Sky Jumpers Blog Tour - Review and Giveaway

SKY JUMPERS

by Peggy Eddleman

Random House Publishers

September 24, 2013

Audience: 4th to 8th Grade

Fiction * Dystopian/Postapocalyptic * Adventure

Description of the book from the publisher's page:
What happens when you can't do the one thing that matters most? Twelve-year-old Hope Toriella lives in White Rock, a town of inventors struggling to recover from the green bombs of World War III. But Hope is terrible at inventing and would much rather sneak off to cliff dive into the Bomb's Breath—the deadly band of compressed air that covers the crater left by the bombs—than fail at yet another invention. When bandits discover that White Rock has priceless antibiotics, they invade. With a two-day deadline to finish making this year's batch and no ingredients to make more, the town is left to choose whether to hand over the medicine and die from the disease that's run rampant since the bombs, or die fighting the bandits now. Help lies in a neighboring town, but the bandits count everyone fourteen and older each hour. Hope and her friends—Aaron and Brock—might be the only ones who can escape to make the dangerous trek through the Bomb's Breath and over the snow-covered mountain. Inventing won't help her make it through alive, but with Aaron and Brock's help, the daring and recklessness that usually gets her into trouble might just save them all.  

My thoughts on the book:
Recently, I asked a group of 9 to 11 year olds what they liked to read.  Nearly everyone in the group indicated books with action, and adventure.  Another thing that I have noticed is that Middle Grade readers are just as interested as teens in reading Dystopian or Post-apocalyptic novels, yet there are very few of these for this age group.

Debut author, Peggy Eddleman has created a post-apocalyptic novel about a community of people living in a world with the after effects of World War III and the "green bomb".  One of the results of the "green bomb" is something called "Bomb's Breath".  I am not certain that I can describe Bomb's Breath but the air quality of Bomb's Breath results in immediate death if someone were to breath it in. 

Eddleman concentrates on building her world and developing her characters in the initial part of the book.  One of the things that is a very high value to this community is the ability to invent or create.  Since WWIII happened, all the inventions especially technology and those items that required electricity have been lost.  In an effort to regain items, there are contests recognizing the best inventors.  Holly, the main character, does not have skills in inventing, but her friend Aaren is actually quite talented in this area.  What Holly is able to do is revealed throughout the story, as it is her skills that turn out to be quite important in saving the community.

It is always difficult to know how much to share and how much to allow readers to discover.  Eddleman has created a story and characters that will appeal especially to readers in the 4th and 5th grades.  I can see children wanting to be like Hope and wanting to save the day.  However, maybe a more important message is learning to appreciate what skills and talents you do have.  Additionally, I appreciated not only the main characters but the supporting community of characters.  There are few books that show a community of adults being caring and supportive.  Readers will enjoy when Holly, Aaren, and Brock set out on an adventure to help save their community.  And, though the book is the first in a series, it can also be read as a stand alone.

To share SKY JUMPERS with your own children or students start looking for it at your local public library or at you closest independent bookstore on September 24, 2013. 

For more information about author, Peggy Eddleman:

website | blog | facebook | twitter

SKY JUMPERS Blog Tour Stops

September 11^th: Taffy’s Candy
September 12^th: Smack Dab in the Middle
September 13^th: Once Upon a Story
September 14^th: Inky Elbows
September 15^th: Society of Young Inklings
September 16^th: Me, My Shelf & I
September 17^th: Kayla’s Reads and Reviews
September 18^th: The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia
September 19^th: Kid Lit Frenzy
September 19^th: Word Spelunking
September 21^st: The Mod Podge Bookshelf
September 22^nd: The Write Soil
September 23^rd: The Hiding Spot
September 23^rd: Literary Rambles
September 23^rd: Nerdy Book Club
September 24^th: OneFourKidLit

Thanks to Random House, readers will have a chance to win a copy of SKY JUMPERS by Peggy Eddleman. Please complete the Rafflecopter form below. The winner must have a U.S. mailing address and be 13 or older. a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Great Trouble Review & Blog Tour

