April 25, 2017

Double Review: Double or Nothing by Johanna Hurwitz +GIVEAWAY!

Today I'm reviewing TWO books which is perfect since they are books about twins!

The Books:


Double or Nothing With the Two and Only Kelly Twins
What's the same about identical twins -- and what's different? Sleepovers, poetry projects, and new haircuts are in play as seven-year-old Arlene and Ilene start coming into their own. 

Arlene and Ilene love so many things about being identical twins. They like sharing a room, sharing friends, and wearing matching outfits. But they're in different classes at school, and one twin has a scar that the other one doesn't. One morning, their friends Monty and Joey point out a new difference that takes the sisters by surprise and gets them thinking: if they are identical twins, why are there differences between them at all? Their tongues must be the same, so why do they like different kinds of ice cream? Why does Arlene wear pink nail polish while Ilene thinks it's silly? Why is Ilene sleeping soundly when Arlene is awake, wondering how she can be sure that she is Arlene, not Ilene?

The Two and Only Kelly Twins
Second-graders Arlene and Ilene Kelly are twins — identical twins to be exact — and they love being a pair. They love to dress alike, they have identical pet ferrets, and they do everything together. But being a twin is not always easy. When a set of triplets comes to school, Arlene and Ilene wonder whether triplets are more special than twins. At Halloween, on different streets in identical witch costumes, some neighbors think that the girls are one person trying to get extra candy. And when Arlene gets sick and has to visit the hospital, the twins each find out what it’s like to be one instead of two. But whether they’re together or apart, Arlene and Ilene know they’re lucky to have each other.

About the Author
Johanna Hurwitz is a former children’s librarian and the award-winning author of more than seventy books for children, including The Two and Only Kelly Twins and four books about Arlene and Ilene’s friend Monty, who lives on their street. Ms. Hurwitz divides her time between Great Neck, New York, and Wilmington, Vermont. To learn more, visit her website: johannahurwitz.com.

There you'll see a lovely interview with the NYPL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYR_ruGROAA

Praise for the Books
“These realistic predicaments with warm resolutions will fare well with the chapter-book set. Singletons' interest in twins will be piqued while multiples will find much to relate to.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Accessible text and frequent illustrations make this a friendly pick for young readers tackling their first chapter books. Themes of identity and self-discovery join amiable characters reminiscent of Clementine, Ivy, and Bean, making this a solid addition to early chapter-book collections.”
—Booklist

Sign up for a free downloadable curriculum guide for both books here.



I remember when I was young really wanting to be a twin! Does everybody feel that way??? It's because of that I can see these book appealing to young elementary girls.  I found the girls very cute, but also realistic.  They aren't perfect.  They do things to get themselves in trouble, and they do bicker with each other.  I liked that because it made them see like typical little girls!  I loved the story triplets move to their school! Here they've always been the unique ones because they are twins, but now they've been moved aside for triplets.  It was cute to watch them struggle with this!  I do think - tho my favorite part was when people accused them of trying to just get double Halloween candy.  I can completely see that happening!  Oh - and how can I forget their adorable ferrets! Loved that part of the books.  It was fun to see a pet besides a cat or dog!

In short:  Cute, cute books that I can see early elementary girls really enjoying! 


Double fun giveaway!
One lucky winner will receive both books featuring the Kelly twins--THE TWO AND ONLY KELLY TWINS and DOUBLE OR NOTHING WITH THE TWO AND ONLY KELLY TWINS (U.S. addresses).


a Rafflecopter giveaway

April 18, 2017

Blog Tour: My Life as a Ninja +GIVEAWAY


Very excited to be a part of this blog tour!  

My 9 year-old loves these books, so I knew I had to help promote this one!  

Watch for my review in the next couple of days! 


About The Book:

Title: MY LIFE AS A NINJA
Author: Janet Tashjian 
Pub. Date: April 11, 2017
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Pages: 240
Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Book 6 in the bestselling My Life series!

