The Wig by Renata Suerth - Review from a Teen

The Wig by Renata Suerth
Crazy Summer, Book 1
June 9, 2012

An embarrassing underwear incident? A lesson on a runaway bike? Grandma's wig at the fire department?

These and lots of other adventures await ten-year-old Sofie, whose life is pretty ordinary until she finds out that in two weeks her family has to move in with her grandma - not her favorite grandma - her other grandma.

While Sofie tries to adjust to her new life in Wisconsin, she gets into many humorous predicaments with her wacky, eccentric grandma and learns the tough truth about her family. She must also find time to impress the cute neighbor.

Will she keep herself out of trouble long enough to figure out the shocking reasons for the sudden move? Maybe. Will she have fun along the way? Definitely!

Review from Krazy Book GIRL:

The Wig by Renata Suerth is a middle grade novel about a girl who goes to live with her crazy grandmother. Her grandmother has been wearing the same style of wig for at least twenty years and is not too keen on the idea on giving it up. Sofie gets into many sticky situations including setting the house on fire, almost losing her sister and running down the street in her underwear! She learns a lot, from crushes on the boy next door to having to say good bye to her best friend. She definitely has some ups and downs. 

The characters have very distinct personalities that are well explained. While reading, I felt like I knew the characters personally. It was like being a part of the family. The 10 year old in me loved this book. This is exactly the kind of book that I loved as a tween and still enjoy from time to time. I would recommend this book to anyone from the ages of 9-12 or anyone looking to relive their childhood for a little while. (: 

About the author:

I was born in the Czech Republic (Czechoslovakia back then)and we lived with my grandmother. She did wear a wig and was the inspiration for the novel. My family immigrated to the States in 1980.

The highlight of my life was meeting author/humorist David Sedaris and getting his autograph. He wrote, "To a foxy Czech..." If I wasn't married already, I would have proposed to David on the spot. The fact that I'm a woman is irrelevant.

I was a high-school teacher and an avid reader until I became a full-time mom. Now all I do is change diapers.

I live in the Chicago area with my husband, our three small kids and a French Bulldog named Zoe.

I have a Bachelor's degree from the Univ. of Illinois (in Champaign) and a teaching certificate from Elmhurst College. I would have a Master's degree from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago had I finished that pesky thesis. My current status is ABT (all-but-thesis). I also studied at the Sorbonne in Paris.

Find out more on Twitter and Facebook.

Who is Krazy Book Girl? 

The 16-year-old daughter of Krazy Book Lady! You may see much more of her soon.  

Writing From a Child's Point of View - K.G. Wehner - Kindle Fire Giveaway

Dr. Von Thistle's Curious Concoction: The Miss-Adventures of Amy & Tracy
by K.G. Wehner

It’s 1958. Eleven-year-old cousins Amy and Tracy Cimino are burdened by pounding drums only they can hear. Amy feels it’s linked to her recent nightmare. Although Amy often has dreams that come true, Tracy isn’t worried. She’s much too busy coming up with a talent she can showcase on a popular radio show.

When a well-known scientist shows up at their mothers’ big gala, all their guests are smitten with him. Except Amy, who feels he is the man in her nightmare. Tracy thinks Amy is making a big deal out of nothing. What would a famous scientist want with ordinary ol’ them?

Except Amy and Tracy are anything but ordinary. They can speak with each other telepathically. And while Amy predicts the future through dreams, Tracy discovers she has her own amazing talent…one she can’t share with the world. In trying to escape the evil scientist who is intent on kidnapping them, they find time portals that send Amy to the future while Tracy becomes stuck in the past.

Amy’s nightmare does seem to be coming true after all. Can they escape the evil scientist once and for all, or might they be trapped in different time periods separated from each other forever?

Add on Goodreads, and buy on Smashwords or Amazon.

Writing from a Child’s Point of View

by K.G. Wehner

When my sister and I were four and five respectively, we morphed into characters we named Amy and Tracy, even invented their history. Thanks to our mother allowing us to watch a movie where a person is swallowed by quicksand, Tracy’s mother met the same fate. Amy’s mother died from a heart attack walking in a forest. The motherless girls were sent to an orphanage and adopted by abusive parents. Finally, after being returned to the orphanage for noncompliance, both girls found a home with two rich sisters who lived together in a mansion. (Years later my mother admitted feeling concerned that we killed off our characters’ mothers and pretended that their adopted mothers treated them cruelly. She was relieved to know we didn’t need therapy.)

Since my sister and I were not up on American history as youngsters, we placed Amy and Tracy in the 1400’s, living in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (much to my Cousin Helen’s amusement). Their fathers were Vikings, we decided. That’s why they were never around. (No wonder their mothers were rich…all the pilfered gold and jewels!)

Of course, when I wrote my book many years later, I had to be historically accurate. I decided to use the year 1958. That way the characters could travel back or forward in time, and I could sneak a little history into the storyline. Other than that, I tried to keep the story as organic and honest to our childhood stories as possible.

I thought I’d managed to do it, but when I paid to have an agent critique my first ten pages at a writer’s conference, he said, “Your child characters sound too adult, and I can’t differentiate Amy from Tracy. They sound like the same person.”

