Boys Read

Something To Hold

2012-01-29T08:11:00.001-08:00

A poignant voice has arisen from the soul of a master storyteller. My daughter, who's eleven loved this book. She was very disappointed when the story was over, a sure sign of a great novel! I loved it too. The storyline is fast-moving and all of the characters are well developed. Typically, boys like stories from a male protagonist point of view. However, this is a perfect cross-over book for classroom teaching. I highly recommend it for humanities. There are many layers for deep and meaningful discussions with your students. From an American History perspective, it's a door-opener for exploring our past through the eyes of our modern world. Kids get a lifelike feel for living on a Native American Reservation.

You can start with this premise: Can a white girl feel at home on an Indian reservation?

Inspired by the author’s childhood experiences in the early 1960s, this debut novel centers on Kitty, whose father is a government forester on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in Oregon. Kitty is one of only two white kids in her class, and the Indian kids are keeping their distance. With time, Kitty becomes increasingly aware of the tensions and prejudices between Indians and whites, and of the past injustice and pain still very much alive on the reservation.

RAVE:

"Kitty's discoveries and ethical dilemmas are age-and era-appropriate, the characters affectionately portrayed, rounded individuals."--Kirkus

"Based on the author's own experiences, this novel fills a gap in the historical fiction genre. Great for classroom discussion as well as independent reading." --School Library Journal

This unique novel is by Katherine Schlick Noe. She is a wonderful author, teacher, speaker, and literary specialist. Click here to visit Katherine's website. Be sure to visit her Teaching Ideas page by clicking here.

ECHO'S REVENGE

2012-01-27T08:32:00.001-08:00

What would you do if the evil extreme predator in your video game came after you...in real life?

Would you be ready?

With exciting, heartpounding, nonstop action, ECHO'S REVENGE is the first in an original new YA series written to capture the imagination of young readers who are passionate about playing online/video games.

Click here for ECHO'S REVENGE: The Ultimate Game

Teaching The Civil War

2012-01-23T08:12:00.001-08:00

Below is a teaching the Civil War best-practice.

"I am a 9th grade Social Studies teacher for some wonderful students at a Charter School in California. We are currently learning about The Civil War. I just wanted to let you know that we have been using your, Brothers of War page . It's been so helpful for one of our projects in class. My students just absolutely loved your site!

One of my students came to me with another resource that was very helpful:

Civil War Weapons

She thought it would be a perfect addition to your site of already valuable resources! (She is always going above and beyond...such a great kid!)

As educators, we may not like it that kids are interested in weapons, but many are. Boys are especially interested in reading about historical weapons. One of my continued top books to hook boys on reading is Ben Boo's book SWORDS. Ben tragically passed away last summer. By buying his book we help boys transform into lifelong readers and in a small way help support his family.

Please consider supporting Ben's family by buying copies his books. You can also help support Boys Read by purchasing copies of Brothers of War and The Bird.

The demon-king Ravana

2011-12-14T09:28:00.001-08:00

The demon-king Ravana, born of a union between the holiest of mortals and a demon princess, has risen from an obscure beginning at a hermitage to conquer not just hell but heaven too. No less than a god to his own people, he is the sheer embodiment of evil to his enemies. This arrogant demon brooks no hindrance to snatching his heart’s desire, and his terror seems unstoppable to gods and humans alike. But he makes a mistake when he abducts the wife of Lord Rama, the exiled divine ruler of Ayodhya.

Ravana is a story of a demon, who dared to challenge the gods, and almost got away with it. Ravana’s tale is one that will incite awe and fear simultaneously. Whose side was this enigma on, good or evil? The obvious answer seems to be but one: his own. Or was he really? This graphic novel seeks to explore that question, and others.

Graphic novels are a great way to move reluctant readers who are stuck in a rut. Campfire out of India is producing a prolific volume of high-interest subject matter that will appeal to boys. The graphics are stunning and capture the imagination of all readers. I'm currently reading Jack London's Call To The Wild and White Fang with my eleven-year-old daughter. We're using Campfire's graphic novel as a supplement to our reading.

To learn more about Campfire, click here.

Jimi & Isaac 3a: The Mars Mission

2011-12-10T07:19:00.000-08:00

Jimi and Isaac may be the best soccer players that ever started middle school. Isaac's dad coached their rec league team while they were growing up, so they've learned pretty much all there is to know about the beautiful game. Except middle school soccer is different, their middle school soccer coach is completely different, and even middle school music is different. Nothing makes sense anymore. But Jimi and Isaac never quit. They don't know how.

Phil Rink is the author of Jimi & Isaac 3a: The Mars Mission. The book came together for Phil during a cross-country drive from Florida to Washington State. Completing the book took the next eight years. Phil learned to apply mythic structure to modern settings, and to place the story within a technical or business framework without drowning the story in dry details or trite conventions.

Over time, Phil has become more convinced of the need for relevant, updated stories to help boys find their place in the world. Classic myth and modern fantasy are useful to discuss values, but they don't clearly relate to the practical issues of growing up in a quickly changing world where boys may not follow their father's career, play their father's sport, or readily apply their father's life lessons (if they even have a father or father figure). His books help boys understand and accommodate accelerating change, but also give them a stable place to stand while they write the stories of their own lives.

Click here to learn more.

Scary School

2011-12-03T20:51:00.001-08:00

You think your school's scary?

Get a load of these teachers:

Ms. Fang, an 850-year-old vampire

Dr. Dragonbreath, who just might eat you before recess

Mr. Snakeskin—science class is so much more fun when it's taught by someone who's half zombie

Mrs. T—break the rules and spend your detention with a hungry Tyrannosaurus rex!

Plus

Gargoyles, goblins, and Frankenstein's monster on the loose

The world's most frighteningly delicious school lunch

And

Join Charles "New Kid" Nukid as he makes some very Scary friends—including Petunia, Johnny, and Peter the Wolf—and figures out that Scary School can be just as funny as it is spooky!

The narrator's an eleven-year-old ghost!

Derek the Ghost is an eleven-year-old ghost who haunts the classrooms and hallways of Scary School writing down all the spine-tingling, often hilarious things that go on there. Despite his ghostly state, Derek still enjoys reading comic books and hopes to one day become a master ninja. If that doesn't work out, he will continue to share the fun of this very special, very secret school, so all kids can experience the scariest school on Earth.

Click here to visit the very cool Scary School website.

Best Holiday Gift Books For Boys

2011-11-26T08:27:00.000-08:00

Swords is one of the most amazing non-fiction books for boys that I have ever read. I'm purchasing Fantasy this weekend for my personal collection. PLEASE read more about Ben Boos below. The world has lost an incredible artist, way too soon!

The son of an artist, Ben Boos was born in San Jose, California in 1971 - into a world filled with paint and art. From the earliest years, Ben's imagination was fueled by a love of history and fantasy; swords and adventure. He compulsively doodled his way through elementary school, high-school, and seven years of University study at SJSU. During all these years, Ben enjoyed many world-wide wanderings and adventures, and the resulting exposure to fine art was to have lasting effects on his style.

Ben grew up surrounded with computers and electronic games, so it was a natural fit that he wound up making computer games. Working for Blizzard North as a senior artist, he had the opportunity to paint and create for an audience of millions (The Diablo series sold over 17M units worldwide). "Working on the Diablo franchise for all those years was a delight. It allowed me to have fun and to illustrate in an eclectic, old-fashioned style." Ben said, "It also taught me a lot, and braced me for what I wanted to tackle next...books."

After 8 years of creating swords, monsters, and elaborate scroll-work for several award-winning and top-selling digital games, Ben made a switch to writing and illustrating his own books. He took his love of old-fashioned ornament, arms, armor, and whimsical illustration, and turned it into a 96 page book entitled SWORDS: An Artist's Devotion and later FANTASY: An Artist's Realm. "The making of this book," he says, "was a childhood dream come true."

Ben passed away in 2011 and is survived by his wife and four young children.

Click here to buy books that help support Ben's family.

Three Boy-centric Titles

2011-11-21T08:11:00.000-08:00

Below are three new Boy-Centric titles.

1) The Eleventh Plague
By Jeff Hirsch

“The Eleventh Plague hits disturbingly close to home…An excellent, taut debut novel.” – Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games

In the aftermath of a war, America’s landscape has been ravaged and two thirds of the population left dead from a vicious strain of influenza. Fifteen-year-old Stephen Quinn and his family were among the few that survived and became salvagers, roaming the country in search of material to trade for food and other items essential for survival. But when Stephen’s grandfather dies and his father falls into a coma after an accident, Stephen finds his way to Settler’s Landing, a community that seems too good to be true, where there are real houses, barbecues, a school, and even baseball games. Then Stephen meets strong, defiant, mischievous Jenny, who refuses to accept things as they are. And when they play a prank on the town bully’s family that goes horribly wrong, chaos erupts, and they find themselves in the midst of a battle that will change Settler’s Landing forever.

Click here to view a shocking trailer of The Eleventh Plague.

2) Underdogs
By Markus Zusak

Before The Book Thief, Markus Zusak wrote a trilogy of novels about the Wolfe brothers: The Underdogs, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, and Getting the Girl. Cameron and Ruben Wolfe are champions at getting into fights, coming up with half-baked schemes, and generally disappointing girls, their parents, and their much more motivated older siblings. They’re intensely loyal to each other, brothers at their best and at their very worst. But when Cameron falls head over heels for Ruben’s girlfriend, the strength of their bond is tested to its breaking point.

At the age of 30, Zusak has already asserted himself as one of today’s most innovative and poetic novelists. With the publication of The Book Thief, he is now being dubbed a ‘literary phenomenon’ by Australian and U.S. critics. Zusak is the award-winning author of four previous books for young adults: The Underdog, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, Getting the Girl, and I Am the Messenger, recipient of a 2006 Printz Honor for excellence in young adult literature. He lives in Sydney.

3) iBoy
By Kevin Brooks

Before the attack, Tom Harvey was just an average teen. But a head-on collision with high technology has turned him into an actualized App. Fragments of a shattered iPhone are embedded in his brain. And they’re having an extraordinary effect on his every thought. Because now Tom knows, sees, and can do more than any normal boy ever could. But with his new powers comes a choice: Seek revenge on the vicious gangs who rule the South London housing project where he lives, and who violated his friend Lucy? Or keep quiet and move on? Not even the search engine in his head can predict the shocking outcome of iBoy’s actions. A wifi, thriller by YA master Kevin Brooks.

Click here for a very cool iBoy trailer.

To win a copy of all three books, enter our FREE BOOK drawing by clicking here to access our home page. Look for the FREE BOOK entry link. Drawing only valid for the month of November.

Click here to order these three boy-centric books.

The Last Great Wizard of Yden

2011-11-10T09:44:00.000-08:00

After his father is kidnapped, sixteen-year-old Jon stumbles across a closely guarded family secret--one that will challenge everything he has ever believed about his father and himself. A magical ring his father leaves behind unlocks a portal to another dimension, but in using it, Jon unwittingly unchains the forces of evil. A crisis develops when a malevolent wizard transports to Earth to kidnap one of Jon’s friends. With the help of some unlikely schoolmates, and a warrior princess from Yden, Jon embarks on a dangerous quest to free his friend and his father from the most vicious wizard the magical world has ever known. In the end, Jon will be forced to fight for his life as he attempts to rescue the last great wizard of Yden.

The Last Great Wizard of Yden is a full length fantasy novel. E-book available now through Astraea Press, Amazon, BN.com and other fine outlets ($2.99). Click here to learn more.

Tips for Engaging Male Readers

2011-11-06T08:37:00.000-08:00

Below are tips from a solid article from Vernon, NJ on how to engage reluctant male readers.

Parents and guardians can encourage boys in their households to read by keeping in mind that:

Most boys love non-fiction.

Most boys love magazines. They’re easy to read and informative.

Encourage online literacy. Monitoring your boy’s reading of tweets, blogs, and other on-line texts not only ensures his online safety but helps the adults in his life to engage and keep connected. Tweets and blogs are short, fun, and topical.

Survey your boy for his personal interests. Pick selections based on those interests.

Males need to have guy role models who like to read.

Graphic novels and comic books count as reading too!

Click here for the full article.

Choose Your Own Adventure (Chooseco)

2011-11-01T07:06:00.000-07:00

Widely commended for its appeal to reluctant readers, the interactive, multiple-choice multiple-ending series is among the most popular series for children ever published, with more than 250 million copies sold in 38 languages. Chooseco has sold over 2 million copies since the series re-launch in 2006. Each story is written from a second-person point of view, with the reader assuming the role of the protagonist and making choices that determine the main character’s actions in response to the plot and its outcome.

For every Facebook fan Choose Your Own Adventure receives in November, they will donate one book to a child in need, up to 50,000 books. Click here for more details.

Click here for Chooseco website.

Those Who Walked Before

2011-10-25T10:18:00.001-07:00

When fifteen year old Jordan Booker’s parents die in an accident, he and his little sister are sent to live with their aunt in the middle of nowhere. He thinks his bizarre aunt and the broken down house are the craziest things that will ever happen to him. Then he discovers a dusty laboratory and an old man’s journal in a hidden shed. They lead him to artifacts that are unlike anything he’s ever seen. While he is still trying to put the pieces together, a time capsule sends him back in time to a world that defies everything he learned in history class. The ancient world looks more like an alien planet than an earth of long ago.

Jordan must learn to survive in a foreign landscape of stinging trees, multi-eyed birds, miniature dinosaurs, and hostile natives. If he doesn’t find his way back home, his little sister Emily will be alone with their cruel aunt forever. Worse, the Oldtimers who built the capsule have brought him into the past so he can save the future, and he has no idea what they want him to do. A young wolf pup becomes his best friend, and together they learn the true value of friendship, acceptance, and family.

This cool book is by Cara Brookins, a very creative writer, self-proclaimed computer geek, and amazing mom in Arkansas. To learn more about Cara, click here.

THE STORM DRAGON'S HEART

2011-10-19T15:42:00.000-07:00

Turesobei dreamed of adventure, a way to prove he was no longer a child.

Wizards should be careful what they wish for.

Destined to become his clan's next high wizard, studious Turesobei has constantly struggled to live up to other people's demands and expectations, but now he's had enough.

When his treasure-hunting father arrives with important news to discuss with the current high wizard, Turesobei spies on their secret meeting and accidentally foils an assassination attempt. As a reward his father invites him on an expedition to find an artifact known as the Storm Dragon's Heart.

