What's Up?

Here's what we are reading right now.

Emiline is reading P.K. Pinkerton and the Petrified Man by Caroline Lawrence.

Marsh is reading Goliath by Scott Westerfeld.

What's in out TBR piles?

Emiline has Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins and Cinder by Marissa Meyer

and

Marsh has Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card and City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.

Updates from the Monsters

We have been really busy the past two weeks.  We had our Spring Break and then came home and started our CRCT Testing at school.  We are going to post our winners, and then we are going to take a little blogging break until Marsh is done with testing and Lacrosse and I'm done with testing and getting some auditions done.  We will be back soon with some exciting reviews AND videos soon!!

The Winner of our Kick-Butt Characters Hop is
JILLY!

The Winner of our MMGM Book, The Secret of the Fortune Wookie is
JESSA!

MMGM and The Secret of the Fortune Wookie

Welcome to Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday at A Monster Ate My Book Report!

This is a great meme started by Ms. Shannon Messenger, author of her own Middle-Grade Book, Keeper of the Lost Cities.  There are lots of fantastic bloggers out their who are excited to tell you all about Middle-Grade Books, so make sure you check out Ms. Shannon's Blog to get all the links.

     http://ramblingsofawannabescribe.blogspot.com/

Thanks,

Marsh and Emiline

This is one of those weeks where brothers and sisters can agree on something, or as my mom says, "The End of Days".

We both love the Origami Yoda series by Tom Angleberger and to celebrate this RARE occassion we are also having a Giveaway!  We have one hardcover copy of The Secret of the Fortune Wookie that is AUTOGRAPHED by Tom Angleberger. This is a great series for EVERYONE.  All you have to do is leave a comment and make sure you include your email address.

Marsh's Response to The Secret of the Fortune Wookie:

     After Dwight leaves McQuarrie Middle to go to Tippet Academy, Tommy has to create another case file without him . . . How will that work?!!? Then Tommy's half-girlfriend, Sara, brings in a piece of origami that Dwight threw out of his window.  One by one, it starts to solve everyone's problems.  But Harvey, once again, thinks this is all a big hoax.

     This was a great third book in the Origami Yoda series.  I especially liked it because my two favorite characters from the Star Wars saga were introduced: Han Solo and Chewbacca.  Like the other books, it has a ton of humor.  I give this one FIVE MONSTERS.

Emiline's Response to The Secret of the Fortune Wookie:

     Tragedy has struck Tommy's middle school . . .  Dwight is at a new school and Origami Yoda  went with him.  Luckily, a Fortune Wookiee has come to help.  But is The Force within him?

     My favorite character in this book was Han Foldo.  He said things that Han Solo would say.  Tom Angleberger really knows his Star Wars characters, plus his last name is really fun to say.  I give this one FIVE MONSTERS.

This is Tom Angleberger's site where you can find out all about him (he's really the best!) and his books:

http://origamiyoda.wordpress.com

Kick-Butt Characters!

We are participating in a Blog Hop hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and Good Choice Reading.

There are many other blogs participating in this Hop and you really should check out the lists by visiting

http://www.goodchoicereading.com and http://www.iamareader.com.

We had to choose our favorite YA Kick-Butt Characters, and that wasn't easy at all!  We decided on one of Emiline's Favorites, This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein #1 by Kenneth Oppel.  If you aren't Familiar with this book, you can check out Emiline's Review and silly Frankenstein video:

http://amonsteratemybookreport.blogspot.com/2012/09/emilines-review-of-this-dark-endeavor.html

What we have is an AUTOGRAPHED paperback copy of This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel.

To enter this contest you have to be a public follower of this blog and comment on this post.  Make sure to include your email, so we can let you know if you've won.

Good luck,

Marsh and Emiline

Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday!

Welcome to Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday at A Monster Ate My Book Report!

