I'm Back!/The River of No Return

    Hey guys! Long time no see! I've been sort of slacking for a while now,(a looonnggg while) and I've decided to get back into this. This is because of a couple of reasons;
1. I found out a library in Ontario is now using my blog as a resource! 
2. I was running out of excuses to the question "Where did your blog go?"
3. I missed you guys!
Anyway, to the post!

    Hey guys, today I'm going to be talking about a book called The River of No Return by J&P Voelkel. You may remember my first ever post was a review of the book Middleworld by J&P
Voelkel. This book is the third of the same series, the Jaguar Stones trilogy.
    
    This book starts with Max on a seemingly normal vacation in Venice, until his father gets a phone call from the university that funds all their architectural digs requesting they relocate to San Xavier. Max tries to relax on the beach and enjoy being back in the company of Lola, until the death lords get back to their old tricks, specifically making Max and Lola do their dirty work. Even more specifically using them to get the white jaguar stone. But this time Ah Pukah, lord of painful and unnatural death, pulls out all the stops, including an undead army and The Grand Hotel Xibaliba. But he's just getting started...

I give this book a 8 and 3 quarters out of ten, because I love how original and creative the plot line is, but tis' not as good as Middleworld.

Genre: Action, Mystery, Adventure

To find out more please visit this website!

Available at select bookstores*.

*This series is harder to come by in Canada.

The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones

Today I want to talk about a book I read called The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones, by Rick Riordan( this series has multiple authors) . This book commences with Grace Cahill, the grandmother of Amy and Dan Cahill, passing away. But just minutes before that, Grace changed her will. This new will declared that every important person to the family can either have 1,000,000 dollars on the spot, or have a chance to for take in the hunt for the 39 clues. On the day of the funeral, Dan and Amy Cahill, direct descendants of Grace, burn TWO MILLION DOLLARS, and take the piece of paper that will lead them to infinite power and riches. This hunt brings Amy, Dan, and their au pair Nellie, To France, and into the depths of the catacombs, All the while being hunted down by insane relatives.

I give this book a 8 out of 10 because I usually love anything Rick Riordan writes. 

I think this book is for anyone 9-13, because there are a lot of difficult words and things to understand.

More in the series: to many to list, so just click here to see the rest of the series.

To find out more please visit the39clues.com

Available wherever books are sold.

CROWN BROTHERS

Hi guys, first off I just want to say I'm really sorry about the recent lack of posts, I've just been very busy and now that summer is coming, (WOOHOO!) I'll be able to recommence posts as I did before. So onto today's post.




Today I'm going to be sharing a snapshot of a book I am writing called CROWN BROTHERS, which is set in the medieval times and is about two royal twins, one receives the crown and the other starts a rebel group to take him down.This will also be a project I will be working on over the course of the summer. So here it is:


Ruthen's eyes filled with tears as he watched the crown being placed atop his brothers head. Knox had always been the family favourite, always gotten what he wanted. That pet salamander on their seventh birthday, that new horse on their 14th. And know he was becoming ruler of the kingdom. Growing up, Ruthen had always dreamed of the moment the gleaming jeweled crown of Knowdale would be placed upon his jet black hair."That crown should be mine!" thought Ruthen, tears pooling on the brim of his crooked nose. He fealt like a tiny beast was ripping his heart into small peices. He wanted the beast to come out and knock Knox's stupid smile off his face. But he knew he coulden't, not now, not with all these people around. "But one of these days," he thought," It will have to escape."  


If later on you want to know more about this project, let me know in the comment section below!

Big Nate: In a Class By Himself

Today I'm going to talk about a book I read called Big Nate: In a Class By Himself by Lincoln Peirce.For fans of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, this series focuses on Nate Wright, a sixth grader at P.S. 38 middle school. The class clown, teachers LEAST favourite, and self proclaimed awesome person. This first book of the best-selling series finds Nate goofing off as usual, when his best friend Teddy gives him a fortune cookie. The note inside reads "Today you will surpass all others. Thinking that this couldn't just be a coincidence, Nate embarks on a quest to find out how he will surpass all others.


 I give this book a seven out of ten for it's funny storyline and hilarious illustrations. 


 I think this book is for anyone 8-13 because it's an easy read good for any occasion.


 More in the series: Big Nate: Strikes Again, On a Roll, Goes for Broke 


 To find out more please visit bignatebooks.com or download the Big Nate app from the app store on your iPhone or iPod Touch. Available where ever books are sold.