But when disaster strikes, their quest becomes a race for survival.

Aided by a sassy ninja cat-girl and a mysterious diary that transforms into a winged familiar, Turesobei must face deadly cultists, vengeful spirits, and a mad wizard from a rival clan who's determined to use the artifact to destroy Turesobei's homeland.

The Storm Dragon's Heart will delight readers with a thrilling tale of exotic lands, mystical creatures, forbidden love, and fast-paced adventure. (Ages 10 and up).

This unique book is by D.A. Hayden of Birmingham, Alabama. When D.A. was a boy he had to move from children's books straight to adult because there were few interesting books targeted to his age. That's why he writes YA and MG books. He writes books he wish he would have had to read when he was a boy. To learn more about D.A., click here.

MYSTERY AT OCEAN DRIVE

2011-10-11T10:03:00.000-07:00

When 17 yr old Jason Hunter sets out to discover the identity of the mystery girl at Ocean Drive he and his friends find themselves caught up in a risky intrigue.

Jason is delivering newspapers on his motorbike when a Mercedes sweeps out of a driveway in front of him. He loses control of his scrambler and almost ends up under the car’s wheels. An attractive teenage girl leaps out to ask if he is hurt, but before Jason can reply the girl is bundled back into the Mercedes and driven off.

Jason’s instincts warn him that the girl is in trouble.

The following day he sees her in an upstairs window, but when he asks to speak to her he is told that there is no young girl living there. Why?

Jason is not about to give up and he enlists the help of his friends, Mark and David. Together they make a daring attempt to learn the girl’s identity, but just as it seems to be working, things go horribly wrong...

Has Jason’s intriguing mystery now put all three boys in danger?

MYSTERY AT OCEAN DRIVE was a runner-up in the Citizen/Pan MacMillan 2010 YA novel award.

This very cool mystery comes to us from the mind of one of South Africa's best children's authors, Janet Hurst-Nicholson. Janet has lived in Durban, South Africa since arriving from England in January 1972. Trained as a bakery technologist, she worked in Research & Development at Bakers Ltd before turning to writing in 1985 when a humorous article was accepted by Femina magazine. When a second article was published by Cosmopolitan magazine she thought she was the new Erma Bombeck. Unfortunately, editors didn’t agree. After receiving a blizzard of rejections, she decided to do a writing course.

To vist Janet's website, click here.

Click here for the Kindle edition. Print versions are available, too.

Binky Under Pressure.

2011-10-08T15:17:00.001-07:00

In Binky's third adventure, our intrepid, sometimes accident-prone hero is shaken out of his routine when he's forced to contend with Gracie, a dainty striped foster kitty who comes to live at Binky's space station (aka his home at 42 Sentinel Parkway). Binky instantly resents the new arrival, whose cute face and perfect manners are downright annoying. Indeed, Gracie seems too perfect. So Binky decides to do some undercover investigating and discovers a shocking truth about the family guest. Soon Binky is thrust full-throttle into a situation that puts all his Space Cat skills to the ultimate test!

The Binky books are by a very talented illustrator and writer, Ashey Spires. To learn more about Ashely, click here.

To learn more about Binky Under Pressure, click here.

Unto the Breach

2011-09-19T13:54:00.001-07:00

Unto the Breach is about three boys who set out on a sailing adventure on Lake Ontario, and things go awry. They boys must make life-altering decisions for survival that test their inner strength, their relationships and force them to make decisions most children would never have to at that age. Unto the Breach leaves the door open to a variety of interesting discussions between boys and their friends, with parents, book clubs, special interest groups (like sailing) and online (for those involved in the social network world).

Click here to learn more about Unto the Breach.

Transforming Boys Into Lifelong Readers Workshop

2011-09-13T14:04:00.000-07:00

Course Description: Prepare educators, parents and guardians to be more effective in transforming boys into lifelong readers. Focus on reluctant-readers, address the 4th grade reading slump, and narrow the gender reading gap between boys and girls.

You will learn:

• How to better connect with your boy

• The most up-to-date research on gender and learning

• How educators should consider gender as they design and implement lesson plans

New programs should include:

• Energy-focused activities

• Seating and room arrangement

• Graphics Novels and Non-fiction

• Implementation of high-interest fiction into curriculum

• Gender-friendly resources and materials

• Parent and volunteer involvement

You will learn: (continued)

• Strategies to deliver boy-friendly teaching tips and techniques so that each teacher and parent is better prepared to engage boys in reading activities

• Strategies to improve the primarily female teaching staff members’ skills when interacting with boys

• Strategies for fully maximizing schools current resources (books currently in library)

Course Details

Dates: October 21-22 and November 5-6

Times: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Cost: $275.00

Location: Seattle

Continuing Education Credit: Receive one continuing education credit from Seattle University

Limited Seats: To register, email john@boysread.org

HOST A WORKSHOP IN YOUR CITY! If you host a workshop in your city, you will receive free tuition. Send an email to john@boysread.org for more details.

Welcome Back to School!

2011-09-07T16:07:00.001-07:00

Welcome back to school everyone! Boys Read looks forward to supporting your efforts in transforming boys into lifelong readers. Educators and parents are more challenged than ever this year. I'll do my best to keep good books that appeal to boys coming your way. Below are two articles you may find interesting. The first is an interview that I had with Education Week earlier in the summer. The second is an excellent essay

(Boys and Reading: Is There Any Hope?) that summaries why boys don't like to read. The future of our boys is in our hands! Thank you all very much for your continued interest and support. Please be sure to mention Boys Read as an excellent resource for parents and teachers when speaking to your friends.

Click here for Education Week.

Click here for Boys and Reading: Is There Any Hope?

World War Z

2011-08-31T17:00:00.000-07:00

Looking for a book to read with advanced middle grade readers and high school students, try World War Z by Max Brooks. Max's website is awesome, cli ck here to learn more.

Winter's Knight

2011-08-20T16:57:00.001-07:00

The battle awaits in Richard Agent's fantastical Crusades novel Winter’s Knight. As a boy, Andrew was touched by the otherworld when the ghost of a dead murderer sought out his village, showing him his fate. And though his father is just a blacksmith, nothing will keep Andrew from riding to the Crusades to seek the honours he has been promised. He lives battles of the imagination, seeing harsh midday sun glint off sword and armour, where he rides his horse into war in a riot of colour and noise. But dead men keep secrets, and much of the future has been kept from him. Andrew may find the glory of the Crusades and skirmish with Saladin's most powerful warriors. Or he may become entangled in Templar politics and wander in the desert haunted by jinn and demons. What is certain is that Andrew will face tests of blade and spirit. And his dreams will be measured in blood before he sees home again.

To learn more about Winter's Knight, click here.

Sea Cutter

2011-08-09T18:39:00.000-07:00

Whew! Talk about cliff-hanger chapter endings! When 14-year-old Nathaniel Childe decides to search the South Atlantic for a legendary island where he feels convinced his ship-wrecked father is, the adventure never lets up. Nat, no goody-two-shoes, tricks his old friend Wayland into the voyage on Wayland's sloop Sea Cutter, but the trick puts Nat under the power of Snake--one of the scariest villains we've met in a long time. Snake stows away on Sea Cutter and the suspense gets higher.

This seafaring adventure tale is by Timothy Davis. Before he went to college, he wrote In Search of Perlas Grandes and The Indian's Ruby, both published by Accent Books. Afterwards, he earned his doctorate in English and became a professor of Children's Literature. Now, he has decided to return to writing the kind of books that young people read under their blankets at night. He started by completely rewriting In Search of Perlas Grandes into Sea Cutter: Book I of the Chronicles of Nathaniel Childe, and just rewrote The Indian's Ruby into Red Stone: Book II of the Chronicles of Nathaniel Childe.

To learn more about Mr. Davis' books, click here.

Your Fifteen Minutes

2011-07-27T15:33:00.000-07:00

In the fast-paced image-based world of high school, having a smash hit video on YouTube can be the best thing that ever happened to you... or the worst.

Fifteen-year-old Simon Land has a good thing going. He's finally shed his vegan Oompa Loompa image. With the help of a thrift store full of cheap Abercrombie and Polo, now he's in the running for Best Dressed Prep. Even better, he's caught the eye of serious hottie, Lindsay Booker, and he's just about to take a major step up the high school social ladder. But Simon has a secret. He has an alter-ego, uberlonelyguy16, an emo air guitar fanatic who dreams of Internet fame. Not that it's likely, since his YouTube channel doesn't have any followers. Until one day, when he gets one fan, then another... then another. Now Simon is going to have to choose which is more important to him? Joining the ranks of high school royalty...? Or grabbing hold of his fleeting fifteen minutes of Internet celebrity.

A hilarious romp through the land of internet memes, high school dress codes, and depressed former Numa Numa guys, Your Fifteen Minutes takes on the many varieties of high school celebrity in the era of Rebecca Black.

And a blurb:

"YOUR FIFTEEN MINUTES is a hilarious blend of teenage angst and Internet celebrity that tackles labels and tears them to pieces. The razor sharp wit had me laughing out loud, and begging for just one more page. Uberlonelyguy16 rocks!" -Heather Brewer, New York Times bestselling author of The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod

It is a funny, appropriate book with a male protagonist that will appeal to boys from middle school to high school age.

To learn more, click here.

The Schoolboy

2011-07-20T07:45:00.001-07:00

It has been said that the game of golf reveals a person's true character. The game also teaches life lessons that cannot be learned in a classroom. This is especially true for junior golfers. The Schoolboy is a day in the life of a reluctant junior golfer who is forced to play in the local junior golf tournament. Tony Rosa captures the angst and insecurities of the protagonist, "Sam, the main character, is in the middle of his first day of being kicked out of the nest himself. His mother has done her work and it is up to him to see if he can fly."

Golf is the least of Sam's problems. His father died and he is feeling his way through his teens as the man of the house. He has a little brother in the tournament, too. Sam's grouping for the tournament is a slice of life from both sides of the tracks. His partners include a country club kid, a cheater, and a hustler. Sam's core values are tested from the first tee until play is stopped.

Set in the 1980s, Sam's world of golf does not include Tiger Woods, PS3, or junior golf programs. He learned the game from his grandfather. His golf resume consists of hitting balls in the park with friends. He is alone, yet he is brave. The Schoolboy was inspired from Rosa's own experiences as a teen, "I asked myself: What was the first time you ever felt like you were on your own? I immediately thought about my mother dropping me off at the municipal golf course to play in a junior golf tournament." He adds, "I signed up on my own and played with a group of strangers and could remember how alone, yet, how different things were going to be for me after I had proved I could do something on my own."

The saga that develops in The Schoolboy is a wonderful paradigm for young readers. Sam is tempted. Sam learns that guilt is a powerful emotion. Readers learn that if you are excluded based on your character and principles, then you have learned that bravery is not immediately rewarded. GOLFChicago highly recommends The Schoolboy for our junior golfers.

To learn more about Tony's book, click here.

2011-07-13T08:20:00.001-07:00

Young Rupert, with a unquenchable thirst for knowledge and experience, has been raised in complete isolation from the world by his enigmatic grandparents. His life takes an extraordinary turn when a violent storm uncovers a long-concealed treasure. In the tempest’s aftermath, his grandparents vanish. Completely alone, the bewildered boy seizes the opportunity to leave his forest home at last.

Out in the wider world, Rupert encounters new friends, and learns that the kingdom’s beloved royal family had been slain by brutal usurpers, who now ruled with cunning and cruelty. But astonishing revelations convince Rupert that he has a pivotal role to play in restoring justice to the land.

As Rupert and his comrades face imprisonment, bloody skirmishes, desperate conditions, and alluring yet sinister encounters, their darkest moments may reveal thrilling wonders. Unfolding events take on a deeper meaning as Rupert’s mysterious gifts guide him towards the shattering truth about his identity and his destiny.

Marjorie Young is the author of this unique book. The Boy with Golden Eyes was written as a gift for her nephew, Sammy. She currently resides in Seattle, Washington with her two cats. This is her first novel. To learn more about Marjorie's very cool book, click here.

J-Boys

2011-06-28T17:24:00.000-07:00

While their parents can't stop talking about how hard Japan had it during the war, all nine-year-old Kazuo Nakamoto and his friends want is to be Olympic runners, drink real rather than powdered milk, and eat hamburgers like Wimpy in Popeye. Set in working-class Tokyo in 1965, the fifteen interlocking stories in J-Boys illuminate daily life in the period of rapid postwar economic growth, including a widespread fascination with Western culture and the economic and psychological repercussions of World War II on the next generation. Young readers will be fascinated by the intertwining lives of third-grader Kazuo, younger brother Yasuo, and classmates Nobuo, Minoru, and Nishino. In moving and lyrical prose, J-Boys also broaches important social issues like prejudice against ethnic Koreans and the struggles of rural farmers.

This authentic book is by Shogo Oketani. Mr. Oketani was born in 1958 and raised in Tokyo. Following studies in the humanities at Keio University, he became an active writer and translator. He will be touring the U.S. in August.

Below is some great Rave for J-Boys:

“J-Boys gives readers a chance to time travel . . . Rich with details of day-to-day life in 1960s Japan, and enhanced with photographs and notes, J-Boys offers deep and lasting insights into family and school life, foods, seasonal rituals, and the all-important sense of community.”

—Holly Thompson, author of Orchards, The Wakame Gatherers, and Ash

“Boys, boyhood, innocence, and friendship in the rich landscape of Tokyo, 1965 . . . a fascinating and endearing work.”

—Graham Salisbury, author of Under the Blood-Red Sun, winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

“These stories are a sushi plate of delicious morsels, consisting of all flavors: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, umami, and hanbaagaa. Deftly told and delicately translated, these stories capture the crazy aspirations, the naughtiness, the tenderheartedness, and the irrepressible spirit of the J-boys.”

—Margi Preus, author of Heart of a Samurai, a 2011 Newbery Honor Book

“Shogo Oketani's intimately detailed view of life, through the eyes of young Kazuo, captures the excitement of the 1960’s westernization of Japan while at the same time delivering the penetrating sorrow of an ancient culture slowly slipping away.”

—Satsuki Ina, PhD, documentarian, Children of the Camps

“Here, created with affection and skill, is the whole lost world of the present generation, that childhood the memory of which still lives within us.”

