Waiting on Wednesday: Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine and is meant to showcase upcoming books that you can't wait to read.


My anxiously awaited title this week is:

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
Publication Date: May 24, 2011 by Scholastic
Pages: 400
Audience: YA

From Goodreads:

From bestselling, Printz Award-winning author Libba Bray, the story of a plane of beauty pageant contestants that crashes on a desert island. 

Teen beauty queens. A "Lost"-like island. Mysteries and dangers. No access to email. And the spirit of fierce, feral competition that lives underground in girls, a savage brutality that can only be revealed by a journey into the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Oh, the horror, the horror! Only funnier. With evening gowns. And a body count.

This book sounds like it will be fiercely entertaining. Seems like everyone who's read an advanced copy has thoroughly enjoyed it.  Plus, John Green gives it high praise, and that says enough right there.  

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Book Covers You Wish You Could Redesign

This week's Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, is:

Top Ten Covers You Wish You Could Redesign

Once again, I wasn't able to come up with ten, so I only have six.

1. Wither by Lauren DeStafano
Don't get me wrong.  I think this cover is stunning.  I just think this book could appeal to both guys and girls if it were more gender neutral.  Most guys would not pick up a book that had a picture of a girl with a frilly dress on it.

2. The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex
I loved this book.  It is one of my favorite reads of the year so far.  I just don't think the cover is doing anything for making kids want to pick it up and read it.   In fact, I know this is the case because our school's librarian has said that she tries to get kids to read this one, but they judge it by its cover. 

3. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
This cover does not do this book justice.  The only reason I read this book at all was because so many people were saying how amazing it was.  I never would have picked this book up on my own.  The cover does nothing for it at all.  I'm still waiting for this book to become a movie.  It must.  I could see the movie playing in my head as I was reading it.

4. Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
Both the hardcover and paperback do nothing for me - or the students I recommend this book to.  Often students turn their nose down at the covers because they don't compel them or do anything to make them want to read the book.  I had a group of girls read this book in a literature circle and they all agreed that something else needs to be on the cover of this book. They said that neither cover did Dashti any justice.  They were giving suggestions left and right for what would be a better cover than the two that have been created. They even suggested some of the illustrations inside the book would make a better cover than what is currently on it. 

5. Revolution is Not a Dinner Party by Ying Chang Compestine
This cover, while nice-looking, with bold colors that lure in a perspective reader, doesn't really seem to go with the grave, revolutionary theme of the book. The girl on the cover appears to be happy, which is certainly not the tone or mood of the story.

6. The Giver by Lois Lowry
So many students are turned off from this book based on the cover.  I honestly don't know what would be a better option, I just know that kids are not drawn to it on their own, unless they are forced to read it in school.

Shine by Lauren Myracle

When Cat discovers that her best friend Patrick has been the victim of a hate crime, she vows to find out who did it - especially given the apathy and unwillingness to investigate any leads by the sheriff department in her small town. As she continues to question those close to Patrick while he clings to life in a coma, Cat soon finds herself running into people who don't want her digging up dirt into Patrick's past and present. Does Patrick have something to hide? Or do the people close to him want to make sure Cat doesn't unearth something incriminating? 

Part social commentary, part mystery, Lauren Myracle manages to deal with the heavy subject matter of the plot with respect and dignity. The story grabs you from the very beginning and won't let you go, even long after reading the final page. I finished this book last night and actually found myself re-living the ending as I was driving home from work today and it was just as vivid as when I read it last night. This has been one of my favorite reads so far of 2011.  


Shine by Lauren Myracle
Publication date: May 1, 2011 by Amulet Books
Pages: 376
Genre: Mystery
Audience: Young Adult

*ARC provided through Netgalley

Fool For Books giveaway winner

Random.org number generator selected #13 out of 69 entries:

Congrats to Michele L. who was #13!  She wins a copy of David Sedaris's Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk.  Thanks to everyone who entered and to all of my followers - new and old!