This is a great meme started by Ms. Shannon Messenger, author of her own Middle-Grade Book, Keeper of the Lost Cities.  There are lots of fantastic bloggers out their who are excited to tell you all about Middle-Grade Books, so make sure you check out Ms. Shannon's Blog to get all the links.

     http://ramblingsofawannabescribe.blogspot.com/

Thanks,

Marsh and Emiline

Marsh's Middle-Grade Monday Book Pick is

Powerless:

Daniel Corrigan #1

by

Matthew Cody

     Daniel has moved to a new town to visit his dying grandmother.  After a couple of days of living there, he figures out the town's huge secret--some of the kids possess super powers.  The supers accept him as a friend in hopes that he can save them from the result of losing their powers, and all of the memories involved with them, on their thirteenth birthdays.  Can he save them?

     This was a really good book.  I really like super hero books in general but the reason this book shined for me is that it wasn't from the perspective of the super hero.  I also thought the villain was very powerful, mysterious, and evil.  I give this book FIVE MONSTERS.

 Here's the link to Matthew Cody's website:

http://www.matthewcody.com

Powerless YouTube Video Trailer:

Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday

Welcome to Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday at A Monster Ate My Book Report!

This is a great meme started by Ms. Shannon Messenger, author of her own Middle-Grade Book, Keeper of the Lost Cities.  There are lots of fantastic bloggers out their who are excited to tell you all about Middle-Grade Books, so make sure you check out Ms. Shannon's Blog to get all the links.

     http://ramblingsofawannabescribe.blogspot.com/

Thanks,

Marsh and Emiline

Emiline's Marvelous-Middle Grade Book Pick is

The Fairytale Detectives: Sisters Grimm #1

by Michael Buckley

     Sabrina and Daphne's lives are everything BUT normal. Ever since their thought-to-be-dead grandmother picked them up from the orphanage and taught them about their ancestors--the Brothers Grimm--things have been a little strange.  It turns out that all the fairy tales are real!  But the fairy tale characters (the Everafters) are trapped in Ferryport Landing due to the Human/Everafter war.  They are stuck there until the last Grimm dies.  The girls' ancestors have carried on the family business--serving as fairy tale detectives--and now it is their turn.

     These books are epic.  They changed my idea of fairy tales forever.  But now I'm so sleep deprived from staying up all night reading them that I'm having a hard time putting my love for them into words. But I can say that I am in Love with this series.  It's absolutely brilliant.

     I give it FIVE MONSTERS.

Visit tbis site for more information about The Sisters Grimm series by Michael Buckley:

http://sistersgrimm.com

YouTube Trailer for Sisters Grimm:

Emiline's Review of Drama

Drama by Raina Telgemeier

Review by Emiline

            Callie is a high schooler with a lot of “drama” in her life.  First, she kisses a total jerk and then he totally avoids her!  Next, a production of Moon Over Mississippi grasps the school’s interest and Callie is part of the stage crew. 

But that’s not the only thing that has her interest . . . There is also the matter of twin boys, one of whom she has a crush on.  Callie and the boys often hang out together and do things for the play.  Justin has a part in the play and Jesse joins Callie in the stage crew.  When the twin she likes asks her to the school formal it lights up her world, but she is only to find a twist to her date.

I love Raina Telgemeier’s Drama.  I like how the title really describes what you are about to see on the first page.  I love how in Drama the author creates a character and then writes from some of her personal experience. (She told so when I met her at the Decatur Book Festival.)

I really love Callie’s style I feel like Rania Telgemeier wanted to show off who Callie is by her style.

Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday!

Welcome to Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday at A Monster Ate My Book Report!

This is a great meme started by Ms. Shannon Messenger, author of her own Middle-Grade Book, Keeper of the Lost Cities.  There are lots of fantastic bloggers out their who are excited to tell you all about Middle-Grade Books, so make sure you check out Ms. Shannon's Blog to get all the links.

     http://ramblingsofawannabescribe.blogspot.com/

Thanks,

Marsh and Emiline

My Marvelous Middle- Grade Monday pick is
Kingdom Keeepers II:  Disney at Dawn
by Ridley Pearson

My Response:

     The Disney Host Interactives (DHIs) are back in another epic adventure at the Disney parks.  This time around Maleficent has escaped and the DHIs have to recapture her and stop the Overtakers from freeing the evilest of all the Disney Characters--Chernabog.  Can they do it?

     I thought this was a good book.  I liked how Jez (Maleficent's servant from the first book) is not evil in this story.  Although this had some really exciting moments in it, I like the first one better.  I give this book 4 and 1/2 monsters.