—Donald Richie, culture critic and author, The Inland Sea

To learn more about J-Boys, click here.

Rex Riders

2011-06-02T09:06:00.001-07:00

In stores June 21, J.P. Carlson’s REX RIDERS is a new book for young adults and adults young at heart. Illustrated by Marvel and DC great Jim Calafiore, it is the first in a series of pulp adventure stories that are as big and bad as the beasts themselves. The cover features artwork from the Italian paleoartist Fabio Pastori.

When fourteen-year-old Texan Zeke Calhoun discovers a juvenile T-rex with a bridle in its mouth protecting an unconscious stranger from a vicious pack of wolves, all he can think about is riding it! What Zeke doesn’t know is that rescuing the rex and his rider would plunge him and his friend Angelina into an incredible adventure in a prehistoric world, fighting a deadly alliance that could destroy both worlds. Imagine riding a juvenile T-rex the size of a horse through a prehistoric forest; fighting off a band of axe-wielding marauders atop feathered raptors; being chased down a riverbed by a ferocious Baryonyx; charging through the middle of a thundering herd of stampeding Triceratops…

To learn more about Rex Riders, click here.

Epic Adventures

2011-05-25T17:19:00.001-07:00

Nothing is quite so awe inspiring, or inhospitable to humans as the world's tallest mountains. Journey to the European Alps, the Himalaya, the Karakoram Range, and the polar region of North America with one of the world's great climbers and discover how mountaineers reached the top of five of the world's highest mountains for the first time. Meet the pioneers who braved incredible dangers like rock falls, crevasses, whiteouts, and avalanches to summit against all odds. Large fold-out posters and gatefolds illustrate the story of each dangerous climb, and detailed maps show how later climbers changed the routes to the summit. Throughout it all, readers will explore the fascinating question of what drives these adventurers to reach the top, no matter the cost.

Macmillan's Adventure books are great primers for boys who prefer non-fiction. Click here for the series.

Nerd Camp

2011-05-19T06:44:00.001-07:00

Elissa Brent Weissman’s hilarious middle-grade novel, Nerd Camp, is perfect summer reading for kids ages 8-12. Gabe’s new stepbrother is impossibly cool, and Gabe, who was looking forward to attending the Summer Center for Gifted Enrichment, is now worried that maybe he’s too much of nerd. With a lice epidemic, a karaoke showdown, a whiz-bang Color War, and a secret kayak trip to Dead Man's Island, Weissman turns a stressful premise into a fun romp that will leave kids laughing all the way to Labor Day.

Click here for Elissa Brent Weissman's books.

One Day The Soldiers Came

2011-05-16T10:58:00.000-07:00

Today, in violence-torn regions across the globe, 20 million children have been uprooted, orphaned, or injured by war, famine, and poverty. This is their story . . . and ours.

In this powerful and unforgettable book—by turns painful, funny, terrifying, and triumphant—Charles London takes us into the world of refugee children, celebrating their unique skills for survival and reflection. Their remarkable stories and drawings chill the blood and touch the heart, offering an indelible, first hand portrait of the war that rages beyond the headlines.

Click here to read Mr. London's excellent article on why boys do read. Click here to visit his very cool website.

Death Whispers

2011-05-10T19:52:00.001-07:00

Death Whispers, a Futuristic, Paranormal tale of friendship, romance and government intrigue, explores the life of fourteen year-old, Caleb Hart, “normal” teen and corpse-raiser...

Caleb has the most rare of the paranormal powers, Cadaver-Manipulation (aka corpse-raiser). In this world of the future, with Brain Impulse “pulse” Technology’s wide-spread use and influence keenly realized, routine school inoculation has expanded to include a pharmaceutical cocktail, which once administered, unlocks the genetic potential for paranormal abilities. Using this small window of puberty, teens who have the genetic propensity find themselves manifesting extraordinary gifts; some of which garner the full attention of our government. Caleb must camouflage his new “talent” during the mandatory eighth grade Aptitude Test so that he remains undiscovered while establishing choice for his future. However, events beyond his control systematically reveal Caleb and his friends, which force them to fight for their freedom. In the midst of this struggle, his girlfriend's father battles to reassert his abusive dominance in her life while a couple of “peer enemies” thwart his efforts of secrecy at every turn. In the explosive climax, Caleb must protect his friends, and Jade, the one he loves...at all costs.

This interesting book is by Tamara Blodgett. She's a 'thinking-out-of-the box' paranormal enthusiast who believes there's a 95% chance zombies do not exist; but loves to write as if they do...To learn more about her work, click here.

Reading Resource Link

2011-05-04T09:58:00.000-07:00

Thank you Colorado students and Miss Hill for this excellent Reading Resource Link. You live in a magnificent state. I love backpacking in the summer. Above is a picture of me near the top of Hurricane Ridge. The Olympic Mountains are in the background. For those of you looking for excellent Reading Resource websites, click here for several very valuable links. Enjoy your summer and don't stop reading!

Open Wounds

2011-04-18T16:55:00.001-07:00

Cid Wymann, a scrappy kid fighting to survive a harsh upbringing in Queens, NY, is almost a prisoner in his own home. His only escape is sneaking to Times Square to see Errol Flynn movies full of swordplay and duels. He's determined to become a great fencer, but after his family disintegrates, Cid spends five years at an orphanage until his injured war-veteran cousin “Lefty” arrives from England to claim him.

Lefty teaches Cid about acting and stage combat, especially fencing, and introduces Cid to Nikolai Varvarinski, a brilliant drunken Russian fencing master who trains Cid. By 16, Cid learns to channel his aggression through the harsh discipline of the blade, eventually taking on enemies old and new as he perfects his skills.

Evocative of The Book Thief with a dash of Gangs of New York, Open Wounds is the page-turning story of a lost boy's quest to become a man.

This unique book is by Joe Lunievicz. Joe has excelled in many areas over the years – as competitive fencer, public speaker, yoga instructor, and improvisational actor – but in his heart he always knew he was a writer. For years he wrote early in the morning before work and then, after his son was born, late into the night.To learn more about Joe's book, click here.

Brothers of War

2011-04-12T18:41:00.001-07:00

The Civil War started 150 years ago today. To help boys develop an appreciation for this tragic American conflict, try our book Bothers of War. Below is some rave:

"My son was enthralled with Brothers of War! He read it cover to cover in an evening. The material presented was appropriate for a pre-teen, while the writing and plot were complex enough to hold his attention. He (and I) can't wait for more of Martin's writing."

— Catherine Sovocool, Piedmont, CA

Boys as young as nine years old participated in this American conflict. We have no accurate records of how many boys enlisted for the Northern or Southern armies. Over four hundred thousand were involved directly in the war. National laws now prevent boys from participating in American wars.

Andersonville was one of the largest Confederate military compounds. The site has an award-winning lesson plan for teaching about historical places. More than forty-five thousand Union soldiers were confined here. Over thirteen thousand men died within the prison walls from disease, malnutrition, and gross overcrowding conditions. The prison is now a National Historic Site; and the National Park System has honored it by designating its hallowed grounds to serve as a memorial to all American prisoners of war.

To learn more click here.

Small Saul

2011-03-15T12:15:00.000-07:00

From the creator of Binky the Space Cat, comes this hilarious story about an unconventional little pirate. When Small Saul joins the crew of The Rusty Squid, it doesn’t take long for the other pirates to notice something is very different about this tiny fellow. He was born to sing sea shanties, bake pineapple upside-down cakes and redecorate, not to hold a sword and plunder. Being rough and tough just isn’t in his nature.

Small Saul learned at Pirate College that pirates only care about three things: their ship, being tough and lots and lots of treasure. Can Small Saul show these ruffians that despite his gentle spirit, he’s worth his weight in gold? With treasure chests of laughs, Small Saul’s high-seas adventure is a lighthearted celebration of individuality, perseverance and being true to one’s self.

Ashley Spires is the author and illustrator of Penguin and the Cupcake and the illustrator of numerous other picture books. Small Saul is Ashley’s most autobiographical character to date. As a child, Ashley much preferred picking flowers on the baseball field instead of watching the ball. She lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

To learn more about Small Saul, click here.

The Celebrities of Summer

2011-03-09T07:58:00.000-08:00

Thirteen year-old Will Ryerson has come to terms with the fact that he's not much of an athlete, will never be part of the school's "cool" crowd and is an average student at best. When he discovers that he's failed 8th grade science, he is devastated. He sits in the back of his summer course classroom and keeps to himself.

But when his beloved dog Riley goes missing, Will is surprised to find that a few of his classmates come to his aid. Equipped with cameras, cell phones and the latest gadgets, his new buddies help him find his dog, and at the same time open a whole new world to Will: the world of the internet. Using YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and all that the internet has to offer, the new friends soon find themselves at the center of attention as they embark on an adventure that will propel them way beyond the "cool" kids and into the ranks of celebrity status.

This unique book is by Ofer Aronskind. Ofer was born in Tel Aviv, Israel and came to the United States at the age of six. He grew up in Little Neck Queens NYC and now lives in Short Hills, New Jersey with his three sons.

To learn more about Ofer and his books, click here.

Dreadful Fates

2011-02-24T17:07:00.000-08:00

Here's one for the boy who loves non-fiction. A darkly funny collection of stories about bizarre, ridiculous and completely unexpected fates.

Dreadful Fates is that very rare combination — a book all about death that gets funnier with every page. There's even a chapter about people who laughed themselves into the grave!

You can also read about unusual funerals and curious coffins, murders and executions, fatal mistakes and ironic fates. Plus, find out how the animal kingdom is out to get us, and much more. Read with caution: this book may prove to be fatally hilarious.

Click here to learn more about Dreadful Fates.

Invasion

2011-01-17T09:03:00.000-08:00

Colt McAlister is drawn into a war against things he thought only existed in comic books.

After a car wreck takes the lives of his parents, Colt moves to Arizona to stay with his grandfather. There, an informant tells him that his parents were actually murdered because his mom, a journalist, was getting ready to write a story exposing Trident Industries.

Along with Oz and Danielle, his new comrades at Chandler High, Colt vows to uncover the truth. But the more they learn, the more bizarre reality becomes. Mind control, jet packs, and flying motorcycles only scratch the surface of what they discover.

Colt is recruited by a secret organization called the Central Headquarters Against the Occult and Supernatural. But the battle isn't just against an out-of-control giant corporation. A gateway to another world is opening, and the invasion has already begun.

This is a cool book. Click here to learn more about Colt's adventure.

The Genius Files

2011-01-03T08:28:00.001-08:00

Prolific author, Dan Gutman has a new book out that is sure to captivate the interest of both boys and girls. Click here to visit Dan's website. Be sure to watch the The Genius Files movie trailer. It's an unstoppable mission that your kids will love!

Kevin's Point of View

2010-12-28T13:13:00.000-08:00

To escape the emotional turmoil of his father’s death 12-year-old Kevin Tobin has retreated inside himself, developing his imagination into a dangerous foil and a powerful ally. While he antagonizes everyone with his superhero antics, his ability to escape inside himself becomes critical to his survival after his life is once-again turned upside down a year after his father’s death. When a mysterious package arrives in the mail, Kevin and his best friend are hunted by a ruthless villain who is determined to retrieve the package, which holds the key to his plans for world domination. After enlisting Kevin’s teenage sister and her pizza-delivery boyfriend in a battle for control over time itself, the group escapes into the mountains west of Boulder, Colorado and eventually discover that Kevin’s entire existence is because of the love of someone we never expected.

Kevin's Point of View is Del Shannon's debut novel and shows a deep appreciation for the powers of imagination, family ties, and the desire of young boys to both escape reality and prove themselves within it. The fast-paced, adventure-filled storytelling style makes this a book with wide appeal for readers of all ages.

To learn more about Del and Kevin's Point of View, click here.

Owl Moon

2010-12-23T20:34:00.000-08:00

I had a craving for Owl Moon tonight. This is a classic that I re-visit every winter. The moon has been full and shining bright over the Cascade Mountains near my home in Seattle. Below is an overview borrowed from Jane Yolen's website.

"This gentle tone poem about a father taking his daughter (yes–it’s a girl!) out owling one cold wintry night is arguably my best book. Certainly it’s my best known book. The 1988 Caldecott Medal winner for John Schoenherr’s beautiful, frosty, tender, exacting pictures, the book has been translated into nine languages, been an ALA Notable Book, a Reading Rainbow book, a Junior Literary Guild selection, and on dozens of state award lists. Though I envisioned the book in the little woods near our house, Schoenherr used his own farm in New Jersey as the setting. The father is my husband David, the child our daughter Heidi. It’s not an exact story of David taking Heidi out owling, but an amalgam of many such trips he did with all of our children. I purposefully didn’t mention the child’s gender, though the flap copy gives the secret away. Heidi is now an adult with her own daughters, Maddison Jane and Glendon Alexandria. Their grandfather–Pa–has already taken them out owling. The only paperback edition so far is the Scholastic Book Club edition, not sold in bookstores. Publishers like to keep books in hardcover as long as possible (read: as long as it’s selling well). It will be some time by that measure before “Owl Moon” goes into paperback. There are over a dozen editions in foreign languages, including French, German, Chinese, and Korean. I wrote an article for the New Advocate magazine called “On Silent Wings” in the Fall 1989 edition that tells the complete story of the making of the book and what happened on the day the Caldecott was announced. The book was one of Yankee Magazine’s 100 Classic New England Children’s Books. It was also on the 1989 Kentucky Bluegrass Master List and a 1991 North Dakota Flickertail Award nominee."

Click here to watch the video.

The Butt Book

2010-12-04T12:42:00.001-08:00

Here's a book that will get kids laughing. The Butt Book is all you could ever expect from a book about butts. This unique picture book is clever, wonderfully illustrated, and would make a great holiday gift for most young boys. The Butt Book is by Artie Bennett, who's claim to fame is possibly be the youngest person ever to have sold a crossword to the New York Times.

Click here for The Butt Book and more on Artie.

The Sentinels

2010-11-23T16:24:00.001-08:00

From the author of more than a dozen New York Times best sellers and his son, comes the third installment of a brand-new fantasy trilogy written just for young readers.

After dueling with a dragon and a demon, Maimun knows he must destroy the stone that has kept him on the run for most of his life. The question now is how. With Joen by his side, Maimun journeys to the Tower of Twilight to beg famed wizard Malchor Harpell for answers. But Harpell’s help comes at a steep price.

