Mailbox Monday and Library Loot

by Carol5 Comments
Thanks to Marcia at The Printed Page for hosting Mailbox Monday. Several books showed up in my mailbox this week. The Glister by John Burnside (an ARC I won at A Reader's Respite) Peacekeeper: A Major Ariane Kedros Novel by Laura E. Reeve ( I picked this up through Paperbackswap.) The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson I also picked up a few at the library. Library Loot is co-hosted by Eva and Alessandra. The first three are audiobooks to listen to with Amber in the car. The last is a paperback for me. The Monsters of Morley Manor by Bruce Coville The Dragon of Doom by Bruce Coville How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell Murder Uncorked by Michele Scott...
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Game Night- Looking Ahead

by Carol1 Comment
So, my husband and I and a few of our friends are already planning our trip to Columbus in June for the Origins Game Fair. It runs for five days, but we'll probably only go on the 27th and maybe the 28th. We went last year and had a blast playing and buying games. We're boardgamers, but they also have role-playing, live action events, seminars, etc. We'll be staying with my brother who's planning on having a party the night before, with food, drinks, and, of course, games. I'm looking forward to the whole weekend. Amber's decided not to come with us, although it is a kid-friendly event. Anybody else thinking of going? Day passes are only $3 a person and a one-day badge is $35....
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Children’s Choice Book Award Winners

by Carol1 Comment
The Children's Book Council announced the winners of the Children's Choice Book Awards earlier this week, as part of Children's Book Week. I'm a huge believer in reading with kids, so, in case you missed it, here are the winners. Kindergarten to Second Grade Book of the Year- The Pigeon Wants a Puppy!written and illustrated by Mo Willems Third Grade to Fourth Grade Book of the Year- Spooky Cemeteriesby Dinah Williams Fifth Grade to Sixth Grade Book of the Year- Thirteen by Lauren Myracle Teen Choice Book of the Year- Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer Author of the Year- Stephenie Meyer, for Breaking Dawn Illustrator of the Year- Jon J Muth, for Zen Ties...
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Do-Over! by Robin Hemley with Giveaway

by Carol36 Comments
Do-Over!: In which a forty-eight-year-old father of three returns to kindergarten, summer camp, the prom, and other embarrassmentsby Robin Hemley Description: Robin Hemley's childhood made a wedgie of his memory, leaving him sore and embarrassed for over forty years. He was the most pitiful kindergartner, the least spirited summer camper, and dateless for prom. In fact, there's nary an event from his youth that couldn't use improvement. If only he could do them all over a few decades later, with an adult's wisdom, perspective, and giant-like height... Despite being bigger and taller, Robin learns that the bullies haven't gone away. Neither have the papier-mâché projects, his bedroom at his childhood home, or the senior prom, which he finally gets a second chance at going to—at his actual former high school, with his actual teenage crush. In the spirit of cult film classics like Billy Madison and Wet Hot American Summer,  DO-OVER! brings readers the thrill of recapturing a misspent youth and discovering what's most...
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Penny and Rio by Jennifer Swanson

by Carol1 Comment
Penny and Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meetingby Jennifer Swanson, illustrated by Rosita Shandy and Neal Wooten Description: Penny and Rio are two dogs who are complete opposites. Penny is curious and always on the go, while Rio prefers a good nap. At their new house, Penny discovers that their backyard is the meeting place for several different animals. Penny doesn't know why a cat, a groundhog, a squirrel, and an owl could possibly be meeting, but she knows she has to find out. She comes up with an ingenious plan for spying on them and discovers their plot. She has to stop them - but can she get her sister dog, Rio, to help her or will Rio decide that sleep is more important? Follow along as these two pet detectives solve the first of many cases. My thoughts: Amber loves dogs and books about them, so she was looking forward to reading this. It's a cute story that was easily read in one sitting....
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