YA Bloggers Book Battle WINNER!!!!

Alyssa from The Shady Glade has spent a ton of time this year hosting the 2011 YA Bloggers Book Battle. The Theme for the Battle was Best Overlooked Book. I was very lucky to be paired with Emily from What Book is That to determine the overall winner of the Book Battle! So many really amazing books were chosen by bloggers to be read and judged and after months of work the other judges narrowed the finalist down to StarCrossed by Elizabeth C. Bunce and Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper. Each book had its own unique moments and drastically different styles.

In StarCrossed, Elizabeth C. Bunce created a whole world around the suppression of magic, sneak thieves and mayhem. Bunce created a world where silver jewelry can help hide magical powers from those who want to squash magic. She created a character named Digger who had to stop trying to hide and not take sides in the war against magic and determine where she stood.
 While in Out of My Mind, Sharon M. Draper urged us to look beyond what we see to the person inside others. We met a girl named Melody who has Cerebral Palsy and is seemingly locked inside her own mind. With the help of an amazing aide, a neighbor and her parents, Melody receives the tools she needs to show everyone she is brighter than anyone gave her credit for.

While people will enjoy both books, Emily and I realized that the winning book was one that made people think. It was a book that would taught us to look past what we can see and to not underestimate others.

With that said, I am pleased to announce that the winner of the 2011 YA Bloggers Best Overlooked Book Battle is . . .

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper!

Out of My Mind by Sharon M Draper

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper is about an almost 11 year old girl named Melody who has never uttered a word. Melody can't walk, she can't talk, can't feed herself and people have to help her use the restroom. Melody has Cerebral Palsy and although she is extremely bright, people outside her family and her neighbor don't see past her condition to the brilliant girl she truly is.

Melody has had doctors call her brain-damaged, teachers who insist on teaching the first few letter of the alphabet ALL YEAR long, a dumb Styrofoam snowman and mean kids. She has also had loving parents, wonderful neighbors and a helper named Catherine there with her helping her each step of the way.  When another girl comes to school with a new laptop, Catherine helps Melody research and find something that will finally give Melody a voice. However, not everyone is truly ready to hear Melody, to accept that she's much brighter than she looks.
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I have to admit I loved getting a look into Melody's mind. It was wonderful seeing her thought processes. Sharon M. Draper really made me re-think something about myself and how I view others. You never know what is going on in someone else's head and we shouldn't be so quick to judge.

Waiting on Wednesday (1): Frost by Wendy Delsol

From Barnes and Noble:

In this sequel to STORK, Katla Leblanc has to employ her grit, spirit, and special gifts to rescue the boy she loves.

After the drama of finding out that she’s a Stork, a member of an ancient and mystical order of women, and that her boyfriend, Jack, is a descendent of the Winter People able to control the weather, Katla Leblanc is delighted when all signs point to a busy and peaceful Christmas. That is, until the snowstorm Jack summons as a gift to Katla turns into the storm of the century, attracting Brigid, a gorgeous scientist who, in turn, attracts Jack. Between the school play, a bedridden, pregnant mother’s to-do lists, and keeping an eye on her aging grandfather, Katla doesn’t have time to question Brigid’s motives or deal with Jack’s increasingly cold behavior. But Katla’s suspicions mount when Jack joins Brigid on a research expedition to Greenland, and when the two of them go missing, it becomes clear that Katla is the only one who can save her beloved Jack from the Snow Queen who holds him prisoner. Adventure, romance, and myth combine in this winter escapade for teens who like a bit of fire with their ice.


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I LOVED Stork and really can't wait to read what happens next fot Katla and Jack. I will be picking this book up the day it comes out which is October 11, 2011!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

I have finally seen the final instalment of the Harry Potter EPIC Saga. I have been a fan of the book since I read the first one back in 2000. I will admit, I was a little apprehensive to see this movie-- mostly because I did NOT want to see my Favorite character be BRUTALLY murdered by a maniac and his pet snake, but I was also afraid it would not live up to my expectations.

I was gladly surprised with the awesomeness of the movie. I enjoyed the fight scenes and even though I cried when my favorite character was brutally murdered, I was pleased with how they made that scene. My favorite Molly Weasley line of all time was left in the movie and caused me to throw my arms in the air with joy.

One thing I will say about the movie, it should certain background characters dying that I didn't realized died in the book. I don't want to give too much away, because I'm not sure who has seen the movie or read the book yet. . .

I can't believe this era is over. The movies have been coming for the past 10 years and the books were out before that. I feel as if I have grown up with these characters who are actually OLDER than I am if we go by JK Rowlings timeline. Thinking about it, I'm younger than Ginny Weasley!

The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson

Ginny is home after a summer long trip her dead Aunt Peg sent her on. School is out for Christmas break and Ginny gets an email from a stranger named Oliver claiming to have her backpack and letters. The mysterious stranger refuses to give Ginny her letters until they are face to face, so Ginny has to go back to England and Uncle Richard. Once in England, Ginny goes to visit her "Friend" Keith (the one she needed to have a DTR talk with) only to find out he has a girlfriend now.

When stranger Oliver demands Ginny follows the instructions of the 13th Letter WITH him, Keith insists he go as well and Keith's girlfriend tags along. Now not only does Ginny have to deal with Oliver-- who still hasn't given her Aunt Peg's letters-- but her feelings toward Keith and his new girlfriend.

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I loved loved loved The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson. When I heard that there was going to be a sequel to the first book, I squealed. I've been waiting for this for awhile now, and I'm thrilled I was not disappointed with it. Maureen Johnson found a way to suck me right into Ginny's experience and I found myself working through my feelings of the book much as Ginny did.

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Stork by Wendy Delsol

Hello everyone! I know it's been an eternity since I last talked to you all. I've been slacking. Anyway, I just finished a REALLY great book called Stork by Wendy Delsol.

From Barnes&Noble.com:

Moving from LA to nowhere Minnesota, sixteen-year-old Katla Leblanc expected the local fashion scene to be frozen in time. What she didn’t expect was induction into the Icelandic Stork Society, an ancient order of women charged with a unique mystical duty. Not only is Katla the youngest member, but Hulda, the society’s omen-guided leader, immediately bestows the coveted Second Chair on her — a decision that ruffles a few feathers. . . 

Things would be looking up if it weren’t for editor in chief Jack. Even though they argue every time they meet, Katla is inexplicably drawn to him. Juggling her home life, school, and Stork duties, will Katla be able to unravel the mystery surrounding Jack? More importantly, will she find a dress in time for Homecoming?

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I have to admit, when  I first picked this book up, I wasn't sure what I would think.  I liked the blurb and the cover was pretty cool too. Then I started reading and fell in love. The only bad thing about the book is sequel doesn't come out until October and  I really want to read it now!

Best Weekend EVER (so far)

On Saturday, I went to one of the local high schools for a really cool event. It was the first annual April is for Authors event.
So many wonderful authors made time to come and give amazing lectures and sit on panel discussions. The authors I was able to meet were Chris Crutcher, Doug Wilhelm, Donna Gephart, Edward Bloor, Katie Alender and Alex Flinn.
Since I focus on YA books, I loved being able to hear some of the thoughts and advice the different authors had for Teens. I never realized just how FUNNY Chris Crutcher really is. I went to a panel discussion called "Dear Author" and on this particular panel Edward Bloor, Chris Crutcher and Alex Flinn answered questions about various letters they have received from fans (or English students who were forced to write to them) and how they touched them. It was really cool to hear just how much authors actually listen and respond to their fans.

One thing that was super cool was meeting Chris Crutcher. The first thing  I read of his was Chinese Handcuffs and I haven't stopped reading. It surprised me that he was so funny when the material he writes is usually dark and deep.

I also went to a panel about the middle school experience with Donna Gephart, Mary Monroe and Doug Wilhelm. This panel had the authors focus on why they choose to write for Middle schoolers. I love that Doug Wilhelm described himself as being awkward! Donna Gephart and Doug Wilhelm both talked about how they remember their awkward middle school years and wanted to make sure kids knew they are not alone.

I also went to a lecture by Katie Alender (Bad Girls Don't Die) which was highly entertaining. Katie is such a happy and delightful person-- high energy and really neat to talk to. Even though I'm no longer in High School,   she had some really fun things she learned in school like being your own boss and realizing that your true friends like you for who you are, not what you have. Her ideas were SPOT on and something I wish I would have realized back in high school.

Probably the best thing about the author even on Saturday was how every author there was super encouraging for those who are thinking about becoming a writer. Each author gave budding authors helpful tips and hints on how to get their creativity going.

I have to admit, I was completely STARSTRUCK on Saturday. So many authors were there and I got to meet them. It's cool that  I can now say I have books signed by Alex Flinn, Chris Crutcher, Doug Wilhelm, Edward Bloor and Katie Alender on my bookshelf. I'm still in awe and totally grateful for the opportunity to meet them. :O)

Love and Happy Reading,