Friends become enemies. Lost secrets come to light. And deep in the shadows, the sentinels are watching, scheming to save the stone—even if it means someone must die.

Featuring the sage wisdom of R.A. Salvatore’s beloved character Drizzt Do’Urden, this final book of the Stone of Tymora trilogy is packed with action, magic, intrigue, and a heart-stopping twist that Salvatore fans won’t want to miss.

Click here to learn more about Salvatore's books.

Classic Graphic Novels

2010-11-13T07:30:00.001-08:00

"To entertain and educate young minds by creating unique illustrated books to recount stories of human values, to arouse curiosity in the world around us, and to inspire by tales of great deeds of unforgettable people." This is Campfire's mission statement. If you have not heard of this up and coming graphic novel publisher, you can check them out by clicking here.

I love their classic title list and I believe their cutting-edge illustrations will captivate boys and draw them into the story. Graphic Novels are an innovative approach to get reluctant readers to read.

Click here to visit their Facebook page.

Mouse Deer

2010-11-07T07:55:00.001-08:00

You know about Brer Rabbit from the southern United States. You may also know about Anansi the Spider from West Africa. These animals are called “tricksters,” because they trick other animals in the stories. There are many trickster animals around the world, and stories told about one are often told about others.

Mouse Deer is the favorite trickster of Indonesia and Malaysia, two countries of Southeast Asia. But what is a mouse deer? It is an animal about the size of a cat, and it lives in the jungles of Africa, Asia, and many Pacific islands. It has the legs and the tail of a deer, and the face and the body of a mouse—but it is not really a mouse or a deer.

The mouse deer eats only plants, but lots of animals eat the mouse deer. To stay alive, it must be quick and smart. That is why the Indonesians and Malaysians have made Mouse Deer their favorite trickster. Any of their boys or girls can tell you tales about him.

We all owe a big thanks to Aaron Shepard for bringing Mouse Deer to the Web. Aaron is the award-winning author of The Legend of Lightning Larry, The Sea King’s Daughter, The Baker’s Dozen, and many more children’s books from publishers large and small. His stories have also appeared often in Cricket and Australia’s School Magazine.

Aaron’s specialty is retelling folktales and other traditional literature from around the world. His work has been honored by the American Library Association, the National Council for the Social Studies, the American Folklore Society, the New York Public Library, and the Bank Street College of Education. His stories are enjoyed by a wide range of young readers—as well as by adults—and are perfect for reading aloud.

On the Web, Aaron maintains an extensive collection of resources for teachers, librarians, storytellers, children’s writers, parents, and kids. His site has been viewed by over seven million visitors and has drawn over 25,000 visitors a week. Among its offerings is the Web’s premier collection of free reader’s theater scripts, used in schools and libraries around the world.

An acclaimed author with real kid appeal, Aaron takes pleasure in sharing the magic of story.

To learn more about Aaron and these awesome tales, click here.

WRAITH

2010-10-29T07:04:00.000-07:00

WRAITH is a covert ops thriller that had to be “sanitized” by the Air Force’s Stealth Program Security Office before publication. Clive Cussler described it as, “non-stop action,” and Publishers Weekly said it showed that “high tech weapons are only tools, and it’s the people doing the fighting who win the day.” Because of the war theme and some violence, it is appropriate for ages 13 and up.

WRAITH was written by James Hannibal, an Air Force Predator pilot and former Stealth Bomber. Outside of flying, he's passionate about writing and his two sons. His objective is to create books that he would enjoy as a man, but can also share with his boys. He works hard to write stories full of action and adventure, but devoid of foul language or sexual themes.

To see a very cool trailer, click here. To visit Hannibal's very cool website, click here.

Dripping Blood Cave

2010-10-22T15:20:00.001-07:00

In this delightful new collection of humorous ghost stories by noted children’s author Raymond Bial, young readers will enjoy the further adventures of young teen Hank Cantrell and his fleet-of-foot, ’fraidy-cat sidekick, Clifford Hopkins.

Together, the two ghost magnets encounter a host of spooks, haunts, spectres, and just plain ornery folks who won’t die and go away . . . until Hank works out a solution (assisted – if that’s the word – by the big-talking, fainthearted Cliffie).

The book picks up where two previous volumes of Hank & Clifford stories left off (The Ghost of Honeymoon Creek and The Fresh Grave & Other Ghostly Stories).

Join the plucky fellows, and their sweethearts Rosie and Mary Ethel, as they scour the surroundings of mythical small-town Myrtleville, somewhere in the rural Midwest, for another round of fun, not-so-scary adventures . . . facing (and learning some valuable lessons from) the ghosts of the past.

RAY BIAL is the acclaimed author of more than 100 books for children and adults, including many historical photodocumentary books such as Amish Home, The Underground Railroad, Where Lincoln Walked, Nauvoo, Ellis Island, and others. His previous ghost stories include The Fresh Grave, The Ghost of Honeymoon Creek, and Shadow Island. He lives in Urbana, Illinois.

To learn more about Ray Bial and Dripping Blood Cave, click here and visit Crickhollow Books.

Shouty

2010-10-16T12:46:00.001-07:00

Shouty was written by Seon Ricks, an Atlanta businesswoman who has now turned her talent to writing children’s books. Below is an interview that was written by Laura Braddick.

Interview:

“You only live once and I’m the only person who could bring Shouty into the world,” said the Chicago native of her main character, which she created 19 years ago as a junior in a cartoon for her high school newspaper.

Her first book, “Life of Shouty: Good Habits,” published by Rixkin, will be available Tuesday on Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. She said she hopes to print 11 more books for the series.

The first book, fully illustrated and written in verse by Ms. Ricks under the pen name NeonSeon, introduces Shouty Mack as a young man who procrastinates and puts off important tasks.

“He has a messy room. He doesn’t prioritize his life and focuses on the least important things,” she said. “By the end of the book, he goes through a transformation. He decides that he doesn’t want to live like that.”

Ms. Ricks, who has a master’s degree in humanities and social thought from New York University, hopes the book will teach children 8 and older important life lessons about setting goals, prioritizing tasks and dispelling self doubt.

“[Shouty’s] an everyman,” she said. “The themes are universal.”

The next book, “Life of Shouty: Food and Fitness,” due out in January, will focus on healthy living.

Even though Ms. Ricks said she is happy to be following her personal aspirations, she could not have done it without her corporate experience as a brand manager and Web developer.

“There are certain reasons why we go our certain ways,” she said. “I couldn’t have done all this out of high school. The experience has been invaluable.”

Wanting to maintain creative control and rights to Shouty, Ms. Ricks used her corporate prowess to infiltrate the publishing market by helping create Rixkin publishing and production company with the help of investors to launch the Shouty series.

“She’s always been a very creative person,” said her brother Hoyland, who helped her get the book to market. “I believed a lot in the character and I think that her book is great and it’s a great beginning.”

With all the irreverent and bawdy cartoon characters on television, Hoyland Ricks said he thinks Shouty is a refreshing alternative.

“I think he’ll be received very well,” he said. “I think the main challenge is not the content but marketing and getting the word out that Shouty exists. I think parents will be pleased with the message not only for their children, but what they learn from him too.”

To learn more about Shouty and Seon Ricks, click here.

That's Awesome!

2010-10-05T13:31:00.000-07:00

That’s Awesome! brings kids awesome facts and records guaranteed to impress and remain with the reader long after they are finished with the book. Written in an authoritative, age-appropriate and clear style, this beautiful book incorporates fascinating photos and diagrams.

Included in That’s Awesome!:

• Awesome Size – Although humans like super-sized French fries and monster TV sets, sometimes small items are just as much fun. Every size has its place in this awesome world. How do you measure up to daunting dinosaurs, the world’s largest Ferris wheel or tallest building, or the smallest gecko?

• Awesome Price Tags – What does it cost to take a roundtrip voyage to the International Space Station? What items are worth their awesome price tags? You decide if the price is right.

• Awesome Sports – Whether you’re a player or a fan, whether you compete with muscle or brain power, there are more awesome sports and competitions today than ever before. From extreme sports to perfect scores, what record will be broken next?

• Awesome Eats – The world is full of awesome eats, including eel soda, saliva soup and insects. What are some of the most unusual dishes to eat?

• Awesome Weather and Other Forces of Nature – Earthquakes, volcanoes and avalanches are only some of the most awesome forces of nature. How do we protect ourselves from unavoidable events and why do they occur?

• Awesome Human Body – The human body is truly an awesome machine made up of many parts that work in extraordinary ways. Discover some surprising facts about what the body can do.

To purchase That's Awesome!, click here.

Ultimate Trains

2010-09-28T09:03:00.000-07:00

Today's trains are sleeker, greener and faster than ever before. Tomorrow's trains could travel through space at 23 times the speed of sound! But did you know that train technology goes back 5 000 years?

In Ultimate Trains, boys will love the five "Build It Yourself" experiments. Boys can also learn how to build a steam engine from a soda pop can, test an electromagnetic track and go online to construct their own magnetic levitation train.

For more on Ultimate Trains, click here.

Dope Sick

2010-09-23T16:52:00.001-07:00

The itch starts when things get too heavy for Lil J. Skin popping or stealing pain pills from his mom help him relax. But Lil J's focus is wandering because money is short, and his man Rico knows a way to make some quick cash. It's supposed to be an easy deal, but it isn't so simple when the buyer is an undercover cop.

With a gunshot wound to the arm, Rico in jail, and a police officer clinging to life, Lil J is starting to get dope sick. He'd do anything to change the last twenty-four hours, and when he stumbles into an abandoned crack house, it actually might be possible. . . .

Walter Dean Myers weaves elements of magical realism into a harrowing story about drug use, violence, alternate perceptions of reality, and second chances.

To visit Walter Dean Myers' website, click here.

The Boys of the Dark

2010-08-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

A story that garnered national attention, this is the harrowing tale of two men who suffered abuses at a reform school in Florida in the 1950s and 60s, and who banded together fifty years later to confront their attackers.

Michael O’McCarthy and Robert W. Straley were teens when they were termed “incorrigible youth” by authorities and ordered to attend the Florida School for Boys. They discovered in Marianna, the “City of Southern Charm,” an immaculately groomed campus that looked more like an idyllic university than a reform school. But hidden behind the gates of the Florida School for Boys was a hell unlike any they could have imagined. The school’s guards and administrators acted as their jailers and tormentors. The boys allegedly bore witness to assault, rape, and possibly even murder.

For fifty years, both men---and countless others like them---carried their torment in silence. But a series of unlikely events brought O’McCarthy, now a successful rights activist, and Straley together, and they became determined to expose the Florida School for Boys for what they believed it to be: a youth prison with a century-long history of abuse. They embarked upon a campaign that would change their lives and inspire others.

Robin Gaby Fisher, a Pulitzer Prize--winning journalist and author of the New York Times bestselling After the Fire, collaborates with Straley and O’McCarthy to offer a riveting account of their harrowing ordeal. The Boys of the Dark goes beyond the story of the two men to expose the truth about a century-old institution and a town that adopted a Nuremberg-like code of secrecy and a government that failed to address its own wrongdoing. What emerges is a tale of strength, resolve, and vindication in the face of the kinds of terror few can imagine.

Praise for The Boys of the Dark

"Haunting and disturbing. The voices of the victims will forever touch my heart. To turn a deaf ear to this type of injustice is to give permission for it to continue. As a people, as a society, we should be outraged." —Jennifer Thompson, coauthor of Picking Cotton

"[The Boys of the Dark] reads seamlessly.... A worthy exploration of a regrettably long-lasting true-crime nightmare." —Kirkus

“This deeply moving story is highly recommended to readers of heart-wrenching memoirs, 20th-century American studies, or true crime.” —Library Journal

To learn more about Robin's work, click here. To purchase, click here.

Douglas E. Richards

2010-08-21T06:32:00.000-07:00

Douglas E Richards is the author of The Prometheus Project series: fast-paced science fiction thrillers praised by kids, parents, educators, and science fiction enthusiasts alike. He has also written extensively for the award-winning magazine, National Geographic KIDS, with several of his articles appearing in a dozen languages in as many as sixteen countries.

While today's kids have plenty of fantasy to choose from, there is very little hard science fiction available for young readers. Douglas is trying to do his part to remedy this situation. While kids report being glued to the pages of his books (boys, girls, reluctant and advanced readers alike) , numberous adults have reported enjoying them almost as much as threir kids.

To learn more about his work, click here. I also highly recommend his insightful article on the secret to happiness. To read it, click here.

MiddleWorld

2010-07-27T08:12:00.001-07:00

Fourteen-year-old Max Murphy is looking forward to a family vacation. But his parents, both archaeologists and Maya experts, announce a change in plan. They must leave immediately for a dig in the tiny Central American country of San Xavier. Max will go to summer camp. Max is furious. When he's mysteriously summoned to San Xavier, he thinks they've had a change of heart.

Upon his arrival, Max's wild adventure in the tropical rainforests of San Xavier begins. During his journey, he will unlock ancient secrets and meet strangers who are connected to him in ways he could never have imagined. For fate has delivered a challenge of epic proportions to this pampered teenager. Can Max rescue his parents from the Maya Underworld and save the world from the Lords of Death, who now control the power of the Jaguar Stones in their villainous hands? The scene is set for a roller-coaster ride of suspense and terror, as the good guys and the bad guys face off against a background of haunted temples, zombie armies, and even human sacrifice!

MiddleWord was written by a husband and wife team, the Voekel's. Jon Voelkel grew up in Peru, Costa Rica, and Colombia. He was not a natural-born adventurer and found life in the jungle difficult, to say the least. After college and business school in Barcelona, he worked in advertising agencies in Spain, Holland, and England, ultimately starting his own agency with four other partners - one of whom would be his future wife. In 2001, The Financial Times named him one of the top fifty creative minds in Britain.

Pamela Craik Voelkel graduated from Leeds University in English Language and Literature. After stints reviewing books, writing catalogs, and penning speech bubbles for photo-romances, she become an advertising copywriter. As Creative Director of Craik Jones Watson Mitchell Voelkel, she helped the agency win hundreds of creative awards.

The Voelkels' collaboration continues in Vermont, where they live with their three children.

The questions below were answered for Boys Read by Jon Voelkel - the male half of the J&P Voelkel writing team!

