RHCB BLOG TOUR: The Losers Club by Andrew Clements

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're playing host to a stop along the Random House Children's Books tour featuring the latest from the one and only, Andrew Clements!  Whether you've read his work (me...now), or simply heard of it (formerly me), you recognize it...and there's a good reason for that, let me tell you.  The title in the spotlight today celebrated its birthday August 1st and has been steadily making its way throughout the blogosphere with all sorts of witty, wordy, wonderful posts (seek them out for MORE fun!)...and I'm here to add another name to the list of adoring fans.  My own.  So, if all of the bookworms, book dragons, book insert-here-your-favorite-title-for-now, would be so kind as to join me, we're about to add book to your must read list.  Today's title on deck is...

The Losers Club

by

Andrew Clements

9780399557552

Random House Children's Books for Young Readers

About the book...

The beloved New York Times bestselling author of the modern classic Frindle celebrates books and the joy of reading with a new school story to love!

 

Sixth grader Alec can’t put a good book down.

 

So when Principal Vance lays down the law—pay attention in class, or else—Alec takes action. He can’t lose all his reading time, so he starts a club. A club he intends to be the only member of. After all, reading isn’t a team sport, and no one would want to join something called the Losers Club, right? But as more and more kids find their way to Alec’s club—including his ex-friend turned bully and the girl Alec is maybe starting to like—Alec notices something. Real life might be messier than his favorite books, but it’s just as interesting.

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I'm absolutely in love with this book! Call me a "loser" any day!

While the title may confuse or concern some, if you're a true book lover, it is one to add to that "will always cherish" list that you keep in your back pocket.  Oh don't deny it...you know you have one.  For me, it includes such titles as Dash & Lilly's Book of Dares, Words in Deep Blue, and several dozen others, and while the genres or target age groups may vary, they have one BIG thing in common....a true understanding and celebration of the joys that reading brings.  You know that feeling too...

You crack open a book, carefully since we don't necessarily want to crease the spine, or perhaps you're a book bender, in which case it matters not.  You read the first sentence and BOOM, there you are next to King Arthur's knights, arm in arm in battle...BAM, you're standing next to Katniss as you're told to be hopeful about odds being in your favor...KABOOM, you're helping Harry and friends free Buckbeak from a fate he doesn't deserve...SHAZAAM, you're following your favorite character through some emotionally charged situation that could easily happen in your own day to day life, learning and loving at the same time...and with the turn of the last page, you're back in your favorite reading spot, no worse for wear physically, but oh so changed just the same.  Books are like that, providing a portal to another world, another way of thinking, seeing, an escape from the everyday.  It's the beauty of books, and the joys of reading that every bookworm knows...but what happens when that's the ONLY life we live?

That lesson among many others is something our leading lad Alec discovers during his sixth grade experience.  He's a kid after my own heart with his adoration of reading and I've no doubt we'd have been great friends.  I had to laugh (just a little) when he was sent to the Principal's office...for READING!  I know, I know, it was a serious offense because of the when and where, but really, it was still giggle inducing considering the myriad of things he could have been doing versus was.  When he thought he found a safe haven for his habit during the Extended Day Program, I couldn't help but smile, but then that smile faded when it all seemed to be slipping through his fingers once again.  It took the making of some unexpected friends beyond the pages to build up his character, his confidence, and have him taking a stand for all book worms, dragons, and hawks alike!

It truly is a celebration of reading... all the feels, the adventures, the lessons, the characters, the EVERYTHING... but also, so much more. It reminds us that there's a reader in all of us, if only we find the right selection... but also that life was meant for living, so excluding those experiences entirely for the stacks, though heavenly, won't serve us as well as finding our balance.  Oh and for those still concerned over the title, it's all explained in a creative way that makes PERFECT sense by book's end, and let me tell you the presentation that goes with it, LOVE IT!

In closing, I only have one thing to add... Bookhawks FTW!

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About the author...

Andrew Clements is the New York Times bestselling author of the beloved modern classic Frindle,which has sold over six million copies, won nineteen state awards (and been nominated for thirty-eight!), and been translated into more than a dozen languages around the world. Called the “master of school stories” by Kirkus Reviews, Andrew is now the author of over eighty acclaimed books for kids. He lives in Maine with his wife, Becky. They have four grown sons and two rascally cats. 

Visit Andrew online at andrewclements.com.