That was my first of many “aha” moments. He was right. The kids spoke too formally. They were too similar. I spent the next few years learning how to be a child again. I gave my characters distinctive personalities. Tracy is the dreamer: impulsive, imaginative, and a little bit sloppy. Amy is the thinker: a planner, likes things tidy, and follows through on the goals she sets for herself. Together, they can solve any problem.

Being an adult means being creative in a different way. I have to invent ways to get my kids to finish their carrots and devise clever methods to make brushing teeth and putting on pajamas fun. I still have to think like a kid, but I do it in spurts. When it comes to writing a story from a child’s point of view, I have to dig deep into my memory to find the child inside of me that longs for adventures. I think that’s what I like about writing for kids. I can return to that place where I felt the most happy, loved, and secure. I can relive the days when my sister and I would pretend to be two adopted kids, every possibility a road leading to who knew where, every day a fresh opportunity for imagination. 

Connect with K.G. Wehner on Twitter and Facebook.

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Nate Rocks the Boat by Karen Pokras Toz - Character Guest Post & Kindle Fire Giveaway

Nate Rocks the Boat
by Karen Pokras Toz
Grand Daisy Press
April 20, 2012

The Adventure Continues...With fourth grade finally winding down, 10-year-old Nathan Rockledge is looking forward to a fun and relaxing summer at home with his friends. That is, until his mom decides he has to go to overnight camp with his annoying older sister. When his best friend, Tommy, decides to tag along, Nathan thinks maybe his summer won’t actually be so bad. After all, he does get to be away from his mom's awful cooking for an entire six weeks. Amongst Color War competitions, a flaky counselor, and a bully named "No-Neck,” Nathan turns to his trusty sketchpad, transforming himself into Nate Rocks: 10-year-old extraordinaire. His speedboat ready for action, Nate saves the day time and again from the perils of floods, snakes, ghosts, and even the most wanted criminals. Join Nathan, Tommy, Abby, and a whole new cast of characters as Nate Rocks once again proves nothing can hold him back.

See my review of Nate Rocks the Boat. 

Add on Goodreads, and buy on Smashwords or Amazon.

What Would I Change About My Story
Character Guest Post from Nate
by Karen Pokras Toz

My author, Karen Pokras Toz, has asked me to pick one thing to change about my story, Nate Rocks the Boat. But honestly, there are just too many things to pick from.  It’s not that I don’t like my story – I do. It’s just that, there are some things in there that I could definitely do without – let’s go down the list: 

1.     Lisa Crane. Was it really necessary to bring my Mom’s best friend’s annoying daughter into the story again? Wasn’t it bad enough that she was in the first book, Nate Rocks the World? Not only that, but you had her come to my going away party where she causes me both physical harm and emotional distress. Yeah – not happy about that one. At least you didn’t have her tag along with me to summer camp, but as long as we’re on the topic ... 

2.     Abby. Yup – you know what I’m talking about. You made my know-it-all whiny older sister go to the same overnight summer camp as me. Talk about mean! Why couldn’t she have just stayed home with Lisa Crane? Ever since the horseshoe incident at my party, they’ve practically been best friends. They would have had a great summer together. Instead, I got stuck with Abby. Thanks. 

3.     Camp.  Now overall, I have to admit I had a great summer. But there were a few things I could have done without – kickball games, color war, and no-neck to name a few.

But just so you don’t think I’m a totally ungrateful ten-year-old, I do want to thank you for sending Tommy along with me – plus the food was really good. Oh and can we talk about Bobino for a minute? He totally rocks! Confused? Well get yourself a copy of Nate Rocks the Boat and see for yourself! 

About the author:

Karen Pokras Toz is a writer, wife, and mom. Karen grew up in the small town of Orange, Connecticut and graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Finance. She also attended the University of Richmond, where she studied law and business, receiving both a JD and an MBA. Karen is a member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Karen lives in Montgomery County, PA with her husband and three children.   

You can find out more about Karen Pokras Toz and how to connect with her on her website. 

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Flying the Dragon by Natalie Dias Lorenzi - Giveaway

Flying the Dragon 
by Natalie Dias Lorenzi
July 1, 2012 by Charlesbridge

American-born Skye knows very little of her Japanese heritage. Her father taught her to speak the language, but when their estranged Japanese family, including Skye's grandfather, suddenly move to the United States, Skye must be prepared to give up her All-Star soccer dreams to take Japanese lessons and to help her cousin, Hiroshi adapt to a new school. Hiroshi, likewise, must give up his home and his hopes of winning the rokkaku kite-fighting championship with Grandfather. Faced with language barriers, culture clashes and cousin rivalry, Skye and Hiroshi have a rocky start. But a greater shared loss brings them together. They learn to communicate, not only through language, but through a common heritage and sense of family honor. At the rokkaku contest at the annual Washington Cherry Blossom Festival, Hiroshi and Skye must work as a team in order to compete with the best.

Add on Goodreads and buy on Barnes & Noble.

Giveaway:

One winner will receive a SIGNED copy of Flying the Dragon by Natalie Dias Lorenzi, a bookmark and a set of chopsticks.

How to enter:

Be a follower of Krazy Book Lady in whatever way you choose. Then fill out the form below.

Additional optional entries:

+1 Follow Natalie on Twitter.  

+1 Like Flying the Dragon on Facebook.

+1 "Fan" or friend Natalie on Goodreads. 

