Category Archives: News & Reviews

Win the Entire Nicholas Flamel Series!

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. Winners will be announced shortly.

One lucky winner will receive a full hardback set of all six books in the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series, signed by author Michael Scott. Ten more winners will each receive a paperback copy of The Alchemyst, the first book in the series.

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A master of fantasy, science fiction and folklore, Michael Scott is the author of the New York Times bestselling Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series, among many other books. His work has been published in 37 countries and in 20 languages.

Find out more about Michael Scott HERE.

Photo by Perry Hagopian

Photo by Perry Hagopian

Angry Birds Furious Forces!

Attention Angry Birds fanatics! See the acrobatic birds explain physics in their own silly ways in Angry Birds Furious Forces! by Rhett Allain.

This book tackles tricky topics like thermodynamics, electromagnetism and gravity, and is filled with quirky science illustrations, interactive experiments and dozens of bonus gameplay tips. National Geographic, $13.95 softcover. All ages. BUY IT HERE.

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So You Want to Be a Chef?

Are you an up-and-coming chef? Learn how to get started in the world of culinary arts in So, You Want To Be a Chef? by J.M. Bedell, featuring timelines, a food industry glossary and cool recipes. BUY IT HERE.

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Don’t forget to enter the Boys’ Life and Scouting magazine Campout Cuisine Contest. Visit HERE for more info.

 

Author Q&A: Brandon Mull

At a Glance

Cool Fact: He’s a #1 New York Times and USA Today best-selling author.

Photo by Angela Liddle

Photo by Angela Liddle

Best Known for Writing:

Fablehaven series

Beyonders series

NEWEST: Spirit Animals Book 1: Wild Born, releasing Sept. 10

 

Were you ever a Boy Scout? If so, has Scouting influenced your career?

I participated in Scouts all growing up. I got my Arrow of Light as a Cub Scout and later achieved the rank of Eagle. Scouting has significantly helped my career as a professional writer. To create stories, I need details, and my experiences in Scouting helped me learn at least a little about a wide variety of things. I hiked, camped, and shot guns and bows. I navigated complicated obstacle courses. I learned about boating, first aid and lifesaving. I even spent the night in the woods with an improvised shelter. All of those experiences provide details I need when characters encounter similar situations.

Tell us a little about your newest book, Spirit Animals Book 1: Wild Born.  Animals Cover_MOCKUP.indd

Like all of my novels so far, Spirit Animals is a fantasy. Readers will travel to the world of Erdas, where people can form lifelong bonds with animals. When those relationships become strong, people can share certain powers and abilities with their animal companion. We’ll follow four kids who must use their bonds with four powerful animals to help save their world.

Like The 39 Clues and Infinity Ring series, Spirit Animals is a book series that also includes an online game. Why did you want to get involved with this kind of series?

I like that Spirit Animals allows readers multiple ways to explore the world of Erdas. If they read the book and like the idea of having a spirit animal, they can go online, get their own spirit animal and have their own adventures. It was really fun to see many of my characters and multiple places in the book brought to life as a videogame.

Besides your own books, what are the top five books you would recommend to young readers?

Narnia, Harry Potter, Holes, and (for teens) Hunger Games and Ender’s Game

Random Question: What is your favorite videogame and why?

Since eighth grade I’ve loved the Zelda games. I like the fantasy feel, and I enjoy the mix of exploration, combat and puzzle solving.

 

Check out the trailer for the new Spirit Animals book and game series:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sLcH6vwi2c&feature=player_embedded&rel=0

 

Be a Jedi Doodler and Superfolder!

If you’re a Star Wars fan, you’ll probably get a kick out of the 75 activities offered in this book. I was a little concerned when I saw it was part of the “Origami Yoda Activity Book” series — after all, if you’re not especially talented (like me) at drawing and paper crafts, you don’t want to be taking directions from a creature who basically talks backwards.

But never fear: Art2-D2’s Guide to Folding and Doodling — in a fun AND easy-to-understand way — gets you drawing, creating paper crafts, playing games and more, all within the Star Wars universe. I mean, who doesn’t want to learn how to draw Darth Vader’s helmet, make a Chewbacca puppet or talk like Yoda?

Check it out and buy it for less than 10 bucks HERE.

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Author Q&A: Gordon Korman

Photo by Owen Kassimir

Photo by Owen Kassimir

At a Glance

Cool Fact: He’s a #1 New York Times bestselling author

How Many Books He’s Written: More than 60

What He’s Written:

  • Books in The 39 Clues series
  • Swindle series
  • NEWEST: The Hypnotists

What Else: Premiered Aug. 24 on Nickelodeon: a movie based on his Swindle series (See below for a preview)

 

What advice would you give to aspiring young authors?

Make writing a part of your life. It shouldn’t be a once-in-a-blue-moon activity. It needs to be something you do almost every day, whether it’s blogging or keeping a diary, journal, or writer’s notebook. It can also be none of those things. I don’t do any of that, but I’ve always got a book in the works.

Your Swindle book series is being turned into a TV movie. What’s it like for you to see your work on screen?

It’s really cool, but also a little eerie. We’re a big Nickelodeon house, so the actors in Swindle seem like extended family to me. Not only have my characters come to life, but they’ve whooshed into being as people I’ve already known for years!

How were you involved with the movie’s production?

