YABookNerd

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Topics

This week's topic is: My Ten Favorite Top Ten Topics We've Ever Done In The Past 5 Years.

I haven't been participating the whole time, but there are topic I LOVED. So here goes...

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish

Topics:

Childhood Favorites
Fictional Crushes (I might not have done this one, but I obviously have book boyfriends, who doesn't?)
Winter/Holiday Books (I swear I've done this one, but I can't find any. I read SO many Winter/Christmas books because I love them. I love October when they're released)
Fictional BFFs
Bookish Resolutions
Authors that deserve more recognition
Beach Reads
Talking about TBR piles
Favorite Kick Ass Heroines
Bookish Bucketlist

Which ones do you like talking about?

Tween Tuesday Review: Upside Down Magic

Nory's family has perfect magical powers and she doesn't. She's about to take her admittance test to Sage Academy. The same school where he father oversees the school and her brother and sister attend.

She will attend there too if only she can control her magic.

When Nory attempts magic, something strange always seems to happen. It's not normal. The harder she tries and the more she fights for control, the worse it seems to get.

When she loses control during the test, she's forced to move in with her aunt and attend public school. She's beyond humiliated, especially when she's placed in the Upside Down Magic program. Will Nory ever get her magic under control?

My Thoughts: I really loved Nory - she was smart, brave, and sweet. I loved her out of control magic -the creatures she created made me laugh. Plus I loved what happened when she turned. My heart went out to her when she was cut off her from home life and her family life. I really liked Ms. Starr and her instructional teaching. I love her outside of the box thinking and how she wanted to make the school a positive environment for everyone. I loved learning about the other kids in the class - from their insecurities to their own brand of magic. I can't wait to read more in this series.

Cover Thoughts: Super Cute!
Source: Sent for Review/BEA book

Final Thoughts: This book is super cute; I LOVED everything about it. It's heartwarming story about being different and owning it! I can't wait to share it with my niece this summer.

Look for this book at the end of September!

Monday, June 22, 2015

Review: Endangered

Panda has a HUGE secret that no one knows - not even her best friend. She's the person behind the website that takes people down a notch or two.

They're not nice people and she has no problem exposing their dirty secrets.

But now someone knows HER secrets. Unless she plays a game, that person will expose her to the world. Panda's worked really hard to become invisible in the walls of high school. She's not interested in being in the spotlight again.

But she might not have a choice as the game becomes dangerous.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book for several reasons.
* The main character's love of photography (I loved learning more about getting the good shots
* Panda's blog of exposing people made this book a thoughtful read, especially after her last post had severe consequences. I'm glad that I wasn't in middle school or high school in the age of social media.
* While I'm not a fan of some of Panda's choices, she had the best of intentions.
* I love thrillers for teens and this lived up to it with the action and danger and cryptic notes (even though I did have an inkling of the bad guy before)
* I like how the end played out with her parents and the police and how she finally understood her role in everything
* Panda is bi-racial

Cover Thoughts: Perfect, I love the way the main character is captured in the camera lens.
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: A fantastically entertaining read that will keep you turning the pages

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Fall Program Ideas for Teens (1)

I know that Summer Reading is just starting or has already started, but planning doesn't always take a back seat just because it's the busy season. So I thought I'd attempt to help and toss out a few ideas for fall - all from pinterest. Here are some fun looking accessories!

Duct Tape Lanyard

Duct Tape Flower Pens or Pencils

Bottle Cap Magnets | How To Use Nail Polish In Completely Unexpected Ways

Locker Magnets

Glitter Magnets

Friday, June 19, 2015

Percy Pack: What Percy Means to Me and a Special Contest

Can you believe it's been 10 years since Book 1 in The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan was published. Time flies.

I'm happy to be part of the Percy pack because of my history with the books. What does this mean? Well for the next six months, you'll occasionally see posts on Percy Jackson filled with news, re-reviews, and a cool giveaway.

I read and reviewed The Lightning Thief for a website that no longer exists. And I loved it! I remember getting a note in the mail and this shirt as thanks for reviewing. I had no idea how much I would come to cherish both.

Shirt signed by Rick for me later

Remember that this was the original cover?

Meeting Rick

In 2009, I had the chance to finally meet Rick Riordan at a librarian event.

He was entertaining, enlightening, and charming. You check out some highlights of his presentation
39 Clues just came out and he was willing to post for a read poster, which I created and hung in the library for years.

At the Library, we hosted a Mythology Bee program thanks to Disney-Hyperion for educational packet. The tweens at the library had a blast. We also used the Lightning Thief to launch our very successful 4th and 5th grade book club.

Did You Know?

10^TH ANNIVERSARY ACTIVITY KIT

Available starting June 12^th, visit ReadRiordan.com to download a special 10th anniversary Percy Pack Activity Kit

SUMMER SPECIAL DEAL: JUNE 15 – JUNE 22

The perfect moment to get your friends hooked on the series you love! Or if you're like me, the perfect time for a re-read. On June 15^th, The Lightning Thief will be discounted to $.99 across all eBook accounts for one full week (6/15-6/22). It also includes a sneak peek chapter excerpt from Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book One: The Sword of Summer.

GIVEAWAY: You can win

Celebrate the 10^th Anniversary with a giveaway for your followers.

One (1) winner receives the complete Percy Jackson and the Olympians box set!

Open to US addresses only. Prizing provided by Disney-Hyperion.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Review: Sophomore Year is Greek to Me

Zona and her father are close - each relying on each other. But Zona's dad changes the rules when he decides to go to Greece to write a book.

Zona has NO desire to leave school or her friends or the paper for six months. She has even less desire to meet the family who cut off contact with her mother.

After several conversation, it's clear that her dad isn't budging. Resigned, Zona packs up and leaves New York behind for Greece - and maybe a a chance to uncover her heritage.

My Thoughts: I now want to go to Greece to explore and soak up the culture!

Some my favorite moments:
The bathroom scene with the ducks
Zona meeting her Greek family for the first time
Exploring Greece and taking chances
Her relationship with her father
The newspaper notes written between father and daughter
Her BFFs from New York (I wouldn't mind a book about either of them)
I like how she handled her concern about her friend's anorexia - she didn't sweep it under the rug and she didn't take the easy way out. It took guts.
Experiencing new things (even if they're scary)
I love how Zona uncovered the meaning of family

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: Set for review

Final Thoughts: I hope there's a junior and senior book planned because Meredith Zeitlin rocks. Sophomore Year is Greek to Me is the perfect summer book with exploring a new country, testing your ideals, and trying new things. Zona's ambitious, smart, and someone I'd like to meet.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Books I'm Dying to Read: August Edition

Books I can't wait to get my hands on:

Better Homes and Corpses (Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery)

Murder in the Paperback Parlor: I really enjoyed the first book of the series - so looking forward to more.

Fudging the Books: the 4th book in series that features pirate week in the small town of Crystal Cove

Better Homes and Corpses: First in a new series in a decorating mystery

Never Always Sometimes: After years of following the never rules, BFFs will attempt to break them all

From Where I Watch You: Kara wants to escape the world where her family tore everything apart. Baking might be the answer. But someone watching her doesn't want to let her go.