The One (The Selection #3) by Kiera Cass

Hardcover, 323 pages

Published May 6th 2014 by HarperTeen

The Selection changed America Singer's life in ways she never could have imagined. Since she entered the competition to become the next princess of Illéa, America has struggled with her feelings for her first love, Aspen—and her growing attraction to Prince Maxon. Now she's made her choice . . . and she's prepared to fight for the future she wants.

Find out who America will choose in The One, the enchanting, beautifully romantic third book in the Selection series!

When this book came out, I had three of my students at my door the next morning asking, "DID YOU GET IT?" I was (admittedly) confused because I didn't know what they were talking about. Again, I was late getting to this amazing novel (sorry again), so I didn't have it with me. They were not happy. One went and bought it that afternoon, read it, and then shared it with the others. I had let them down. :( They forgave me though as long as I promised to read this series first in my summer reads and I did!!
 
As many recommendations as I give to my students, they give me just as many good ones!!

The ending of this series could not have had more drama, nail biting action, and eyebrow raising moments I don't think. Just when I thought I knew how it was all going to go down, it was all turned upside down and rolled around. When a novel can keep you on the edge of your seat, you know it is a great one. This amazing conclusion did just that. I loved this series from start to finish and hate to see it end. I will gladly have this series displayed on my shelves first thing next year and already have some kiddos in mind who I know will love it! 

Make sure to check out Kiera Cass on her website to find out more about her and her books. 

Happy reading!

The Guard (The Selection #2.5) by Kiera Cass

ebook, 64 pages

Published February 4th 2014 by HarperCollins

Before America Singer met Prince Maxon . . .
Before she entered the Selection . . .
She was in love with a boy named Aspen Leger.

Don't miss this digital original novella set in the captivating world of Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection trilogy. This brand new 64-page story begins just after the group of Selected girls is narrowed down to the Elite and is told from Aspen's point of view. The Guard also features a teaser to The One, the thrilling conclusion to The Selection trilogy. 

As a teacher, I love teaching about how point of view and perspective can make or break a story. Someone who you view as an enemy could become a hero once you find out what was going on with them during that crucial scene. Getting to know Aspen through this little treasure has definitely opened my eyes to him as a character and given me more to think of. I do think I know who I want America to choose, but maybe now I have changed my mind... or maybe not!

Happy reading!

No Place Like Oz (Dorothy Must Die #0.5)

No Place Like Oz (Dorothy Must Die #0.5)

ebook, 196 pages

Published November 12th 2013 by HarperCollins 

After returning to Kansas, Dorothy Gale has realized that the dreary fields of Kansas don’t compare to the vibrant landscapes of Oz. And although she’s happy to be reunited with Aunt Em, she misses her friends from the yellow brick road. But most of all, Dorothy misses the fame and the adventure. In Kansas she’s just another prairie girl, but in Oz she was a hero. So Dorothy is willing to do anything to get back, because there really is no place like Oz. But returning to the land she left comes at a price, and after Dorothy is through with it, Oz will never be the same.

Perfect for fans of Alex Flinn, Marissa Meyer, and Gregory Maguire, No Place Like Oz is a dark reimagining of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Building off of its rich mythology, Danielle Paige creates an edgy, thrilling story for teens that chronicles the rise and fall of one of the literature’s most beloved characters. This digital original novella is a prequel that sets the stage for the forthcoming novel Dorothy Must Die.

  If you know me, you know what a HUGE Wizard of Oz fan I am and an even bigger fan of its spin offs (I've seen Wicked 3 times all over the US and my classroom is decorated in all things Wicked). Imagine my joy when this series came across my feed many months ago! I know... what took you so long?! I actually read this one and the first book a few months ago, but I have not had a chance to blog lately (stupid real-life!!!) so I am playing catch up now. 

Danielle Paige is a magician. So many times authors try to do spin offs of a series and they totally bomb and sometimes even ruin it for the original book. This one definitely does not! She has made it her own in a way that will make the avid fans happy for keeping the integrity of the story and the "newbies" wonder what the original book was all about because (as always) it was way better than the movie! I love her introduction of the after story and how she is setting us up for what life was like AFTER Dorothy came back to Kansas. I can imagine that life probably wasn't all that great for her, but Danielle Paige has done a magnificent job offering us the rest of the story (as Paul Harvey would say). 

This is only a novella (and only available in ebook format) so MAKE SURE that you read this one before moving into the first book in the series! Watch for my review of the first book soon! 

Follow Danielle on twitter for all of the upcoming goodies (@daniellempaige).

Happy reading!!

Cool Findings for the Week...

I have come across some pretty cool things this week and wanted to pass them along!

Harper Teen is now tweeting so make sure you follow them for cool updates and giveaways!! @HarperTeen!


Harper Teen also has a great feature on their site where they let you browse inside a book so that you can see what it is all about. Find that here. The cool thing about it right now is that you can have full access to The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening by L. J. Smith FOR FREE here!! That's right... read the book for free! Make sure to check it out.... and if you haven't been watching The Vampire Diaries on CW then visit their site to view full episodes! I am loving it!!


Make sure to check out Harper Teen's Fall Fiction Sweepstakes too for lots of great books that are going to be given away including They Vinyl Princess by Yvonne Prinz, Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott, Gorgeous by Rachel Vail and much, much more!!

Make sure you sign up for Harper Teen's newsletter to get all their latest news, giveaways, and much more!!





Blogger News:

For we bloggers trying to figure out what the FTC is up to, Jennifer Hubbard has a great post here that may shed some light on it. This incformation on the FTC guidelines was presented at KidLitCon.




Notable Contests/Giveaways:
Authors Daniel and Dina Nayeri (authors of Another Faust) are having a WONDERFUL contest! Here is Daniel to tell you more...
______________________________________

Hi everyone. Dina and I are about to kick off a month-long tour for our book, Another Faust, and we want to do it by announcing a contest! We are looking for the most promising writers out there (that’s YOU). And then we want to showcase their work, so that all of the Internet can bask in their awesome writing might (and, you know, give them prizes).

HERE’S HOW IT GOES.

We want you to write your own short story, re-imagining of the Faustian Bargain. (For inspiration, check out Bedazzled, Simpsons “Tree House of Horrors IV,” and The Little Mermaid). It can be about anything you like (but let’s keep it PG-13, and under 3,000 words), and it’s open to everyone.

All you have to do is send your entry to dviergutz@gmail.com before January 31.

Rules and details can be found here

Make sure to read them so you don’t get DQed

And the winner gets all kinds of sweetness:

• A signed copy of Another Faust
• A handwritten deleted scene
• A featured article & interview on our site
• An author’s galley of the sequel Another Pan
  

Though we’ll feature the top five on our site for comments, the judging WON’T happen by popular vote (so basically, we don't care which contestant has the most friends). Dina and I will personally read them.

So, spread the word! Tweet, retweet, forward, thread, spread, embed this post.

Good luck!
D&D
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If you haven't read Another Faust yet, don't feel bad... I have it on my shelf but haven't made it to it yet either! It is now moving to the top of my list though because this is definitely something worth going for!

Have a great week everyone!

Secret Society Book Trailer

I know it isn't Wednesday, but this one looks amazing!!!

Secret Society by Tom Dolby

Three Upper East Side teens discover that they have been tapped for the Society, an elite order with roots dating back to ancient Egypt. Once they accept membership, they stand to benefit beyond their wildest dreams, with one caveat: Once they get in, they can never get out. Privilege, as they discover, has a very high price…

more about " Secret Society Book Trailer", posted with vodpod