Showing posts with label book birthdays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book birthdays. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Happy book birthday to Screaming at the Ump by Audrey Vernick

It's no secret that I am a huge fan of Audrey Vernick's books (she's the author whose books I've reviewed the most here on this blog), but I'm also just a huge fan of Audrey Vernick in general. She's made of all kinds of awesome. For an author to be talented in writing:
  • Fiction
  • Non-fiction
  • Picture Books
  • Novels
  • Silly stories
  • Heartwarming stories
is no small feat. She's like the kidlit jack-of-all-trades.

Well today she has a new novel hitting shelves called Screaming at the Ump from Clarion Books. Here's the lowdown:

Twelve-year-old Casey Snowden knows everything about being an umpire. His dad and grandfather run a New Jersey umpire school, Behind the Plate, and Casey lives and breathes baseball. Casey’s dream, however, is to be a reporter—objective, impartial, and fair, just like an ump. But when he stumbles upon a sensational story involving a former major league player in exile, he finds that the ethics of publishing it are cloudy at best. This emotionally charged coming-of-age novel about baseball, divorce, friendship, love, and compassion challenges its readers to consider all the angles before calling that strike.



Now here's the thing: I hate baseball. I'm not going to even pretend I like it. But whenever I read an Audrey Vernick book, she makes me love the sport. So whether you love baseball or hate it, you should read it. And while you're at it, read Audrey's other books too, because she's awesome.

Water Balloon
Brothers at Bat: The True Story of an Amazing All-Brother Baseball Team
She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story
Bark and Tim: A True Story of Friendship 
Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten?
Teach Your Buffalo to Play Drums
So You Want to Be a Rock Star
Bogart and Vinnie: A Completely Made-Up Story of True Friendship

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Happy Book Birthday Chick-O-Saurus Rex!

Lenore Applehans, who wrote the YA afterlife thriller Level 2 (soon to be renamed The Memory of After), teamed up with her husband Daniel Jennewein, illustrator of Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? and Teach Your Buffalo to Play Drums, for this adorable picture book about courage, standing up to bullies, and being proud of your own heritage.

Little Chick wants to join the "cool kids" in the tree house, but in order to be allowed entry, he must first prove he is strong and brave. The tree house bullies scoff at his cock-a-doodle-doo and declare that no chickens are allowed.

Dejected, Little Chick asks his dad what their family has done that is strong and brave and they soon stumble upon a discovery that just might allow him access into the tree house.

A fun, cute picture book with a good message and a little science hidden in there for good measure. :)


Check out this wonderful interview with Daniel and Lenore on author Audrey Vernick's blog and then go out and get your copy of Chick-O-Saurus Rex today. Or if you'll be in or around the following two locations in August, stop by and meet Lenore and Daniel for your own personalized copy.

Saturday, August 3rd: Alexandria Virginia
Hooray for Books, 3:30 PM

Saturday, August 10th: Delaware, OH
Fundamentals Bookstore, 10 AM


Chick-O-Saurus Rex by Lenore and Daniel Jennewein  
Published: July 23, 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 32
Genre: Picture Book
Audience: Primary
Disclosure: Book received from author and illustrator 



Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Happy Book Birthday Level 2!


I'm so excited that Lenore Appelhans' debut novel, Level 2, comes out today!

I had the privilege of reading an ARC of Level 2 last summer and was completely blown away. I hope you all go out and buy it today.

And if you need more convincing, check out my review of Level 2 and interview with Lenore:

Level 2 review
Interview with Lenore Appelhans