Author: Deborah Hopkinson
Publisher: Knopf (September 10, 2013)
Source: Copy for Review
Audience: Grades 5th to 8th
Keywords: Historical Fiction, Europe, 1800's, Epidemics

Description of the book:
Eel has troubles of his own: As an orphan and a "mudlark," he spends his days in the filthy River Thames, searching for bits of things to sell. He's being hunted by Fisheye Bill Tyler, and a nastier man never walked the streets of London. And he's got a secret that costs him four precious shillings a week to keep safe. But even for Eel, things aren't so bad until that fateful August day in 1854—the day the Great Trouble begins. Mr. Griggs, the tailor, is the first to get sick, and soon it's clear that the deadly cholera—the "blue death"—has come to Broad Street. Everyone believes that cholera is spread through poisonous air. But one man, Dr. John Snow, has a different theory. As the epidemic surges, it's up to Eel and his best friend Florrie to gather evidence to prove Snow's theory before the entire neighborhood is wiped out. Part medical mystery, part survival story, and part Dickensian adventure, Deborah Hopkinson's The Great Trouble is a celebration of a fascinating pioneer in public health and a gripping novel about the 1854 London cholera epidemic. Backmatter includes an author's note, time line, and further reading suggestions.

My thoughts:
When I read a book, I have a checklist in my head to determine if I liked it and why.  The checklist for Deborah Hopkinson's newest book The Great Trouble would look a little like this:

      Historical Fiction that makes you want to know more about the subject.  -  check
      Description of the setting that makes you actually feel like you experienced it.  - check
      Characters that your care about and would want to know (or not).  -  check
      Mystery and intrigue.  - check
      Book that sucks you in and you can't put down.  -  check

Yes, this book has it all.  As a 5th grader, I would have been thoroughly fascinated with Eel (the main character), the setting of London in 1854, and what was happening at the time to the individuals of this city as a result of the Cholera epidemic.  I guess the adult me is still intrigued by the same things.  Since no one seems to have created a machine which would allow me to travel through time, I will have to travel to different time periods through books.   And when you think about it, travel through books has its advantages. 

In The Great Trouble, Hopkinson from the beginning paints a very real picture of life for the poor and working class of Victorian London.  It is really not a great place to be in some ways.  Most of the time there is not enough food or clean water.  The sewage and waste disposal system was - well non-existant, and it really was a smelly place.  Aside from making me appreciate modern bathrooms, plumbing, and sewers,  I was really thankful for my life versus the life of many people during that time period. 

Hopkinson then introduces readers to the very real concern of cholera and disease during that time period.   She also has created memorable fictional characters such as Eel, his best friend Florrie, Thumbless Jake, and Fisheye Bill Tyler, and paired them with the very real Dr. John Snow, Jane Weatherburn (Dr. Snow's housekeeper), and Rev. Henry Whitehead.   There are characters that you love, and ones that you will emotionally feel for, and ones that you just plain won't like.  It is the emotional connection to the characters that also fuels the readers interest in these individuals, and in their plight.

By adding in the race to discover what causes cholera as well as what is causing the spread of cholera, readers have a gripping story that will keep them reading.  At the end of the book, readers can learn more about the actual historical figures in the book by reading the author's note.  There is also a timeline, and additional resources to investigate.

Look for The Great Trouble at your local public library or pick up a copy at your community bookstore.  When possible, please consider an independent bookstore.   

Check out this Meet the Author video by AdLit:



Find out more information about author, Deborah Hopkinson visit her website:  www.deborahhopkinson.com

Consider pairing the picture book A Boy Called Dickens by Deborah Hopkinson (see my review here)  with The Great Trouble.  A Boy Called Dickens is set in a London, though a bit earlier than 1854, and the illustrations provide students with a visual and a sense of place for that time period.  Adult readers looking for more information about the Cholera Epidemic and Dr. John Snow might want to check out The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson. 

If you are interested in the Teacher's Guide, click here.