Giveaway Details:

This giveaway is open US only. Giveaway is open until midnight EST on June 28. Must be 13 or older to enter. Winner will be emailed, and this blog post will be updated to reflect the winner. Winner will have three days to respond, or a new winner will be selected.

Sorry! This giveaway is now over.

Winner: Krista B.

One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt - Review & Giveaway

One for the Murphys 
by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

May 10, 2012 by Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin Group for Young Readers)

A moving debut novel about a foster child learning to open her heart to a family's love

Carley uses humor and street smarts to keep her emotional walls high and thick. But the day she becomes a foster child, and moves in with the Murphys, she's blindsided. This loving, bustling family shows Carley the stable family life she never thought existed, and she feels like an alien in their cookie-cutter-perfect household. Despite her resistance, the Murphys eventually show her what it feels like to belong--until her mother wants her back and Carley has to decide where and how to live. She's not really a Murphy, but the gifts they've given her have opened up a new future.

My Review:

Carley has just been released from the hospital and has to go stay with a foster family because her mother is still there. At first, we are not sure of the circumstances that put Carley and her mother in the hospital. However, it is obvious that Carley has not had the easiest childhood. For most of it, she had been raised by a single mom who isn't the most stable, caring person. Carley is expecting a foster family that is going to mistreat her, and she is caught by surprise when she meets the Murphys. Okay, so maybe not all of the Murphys are so excited that she is there at first. Carley is closed off emotionally and has a hard time trusting others, but she soon knows what it is like to be a part of a family who actually cares about each other. Just when Carley starts to feel as if she belongs, she learns that her mother is being released from the hospital and wants her back.

I loved One for the Murphys. Yes, it is sad. I cried throughout the entire ending of the book. However, it is so much more than just a sad story. It is a touching story of belonging, acceptance, love, hope, and what really defines a "family." Lynda Mullaly Hunt has done an outstanding job of portraying emotions and easily pulls you in. Carley was the perfect character. Even if she is a rude kid with a hard outer shell, she has a reason to be that way. You can easily understand her, relate to her, and feel for her. This kind of story could have easily felt like an "after school special" kind of thing, but it didn't. This isn't a fast-paced book either, but it doesn't matter because you are still engaged to the end. This is an amazing debut, and I look forward to reading future novels from Lynda. While it is geared toward middle grade/young adult, I think anyone from about 12 and up would enjoy One for the Murphys.

A copy was provided by the publisher for review.

About the author:

Lynda Mullaly Hunt is a former teacher and Scenario Writing coach. She is active in SCBWI-NE, where she is the Director of the annual Whispering Pines Writers' Retreat in Rhode Island. Besides reading and writing, Lynda enjoys juggling and watercolor painting--but not at the same time. She lives in Connecticut with her husband, two kids, impetuous beagle, and beagle-loathing cat. She is now working on her next middle-grade novel.

You can find out more about Lynda on her website. 


Giveaway:
One winner will receive a *signed* copy of One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt.

How to enter:
Be a follower of Krazy Book Lady in whatever way you choose. Then fill out the form below. 

Additional optional entries:
+1 Follow Lynda Mullaly Hunt on Twitter.
+1 "Fan" Lynda Mullaly Hunt on Goodreads.
+1 Like One for the Murphys on Facebook.

Giveaway details:
Giveaway is open US only. This giveaway will run until midnight EST on May 30th. Must be 13 or older to enter. Winner will be chosen using Random.org. Winner will be emailed, and this blog post will be updated to include the name of the winner. Winner has 3 days to contact me or a new winner will be selected.

Sorry! This giveaway is now over.

Winner: Heather P.

Nate Rocks the Boat by Karen Pokras Toz - Review

Nate Rocks the Boat 

by Karen Pokras Toz

Published April 2012 by Grand Daisy Press

The Adventure Continues...
With fourth grade finally winding down, 10-year-old Nathan Rockledge is looking forward to a fun and relaxing summer at home with his friends. That is, until his mom decides he has to go to overnight camp with his annoying older sister. When his best friend, Tommy, decides to tag along, Nathan thinks maybe his summer won’t actually be so bad. After all, he does get to be away from his mom's awful cooking for an entire six weeks. Amongst Color War competitions, a flaky counselor, and a bully named "No-Neck,” Nathan turns to his trusty sketchpad, transforming himself into Nate Rocks: 10-year-old extraordinaire. His speedboat ready for action, Nate saves the day time and again from the perils of floods, snakes, ghosts, and even the most wanted criminals. Join Nathan, Tommy, Abby, and a whole new cast of characters as Nate Rocks once again proves nothing can hold him back.

My Review:

Nate Rocks is back and at it again. This time he is at summer camp, and he is experiencing a lot of new, real-life adventures along with his imaginary adventures.

It is rare to find a book directed toward middle grade boys, and Karen Pokras Toz has done an excellent job bringing Nate to life once again. The trials and triumphs of summer camp are described perfectly and with a lot of humor. Kids will easily lose themselves in this book and feel like they are right there at camp with Nate. Along with all of the imagination and adventures, Karen also portrays a beautiful message of friendship. I would definitely recommend this book and this series, and I am looking forward to Nate's next adventure.

A copy was provided by the author for review.

About the author:

Karen Pokras Toz is a writer, wife, and mom. Karen grew up in the small town of Orange, Connecticut and graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Finance. She also attended the University of Richmond, where she studied law and business, receiving both a JD and an MBA. Karen is a member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Karen lives in Montgomery County, PA with her husband and three children.   

