Contests!

Summer's here, and so are some great contests from my fellow book-blogging friends! If you're in the mood for winning, check out the following!

1) Mrs. Magoo of Mrs. Magoo Reads is giving away a free copy of Francey by Martin Dubow--you won't want to miss this fabulous giveaway!

2) The Book Adorer  is holding a contest as well. Enter and you could win a copy of Jennifer Banash's fantastic new novel The Elite.

Peeled

Hildy Biddle, a teenage reporter for her high school's newspaper, The Core, always seeks the truth in a story. So when her small apple-growing town of Banesville begins to buzz with rumors about the old Ludlow house on Farnsworth road being haunted, Hildy knows something is up. Suddenly, the town is all worked up over spooky signs, "murders" on the property, ghosts, and "hauntings", worried for their safety. But Hildy senses that something else is going on, and she won't stop searching for the truth until she finds the answer to all this haunted hoop-la. But this spunky reporter will need determination, courage, and good friends, because there are people who don't want her to know the secrets of the Ludlow house! Joan Bauer, award-winning author of Hope was Here has created another fast-paced, well-written, and enjoyable read with a cast of characters readers will never forget!

Tagged!

Hi everyone! This was my first time ever being tagged, by Book Review Maniac!

Here are the rules:

Link to the person that tagged you, post the rules somwhere in your blog, answer the questions, and  tag four people in your post. Don't forget to let the tagees know they were tagged, so leave a comment on their blog! And remember to let your tagger know that your entry is posted!

1. Who's your favorite all-time author, and why?

Geez, this is hard for a bookworm like me! Well, I love Meg Cabot's writing because it's so funny, E.B. White's writing because it is so sweet, Joan Bauer because I can relate to her stories, Gail Carson Levine because her stories are so creative, Lesley MM Blume because her stories have depth, Carol Weston because she's hysterical, Anna Godbersen and Lisi Harrison because their books are just so amazing,  and Sarah Beth Durst because her books are just fun to read. But that's just the beginning...

 

2. Who was your first favorite author, and why?

Hmm.....well, I always loved H.A. Rey's Curious George books when I was little because they were cute, funny, and had great illustrations! Then I also really loved Bonnie Bryant, the author of The Saddle Club. And I still love these 2!

3. Who's the most recent edition to your list of favorite authors, and why?

Gail Carson Levine for her new novel, Ever (review coming soon!).

4. If someone asked you who your favorite authors were right now, what would pop out of your mouth?

Um....Alex Flinn, Gail Carson Levine, Linda Gerber, Anna Godbersen, Michael Buckley, Joan Bauer, Catherine Gilbert Murdock...

I tag:

The Book Brat

Midnight Twilight

Em

Miss Erin

Princess Ben

Princess Benevolence (Ben) of Montagne is not your average princess: she's plump, clumsy, and loves adventure. Ben's life is pretty happy: she lives with her loving parents in a cozy apartment right off the main castle. But then disaster strikes: her parents are assassinated, (possibly by the rival kingdom, Drachensbett), and Ben is put into the care of the cruel Queen Sophia, who locks her in a tower chamber as a punishment for her incapability of being princess-like. Ben thinks her life is over, but soon finds that it's just beginning: she discovers a portal in the wall which leads her to an enchanted tower right above her chamber! There, she begins to learn magic: making fire, learning to fly a broom, discovering family secrets, encountering many wild adventures...Can Ben save her country from the sly Drachensbett soldiers and find out what really happened to her parents (which might involve learning the secrets of Ancienne, the mysterious mountain looming over Montagne)?

   Catherine Gilbert Murdock has created a fanciful, delicious story that will have readers on the edges of their seats! This exciting fantasy is recommended for all teen girls (not just fans of Murdock's previous books Dairy Queen and The Off Season) who have a taste for good quality books and adventure!

No Reservations

In this drama/comedy, Kate (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is a passionate chef, working in one of the best restaurants in New York City. She's used to ruling the kitchen, and ruling her apartment. Everyone follows her strict orders, and she likes it like that. But then, suddenly, Kate's world changes: her sister is killed in a car crash, putting her emotional daughter, Zoe (Abigail Breslin), into Kate's hands. And that's not the only thing that's changed: there's a new sous-chef named Nick (Aaron Eckhart) in the kitchen, and he's going against all of Kate's old ways! Now Kate isn't the head of the kitchen anymore, and she doesn't like that. Kate can only handle so much--will she be able to get used to these two lovable new assets in her life?

Families will love this heartwarming film, rated PG.

The Diary of Anne Frank

In this 100% true story, Anne Frank is a young Jewish girl who loves to write living in Holland. Then World War II comes along, and her life changes forever. Her family (including parents Otto and Edith, and older sister Margot) must go into hiding in order to save themselves from Hitler and the Nazis' wrath upon Jews. The Franks also hide with another family, the Van Daans, and a Jewish dentist, Mr. Albert Dussel. While in hiding for two years (from 1942-1944), readers will see Anne change and mature as she chronicles events from their "Secret Annexe" in her beloved diary (whom she names "Kitty"). 

   Readers will most definitely cry at the end of this true story told through Anne's point of view. Some parts are funny; others are quite serious. The Diary of Anne Frank, recommended for readers of all ages, will certainly change people's view on the world: truly a life-changing book.

Princess in the Spotlight

Mia Thermopolis, the klutzy-yet-lovable royal heroine of bestselling novel The Princess Diaries is back in this hilarious sequel by Meg Cabot. This time, the unlikely princess has a lot to cope with: first of all, her mother is pregnant with Mia's Algebra teacher's baby; Mia's grandmother (the dowager princess of Genovia) is setting up a ridiculously outlandish wedding for the new couple; Mia is receiving mysterious notes from a secret admirer (whom she hopes is Michael Moscovitz); and then there's the usual princess stuff. Poor Mia! However, this fun teenager manages to handle all situations with passion and humor that readers will love! Bookworm Readers gives two thumbs up to Princess in the Spotlight!