Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon-January 2, 2012-January 8, 2012

Welcome to the sign up post my first ever Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon. (#mgreadathon)We'll spend a week together reading, blogging and talking middle grade! Why? Because Middle Grade ROCKS! I love writing it, reading about it and most of all book talking it. Nothing better than matching a book (or five or ten) to readers aged 8-12.

START DATE: Monday, January 2, 2012 

END DATE: Sunday, January 8, 2012 (midnight)

WHAT TO DO: Sign up any time now until January 8 and read as many Middle Grade books (fiction and non-fiction) as you can.  If it's just one book that's great! If it's more, that's great too! That's it...unless you...


TAKE IT A LITTLE FURTHUR (not required):


-Create a read-a-thon pledge
-share a to be read list in a comment to this post or on your own blog, send me the link and I will post it for you.
-plan a giveaway do let me know that and I will add it to the giveaways


MY READ-A-THON PLEDGE: For each book I read I am going to donate five dollars or the actual book to my local library. (www.granumpubliclibrary.ca). Also, throughout the week, I will be posting updates to my reading, plus sharing some of my favorite books and mg blogs from 2011.


THE GIVEAWAYS (so far):

• From me Everyone who signs up will be entered to win one of two middle grade prize packs that I will put together from my own collection. Extra entries for spreading the word-twitter, facebook, blogging. (Canada & U.S.) #mgreadathon

Prize Pack #1-ARC-13 Gifts by Wendy Mass, The Whole Truth by Kit Pearson, Wildwood by Colin Meloy

Prize Pack #2-The Unwanted by Lisa McMann, Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes, ARC of Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver

• Michael A. Scotto-two signed copies of his book Latasha and the Little Red Tornado . Everyone who signs up will be entered. (U.S. and Canada) 
• Lisa Ard- for every book she reads she is offering an e-copy of her book Fright Flight (up to three copies, maybe more! (link to her post).
• Charlotte of Charlotte's Library-is offering a giveaway of two forthcoming middle grade fantasy arcs--The Book of Wonders by Jasmine Richards and Fairy Lies by E.D. Baker.
• Walden Pond Press-TBA! and it's made of awesome

MY TBR PILE (a sampling) :

-a number books from WALDEN POND PRESS-THE FOURTH STALL by Chris Rylander, JUNIPER BERRY by M.P Kowslowsky and BREADCRUMBS by Anne Ursu
-BIGGER THAN A BREADBOX by Laurel Synder.
-The Familiars-Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson
-Storybound by Marissa Burt
-Lemonade War-Jacqueline Davis
-My Very Un-Fairytale Life-Anna Staniszewski
-AND-books written by some of my fabulous co-bloggers @ From the Mixed Up Files of Middle Grade Authors!


I will be reading hardcopies and e-copies alike. On my ipad, on my kindle, on my computer, on my couch. When I am not at work or writing, that is. It is going to be a full and busy week, but in the best kind of way.



If there is anything that is unclear, please do ask me!

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Sign up for MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE READ-A-THON

Happy Holidays!

Wishing everyone wonderful rest of the Holiday Season! This week will be all about organizing and getting ready for Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon, looking forward with my blog and seeing where I want to take it in terms of focus.

So, again....HAPPY HOLIDAYS and here is to a wonderfilled 2012. Cheers!

MMGM-Scary School by Derek Kent, plus giveaway Interview and Giveaway @ Mixed Up Files

Good Monday morning all. Hope you enjoying your Marvelous Middle Grade Monday, so far. I know I am!

EDITING TO ADD...Winner of DOGSLED DREAMS is Marybelle (commenter number one, that's a first! heh heh). Just waiting to hear back from her.

Now, back to the regular programming.

Have an interview and giveaway going on over on The Mixed Up Files of Middle Grade Authors...with a kid ghost named Derek. The same Derek the Ghost that wrote the ultra fun and creepy scary SCARY SCHOOL. Not only does he have a super cool book, his website for the book ROCKS!

I think what I loved most about this book is that I am pretty sure kids will love the no fear writing...it's funny, it's silly, it's scary as are all the characters. Kids respect that kind of writing, I think. As I read I couldn't wait to see and meet the teachers. My favorite is Miss Fang and next is the nurse. Well, there is also the multi-eyed teach. And then there is the new kid who does a not so good job of trying to fit. Don't think I ever stopped smiling as I read this one. Here's a bit more from Indie Bound:

You think your school's scary?

Get a load of these teachers:

Ms. Fang, an 850-year-old vampire
Dr. Dragonbreath, who just might eat you before recess
Mr. Snakeskin—science class is so much more fun when it's taught by someone who's half zombie
Mrs. T—break the rules and spend your detention with a hungry Tyrannosaurus rex!

