Mrs. Magoo Reads

Deception Winner

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 23:50:00 +0000

The winner of Deception by Lee Nichols is

Cherry!

Congratulations! Please send your mailing address to mrsmagooreads[AT]gmail[DOT]com.

The Last Leopard

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 20:41:00 +0000

Review by Mini Magoo

Martine is an eleven-year-old orphan who lives on a game reserve in South Africa with her grandmother. When her grandmother's friend Sadie breaks her leg and begs Martine and her grandma to visit her in Zimbabwe for a month, Martine can't help but be annoyed. She was looking forward to spending the summer riding her white giraffe Jemmy. Thankfully, her best friend Ben is allowed to come along.

It is said in Zimbabwe that the last resting place of the king of leopards is the resting place of enormous amounts of treasure. There is only one leopard left: the kingly Kahn. But now not only are poachers after Kahn, so are treasure-hunters, and either way, both want Kahn dead. Now it is up to Ben, friends made along the way, and especially Martine to save Kahn, the last leopard, from poachers and treasure-hunters, before it is too late.

Martine also has something else on her mind. There is a prophecy that states: "The child who can ride a white giraffe has a power over all animals." Surely that can’t mean Martine? Well, yes, she can ride a white giraffe ridiculously well and she has had a few strange experiences where she calms or befriends an animal very quickly, but can she actually be the child? And what is with the advice Grace, the village sangoma (medicine woman, healer, and prophecy interpreter) gave to her: "You must stay with Ben--whenever you separate, danger will follow you"?

I started The Last Leopard excited to read it, but not knowing what to expect. I got an amazing surprise. The Last Leopard is full of suspense, touching moments, and exciting breakthroughs. I couldn’t put this book down and was constantly wondering how Martine was going to figure her way out of her situation. I would recommend this book to any preteen.

Buy this book: The Last Leopard

Interview with Lee Nichols

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:26:00 +0000

Lee Nichols is the author of Deception.

How did you create the character of Emma? Did you try to base her off of a modern girl, or an old-fashioned one?

I think she's a very contemporary character dealing with a history she didn't know she had.

Do you believe in ghosts?

Not in the way I've imagined them here. But I do feel like places and things can hold the spirits of people who've died, and sometimes that can invoke a spooky feeling.

If you could go back and change one thing about your novel, what would it be?

Whenever I finish a book I always think of a Picasso documentary I watched years ago. He would paint whole paintings and then say, "Okay, now I really know what it is I'm trying to say," and paint a completely different picture. So there's no one particular thing I'd like to change, but I can see whole new directions to go in. And if I were Picasso, I probably would do that.

Can you tell us what to expect from you in the future?

There are two more Haunting Emma books. BETRAYAL comes out March, 2011. Emma's powers really take hold and Bennett turns into more of a bad boy. And POSSESSION, which if I finish writing it, will be out late 2011. Ghosts start to possess kids at Emma's school.

What advice would you give to any aspiring young writers?

Start writing right now. Nobody understands your experience as a teenager, better than you do. I'd love to see more, authentic young voices in YA. I think committing to a writing schedule really helps. Promise yourself you'll write 2500 words a week, and in six to eight months you'll have the first draft of a novel.

Mini Magoo Review: How to Survive Middle School

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 19:19:00 +0000

Reviewed by Mini Magoo

David Greenberg is a 12-year-old kid going into 6th grade. He absolutely loves Jon Stewart and hopes to be a comedian when he grows up, just like his idol. But for now, he films himself with his camera and posts his videos on YouTube. He doesn't expect them to get anywhere yet. But things get complicated when he starts dealing with everything happening around him-and in the meantime, he's learning how to survive middle school.

First, there's his best friend Elliot. Well, his ex-best friend Elliot. Without a reason that David can see, Elliot becomes best buds with Tommy Murphy, the schools biggest, meanest bully, and starts playing mean tricks on David like telling him that all the 6th graders are going against the dress code (when really that day David, who fell for the trick, was the only guy without a collared shirt on). They even get in a fight with each other. So, that's one thing on David's list of things to juggle while, of course, surviving middle school. The next thing? His new best friend who is (deep breath) a girl. A girl named Sophie (his new favorite name) who makes his mind go fuzzy whenever she touches him. But that is probably just a coincidence. Probably.

He is also still getting over the shock of his mom, who ran away to live with a farmer. He sends her letters and she writes back, but she never comes to visit. David keeps his hopes up, but so far they've communicated by writing only. Another heart-wrenching thing in his life is his loyal hamster, Hammy, who is determined to give him even more to deal with as he gets deeper and deeper into middle school.

Apart from all of that, his videos are becoming incredibly popular and famous, as is David himself. He has Sophie to thank-after seeing them and thinking they were hilarious, she sent it to everyone she knew, who sent it to all of their friends, and so on. He is getting written about in newspapers and he is getting thousands of hits and comments per video. He can't believe that he is actually a famous kid comedian, while in real life he still feels like what he was a month ago-a normal kid nervous for middle school.

