Top 10 Children’s Books We Can’t Wait To Read

30 Jun, 2011 by in wish list 1 comment

Summer is well under way, so I have been hitting the bookshelves with my children ages 3-8 to encourage a reading program. Here are the top ten titles we all can’t wait to read! Click on the link to add it to your Goodreads TBR pile. Numbers 8-10 are available at Deseret Book.

  1. Fancy Nancy Petite Library by Jane O’Connor, Robin Preiss Glasser

  2. Scapegoat: The story of a goat named Oat and a chewed-up coat by Dean Hale, Michael Slack

  3. Magic Hearts (Candy Fairies) by Helen Perelman, Erica-Jane Waters

  4. Silverlicious by Victoria Kann

  5. Bright Baby Touch and Feel Summer by Roger Priddy

  6. Chamelia by Ethan Long

  7. Ivy and Bean (Ivy & Bean #1) by Annie Barrows, Sophie Blackall

  8. I Know He Is There: A Lift-the-Flap Book by Rebecca Gunderson Thornley

  9. Ballpark Mysteries, #1: The Fenway Foul-Up by David A. Kelly, Mark Meyers

  10. Splish, Splash, Splat! by Rob Scotton

What books are on your summer reading list?

Crush Control Blog Tour

29 Jun, 2011 by in razorbill 6 comments

Crush Control
by Jennifer Jabaley
Paperback, 318 pages
Published June 9th 2011
by Razorbill
ISBN 1595144242
book source: publisher
4 stars

Willow has spent most of her life as her mother’s sidekick in a popular Las Vegas hypnotism show. So when she and her mom move back to their sleepy southern hometown to start over, she thinks she’s in for a life of quiet normalcy. Except that her new life turns out to be anything but, when she kinda sorta hypnotizes Quinton, the hottest guy on the football team, to fall madly, deeply, head over heels in love with her. But what started out as an innocent way to make her best friend, Max, jealous soon gets way out of hand, and Willow begins to wonder if the mind – and more importantly, the heart – is something you can really control

Willow and Max have been best friends since birth, but that about to change when Willow’s mother announces they are moving away to Las Vegas where she will take on a show as the hip hypnotist. But Willow has a plan to keep Max her BFF whether he likes it or not. In her nine year old way (and the only way she knows) Willow hypnotizes him to always be her friend forever. Fast forward 8 years, Max and Willow are still in touch and her mom decided to leave he strip to return to her quiet roots in Georgia. The good news is that Max and Willow will be together again and he has grown up to be crush worthy, the bad news it that he doesn’t seem to see Willow as more than just a friend. No worries, because she has lots of new tricks up her sleeve from watching mom’s shows and things are about to get a little out of control.

Jennifer Jabaley can entertain! Between a lovesick football player and pop culture junkie sidekick there are lots of laughs to be had. Crush Control is a fast paced fun, light summer read with well developed characters. Willow has a lot to learn about trying to control other people’s choices and asking for help when things spin out of hand. She sees quickly that her mistakes have a domino effect in the lives of others, but getting the help she needs means asking her mom. There are lessons about perfectionism and keeping up appearances in families that are applicable to all readers. Most of all I liked Max because he was so down to earth and genuine. He had the notable quote in the book “The heart wants what the heart wants” -pg. 316 I felt some of the plot with Max got lost a little with Willow trying to undo her other messes with Quinton and cheerleader Mia. I wish Max would have been given more page time and a longer role in the conclusion. Overall, I ended Crush Control with a smile on my face and I enjoyed the unique topic of hypnotism in YA.

Content: sexual references to condoms, several other innuendos including mention of acting out sex on stage, no violence. Recommend for readers 16 and older.

Learn more about author Jennifer Jabaley on her website and thanks so much to Razorbill for giving us a sneak peek!

Fire and Ice is happy to be a stop on the Crush Control blog tour. We are giving away our advanced reading copy to our blog readers courtesy of Razorbill. To enter to win fill out this form. Must be 16 or older to enter. Ends July 29, 2011.

Ally Carter Uncommon Criminals Event

27 Jun, 2011 by in Heather Gardner Photography 5 comments

Saturday June 25th I attended the Ally Carter signing and pre-event with several other Utah book bloggers at The King’s English book shop. We had a chance to sit down and ask Ally some exclusive questions. Here’s what we found out:

-The Heist Society books are episodic in nature and as of right now there’s no set number to the series
-Hale’s name comes from a name Ally saw at a museum on temple square during a visit to Utah she made with her employer. She wanted a last name that could also be used as a first name.
-Ally first heard about the Nazis stealing art on an episode of West Wing. She has since researched Holocaust art which is a common theme in her series. She recommends the documentary “The Rape of Europa” and book “The Monuments Men” to learn more
-Ally’s book feature a strong female protagonist and several external conflicts
-Her favorite authors in YA include Sara Zarr, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, ELockhart, Sara Rees Brennan and Holly Black
-The fifth book in the Gallagher Girls series is coming out soon with six planned so far.
-Ally previously wrote two adult titles, the first being called Cheating at Solitaire.