You can find out more about Karen Pokras Toz and how to connect with her on her website.  

Check out my review of the first NATE ROCKS book, Nate Rocks the World. 

Giveaway: Nate Rocks by Karen Pokras Toz

This giveaway is part of the Children's Book Week Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, KidLitFrenzy, Classic Children's Books, and Mymcbooks. There are a lot of great blogs participating in this hop. After you enter here, hop over and enter their giveaways too.

While you are here, please check out my other giveaways. They can be located in the right sidebar.

My Giveaway:
One winner will receive both books in the NATE ROCKS series by Karen Pokras Toz!

Nate Rocks the World
Book #1 

Ten-year-old Nathan Rockledge cannot catch a break. After all, life as a fourth-grader can be hazardous - what with science projects to deal with and recess football games to avoid. Everyone, including his best friend Tommy, seems to have bad luck when hanging around Nathan. Throw in an older sister who is a royal pain, a dad who is stuck in the past, and a mom who keeps trying to poison him with her awful cooking, and poor Nathan's life as a fourth-grader appears to be completely doomed. Armed only with his sketchpad, his imagination, and his wits, Nathan Rockledge navigates the perils of the fourth grade in style, to emerge heroic, as Nate Rocks, proving that even a ten-year-old can accomplish great things. 

Please see my review of Nate Rocks the World.

Nate Rocks the Boat

Book #2 

The Adventure Continues...With fourth grade finally winding down, 10-year-old Nathan Rockledge is looking forward to a fun and relaxing summer at home with his friends. That is, until his mom decides he has to go to overnight camp with his annoying older sister. When his best friend, Tommy, decides to tag along, Nathan thinks maybe his summer won’t actually be so bad. After all, he does get to be away from his mom's awful cooking for an entire six weeks. Amongst Color War competitions, a flaky counselor, and a bully named "No-Neck,” Nathan turns to his trusty sketchpad, transforming himself into Nate Rocks: 10-year-old extraordinaire. His speedboat ready for action, Nate saves the day time and again from the perils of floods, snakes, ghosts, and even the most wanted criminals. Join Nathan, Tommy, Abby, and a whole new cast of characters as Nate Rocks once again proves nothing can hold him back.

Please see my review of Nate Rocks the Boat.

How to enter: 

Just be a follower of Krazy Book Lady in whatever way you choose. Then fill out the form below.

Additional optional entries (for a total of 6 entries):

+1 Follow Karen Pokras Toz on Twitter.

+1 Like Karen Pokras Toz on Facebook.

+1 "Fan" Karen Pokras Toz on Goodreads.

+1 Add Nate Rocks the World and Nate Rocks the Boat to your shelf on Goodreads.

+1 Leave a comment on any blog post. ("Thanks for the giveaway" type comments will not count as an entry.) 

Giveaway details:

Giveaway is open internationally. Winner will receive print books if in the US or Canada or will receive e-copies if international. This giveaway will run until midnight EST on May 13th. Must be 13 or older to enter. Winner will be chosen using Random.org. Winner will be emailed, and this blog post will be updated to include the name of the winner. Winner has 3 days to contact me or a new winner will be selected. 

Sorry! This giveaway is now over.

Winner: Melissa C.

On Writing: Why Kids are the Best Inspiration - Guest Post by Karen Pokras Toz, Author of Nate Rocks

On Writing: Why Kids are the Best Inspiration

Guest Post by Karen Pokras Toz, author of Nate Rocks the World and Nate Rocks the Boat

I love hearing about where authors get their inspirations for their work. Often it’s something they’ve heard on the news or something that is happening with a friend or at work. One thing that most authors agree on: inspiration is all around us.

For me, inspiration comes mostly from my children. I tell people all the time that Nate Rocks is basically my three kids all rolled into one. But where do I come up with the ideas for the actual stories?

If you have read my blog, or know me personally, you know I spend the first few weeks of June packing and labeling in preparation to send my two oldest children to overnight camp for a month. I think we are going on our fifth summer of this routine - honestly, I’ve lost count, but let’s just say I’ve labeled a lot of underwear over the past few years!!

When it came time to start thinking about the second Nate Rocks book, I had to make a decision - did I want to keep going with 4th grade theme or did I want to try something different? I was in the process of the above-mentioned folding and labeling when I thought: Nate should go to camp too!

I began the process of remembering all of the stories I had heard over the years, as well as my own experiences at camp (although, mine were limited to day camp, not overnight camp.) Before I knew it, I had a book full of fun camp adventures – staring Nate Rocks, of course! Thanks kids for all the great stories – keep them coming!

About the author:

Karen Pokras Toz is a writer, wife, and mom. Karen grew up in the small town of Orange, Connecticut and graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Finance. She also attended the University of Richmond, where she studied law and business, receiving both a JD and an MBA. Karen is a member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Karen lives in Montgomery County, PA with her husband and three children.

You can find out more about Karen Pokras Toz and how to connect with her on her website.

Please see my reviews of Nate Rocks the World and Nate Rocks the Boat.

You can also check out Karen's previous guest post.

