Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Summer Reading!

   

Summer Books We FLIPPED For!     
 Summer reading can be awesome if you find books you really like.   We have put together some books we've flipped for that could be great for you too!
Marsh & Emiline

Emiline's Picks for Great Summer reads:
 Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls Series by Meg Cabot

Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls is a great summer series.  Even though Allie's in school she can give you great advise because of all the girl drama she deals with!  You can even learn some of her rules to help you be a good person.  I think of Meg Cabot's books as life lessons.  You'll never get tired of this series because it's packed with surprises.  If you're looking for some guidance and a nice summer series then you should pick up Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls by Meg Cabot.




              

Please visit Meg Cabot's site for lots of games and fun with Allie Finkle:

Scholastic also has some great things for this series:

I picked up my Allie Finkle Rules for Girl's book at my favorite Indie Bookstore, Little Shop of Stories.  One of their employees said Allie Finkle had MOXIE!
You can find these books at your school or local library, or at your favorite bookstore.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday




     It's Monday, and that means it's time for us to tell you all about another wonderful Middle-Grade Book.  This meme was started by Ms. Shannon and she's gotten a lot of other bloggers to join in.  This is a great meme for discovering new books that are just for Middle-Graders.  Make sure you visit Ms. Shannon's blog for the list of all the bloggers. http://ramblingsofawannabescribe.blogspot.com/
           Marsh & Emiline



A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a classic book for all ages.  It is really magic to read about how Sara's imagination works.  And her bond when she's with Becky as a servant is wonderful. Sara just wants to be creative and make people feel good about themselves.  I really love that even while she was a servant with Becky and Miss Minchin was mean to her, Sara was still nice and creative.  I chose this book as my MMGM because it makes reading fun and the message that you can be anything you want and nobody can make you into something else is wonderful.  I love this book, it's magic.

I am reading my Mom's copy of A Little Princess.  You can find this book at your school or local library or buy it at your favorite Indie Bookstore.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Lazy Days of Summer Giveaway Hop


Since we are kids we haven't had too many lazy days this summer, but we have been reading lots of great books.  It's time for another great Hop hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and Colorimetry.  Make sure you click on the link above to see a list of all the other blogs that are participating in the Hop.  The Hop runs from July 27th through August 1st, so make sure you enter to win lots of great books.

Marsh and Emiline.

Here are our rules for the Lazy Days of Summer Giveaway Hop:
1.  Become a PUBLIC follower of our blog if you aren't already one.  This is so we can see you.  :)
2.  Leave a comment with your email address so we can contact you if you are our winner.  Make sure to check and see if it's right too.

Here's what the Monsters have for your reading enjoyment....


An autographed paperback copy of Fallen by Lauren Kate!

This is Emiline at Lauren Kate's signing.  Ms. Laurel took this fantastic picture.

Monday, July 23, 2012

We've Flipped for Summer Reading!!

 

Summer Books We FLIPPED For!
 Summer reading can be awesome if you find books you really like.   We have put together some books we've flipped for that could be great for you too!
Marsh & Emiline

Marsh's Picks for Great Summer Series:



     If you have just read The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins and are thirsty for another dystopian book, look no more.  The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth is just what you are looking for.  It has inspiring characters, great adventures, and much more.  You cannot stop reading these books once you start.  So, check them out today!


     This is the series that brought me into the world of reading.  The Percy Jackson and the Olympian Series by Rick Riordan.  It has compelling characters, details descriptions, and lots of humor.  I learned everything I know about Greek Mythology the fun way--  by reading this series.  If you haven't read these books then go buy or borrow them!


     Make sure you check back next week and see what books Emiline has FLIPPED for!

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday



     It's Monday, and that means it's time for us to tell you all about another wonderful Middle-Grade Book.  This meme was started by Ms. Shannon and she's gotten a lot of other bloggers to join in.  This is a great meme for discovering new books that are just for Middle-Graders.  Make sure you visit Ms. Shannon's blog for the list of all the bloggers. http://ramblingsofawannabescribe.blogspot.com/
           Marsh & Emiline


My pick for MMGM this week is Ghostopolis by Doug TenNapel.  It is a graphic novel about a boy who gets transported into the Underworld and has to stop the evil ruler of the Underworld.   This book is full of adventures and it really well thought out.  I liked how the author mapped out the Underworld, and how it was divided into different areas, like, The Bone Kingdom, Mummyville, and Ghostopolis.  I also really enjoyed the illustrations and the variety of creatures in Ghostopolis.  I think this is a great book and you should defineatley check it out.  This is a great book for kids who really don't like to read since it's a graphic novel and really fast-paced.

Marsh

I picked up this book at my school's Scholastic Book Fair, but you can get it at your favorite Indie Bookstore or your local or school library.

To find out more about this book and it's author visit:


Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Divergent


Marsh's Book Report on Divergent (Divergent #1) by Veronica Roth

     Beatrice lives in a society where the citizens are separated into factions: Amity, Candor, Erudite, Abnegation, and Dauntless. The faction each member belongs to is decided by an aptitude test.  Beatrice has always been a member of Abnegation, but on the day of the aptitude test she gets shocking results.

