Upcoming Review: The Great Shelby Holmes Meets Her Match

 * Book 2 in the Shelby Holmes series * 

It's a new school year and John is a bit nervous. As Shelby and John walk down the hallway, Shelby mentions everyone's summer failures from her observations. When they meet the new teacher, Shelby realizes that he's acting suspicious.

Upon digging deeper, Shelby and John uncover his secret. He's being blackmailed. About Shelby. Shelby can't wait to uncover the truth. The case leads her and John to her old school where one girl takes responsibility.

But that girl is also one step ahead of Shelby and John the entire time. Has Shelby finally met her match or will she and John save the day once again?

My Thoughts: I really liked this book. I loved seeing these characters again. They're super great - smart, nice, and entertaining. I like how they balance each other out. I enjoyed the first day of school an Shelby knowing everything about everyone. I liked how she knew something was off with the new teacher. I enjoyed the case - and the one-upmanship. I felt bad for John's mother and how she was left in the dark. I loved Shelby's attempt at friendship and how she feels it's exhausting. She's right; it can be. Another solid case that leaves me excited for more Shelby Holmes adventures. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: BEA (Signed copy)
Release Date: September 12, 2017

Library Recommendation: Perfect for both middle school and public libraries - highly recommended. 

Skyping with Authors: Elizabeth Eulberg!

Skyping with authors, it's a great tool to introduce students to authors. One of the classes in the middle school is currently reading the Shelby Homes book, so it's great to be able to ask the author questions about the book, about writing, and about being an author. 

Many authors will Skype for 15-20 minutes with classrooms/book clubs who have read their book. It's a perfect way to read aloud to students (which they love) and then meet the author. Take a look at the author list put together by Kate Messner and plan your own event!

We were lucky to win a chat (from twitter) with Elizabeth Eulberg and it was awesome!

It happened yesterday at the middle school - thanks to our partnership there. 

Elizabeth Eulberg is awesome. I had Such a Good Time and so did the kids. 

She was funny, kind, and wildly entertaining.

Of course New Kids on the Block came up.

She talked about how she got started writing - with a dare.

How many drafts of Lonely Hearts Club it took before publication - 17

Why the book is dedicated to the author of Captain Underpants books - he made the bet with her.

She talked about her writing process. She us notebooks and note cards and explained how she uses each.

We learned there will be at least two more Shelby books. Where Shelby will have a hard time at school and also meet someone just as smart - which of course will cause problems. We heard about Shelby's extensive vocabulary and how upon finding fun words, she writes them down in a notebook to use for later. 

She gave writing advice for some writers in the group.

A few recommended books for middle schoolers:

Great choices, I've read and loved each of these books!

It was the perfect way to spend the afternoon and I'm so thankful that I was on twitter at the right moment at the right time. 

Also Elizabeth rocks. 

If you haven't read her books, go do it. I've read them all and they are great!

 I can't wait for her newest one out next month!

Skyping with Elizabeth Eulberg

Today is the day and I'm SO excited!!! Over at the middle school, we're talking with Elizabeth Eulberg.

We'll be talking about this awesome book:

I can't wait to hear all about it and get some insider details. Maybe we might hear about book 2! All I know is that I'm super excited about this opportunity (we won a this video chat through a twitter contest)

Come back tomorrow for details on how it went!

Mysterious Saturday Review: The Great Shelby Holmes

John Watson, an Army brat moves into a new building where he meets Shelby Holmes. At first he isn't too sure about her, but right now she's the only person he knows. He asks to tag along on her walk with her dog.

They run into a school mate of Shelby's who is devastated because her dog has gone missing. Shelby takes the case and allows John to tag along. Can they solve the case?

My Thoughts: Honestly, the name and the cover sold me on this book (not to mention the author.) I was pleasantly surprised when I realized the narrator wasn't Shelby Holmes, but John Watson. I loved seeing the neighborhood through his eyes when he walked with Shelby. I loved his initial meeting with Shelby and how she grew on him. They make an unlikely pair, but they're refreshing. I enjoyed the case and meeting the family. I like John's mother and how she isn't sure that Shelby is the best person for John to befriend. I liked her backstory too. Plus the illustrations are charming. I can't wait to read more about this pair.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Perfect for both middle school and public libraries - highly recommended.