To visit all of the stops for The Great Trouble Blog Tour, see the schedule below:
September 10 – Sharp Read
September 11 – Librarian in Cute Shoes  
September 12 – Random Acts of Reading  
September 13 – Styling Librarian  
September 14 – Kidlit Frenzy  
September 15 – Busy Librarian  
September 16 – {Eat the Book} 
September 17 – Nerdy Book Club

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild Blog Tour and Giveaway

Peter Brown

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

ISBN: 9780316200639

Audience: Ages 4 to 8 years old

Description from Little, Brown:
Are you bored with being so proper?
 
Do you want to have more fun?
 
Mr. Tiger knows exactly how you feel. So he decides to go wild.
 
But does he go too far?
 
From Caldecott Honor artist Peter Brown comes a story that shows there's a time and place for everything...even going wild.

About the author/illustrator:
Peter Brown is the author and illustrator of many bestselling children's books, including Children Make Terrible Pets and The Curious Garden. He is the recipient of a Caldecott Honor for Creepy Carrots!, two E.B. White Read Aloud Awards, a New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book award, and a Children's Choice Award for Illustrator of the Year. Peter's website is www.peterbrownstudio.com

Artwork by Peter Brown ©2013

What Mr. Tiger Goes Wild inspires me to do:
I'm a big fan of Peter Brown's books and so excited to be celebrating Peter's newest book, Mr. Tiger Goes Wild.  I had a chance to see a copy of this book at ALA's Annual Conference in June and fell in love with it.  I have already placed this one on my Mock Caldecott list.  I would love to see a shiny medal on this book come January 2014.  

As part of the tour, I was asked to write about a time that "I went wild".  I stopped and thought, and thought some more and I realized that I do not really like to do anything too wild.  Probably one of the wildest things I have done is to decided to move 3,000 miles away from New England to Southern California.  But that isn't really wild. Some people move all the time.  So, then I thought some more, and a little more.

Last week, the wildest thing I did was to submit a proposal to present at IBBY's 34th International Congress in Mexico City in September 2014.  For those of you who travel outside of the United States regularly this may not be a big deal, but I don't venture out as much.  I spoke with a colleague of mine and asked her if she would join me.  Aside from the fact that she speaks fluent Spanish (a definite plus on a trip like this), I know that she will push me beyond my comfort zone.

Here's to celebrating Mr. Tiger Goes Wild and may we all do something a little wild today.

Important Details about the Blog Tour and Giveaway:
To celebrate the release of Peter Brown's Mr. Tiger Goes Wild, we have a blog tour scavenger hunt for you! Visit all the blogs listed below to collect 7 letters/characters. Unscramble the letters/characters to unlock the secret phrase. Each blog is giving away three copies of Mr. Tiger Goes Wild courtesy of Little, Brown Books and Jen Vincent at Teach Mentor Texts has a Mr. Tiger Goes Wild prize pack to give away. 

Collect all 7 letters/characters by stopping at each blog.  Here is one letter for you:

Stop by each blog to collect all of the letters/images needed to win a special prize pack on Teach Mentor Texts.

Jen at Teach Mentor Texts

Aly at Kid Lit Frenzy

Franki at A Year of Reading

Jen at Reederama

Katherine at Read, Write, Reflect

Laura at LibLaura5

Colby at SharpRead 

To enter the giveaway, you must have an US mailing address (no P.O. Boxes please).  You must be 13 years old or older to enter.  Thank you to Little, Brown for providing copies of Mr. Tiger Goes Wild for the giveaway.  There will be three winners picked, and each winner will receive a hardcover of Mr. Tiger Goes Wild.
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Sea Monster And the Bossy Fish Blog Tour - Giveaway & Interview with Kate Messner

When I was asked to participate in the Sea Monster and the Bossy Fish: Making Fishy Friends Blog Tour, I was thrilled.  I adore both Sea Monster's First Day and Sea Monster and the Bossy Fish.  And Kate Messner is an amazing author who writes picture books and early chapter books and middle grade novels and is one of my favorite authors.   Today, I am excited to welcome author, Kate Messner to Kid Lit Frenzy.  Thanks Kate for stopping by and chatting.