Derek Fallon has expanded his taste in cartoons to the world of manga and anime. Together with his friends Carly, Matt, and Umberto, Derek has fun learning about all the cool aspects of ninja culture. When someone starts vandalizing their school with graffiti of a mischievous troll-like figure, these ninjas-in-training are convinced they'll be able to crack the case. But it turns out that being a ninja is a lot more work than they thought, and this adventure brings about new opportunities for Derek to embarrass himself. For once, can he be the hero that saves the day?

A Christy Ottaviano Book


About Janet:

Janet Tashjian is a middle-grade and young adult novelist who’s been writing books for children for fifteen years. Her first novel Tru Confessions was made into a critically acclaimed Disney TV movie starring Clara Bryant and Shia LaBeouf. The Gospel According to Larry is a cult favorite and Fault Line is taught in many middle and high schools. Her novels My Life As a Book, My Life As a Stuntboy, and My Life As a Cartoonist are all illustrated by her teenage son, Jake. Their collaboration continues with My Life As a Ninja coming April of 2017.

Janet lives with her family in Los Angeles, enjoying her respite from the long Boston winters. When she isn’t writing, she’s rewriting. Learn more about her and all her books at JanetTashjian.com!

Janet has been doing school visits for fifteen years; you can email her at spatulaproductions@mac.com for details.



Check out the rest of the tour
Blog Tour Schedule

4/17/2017A Dream Within A DreamExcerpt
4/19/2017- BookHounds YA- Review
4/20/2017Margie's Must ReadsReview
4/21/2017BookloveExcerpt


Giveaway Details:
3 Winners will receive a finished copy of MY LIFE AS A NINJA, US Only.
Ends on April 25th at Midnight EST!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

April 17, 2017

Blog Tour Book Review: Missing by Kelley Armstrong

Today I'm excited to kick of a blog tour for Kelley Armstrong's new book Missing! I love a good mystery/thriller, so I was excited to be offered a spot on the tour.  


About the book
Winter Crane knows all too well that Reeve’s End is not a place where kids stick around if they can help it. Scores of teens—her sister and best friend included—leave the Appalachian mining town behind as soon as they can and are smart enough to never look back. But when Winter stumbles across a battered boy in the woods, she begins to doubt if everyone who left did so voluntarily. Luckily, growing up on the wrong side of the tracks has left Winter tougher than most. Equipped with a quick mind and hunting skills, Winter is a formidable opponent for anyone lurking in the forest shadows.




If you only have a second: Twists, turns, tension and a bit of romance.  Love it! 


If you have a few minutes:

I haven't read a good thriller mystery in awhile, and this was a good one.  It honestly had me hooked right from the beginning, and I pretty much tore through it in two days.  I'm a sucker for a good mystery filled with tension, and this one had it.  It starts right away with Winter finding Lennon.  I wanted to know who he was, why was he there and could he be trusted.  That feeling continued throughout the whole book.  At different times throughout the book I didn't know who I could trust! I think I question every single main character except for Winter.  Wait! I did question her at once! It just kept me guessing right up until the end.  I thought I had a few things figured out, but nope they twisted one last time on me! 

Besides the great plot, I loved both Winter and Jude the two main characters.  They had depth to them.  I cared about both of them and wanted them to be ok both physically and mentally.  There were a few times I didn't like Winter's choices especially when she went investigating on her own, but I got why she did it.  And of course it really really added to the tension in the story when she did!

Lastly the ending - well done! Everything wrapped up as well as it could.  I felt satisfied although I'd love to know more about their futures! I just hope they are done having to play detective! 

Best stick with you image:  Anything with the feral dogs! 

Best for readers who: Love mysteries and can handle tense scenes! 
Best for ages: 13 up I think - if they can handle tension and some graphic scenes.

