The Danger Box by Blue Balliett

Release Date: Available Now from Scholastic Press

Source: Personal Copy

Synopsis:

A boy in a small town who has a different way of seeing.

A mischievous girl who won't stay in one place.

A mysterious notebook .

A fire.

A stranger.

A death.


These are some of the things you'll find within The Danger Box, the new mystery from bestselling author Blue Balliett.

It's hard to talk about this book without giving too much away. I've never read Blue Balliett's other books, Chasing Vermeer, The Wright 3, or The Calder Game. It's one of those series that I've always meant to get around to but never have. I saw The Danger Box at my local B&N and was immediately drawn in by the cover. Yes folks, I in fact do judge books by their covers, and am I ever glad that I did.

The Danger Box is a phenomenal read. It's hard to explain, but a true joy to read. The cast of characters found a place in my heart from page one, especially the central character Zoomy who lives with his grandparents in the small town of Three Oaks, Michigan. Zoomy is one of those kids who is wise beyond his years, and rightfully so. I've met some curious and lovable kids just like him working at the school and they're always my favorites.

Above all, this is a wonderful mystery with a puzzle at its heart. It's full of history, friendship, intrigue and heart. Check out The Danger Box. I think it'll steal your heart like it did mine.

Oh, by the way, I've already bought Chasing Vermeer. It'll be my next read.

Winner, Winner!!

So, this has been awhile coming, but I'm just getting back into the swing of things. The winner of the book Hannah is:

Dominique

The winner of all three books is:

Alicia

Congrats Ladies!!

I'll be sending you an e-mail shortly, so get back to me as soon as possible.

Thanks!!!!!

Waiting on Wednesday (73)--The Devouring #3: Fearscape by Simon Holt

Release Date: October 5, 2010 from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Synopsis:

The Vours: evil, demonic beings that inhabit human bodies on Sorry Night, the darkest hours of the Winter Solstice.

It's been a year since Reggie first discovered the Vours, and the Winter Solstice is approaching once again. It will be another night of unspeakable horror for those unlucky enough to be taken by the Vours, because this time, she won't be able to stop them. The Vours have imprisoned Reggie in a psychiatric hospital, where she is subjected to a daily routine of unfathomably sadistic experiments. Her life is a living Hell, but she won't give up. They attacked her brother. They killed her friend. And Reggie will never stop fighting back.

I really loved the first two books in this series. They're great thrillers that kept me reading well into the wee small hours. Can't wait for this one!

Monster High by Lisi Harrison

Release Date: Available Now from Poppy

Source: From Publisher

Synopsis:

And you thought your high school was scary!

Frankie Stein just enrolled at Merston High School in the quiet town of Salem, Oregon. She is looking forward to all that the future holds: rockin' parties, shopping sprees, and, of course, cute boys!

But high school hides a MONSTER of a secret: The fantastically fabulous kids of the world's most famous monsters hand out in plain sight among the "normie" student body!
Even though she was created only fifteen days ago, Frankie is wise enough to know that if her secret gets out, her high school dreams could be as fragile as her not-entirely-secure body parts!

When she meets normie newcomer Melody Carver, who has a crush on a boy from the monster clique, Frankie begins to wonder if Merston HIgh is big enough for monsters and normies to coexist--but is it worth the risk to find out?

What a fabulous book! I never read Lisi Harrison's Clique series. It just never appealed to me, but after reading this one, I think maybe I should have given them a chance. Her writing is quick and witty and her characters are out of this world.

I love the concept behind this book. All the world's famous monsters, from Frankenstein to the Creature from the Black Lagoon, really do exist and live pretty boringly normal lives in Oregon. They just want to fit and, most importantly, they just want their kids to fit in.

Frankie is one of those kids and she's pretty darned awesome. She loves all the things that most girls love, fashion, boys, and hanging out with the girls. Unfortunately, she has more than just the odd pimple to cover with makeup. I loved Frankie and Melody. They were both wonderfully written and really just fun characters to read about.

I laughed a lot while reading this book, but it also makes some pretty important statements about the quest to fit in with the other kids. And what lengths we go to to be considered "normal". I can't recommend Monster High highly enough. It's one of the funnest reads I've read in quite a long while.

Blog Tour and Giveaway! Hannah: My True Story of Drugs, Cutting, and Mental Illness by Hannah Westberg

Release Date: Available Now from HCI Teens

Source: From Publicist

Synopsis:

Hannah is a girl interrupted.

For Hannah Westberg, life has been one big emotional roller coaster. As a girl, her mother was in and out of mental hospitals, so when it was her turn to visit the psych ward following a suicide attempt the summer after eighth grade, she had an idea of what she was in for. But that was only the beginning of Hannah's journey.

Over the next five years, Hannah has engaged in dangerous behaviors--from pill popping and excessive dieting to cutting--and paid a high price. Her depression, self-harm, and suicidal tendencies have landed her in rehab and therapy and with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. But though she may have a label for her mental illness and tools for coping, for Hannah, life is still something she takes one day at a time.

'The psych ward is where you go to get from fragile to shattered. It's like taking your car to get washed and getting your windshield broken in the process.'

Because Truth Is More Fascinating Than Fiction

www.louderthanwordsbooks.com

Hannah's story is a powerful one, and it gave me new insight into dealing with mental illness. This is an issue that people everywhere are dealing with. I've met kids through my work at the school who are dealing with borderline personality disorder. It's a life-changing diagnosis that doesn't have any quick fixes.

It was inspiring to me to see Hannah face her problems head on. I appreciated the fact that she admits it's not always easy and that her life is a work in progress, which can be said for all of us. I would love to read more from Hannah as she moves further and further into her uncertain future.

This is a book that makes you thankful for what you have, and makes you want to reach out and help those around you. I think this is a really important series for teens and I can't wait to read more.

If you'd like to read Hannah's story for yourself, you can win a copy here. In addition, one lucky winner will receive all three books in the Louder Than Words series:

Hannah by Hannah Westberg

Alexis: My True Story of Being Seduced By an Online Predator by Alexis Singer

Rae: My True Story of Fear, Anxiety, and Social Phobia by Chelsea Swigget

So, one winner gets Hannah's book. And one winner wins all three books.

To enter, simply leave a comment below with your e-mail address. Contest ends Friday, August 27th, hurry up and enter already!

If you'd like to see more of the tour, visit YA Book Queen tomorrow for a review of Rae!

Wow!!

I just realized how close we are to Mockingjay!!! Woo hoo!! Now if I can just make it these last few days.

That is all!!

It's A Book by Lane Smith Trailer!!

Check this out!! It looks adorable and very timely. I can't wait to read it!