Screen Time

Are Kids Reading less? You might often hear adults tell you to pry your eyes away from the screen and read a book. Recent studies have shown that kids screen time is getting crazy.Usually, kids in the U.S.A. spend only 25 minutes a day reading.SAY WHAAAAAAA?Here's something even more crazy: almost 1/3 of children UNDER TWO have a T.V. in their room, and an average Canadian kid spends 6 HOURS in front of screens a day, when health officials only recommend two. But screen time isn't always bad. Screen time does have benefits. As quoted by Andrew Sykes in OWL magazine"The potential of the Internet to teach and educate is amazing. It holds such promise. And student are going to have to engage with this information if they are going to take jobs on in the future." Andrew Sykes is a school district psychologist from Revelstoke, B.C.

In the end, it all comes down to balance. You MUST play outside and read, because if you start just relying on electronics, then you'll forget the most basic skills and the minute your gadgets are taken away from you, you don't even know what to do with yourself. But you do need screen skills, because in the future your ability to skip rope really well won't get you a job.

I encourage you to take part in Screen-Free week (April 30 to May 6) and read a book, play outside, and just live the way they did in the olden days (The 1950's).

I also think you should visit Screensmart.ca to find out more(The website is currently down, sorry!)

The Hunger Games

Today I'm going to talk about a book I read called The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. This book is based in the ruins of North America, now a nation known as Panem. In Panem, There are 12 outlying districts. Each year, each district has to send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to the annual Hunger Games, A fight to the death in a giant arena that is broadcast to every home in Panem on live TV. When Katniss Everdeen, a sixteen year old girl from district twelve, hears that her sister has been selected to compete, Katniss desperately volunteers to take part in the Games to save her sister's life. To win the Games and see her family again, Katniss must weigh survival against judgement, and make choices to save her life.

I give this book a 9 and a half out of ten for it's original plot and It's interesting characters (nice character names too...Peeta,Katniss,Primrose,Cato,Glimmer...).

I think this book is for for 11-20 year olds, because its very violent and gory, and I've heard the movie is the same.

More in the series: Catching Fire, Mockingjay

To find out more please visit thehungergames.wikia.com or 

www.thehungergames.com

Available at every bookstore.          

The Son of Neptune

Today, straight from Panama, I want to talk about a book I read called The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan.
This book is primarily about Percy Jackson, who has woken up after months of endless sleep, not remembering any of his previous life at camp Half-Blood (read the Percy Jackson series). After searching for weeks, Percy stumbles across Camp Jupiter, which seems to be the roman equivalent of camp Half-Blood, but having amnesia, Percy cannot remember a thing. He soon meets Frank, the honest oaf who no one bats an eyelash at, and Hazel, who has a secret almost as big as Percy's previous life to himself. But when people, strangely,stop dying when they are killed or mysteriously "come back". They soon seem in position to partake in a quest to Alaska, the land beyond the Gods, to unleash Thantos/death from his chains Hazel, Frank, and Hazel start to reveal secrets that change their lives.

I give this book a 10 out 10 for its adventurous plot and Rick Riordan's amazing writing skills!

I think this book is for 9-13 year olds, but I've been reading Rick Riordan's books since I was 8.

More in the series: The Heroes of Olympus vol.1: The Lost Hero, also check out the Percy Jackson series.



P.S. Sorry for the short post, I'm on vacation in Panama (also not on my normal time : p)

Amulet: The Stonekeeper

Today I want to talk about a graphic novel I read called Amulet: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi. This is the story of Emily, a girl who has just moved into a mysterious and old family home. But soon after they move in Emily strays up to the attic and finds a strange necklace with a strange amulet. Emily realises that this amulet won't come off but can also can control her in a way she didn't think was possible. But that wasn't the house's only secret...in the basement there is a door. The door had been closed for decades, but when Emily's mom went through the door to investigate the cause of a sound. This one moment changed Emily's and her brother, Navin's lives forever. In the world behind the door, Emily and Navin are forced to save the their mom from the strange slimy creature, well also gaining new friends and enemies along the way, but Emily learns about a secret society of people like her...THE STONEKEEPERS.

I give this book an 8 out of 10 for it's amazing artwork and storyline.

Genre: Manga, Adventure, Action

I think this book is for anyone 9+ because its storyline is a bit mature.