In a way, I’ve been watching the TV movie grow and take shape ever since Swindle first came out. So it’s almost as if I’ve been building the series with later books like Hideout step-by-step alongside the development of the movie.

What can you tell us about your latest book, The Hypnotists?The Hypnotists Book 1 cover

It’s the story of a regular kid who suddenly discovers he’s the greatest natural hypnotist in history. It’s the first time I’ve ever tackled something paranormal, like mind control. How would it feel to be able to make anyone do exactly what you want them to? How would you use that power? It would be a lot of fun at first, but it’s also an enormous responsibility. In the end, my main character comes to realize that the fate of the entire world might be in his hands.

You’re one of the authors who has contributed to the wildly successful The 39 Clues series. How is writing for this series — with its unique game cards and online interaction with readers — different from writing your other books?

I love being a 39 Clues author, but it certainly gets complicated at times, especially when you’re writing one of the later books in a series. You have to be really careful that your details match the storyline that’s happened so far. I actually think the multi-author style brings out the best in us as writers. We all try to outdo each other, and that creates a series that’s heart-stoppingly exciting from start to finish.

Besides your own books, what are the top five books you would recommend to young readers?

  • Crash by Jerry Spinelli (My favorite friendship between two guys in all of kids’ books.)
  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney (The only book series enjoyed equally by all three of my kids and me.)
  • The Great Brain series by John D. Fitzgerald (They’re kind of old now, but when I was a kid, these books were my favorites.)
  • Heads or Tails by Jack Gantos (Best dead dog scene ever!)
  • Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling (You can’t go wrong. I prefer the early ones, which have the most humor.)

Random Question: What is your favorite outdoor activity?

I love to hike and rock scramble, but lately I’ve been playing a lot of street hockey with my kids. I think this is a throwback to my childhood in Canada, where some form of hockey was played 12 months a year, in any kind of weather.

CHECK IT OUT: Here’s a preview of the new Nickelodeon TV movie based on Korman’s book Swindle.

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Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children

Miss“Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children” by Ransom Riggs is one of the best young adult books I’ve read in years, filled with inventive storytelling, unique characters and an epic mystery.

What makes it so unique? For starters, the author blends fantastical fiction and a real-life collection of scary photos, to tell a story unlike any you’ve ever read.

The story follows sixteen-year-old Jacob, who grew up listening to his grandfather’s bizarre nighttime stories about a mysterious orphanage. He’s always wondered if his grandfather’s scary stories were true, or just the ramblings of an old man? After Jacob’s grandfather passes away, he decides to hunt for the infamous orphanage, and find out the truth once and for all. But what Jacob discovers is unlike anything he imagined, a spooky fantasy world of odd monsters, time loops and constant danger around every corner.

If you love fantasy, horror or good old-fashioned mysteries, “Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children” is for you. If you are 13 or older, I highly recommend checking it out. If you are under 13, you should discuss the book with your parents before reading it. While the book offers valuable lessons on good and evil, and some very exciting and one-of-a-kind storytelling, it also features adult situations. Visit Common Sense Media for more information on the book’s content. (As always, I recommend checking Common Sense Media for any books, movies, games, websites or music that you may be unsure of.)

The paperback version is in stores now, featuring more peculiar photos and the first chapter of the forthcoming sequel to “Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children.” Take a look at the spooky book trailer below for more info on the book.

— Clay Swartz

 

 

Fold the Perfect Paper Airplane

I don’t know about you, but every time I make a paper airplane it won’t go more than about 10 feet. Often the plane just twirls and whirls straight into the ground.

That’s why I recruited the help of the Paper Airplane Guy, John M. Collins, to enlighten us all on how to build the perfect paper airplane.

Collins set the world record for Paper Airplane Distance in 2012, throwing a plane more than 200 feet through the air before landing. He’s been at it for years, and there is likely no better source for paper airplane excellence. So, without further ado, check out his video tutorial below.

 

51Wo2DBJVmL._SL500_SS500_If you’re interested in building and launching more paper airplanes, including the world record-breaking design, be sure to read The New World Champion Paper Airplane Book by John M. Collins.

The book features detailed step-by-step instructions on 24 awesome airplane models. Ten Speed Press, $16.99 softcover. All ages.

 

 

 

 

The Best Adventure and Mystery Books?

We recently received a great question from reader Paul, who asks, “Which are the best adventure and mystery books?”

Let us start by saying that this question is a tricky one because there are thousands of great mystery and adventure books out there. But we will give it a shot.

Take a look below for some of our favorites. Some suggestions will require parental guidance.

  • The 39 Clues (series)
  • Billy Bud by Herman Melville
  • The Call of the Wild by Jack London
  • Dune by Frank Herbert
  • Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
  • The Hardy Boys (series)
  • The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
  • Hatchet by Gary Paulson
  • Harry Potter (series) by J.K. Rowling
  • Huckelberry Finn by Mark Twain
  • The Lord of the Rings (series) by J.R.R. Tolkien
  • The Lord of the Flies by William Golding
  • Percy Jackson & the Olympians (series) by Rick Riordan
  • Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
  • The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
  • Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
  • The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
  • White Fang by Gary Paulson
  • A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’EngleDid we miss anything? Feel free to ask questions about the books we chose in the comments below. And as always, if you have a burning question type it into the box on the right side of this page.