1. Why will Middleworld appeal to boys?

It’s the kind of book I loved when I was a kid. Lots of action and cliffhangers and nailbiting scenarios to keep you turning the pages – and you don’t have to wade through pages of description to get to the next big surprise! It’s a funny, fast paced roller-coaster ride of adventure as 14 year-old Max Murphy - a pizza loving, video gamer from Boston - faces off against the ancient Maya lords of death. There are secret passageways, haunted temples, raging underground rivers, ancient Maya kings, ruthless smugglers, zombie armies and, most important of all, a beautiful, jungle-savvy Maya girl.

2. What was the hardest part of writing your novel?

Getting started. I was supposed to be writing a marketing book. Our advertising agency in London had produced some groundbreaking campaigns and I’d been asked to write a book about our approach. But when I sat down to write it, I realized that my heart wasn’t in it. It was quite a difficult moment to tell Pamela that I thought we should write a children’s novel instead. And the next hardest thing was giving a draft to the owners of our local Norwich Bookstore and waiting on tenterhooks for their verdict.

3. Who is your favorite character and why?

My favorite characters were the Maya lords of death. It’s not often that you get to write characters that are pure evil and insanely fun as the same time. Their mix of outrageous humor, practical jokes and sheer villainy is not something we made up - it’s straight out of Maya mythology. Our favorite scene is in the Black Pyramid where Ah Pukuh, the god of Violent and Unnatural Death, throws a party and Max has a string of misadventures. It was so much fun to write - I was giggling the whole way through it.

4. Who are your favorite middle-grade authors?

There are so many great middle-grade authors, but my son and I particularly enjoyed Philip Reeve’s Mortal Engines series and the Monster Blood Tattoo Series by D.M. Cornish.

Morgan’s Pasture

2010-07-14T16:42:00.001-07:00

Child psychologist Will Border retreats to the summer of his thirteenth year after a traumatic event forces him to reexamine childhood events and the choices he made in becoming a man. A period piece set in 1950s rural America, Morgan’s Pasture guides young adult readers in examining their own roles in life as they develop into loners, followers, or even reluctant leaders like Will. With one eye on child psychology and the other on plain common sense, Morgan’s Pasture offers a unique perspective on the growth of a boy and the longing of a man for a mythic peaceful pasture, not as a place to live, but as a reason to.

This unique book is by Wallace J. Swenson, an award-winning poet, novelist, and short-story writer. To order Morgan's Pasture, click here.

Bull Rider and Suzanne Morgan Williams' take on books and boys

2010-07-09T19:47:00.001-07:00

So I spent four days selling books, and particularly my book, Bull Rider, with a local indie bookstore at the Reno Rodeo at the end of June. We had a great view of team roping and cutting events and the people watching was to die for. I learned more about readers there than I do at a lot of other places. Mostly because people don’t come to the rodeo to buy books – even if the books are about rodeo and the West. When I go on a school visit, kids know what they are supposed to do, and at libraries and book stores the audiences are self selected book lovers, or children of book lovers. The rodeo is different. Here’s what I observed about the boys.

Most of them won’t look at books. Those that do are often accompanied by a parent and after a little coaxing they may admit that they love to read. I think it’s a status thing. Books are academic. They are often written for girls. They aren’t necessarily cool. Many of those boys at the rodeo, if they are young teens, are sure to tell me they read “adult” books or that they follow the big fantasy series. Some of the rodeo type kids like old time adventure Westerns like Louis L’Amour’s. I don’t think a lot of those boys have read much contemporary adventure – which if they do, many of them love.

So first, hats off and a standing ovation to the librarians out there, who when an active boy appears at your desks, find them something great to read, whatever their taste – fantasy, adventure, sci-fi, nonfiction. And here’s a double cheer to those of you who will stretch those boys and offer them something new to read that you believe will suit them. You provide sustenance for their minds and support for writers like me who love writing for boys but aren’t so much into sci-fi or fantasy.

The publishing market has tightened during the recession and many of the big publishers are looking to produce big hits and that often means creating more of the same. And here’s what you already know – most block buster books aren’t written with boys in mind. It is girls who generally peruse bookstores looking for a new book to read. Boys will read, but they may need an excuse to do it. So here are some of the books I’ve read this year that I think boys would get into. Feel free to give them a gentle nudge.

About war – these are YA books and certainly suitable for any junior high or high school kid:

The Ghosts of War; the true story of a 19-year-old-GI, by Ryan Smithson, Collins, 2009

Purple Heart, by Patricia McCormick, Balzer and Bray, 2009

About military family life – these are sweeter and will appeal to boys and girls from 3^rd through 6^th grade

Heart of a Shepherd, by Rosanne Parry, Random House, 2009

Operation Yes, by Sara Lewis Holmes, Scholastic, 2009

Contemporary issues

Freeze Frame, by Heidi Ayarbe, Laura Geringer Books, Harper Teen, 2008 (fallout when teen accidentally shoots and kills his best friend.) YA

Home of the Brave, Kathryn Applegate, Feiwel and Friends, 2007 (African refuge boy adjusts to a new life in Minnesota, in part because of a connection with a cow and its owner.) MG

I Am Jack by Susanne Gervay, Tricycle Press, 2009 (addresses bullying in school) for young MG readers

Historic:

When the Whistle Blows by Fran Cannon Slayton – (Jimmy Cannon celebrates six Halloweens between his 12^th and 18^th birthdays learning about the changes that life brings to his small town and his family.)

My novel Bull Rider (Margaret K. McElderry/Simon and Schuster, 2009)fits all these categories –

It’s the story of a 14 year old Nevada ranch kid whose life is turned upside down when the older brother he idealizes returns from Iraq with a traumatic brain injury and having lost an arm, Cam struggles to find a way to help. a good read for anyone ten or eleven and up, I’d say, and Bull Rider has appeared on both intermediate/junior high and high school state reading lists.

To learn more about Suzanne, click here.

The Haunted Series

2010-06-29T09:17:00.000-07:00

What do you do when a ghost needs your help?

Jon doesn’t believe in ghosts. Not even if his mother does, and married a man who researches ghost sightings for his own TV show. Not even when they travel with the show, and visit “haunted” places.

But his younger sister Tania claims she can see the ghosts. Deciding to believe her is just the first challenge. Softhearted Tania wants to help the ghosts. First the siblings have to find out what happened to keep each ghost trapped in this world. Then they have to help the ghosts move on—sometimes by letting them take over Tania’s body. All this while dealing with their overprotective mother, a stepfather who’d want to exploit Tania’s gift, and a changing assortment of human troublemakers.

Life gets interesting when your sister sees ghosts. And the TV show’s shooting season is just beginning....

This paranormal adventure series, for children ages 8-12, features The Ghost on the Stairs, The Riverboat Phantom and The Knight in the Shadows.

The Haunted Series is by Chris Eboch. She's a wonderful writer and editor. If you want to write like a pro, follow Chris' blog by clicking here. To learn more about the Haunted Series, click here.

To lesnrarents’ ghost hunter TV show and try to help the ghosts. The Well of Sacrifice is a middle grade Mayan drama that is used in many schools. Click on the photo to link to myHaunted series, for ages 8-12, follows a brother and sister who travel with their parents’ ghost hunter TV show and try to help the ghosts. The Well of Sacrifice is a middle grade Mayan drama that is used in many schools. Click on the photo to link to my web site. web site.

Lost Island Smugglers - August 1 Release

2010-06-23T11:19:00.000-07:00

Sam Cooper had just moved to Harper’s Inlet

when he met Tony. Tony’s father owned a marina.

Sam, Tony, and Tyler took scuba lessons together.

Tony got them in for free. After they completed the

course, the boys decided to try out their new skills in

the real world…the ocean. The only problem was,

no one had permission.

While Tony’s father was away on a buying trip,

the boys took one of the rental sailboats out for their

diving adventure. Everything went well until the

biggest storm Tony had ever seen blew up from out

of nowhere, and the boys found themselves stranded

on Lost Island.

But, if they thought the worst had happened, they

were wrong. The boys discovered a secret hideout

that was used by men in high powered speedboats.

Sam and his friends knew the men were up to

something, only they didn’t know what. They had to

find a way to stop them, but how? And, even if they

did, the boys could never tell anyone about it. Join

Sam Cooper, Tony, and Tyler on their scary scuba,

ocean, island adventure.

Click here to learn more about the author, Max Elliot Anderson.

Click here to learn more about the publisher.

The Amazing Alexander

2010-06-04T19:47:00.001-07:00

Alex loves magic. Since he was a little tyke, his grandfather amazed him with card tricks, magic coloring books, floating fireballs, disappearing bottle-caps, and magic crystal balls - and now its time for Alex to go to his first magic show. He is excited! Maybe he will even be chosen to come up on stage. When he arrives, however, a pair of mysterious eyes seem to be watching him from back stage and he nervously changes his mind; but fate steps in and takes him on a magical adventure with twists and turns and white tigers and gleaming, razor sharp blades designed to cut the victim in half - not quite what Alex had in mind!

This is no ordinary picture book series. This is an extraordinary adventure that teaches the art and ethics of magic. Each book includes a wonderful magic trick that the reader can do! The new trick Alex learns in each book, the reader will also learn. There are instructions in a secret section of this book, where Alex learns - and so does the reader - how to magically transform two one-dollar bills into a million-dollar bill.

Adults as well as youth will love this wonderful book series, illustrated with original art, which combines an exciting childhood adventure with the joy of learning and performing truly mystifying magic.

Click here to see a very cool trailer.

Click here for The Amazing Alexander website.

Monster Slayers

2010-05-28T13:22:00.001-07:00

For as long as Evin can remember, he has dreamed of being a real hero. And when his entire village is kidnapped by evil monsters, he finally gets his wish. With the help of his friend Jorick, a young elf wizard named Betilivatis, and an ancient guidebook of magical beasts called A Practical Guide to Monsters, Evin treks through ancient ruins and faces all kinds of strange and terrible creatures on his quest to find his family.

But soon, Evin realizes that not everything is as it seems. Why is Betilivatis sneaking off to report their every move to someone only she can see? Why can’t Evin remember anything before the day of the kidnapping? Why does it seem as if someone—or something—is controlling the monsters and drawing the three friends deeper into a battle they might never win?

Click here for Monster Slayers

Diary of a Wimpy Kid book FIVE!

2010-05-20T12:41:00.000-07:00

HOT OF THE PRESS: The fifth volume in Jeff Kinney’s bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid series will be on sale nationwide Tuesday, November 9, 2010. The cover will be purple, which follows the red, blue, green, and yellow of the first four installments.

“I feel like everything in the series has been leading up to the fifth book, which is about change and the different ways Greg and his best friend, Rowley, deal with it,” said Jeff Kinney. “To me, this book is the lynchpin in the series, and I’m excited to be writing it.”

A Place for Delta

2010-05-14T06:53:00.001-07:00

A Place for Delta is a wonderful story written by Melissa Walker. When eleven-year-old Joseph Morse is invited to visit his aunt Kate in the northern most town in the US, Barrow, Alaska, he’s thrilled. But the real icing on the cake is the polar bear cub named Delta that he will be taking care of while there!

After arriving, Joseph adjusts to his new surroundings and falls into a pattern of care for Delta. He even makes a new friend, an Eskimo girl named Ada. Joseph and Ada soon find a murdered polar bear. They're determined to help solve the mystery and save Delta, who they know is also in danger. Joseph's adventure sets him off on an epic journey.

This is a great story for both boys and girls. Click here to learn more about Saving Delta.

Melissa Walker has been a Professor of English at the University of New Orleans and Mercer University and a Fellow in Women’s Studies at Emory University. She’s a vocal advocate for civil rights and for wilderness. Her previous books include Reading the Environment (W.W.Norton, 1994) and Living on Wilderness Time: 200 Days Alone in America’s Wild Places (Univ. of Va. Press, 2002). She lives with her husband Jerome in Atlanta and spends much of the summer in Alaska.

All Star

2010-04-14T20:02:00.001-07:00

Nothing announces the beginning of spring like baseball. Jane Yolen has knocked the cover of the ball with her new Honus Wagner book. Wagner was known as the Flying Dutchman, and was famous for hitting, stealing bases, and speed. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.

Written by award-winning children's author Jane Yolen, All Star! is the story of a hatchet-faced boy from a poor mining town who somehow became one of the greatest shortstops in history. Boy's will love this book and will be thrilled to learn that Wagner's baseball card sold for almost three million dollars. It's a heartwarming story that comes to life with beautiful retro illustrations that perfectly capture the era.

Click here to learn more about Jane's cool baseball book.

Real Guns

2010-04-10T10:54:00.001-07:00

Dr. David P Reiter, a multi-award winning author and publisher living in Brisbane, Australia has published an interesting book called Real Guns. Dr. Reiter's book confronts the topical issues of gun control and the effects of war—past and present—on returning soldiers and their families. Jon, like many young boys, is fascinated by guns. He finds a loaded pistol hidden under his parents’ bed, with nearly tragic consequences.

The close call prompts his father to explain to Jon why he needs to keep the gun, forging a much closer bond between father and son, and emphasising the need for parents to talk to their children about issues affecting their safety.

Patrick Murphy’s stunning illustrations are a perfect complement to Reiter’s timeless story, allowing younger readers to better understand why guns are at once a necessary part of contemporary life but also a danger when they get into the wrong hands.

To learn more about Real Guns, click here. The book can be purchased in the US by clicking here.

Morpheus Road

2010-04-02T16:41:00.001-07:00

Marshall Seaver is being haunted. In The Light, the first installment of this chillingly compelling trilogy, sixteen-year-old Marshall discovers that something beyond our world is after him. The eerie clues pile up quickly, and when people start dying, it's clear whatever this is--it's huge.

Marshall has no idea what's happening to him, but he's soon convinced that it has something to do with his best friend Cooper, who's been missing for over a week. Together with Coop's sister, Marsh searches for the truth about what happened to his friend, ultimately uncovering something bigger than he could ever have imagined.

D.J. MacHale is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Pendragon series. He has written, directed and produced many television series and movies for young people including ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK. His work has been seen on Nickelodeon, The Disney Channel, HBO, Showtime, PBS, Discovery Kids and the broadcast networks. D.J. lives with his family in Southern California.

To win a signed copy of The Light, send us an email and we'll enter your name in our FREE book drawing.

Click here for Morpheus Road's movie trailer.

Click here for MacHale's website.