*Book provided by publisher in return for an honest review.*

April 14, 2017

Book Review: I Survived Hurricane Katrina by Lauren Tarshis

Title: I Survived Hurricane Katrina
Author: Lauren Tarshis

Barry's family tries to evacuate before Hurricane Katrina hits their home in New Orleans. But when Barry's little sister gets terribly sick, they're forced to stay home and wait out the storm.

At first, Katrina doesn't seem to be as bad as predicted. But overnight the levees break, and Barry's world is literally torn apart. He's swept away by the floodwaters, away from his family. Can he survive the storm of the century -- alone?

The short story:  I'm glad I finally read one!  I see why my students read them.

The details: My students love these books.  Once they get started on one, they keep coming back to get another one until they've read all we have in the library.  My own son is exactly the same way.  I love them because of this an because they give kids an appropriate look at historical events.  This one did just that.

 It was a quick read.  I read it in one evening, so I know that's one reason why kids read them.  I liked how it gave a clear look at some of the events of hurricane Katrina.  It didn't go into all the events instead focusing on one family and their story.  I think that's what kids need because it lets them see how someone their age might get through a difficult event, and it might help them connect to the story - an in turn the historical event - better.  Barry's story let me, as an adult even, see what the first days of hurricane Katrina were like for people still there.  I got to see a more personal story, and that was good.  Was it simplified - yes, but it needs to be with the audience it's intended for.  If a child is interested in learning more they can.  This just opens the door for that.  

To add about the series in general - I was talking to my son about them.  He told me each story jumps right into the part where the kid is in danger and then backs up so you hear what led up to it.  He said he really liked that they did that.  

April 12, 2017

Audio Book Review: Thanks for the Trouble by Tommy Wallach



Title: Thanks for the Trouble
Author: Tommy Wallach
Narrator:  Francisco Pryor Garat

Tommy Wallach, the New York Times bestselling author of the “stunning debut” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) We All Looked Up, delivers a brilliant new novel about a young man who overcomes a crippling loss and finds the courage to live after meeting an enigmatic girl.

“Was this story written about me?”
I shrugged.
“Yes or no?”
I shrugged again, finally earning a little scowl, which somehow made the girl even more pretty.
“It’s very rude not to answer simple questions,” she said.
I gestured for my journal, but she still wouldn’t give it to me. So I took out my pen and wrote on my palm.
I can’t, I wrote. Then, in tiny letters below it: Now don’t you feel like a jerk?

Parker Santé hasn’t spoken a word in five years. While his classmates plan for bright futures, he skips school to hang out in hotels, killing time by watching the guests. But when he meets a silver-haired girl named Zelda Toth, a girl who claims to be quite a bit older than she looks, he’ll discover there just might be a few things left worth living for.


Short story: Wow what a story.  

Now the details: I don't even know where to begin to review this story.  It was amazing.  Frustrating.  Hopeful.  Sad.  Funny.  Real - or was it?  What I mean by the last one is the ending!  But I can't comment much because I don't want to give things away.  All I know is that I adored it way more than I ever expected it to.  I grew to really really like Parker.  I felt for him.  The story was more complicated and complex than I ever thought it would be. So many times while listening I had to make myself leave the car.  (I only listen in the car) I just wanted to know more, and why and how.  I questioned things - could I believe Parker?  Could I believe Zelda?  Where is this story going?  The whole package was great.  I'm so glad I picked it up and listened to it.  It has really stuck with me. 

Thoughts on the audio book: I LOVED the narrator.  He did such a great job.  I loved his accent because it made Parker come to life even more.  He just did a wonderful job.  I hope to find more books he has narratored.  

April 11, 2017

My Life as a Ninja Release Blitz +GIVEAWAY!


I am so excited that MY LIFE AS A NINJA by Janet Tashjian is available now and that I get to share the news!

My 9 year old son loves these books, so the chance to share the news about the newest book in the series was a no-brainer! 

If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book by Author Janet Tashjian, be sure to check out all the details below.