Whisper by Alyson Noel - Review

Whisper by Alyson Noël

Riley Bloom series, #4

Published: April 24, 2012

Publisher: Square Fish

This time, Riley might really have bitten off more than she’s ready for. After practically begging the Council for a more challenging Soul Catch, she is assigned an actual Roman gladiator—Theocoles, the Pillar of Doom. How is Riley, a skinny twelve-year-old, supposed to get through to him? Then she meets the beautiful Messalina, who convinces her that her only chance is to become part of this world. To accomplish this, Messalina helps Riley through a dramatic, mystical makeover, transforming her into the beautiful and mature teen she’s always wanted to be. Finally, Riley can experience her first boyfriend and her first kiss. With a dream this enchanting, will she ever want to leave?

My Review:
Riley Bloom is a soul catcher, and her latest assignment is her most challenging one. How is 12 year old Riley supposed to be any match for Theocoles, who is a Roman gladiator referred to as the Pillar of Doom. Many soul catchers have went before her and not found their way out. Riley soon meets Messalina, who says that she is going to help Riley find a way to get Theocoles. But is Messalina really helping? She does make Riley's innermost wishes come true. Riley gets to experience what it would be like to be a teenager and have a boyfriend. Riley is soon caught up in their world and is so happy living her dreams.

Whisper is such a sweet novel. I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. This is the first Riley Bloom novel that I have read even though it is the 4th one in the series. I did have some questions about things which may be explained more in the previous books in the series, but I do not think they are necessary to read to enjoy Whisper. Riley is such a likeable character and easy to relate to, and Alyson's writing style is engaging and easy to read. I have only read one other novel by Alyson Noel (I really didn't read much YA or MG before starting the blog), and I must say that it was not my favorite (but that's just me). Whisper has restored my faith in Alyson Noel, so to speak, and I will not have to think twice about picking up another novel by her. In fact, I would love to read the rest of the Riley Bloom series. Some parts were a little heavy on the blood and gore (this is gladiators, after all), so that may be something to think about for younger readers. However, I would recommend this as a great read for upper MG, lower YA, or for anyone who enjoys reading MG/YA.

A copy was provided by the publisher for review.

About the author:

Alyson Noël is the #1 New York Times best selling, award-winning, author of FAKING 19, ART GEEKS AND PROM QUEENS, LAGUNA COVE, FLY ME TO THE MOON, KISS & BLOG, SAVING ZOË, CRUEL SUMMER, FOREVER SUMMER (a LAGUNA COVE/CRUEL SUMMER 2-in-1), the IMMORTALS series including: EVERMORE, BLUE MOON, SHADOWLAND, DARK FLAME, NIGHT STAR, and EVERLASTING, the IMMORTALS spin-off, RILEY BLOOM series including RADIANCE, SHIMMER, DREAMLAND, & WHISPER (04.26.12), with short stories appearing in the anthologies FIRST KISS (THEN TELL), KISSES FROM HELL, & DEAR BULLY. She is currently working on a new series for teens, SOUL SEEKERS, including: FATED, ECHO, MYSTIC, & HORIZON. Book 1, FATED, is set to debut in May 2012.

You can find out more about Alyson Noël on her website.

Cobble Cavern by Erik Olsen - Review

Cobble Cavern by Erik Olsen

Book 1 of the Flin's Destiny Series

Expected publication: April 10, 2012

Publisher: Cedar Fort

What starts out to be a fun field trip to Ireland for Flin and his school debate team turns into a life changing adventure when their bus ends up in an earthquake. Flin and his teammates get swallowed deep into the earth and become trapped under the ocean inside a clear dome where they discover an unknown civilization. Now they must fight their way back to the surface if they ever want to see home again. Join Flin and his classmates on a journey of a lifetime in this thrilling adventure story.

Kayla's Review:

Cobble Cavern is the first in a series of five middle grade novels written by Jon Erik Olsen. It, along with the next two books in the series, was originally self-published and is now being published by Cedar Fort Books. It follows the adventures of Flin Newby, his teachers, his classmates, and their bus driver after they are trapped underneath the earth during a field trip to Ireland for an international debate competition.

Flin Newby is poor. He is so poor that the only birthday present that he has ever received is an heirloom ring from his father when he turned thirteen. Despite his family’s severe lack of money, Flin is able to work after school and save enough money to go to Ireland with his school’s debate team. On the last day of the trip, the tour bus falls into a crevice in a cave. They find themselves in a strange underground world where their survival is questionable at each turn. This new environment is filled with snazzards, grimgoblins, and dangerous plants, but also new friends.

I found Cobble Cavern to be a creative and fun read. The world and situations that Erik Olsen created were interesting, thrilling, and quite unique. There were times that I was on the edge of my seat, so to speak, and glued to the book because I could not wait to find out what happened to the group. It was filled with monsters, nasty antagonists among the group, and fascinating world that I could see vividly in my mind from Olsen’s wonderfully descriptive writing.

There were only two things that detracted from my enjoyment of the story. The first was the over-abundance of characters and the manner in which they were written. The main characters were fun and had distinct personalities, but the secondary characters tended to blend together. Several characters popped up throughout the story for various plot points, and I had no idea who they were or what they contributed to the story as a whole. I think fewer characters with speaking roles who were described more clearly could have been more effective in the book. My other issue was the brutality in a few scenes. I will grant that it was used for character development and to progress the story, but it made me extremely uncomfortable. The story is listed as Middle Grade, but I would definitely only recommend it to older MG or the younger end portion of the YA audience.