Plus

Gargoyles, goblins, and Frankenstein's monster on the loose
The world's most frighteningly delicious school lunch

And

The narrator's an eleven-year-old ghost!

Join Charles "New Kid" Nukid as he makes some very Scary friends—including Petunia, Johnny, and Peter the Wolf—and figures out that Scary School can be just as funny as it is spooky!

If you head on over to From The Mixed Up Files you can read my interview with Derek the Ghost and enter a giveaway to win the book!

More Marvelous Middle Grade goings on:

Shannon Whitney Messenger (founder and genius behind MMGM)-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe 

Jennifer Rumberger-Children's Author

Joanne Fritz-My Brain on Books
Shannon O'Donnell-Book Dreaming
Myrna Foster-The Night Writer
Sherrie Petersen- Write About Now 
Natalie Aguirre-Literary Rambles
Brooke Favero-Somewhere in the Middle
Ally Beecher- Kid Lit Frenzy
Barbara Watson-Novel and Nouveau
Anita Laydon Miller-her middle grade blog
Michael G-G-Middle Grade Mafioso
Jessica Lei-her blog  
Pam Torres-So I'm Fifty
Akoss-Nye Louwon – My Spirit | a search for the writer in me
Gabrielle Prendergast-Angelhorn

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday-DOGSLED DREAMS by Terry Lynn Johnson and a Giveaway

I am so pleased to welcome Terry Lynn Johnson to my blog today. Not only because her book DOGSLED DREAMS received thumbs up from my book club kids (and me!), but also because she recently made a fantastic announcement about her next book. Terry is a dedicated and passionate author who has worked hard on each leg of her writing journey. I'm so impressed with her. Because of that passion we're able to hand her book to young readers. And it is a book I recommend...you recommend. 


Terry's doing double duty for us. Joining in with Oh MG YA Canada and Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. 


And by the way! I'll be giving away a copy of DOGSLED DREAMS. Just leave a comment and next Monday random org and I will pick a winner.


Here's more about the book from Good Reads:

Twelve-year-old Rebecca dreams of becoming a famous sled dog racer.  She’s an inventive but self-doubting musher who tackles blinding blizzards, wild animal attacks, puppy training, and flying poo missiles. All of her challenges though, seem easier than living up to the dogs’ trust in her abilities.

Here's the interview that offers you a chance to get to know Terry.


Thanks for being here, Terry! The book I'm giving away is DOGSLED DREAMS. It received thumbs up from my book club kids who are ages 9-12.  Did you set out to write for this age group or was it more how the story evolved once you knew it was one you wanted to tell?


I knew Dogsled Dreams would be a middle grade story. But when I wrote my second book, I tried for young adult. It seems though, it's much more fun to write in this genre. I love the excitement of life and learning new things at this age. 

Do you have a new book we can watch for or one you and your agent are seeking a publishing house for?

My middle grade adventure, Ice Dogs will be released in 2013 (winter) by Houghton Mifflin. 
Ice Dogs is about a young musher who gets lost in a blizzard with her race team, and saves a boy with a secret. With their food gone, and the temperatures dropping, they must learn to trust each other and the dogs if they are going to survive.

Do you have a great author visit or book signing moment you'd like to share? Something made you think...I love this job!

I was at a sled dog race in Marmora, Ontario, and a young reader hung around my table looking at my book, reading the back, talking to me about other books she's read and loved. When her mom found her, she talked her into purchasing a copy. I was so happy to have met her and talked about our mutual love of books, and sled dogs!

Speaking of loving the job, when it comes to the writing what is your most favorite part of the process, what is your least, or the part you find the hardest to work on.

I love revising. I know a lot of writers hate it, but, I get excited to see my story shaping into the best it can be. 

Hardest part of this business is the waiting! I have the attention span of a pea. It's quite difficult for me to wait months to hear back on something that I've been working on. But I'm sure it's good for me to work on patience.

I know several kids who are aspiring writers. They range in age from 8 to 13. When did you start writing and do you have any advice for them?

My interest in writing may have started in grade nine. I had an awesome creative writing teacher who encouraged me to keep a file of ongoing ideas and works in progress. I still do that. 
I'd also suggest doing some on-line research to find the many periodicals that are looking for content from young writers. They have to put out a new issue every month or so, that's a lot of opportunities to get your writing published! 

Do you mind sharing a latest greatest read with us? Something you would recommend to middle graders and/or teens and those of us who read and writer for them? 

oh, I could talk for hours about great books. 
For middle grade, I loved Sugar and Ice by Kate Messner. And my favourite young adult book this year so far was Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys 

And finally (being as we are also celebrating Oh MG/YA Canada today, too!)