This blitz also includes a giveaway for 3 finished copies of the book courtesy of Macmillan and Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, enter in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.



About The Book:

Title: MY LIFE AS A NINJA
Author: Janet Tashjian 
Pub. Date: April 11, 2017
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Pages: 240
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Book 6 in the bestselling My Life series!

Derek Fallon has expanded his taste in cartoons to the world of manga and anime. Together with his friends Carly, Matt, and Umberto, Derek has fun learning about all the cool aspects of ninja culture. When someone starts vandalizing their school with graffiti of a mischievous troll-like figure, these ninjas-in-training are convinced they'll be able to crack the case. But it turns out that being a ninja is a lot more work than they thought, and this adventure brings about new opportunities for Derek to embarrass himself. For once, can he be the hero that saves the day?
A Christy Ottaviano Book

About Janet:

Janet Tashjian is a middle-grade and young adult novelist who’s been writing books for children for fifteen years. Her first novel Tru Confessions was made into a critically acclaimed Disney TV movie starring Clara Bryant and Shia LaBeouf. The Gospel According to Larry is a cult favorite and Fault Line is taught in many middle and high schools. Her novels My Life As a Book, My Life As a Stuntboy, and My Life As a Cartoonist are all illustrated by her teenage son, Jake. Their collaboration continues with My Life As a Ninja coming April of 2017.

Janet lives with her family in Los Angeles, enjoying her respite from the long Boston winters. When she isn’t writing, she’s rewriting. Learn more about her and all her books at JanetTashjian.com!

Janet has been doing school visits for fifteen years; you can email her at spatulaproductions@mac.com for details.



Giveaway Details:

3 Winners will receive a finished copy of MY LIFE AS A NINJA, US Only.

Ends on April 25th at Midnight EST!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

April 10, 2017

MG Book Review and Feature: T.O.A.S.T. Series by James Ponti

Today I'm very excited to feature a new series by an author I really enjoy. 

 The series: T.O.A.S.T. Mysteries

Author: James Ponti


James Ponti wrote the Dead City series - a great middle grade zombie series.  Click for review of Dead City and Blue Moon and look at the Top Ten List I included it on.   

So on to his new series! 

Framed! (Book #1)
Get to know the only kid on the FBI Director’s speed dial and several international criminals’ most wanted lists all because of his Theory of All Small Things in this hilarious start to a brand-new middle grade mystery series.

So you’re only halfway through your homework and the Director of the FBI keeps texting you for help…What do you do? Save your grade? Or save the country?

If you’re Florian Bates, you figure out a way to do both.

Florian is twelve years old and has just moved to Washington. He’s learning his way around using TOAST, which stands for the Theory of All Small Things. It’s a technique he invented to solve life’s little mysteries such as: where to sit on the on the first day of school, or which Chinese restaurant has the best eggrolls.

But when he teaches it to his new friend Margaret, they uncover a mystery that isn’t little. In fact, it’s HUGE, and it involves the National Gallery, the FBI, and a notorious crime syndicate known as EEL.

Can Florian decipher the clues and finish his homework in time to help the FBI solve the case?

Vanished! (Book #2)
Florian Bates—the only kid on the FBI Director’s speed dial and several international criminals’ most wanted lists—must uncover the truth behind a series of middle school pranks that may or may not involve the daughter of the President of the United States in this hilarious second novel in the T.O.A.S.T. Mystery series.

Middle school is hard. Solving cases for the FBI is even harder. Doing both at the same time— well that’s just crazy. But that doesn’t stop Florian Bates!

After helping the FBI solve an art theft at the National Gallery and uncovering a DC spy ring, Florian’s finding life at Alice Deal Middle School a little boring. But that’s all about to change! His FBI handler, Marcus, has a job for him! Is it a bank robbery? Counterfeit ring? International espionage? Actually it’s middle school pranks…

Sounds pretty ordinary except that the pranks are happening at a prestigious private school attended by the President’s daughter who may—or may not—be involved. So Florian and Margaret are going undercover to see if they can use their TOAST skills to figure out what’s going on before the media gets hold of the story.