Overall, this was one of my favorite recent Middle Grade reads. Erik Olsen has created an enjoyable world, and it is a series that I look forward to continuing.

A copy was provided by the publisher for review.

About the author:

Jon Erik Olsen lives in Sandy, Utah, where he enjoys the mountains and is surrounded by a great family and friends that have continued to support him throughout his writing quest. After having one of the world's craziest dreams, he has written a series of five books detailing it called Flin’s Destiny, which is full of continuous action and adventure deep in the earth and keeps you wanting more.

You can find out more on the Flin's Destiny Facebook page and the Book Poster page. 

 Click here to see the rest of the tour stops.

Crater Lake by Steve Westover - Review

Crater Lake: Battle for Wizard Island by Steve Westover
Expected publication: March 13, 2012
Publisher: Sweetwater Books, an imprint of Cedar Fort

While visiting his crazy Uncle Bart at Crater Lake National Park, thirteen-year-old Ethan's world collapses when all the adults at Crater Lake disappear, including his parents. Now Ethan must rally his new friends and decipher the legends of Crater Lake to find the key to rescuing his parents from their earthen prison before he's captured too and their captivity becomes permanent.

My review:
Five kids are left on their own in Crater National Park when everyone over the age of 16 is swallowed up by the ground. Ethan, Jordan (Ethan's little sister), Brady, Allie, and Jacob must go to some extraordinary measures led by an unlikely source to save everyone by a certain time or they will be trapped forever.

Crater Lake started off a little confusing for me. I had trouble following what was going on and all of the different characters. After the initial part, the story progresses smoothly and has a lot of twists and turns to grab your attention. Some of the children don't like each other, and other ones don't even know each other, but they have to learn how to get along and work together to save the adults and themselves. Along the way, they have to test their physical and mental limitations and figure out what they can believe and who they can trust. Steve Westover has created a world that is very imaginative and full of adventure and mystery. Overall, I think it is a good book for older middle-grade and the younger YA readers.

A copy was provided by the publisher for review.
 
About the author:
Steve Westover has always enjoyed writing, but he had never even considered writing a novel until one morning he woke up with the idea for some characters in his mind. He was curious if he could write a book so he thought he would give it a shot as an experiment.

After a long process of writing, nearly giving up mid-way through, editing, shopping for a publisher, changing the title and editing some more, his first book, Defensive Tactics, is being published through Cedar Fort on the Bonneville Books imprint, and will be in stores in August 2010.

Crater Lake: Battle for Wizard Island is his second book and was written with his oldest daughter and son in mind. They are avid readers who turned him on to books like Fablehaven and Percy Jackson and the Olympians, which he really enjoys. So, as a father trying to please his children, he wrote Crater Lake for them. 

You can find out more about Steve Westover and Crater Lake on his site, blog, and the Book Poster page.

 Click here to see the rest of the stops on the tour.

The Boy Project by Kami Kinard - Review, Guest Post, & Giveaway

The Boy Project by Kami Kinard
Published: January 2012
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.

For anyone who's ever felt that boys were a different species....

Thirteen and wildly creative, Kara McAllister just had her best idea yet. She's going to take notes on all of the boys in her grade (and a few elsewhere) in order to answer a seemingly simple question: How can she get a boyfriend?
But Kara's project turns out to be a lot more complicated than she imagined. Soon there are secrets, lies, and an embarrassing incident in the boy's bathroom. Plus, Kara has to deal with mean girls, her slightly spacey BFF, and some surprising uses for duct tape. Still, if Kara's research leads her to the right boy, everything may just be worth it...

Full of charts and graphs, heart and humor, this hilarious debut will resonate with tweens everywhere.

My review:
Kara is the only one of the girls in her grade who has never had a boyfriend, so she decides to take steps to change that. Kara starts taking notes on the boys in her class and sometimes even the cute guy at the mall. She also starts taking notes on the girls in her class, including "Maybelline" and "The Vine," who always seem to have guys interested in them. Kara's project doesn't quite go as she anticipated, and she ends up getting herself into some embarrassing situations because of it. But along the way, she learns a lot and makes some important realizations.

I found The Boy Project to be hilarious. Several times I would read something funny out loud to my teenage daughter, who then grabbed the book to read as soon as I was done with it. It was truly like taking a trip back to junior high school. I think we all knew a "Maybelline" (the girl who always wore way too much makeup) and "The Vine" (the one who was always hanging all over the guys). Kami Kinard has written characters that are easy to relate to and has really captured the awkwardness of middle school/junior high. The charts and graphs were cute and funny and really enhanced the book. Usually the use of multiple exclamation marks bothers me, but it works here. This is an excellent book. I would recommend it for tweens, teens and adults who enjoy MG fiction (and maybe want to reminisce a little).

This copy was reviewed as part of a traveling tour.

Guest post by Kami Kinard
Where’s the Fact in Fiction?

Everyone who’s read an interview with me already knows that I got the idea for writing THE BOY PROJECT while reading my own middle school diaries. But THE BOY PROJECT is a work of fiction. Nothing in the book happens exactly the way things happened in my own middle school life. Still, authors draw on their own experiences, and there are several scenes in the book that were based on my actual tween experiences. These scenes, however, have been fictionalized. I like to call this “ramping it up.” Because in most cases, fiction needs to be bigger, better, and more interesting than what really happens to us!

I thought it’d be fun to create a fact and fiction list to show how reality morphed into fiction.