The Sea Monster books are wonderful and funny and have great lessons. What inspired you to write about a Sea Monster of all things and did you have someone in mind when you created the character?

Aw, thanks! The inspiration for Ernest the Sea Monster actually came from the legendary lake monster where I live: Champ of Lake Champlain. I’m not making this up…really. We have a Loch-Ness-Monster-esque lake monster that people have reported seeing since the 1600s. I always thought the people who reported those sightings were a bit over-imaginative until my family saw a big, unidentified something swimming through the waters near our house about eight years ago. What was it? I’m still not sure, but whatever it was, it got my writer’s brain churning, and the first sea monster book was the result!

Now that you are a full-time writer, what is the hardest thing or the thing you miss the most about the start of the school year?

The smell of new pencils. Confession: I have a bit of an office supply addiction, so I still pick up a few school supplies for myself when I do my kids’ fall shopping. I love teaching, and I’d miss it like crazy if teaching weren’t still very much a part of my job. These days, instead of showing up in the same classroom each morning, though, I’m visiting schools around the country to give presentations and writing workshops for kids, and I love it.

If you can spend the day with your favorite book character (not a character that you wrote) who would it be and what would you do?

Albus Dumbledore. I’d ask him to teach me everything he knows and share his lemon drops.

What is one book that you read over and over again as a child? What book did you never return to the library because you loved it so much and couldn’t let it go? 

Oh, gosh…there wasn’t just one! I was a voracious reader as a kid and remain one today. My favorites growing up were Beverly Cleary’s Ramona books and Judy Blume’s TALES OF A FOURTH GRADE NOTHING.

What was the book that turned you into a reader? 

Honestly, I don’t know. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t a reader. My parents joke that they had to stop having dinner parties because I’d follow their guests around lugging a huge pile of books and looking pathetic until someone put down his or her drink and read to me.

What new projects are you working on?

I’m super-excited about my next picture book with Chronicle, which comes out in the spring. It’s called TREE OF LIFE, and it’s about Costa Rica’s almendro tree – a rainforest giant that provides food and shelter of various sorts to more than a thousand different kinds of organisms. In addition to exploring biodiversity, this book plays with numbers, too, as the animals multiply from page to page. I’m also putting the finishing touches on the third title in my Marty McGuire chapter book series with Scholastic (MARTY MCGUIRE HAS TOO MANY PETS!) and working on a new middle grade novel called ALL THE ANSWERS – my first book that involves magic! That one comes out in 2015.

What is the name of your favorite Indie bookstore and where is it located? 

Oh dear…I’m not sure I can choose just one because there are SO many amazing indies out there. But a few of my beloved local favorites are Flying Pig Books, Phoenix Books, and Bear Pond Books in Vermont and the fabulous Bookstore Plus in Lake Placid, which handles signed book sales for my Skype classroom visits. All of these stores have incredible, book-loving people behind the counters and are truly special places for readers.

What are you reading? 

My TBR pile (and currently reading pile) is always an eclectic mix of kids’ books and research, mixed in with the occasional grown-up book. Here’s what’s on the table by the couch right now…

Anything that you wished I had asked you about? Or anything else that you care to share with the readers of Kid Lit Frenzy? 

Just a big thank you! The readers of SEA MONSTER’S FIRST DAY are the reason that our lovable Ernest is back. I so appreciate everyone who loved this book and shared it, and I hope you’ll enjoy SEA MONSTER AND THE BOSSY FISH just as much!

Teachers, Librarians, and Parents - Chronicle has provided a "Friend Fish" Pledge.  

click on image to download PDF

To check out all of the post for the Sea Monster Blog tour, check out Chronicle Book's Interview with Kate Messner, here.

Thanks to Chronicle Books for providing a copy of Sea Monster and the Bossy Day by Kate Messner to one lucky reader.  Please enter the rafflecopter form below.  Participants need to be 13 years or older and have a US or Canadian mailing address.