However, once the crime-solving pair arrive at the school, they discover that there’s a lot more than a few pranks going on and the conspiracy of silence reaches all the way to the top. Then a student vanishes in the middle of a concert at the Kennedy Center and things take a sinister turn!

Can Florian and Margaret save the day? Or a
re they about to get toasted?



Short Answer: Super fun new mystery series that I can't wait to introduce to my student.  

In detail: I was a bit worried going into the first book because I loved the Dead City series so much, but I worried it was more the topic.  Those books have zombies in them (LOVE zombies), so what if I didn't like these as much.  No worries!  I adored these books.  Florian is great.  He's smart and talented at using T.O.A.S.T. (an acronym he came up with).  It stands for Theory of All Small Things, and it allows him to notice small details and put them together to see things others might not.  He's amazing at this, but I love that he's still just a kid in every other way! 

As a middle school student I would've loved these books, because I was completely into mysteries.  And these books are perfect for the young mystery fan.  Lots of twists and turns, hidden clues and great kids helping solve it all!  Oh wait yes I said KIDS as in plural.  As great at Florian is, he's friend Margaret is just as great!  I love her voice of reason.  She has shades of Hermione! And if it wasn't for her, Florian would get himself into even more unwanted situations.  

Over-all well done and great for the middle grade set.  

April 5, 2017

Review: I Am (Not) Scared by Anna Kang +GIVEAWAY

Title: I Am (Not) Scared
Author: Anna Kang
Illustrations: Christopher Weyant





Two fuzzy friends go to an amusement park. They try to convince each other that there are much scarier things than the roller coaster. Hairy spiders! Aliens! Fried ants! They soon discover that sometimes being scared isn’t as “scary” as they thought. With expressive illustrations and simple text, this giggle-inducing tale about (not) being scared features the endearing characters from the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner You Are (Not) Small.

I absolutely adored You Are (Not) Small, so I hoped this one would be as cute.  It definitely is!  So many little ones could relate to this because being scared of something in some way is almost a daily occurrence! So here's an adorable little book that can help them see that things aren't always as scary as they seem, and that when you have a good friend they are even less scary.  I will for sure be sharing this book with my kindergartners and doing some activity with being scared - or not.  If I was still teaching 7th grader I would for sure use it with them as well! 


About the Author and Illustrator

Anna Kang and Christopher Weyant are the creators of two other books featuring these characters: Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner You Are (Not) Small and That’s (Not) Mine. Christopher’s work can be seen regularly in The New Yorker magazine and his cartoons are syndicated worldwide. This husband-and-wife team lives in New Jersey with their two daughters and their Bich-Poo. 

Twitter: @annakang27 @chrisweyant05
Instagram: annakangbooks; christopherweyant   
Facebook: Anna Kang - Author; Christopher Weyant

For more information, and to download a free activity kit, visit annakang.com, or download at: http://bit.ly/2mKbFWi


One lucky winner will receive a set of squeezable stress balls, two adorable plush characters, and a copy of I AM (NOT) SCARED courtesy of Two Lions (U.S. addresses)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

April 4, 2017

The Sacrifice of Sunshine Girl Book Release Day Feature/Interview AND Giveaway!

Today the 3rd book in The Haunting of Sunshine Girl series is released.  In honor of that release I have an interview the author AND a giveaway!


About the book

Is Sunshine Griffith who she thinks she is? Now that her luiseach powers are fully awakened, and having barely survived an abyss full of demons at the end of Book Two, Sunshine must figure out who—or what—has been organizing the forces of darkness against her. 

Thanks to her brainiac boyfriend, Nolan, they not only unearth that Sunshine's death would trigger a calamitous event, but that all civilization depends on her survival. So when an unexpected event unleashes a fierce war between the luiseach and the demon army, Sunshine will learn a shocking truth about herself. Can she bring herself to make the ultimate sacrifice to save humankind?