Marvelous Middle-Grade Mondays

Welcome to Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday at A Monster Ate My Book Report!

This is a great meme started by Ms. Shannon Messenger, author of her own Middle-Grade Book, Keeper of the Lost Cities.  There are lots of fantastic bloggers out their who are excited to tell you all about Middle-Grade Books, so make sure you check out Ms. Shannon's Blog to get all the links.

                                             http://ramblingsofawannabescribe.blogspot.com/

Thanks,

Marsh and Emiline

Emiline's Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday Book is

Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery

By Deborah and James Howe

     A mystery is brewing.  An intriguing bunny has arrived with sharp teeth, red eyes and a mischievous grin.  Is he really a vampire?

     Bunnicula is a fun book for all ages.  I liked how the book is a classic, like Bram Stoker's Dracula with a twist.  The characters are great.  I really liked Chester.  He's very cat-like--sneaky, crazy, and not very nice.  This is a great book.  I give it 5 monsters.

Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday!

Welcome to Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday at A Monster Ate My Book Report!

This is a great meme started by Ms. Shannon Messenger, author of her own Middle-Grade Book, Keeper of the Lost Cities.  There are lots of fantastic bloggers out their who are excited to tell you all about Middle-Grade Books, so make sure you check out Ms. Shannon's Blog to get all the links.

                                             http://ramblingsofawannabescribe.blogspot.com/

Thanks,

Marsh and Emiline

Marsh's Marvelous Middle-Grade Book is

Big Nate Makes the Grade

by Lincoln Peirce

     

     Nate is good at many things like chess and skateboarding.  The one thing he bombs at is school.  Then a twist of events happens that puts Nate on top (mentally) of his arch nemesis--straight A student, Gina.

     This is a really cool graphic novel.  If you've just finished a really long book and you're not ready to commit to another long read then this is a perfect book for you.  It is really funny, just like the other books in the Big Nate series.  I give it five monsters.

To find out more about the Big Nate books and Lincoln Peirce visit:

http://www.bignatebooks.com

Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday!

Welcome to Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday at A Monster Ate My Book Report!

This is a great meme started by Ms. Shannon Messenger, author of her own Middle-Grade Book, Keeper of the Lost Cities.  There are lots of fantastic bloggers out their who are excited to tell you all about Middle-Grade Books, so make sure you check out Ms. Shannon's Blog to get all the links.

                                             http://ramblingsofawannabescribe.blogspot.com/

Thanks,

Marsh and Emiline

My Review of Pandora the Curious: Goddess Girls #9

by Suzanne Williams and Joan Holub:

          Pandora is a mortal who lets her curiosity overcome her.  When Titans come to MOA, they bring something that is very dangerous--a box of trouble.  What lies inside of it is personality changing bubbles, and Pandora opens it.  What will happen next!!??

           It amazes me how I sometimes grow out of things, but I've been reading these books since I was 7 and I'm still reading them.  I don't know exactly what it is about these books but they are just wonderful!  Okay, maybe I do know:  Their school is awesome. The characters are wonderful.  And the illustrations are amazing.  The authors must have some great bond because they work really well together and make beautiful books.  I give Pandora the Curious 5 monsters.

Visit the Suzanne Williams' site:

http://www.suzanne-williams.com/index.html

Visit Joan Holub's site:

http://www.joanholub.com

AND the Goddess Girls are on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Goddess-Girls/143855319008219

Make sure you like them, pretty please.

Thanks Decatur Book Festival! I got to meet Joan Holub and get my book signed.  Meeting her was a great experience.  (I'm dressed up like Amy Pond from Doctor Who-- I went to the DragonCon Parade)

Emiline's Review of The Apothecary

My Report on The Apothecary by Maile Meloy:

This is the video trailer for the book:

         It's 1952 and Janie must leave her life behind and go to London where she attends St Bedens School. At that school, a boy by the name of Benjamin Burrows stands up during a bomb drill and refuses to go under the tables.  This intrigues Janie and she follows him to his father's shop.  His father is an apothecary--but not exactly a normal apothecary.  These three people will go on a BIG adventure.