Fire and Ice would like to thank Courtney Lowe from the Provo Library and Disney Hyperion for the cool Uncommon Criminals sunglasses as well as he opportunity to meet Ally personally. Also, Emily from Emily’s Reading Room for organizing all of us bloggers and King’s English for hosting the event. In attendance were book bloggers Heather Zundel, Jennifer K Jovus from My Life With Books, Catie Skola from Book Bound, Mindy and Shanda from LDSWBR, Emily from EmsReadingRoom, Heather from Fire and Ice and the Friendly Reader. We are currently giving away and audio version of Uncommon Criminals which we had signed on Saturday, so check our right sidebar to enter!

All photos are copyright Heather Zahn Gardner http://www.heathergardnerphotography.com/

Book Breview and ARC Giveaway-Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

24 Jun, 2011 by in maggie stiefvater, scholastic 107 comments

Forever
by Maggie Stiefvater
Hardcover, 386 pages
Expected publication: July 12th 2011
by Scholastic Press
ISBN 0545259088
5 stars

The thrilling conclusion to #1 bestselling Shiver trilogy from Maggie Stievater

In Maggie Stiefvater’s SHIVER, Grace and Sam found each other. In LINGER, they fought to be together. Now, in FOREVER, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.

The Wolves of Mercy Falls series has burned a place in my heart as one of the most well crafted I’ve ever read…from the candy shop in Shiver to the Crooked Shelf bookstore where Sam works, to the descriptions of the forest which creeps near Grace’s home. Forever brought back for me everything I love about this series.

In book 2 I was annoyed by new character Cole St. Clair and his ex-rockstar antics, but now I’m amazed at how Maggie has brought me full circle! Isabel and Cole were my favorite characters in Forever. Cole has a new layer to him which makes him even more deep and by the end I really wanted to see where life would end up for he and Isabel. There’s not much I can say that will fully do this book justice. Maggie’s writing is so breathtakingly beautiful. Forever is again written in four different chraracter’s perspectives which flow together seamlessly in a symphony of words. The people are broken, their relationships complex. There is action, romance, philosophy, music and poetry by Rilke rolled into the pages of Forever to make it a full sensory experience. You can smell, taste and hear Mercy Falls soaking into your bones. You can almost feel the shift to becoming a wolf.

This is a goodbye I didn’t want to see-the final book of a trilogy which has left prints in the literary world. I sincerely hope we will be graced with companion novels and novellas in the years to come. For those of you waiting for the lay down date of Forever on July 12th, if you haven’t already, you should pick up Maggie’s other series including Lament and Ballad. They too are pure genius! Thanks so much to Scholastic for the copies of Forever and a chance to finally meet Maggie Stiefvater in person during their This Is Teen event New York.

Content: Recommended for readers 16 and older. Some violence, mention of drugs and sex.

Favorite Quote: from the acknowledgements in Forever…”Many, many readers have written asking me wistfully about the nature of Sam and Grace’s relationship, and I can assure you, that sort is absolutely real. Mutual, respectful, enduring love is completely attainable as long as you swear you won’t settle for less.” -Maggie Stiefvater

Go visit our affiliates over at Behind Yellow Eyes to catch up on all the latest news and for another chance to win Forever. Also, you can download the audiobook of book one, Shiver legally for free from June 23-29 here.

Trailer:

Fire and Ice is giving away one advanced reading copy of Forever to our readers! To enter to win fill out this form and leave a comment telling us whay you love or want to start reading the Wolves of Mercy Falls series. Giveaway is international and ends on release day July 12, 2011.

Photography Friday-Wolves of Mercy Falls

24 Jun, 2011 by in maggie stiefvater, scholastic, this is teen Leave a comment

I just finished the third and final book in the Wolves Of Mercy Falls series called “Forever” by Maggie Stiefvater and thought I’d share some photography and jewelry inspired by Maggie’s books. To view the photos on black click here, and to purchase them head over to LittleRedReads shop on Etsy. Be sure to check out the Maggie Stiefvater inspired collection here. All photos are copyright Heahther Zahn Gardner www.heathergardnerphotography.com.