Plato the Platypus Plumber

2010-03-28T16:52:00.000-07:00

Hazel Edwards, a wonderful writer from Australia has a new picture book out. Kids who love strange creatures will love Plato. Plato is a platypus and a part-time plumber with a tool kit. On call, Plato fixes watery problems like leaking taps, but he also fixes grumpy people. From his tool kit, he uses smile spray, a feather or a joke. Sometimes Zanzibar's family need a little help. Plato always comes, despite the ferals along the creek bank. Water carries secrets, stories and (yucky) stuff! An eco-warrior, Plato knows how to fix things.

Hazel is a 2010 Astrid Lindgren Award nominee, and a few of her other books are: 'There's a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake' (Penguin) series and ‘The Flight of the Bumblebee'(New Frontier). Her unique books have been translated into Chinese, Korean, Tamil, Auslan and Braille.

To learn more about Hazel's books, click here.

You can order Hazel's lovable Plato the Platypus Plumber by clicking here. It's also available through many independent bookstores in North America. Click here to order through Small Press Distribution in Berkeley, CA.

Mark Fink

2010-03-26T20:34:00.000-07:00

Checkout Mark Fink's books. The Summer I Got A Life is a humorous story of first love and self discovery. It follows the exploits of Andy Crenshaw, a fourteen year old who, with his older brother, gets shipped off to an Aunt and Uncle’s farm in Wisconsin. What starts out as a disastrous summer, turns into an amazing, life changing experience for him.

Stepping Up is an insightful, moving and funny novel about basketball. Ernie Dolan, 14, is plagued by the curse of the average. Nothing about him stands out—except his stutter. Things change dramatically when Ernie morphs from outcast to hero, risking his life to save three campmates from near tragedy. Ernie finds out what it means to be a hero and it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. His compelling, heartwarming story unfolds against the backdrop of exciting, authentic basketball action and a lot of humor, while touching on teen issues of friendship and the near-deadly consequences of peer pressure.

Click here for Mark's books.

Best-practice gets Florida students on Oprah

2010-03-18T06:52:00.000-07:00

Students and faculty at Ocoee Middle School who made a music video to promote reading -- changing the lyrics to a song by the Black-Eyed Peas -- shared the spotlight with Diane Sawyer on the Oprah show.

Click here to read the full story and watch a video.

Bug Butts

2010-03-06T07:11:00.000-08:00

From blowing bubbles to shooting poop, the world’s insects do amazing things with their butts. Discover the wild and weird ways insects use their butts to avoid predators. Spittlebugs blow bubbles from their butts and hide under them, while some caterpillars shoot their poop far from their bodies to throw poop-searching wasps off their trail. Ants and beetles spray acid from their butts into the faces of predators, while some caterpillars and larvae build hide-outs with their poop to keep predators away.

Insects also use pheromones from their butts to communicate with friends, relatives, and enemies. Still other insects say “thank you for protecting me” by sharing their high-sugar poop. And speaking of poop, some termites and roaches feed their children their poop to give them the microorganisms they will need to help digest wood.

Illustrated by a PhD biologist in a playful yet scientifically accurate style and tech edited by a PhD entomologist, Bug Butts combines the best of real science and real fun.

Includes glossary, index, and anatomy appendix.Bug Butts has received strong reviews from School Library Journal, National Science Teacher's Association, and was recently placed on the list of best children's science books for 2009 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science's Science Books & Films (AAAS SB&F).

To learn more about Bug Butts, click here.

Gold Dragon Codex

2010-02-24T15:54:00.000-08:00

The blue dragon, Lazuli, lives to torment the villagers of Sandon's hometown, Hartfall. He demands more and more riches until the Baron, Sandon's father, has only one thing left to give: himself. Lazuli will arrive at midnight to take the Baron away. Sandon has only one hope left: the gold dragon that sits atop a ledge above the village, silently watching. In one legendary battle Lazuli magically petrified the gold dragon, once Hartfall's sworn protector. But Sandon is sure he can find a way to awaken the beast. In the dead of night, he sneaks out onto the gold dragon's ledge. And there he stumbles onto a secret that throws everything he thought he knew about his home and his family into question. Can Sandon unlock the secret of the gold dragon in time to save his village--and his dad?

This next installment of the series inspired by The New York Times best-seller A Practical Guide to Dragons shows just how much a young boy can do when he realizes that the strength of a gold dragon may lie inside himself.

Click here for Gold Dragon Codex.

Conspiracy 365 Series

2010-02-24T13:04:00.000-08:00

The Conspiracy 365 Series is action-packed. Warning, when you click here to access their website, don't have your headphones on. Everything about this site and series is fast and hard-hitting.

Blogs of Wrath

2010-02-13T16:14:00.001-08:00

Carl DeReese only wants to survive junior high school in the Salt Lake City suburbs, but in an era when teachers are afraid of the students, some of his behavior is misdiagnosed as threatening. His longing to fit into a new school is complicated by a family tragedy, followed by a breakdown in the classroom that leads to criminal charges. The trials and adversities of growing up are catalogued on his online blog. Carl’s initial desire to fit in at a new school is challenged by his own insecurities. When he finally makes friends with a kid named Dex, his troubles seem to have ended. Typical teenage angst is multiplied when the expected birth of a sibling turns tragic, leaving Carl heartbroken and confused. A callous teacher pushes Carl into an emotional corner, and his outburst results in suspension from school and criminal charges.

Facing another regular day of junior high school is more than enough for anyone. Carl has to live through not only adolescence, but circumstances that could land him in a juvenile detention center without his family and friends. With so many authority figures assuming that he is dangerous and threatening, Carl has to decide for himself if he truly believes what everyone is telling him. The friends he makes and the support from his parents might be the only things that help him survive.

His emotions are honest, his online confessions are genuine and heartbreaking, and his fear of what the next day brings will make even older readers wonder how they survived junior high school.

This book is for ages 12-14. Many boys will identify with this cutting-edge theme. Congrats to Todd Noker and Zack Shutt for their vision and commitment to bring a rare and raw story to life for reluctant male readers. Click here for some cool Facebook info from Todd and Zack.

Up North Adventure Series

2010-02-12T07:58:00.000-08:00

G.M. Moore's second book in the Up North Adventure Series is now available. Boys who liked book one, Muskie Attack, will love book two, Ancient Elk Hunt. Click here to access the series. G. M. Moore is a former newspaper writer, editor and columnist. The author grew up battling game fish on the lakes of northern Wisconsin. During the summer months, you can still find the Chicago-area author up north and out on the lake.

Kingfisher's New Books

2010-02-05T16:41:00.001-08:00

Kingfisher Publications has two new interesting books that should appeal to most boys. Lost Worlds is by John Howe, the concept artist for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. From the world of Aratta and Mohenjo-Daro to Atlantis and Camelot, this visually stunning book explores lost worlds. Rich and stunning illustrations take you on a historical, archaeological, and mythological journey to far off lands abandoned in time. You'll find yourself flipping through these worlds over and over. Click here to watch a video trailer.

Versus: Warriors. Steve Stone is the illustrator of this very cool book. He has worked on hundreds of book covers, most notable Stephen King’s DARK TOWER series and Terry Brooks’ epic fantasy series SHANNARA. In this epic story, ten of the greatest warriors of history meet for the first time. From Viking vs. Aztec Warrior and Samurai v. Gladiator to Medieval Knight vs. Zulu, Versus explores who would triuimph and why, if these fiercest warriors were to engage in deadly battle against one another. Only one can be crowned history's ultimate warrior. Who will it be? Watch a video by clicking here.

Click here to access kingfisherpublications.com.

Runaway Storm

2010-01-30T16:24:00.001-08:00

Runaway Storm, D.E. Knobbe's fast-paced adventure book is for readers ages 12 and up. It's an exciting story about a 15 year-old runaway who takes off on a kayak, but quickly sees his adventure turn into a struggle for survival. You can see an interesting video preview of this gripping story by clicking here.

The author has also launched a great summer giveaway - the right answers to a few questions can win one lucky reader a kayak! Check out the contest by clicking the above link as well. I'm looking forward to reading Runaway Storm!

Eric Walters

2010-01-04T08:06:00.000-08:00

Eric Walters is currently the Feature Author on our home page. Eric is a prolific storyteller who shares his gifts and passions with the world in many innovative ways. One of Eric's current philanthropy projects is with Toronto District Schools. Eric is part of a team that uses an interactive approach to literature to engage boys in the writing process by incorporating technology. This unique reading program's goal is to ultimately involve up to 5,000 students across Canada. Kids who take part can win basketballs, tickets etc, and at the end of the year the program will conclude with a massive group literacy day.

Creation of Hope is another project Eric has founded. This project began with a chance meeting with a young boy in a marketplace and the discovery that he was one of over 500 orphans in and around Kikima – a small rural community in Kenya. To learn more about this innovative project, click here. To learn more about Eric's unique body-of-work, click here.

Malice

2009-12-21T17:06:00.000-08:00

“TALL JAKE, TAKE ME AWAY…”

Everyone’s heard the rumors. Call on Tall Jake and he’ll take you to MALICE, a world that exists inside a terrifying comic book. A place most kids never leave.

Seth and Kady think it’s all a silly myth. But then their friend disappears, and suddenly the rumors don’t seem so silly anymore…

Part thriller, part ground-breaking graphic novel … get into this story, and you may never get out!

Chris Wooding, a British SF/Fantasy/YA writer lives in London and is the author of MALICE. This hard to classify comic is about a horrifying world of tricks and traps, overseen by the sinister master of ceremonies, Tall Jake.Click here to learn more about Chris.

Click here for the book. For a chance to win a FREE copy of MALICE, send us an email from our "Win a Free Book" link on the home page of our website.

Winter Duty

2009-10-28T09:39:00.000-07:00

E.E. Knight's cover of Winter Duty recently caught my attention in a local library. I'm swamped with reading other books, but this one looks worthy of investigation. Click here for a link to Winter Duty. Vampire Earth is E. E. Knight's dark fantasy series. To learn more about Vampire Earth, click here.

Border Crossing

2009-10-06T08:25:00.001-07:00

BORDER CROSSING is narrated by fifteen-year-old Manz, a mixed-race son of migrant apple pickers who lives in the dusty town of Rockhill, Texas. Manz takes a summer job rebuilding a fence at a cattle ranch, working alongside his friend Jed. As the days wear on, he begins to suffer from an uncontrollable paranoia and becomes convinced that "Operation Wetback," a brutal postwar relocation program, is being put back into effect. This taut coming of age novel explores mental illness and border issues in an honest and clear voice. This unique story was written by Jessica Lee Anderson. Be sure to visit her website by clicking here.

Reviews to date have been good:

"Compelling . . . . A fast read, this book will provoke discussion and, perhaps, further research." - Booklist, Oct 2009

"Poignant." Kirkus, Oct 1, 2009

Click here for BORDER CROSSING.

Upon Secrecy

2009-09-25T19:18:00.001-07:00

Selene Castrovilla brings a fascinating story from American history to life in Upon Secrecy, a suspenseful new picture book published by Calkins Creek Books/Boyds Mills Press. Set during the Revolutionary War, it shows how members of the Culper Spy Ring eavesdropped on the British, wrote secret messages, and fended off highway robbers to deliver crucial information to George Washington. This gripping narrative of the spies' most important mission keeps the tension alive, while period details and illustrations add to the drama. Extensively researched, the book includes a timeline, bibliography, places to visit, and even an explanation of the invisible ink, or "sympathetic stain," that enabled the spy ring to send messages undetected by the enemy.

Castrovilla's previous picture book for Calkins Creek, By the Sword: A Young Man Meets War also has a connection to the Culper Spy Ring. The book paints a suspenseful portrait of a young Benjamin Tallmadge as he and his beloved horse, Highlander, fight to defend New York against the British. As George Washington's chief of secret service, Tallmadge later organized and ran the Culper Spy Ring. By the Sword tells the harrowing dual stories of how Washington manages to save his men-and the American cause-by stealthily retreating across the East River, and how Tallmadge risks death by returning to save Highlander. Castrovilla found this account in Tallmadge's memoir, and knew it revealed an important human side of the revolution-one not usually addressed. By the Sword was a 2008 IRA Notable Book, a 2010 New York State Charlotte Award recommended intermediate reading selection, a Kansas Reading Circle recommended title, and a 2009 Moonbeam Children's Book Award gold medalist.

Click here for Upon Secrecy

The Boy Who Went Ape

2009-09-24T18:17:00.001-07:00

THE BOY WHO WENT APE was illustrated by a prolific artist, Richard Jesse Watson. This is a very interesting book because the author is Richard's son, Benjamin. I hate to say this, but boys will go ape over this book. The plot is dead on target for boys with clever and punchy prose. It all perfectly comes together with Richard's magical illustrations. I had a chance to speak with Richard about his book. Below is what he told me:

"My wife, Susi, and I went to the Portland Zoo to sketch and photograph chimpanzees. We took about a thousand photos over a couple of days, and I did bunches of sketches. At first the chimps ignored us as just another gawker, but the longer we hung around, the curiouser they became. I would show the chimps my drawings, and they nodded or sniffed their evaluation.

I discovered a paper from Sri Lanka, made out of elephant dung, which I used to paint the illustrations on. Since the book is a whacky book, it needed a different approach for the illustrations. For instance, instead of straight lines to border the illustrations, I used drippy paint lines to get a more organic feel. I wanted things to be more "viney" or "jungly".

Working with Ben was such a hoot, but hard too. We both had different ideas at times in our vision of the book. Usually the illustrator and author are working separately. Doing a book together is like two different archeologists digging from opposite sides of the world and meeting in the middle, then trying to figure out how to get out alive. "Wow! It's hot in here, my shovel 's worn out, I'm disoriented... are those dinosaur bones? How do we wrap this up & get back to the real world?"

Also working on a book is a long and at times stressful endeavor. Add to that two strong willed people, stir into the mix the fact that both apples fell from the same tree (does that make sense?) and voila! You have apples trying to write! No, seriously, you have different points of view: the word-centric author, and the image-centric illustrator. And with father and son, its, well, what can I say, father knows best. Yeah, right. I quickly realized that my son often (don't tell him I said so) had better ideas than me. Oy vey!

Over all, all this was a blast, and I want to do more books like this."

I highly recommend Richard's new book and his school visit program. Click here for Richard's website.

