets abound everywhere, and just when you think you’ve got a handle on what’s going on—bam!  Cashore throws out another twist to confuse you.  Reading Bitterblue is truly like peeling an onion, uncovering layer after layer until the big “aha” moment when everything becomes clear.   Plus, Cashore features certain characters from her previous books, so it’s like meeting old friends again!  I especially loved the parts with Katsa and Po.  Overall, I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves fantasy, strong female characters, romance, or anyone who simply loves a great story!

And don’t forget to comment to win your very own signed copy of Bitterblue!!

Lindsey L.

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More Food for Thought

May 7, 2012 · Filed under Intermediate (3-5), Middle School (6-8), Nonfiction, Primary (K-2), Science · Tagged , , , , , , ,

Last spring, I offered up some Food for Thought  with three titles about where food comes from and why that matters.  Now I have a few more titles that will prove that “food doesn’t have to be fancy to be interesting.”

The above quote comes from The World in Your Lunch Box: The Wacky History and Weird Science of Everyday Foods by Claire Eamer, which is a fun blend of history and science that is packed full of fascinating facts and stories about familiar foods you might not think about much.  For the kids who think bread is boring, this is the book  to prove them wrong.  The cartoon illustrations, the silly jokes, and the often gross facts make this book a great way to get middle schoolers excited about food.

Students in primary grades who wonder where familiar foods come from might choose the Food From Farmers series from Windmill Books.  Each book in the series starts with a kid who lives on a farm who explains the process behind what they grow or produce on that farm.  It’s a very informative look at how food and farming that takes on an organic community supported agriculture farm, an apple orchard, a sheep farm, and more.

10 Hungry Rabbits is a great choice for kids in preschool and kindergarten, since it introduces colors and counting as well as vegetables.  Ten little rabbits are clamoring for something to eat, and  Papa Rabbit sends them out to the garden to find some tasty additions to the soup pot.  One by one the bunnies find their veggies, and we are treated to a counting story with colors and vegetables that may be an introduction to numbers for the youngest listeners or a celebration of healthy food, gardening, or family cooperation for those who have already mastered one through ten.

Bibliography:

10 Hungry Rabbits: Counting & Color Concepts by Anita Lobel. February 2012. 9780375968648. Gr PK-1.

Bread!: Life on a Wheat Farm by Ruth Owen. January 2012. 9781615335329. Gr K-3.

Eggs!: Life on a Chicken Farm by Ruth Owen. January 2012. 9781615335299. Gr K-3.

Fruit!: Life on an Apple Farm by Ruth Owen. January 2012. 9781615335305. Gr K-3.

Meat!: Life on a Sheep Farm by Ruth Owen. January 2012. 9781615335336. Gr K-3.

Milk!: Life on a Dairy Farm by Ruth Owen. January 2012. 9781615335282. Gr K-3.

Vegetables!: Life on a Produce Farm by Ruth Owen. January 2012. 9781615335312. Gr K-3.

The World in Your Lunch Box: The Wacky History and Weird Science of Everyday Foods by Claire Eamer. February 2012. 9781554513932. Gr 4-8.

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I Didn’t See It Coming! Picture Books with Surprise Endings

May 3, 2012 · Filed under Mackin Picks, Picture Books, Primary (K-2) · Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Mom’s empty lap = Story Time.

Every time I sat down when my boys were little, they would come to me with arms full of books, and climb into my lap.  I usually didn’t mind, because I love picture books and I love reading aloud.  Some of the best were the ones with surprise endings or hidden jokes—and even though it wasn’t a surprise after the first reading (not to mention the 50th reading!), Alex and Nathan didn’t seem to mind.

Here are some new picture books that are great to read aloud and that will have your little listeners laughing with surprise.

One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo, illustrated by David Small. 9780803734135. 2012. Gr K-3.

Elliot is a dapper and proper young man, so he very politely agrees to go to family fun day at the zoo with his father, though he is not looking forward to the mobs of kids.  But he is so excited to discover the penguins (they remind Elliot of himself), that he pops the smallest one into his backpack and takes it home.  But how can he keep a penguin happy in his house?  Fortunately his father is clueless…or is he?  This already funny and charming story needed little to improve it, but the hilarious illustrations by David Small heighten the fun and make you wonder WHY you didn’t see that surprise ending coming!

Sophie’s Fish by A.E. Cannon, illustrated by Lee White. 9780670012916. 2012. Gr PK-2.

How hard can it be to babysit a fish?  When Sophie asks Jake to babysit her fish while she visits her gram over the weekend, he agrees without a thought.  But when he gets home, he starts to worry:  What kind of snacks do you feed a fish? Does it like to play games?  Will it need a bedtime story? This funny story is about a boy whose worrying turns a molehill into a mountain before he realizes that there is nothing to worry about…or is there?

Frog and Fly : Six Slurpy Stories by Jeff Mack. 9780399256172. Gr PK-2.

In this easy reader – picture book – graphic novel hybrid, Frog and Fly could be great friends, except that Frog thinks that Fly is delicious.  In each of the first five short, laugh-out-loud chapters, Frog and Fly are engaged in a battle of wits, with Frog unable to control his appetite. In the final chapter, Frog finds himself in Fly’s shoes.  This funny book is a great introduction to the Fly Guy series.

Dancing with the Dinosaurs by Jane Clarke, illustrated by Lee Wildish. 9781936140671. 2012. Gr PK-1.

Dinosaurs are the stars in this rockin’, jivin’ dance contest between prehistoric performers such as Spike Spinosaurus, Pachycephalosaurus and the Bone-head Breakers, and Tracey Triceratops.  They tap, disco, rumba, jig, moonwalk, and more—hoping to win first prize from the four small judges.  Oh no, make that three judges.  No…two!  What is happening to the judges while the dinos dance and dance?  Is someone hungry?

Pip’s Trip (Loopy Coop Hens) by Janet Morgan Stoeke. 9780803737082. 2012. Gr PK-1.

Pip and the other hens, Dot and Midge, watch the truck drive away, and wonder where it always goes. They decide that when it comes back, they will climb into the back and see the whole world.  But only Pip is brave enough to climb up, and when the noisy truck starts up, she loses her nerve, shuts her eyes, and hides her head under her wings. She hides and waits until the truck gets quiet, and then takes a peek to see where she has ended up.  Hmmm, this place looks just like her old farm!  This easy reader picture book tells a fun story of one hen’s adventure, and what she learns about herself.  And the illustrations, though simple, provide the hens with a great range of expressions and feelings.

Now 18 and 24, my boys no longer climb on my lap.  While I am grateful for that—they are both taller than I am—I do miss reading picture books to them. Sigh!

Blogger: Tracey L.

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