FICTION: Kara is in 7^th grade and has never had a boyfriend, but everyone else has.

FACT: I had never had a boyfriend in the 7^th grade, (or the 8^th, or the 9^th) but there were lots of other girls who hadn’t either, so I was not alone. I had to make Kara seem like she was the only one in that category to make her situation seem more desperate.


FICTION: In the drawing of Kara’s family, her dad is wearing bargain shoes made of bright green suede and a bow-tie. Kara’s comment implies that he wears a bow tie all of the time.

FACT: I never saw my dad in a bow tie, unless he was wearing a tuxedo. But he definitely had a pair of bright green suede shoes. My brother and sister got a big kick out of seeing that in the book, because we all remember those shoes. (There are some things you don’t need to ramp up because they’re already pretty funny!)

FICTION: During history class, the boy sitting behind Dianna Leroy puts tiny pieces of paper in her curly hair, so that the back of her head looks as white as snow. This later creates a distraction just when Kara needs it.

FACT: I had very curly hair and this happened to me, but instead of creating a distraction when I needed it, it turned a lot of unwanted attention my way. I recently signed a book for the niece of the boy who put those little pieces of paper in my hair… I asked her to tell him thanks for the scene!


FICTION: Mrs. Hill asks the students to write a descriptive paragraph about someone in the room and then she takes them up and reads them aloud in front of everyone. The problem is, the students didn’t know their work was going to be read aloud! This is how Kara finds out that her crush likes her back!

FACT: My English teacher did this to us. There was a boy in the room who liked one of my friends and he wrote a paragraph about her sexy voice. He also described her hair, so everyone knew who he was talking about. But my friend was very shy, and she wanted to crawl under the desk when she heard this read aloud. The boy was pretty embarrassed too. They did not end up together!


So, I’ve just run through some of the tiny scenes from my book that were grounded in reality. Most of the scenes in THE BOY PROJECT, however, were completely made up. Yet there is one big thing in the novel that was not made up at all: Kara’s feelings. When I was in middle school, I felt the way Kara does about friends and wanting a boyfriend. A lot of middle school girls who have read the book tell me that they identify with Kara and they feel like she understands them. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to hear this, because I know that for these girls, I kept the feelings real.


About the author:
Before she’d finished seventh grade, Kami Kinard had written several books. Most people call these books diaries. Without the details garnered from these early works, The Boy Project might not have been born! A former high school teacher, Kami currently writes from balmy, buggy, and beautiful Beaufort SC where she lives with her husband and two children.

You can find Kami on KamiKinard.com, Nerdy Chicks Rule, Twitter, and Facebook.





Giveaway:
1 winner will receive a copy of The Boy Project by Kami Kinard.

How to enter:
Leave your name and email in the form below.

Optional Additional Entries:
+1 Follow Krazy Book Lady on Twitter and/or like on Facebook.
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Giveaway Details:
Giveaway is U.S. ONLY. This giveaway will run until midnight EST on February 25. Must be 13 or older to enter. Winner will be chosen using Random.org. Winner will be emailed and this blog post will be updated to include the name of the winner. Winner has 3 days to contact me or a new winner will be selected.

Thank you for entering and good luck!

Sorry! This giveaway is now closed.

Winner: Paige B.

Noah Zarc by D. Robert Pease - Review & Giveaway

Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble by D. Robert Pease
Published: August 2011
Published by: Walking Stick Books

My review:
Noah and his family live aboard a huge spaceship, called the ARC, that they use to house the many animals (two of each) that they are saving. To save them, they go back in time and capture the animals before the catastrophic event occurred that destroyed the Earth. Noah's family are the only ones legally allowed to time travel. However, someone else shows up during one of the missions and kidnaps Noah's mom, and his dad is stranded in the Ice Age and cannot return. Noah and his older brother and sister must travel back in time to rescue their dad. Then they have to figure out a way to find their mom, and they have to save the Earth from being destroyed again while doing it.

I normally do not read science fiction, but I think Noah Zarc may have changed my mind about the genre. I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it so much. The story has played on Noah's Arc in a whole new way. It is well written, and Noah is just an awesome kid. D. Robert Pease is obviously intelligent, and it shows in his writing. The only downside is that I was confused with a lot of the time travel and had a hard time keeping up with who was where. Also, I am pretty sure there was a reference to Area 51, which would probably have went completely over the heads of most kids. I think older Middle Grade readers and the younger YA readers would enjoy the fun and fantasy of Noah Zarc, as would the adults who enjoy the YA novels (like me).

A copy was provided by the author for review.

Blog Tour Notes

OVERVIEW

Noah lives for piloting spaceships through time, dodging killer robots and saving Earth's animals from extinction.

Life couldn't be better.

But the twelve-year-old time traveler learns it could be a whole lot worse. His mom is kidnapped and taken to Mars; his dad is stranded in the Ice Age; and Noah is attacked at every turn by a foe bent on destroying Earth... for the second time.

Get your copy today by visiting Amazon.com (available in paperback or as an eBook) or the online retailer of your choice (more links below).

CASH PRIZES

Guess what? You could win a $50 Amazon gift card as part of this special blog tour. That’s right! Just leave a comment below saying something about the post you just read, and you’ll be entered into the raffle. I could win $50 too by having the most comments. So tell your friends to stop by and comment on this post too!