If America Were A Village

2009-09-24T17:04:00.001-07:00

America, with all its diversity, is not easily defined. David J. Smith's If America Were a Village takes a snapshot - past, present and future - to help define America for children. Using the same successful metaphor of the international bestseller If the World Were a Village, the book shrinks down America to a village of 100. The metaphor helps children easily understand American ethnic origins, religions, family profiles, occupations, wealth, belongings and more. Shelagh Armstrong's expansive illustrations imagine America as a classic, vibrant small town. Who are the people living in this vast and varied nation? Where did they come from? What are they like today? How do they compare with people in other countries? The book's simple statistical analysis provides a new way of learning about where people live in America, the state of their health, the shapes and sizes of families, what they use and more - forming a concise picture of a country.

Click here for David's book.

Let Slip The Dogs Of Love

2009-09-19T17:18:00.000-07:00

LET SLIP THE DOGS OF LOVE by Eugene Kachmarsky is one of the most unique anthology of short stories, I've seen in sometime. I believe theses stories will appeal to many YA readers. They're written from a variety of ethnic perspectives—including one exploring the North American Native POV—highlighting the experience of natives transplanted from their indigenous lands to North America. Racial, cultural, sexual prejudice, socioeconomic injustice and personal emotional struggle are common themes explored in a number of genres—ranging from straight fiction, to psychological suspense, to crime drama, to fantasy (urban and magical), and in cases, fusions of all the above—all with an accent on the hidden beneath the apparent, the extraordinary behind the ordinary, while attempting to discover the causes of many of the actions that we often affect.

Some of the characters whose stories are told include: a controlled-substance addict; a heartless, ruthless, misanthropic yet patently cowardly municipal communications empire mogul; a biker with a missing testicle; a young, gay, black, radical civil disobedient with a bent for vengeance with flair; a professional hit man and biker-gang rat with a tragic sense of timing; a grown-up spoiled brat who thinks managing a network of government assassins makes him one; an eight-year-old boy who dies at an airport and ends up correcting a grievous injustice committed over 250 years ago; a despondent writer who writes his own epitaph moments before being murdered; a skateboarding boy whose leg is broken by bullies and the 10 year-old Punjabi girl with a miraculous healing touch who befriends him; a professional hockey player from Eastern Europe facing extorting murderers and fighting back with his computer-hacking genius.

To Learn more about Eugene and his unique book, click here.

Night Runner

2009-09-15T12:19:00.001-07:00

NIGHT RUNNER tells the story of Zach Thomson, a teen who moves to the Nicholls Ward to deal with strange and severe allergies after the death of his parents. Life isn’t easy, but it isn’t bad either. And strangely enough, the institution becomes a sort of home to Zach. It never once crosses his mind to leave...until the night someone crashes through the front doors and tells him to run. Now he's on a race for answers--about his past, his parents, and his strange sickness--even as every step takes him closer to the darkest of truths.

Click here for more on Night Runner.

The Breakthrough

2009-09-03T11:06:00.000-07:00

In THE BREAKTHROUGH, thirteen-year old Jack is plucked from the clutches of a riptide by his older brother, Michael. When Michael slides into a coma, Jack can’t live with the guilt. He wanders to a carnival and sneaks into a hot air balloon basket. Without warning, the balloon lifts into the air, transporting Jack to the fourth dimensional planet of Venus. When a Venusian gives Jack a magic crystal to heal his brother, Jack thinks his problems are solved—but they are just beginning! Soon, Jack finds himself trapped on Pluto, a planet controlled by the tyrant Danko. Danko learns of the crystal and will stop at nothing to seize it and ultimately control earth.

THE BREAKTHROUGH appeals to boys because it is a plot-driven story, with fantasy, mystery, a ruthless villain and plenty of “gross-out” scenes. Here’s an example of a scene where the main character, Jack, accidentally rolls into a nest of insects:

This unique novel was written by Ann Tufariello. Below is a little taste of Ann's wonderful prose:

"A hissing, buzzing sound nudged me out of the trance. What was that? Soon, a slight tickling sensation escalated to a pinching. Something was crawling all over me or, rather, thousands of creepy things were crawling all over my body, nipping me. The prickly bush must have been a nest of insects. Bugs marched across my face, down my neck and under my shirt. Each one feasted on my flesh as if I were a rotting corpse. The incredible itching and stinging was too much to bear. I screamed, jumping up and shaking my arms and legs. I tugged at the bugs, trying to pull them off of me, but it didn’t help. Instead, more and more bugs crawled up and down my body, sticking to my clammy skin and gnawing me. Then, the buzzing sound got louder and louder and I could feel bugs scampering in my ear canal. I jammed my finger in my ear and tried to yank them out, but I pushed them in further. I screamed for help but only the howling wind answered my call. Then, I remembered my crystal."

Visit Ann's site by clicking here.

The Storm In The Barn

2009-08-13T08:41:00.001-07:00

I'm very excited to feature Matt Phelan's new graphic novel published by Candlewick, The Storm In The Barn (ISBN: 9780763636180). Matt's book will be available next month. The setting is Kansas, 1937. Eleven-year-old Jack Clark faces his share of ordinary challenges: local bullies, his father’s failed expectations, a little sister with an eye for trouble. But he also has to deal with the effects of the Dust Bowl, including rising tensions in his small town and the spread of a shadowy illness. Certainly a case of "dust dementia" would explain who (or what) Jack has glimpsed in the Talbot’s abandoned barn -- a sinister figure with a face like rain. In a land where it never rains, it’s hard to trust what you see with your own eyes -- and harder still to take heart and be a hero when the time comes. With phenomenal pacing, sensitivity, and a sure command of suspense, Matt Phelan ushers us into a world where desperation is transformed by unexpected courage.

I asked Matt why his book will appeal to boys. Below is his response; I couldn't agree with him more:

"I think that reading graphic novels (or comics or whatever you like calling them) is a different kind of reading and just as valid as reading a prose book. It involves a balance between the words or dialogue and the pictures, which are equally important (in fact, much of The Storm In The Barn is told through pictures alone). Reading graphic novels requires effort. I think boys are very adept at this kind of reading and my hope is that my book will reward their effort with a thrilling, satisfying story."

When I saw Matt's unique style for the first time, I said, "Wow! I see the ghost of Bill Peet here." When I was a boy, Bill Peet was my favorite writer and illustrator. I bought my daughter a copy of Farewell to Shady Glade before she was even born. During summer break when I was a boy one of my favorite things to do was go to the school library and checkout Bill Peet books. When I was about ten, I got to the checkout counter with my mom, and a very well-meaning librarian said, "He's too old for picture books." I'm still slightly wounded by this remark. Luckily, Mom replied, "He can read anything he want's to." Today, I'm thrilled to find Bill Peet's work on the shelves of bookstores across the US.

I had to ask Matt if Peet influenced his work. Below is Matt's reply to my question:

"I would definitely say Bill Peet was an influence. Not only his books (which I read as a kid) but also his storyboarding work with Disney. There's a great book called Paper Dreams which is all about the Disney story artists and Peet is all over it. His storyboard drawings for Dumbo, Dalmatians, and Jungle Book are amazing!"

Thanks again Matt for your very cool book. It's a tall tale, thriller. I'm sure it will resonate with young readers today and inspire them to seek out other books.

View Matt's u-tube trailer by clicking here.

To learn more about Matt's unique work, click here.

The Trouble with Mark Hopper

2009-07-30T18:44:00.000-07:00

The Trouble with Mark Hopper is a funny, quick read about two boys who are blessed and cursed with the same name. Mark Geoffrey Hopper is a top student but a less than pleasant person. Mark Geoffrey Hopper is a poor student but a grade-A friend. When both Mark Hoppers enter the sixth grade at the same middle school, it causes nothing but hilarious problems, confusion, and all-around trouble. When will people realize that there are two Mark Hoppers, and that even though they're very similar, they're actually very different?
Boys will enjoy keeping track of which Mark is which and following them both as they realize that perhaps sharing their name presents unique opportunities...especially when it comes to winning the statewide Mastermind trophy.

This hilarious middle grade comedy written by Elissa Weissman will appeal to fans of Andrew Clements and Louis Sachar, and to anyone who understands the importance of having a good name.

Click here to learn more about Elissa Weissman.

I And I

2009-06-17T09:12:00.001-07:00

Jesse Watson, one of my favorite illustrators has once again displayed his amazing artistry in a new book about Bob Marley. I and I, published by Lee and Low is a really cool book; boys and girls will love flipping through its wonderful pages. Tony Medina, the author is a deep and soulful poet. His verse appeals to older readers as well. Below Jesse talks about a recent visit to NYC with G. Neri, the author of one of my favorite books for reluctant, inner-city readers, Chess Rumble.

FROM JESSE:

The author of Chess Rumble, Greg Neri, and I were recently in NYC talking about the importance and the power of Pawns in the game of Chess and how we can draw the same conclusions about those we consider Pawns in the game of life. We went to schools in some of the poorest neighborhoods in the nation and spoke to kids who had some serious obstacles to overcome, including poverty, violence, drugs, gangs... you name it! Many of these kids saw themselves as pawns; floundering in a sea of chaos, unable to affect any change in the world at all. Yet, from these conditions have come some of our greatest heroes. Bob Marley definitely qualifies. Born and raised in the poorest neighborhoods in the world, he overcame the lack of education and resources to become one of the most famous musicians we have ever known. Here is a man who, thirty years after his death, is still outselling current artists today. Here is a man whose music you will find in literally any country on the planet, from Iran to Singapore, Peru to Finland, rocking out of taxis, blasting through sound systems, and streaming over radio frequencies. This Pawn became a King and so can these kids, regardless of the obstacles they may face.

Click here to visit Jesse's site.

Click here to visit Tony Medina.

Parker Takes a Bullet

2009-06-15T07:52:00.001-07:00

Below is information submitted by Lewis Hall about his new book, Parker Takes A Bullet. This novel has an exciting plot and should appeal to both boys and girls. Boy's typically prefer books with a male protagonist. Mr. Hall's female protagonist book has enough edge that it should appeal to many boys. One of my favorite novels of all time is The Golden Compass. It too has a female protagonist.

A Mystery/Thriller with Heart

My dad a drug dealer?

At a time when she should have been thinking about what frothy dress to wear to the senior prom, Evelyn Parker, still reeling from her mother's suicide, has to face this troubling question. Worse, the fact that her father's incinerated body is found in her bombed-out home shortly after a huge cash deposit was made in his bank account leaves his colleagues in the Sheriff's Department convinced he was on the take.

But, growing up the daughter of a detective, Evelyn learned a few things about police work. When the investigation into her father's murder grinds to a halt, Evelyn decides to do some sleuthing of her own, determined to exonerate her dad. In the process she plays loose with the law, tails a too-charming suspect, uncovers a worldwide web of international crime, and learns that things are not always how they appear.

But wait a minute! Parker Takes a Bullet is about a girl. Why would a boy be interested in a girl protagonist? Because this girl is hot and exciting. I know, because I was once a boy and I know what a boy likes. I remember Saturday nights in my college days, gathered together with my male buddies in front of a television set and watching Purdey, a female secret agent on The New Avengers. Purdey was not girlie; she was cool. And today I, along with other men, like watching Beatrix Kiddo in the Kill Bill movies. She too is cool and exciting.

Evelyn Parker is eighteen-years-old. Boys like girls a little older than themselves. Yes, boys must have action and adventure, mystery and suspense in their stories, and this book has it all, non-stop; it’s a page-turner. But combine these elements with a story about an attractive, courageous girl and you have a book that will meet every boy's needs. It might not be hip for him to admit that he is reading such a book or that he likes it. But boys are reading Parker Takes a Bullet, and more than once!

Yes, girls can act feminine and silly, which is uncomfortable for most boys, but Evelyn Parker is a girl who has been thrown into an intense situation that forces her to act serious and brave. This is a book for mature teenagers as there are many edgy scenes. And in the midst of these scenes are some hard moral questions that deal with life and death, how to overcome grief, and how to face questions regarding sex and love.

Click here for Parker Takes a Bullet.

Brighton Elementary

2009-06-05T16:53:00.000-07:00

Hello Kids,

Thank you for the pleasure of allowing me to read my story at your wonderful school. You kids are terrific! I had a great time visiting with all of you. Please stay in touch with me. I need your help in finishing my story. I promise to work hard writing and revising my story this summer. I also promise to return to Brighton in the fall for more author visits. Sorry, fifth graders, we'll miss seeing you at Brighton. However, if you follow this blog, you can write to me here (with your parents and teachers permission) and we can stay in touch. I'll also post my story, PIPE PEOPLE on my website so that you can read it online and or print it out as PDF pages.

Please read many, many books, write to me, and have a fun and safe summer! Thank you again Mr. Raymond and Mr. Davis. The world needs more men like you.

David Michael Slater's SELFLESS

2009-05-29T13:43:00.000-07:00

SELFLESS is a comic-drama about identity and the many factors that shape it: family, friends; race; religion; social class; and the myriad fears and fascinations that afflict us all as we try to discover who we are. Jonathan Schwartz is the main character, and we spend a great deal of time with him and his three best friends (all boys) as they navigate through high school and college in the 1980's. The book depicts adolescent boys in a hysterically graphic but true-to-life way as they focus most of their time and energy on things like filling out charts for rating the girls at school (categories include, "Face, Chest, Butt, Legs, Eyes, Hair, Clothes, Sports Ability, and, lastly, for tie-breaking purposes, Personality"), or ticking items off on “The Purity Test,” a list of 100 questions that determined what was called one’s “Purity Rating” ("the point of a decent score was to confirm an adventurous nature, not to be disgusting.")

But in the midst of the boys' hilarious single-mindedness, we see and begin to worry about the fundamental lack of authenticity in their relationships, obviously with girls, but also with each other. It takes the intrusions of family crises for all of them—most especially for Jon, whose family is positively overflowing with dysfunction—for them even to begin to rise above these limitations.

Folks who've read the book often remark that, as a long-time 7^th grade teacher (nearly fifteen years), I am clearly in touch with the teenage boy. The truth is I remember my own teen years all too clearly (not that I did any of the things Jon, Jake, Cory and Milo do—I swear! Okay, not that I did most of them. Fine, not that I did some of them.). But, from what I see as a teacher, things are much the same among boys all these years later (I'm 39 now). In the larger picture, they always will be: we will all have to blunder our way down the perilous path that is growing up. All the characters in the book, including Jon's two challenging sisters, struggle to find a place in the world. For one of them, the struggle is a war.