About Paige McKenzie:
Paige McKenzie is the YouTube star and NYT Bestselling author behind the enormously successful Sunshine Girl series. In 2010, the then sixteen-year-old McKenzie teamed up with producer Nick Hagen and her mother, actress Mercedes Rose, to record an episodic series of paranormal-themed videos, which soon had millions of fans. Signed to The Weinstein Company, McKenzie has been covered by Entertainment Weekly, The Today Show, Seventeen, The New York Times, USA Today, TIME and others. Her YouTube channel today boasts more than 250 million total views, averages 7.5 million unique views per month and maintains more than 500,000 monthly subscribers. McKenzie lives in Portland, Oregon.

Visit Sunshine Girl online:

I'm very excited to welcome Paige to The O.W.L. today.  She was kind enough to answer some questions for us! 

THE FUN QUESTIONS - These are always things my middle school students wanted to know.

Do you chew gum?
I'm more of an Altoid girl. Fresh breath is my life!

Were school lunches just as yucky when you were a kid?
This is so embarrassing but I've never once eaten a school lunch. I've always packed my own. Even in kindergarten. It was a good excuse to have cute little containers. Plus my mom always wrote cute little notes and drawings for me. The lunch lady was never willing to do that!

Do you text?
I really just text my friends. I loath talking on the phone. And I'm usually so busy I don't have time to do any social media outside of what I have to do for The Haunting of Sunshine Girl!

ABOUT THE BOOK QUESTIONS

First or Third Person Point-of-View
The story is told from both points of view! Most of the trilogy is told from Sunshine's point of view. But each book has some chapters told from a different mystery person's point of view.

Boy or Girl Main Character
Sunshine is a girl. But not a girly-girl. I guess because she is a lot like me. But taller. And braver.

What genre
The genre is what I like to call horror-light.

Middle Grade or Young Adult
The books are classified under young adult. But I definitely have a lot of readers in middle graders and even younger. And of course, a ton of adults like it too.

10 Word Summary
Gilmore Girls /Paranormal Activity, very loosely based on a YouTube show!  (10 words exactly!)

THE SERIOUS QUESTIONS

For The Sacrifice of Sunshine Girl what part/character/event are you most excited/proud about?
The Sacrifice of Sunshine Girl finds Sunshine headed back home and reuniting with her mom and Nolan, which I thought was important for the final installment. There are some fun new characters and a lot of action.

Tell about your writing process.  How long did it take you to write The Sacrifice of Sunshine Girl from idea to finish? Since this is the third book in the series how did it compare?
Sacrifice is so far removed from anything that I've done on the YouTube that it was fun to work out some new details. I always knew from the beginning that I wanted it to be a trilogy and wrap up nicely without it being a hard end. My co-author and I were already outlining book 3 before book 2 was even out so about a year from start to finish.

When you were in middle school what kind of student were you?  Did you write then? Did any part of the book come from middle school experience?
I was always a good student if not terribly studious! I got good grades without trying very hard. In hindsight, that probably wasn't the best choice! I never wrote anything very serious outside of what was required for school. But I've always been creative. And I've just always been fascinated with the idea of a character having to do normal life as well as something spectacular like saving the world. Very Buffy!

And because it's The O.W.L., my standard question always is: WHOOO do you admire when it comes to writing? OR WHOOO do you like to read or really enjoyed in HS or middle school?
My taste in books is as eclectic as my taste in music! I like everything from Stephen King to Sarah Dessen! Probably my fave book is Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. I also love Beauty, The Princess Academy, The Night Circus and The Eyes of the Dragon.


Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us today!  I love your choice in books!!!

1 SIGNED Copy of The Sacrifice of Sunshine Girl
Must be at least 13
Must be US Resident

a Rafflecopter giveaway