More in the series: Vol. Two: The Stonekeeper's Curse, Vol. Three: The Cloud Searchers, Vol. Four: The Last Council


To find out more, please visit scholastic.com

Available at chapters, Indigo, Barnes and Noble

Nat Geo Kids: Weird But True

Today I want to talk about a little book I read called National Geographic Kids: Weird But True! This book is full of strange facts about nature, science, pop culture, and food. Have you ever wondered, is the earth slightly pear shaped? Or, does New Zealand contain more sheep then people? Then this book is for you!


I give this book a 7 out of 10 for its useless in life, but somehow extremely entertaining facts.

Genre: Non-fiction, Science, Animals.

I think this book this book is for 6-12 year olds, and I know that's a very wide age range, but alot 

of people could enjoy this book.

More in the series: Weird but True 2, Weird but True 3, Weird but True: Stupid Criminals, Ultimate Weird but True.

To find out more, please visit: nationalgeographickids.com

Available at Barnes and Noble, Chapters, Indigo, Coles

The Breadwinner

Today I want to talk about a book I read called The Breadwinner. This story is about a young Afghan girl named Parvana,who used to help her father to work every day in the market, because he lost his leg in a bomb. But when the Taliban break into their house and take Parvana's father, the women are stuck in the house with no male escort. To survive, the family must cut Parvana's hair, and basically the family must turn her into a boy so she can make the money for the family. While in the market, she finds Shauzia, one of her schoolmates from before it was shut down, also posing as a boy. Together they try to make ends meet for their family's and deal with the tragedy's and sadness that comes with being a girl in Afghanistan.

I give this book a 8 out of 10 for its great story and brave characters.

Genre: Non-Fiction, world culture

I think this book is suited for, and also created for 10+, because kids need to know about the events going on in the world.

More in this series: Parvana's Journey (warning: Extremely Sad), Mud City (Shauzia's after story)

To find out more, please visit: Wikipiedia.com

Avalible at: Barnes and Noble, Chapters, Indigo

Please visit childrenincrisis.org to find out how to help the children in Afghanistan. Also visit hagarusa.org to help the many kids overseas.

Knights of the Lunch Table: The Dodgeball Chronicles

Today I'm going to talk about a graphic novel I read called Knights of the Lunch Table: The Dodgeball Chronicles by Frank Cammuso. This story is a new age version of the legend of Arthur of Camelot, Artie King, is the new kid at Camelot Middle School, so his life already isn't that fun. But by lunch period that day, Artie King already has a load of enemies, including the super mean principal, and the bully gang at the school, the Horde, but also a couple of friends, Percy, Wayne and the cool science teacher, Mr.Merlyn. On top of all that, Artie has been assigned a old locker that nobody has opened for years. But strangely he can, striking the nerve of the main bully in the school, Big Mo. He challenges them to a do-or-die dodgeball game. LOSERS. GET. CREAMED.

I give this book a 7 out of 10 for its funny characters, but I also think they should have made some more references to the Camelot legend ( Some form of the knights of the round table, maybe?).

Genre: Comedy, Adventure

I think this book is for anyone 7-13, even though the author says it's for 9-12, my 7 year old sister Meg really enjoyed it.

More in this series: Knights of the Lunch Table 2: The Dragon Players, Knights of the Lunch Table 3:The Battling Bands

To find out more please visit: Cammuso.com

Available at: Chapters, Indigo, Barnes and Noble,and all internet buying sites are listed on cammuso.com

One last thing, I'm really sorry guys but there will be no new blog next weekend :( .

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick

Today I want to talk about a book called The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg. The idea of this book is that along time ago, a man named Harris Burdick walked into a publishers office one day, and was telling the publisher about all these great ideas he had. The publisher told Burdick he was busy, but to leave the stories with him, but instead Burdick left one illustration from each book with the title and a caption, telling the publisher he'd be back the next day.Harris Burdick was never seen again.

This book is a "collection" of what Harris Burdick Brought to the publisher.There are almost no words, just the title and the caption.Some of the drawings are funny, some are downright creepy, and almost all mysterious. When I read this book, for almost all the drawings, I was dying to read the book!

I give this book an 8 out of ten for it's amazingly captivating introduction and pictures.


Genre: Mystery


I think this book is for anyone 7+ because of its ability to be a kids book, but also not a kids book.


More by this author: The Polar Express, Zathura


To find out more, please visit www.chrisvanallsburg.com


Available at: Chapters and Barnes and Noble

Secret Santa: Agent of X.M.A.S.