My Response to The Apothecary:

     This is most likely a middle grade book.  It has about 2 notches out of 5 for intensity because of the war scenes.  They are very easy to visualize.  The writing is also very emotional.  Because of this, I would say the age range is 10 and up.

     I give this book 5 monsters.  It was sad but the writing deserves the full rating.  It was wonderfully described.

Check this site out to explore the world of The Apothecary

http://www.us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/youngreaders/minisites/apothecary/index.html

Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday

Welcome to Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday at A Monster Ate My Book Report!

This is a great meme started by Ms. Shannon Messenger, author of her own Middle-Grade Book, Keeper of the Lost Cities.  There are lots of fantastic bloggers out their who are excited to tell you all about Middle-Grade Books, so make sure you check out Ms. Shannon's Blog to get all the links http://ramblingsofawannabescribe.blogspot.com/

Thanks,

Marsh and Emiline

Marsh's MMGM Pick for this week is The Kingdom Keepers by Ridley Pearson.

My Review of The Kingdom Keepers:

     Five everyday school kids get the opportunity of a lifetime.  They have auditioned to be DHI, or Disney Host Interactive.  They are hosts who help guide visitors throughout the Magic Kingdom.  Finn is one of the DHIs and, soon after he becomes involved with the program, he wakes up in the park with no recollection of how he got there.  It keeps happening night after night--both to Finn and the other DHIs.  He and the others have to solve a mystery in the Magic Kingdom or else they will keep returning to the park.

My Response to The Kingdom Keepers:

     This is a great book for Disney lovers.  My dad kept recommending this book to me but I never read it.  Finally, my literacy teacher ordered the book.  So, I was, like, "Why not try it?" I mean, I was about to go to Disney with my family.  It seemed like the right time; so I tried it.  One thing that I loved was how I could relate to all the places in Disney that were described in the book.  I wish I could tell you about my favorite part, but I can't spoil the book for you.

     I give this book 5 monsters.

Please visit this site to find out more about this series:
http://www.thekingdomkeepers.com

We LOVE Disney, so this was a really fun book for me. Here are some of my Disney pictures!

Marsh's Book Report on Lord of the Rings

My Review of Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

by J. R. R. Tolkien

     Emiline just wrote a wonderful review of The Hobbit.  Now I'm going to tell you the story about what happened after Bilbo came home from his journey.  Here's my review of Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien.

     Frodo Baggins uncle, Bilbo Baggins, was an adventurer.  In his travels he found the most powerful of the rings, the Ring of Sauron, the Dark Lord.  If Sauron gets the ring back all of Middle Earth will be engulfed in chaos.  Gandalf, a wizard, visits The Shire, home of Frodo and Bilbo.  Gandalf tells Frodo that the Ring must be destroyed in a mountain in Mordor.  But, Gandalf needs someone to take the Ring to the Elven Council of Elrod.

     Who can do it?  Will the Ring be destroyed?

My Response to The Fellowship of the Ring:

I thought this was a great book.  This series really encourages you to keep reading.  If you like books set in brilliantly developed world with all new creatures and races, then Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is a good book for you.  I really like Legolas, he is my favorite character.  I like how he and Gimli are always arguing.  I also like how J.R.R. Tolkien developed a Sting that glows when Orcs are near it. I also enjoyed how the beginning of the book the author started Bilbo Baggin's birthday party.

We don't have a video for you guys. Sorry! Emiline was sick and it was really gross outside. 

Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday!

Welcome to Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday at A Monster Ate My Book Report!

This is a great meme started by Ms. Shannon Messenger, author of her own Middle-Grade Book, Keeper of the Lost Cities.  There are lots of fantastic bloggers out their who are excited to tell you all about Middle-Grade Books, so make sure you check out Ms. Shannon's Blog to get all the links.

                                             http://ramblingsofawannabescribe.blogspot.com/

Thanks,

Marsh and Emiline

Emiline's MMGM Pick for this week is WONDERSTRUCK by Brian Selznick

   

     I chose Wonderstruck as my MMGM, because it is by the same author as The Invention of Hugo Cabret.  Wonderstruck is not at all related to The Invention of Hugo Cabret, but it is a novel in pictures and words like Hugo.