What is your favourite part of living where you do? Do you have another part of Canada that you love to visit or that you've always wanted to but haven't yet?

I lived in Thunder Bay for twelve years, the setting for Dogsled Dreams. I lived right on Lake Superior and absolutely loved the wildness of it. Now I live on a smaller lake, near Lake Huron, which I also love. I like that there's so many opportunities for outdoor adventures. So many trails to explore, bays to kayak, mountains to hike, I feel very blessed to live in such a beautiful place. And such inspiration for an outdoor writer.


That's all folks! Thanks for stopping by and reading. If you'd like enter the giveaway, just leave a comment. Making the draw next Monday. 


Don't forget to check out the rest of the MMGM gang:


Shannon Whitney Messenger-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe  (a.k.a Fearless Leader)

Jennifer Rumberger-Children's Author

Joanne Fritz-My Brain on Books
Shannon O'Donnell-Book Dreaming
Myrna Foster-The Night Writer
Sherrie Petersen- Write About Now 
Natalie Aguirre-Literary Rambles
Brooke Favero-Somewhere in the Middle
Ally Beecher- Kid Lit Frenzy
Barbara Watson-Novel and Nouveau
Anita Laydon Miller-her middle grade blog
Michael G-G-Middle Grade Mafioso
Jessica Lei-her blog  
Pam Torres-So I'm Fifty
Akoss-Nye Louwon – My Spirit | a search for the writer in me
Gabrielle Prendergast-Angelhorn

Get Read-y for 2012

Just signed up for Get Read-y for 2012 hosted by Loving Books. A great and fun way to read it up until December 31 and get ourselves ready for all those great reads coming in 2012 and read through some of those TBR piles that are teetering. And ya know because I am participating it will become my duty to read, read, read, read and read.

Sigh. 

It is a tough job...you know the rest of how that goes.

And, along the way I am hoping (well, I know I will) I will add to my book talk pile for my next visit with my old book club (speaking of that, hoping to start one out in my new hometown once 2012 gets moving along).

Tween joining in the fun of Get Read-y for 2012 and writing and working and preparing for the holidays it promises to be a fun and joy filled season!

Back with my to read list tomorrow.

Cover Reveal-EMBRACE by Jessican Shirvington

Recently I read the ARC of EMBRACE by Jessica Shirvington. More of a review closer to the release date, but for those of you looking for a great urban fantasy, with a strong female mc and a believable teen voice to read yourselves or recommend to teens, I'd say add this to your "Waiting on Wednesday" posts or to be read lists. It's good. Solid writing, totally believable character, and boy...the choice she has to make keeps you turning those pages to find out what happens. The ARC didn't have the final cover. But, now that cover is ready to go and I must say, I like it. 

A lot. 


And what is even cooler? There is a video of the cover shoot. Suweet!

Embrace Cover Shoot from Sourcebooks Inc on Vimeo.

A little more about the book  from Sourcebooks;

"It starts with a whisper.

            “It’s time for you to know who you are…”

Strange dreams leave her with very real injuries and there’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms. The guy she thought she could fall in love with just told her he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her. And she keeps hearing a distant fluttering of wings.

Violet Eden is having a very bad 17th birthday.

But if angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden…"

Also well worth the read is Jessica's guest post on Page Turners about her  debut in the U.S. 




Congratulations to Jessica and the Sourcebooks team on a beautiful cover! Thanks for allowing me to be a part of spreading the word. 

Giveaway Winners!

First, sorry it took so long to make the announce. On the most recent giveaway announces, the flu (aka the sore throat from heck) kicked my butt, big time. And--never thought I would say this, I am sick of ice cream. On the other giveaway, it was me forgetting to announce. My apologies.

And here we go :


Danika Dinsmore (Accidental Novelist) won the copy of Extraordinary by Adam Selzer. Book is on the way.

Ems of In Which Ems Reviews Books won the Holiday Read-a-thon and The Night Circus is on its way to to her.

Rounding it out is Joan (commenter #59) on the Book Lover Holiday Hop. I am just waiting to hear back from her.

And a big thanks to all to who stopped by, read, commented and followed me. Happy Holidays, all!

I shall be back later today with a cover reveal for EMBRACE, a novel by Australian author Jessica Shirvington to be released in the U.S. March 2012.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday!

Greetings MMGM Travellers.

I have nothing today, but will be back with a roundup of Marvelous Middle Grade Reads next week.

Enjoy your blog reading today, I know I will! And speaking of blog reading, I like checking out the GreenBeanTeenQueen, Tween Tuesday's. AND (just call me Deblah blah, lol) I am making us an icon-well a couple actually and Shannon will see what she likes. Alrighty then that's it from me.