I started How to Survive Middle School with low expectations, but I got a pleasant surprise waiting for me. It was an easy read and I liked the uniqueness of it. It was a very different subject, a kid starting middle school who wants to be a comedian. The book is written in first-person and David has a funny and occasionally sarcastic sense of humor, and throughout the book there are the Top 6 and 1/2 lists about anything and everything. I think it would be a book that you would pick up if you wanted to read something easy, light, and funny. 5th graders, and, of course, middle schoolers will love How to Survive Middle School. Although it can not be used as a guide, hence the title, it is nevertheless a fun book to read.

Win a Copy of Deception

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:01:00 +0000

Previous Contest Winners:
Token of Darkness- Monica
Summer of the Geek- Mrs. DeRaps
The Turning: What Curiosity Kills- Erika Lynn
Countdown- Lisa Garrett
I will be away until the end of July. If you email me your mailing address before then, I can get the books sent to you ASAP, but will not be requesting addresses until I get back. Lisa Garrett, I have yours already.

WIN A COPY OF DECEPTION!
Read my review of Deception.
To win a copy, comment on this post with your email address. For an extra entry, link to this contest. I will announce the winner on July 20.

Saturday's Scribe: Piper Banks

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 03:30:00 +0000

Today's scribe: Piper Banks
Author of: Summer of the Geek

Check out the interview! Please note that the questions were a collaboration between myself and Mini Magoo, as she was the one who reviewed the novel.
_____

What's the best summer experience you've ever had?

I was horse crazy as a girl, and one summer, my parents let me lease a horse. I got to spend every day at the barn. Heaven!

What's the worst summer experience you've ever had?

Three words: Girl Scout Camp. It was hot, dirty and the pond they made us swim in was filled with leeches. I’ve hated camping ever since.

What are the challenges of writing a series, rather than a stand alone novel?

The main challenge in writing a series is to keep the characters consistent from book to book, while still giving them room to grow.

When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve wanted to be a writer ever since I was eight-years-old. I had an old Smith-Corona typewriter that I used to write stories on.

What advice would you give to any aspiring young writers?

Read as much as you can! And read different sorts of books, from across different genres. All successful writers were readers first.
_____

Thanks so much for such a great interview, Ms. Banks!

Announcement from Lauren Mechling

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 03:21:00 +0000

Hello book (blog) lover!

Lauren Mechling, author of the Dream Girl books, here. I have hijacked Sophie's blog in order to convey some Very Important Information.

You might not know it by looks alone (no pink hair, no metal bar through my septum), but I've become a total hacker worthy of her own "Dragon Tattoo" installment. And I'm not just talking about how I've cracked the code and broken onto Mrs. Magoo Reads. My new book MY DARKLYNG, which I co-wrote with Laura Moser (my hilarious co-author on the "10th Grade Social Climber" books), is a YA thriller chockablock with multimedia awesomeness that will be appearing in serialized form on the awesome website Slate.com. The first installment runs June 4, and there will be more excitement every Friday for the rest of the summer. Also: it's free!

Slate is calling MY DARKLYNG its "juicy summer read for vampire lovers (and haters!)." It's about a normal 10th grade girl named Natalie Pollock whose own fiction addiction gets her into major trouble. She's been reading Fiona St. Claire's yummy "Dark Shadows" book series since middle school and when she sees a post on Fiona's blog about an open casting call for the model for the next book's cover, well, she can't resist. What she had thought was just a random field trip turns into a dark and terrible new-best-friendship, scarier and more thrilling than any of Fiona St. Claire's vampire novels.

MY DARKLYNG is different from anything you've ever read before--it's a first-of-its-kind story told in simultaneous platforms. Huh? you ask. Okay, so here's the deal: While you are perfectly free to follow the MY DARKLYNG chapters on Slate and leave it at that, we have been milking the magic world of the Internet for all its worth. Why limit a story to mere words? What about pictures and videos and weird Tweets and scary Facebook wall posts that bring texture to the story and bring the characters to life? With that in mind, we found real (and really awesome) teenagers to play our characters. Expect to get to know their faces really well over the course of this book.

Without further ado, this is the Slate page that will host the chapters.

Here is Natalie's Facebook page--well worth "liking" so you can follow when weird things start happening on it.
Natalie's Twitter page is here.
Fiona's (the vampire writer) Twitter page is here.
Natalie's best friend Jenna tweets here.
James (the vampire model) tweets here.
And Fiona's loving sister Tilly uses this Twitter page.

Natalie and Jenna post Youtube videos here. Here's a sample video that shows them getting ready for the audition that will change their lives.

Now YOU can help make our great experiment in Internet fiction even more amazing. There is an upcoming scene that has a missing detail. We need to come up with the name of an object that the meanest girl in Natalie's class likes to conspicuously place on her desk. AGAIN: WE ARE DESPERATELY SEEKING AN OBJECT THAT THE MEAN GIRL IN NATALIE'S CLASS MAKES A POINT OF FLAUNTING. Please write in your suggestions in the comments section. The winner will be chosen in a week and featured in MY DARKLYNG--if your answer is selected, it'll be like the story is actually winking at you from the screen.

