Friday, July 22, 2011

Stay Golden

Happy Birthday to S.E. Hinton!

S.E. Hinton is the author of what some consider to be the first Young Adult novel, The Outsiders, which she wrote when she was 16 years old.

The book is a masterpiece wrapped up in a tear-jerking tale of friendship, belonging and still yet being misunderstood. It still resonates with teens and adults alike, with its consistently relevant themes of the love, loss, and pain that come with being young.






Say Happy Birthday to S.E. Hinton by reading the incredible book,











or show your Outsiders love with this awesome shirt from the ever-cool Out of Print Clothing store.




Or, if you feel like watching some cutie patooties, check out the now iconic, Francis Ford Coppola directed movie adaptation, starring pretty much everyone in Hollywood.














However you choose to celebrate, stay golden!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Sharing: BREADCRUMBS

I'm so thrilled to be able to write this post. I requested an ARC of Breadcrumbs and Walden Pond Press - being the kind souls that they are - sent me one! This was one of my most anticipated middle grade reads for the fall, and in reading it, I have only been justified in being so excited about this book. This is one of the best middle grade books I've read in some time. I love it!

Breadcrumbs is the latest book from Anne Ursu, who most of you will already be familiar with if you are interested in middle grade reads. She's the author of the Cronus Chronicles series, and has - I think - truly outdone herself with this book.

Hazel and Jack are next door neighbors, long-time best friends and brand-new school mates. They go on grand imaginary adventures together, and understand one another quite like no one else. As changes in their home lives send both of them into states of uncertainty about themselves, Hazel clings to Jack, who is her constant and her anchor, while Jack pulls away. But what is it that is pulling him away? Could he really turn his back on his best friend? Or is this the result of the kind of magic they have both so ardently believed existed?

We follow Hazel on a journey as she navigates a cold, brutal world where endings aren't always happy and people aren't often what they seem. On this journey, she learns more about herself and her best friend than she could imagine.

If you don't typically read middle grade fiction, this is a perfect introduction. It's a wonderful mix of fairy tale, fantasy and the harsh realities of being in that strange place between growing up and the magical realm that we can create in our mind as a child.

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu will be available for purchase on September 27th, 2011 from Walden Pond Press.

Monday, July 4, 2011

July on My Blog

Last month, I wasn't able to post much at all, because I was immersed in Dante and Burckhardt's take on the Italian Renaissance.
This month, I will be posting primarily course-related content, because I'm taking an EdTech course (yay!), where much of our writing assignments are in the form of blog posts. This means I likely won't get back to regular content at all until August, but I do have some wonderful books to share at that time.
I've still got one picture book that I want to share, as well as all three books in the Penderwicks series. So, stay tuned for some incredibly deep thoughts on technology related issues (ha!) or tune me out until I can return to regular programming. Either way, enjoy your summer and feel free to share your thoughts!