     Ben is a ten-year-old who has no parents.  His mother died in a car crash and he never knew his father.  One night Ben went into his mother's old room and found a bookmark that may lead him to his father.  Ben was born with one sea ear, and when he calls the number on the bookmark lightning strikes and leaves Ben completely deaf.

     There is another story in the book, but it is completely in pictures.  This story is about a young girl named Rose, who turns out to be Ben's grandmother.That may sound crazy, but the words and pictures are in different time periods.  Ben's story is set in 1977 and Rose's story is set in 1927.  That is one of my favorite things about this book.  I really enjoyed how it turned out that Rose was Ben's grandmother.  I thought Wonderstruck was great and also tragic.

To find out more visit the Wonderstruck website. There is information about the author and illustrator, pictures from the book, and even a cool video.

http://www.wonderstruckthebook.com

Scholastic also has a page for Wonderstruck!

http://www.scholastic.com/wonderstruck/

Emiline's Review of The Hobbit

Emiline's Review of The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

     The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien is a stunning book filled with highly intriguing surprises.  Mr. Bilbo Baggins is greeted one day by the unbelievable Gandalf.  Gandalf is a wizard and he came with an adventure.  Bilbo kindly said no, but that same night there was a knock on his door.  Dwarfs!  Dwarfs kept pouring into Bilbo's house, then Gandalf came too.  It seemed they were prepared for dinner.  All throughout this unexpected party the dwarfs refer to Bilbo as a burglar. They were going on an adventure to find their long forgotten gold, which Bilbo is supposed to steal for them.

     On their journey they will encounter giant eagles, Elven Kings, and one unexplainable creature by the name of Gollum.

     I give The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien 5 Monsters!

     I loved this book so much!  It reminded me of Norse Myths and fairytales.  The age range would be for anybody that's in for some action!  It was a great book and very realistic.  I felt like I was really in the adventure, and it's a wonderful experience reading it.

     After I read the book I saw The Hobbit movie.  The movie is split into three parts.  The first part only goes to the edge of the forest with the wargs.  It was three hours long.  It was a phenomenal three hours.  They added some things that weren't in the book, like Gandalf's seperate businesses, and how Smaug stole the Dwarf kingdom with the orcs and the elves in their place.  I prefer the book, but the book and the movie both get FIVE MONSTERS.

Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday!

Welcome to Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday at A Monster Ate My Book Report!

This is a great meme started by Ms. Shannon Messenger, author of her own Middle-Grade Book, Keeper of the Lost Cities.  There are lots of fantastic bloggers out their who are excited to tell you all about Middle-Grade Books, so make sure you check out Ms. Shannon's Blog to get all the links.

http://ramblingsofawannabescribe.blogspot.com/

Thanks,

Marsh and Emiline

Marsh's MMGM Pick is The Compound by S.A. Bodeen

I first found out about The Compound when I was in Literacy Class (a class for READING!) and a few of my friends recommended the book to me.  I thought it sounded intriguing, so I checked it out from my teacher.  I got really into it, so I read every chance I got at school.  When I came home I did my homework and read until late that night. I finished the book in one day! It is definitely a page-turner and it is one of my new favorites!
I give The Compound by S.A. Bodeen 5 Monsters.
I would recommend this book to fans of dystopian.

Visit the S.A. Bodeen's website:
http://www.rockforadoll.com

My Summary of The Compound:
Eli and his two sisters have lived in The Compound for six years.  The Compound is a structure their millionaire father had built to keep them safe in the event a nuclear war. Oddly, Eli has been getting strange patches of internet connection.  Eli is starting to think his father is keeping something from his family, and that the world outside might not actually have suffered the fallout after a nuclear war.
Find out what happens in The Compound.

Here is the YouTube Trailer for The Compound~

“What is a turducken? An exclusive culinary creation available by special order from some little Cajun town down south. Entirely deboned, a turducken consists of a turkey, stuffed with duck, stuffed with a chicken, like an edible Russian nesting doll. Some were stuffed with alligator, crap, shrimp; my favorite was the traditional cornbread variety.” 
― S.A. Bodeen, The Compound