I know this is all a bit much to wrap your head around. Sorry for any confusion--just read the first installment and take it from there. Please please post comments or send us emails telling us how you're finding the series. We can be reached by my website.

And if you find yourself feeling afraid, don't say I didn't warn you!

your humble hacker,
Lauren Mechling
____
Thanks, Lauren! Everyone, be sure to visit her page and leave a suggestion!

Saturday's Scribe: Molly Roe

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 04:45:00 +0000

Today's scribe: Molly Roe
Author of: Call Me Kate
Check out the interview!
_____

Was Call Me Kate based off of a true story? How close to real life was it?

Call Me Kate is a mixture of fact and fiction. The events in the book happened, but the actions of my great-grandmother were fictionalized. The Civil War draft riots did occur in Pennsylvania in 1862, but my great-grandmother, Catharine McCafferty, was not involved as she was in the novel. Little detail of the lives of ordinary people, especially women, was recorded back in the nineteenth century so I needed to apply what was available in photographs and books to Kate’s life. My genealogy research started me thinking about what life must have been like for my ancestors, particularly for my four great-grandmothers, so I guess you could say the book is based on my impression of the problems these women faced.

Through family stories, I knew that Catharine worked in one of the “big houses.” Through census, church, and newspaper records, I learned that she was closely connected to some of the men hanged as Molly Maguires. When drafting the plot, I placed her in the home of a local coal baron, Ario Pardee, but she may have worked for any of several wealthy families during the time period. Her own family emigrated from Donegal, Ireland and suffered through the Great Famine as was presented in the book. The patch town setting was as close to the time frame as I could possibly make it.

Later in life, Catharine supported her niece through one of the greatest traumas I can imagine: the conviction and hanging of her innocent husband as a Molly Maguire. Of course the word innocent has been debated for 140 years. I hope to write about those later events of Kate’s life once I complete my work in progress.

Do you relate to Kate at all? What characteristics do you share with her?

I love Kate’s sense of justice, and I totally relate to her in that way. I’m not as impulsive or as adventuresome as my heroine, but I hope I emulate Kate’s concern for friends and family. I grew up in a close extended family and interconnected community, just as Kate did.

Can you describe your path to publication?

My original plan was to write a book for my family, primarily for my aunt who is keeper of the family lore. When I joined a writing group, however, the members encouraged me to publish it for the general public. Once the seed was planted, I began to follow up leads. The book was almost finished when I happened upon a panel discussion about publishing, held in a neighboring city. Several group members attended, and we listened to the publishers and company representatives, Tribute Books, a local start up publisher, seemed the perfect match for me and my novel.

When not writing, what do you like to do?

A friend called me a serial hobbyist because I have several hobbies that surge and subside at intervals. I continue to enjoy family history research, and I love talking to my readers at signings, local history day festivals, and reenactments. I enjoy puzzles and games. Over the years I have practiced and taught various crafts: cross-stitch, needlepoint, wreath making, and quilling. One activity which has remained constant in my life, however, is reading. I always have a book or my Kindle with me. I often have several books going at a time. At this time of year, I tend my perennial garden. This year I’m working especially hard spiffing things up for my daughter’s wedding.

What advice would you give to any aspiring young writers?

Aspiring writers, young or not, need to persist. I would tell them to keep working on their craft, and make it an important part of their daily schedules. Join a writing group; it’s a great way to learn and get new perspectives.
_____

Thanks so much for such a great interview, Ms. Roe!

Sammy Keyes and the Cold Hard Cash

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Title: Sammy Keyes and the Cold Hard Cash
Author: Wendelin van Draanen
Grade: A-
Ideal Audience: Girls, 10-14

Summary: When a dying man hands thirteen-year-old Sammy three thousand dollars and begs her to throw it away, Sammy is torn. She doesn't want to go against his wishes, but... three thousand dollars? Wouldn't it be better if she just... spent it away?

So Sammy decides not to tell the police, nor her grandmother, nor any of her friends, about the little money issue, and keeps the bills hidden in her backpack. All of a sudden, she has spending money, and it feels so good! She can buy whatever she wants, and can even buy things as a favor for her friends!

But soon Sammy realizes that she's involved in a lot more than just a little white lie. Strange men seem to be investigating the missing money, and now Sammy can't help but wonder... is keeping the money not just wrong, but also dangerous? Can she solve the mystery before it's too late?

My thoughts: Sammy Keyes is a strong, fun character that will appeal to all middle school girls. Although Sammy Keyes and the Cold Hard Cash did not play out like the average mystery novel (Sammy Keyes was to blame for lying about the money, and the ending wasn't completely black-and-white), this made it more realistic and original.

Wendelin van Draanen has scored again with this installment in her series, and hopefully Sammy Keyes will continue with as much fun as ever!

Click here to buy Sammy Keyes and the Cold Hard Cash

Deception

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 03:02:00 +0000

Title: Deception
Author: Lee Nichols
Grade: B
Ideal Audience: Girls, 13-16

Summary: When Emma's parents leave her home alone for a few weeks, as they are away on a trip, Emma isn't anticipating any problems. After all, her house is also partially a store, and their employee can help take care of her. Plus, if Emma encounters any problems, her parents will be back in a flash.

But that isn't at all how it goes. The employee quits, so Emma is left all on her own. Even worse, her parents have decided to take an extended trip into an area with no phone service, so Emma has no way to contact her parents and doesn't know when they'll be back.

Then a classmate reports the situation to the police, and Emma risks going into foster care... until her older brother's former friend, Bennett, shows up, claims to be Emma's guardian, and whisks her across the country to Massachusetts.

But strange things are going on, and soon Emma is fearing for her sanity. However, she soon learns that much deeper and more dangerous things are going on, and only she has the power to sort through the situation, if Emma could only get the truth.

My thoughts: I was initially put off by Deception's completely unrealistic beginning. Would two intelligent, caring parents really leave their daughter alone for weeks without a set plan and no contact with her? And why wouldn't Emma have immediately demanded answers from Bennett when he claimed to be her guardian?

However, the plot quickly picked up and I became engrossed in the story. Emma became more likable as the novel continued, and by the end, I was completely hooked. I'm looking forward to the second novel in this haunting series!

Click here to buy Deception

Movie Monday & Contest: The Turning: What Curiosity Kills

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 04:32:00 +0000

Interested in winning a copy of The Turning: What Curiosity Kills? Keep reading!

The winner of All Unquiet Things is Kirthi!

Click here to read the text review of The Turning: What Curiosity Kills.

To enter to win a copy of The Turning, all you have to do is watch the video above from beginning to end- it's less than a minute and a half- and leave a comment on this post with your email address. For an extra entry, start participating in my WHIRL meme (posted every Sunday). For another extra entry, link to this contest. I will announce the winner on Monday, June 21. This is open to the US only.

Saturday's Scribe: Barbara Dee

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 03:50:00 +0000

Today's scribe: Barbara Dee
Author of: This is Me From Now On

Check out the interview! Please note that the questions were a collaboration between myself and Mini Magoo, as she was the one who reviewed the novel.
_____

Would you rather be friends with Lily and Nisha or Francesca?

Hmm, that’s a tough question. Francesca is fun, inspiring, loyal and generous—but she’s also unpredictable and manipulative, don’t you think? And Nisha and Lily are stable and trustworthy, but a bit rigid and judgmental. I think the perfect friend might be a combination of all three girls—but as Evie figures out, there’s no such thing as the perfect friend. Even a “best” friend isn’t completely perfect!

Have you ever had adventures similar to Francesca's and Evie's?

*BLUSHES* Well, yes. When I was in seventh grade, I had a free-spirited friend who got me into some mischief. She wasn’t anything like Francesca, though, and we didn’t engage in any matchmaking. But I remember the tension our friendship caused with my other friends. I think it’s sometimes so hard for girls this age to navigate between friendships.

What was the most important message that you were trying to convey in your novel?

That it’s a great thing to get out of your comfort zone. Sometimes girls in middle school feel as if they have to behave a certain way—or else they’ll face social rejection. Every girl should feel free to express herself and explore new friendships.

What are you currently working on?

I’m currently revising my next novel for tweens, TRAUMA QUEEN, which will be published by Aladdin MIX/Simon & Schuster next spring. It’s about a girl with the most embarrassing mom ever.

What advice would you give to any aspiring young writers?

Read for pleasure. And never fall in love with your first draft!
_____

Thanks so much for such a great interview, Ms. Dee!

Interview with Wendelin van Draanen

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:36:00 +0000

Here's an interview with Wendelin van Draanen, author of Sammy Keyes and the Cold Hard Cash!

Have you ever solved any mysteries in your life?

Before I answer that, let me say… what a beautiful site you have! Thank you for inviting me to be part of it. Being on blog tour has been fun, and I’m delighted to be meeting new and old Sammy Keyes fans.

Now, about mysteries in my real life. I like this question. And I’m sure I must have, but I’m also sure they revolved around family matters—like which brother did what to me—but I can’t say I have a reputable resume of successful snooping, sorry!

Spying, however, was a big part of my childhood repertoire and there is a mystery in my life which will, I’m sure, remain a mystery because I was too dopey to put much effort into solving it when I had the chance. This is what happened: I was in college and someone left me a gift at my door. It was wrapped, but had no note attached. Just my name on the wrapping paper. When I opened it, I discovered a framed, homemade picture. What it was a picture of is pretty vague in my mind. I remember it had a resin frame and that it was sort of collage-y art with finely glued sand trimming and Chinese lettering. I didn’t really get what it was or why someone had given it to me. It wasn’t my birthday, or anything, and none of my roommates had a clue who had left it. It became one of those items that went with me from move to move. I didn’t want to throw it out, but I never hung it up, either. It more hung out in the back of my closet getting banged up by shoes and racquets and the pressures of crammed-in junk. Eventually it was so sorry-looking that I decided to toss it, only one of my roommates asked me about it and when I explained she offered to have a friend translate the lettering for me. It had never even occurred to me that the Chinese characters were anything more than decoration. My roommate later delivered the shocking news that the letters did mean something: “I love you.”