The Game of Triumphs ARC Giveaway

23 Jun, 2011 by in Uncategorized 3 comments

The Game of Triumphs
by Laura Powell
Hardcover, 288 pages
Expected publication: August 9th 2011
by Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN 037586587X
series: Game of Triumphs #1

At an exclusive Soho party one rainy night, Cat stumbles into an ancient and dangerous game of fortune. A mysterious quartet of game masters deal out challenges—moves that unfold in the Arcanum, a dream-scape version of our world. Success can earn players fame, fortune, inspiration. Failure can be deadly.

At first Cat is skeptical, but undeniably curious. And when a journey into the Arcanum reveals a shocking glimpse of her family’s past, Cat begins to understand what drives people to play. Sometimes it’s greed or longing—other times desperation. She must know more.

Right now, the game masters hold all the cards. But Cat finds others like herself on the fringes of the game. And together an unlikely group of chancers hope to change the rules in their favor.

In the Game of Triumphs, the risks are high, but the rewards may just be worth dying for. . . .

About this author: Laura Powell grew up in rural Wales and now lives in West London. She wrote her first book while studying Classics at Oxford and worked in publishing for five years before leaving to concentrate on her writing.

Read reviews of The Game of Triumphs at Chicklish and Publisher’s Weekly.

To enter to win an advanced reading copy from Fire and Ice and Random House Children’s Books, please fill out this form. Giveaway ends July 23, 2011.

Uncommon Criminals Review and Audio Giveaway

22 Jun, 2011 by in uncommon criminlas 20 comments

Uncommon Criminalsby Ally Carter
Hardcover, 298 pages
Published June 21st 2011
by Hyperion Book
ISBN 1423147952
series: Heist Society #2
4.5 stars

Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life: Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners.

There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn’t been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long — and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself. But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous, and that is . . . the emerald is cursed.

Kat might be in way over her head, but she’s not going down without a fight. After all, she has her best friend — the gorgeous Hale — and the rest of her crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the globe, dodging curses and realizing that the same tricks and cons her family has used for centuries are useless this time.

Which means, this time, Katarina Bishop is making up her own rules.

Ally Carter has once again crafted a fun, quirky twisted tale of a girl raised criminal tuned to rightfully returning stolen items to their original owners. In book two Kat starts out on her own executing risky heists from the ex-KGB in Moscow and planning more jobs solo until Hale catches up to her and makes it very clear he wants “in.” Soon the old crew- Simon, Hamish, Angus, and Gabrielle are together, hired to get back a cursed emerald. But this job may very well be their last. Cleopatra’s Emerald hasn’t been seen for 30 years, it’s forbidden to steal it and after all the crew is “just kids”…up against the biggest con artist they have ever faced. Kat has her work cut out for her as the clock is ticking.

Ally’s writing style is the same as book one with meticulous details of each heist and amazing descriptions of character and setting. This is a series you’ll stay up late in the night to finish. Picture Oceans 11 with teens plus just the right dash of romance.

The love interests, Hale and Nick…how is one to decide? Chemistry is building between Kat and the two young men who wish to capture her attention when her heart is wrapped up in the thrill of the steal. I haven’t had this much fun with a love triangle in a long time! Hale is ever the perfect gentleman and loyal companion, while Nick seems to pop up unexpectedly to stir things up. Overall, Uncommon Criminals is a squeaky clean read I’d highly recommend to all readers ages 12 and up. Ally Carter is a master mind of deceit and twist of plot. Her clever style will capture you instantly, and if you haven’t picked up book one, Heist Society yet, get thee to your nearest store or library to get started today! Ally is coming to Utah this Saturday at The King’s English book shoppe from 2-5PM. I will be there to cover the event with my camera…so stay tuned.

Fire and Ice is giving away an MP3 Unabridged audiobook of Uncommon Criminals donated by Brilliance audio. To enter to win click here and fill out the form. Good luck!

Teaser Tuesday- Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

21 Jun, 2011 by in maggie stiefvater, scholastic, Teaser Tuesday 3 comments

Forever
by Maggie Stiefvater
Hardcover, 386 pages
Expected publication: July 12th 2011
by Scholastic Press
ISBN0545259088

The thrilling conclusion to #1 bestselling Shiver trilogy from Maggie Stievater

In Maggie Stiefvater’s SHIVER, Grace and Sam found each other. In LINGER, they fought to be together. Now, in FOREVER, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read and Open to a random page. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here is our Forever teaser….In those seconds that it took for her to fight her way back up to the surface, I made up my mind.

I stripped off my jacket, stood at the edge of the sinkhole, and, before I could think of the countless horrific consequences, I went in.” -p.111, Forever.