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Special thanks to Emily at Random House Children's Books for the ecopy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now, so seek thee out a copy in "e" or "tree" form at your favorite retailers.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

(BOOKHAWKS FTW!)

Storybook Saturday: The Boy Who Wouldn't Read by Denise Walter McConduit

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers and another installment of Storybook Saturday.

Today, we're jumping between the pages of a grand bookish adventure just waiting to be explored.  It stars a young man who quite frankly couldn't see the point of reading, in any shape or form, and just what happens when a semi-wish comes true.  Ready to see the world a bit less wordy?  ~shivers~  Brace yourselves because the ending is SO worth it.  Ladies and gents, let's have a little fun in honor of National Library Week.  Today's book of choice is...

The Boy Who Wouldn't Read

by

Denise Walter McConduit

Illustrated by

David Harrington

9781455618293

Pelican Publishing Company

That's right.

This is the story of a boy named Robbie who found no joy, comfort, or understanding in the world of words.  Whether it be for homework or fun, to pass the time or gain directions, he simply saw no point in having a wordy world and thought everything would be much better if they were to disappear completely.

Whoa.  Scary thought.  *-*

One "It's a Wonderful Life" type wish later and some book destroying tactics employed by this misguided youth, and KAZAAM!  Sorcerer Sileas decides enough is ENOUGH.  It's time this boy was taught a lesson, but how?  Oh, trust me, it's a doozy.  With a wave of his wand, the words were ALL GONE...but as wonderful as Robbie thought things might be, he soon found out that so many were much much harder.  From traversing his neighborhood to being up on the news, procuring a frosty drink (because the money was green but lacking any amounts, etc) to catching the right bus home, Robbie soon found out just HOW useful words really were.  Personally I think the pork chop ice cream and the dog biscuit cookies were a nice touch.  ^_^   ...though I may be taking a little vindictive joy in all of that.  

Anyway, when he sees the error of his ways, his only hope is that Sileas will set things right.  Will he or won't he...that IS a very good question! Though it would serve him right to live in this new reality, the former is the correct answer.  From this awful trial is born a young lad with nothing better to do than celebrate the written word with books of every shape and size.  That's right!  Robbie is a converted reader and there's no one that's happier about that outcome than he himself.

If the story itself wasn't transforming enough, the combination of word and illustration paints the picture even clearer.  Robbie's disdain for reading in all forms can be read (pun intended) from the look on his face.  It's rather disheartening, truth be told, but once he sees the wordy light and understands the role these assembled letters play in everyone's day-to-day, things become much brighter.  The final results of this un-wish lived through were fantastic.  I almost jumped for joy, and did in fact do a fist pump in the air.  What can I say?  Seeing someone turned from a non-reader to a reader in any capacity, warms my heart and I am grateful to the illustrator for bringing this story to life in all its many colors.

In conclusion, a book for readers and non of all ages with a story that imparts just how important the world of reading truly is.  It'll leave you with a smile on your face and in your heart.  What more could you ask for?  

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Special thanks to the team at Pelican Publishing Company for the review copy and chance to share this read with all of you.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their full catalog, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Pelican Publishing Company, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!

Snowman's Story by Will Hillenbrand

Hi guys and gals!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're taking things in a different direction.  How so?  Oh how I LOVE how inquisitive you all are!  ^_^  The how is not in the genre, because we're still in the land of Storybooks; the how is in the review style.  Whereas I can be wordy at times, I am essentially hitting the MUTE button on myself today in keeping with the spirit of the book.  You see, it's a holiday tale that shares the joys of reading in a Frosty the Snowman type adventure...but without words.  Yep, so I suppose that makes it a PICTURE BOOK rather than a Storybook but I'll leave that for the stores to sort out for shelving purposes.  Without further ado and words (for a while anyway) from yours truly, I invite you to grab your warm jacket and hat as we are spirited away by today's book of choice...

Snowman's Story

by

Will Hillenbrand

9781477847879

Two Lions

About the book...

One wintry day, a hat lands on the head of a newly made snowman and brings him to life. Hiding inside the hat is a rabbit, who listens to the snowman read a story to some animal friends. When the snowman falls asleep, the rabbit hops away with the book. But the snowman isn't about to let his story—or the mischievous rabbit—get away. The chase is on! 

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Special thanks to Deborah at Amazon Publishing for the review copy as well as the chance to bring this title to all of you.  (THANKS!)  This title is available now via Two Lions in both hardback and ebook editions.

Until next time....happy holidays and happy reading!