If you were given an unprecedented amount of money, what would you do with it?

My colleagues at the high school where I was a teacher used to hang around the faculty room discussing what they’d do if they won the lottery. My stance on it was that I didn’t want to win the lottery. That winning the lottery was a sure-fire way to ruin your life. I think it’s imperative to earn your rewards—it’s the only way you’ll truly enjoy them. That said, if you’re forcing an unprecedented amount of money on me, I’m going to find some constructive purpose for it. My minivan works just fine for me—I don’t need a Ferrari. Or a mansion. Or a villa in France. If I could, I would buy more time, but that’s not possible, so I’d do something with the money to create jobs in the field of science or medicine. Scientists should be the rock stars of our society. No child should have to endure diseases like leukemia, and scientists are the ones who will discover the cures. I’d find some way to support and nurture creative, scientific minds.

Were you ever a Nancy Drew fan?

I’m sure Nancy was quite a rebel in her time, but she was always a little too…nicely coifed for me. I liked the Hardy Boys better.

Can you describe your writing process?

Most of my writing is theme and character driven. I also need time to stew the idea before starting. I need to know the beginning and the end, and some significant milestones in between. Once I’m sure what the story is about and where I’m going, I’ll write the first few chapters, just to get to know the main characters a little. I know Sammy so well by now that this isn’t necessary with her, but for books like Runaway and Swear to Howdy and Confessions of a Serial Kisser, I really need the time to get to know the main characters. Once I’ve gotten started and know I like where I’m going, I’ll take some time to really research aspects of the story, then dive in for another few chapters at which point I’ll reassess, rewrite, and then continue. I rewrite as I go, and I rewrite often. I’m pretty disciplined—I write every day. I used to write around the school schedule, but now that I do this full time and my kids are in school, I write during school hours. I don’t have a set number of pages, I just go until my time runs out, then pick up again in the evening.

What advice would you give to any aspiring young writers?

Read. Read a lot. And don’t be afraid to try different styles of writing. It took me 10 years to “find my voice”, but it was well worth the search. The more you practice something, the better you get. Probably my best advice would be to turn off the TV and get off the social networking sites and allow your brain to spend time with your story. Play with scenes in your mind. Give your story a chance to come to life in your head, put it down on paper.

That’s it? Okay! Well, thanks again for inviting me to contribute. I hope your readers will follow me as this blog tour continues. I’ll be at Children's Book Review tomorrow where I’ll discuss the run-down 400 sq. foot house where I wrote the first six Sammy Keyes books, and the reason Sammy Keyes and the Sisters of Mercy is dedicated to a homeless woman. Hope to see you there!

Thanks so much, Ms. van Draanen!

Mini Magoo Review: Your Life But Cooler

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 01:25:00 +0000

REVIEWED BY MINI MAGOO

This is the sequel to Your Life, But Better.

In Crystal Velasquez's clever book, Your Life, But Cooler, you are the main character. After every chapter, you decide how the chapter ends by taking a quiz. You then receive a score which will direct you to a certain page in the book. So the story's plot really depends on how YOU act.

Some answers will lead you to rejection and humiliation, while others will lead you to fame and fortune. Other decisions are more minor, and on some, either way you go will lead you to something good. However, there's no telling what will lead you where, so tell the truth on the quizzes to enhance your experience!

The base plot of Your Life, But Cooler involves you at school on a day when there are being auditions held for choir. This is a huge deal, because the people who get in are allowed to perform at Carnegie Hall, where, according to gossip-obsessed Amy Choi, the Glee cast might be looking for extras! You and your best friends know that the most popular kids in your grade are bound to get the part, and you all want to do something about it.

Then, one of your best friends suggests that you try out. You can see the sense in that: you have a fantastic voice. But you're not sure if you want to actually go and audition in front of everyone. On the other hand, your best friends would be devastated if you don't audition, and you don't want the popular kids to get the part, either. Of course, you still get the jitterbugs when you even think of agreeing and auditioning. So what do you do? Take the quiz to find out!

Crystal Velasquez had a very unique idea in making the reader the main character. Even without this aspect, Your Life, But Cooler would still be great, but this made the reader more involved. Interacting with this novel is a great, fun experience, and I'd recommend it for ages eight and older.

Win a copy of Countdown!

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 01:18:00 +0000

For June's monthly contest, enter to win a copy of Countdown by Deborah Wiles, as well as a Countdown-branded canvas tote!

'Countdown is the first in a new trilogy of “documentary novels” set in the 1960s- a fascinating historical documentary in a unique style and format. Filled with photos, news clippings, and songs of the era, this novel tells the story of Franny Chapman, an eleven-year-old girl living in Washington, DC, set against the backdrop of one of the most politically and culturally defining periods in history.