Because of the graphic nature of the boys' language and some of the off-color scenarios they engineer, the book is appropriate only for older teens. Feedback as been very interesting in terms of gender. I’ve been told the book was “hilarious” and “addicting” by both boys and girls. Girls, though, report having shaken their heads continually as they read, muttering, “Boys,” the whole time (maybe with the word 'pathetic' thrown in every so often—okay, very often. Fine, pretty much every page). Boys report that they see themselves in Jon and his friends, often only too well. It's a book they say that did a rare thing: it made them laugh and think at the same time.

As an author, I can't hope for anything more.

David Michael Slater is the author of nine picture books, including CHEESE LOUISE; THE RING BEAR (an SSLI Honor Book); JACQUES & SPOCK (a Children's Book-of-the-Month Alternative Selection); and FLOUR GIRL (a 2008 Mom's Choice Award winner). Seven more titles are scheduled for '09; Slater's teen series, SACRED BOOKS, recently launched with THE BOOK OF NONSENSE (a finalist for the Associaion of Booksellers for Children's Best of 2008 list and Cybil Award nominee); Finally, he has a film in development, MOCHA COLA HIGH, with Right Angle Pictures.

Click here for SELFLESS

Bull Rider - Speaking Out About the Consequences of War

2009-05-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

Boys Read Blog:

Bull Rider - Speaking Out About the Consequences of War –

I started writing Bull Rider in 2004. It was a story for very young kids and in outlining Cam O’Mara’s family, I imagined his older brother in the Marines. That fit the setting and the situation. I didn’t have any intention to write about the Iraq War. But as the book changed to one for older readers and as the wars in the Middle East ground on, it seemed only honest for Ben O’Mara, the Marine, to be deployed to Iraq. And if he were deployed, he could be hurt. Badly. That’s a fact of war and that’s what moms and dads, sisters and brothers, and children think about when it gets dark and quiet at night. Lying in bed praying for someone you love to wake up again in the morning, that’s scary stuff. And I felt like someone needed to just say it out loud.

Personally, I didn’t want to go there. It’s easier to pretend that the war isn’t happening. And as a writer, it seemed invasive to ask people who already had enough problems – like life threatening injuries to themselves or their family – how they felt. I didn’t want to learn about war injuries. But that’s the story I had in my head and I was compelled to share it, honestly, with kids. So I did the research. I approached people who work with the war injured and interviewed them. I read injured soldiers blogs and blogs from their families. I visited the Palo Alto VA Hospital’s Polytrauma Unit (although the patients happened to be elsewhere that day.) I learned a lot. And I was overwhelmed with the nature and gravity of the sacrifice that some of our military men and women have made. Regardless of my own feelings about these wars and war in general, I was moved by the honor of what they did because they were asked. It was humbling and I wanted to share that too.

And then there was the question of politics. I have some definite opinions and they may not be the same as the O’Maras’. But I wanted to tell the brothers’ story about what can really happen when you go to war. It didn’t matter what their politics were and it certainly didn’t matter what mine are. The story would be the same. The Bulletin for the Center for Children’s Books said about Bull Rider, “The book isn’t overtly anti- or pro-war so much as pro the people who are struggling with this difficult change in their lives. This is therefore a gripping read for fans of family dramas, and it’s certainly high time that this aspect of the war’s consequences received a sensitive and compelling exploration.“ This is exactly the response I had hoped for. I hoped my book would help kids think about the consequences of war, and I believed dwelling on politics would stand in the way of that.

So Bull Rider became the story of Cam and Ben O’Mara, two regular brothers who competed with each other and bugged each other, until their relationship was changed permanently when Ben suffered a traumatic brain injury, the loss of an arm, and post traumatic stress disorder following an explosion in Iraq. Cam is a fourteen year old guy, so when his world is rocked, he acts out – takes his skateboard to the Grange parking lot, rides a bull, goofs off in school. That’s how he handles the emotions – until his brother needs more from him and in a move that is both dangerous and loyal, Cam risks a ride on the monster bull Ugly to help Ben.

Bull Rider is engaging boy readers. Book sellers say it is a nice alternative to the fantasy that is out there. Librarians and teachers tell me that boys who don’t read much at all are picking up Bull Rider. Initially skaters and rodeo fans are interested. But once they start reading, I believe it’s the openness about war captures their attention. . The circumstances are not white washed or skipped over. There is a real problem – one that any of the readers might face. Right now. Today. And last, I think boy readers are drawn in by the relationship between the brothers. It’s competitive, supportive, and loyal. No matter how much they annoy each other, Cam and Ben O’Mara have each others’ back. I think that’s what a lot of boys long for and in Bull Rider, that’s what they get.

Click here for, Bull Rider.

Thank you Suzanne Morgan Williams for your wonderful book!

Emma's Picks

2009-05-13T08:21:00.001-07:00

Below is wonderful feedback I received from a very astute reader, Emma. Thank you Emma for your comments. I'm adding a disclaimer to our Best Books page on your behalf.

Dear John,
I am a girl and I have read all of these books:
Eoin Colfer (Artemis Fowl)
Anthony Horowitz (public enemy number two)
Harry Potter
series of unfortunate events
Roland Smith (elephant run)
C.S lewis (narnia)
Christopher Paiolini Eragon
Jules verne (journey to center of the earth)
gary pulsen
diary of wimpy kid
thirtynine clues
the homework machine
Norah Mcclintock
jack london
rick riordan again
hardy boys
pendragon

and some. I also read teen books (since 3rd grade)
and now I am ten. Do you say these are boys books, I like most of them except the reading level is very low for me? My friend reads some too. Some say they are grades 7 and up, I read them...... they aren't just for boys though.

I don't read romance books or pony books or high school musical books.... I read boys books. Great.

E. G

PS: please write at the top of the page: books for boys and good for girls too " or something.
Thank you!

Every Man Has A Story

2009-04-30T20:58:00.000-07:00

One day this week, while sipping a latte outside of one of my favorite Seattle coffee shops, I watched a man search a curbside trash can in front of me. Unsuccessful in his search, he sat down on a bench beside me. I've been working on being more tolerant of all people, so I struck up a conversation with him. I wanted to know his story. He told me that he was a writer. I was eager to learn more about his writing, but two of his buddies showed up. They all decided to have a smoke. So here I sat sipping my latte with three homeless guys smoking. It didn't take long for an employee to come out and shoo the smokers away. I went inside to get a refill.

When I returned, my writer friend was still outside. I asked him to share his writing with me. He opened his backpack and retrieved a folder. He pulled a faded and weathered certificate from the folder and explained to me that he writes numbers. A matter of fact, he's the only man in the world, who's written a million numbers out by hand. He asked me if I would buy a certificate with one of his million numbers written on it. He was only asking for two dollars, but I declined. However, I did get him a cup of coffee. While drinking his coffee, he told me part of his story. Years ago he was a fisherman based out of Seattle, but he left the trade after losing many of his friends at sea. He returned to Utah where he was raised. While in Utah, he decided he wanted to do something that no one had ever done before. He decided to write a million numbers by hand. At first, I didn't believe this far-fetched tale. However, he decided to give me one of his numbers. I picked the year I was born, 1962. Very carefully, like an author signing a book, he wrote the number o19620. I took my certificate and returned home. The first thing I did when I got in the house was Goggle this man's name in-conjunction with the state of Utah and the task of writing one million numbers by hand. Lo and behold, I found a link to this man, Kris Wilson. Kris does indeed have a really interesting story to tell. I hope to see him again soon. Kris' goal is to get his work listed in Guinnes World Records. I hope Kris meets his goal. Click here to see the link I came up with.

Freaked

2009-04-23T09:06:00.000-07:00

Freaked, set in 1993, is the story of fifteen year old Scotty Douglas Loveletter. Scotty lives in a haze of good intention, but due to his dope smoking has very little motivation. His mother is a famous sex self-help therapist. His friends in his all boy boarding school only spend time with him to get close to her or his drug dealing roommate.

Scotty's one salvation is the music of the Grateful Dead. He yearns to attend a show at Freedom Coliseum, and so he sets forth on a journey in the style of Tom Jones or Huckleberry Finn, leaving his familiar surroundings, to find himself in dark places. He encounters new and interesting people, and, in the end, begins to understand the world around him in more significant way.

Jeanne Dutton is the author of Freaked. Her hope is that her novel will speak to boys who have a passion for music and who also desire to live less fraudulently in a world full of mixed messages.

Jeanne is a fan of Jack Keourac, Mark Twain, Ken Kesey, J.D Salinger, Barack Obama. She believes that rebellion is a necessary and important phase in the making of strong, independent thinking men (and women).

Click here for Freaked.

Support Teen Library Day

2009-04-16T10:25:00.000-07:00

What's the problem with these bad boys? Today is a great day to ask a teen librarian. Librarians all across the country are encouraged to participate in Support Teen Literature Day on April 16th, 2009 by hosting events in their library or through their web site on that day. The purpose of this new celebration is to raise awareness among the general public that young adult literature is a vibrant, growing genre with much to offer today's teens. Support Teen Literature Day also seeks to showcase some award-winning authors and books in the genre as well as highlight librarians' expertise in connecting teens with books and other reading materials.

When The Whistle Blows

2009-04-13T15:53:00.000-07:00

Not since S.E. Hinton has a female writer so perfectly captured a boy's voice the way Fran Cannon Slayton does in When The Whistle Blows. This story is incredible and reminds me of David Almond's Kit's Wilderness. Below is well-said praise for Fran's book:

“[When the Whistle Blows] is a growing up novel that includes scenes reminiscent of Richard Peck's Long Way from Chicago and has a classical mannerism that will steam its way on to state award lists all over the country. . . This novel is fresh, smart, witty, warm, well-written, funny. . . an amazing novel.”

—School Library Journal’s Diane Chen, (American Library Association board member)

“With wit and warmth Fran Cannon Slayton recounts a steam-driven coming of age story in the last of the real railroad days.”

—Richard Peck, author of A Year Down Yonder

“When the Whistle Blows is reminiscent of classic tales by Jack London, William Golding and Robert Louis Stevenson, yet carries the remarkable, fresh voice of its author. Fran Cannon Slayton should be extremely proud of this, her debut novel.”

—Ellen Hopkins, author of Crank and Identical and National Book Award finalist

“I loved When the Whistle Blows.”

—Barbara Keifer, Charlotte S. Huck Professor of Children’s Literature at Ohio State University and editor of Charlotte Huck’s on Children’s Literature college textbook.

“A highly engaging, well-written, really good read.”

—Dr. Joel Taxel, University of Georgia, Department of Language and Literary Education

“From its whip-smart opening to its look at the complexity of father/son relationships, Slayton’s loving novel takes a long hard look at the death of people and that intangible idea of ‘home’ . . . ‘When the Whistle Blows’ stopped me in my tracks.”

—Elizabeth Bird, A Fuse #8 Production (School Library Journal)

Watch a top-notch author interview by clicking here.

Swords

2009-04-09T09:10:00.000-07:00

Looking for an awesome nonfiction book for a reluctant reader? Yesterday I received a very interesting book from Candlewick Press about the history of swords. When I first heard about the book, I thought the cover looked enticing, but to be honest, my expectations were low. However, as soon as I saw the cover and ran my fingers over its exquisite raised letters, I couldn't wait to read it. This is the coolest nonfiction book I've ever read. Swords is nothing less than a work of art. A deep warrior spirit is intricately woven into the story.

One of the most amazing facts about this work of art is that it was written and illustrated by the same person, Ben Boos. This is name you're going to hear again. Here's praise for Ben's book:

“Boos’s treatment of his subject is reverential and his artwork is outstanding… It’s easy to get caught up in his enthusiasm, and the right reader will spend hours poring over every loving detail. Give this to fans of history, art, or swordplay.” – School Library Journal

“This breathtaking labor of love offers detailed and elegant illustrations of swords in every shape and size. From Beowulf to medieval knights to stealthy ninja and samurai, Swords provides a lavish and exquisite tour through the art of the sword. This book is a must-have for every true devotee of hand-held arms.” – Renaissance Magazine

“Illustrates the most amazing and historical swords, giving you a glimpse of history through the intricate and ornate carvings and the huge variety of sword shapes throughout the centuries.” – Newton’s Book News

“Exemplars of the smithy’s art are depicted close to life-size.” – New York Times Book Review

“The attention to detail and accuracy is really just astounding. There are also breathtaking full-page spreads between chapters done in full, vibrant color, and these are really the crown jewels that stand out even amongst the illustrations in the rest of the book. The book really feels like a love letter to all things sword-related.” – WarCry.com

“The dozens of almost absurdly detailed sword illustrations (along with tons of sketches) are the star of the show here, but Boos adds a bunch of cool historical details, too.” – GuysLitWire blog.

Click here for Swords.

Best-Practice: Boys Book Club

2009-03-04T15:37:00.000-08:00

Gretchen Sparks, and Theresa Back, both reading and language arts teachers at Scott Highlands Middle School in Minnesota, knew they had to do something to get boys reading.

Both attended a conference where they learned the warning signs of a potential high school drop out included a disconnect with core subjects in school.

Click here to read more about their unique success. Be sure and watch the video. This is a wonderful best-practice.

The Graveyard Book

2009-02-10T12:17:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Neil Gaiman for winning the 2009 Newbery Medal. This is a huge win for books that target boys. Neil's prose appeals to kids and adults. It's simply awesome writing. He's right up there with Philip Pullman and David Almond. Click here to visit Neil's website and watch the The Graveyard Book trailer.

Skulduggery Pleasant

2008-12-05T19:55:00.001-08:00

I stumbled across Skulduggery Pleasant (SP) on Friday night. What a find! Skulduggery Pleasant is the brilliant creation of Irish playwright Derek Landy. Mr. Landy has successfully completed two books of a planned nine book series. These unique novels are almost impossible to classify. They have elements of horror, comedy, mystery and sci-fi genres. Our protagonist has been described as a well-dressed living-dead wizard-detective. His charming sidekick and partner is twelve-year-old Stephanie Edgely. The stakes are nothing less than to save the world! These are books that might tweak the interest of reluctant readers. I suggest you visit the Skulduggery website. Click here to see an awesome video that's embedded into the SP site.