Here be the other MMGM-ers. If, btw, you are not on this list, let me know in the comments (or email works, too) and I will be sure to add you.

Shannon Whitney Messenger (a.k.a. Fearless Leader)-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe
Jennifer Rumberger-Children's Author
Joanne Fritz-My Brain on Books
Danika Dinsmore-The Accidental NovelistShannon Whitney Messenger-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe 
Shannon O'Donnell-Book Dreaming
Myrna Foster-The Night Writer
Sherrie Petersen- Write About Now 
Natalie Aguirre-Literary Rambles
Brooke Favero-Somewhere in the Middle
Ally Beecher- Kid Lit Frenzy
Barbara Watson-Novel and Nouveau
Anita Laydon Miller-her middle grade blog
Michael G-G-Middle Grade Mafioso
Jessica Lei-her blog  
Pam Torres-So I'm Fifty
Akoss-Nye Louwon – My Spirit | a search for the writer in me
Gabrielle Prendergast-Angelhorn

Three Writing Reads and December Sci Fiction and Fantasy Releases for Children and Teens

Well, I did not make the NANO word count, BUT, pretty happy with the book I am working on. Broke 43,000 and am now at 45,000. Ending blossomed and I can see and feel it and have been writing it. Each time my MC and her sidekicks wonder if it can get worse? It does. Now, a lot of that may be second drafted out, but it’s fun seeing just how much they can take, even some of their flaws are being put to good use (cause really, I don’t want them to be perfect at the end, heh heh).

Now, because I have slowed down with the fast drafting, I am taking the weekend to smooth out scenes and plot lines, and just do some general reading on writing. It’s part of the way I think on a book.

Many of you already are familiar with SEEING CREATIVE, but giving a shout out to Stina’s 12 Days of Christmas for writers. Came upon it on day three and it’s timely to say the least.

Seeing Creative: The Twelve Days of Christmas for Writers: Day Three

And I like this post. Keeping in mind that Danika is NOT saying to send out your queries now, just use the query as a means of focusing in on the tone and feel of your book as you prepare to work on draft two. I like doing that. I also rewrite the synopsis. It’s my way of getting the whole story in my head, helps me see the the arcs (or see that they are not there, lol!)

NaNo Hangover: What to do between your first draft and second (part 1) « The Accidental Novelist (Writes Again)

Now. I am still working away on the first draft of HAPPY MEDIUM, A HOWLING HEIGHTS NOVEL (yeah, the title is changing). But when that done I will be stepping into the second draft. So, will be having a close look at this:

“NaNoWriMoReMo” – Make December Your NaNoWriMo Revision Month

Finally, check out Charlotte’s Round-Up of new books hitting the shelves in December. I’d say there is some good shopping to be had for your kid and teen readers. Yourself, too!

Charlotte's Library: New releases of fantasy and science fiction for kids and teens--the first half of December, 2011 edition

Enjoy the weekend all!

Holiday #Readathon December 2-4-Giveaway

I have a pretty full schedule this weekend, but I am in on the Holiday #Readathon being hosted by Liza on Who RU. (click about icon for details).  When I get home from work tonight will make a mini-pile of to-reads for this. Next week, will be donating two books each to my local school and my local library (new to town, so figure this is a good way to introduce myself). AND-I have a mini-challenge/giveaway for everyone. Here it is :

Read  (or donate) a Middle Grade Novel, let me know what it is, what you did and I will enter you to in a giveaway for  a book of your choice, up to 20.00 value. Making this international so you can make your pick from the Book Depository.

Happy reading everyone!

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Elsewhere on Just Deb:

Holiday Book Lovers Giveaway Hop (20.00 gift certificate)

Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon (Jan 2-Jan 8, 2012-reading and prizes and more, oh my!)

Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop-Dec 2-Dec 6

Greetings to all of you making the rounds for the Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop (Dec. 2nd to 6th). Shout out and thanks to Kid Lit Frenzy and I'm A Reader Not a Writer for hosting us!

Don't know about you, but I love love the Holidays, spending time with family, reading, writing, decorating, baking...er, eating!

As a book lover I appreciate anything book related I must say and one of my all time favorites and something I cannot get enough of is gift cards. So-thought I would give away a 20.00 gift certificate from Indigo Books (Canada) or Barnes and Noble...or, if you have a favorite indie store you buy from and they offer online gift certificates I am more than happy to get you one from there. OR-a book of your choice, up to 20.00.

All you need to do is comment with what you would like and your email so I can contact you  if you win. I will use random org to pick a winner at the end of the blog hop.

Happy Hopping! See below for the links so you can carry on with the fun and if you are so inclined to hang here for a little longer please check out my MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE READ-A-THON.  It will be in the first week of January.