It’s 1962, in the days surrounding the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the world seems to be on the terrifying brink of nuclear war. But for Franny Chapman, everyday life goes on. While doing “Duck and Cover” drills at school, Franny must face tensions with her younger brother, and worry about her older sister— is she a secret spy?— while learning to look beyond outward appearances.'

Want more information? Check out the official website and/or the author website.

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This is open to the US only. I will contact the winner on July 1. Good luck!

Movie Monday & Contest: Summer of the Geek

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 03:40:00 +0000

Interested in winning a copy of Summer of the Geek? Keep reading! The winner of This is Me from Now On is Debbie F!

Click here to read the text review of Summer of the Geek.

To enter to win a copy of Summer of the Geek, all you have to do is watch the video above from beginning to end- it's less than a minute and a half- and leave a comment on this post with your email address. For an extra entry, start participating in my WHIRL meme (posted every Sunday). For another extra entry, link to this contest. I will announce the winner on Monday, June 14 . This is open to the US only.

Saturday's Scribe: Elizabeth Eulberg

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Sat, 29 May 2010 22:08:00 +0000

Today's scribe: Elizabeth Eulberg
Author of: The Lonely Heart's Club
Check out the interview!
_____

Have you ever vowed to stay single? How long did it last? Did it turn out well?
There have been a few moments in my life where I wanted to swear off boys forever (usually after a bad break-up), but it never lasted long. I’ve also been very busy with things that I’ve put my dating life on hold, but I’m a firm believer of “it will happen when it’s supposed to happen.” So I try to put a positive spin on any speed bumps I’ve encountered on my path to meeting Mr. Right.

Have you ever started/been in any clubs? How did that turn out?
I was in a bunch of clubs in high school, but none nearly as fun as the Lonely Hearts Club. The clubs I were in were mostly academic: the German Club (although I don’t speak German, that was the name of our foreign exchange club, not sure why…AND I was even President senior year!), Student Council, etc. The “clubs” that I feel I got the most out of were the bands I was in: pep band, marching bad, combined band and jazz band. I felt a sense of community with my fellow music students and that is where I felt most comfortable during high school. Music is still a big part of my life.

Are you a big Beatles fan? What's your favorite song by the Beatles?
I’m a huge Beatles fan. Even though my parents aren’t fans, I grew up playing Beatles songs in music classes for piano and clarinet. I think I became an even bigger fan in college when I studied abroad in London and went on a Beatles walking tour – complete with a walk across the infamous Abbey Road zebra crossing. It is really hard for me to pick a favorite song, I have about 20! “Here Comes the Sun,” “Revolution,” “Ticket to Ride,” “Something,” “Blackbird,” “Come Together,” “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “Penny Lane,”… I could seriously go on and on.

Can you describe your road to publication?
My road to publication was a long one. I came up with the idea for The Lonely Hearts Club in the spring/summer of 2004. Over the course of two years, I wrote about four drafts before sending it to an agent whom I knew. With my agent, I did about seven more drafts before we had a manuscript that she felt comfortable sending out. I did about 3 rounds of editing with my editor at Scholastic. I made A LOT of mistakes at the beginning of the process – I didn’t have an outline or character studies. So the first few drafts were figuring out where the story was going and fleshing out the characters. I made sure I had a better understanding of the plot and characters for my next book: Prom and Prejudice and it paid off. I only did two drafts before it got sent out and only had one round of editing. I will never start another project without an outline and character studies.

What advice would you give to any aspiring young writers?
Read, read, read and read! Read everything and anything you can get your hands on. In terms of writing, the most important thing, in my opinion, is to write for yourself. I get asked “I have an idea for a book, how do I get published?” a lot. You shouldn’t worry about getting published or finding an agent. The main goal should be to write what excites you and to get it in the best shape possible. THEN you can worry about everything that comes with getting published.
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Thanks so much for such a great interview, Ms. Eulberg!

The Turning: What Curiosity Kills

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Fri, 28 May 2010 03:47:00 +0000

Title: The Turning: What Curiosity Kills
Author: Helen Ellis
Grade: B
Ideal Audience: Girls, 13-17

Summary: Although Mary has been adopted, and so doesn't have a complete medical history of herself nor of her family, she's never before had a problem. Certainly never a problem of such epic proportions such as... growing fur. But that's what's happening. And Mary is terrified, because she has no idea what's going on, and can't tell anybody.

After a couple of days of strange events, Mary finally gets some answers. The gorgeous Nick, who never before took an interest in Mary (although she certainly took an interest in him) explains that Mary has something inside of her that will cause her, at times, to turn into a cat. It's called The Turning.

Mary is now faced with a choice. Will she reject the cat side of her, and live a normal human life? Or will she join the vicious world of New York City felines? Or, what may be a more pertinent question: Does she even have the option of deciding for herself?

My thoughts: To be honest, I was completely unimpressed by the plot of The Turning. The concept was a good one, and the execution perfectly passable, but I just wasn't drawn in. I didn't particularly care about what was going on to Mary. Furthermore, I found the ending to be very strange.