Today I want to say something about a book I read called Secret Santa: Agent of X.M.A.S. Before I start, I just want to say this is NOT, I repeat NOT, a Christmas book.Its about an elf named Jingles, A.K.A. Agent Bells, who finished top in the X.M.A.S. Training academy. But little did he know that instead of being behind a desk in The Xtremely Mysterious Agency of Secrets, he'd soon be working alongside the big man himself, Mr. Santa Claus. Using The S.L.E.I.G.H. and all their strange christmasey weapons, they battle the evil forces of Dr. Nimbus and the Weathermen in a heist that could end in all the world's scientific equipment mysteriously gone!

I give this book a 7 out of 10 for it's great mix of comedy, x-mas, and adventure, but also for it's lack of mystery. It was kind of all out in the first half of the book.

Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Holiday

I think this book is more suited for readers 7-11, because anyone older would probably get bored of it after a while.

More in this series: N/A

To find out more please visit Guybass.com

Available at Amazon.

P.S. Thanks to everyone who read my first to posts...I got over 100 views in a week! If you enjoy my posts please follow my blog or leave a comment!!

My Top Ten Favourite Books of 2011

2011 was a great year for kids books. I had my favourites and least favourites, but mostly favourites.That saying, here are my top ten favourite books of 2011.

10. My number 10 favourite book of 2011 was Big Nate 3: On a roll by Lincoln Peirce for its hilarious characters and awesome illustrations.Visit www.bignatebooks.com to find out more.

9. Number 9 easily goes to Amulet book 4: The Last Council for its interesting story line and amazing manga style art. www.scholastic.com/amulet/ is the site to visit.

8. number eight goes to a great author that I just discovered this year: The Time Hackers by Gary Paulsen for the way they mix history into futuristic events. Please click on this link to see more.

7. Number seven goes to a book that everyone always wants: Guinness World Records 2012 for all of its awesomeness.Click in 3,2,www.guinessworldrecords.com.

6. Number 6 goes to the Guinness World Records, uuhhhhhh, "strange" twin : Ripley's Believe It Or Not: Strikingly True for all of its wacky,strange awesomeness.Type Ripley's.com to see more, or just click the link.

5. goes to a Christmas,but not Christmas book: Secret Santa: Agent Of X.M.A.S. by Guy Bass for its ability to be Christmas book but at the same time a non-Christmas book.www.guybass.com.Nuff said.

4.The lovable rodent strikes again with Geronimo Stilton:The Amazing Voyage by Geronimo Stilton for its ability to still make readers buy after the tons of books already in sale. Which is the real link?Link Link Link Link.

3.Number three goes to one of the top kids book of the year: Diary of Wimpy Kid 6: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney for all the extremely funny problems Greg gets himself in to. Show some love for www.wimpykid.com.

2. It was not easy to pick the top 2,but number two goes to Jaguar Stones book 2: The End Of The World Club by J&P Voelkel for its AMAZING storyline and plot. click here to see my review of book one,and here for www.middleworld.com.

1.And my number one book for 2011 is,drumroll please........ The Heroes Of Olympus book 2: The Son Of Neptune for Rick Riordan's AMAZING,not just amazing,AMAZING writing skills.Visit www.rickriordan.com.

Thanks for reading...comment with your top ten if you want!

Middleworld

Today I want to talk about a book I recently read called Middleworld. This book is about Max Murphy, a fourteen year old from Boston, who gets some bad news from his archaeologist parents that he thinks will ruin his summer: They have to go to a dig in central America. But when his mysterious nanny/maid Zia gives him a plane ticket to join his parents, he quickly finds out that his parents have gone missing.

With the help of Lola - a young, smart, modern Mayan girl - they embark on a quest to find his parents. Their quest results in an epic adventure that takes them from Mayan pyramids to the jungle, while fighting alongside two Mayan royal spirits living in monkey bodies, all the while fighting against the evil, insane, Spanish count, Antonio De Landa. Phew!And that's only half of the book.

I give this book a 9 and a half out of ten, for its amazing plot and story line. I know this is a crazy high rating on my first review, but I promise you'll be hooked 5 pages into this book.

Genre: Action, Mystery

I think this book is more suited for readers 9-12, because anyone younger would probably get lost in the complicated story line.

To find out more, please visit: www.jaguarstones.com

More in this series: Jaguar Stones Book 2:The End Of The World Club


Available at Chapters,Indigo,Coles,and Barnes and Noble.