     I thought this was a great book.  I loved it.  This book is very intense, witty and filled with great fights.  My favorite characters were Four and Beatrice.  I admired how they were both very strong, cunning and confident.  You cannot stop reading this book.  Once you start, you have to see what happens next.  I recommend this to people who loved The Hunger Games.  I give it 5 monsters.



You can find out more about Veronica Roth and her books by visiting her blog:

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Emiline's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday





     It's Monday, and that means it's time for us to tell you all about another wonderful Middle-Grade Book.  This meme was started by Ms. Shannon and she's gotten a lot of other bloggers to join in.  This is a great meme for discovering new books that are just for Middle-Graders.  Make sure you visit Ms. Shannon's blog for the list of all the bloggers. http://ramblingsofawannabescribe.blogspot.com/
           Marsh & Emiline



     Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams's Artemis the Loyal is a great book! You can actually learn some things about great mythology and I love the illustrations. Once you start reading this book, you can't stop. If you have kids that don't like reading, you can give them this and they will love it. It's not a serious book at all. It's just fun. I'd read this if you are a fan of Percy Jackson or Allie Finkle.

 Emiline

Visit Joan Holub's site here: http://www.joanholub.com/index.html

Visit Suzanne Williams's site here: http://www.suzanne-williams.com/books.html

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

The Deathly Hallows


My Review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

     The hallows, the heartbreak, the horror.  Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, by J.K. Rowling, was the hardest book of the Harry Potter series to get through because of the death of Dumbledore, but here's how they got through without him.  Dumbledore left Harry, Ron, and Hermione with a mission to destroy all of Voldemort's horcruxes which are filled with not-so-fun surprises. Voldermort is basically taking over Britain.  There are so many Deatheaters and nobody in Britain is safe.

     Deathly Hallows is hard to get through but don't get too sad, we've got some new characters, like Abeforth, to enjoy.  I give this book 5 monsters for it's well written, emotional scenes and because of its characters.  I love all of the action and I like that you find more things about the characters in this book.  I also like the dramatic scenes in this book.  And there are plenty of them.
   
     I love this series because of the author.  Lots of people just see the movies but they are never as good as the books.  I have to say that Ron and Dobby were my favorite characters, but I love all of them.  It was an awesome series and I'm sad it had to come to an end.




All Aboard! I'm leaving for Hogwarts.

This is J. K. Rowling's website:

Scholastic has a GREAT site to explore the Harry Potter Series, make sure you check it out, too:

To be a part of Harry Potter's World I think you should try POTTERMORE.  It's a website that lets you experience all the things you read about in the books.

This year my parents took me to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  I loved it!  I hope I get to go back soon.  Here are some pictures from our trip.

This is what Hogwarts looks like.

I tried the Pumpkin Juice.  It was good, but I really loved the Butterbeer best!

I loved all the cool shop fronts, but I was disappointed when I figured out I couldn't go in them.

 Another shop front.
 The Butterbeer was probably the best drink I've ever tasted!
YUM!

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Marsh's Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday


Welcome to A Monster Ate My Book Report!  It's Monday and that means it's time for us to tell you all about a wonderful book for Middle-Graders.  This is a great meme started by Ms. Shannon Messenger, who is the author of her own Middle-Grade book, Keeper of the Lost Cities.  There are lots of bloggers that are sharing their own Middle-Grade picks, so make sure you visit Ms. Shannon's blog for all the buzz!
Marsh & Emiline


My Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday Book is Forge (Seeds of America #2)
By Laurie Halse Anderson.

     I am currently reading Forge, by Laurie Halse Anderson.  It is based on the battle of Valley Forge.  It is a great book so far and I have really been enjoying it.  I like how courageous Curzon, the main character, is and how he is not afraid to stand up for himself.  I also really enjoy the details.  It makes you feel like you are standing in the boots of an American soldier.
     If you like books about history and war, you will definitely enjoy Forge.  It is set in the Revolutionary war.  The main character is a former slave that joined the army!  I am very eager to finish this book.  Remember to check out the first book in the series, Chains.   
     
Here's the link to Laurie Halse Anderson's website:

        I picked up a paperback copy of Forge at my favorite bookstore, Little Shop of Stories, after seeing in on a display.  It is also recommended reading for Middle-Schoolers. You can find Chains and Forge at you local library or at your favorite bookstore. 

Sunday, July 1, 2012


Welcome to A Monster Ate My Book Report!  It's Monday and that means it's time for us to tell you all about a wonderful book for Middle-Graders.  This is a great meme started by Ms. Shannon Messenger, who is the author of her own Middle-Grade book, Keeper of the Lost Cities.  There are lots of bloggers that are sharing their own Middle-Grade picks, so make sure you visit Ms. Shannon's blog for all the buzz!
Marsh & Emiline


    I chose The Phantom of the Post Office (43 Old Cemetery Road #4) written by Kate Klise and illustrated by M. Sarah Klise for my MMGM this week, because of the new invention that I think is really cool-- VEXT MAIL.  But, I think I will stay with writing letters like Olive C. Spence, the ghost of 43 Old Cemetery Road.  I like that this book has a new character, Wy Fye and she learns the joy of writing letters from Seymour Hope.  I think you'd like this book if you like ghosts and writing letters, so why don't you read this book?  I think you will love it!
Emiline

You can find out more about this series by visiting the author AND her sisters, the illustrators website: