School's back in session: Lovecraft Middle School: Substitute Creature by Charles Gilman

Hi there!

Welcome back to the site that keeps it fun, keeps it fresh, and never DID learn how to say no to a book that dazzled my senses (perish the thought!)…Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we’re glancing back at a book I read last month that just didn’t have it’s time in the reading spotlight.  *sigh*  What can I say?  So many reads to share, so little time!  No worries though.  It wasn’t forgotten, merely placed “in waiting”, but today…it waits no more!  Ready to don your school uniforms and step back into the CREEPIEST middle school that ever was and hopefully shan’t actually be?  Let’s do this then!  Today’s book of choice is…

Tales from Lovecraft Middle School, Book 4:

Substitute Creature

By

Charles Gilman

Illustrations by

Eugene Smith

Quirk Books

9781594746406

From the back cover…

It’s Valentine’s Day and a monstrous blizzard has descended upon Lovecraft Middle School, trapping twelve-year-old Robert Arthur inside the building!  He and his companions have no choice but to spend the night – while snacking on cafeteria food, sleeping on the gymnasium floor, facing off against a sinister substitute teacher, and thwarting an army of abominable beasts.

Can you imagine this being YOUR seventh grade year in school?  I mean the worst things I remember were worrying over an upcoming test or if you’d be invited to that party or perhaps even catch the eye of that guy you had a crush on.  Stopping a force of Old Ones from taking over the school without even knowing who or what you’re dealing with (except that Crawford Tillinghast is behind it naturally)…now that’s a whole other kettle of fish.

The best part of this series, aside from the fact that each one is JUST as good as the last, is that each story picks up right where the last one left off and yet you can still start it at any point and have JUST as much fun!  Pretty cool, right?  Right…though I highly suggest starting at the beginning since it will bring you THAT much more entertainment plus you build a relationship with the characters making it even MORE real.  Anywho, let’s get back to this particular adventure, also known as how-Robert-Glenn-Karina-and-Pip-and-Squeak foil the plans of the long passed (sorta), uber creepy and sinister Crawford Tillinghast…

Long description?  I know…but it also fits it to a “T” and ends in a SURPRISE, bigger than you might imagine.  Let’s see, there’s the unseasonable weather, the hordes of Old Ones waiting to take over the school, a substitute teacher that smells like her name, a bratty child who gets a punishment no one deserves, and a dream that comes true.  Ha!  Caught you by surprise didn’t I?  Didn’t expect a dream come true in there now did you?  Well, if there is ANYTHING you learn about these stories and this school, EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED, not that you actually could, but try to at least. Nothing is too weird or too wild to put past the likes of Tillinghast as he seeks to make his reality, ours.  Oh, and speaking of the old man, he makes an appearance in this one!  Yep.  A special one on one with Robert about…well, a deal he can’t refuse (so to speak).  Will he take it?  Will he thumb his nose at him and high tail it out of there?  Will it be carried out anyway despite his lack of answer?  All good questions, that shall remain unanswered for now…you’ll just have to read it.  (Hehe. ^_^)

So, in conclusion, a grand old time with the friends we’ve grown to love over these past three adventures with an introduction to some new baddies as well as allies.  We see Karina and Robert getting closer as only seventh graders can, Glenn sticking to his new found goodness, and Ms. Arthur (Robert’s Mom) getting a glimpse into the actual goings on at this state of the art school and reminding us that things are not always what they seem.  Take a step back into the hallowed halls of an intellectual institution that sits on the brink of an abyss it simply can’t see nor seemingly avoid.  Good thing they have Robert, Glenn, Karina, and of course, Pip and Squeak…whether they know it or not.

ARC and finished copy, with SUPER COOL lenticular cover, received courtesy of Eric at Quirk Books!  (THANKS!)  To discover more about this book as well as their full catalog of quirky fun, pay a visit to their site, or follow along on Twitter.  For more information on this title as well as the ever growing series, be sure to stop  by the official site or like them on Facebook…after all, they are always looking for new enrollments.  (MuwhahahahahahahaHA!)

Until next time…happy reading!

Happy Blogoversary to....ME!

Keep reading...the contest end date has been extended!

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Hi guys!

Welcome back to the place that aims to be your online source for bookish fun EVERY day of the week...Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

So, yesterday.

It marked a milestone here at the site.

As of May 18th, 2013....I've been blogging here for exactly

FOUR YEARS.

Wow.

Amazing how the time fly's when you're having fun.

For all of those that have made this journey so enjoyable, offering their friendship, insight, bookish conversations and more, I THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.  You're what helps make this ride SO MUCH FUN to begin with...otherwise, I'm just sending words into outer space and it's doubtful that Captain Kirk will be responding anytime soon. ^_^  Anywho...

...it wouldn't be much of a celebration without some presents, now would it?

Nope. Sure wouldn't.

SO, if you'd like to send anything my way for the event I....

...JUST KIDDING!

It's a blogoversary for pete's sake....this is when the presents go to YOU!

Now, today marks the end of the official Children's Book Week celebration, along with the giveaway hop that began about a week ago.  If you haven't gotten your entries in yet, I really suggest you do....it's open INTERNATIONALLY and there are pretty cool prizes up for grabs if I do say so myself.  

In the spirit of the week and in celebration of my own party worthy event, Eric over at Quirk Books (THANKS!) was gracious enough (okay, extremely COOL enough) to offer up a FABU prize I get the joy of passing on to one of you.

Oh wait...correction.  To FIVE of you.

Yep, that's right!

FIVE winners...just think of it as one winner for each year SFIR has been online AND one to grow on.  So, what's the FABU prize mentioned?  Well, each winner will score an ARC copy of....

Tales from Lovecraft Middle School, Book 3:

Teacher's Pest

by

Charles Gilman

Illustrated by

Eugene Smith

About the book...

DON'T BE FOOLED by his friendly smile, his perfect manners, or his shiny red apple. Student council president Howard Mergler is actually a sinister bug-monster in disguise—and he's summoning swarms of roaches, wasps, fleas, and head lice into the corridors of Lovecraft Middle School! Twelve-year-old Robert Arthur is the only student who can stop him--but he'll need help from his best friends: the school bully, the school ghost, and an extremely courageous two-headed rat.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  - - -

Now don't be scared off by the "book 3" aspect of it all because although I definitely recommend reading the ENTIRE series, you don't have to in order to follow the story and enjoy the heck out of it too!  For a sneak peek at what's inside, just check out my review.

So, who wants a copy?

Are you nodding your head vigorously?

I thought you might be.

The rules are simple....

...US/CANADA residents only; no P.O. Boxes please.

...entries accepted NOW through Saturday, May 25th, 2013.

Something happened to my former Google Entry form so all of YOU benefit...as entries are now being accepted for one more week (through May 31st)!

...enter your information in the Google form 

RIGHT HERE 

...and BAM you're in to win!

Good luck to everyone!

Here's to another year of bookish magic in the making.

Until next time...happy reading!

Lovecraft Middle School is back in session!

Hi there!

Welcome back to the place that aims to bring you something wonderful, something wordy, something that might give you a paper cut if handled the wrong way (but I know you are all WELL versed in the care and handling of a book)...Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

It seems this is bookish birthday week here on the site as we enter day two and don our party hats once again...only this time, we also need one with two hats, but only one annoying elastic for under your chin.  No, I've not invented a new style nor am I inviting a bull to the party, but there is a little critter in attendance that is deserving of the party favor.  Here you go guys! *snaps elasty*  There.  Perfect!  Now, where were we...oh yes!  The book!

TODAY we are celebrating the BOOK BIRTHDAY of the third book in a Children's Fiction/Middle Grade series that is more than suited for readers of the target age range and beyond.  We were introduced to Lovecraft Middle School's haunted...I mean hallowed halls in Professor Gargoyle.  We were warned against using the school swimming pool for any reasons with The Slither Sisters. (Of course, if you need a quick run down on them, just search out the series here on my site, I've got you covered.  ^_^)  Now, we're learning that looks can be deceiving and intentions are not always what they seem with today's book of choice...

Tales from Lovecraft Middle School, Book 3:

Teacher's Pest

by

Charles Gilman

Illustrated by

Eugene Smith

About the book...

DON'T BE FOOLED by his friendly smile, his perfect manners, or his shiny red apple. Student council president Howard Mergler is actually a sinister bug-monster in disguise—and he's summoning swarms of roaches, wasps, fleas, and head lice into the corridors of Lovecraft Middle School! Twelve-year-old Robert Arthur is the only student who can stop him--but he'll need help from his best friends: the school bully, the school ghost, and an extremely courageous two-headed rat.

Let's just say if you have even the SLIGHTEST version of a weak stomach, DON'T READ THIS ONE DURING LUNCH!  *-*

Yes, we're back and Lovecraft Middle School is under attack once again as Crawford Tillinghast tries tries
tries to take over the school (and then the world!) with his army of creatures, features, devious diversions and the like.  Yep.  Never a dull moment, though in lieu of fighting off hordes of creepy crawlies, I think I'll take that extra study hall.  *ahem*  Howard Mergler is a tricky one and has positioned himself just so within the school's class system to potentially get everything he and the evil Tillinghast desire.  - insert evil laugh here - Who knew that that polished exterior and sparkling mind were really only a vessel for...something I shan't reveal, but if you read book 2 or dive into this one, you'll find out soon enough.  By the time this installment is up, we'll have faced clouds of maggots (keep your mouth shut), more than our fair share of lice (still itchy after reading THAT portion....*scratch scratch*)...and just might be looking at an eternity with our soul in a slightly larger than average urn and our body being used to cause who knows what kinds of havoc in the real world, but hey...at least we'll be doing it together with our friends Glenn, Karina, and Pip and Squeak.  Right?  Right?!?  *-*   _gulp_


If you thought I'd spoil it for you up there, think again!  I just can't do it.  With a series that reads so quickly and can be enjoyed by the masses, the mysteries must remain in tact, however I can mention a few OTHER things you may care to learn before you set out on your own reading journey.  I love how the books all build off of each other never leaving you to wonder what happened during the days/months/years in between installments, a fact I'm certain not only impatient readers appreciate but also the younger set.  I love how though all installments are a part of the whole, they can in fact be read individually and still enjoyed leaving the less active reader to have their interest sparked by any one title and still dive headlong into the series.  Do I recommend it be done this way?  Of course not....I mean, the whole series is made of awesome so why would you want to miss a moment plus even in these quick reads you get to see the characters and their relationships develop over the course of each novel (read that as MAD AUTHOR SKILLS) but it's still nice to have the option.  I also love how the author keeps the main crew in the spotlight but allows even the smallest of creatures to have additional page time in often unique ways.  How often does a two-headed rat get the chance to be the explorer, the one's to blaze the trail and face the danger before them head on in an effort to save not only their friends but the world?  Not often I'd venture.  ^-^

In conclusion, a definite MUST READ for the MG fan in your life, whether they be tall or small, young or old, from this realm or not (*-*); there is "fun" to be had in the pages of any Lovecraft Middle School story from cover to cover.  (One look at the lenticular covers should be a great indicator of that too.)  You'll come for the text, stay for the story and enjoy the heck out of the illustrations that pop up every so often...not so much that young readers will feel like they haven't progressed in their reading level but enough to give your minds eye a break from trying to create EVERY foul creature that comes your way.  You'll follow intently as our trio (plus Pip and Squeak!) try valiantly once again to stave off the impending doom that Tillinghast has released upon the student body, cheering with their successes, cringing at their set backs, but never quite giving up as their spirits buoy you along.  It's inventive, it's creepy cool, and in a word...FUN!


Review copy courtesy of Eric at Quirk Books.  (THANKS!) For more information on this title as well as their growing catalog of quirky wonders, be sure to check out their site, like them on Facebook, or follow along on Twitter.  To discover more about the Lovecraft Middle School series including such fascinating tidbits as "How to Care for Your Two-Headed Rat", be sure to stop by the school's official website or Facebook page.  Oh, did I tell you?  I hear they're accepting new enrollments for the coming school year! Oh and good news for fans of the series!  BOOK 4, Substitute Teacher is scheduled for release September 2013...just take a gander at THAT cover - - >
~shudders~
*adds to wish list*

Until next time...happy reading!

Things aren't always what they ssssseem....

Hi there!

Welcome back to another day, another post here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today’s been an interesting day to say the least, life wise and no, not in the “yay for me” vein, more like the “woe is me”…*sigh*…oh well, such is life sometimes.  ~shakes it off~ Darn day…go away already!  Hmm, it looks like it’s gonna need a little help to get the message.  I wonder if I can recruit some of the critters and creatures from today’s story; then again, that didn’t really go so well for Mr. Tillinghast, now did it.  *-*

What’s that?  You recognized that name?  Congrats to you my fellow avid reader; if not, no worries…we’ll get you on the right path here soon enough.  ^_^  Today, we are delving into the world of Children’s Fiction with a BOOK BIRTHDAY celebrant ready to PAR-TAY!  Now it is a costume event so I have to ask…who will you be going as?  Yes, WHO; not what, but WHO…and I’m not talking “in the guise of” here if you catch my drift.  Yes, things are not always what they seem and in this series, people are not often who they appear to be either.  Ready to enroll in another semester at Lovecraft Middle School?  If your answer was yes (as it should be!), gather up your courage, you’re gonna need it.  Today’s book of choice is…

Tales from Lovecraft Middle School, Book 2:

The Slither Sisters

By

Charles Gilman

Let’s see, now for those of you previously following the goings-on at this educational institution (or as I like to call it, “the-adventures-of-Robert-Karina-Glenn-and-a-truly-awesome-two-headed-rat”), you may recall that when we last left our trio + one, they had managed to narrowly escape the clutches of one pretty heinous monster, formerly known as Professor Gargoyle, only to be presented with the formerly lost Price twins who though back from who-knows-where, seem off somehow (< - understatement of the century!).  For a brief glimpse into Book 1, click over to the publisher’s page; for a quick recap, check out my review right here on the site.

Book 2 picks up just where the first left off (LOVE it when that happens!) leaving you more time to explore their world and the one Tillinghast purposefully created on accident (intentional oxymoron since he was trying to accomplish this just not the way it turned out).  Trust me, it’s a win-win because if the adventures continue the way that they’ve been, you’re gonna want a good long series to experience it in…or at least I know I do.  ^_^  Anywho, the Price sisters are back and running for student council president but despite their cupcakes every Friday platform, something is fishy about these two.  They act too prim too proper too EVERYTHING like they are auditioning for the role of a lifetime…and what’s with the obsession with swimming everyday at lunch, by themselves, and not coming up for air like after SIX+ minutes!  Yeah…whatever assumption you are making right now is WAY off base and probably TEN times easier to wrap your mind around than the truth of it all…but then again, that IS one of the reasons we love these stories so well.

The fate of the school, nay the entire class body (and their bodies…let’s not forget that part of things!) is hanging in the balance.  What’s a boy to do?  Oh, I know…run head first into the problem with a severe lack of belief in oneself and expect it to all turn out in the end, right?  WRONG!  At least partially wrong…while Robert is not the bravest, the strongest, the quickest or the anything-est, strength in this case comes in numbers.  In his heart of hearts, he really is all those things, believe me, I’m not knocking him down a notch, but he lacks enough sense of self to believe it (sound familiar?)…thank goodness for friends even if they are a somewhat motley crew.  Well I mean really, what else would YOU call a former bully, a ghost girl and a two headed rat?  Yep…that’s what I thought.  Description aside, they are the best friends a guy or girl could ask for and considering the situation they’re facing is pretty dire, it’s just the right mix to have a shot at making it out in one piece, as yourself…you know, not harboring any spirits, creatures or the like that aren’t already a part of you.  *ahem* 

Do they win this round against the dark minions of Tillinghast?  Yes in some ways…no in others.  You wouldn’t want me to spoil the surprise now would you?  Trust me, there is QUITE a surprise too…it’ll leave you with raised eyebrows and a gasp expression on your face whilst reading the last few pages for sure.  What you can count on though is another great read for fans of Middle Grade fiction filled with adventure, danger, courage, hope and good friends.  The new characters we meet along the way add to the overall flavor of the story as do those familiar souls that expose another layer of their true selves.  It’s a great combination that adds up to another successful release from an author that is leaving their mark in earnest on the reading world and a publisher that says “pfft” to boundaries by bringing us quirky hit after quirky hit.  So add a little celebration to your day and give a warm welcome to this title as it makes its debut…otherwise, I might have to brush up on the chant that Robert uses this go round and believe me, what it summons is NOT a pretty picture… (^_^)

Review copy received courtesy of Eric at Quirk Books!  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their complete catalog, be sure to visit them online, like them on Facebook, pin them on Pinterest, or follow along on Twitter.  To explore the world of Lovecraft Middle School before, after and during your read, stop by the official site, or check out their Facebook page.  Book 1 (Professor Gargoyle) and Book 2 (The Slither Sisters) are both available now on a bookstore shelf near you…and stay tuned for the next addition to the series, currently scheduled for May 2013, TheTeacher’s Pest!  Oh and yes…it will have a FAB lenticular cover JUST like the first two…can we say awesome sauce?!

Until next time…happy reading!

Welcome to Lovecraft Middle School...

Why hello there!

Welcome back to the site that aims to bring you something SPOOKY, something TERRIFYING, but mostly something BOOKISH every day of the week….Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we are celebrating the first book in a newly released Middle Grade series from the great folks over at Quirk Books.  (Hi, Eric!)  Right from the start, your attention will be fully engaged as you take a second, no THIRD look at the unique cover that graces this installment (and will grace future installments...woo-hoo!)  How so?  Well, it’s called a lenticular cover and basically it gives you a 3D look at a changing picture…you know, so that (in this case) you can see Professor Gargoyle as he appears and as he REALLY is… *-*  Without further ado, allow me to introduce today’s book of choice….

Tales from Lovecraft Middle School, Book 1:

Professor Gargoyle

By

Charles Gilman

Illustrated by

Eugene Smith

From the publisher…

Strange things are happening at Lovecraft Middle School. Rats are leaping from lockers. Students are disappearing. The school library is a maze of secret corridors. And the science teacher is acting very peculiar. In fact, he just might be a monster in disguise. Twelve-year-old Robert Arthur knew that seventh grade was going to be weird, but this is ridiculous!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sounds pretty cool, right?  It is, it is…it REALLY is!

It’s a quick read at only 175 pages, but a fun one nonetheless and something that we all can relate to on some level.  Who HASN’T been the new kid in school at one time or another?  I know I have more times than I care to remember, but while exciting because of the newness of it all, that same newness makes it rather terrifying; especially if you’ve been bullied (like Robert here) or are a bit shy (like myself).  Lucky for me, no two-headed rodents befriended me (though they were pretty cool in theory) nor did any of my teachers try to bite my head off…literally at least.  (^_^) 

For Robert, those things are simply a part of his new daily routine…well not simply but considering everything else he has to deal with, simply DOES sum it up.  The story as a whole is exciting with enough forward momentum to keep even reluctant readers turning the pages and as a bonus it works for both boys (with the gruesome aspects and main character) AND girls (with the mystery to be solved and his new mysterious friend Karina) with its varied content and no parental type warning is required….though if the reader is leery of spiders, you might want to read it during daylight hours only; just sayin’.  

Aside from the overall entertainment value of this imaginative creation and the great illustrations strewn throughout that provide more food for your eyes, I love how this quirky book works little life lessons and messages into the story.  That’s right, (slightly) hidden messages and morals abound…who would’ve thunk!  We learn a lesson in bullies and how to handle them; even if Robert doesn’t exactly follow the advice given.  We see that not all things that are odd or unusual equate to something bad or evil; the old don’t judge a book by its cover.  That same principle can be applied to our Professor “friend” who umm…has some rather unusual eating habits to contend with (Blech!) as well as a temper that has him flying off the handle (or classroom floor) when push comes to shove.  We see that shiny and new doesn’t always mean bigger and better.  We find out that our fears can be overcome or at least faced a bit easier with a little help from our friends and a smidgen of confidence in ourselves.  We even learn that just because a rat has two heads does not mean that they share the share opinions, inclinations nor food preferences.  (Okay, so that last one may not be as usable world wide but at Lovecraft Middle School, it definitely helps!)

In conclusion, a great new series that will have you devouring pages faster than the professor can gobble small rodents…not that he would or anything…~whistles.  Let your imagination run wild through the hallways of a school named after one of the known masters of spookiness (it’s true…check out the author’s page to learn more!) and try to help Robert and friends uncover just what is lurking around the next corner…you know, before it uncovers them! 

Special thanks to Eric at Quirk Books for the review copy.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their complete catalog, be sure to stop by their site, friend them on Pinterest or follow along on Twitter.  To discover more about the world of Lovecraft Middle School, check out the school’s official site or Facebook page…who knows?  Maybe you’ll want to be the next student to enroll…  Also, as mentioned, this is a planned series!  Each installment promises to bring the creepy fun with The Slither Sisters arrival fast approaching and Teacher’s Pest following close on its heels.  My word!  It seems they will be popping up faster than you can say Kyaloh yog-sothoth f’ah …uh-oh.

–sees swirling abyss forming-

Gotta run!

Until next time…happy reading!