What did keep me hooked was Helen Ellis's hilarious writing style. Her wit and humor kept the book moving, and she formed her characters with sharp accuracy. I'm looking forward to what she comes out with next-- hopefully she will be able to keep her style while making the book more compelling in other ways as well.

Click here to buy The Turning Book 1: What Curiosity Kills

Letters to Juliet

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Thu, 27 May 2010 02:53:00 +0000

When Sophie is on a "pre-honeymoon" trip with her fiancee in Venice, she is expecting to spend lots of time with him in the city of love. But when he quickly deserts her in favor of wine tours and auctions, she starts wandering around the city alone... and wittingly stumbles into a place in which young lovers write letters to Juliet.

Curious, Sophie starts to poke around, and uncovers a letter written half a century ago, asking for advice from Juliet. Sophie writes back, and is stunned when the woman, Claire, now much older, visits Sophie with her grandson.

The three of them- with much reluctance on the grandson's side- decide to go on a road trip to find Claire's long lost love that she wrote about in her letter. Along the way, Sophie learns some lessons about love herself... but will she be able to take something away from them before it's too late? And will Claire be able to defy the odds and reunite with the man of her dreams?

Although Letters to Juliet was one of the most predictable movies I've ever seen, it was still a cute romance. It stemmed off of an original idea that quickly drew in the viewer, and, through its various twists and turns, managed to hold the viewer's attention for the remainder of the film. It was a classic romantic comedy with a happy, satisfying ending. Young girls will enjoy Letters to Juliet as a fun movie to see with friends.

Mini Magoo Review: Summer of the Geek

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Wed, 26 May 2010 03:50:00 +0000

REVIEWED BY MINI MAGOO

High school student Miranda is ecstatic about the upcoming summer. She has her first official job, being an 'au pair' to a ten-year-old genius, Amelia. Despite being a genius herself, and therefore a bit of a geek, Miranda also has her boyfriend Dex, who is absolutely amazing. Furthermore, she's planning on spending time with her two best friends, Charlie (short for Charlotte) and Finn. Even though they drive her crazy, she's happy that she'll have time to hang out with them.

But Miranda soon begins to think twice about the "perfection" of her summer. Her driving test is coming up, and she's pretty sure she is going to fail-- given the fact that, if she is able to start the car, she won't be able to drive anywhere without knocking over a mailbox, garbage can, or some other roadside object. To add to Miranda's worries, Amelia hates Miranda from the start and it takes quite a while to get Amelia to even speak to her!

Charlie has finally admitted to having a crush on Finn, who is head-over-heals about another girl. And even though Dex is fantastic, Miranda can't help but be uncomfortable with his life guarding job that seems to involve more bikini-clad girls than life-saving heroics. And now Dex's ex-girlfriend, Wendy, is always by Dex's side!

As if this isn't enough, Miranda's mom has invited her to come live in London with her. But can Miranda leave Dex, Wendy, Amelia, Charlie, Finn, and her high school?

I wasn't sure what to expect when starting Summer of the Geek, but it gave me a pleasant surprise. Some parts of the novel are predictable, but others were filled with surprises and laugh-out-loud moments. Summer of the Geek is a quick, fun summer read that preteen girls will surely love.

Click here to buy Summer of the Geek

Movie Monday & Contest: All Unquiet Things

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Tue, 25 May 2010 03:23:00 +0000

Interested in winning a copy of All Unquiet Things? Keep reading!

The winner of Cowgirl Dreams is Bethie!

Click here to read the text review of All Unquiet Things.

To enter to win a copy of All Unquiet Things, all you have to do is watch the video above from beginning to end- it's less than a minute and a half- and leave a comment on this post with your email address. For an extra entry, start participating in my WHIRL meme (posted every Sunday). For another extra entry, link to this contest. I will announce the winner on Monday, June 7 . This is open to the US only.

Saturday's Scribe: Michelle Zink

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Sun, 23 May 2010 03:12:00 +0000

Today's scribe: Michelle Zink
Author of: Prophecy of the Sisters
Check out the interview!
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How did you come up with the concept for the Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy?

Like most of my books, the idea for Prophecy came from an old legend. In this case, it was the biblical legend of the Watchers. They were said to be a legion of angels sent to guard mankind, but they fell in love with mortal women and were banished. After that, they were called the Lost Souls. That teeny-tiny phrase was really the jumping off point for me. It was the point at which I thought, "Ohhh! The Lost Souls! Dun-dun-DUN!" :D

What can you tell us about what to expect from the second book in your series?

The second book continues Lia's journey to find the missing pages with an epic adventure, a mysterious new guy, and a betrayal of unimaginable proportions. PLUS an homage to one of my favorite books of all time...

When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

I always wanted to be a writer, but then I grew up and became responsible and got the "real" job everyone told me I needed to have. I don't remember anyone every encouraging me to write or even telling me what a career as a writer would look like or how I'd go about preparing myself for it, which is why I'm so passionate about encouraging aspiring writers, particularly young ones. At the age of 29, I quit my job as a Director of Sales and Marketing for a technology consulting firm because I felt like it was stealing my soul. But it still took me a few years (and a total life change that involved leaving Southern California for a small, cheap town in NY to find my way back to writing. It was worth the detour!