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Virtual Blog Tour & Interview with Elisa Kleven

Today author & illustrator, Elisa Kleven stops by as part of her Virtual Blog Tour for Glasswings.

Hi Elisa – Thank you for agreeing to answer a few questions. (Thank YOU!!!) I am excited to be a part of your virtual blog tour for Glasswings. It is a beautiful story both in text and illustrations. (thanks again!)

In looking at your website, you have a significant number of books that you have written and illustrated, but also quite a few books that you have illustrated for other writers. Can you share a little about the process you go through when writing and illustrating a book? 

If I'm illustrating my own story, I first need to generate a text of course. I have a pretty circuitous way of writing stories. Beginning with the seed of an idea, which is often based on a visual image or a memory, I start to write down thoughts about the image, which, if I'm lucky, cohere and build and grow together become a story. Often I think of multiple scenarios and possible endings for the same story. Sometimes I get stuck and have to put the text away in my drawer for awhile, where it can rest and "gestate" for awhile. If I'm illustrating another author's text, the process is much more straightforward. I read the story many times to get a feel for the characters, mood and setting, and then I begin sketching pictures which illustrate and, I hope, illuminate salient images from the story.

Do you have particular authors or illustrators that you credit as influencing your work or motivating you to become an author/illustrator? 

So many. The great picture book collage masters , Leo Lionni, Ezra Jack Keats, and Eric Carle have all influenced me. I remember seeing THE SNOWY DAY when I was young and thinking that the way I cut out and recycled scraps of this and that --used wrapping paper, pictures from catalogs, lace and ribbons, etc. to create my handmade dollhouse worlds was (granted, a much less sophisticated) version of Keats' use of collage. The comparison was validating: here was a grownup artist, making beautiful art with the same kinds of materials I loved to play around with.

What prompted you to write a book about glasswing butterflies? Have you always been interested in butterflies?

I have always loved butterflies. They are like otherworldly fairies, and yet so vital to maintaining healthy plants and flowers.  I love this combination of down-to-earth industriousness and exquisite, ethereal beauty, and tried to highlight it in my story.

What was the funniest thing a child has ever asked you in a letter/email/school visit?

"Do you talk to your toys still? " (No, but I talk through my somewhat toy-like book characters.) And, this may not be that funny but I found it moving: "I love the way you draw fairies, crocodiles, dogs, Paper dolls and elephants. Your stories are juicy and descriptive , they give me feelings."

If you could claim credit for another children’s book (as the writer or illustrator) which book would it be? 

THE HUNDRED DRESSES, by Eleanor Estes, TUCK EVERLASTING, by Natalie Babbitt, CHARLOTTE'S WEB, by E.B. White, MR. RABBIT AND THE LOVELY PRESENT, by Charlotte Zolotow and Sendak, and hundreds of others!

Can you share about any new projects that you are working on? 

I'm working on a few different stories right now…one stars a chimp, another a bear, another a baked good, and another my Grandma Eva Art , who was an artist from Ukraine.

Where do you like the write/draw? Do you have any special routines when you are creating? (e.g., listening to music, a special beverage, etc) 

I like to write while sitting on my bed (which is near a big window with a view trees, houses, and San Francisco Bay), or at the computer in our home library. And I like to make art in my studio, which is in my back yard. I can't listen to music when I'm thinking of a story, but I love to listen while I'm making illustrations. In the morning my special beverage is strong coffee, and in the late afternoon, a dainty, ladylike glass of wine (but not till late afternoon, mind you! ☺)

Since it is summer, do you have any favorite road trip or beach books that you can recommend? 

I've been reading EAST OF EDEN and loving it. And I've just started THE ZOOKEEPER'S WIFE, a fascinating story based on a true story about the Warsaw Zoo during World War Two.

Can you share a picture of your TBR pile?

This is just one of many of such piles.

Don't forget to look for a copy of Glasswings by Elisa Kleven a local indie bookstore or public library.  Click here to purchase a copy on IndieBooks.org