GIVEAWAY

Win 1 of 5 copies of the paperback version of Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble by entering the giveaway on GoodReads.


THE AUTHOR

D. Robert Pease has been interested in creating worlds since childhood. From building in the sandbox behind his house, to drawing fantastical worlds with paper and pencil, there has hardly been a time he hasn't been off on some adventure in his mind, to the dismay of parents and teachers alike. Also, since the moment he could read, books have consumed vast swaths of his life. From The Mouse and the Motorcycle, to The Lord of the Rings, worlds just beyond reality have called to him like Homer's Sirens. It's not surprising then he chose to write stories of his own. Each filled with worlds just beyond reach, but close enough we can all catch a glimpse of ourselves in the characters.

Discover ways to connect with the author by visiting his site at www.drobertpease.com

BOOK TRAILER




THANK YOU! for visiting. And don't forget to comment below for that chance to win the $50 Amazon gift card. And of course head on over to your favorite online book store and buy a copy of Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble, for you or for the kids in your life.

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Guest Post by Karen Pokras Toz, author of Nate Rocks the World

Karen Pokras Toz, author of Nate Rocks the World, has been so kind as to provide us with a guest post about a day in the life of an author.

The smell of hot coffee wafts through my bedroom. I slowly open my eyes to see him standing next to the bed – tray in hand.

“I had cook prepare some crepes and coffee for you this morning,” he says lovingly – his blue eyes fixated on my every move. “I know you have a busy day today, so I also
scheduled a massage for you just after you get back from your lunch meeting at the Four Seasons.”

What? Your day doesn’t go like this? Oh wait – mine doesn’t either!

My mornings usually involve child and pet wrangling. I used to try to get up an hour before everyone else to get some writing in, but now that my youngest is in Kindergarten, I’ve been able to move my writing schedule to later in the day.

8:30 am is my magic number. That’s when the youngest of my three children get on the bus. It is then that I pour myself my second or third cup of coffee and sit down in front of my laptop – ready to temporarily hang up the mom hat and work as a publisher, author, and marketer. I hadn’t intended to be all three. I really only
intended to be an author, but somewhere along the way, I decided the other two were necessary, like it or not.

And so, for the next seven hours or so – I spend my time answering emails, tweeting, catching up on blog work, tweaking my website, making new contacts, advertising my book, taking care of the business end, and oh yeah – writing. There are days when I just have to stop everything else and remind myself that first and foremost – I need to write. After all, writing is what got me here in the first place.

When I first realized I would have seven hours to myself every day, I thought: Wow! I am going to get so much done! I’ll write books, I’ll get caught up on laundry, I’ll make fancy dinners every night – it’ll be great! The truth is (much to the dismay of my family) very little of that gets done. In the three months since I started my new schedule, I’ve woefully neglected the laundry and served my family the same old standby meals they’ve been eating for years.

Somehow – this little writing thing, turned out to be a lot of work - - - and I love every minute of it! So while there are no expensive lunches or spa appointments in my daily life, I wouldn’t trade what I do for anything. Dream big and rock on!

About the author:
Karen Pokras Toz is a writer, wife, and mom. Karen grew up in the small town of Orange, Connecticut and graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Finance. She also attended the University of Richmond, where she studied law and business, receiving both a JD and an MBA. Karen has spent the last several years working as a tax accountant, writing in numbers. She recently discovered a passion for writing with words. Karen enjoys gardening, cooking, and spending time with her husband and three children.

You can connect with Karen on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

Please see my review of Nate Rocks the World.

Review: Nate Rocks the World by Karen Pokras Toz

Nate Rocks the World by Karen Pokras Toz
Published: 2011
Published by: Grand Daisy Press

Ten-year-old Nathan Rockledge cannot catch a break. After all, life as a fourth-grader can be hazardous what with science projects to deal with and recess football games to avoid. Everyone, including his best friend Tommy, seems to have bad luck when hanging around Nathan. Throw in an older sister who is a royal pain, a dad who is stuck in the past, and a mom who keeps trying to poison him with her awful cooking, and poor Nathan’s life as a fourth grader appears to be completely doomed. Armed only with his sketchpad, his imagination, and his wits, Nathan Rockledge navigates the perils of the fourth grade in style, to emerge heroic, as Nate Rocks, proving that even a ten-year-old can accomplish great things. Follow the quirky and imaginative adventures of ten-year-old Nathan Rockledge as his cartoons come to life.

My thoughts:
Poor Nathan. He has a big sister who is a pain and a mom who cannot cook or sew but still insists on making his lunches and his Halloween costumes. He also has to put up with a science project partner who tells her mom everything, who then in turn tells his mom. Is it any wonder he likes to lose himself in his imagination and his sketching? Unfortunately for Nate, he doesn't always get good ideas when his cartoons come to life.

I found Nate Rocks the World to be cute and funny. It reminded me of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but without the illustrations. There is a surprise ending that I did not see coming. This book is geared for approximately ages 7 to 12. In some places, it may be just a little too detailed for the attention spans of the younger ones, and they may lose interest. However, overall, this is a great book to read with the kids in the younger range and for the older kids who enjoy chapter books. It would be very easy for kids this age to relate to Nate. Especially if they also have big imaginations. Wait, what kid doesn't?

You can connect with Karen on her website, Twitter and Facebook. 

A copy of this book was provided by the author.