Can you describe your writing process?

By the seat of my pants? Lol! Seriously, I don't outline or anything. I get an idea, make enough notes that I can get started, and let the story dictate where it needs to go. I always feel (and this is going to sound so weird) that all my stories already exist out there somewhere on another plane or something and it's just my job to channel them accurately. I'm really disciplined with how MUCH I write (I keep a schedule with a 10,000 word a week minimum when I'm drafting and write 2 new books a year) but not very disciplined when it comes to keeping with my original ideas for a story. I try to feel where it's supposed to go. I can feel it if it's wrong.

What advice would you give to any aspiring young writers?

Don't listen to anyone who tells you that it's impossible or impractical or unrealistic. Every day new books - debut books - are sold. Just keep your head down and WRITE. Everything else is just noise.
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Thanks so much for such a great interview, Ms. Zink!

Shifty

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Fri, 21 May 2010 12:11:00 +0000

Title: Shifty
Author: Lynn E. Hazen
Grade: B+
Ideal Audience: Boys & Girls, 12-17, Some Adults

Summary: Soli hasn't had it easy. He was abandoned as a baby, and ever since then has been shuffled through various foster care homes. Now he's living with a woman named Martha, and he's determined to make the right choices so that he can stay for as long as possible with her and his little sister and baby brother, both of which are Martha's other foster kids who he isn't actually related to.

But trouble just seems to follow Soli. He's trying to do what's right, but soon finds himself dealing with things that he can't tell Martha about-- and could potentially get him in trouble. Even if he manages to sort everything out, there's a social worker on knocking on Martha's door, threatening to take away the kids from her.

Will Soli be able to form a new life in his new home... or will this be just another house in a long stretch of memories?

My thoughts: Although there were times when the writing seemed forced, Lynn E. Hazen was often able to speak to and connect with the reader. We empathize with Soli and root for him the whole way through. Hazen also shows that the traditional family isn't the only type of family that there is.

One doesn't need to be connected with foster care in any way to be inspired by Hazen's Shifty. Her writing will only improve, so her next novel is sure to be even better!

Click here to buy Shifty

All Unquiet Things

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Thu, 20 May 2010 23:36:00 +0000

Title: All Unquiet Things
Author: Anna Jarzab
Grade: A-
Ideal Audience: Boys & Girls, 14+

Summary: It's been a couple of years since Carly, Neily's ex-girlfriend, died. But Neily hasn't moved past her death nor the circumstances surrounding it, and the reader learns of the events leading up to her death. How Carly and Neily dated. How Neily loved her. How Carly dumped Neily for the dangerous Adam. How Neily didn't answer Carly's phone call on the night that she was killed.

Then there's Audrey, who was Carly's cousin and best friend. Her dad was thrown in jail for Carly's murder, but Audrey's certain that they got it wrong-- that the real killer is out there somewhere. She solicits the help of Neily, and together they investigate Carly's murder.

But dredging up the past brings up both horrible feelings and danger. Word has gotten out about the pair's detective-playing, and Audrey and Neily can only hope that they will find the killer before it's too late.

My thoughts: All Unquiet Things was an intriguing page-turner that kept me hooked from start to finish. Anna Jarzab dealt out the mystery and suspense like a pro, building up the story so that the reader could fully enjoy the riveting climax. The characters were sometimes frustrating, but they were all tangible and real.

Teen readers will find an exciting read in All Unquiet Things, and I'm certainly looking forward to seeing what Anna Jarzab brings us next!

Click here to buy All Unquiet Things

The Heart is Not a Size

mrsmagooreads@gmail.com (Mrs. Magoo) — Thu, 20 May 2010 04:34:00 +0000

Title: The Heart is Not a Size
Author: Beth Kephart
Grade: A
Ideal Audience: Girls & Some Boys, 13+

Summary: Georgia is cool, calm, and collected. She's a perfect student and she never involves herself in any unneeded drama. But on the inside, as she explains, she's a mess. She suffers from panic attacks that she's never told anybody about, and she's afraid for her best friend, Riley, who seems to be suffering from anorexia... although Georgia's been too afraid to confront Riley.

When Georgia and Riley travel to Anapra with several other teens to build a bathroom for the poor community, they know what's awaiting them: hard work, dust, and a hot sun. What they don't necessarily expect is the lessons about life and love that the place, the people, and the work will bring.

Georgia is learning to embrace life and confront her problems as they come. But will doing so ruin the decade-long friendship that she and Riley have?

My thoughts: What struck me from the very first page of The Heart is Not a Size was Beth Kephart's beautiful writing. The reader is quickly enfolded into the story as her words and sentences form something deeper than just the basic meaning.

Furthermore, she expertly lay the groundwork for both the plot and character development early in the novel, creating a perfectly satisfying story that carried a resounding message. The Heart is Not a Size is a book that many teen readers will enjoy, and it has convinced me to pick up another one of Kephart's works!

Click here to buy The Heart Is Not a Size