Dream Big, Little Pig! by Kristi Yamaguchi

From Goodreads:

Poppy has big dreams-lots of them! But following her dreams isn't as easy as it sounds. Poppy wants to be a ballerina, a singer, and a supermodel but people just keep telling her no!

It's a good thing Poppy's friends and family-who love her no matter what-encourage her to keep believing in herself and pursuing her dreams. Poppy achieves her dreams and will inspire readers to believe that they can too!

Kristi Yamaguchi has always been one of my favorite figure skaters. Not only is she talented at her sport, but she is gracious and humble and just an all-around nice person.

The projection of positive energy that she radiates has manifested into this adorable children's book about the importance of perseverance and finding your dreams.

At the risk of writing spoilers, this is not the story of a little pig who practices really hard and wins a gold medal in the Olympics (which is I'm sure what everyone assumes before they pick this book up and read it - I know I did). Instead, it's the story of setting goals and watching them come to fruition in other ways than just winning. It sends the message to kids to do what you love no matter if you win or not, regardless of what others tell you.  

This might be a tough message to buy from such a lavishly decorated Olympic athlete, but you get the sense from this book that she would have skated and continued to skate for many years, Olympic champion or not.  Her positive attitude and dedication to hard work is what makes people love and admire her, gold medal or not.  Michelle Kwan proved that you don't have to be an Olympic champion for people to love you.  You just have to work hard, be passionate, gracious, and humble.  Kristi is all of those things and more.  

Keep writing books Kristi!  Kids need more role models like you in this world.  There are far too many Kim Khardashians, Lindsay Lohans, Snooki Polizzis, and Paris Hiltons out there.  Kids need people worth emulating and there are far too many shameful people walking red carpets today disguised as role models. 

Dream Big, Little Pig! by Kristi Yamaguchi, illustrated by Tim Bowers
Published: March 1, 2011 by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Pages: 32
Genre: Picture book
Audience: Children

In My Mailbox (23)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.  The books you share do not have to be ones you actually received in the mail.  They can be ones you bought at the book store, checked out at the library, or downloaded to your e-reader.  The idea is just to share what's on your TBR pile for the upcoming week.

I didn't get anything in my actual mailbox this week, but here was my library loot:

Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer

 
Dream Big, Little Pig! by Kristi Yamaguchi, illustrated by  Tim Bowers
I was so bummed when I found out that Kristi Yamaguchi was here in Michigan for a signing a mere half hour before it was supposed to start. I wanted to go so badly but I wouldn't have had time to get there before it started.  I wish there was some sort of database for author visits. I always find out about them after the fact. 


Of Numbers and Stars: The Story of Hypatia by D. Anne Love, illustrated by Pam Paparone

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

Fool For Books Giveaway Blog Hop

Thank you to I Am a Reader Not a Writer and The Bookish Snob for hosting this awesome blog hop.

Since this blog hop is in honor of April Fool's Day, this is my offering:

Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris
Publish Date: October 5, 2010
Pages: 159
Genre: Humor
Audience: Adults

From Goodreads:

If animals were more like us, if mice kept pets and toads could cuss, if dogs had wives and chipmunks dated, sheep sat still and meditated, then in the forest, field, and dairy you might find this bestiary, read by storks, by rats and kitties, skimmed by cows with milk-stained titties. "I found the book to be most droll," might quip the bear, the owl, the mole, Others, though, would be more coarse. "Bull," could say the pig and horse. As to the scribe, they'd quote the hen: "Trust me, he's no La Fontaine."

Contest Rules:

• Must be 13 years or older to enter
• Open to U.S. residents only
• You are not required to be a follower to enter but it is greatly appreciated
• Starts April 1st, ends April 2nd at 11:59 PM EST

How to enter:
Leave a comment explaining your favorite animal story (don't forget to leave me your email so I can contact you if you win!)

My favorite animal story is the Tortoise and the Hare because it teaches so many great lessons about the need to be humble and not counting people out.

I also love the book Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo.  I think it's my favorite dog book of all time because it's one of the few dog books that won't make you cry at the end!

 Don't forget to visit the other blogs in the blog hop: