Check These Out!

Hatchet ~ By Gary Paulsen ~ AR 7 points

Crispin : Cross of Lead ~ Avi ~ AR 9 points

The Westing Game ~ Ellen Raskin ~ AR 8 points

~Bookgirl~

Author Interview ~ Lisa Klein, Author of Two Girls of Gettysburg

Below is my Exclusive Interview with Author, Lisa Klein about her book Two Girls of Gettysburg. My questions listed in green, Her answers in blue.

1. What made you want to write about this specific time period? The nineteenth century seemed closer in time than the Renaissance setting I used for Ophelia,(Her other book)-- 150 years ago versus 400! I was also excited by how much evidence there is about women' s lives, letters, diaries, and photographs. My own Grandparents were born only 30 years after the Civil War, so they probably knew people who had lived through the war and even some who had been slaves. That amazes me!

2. Why the Civil War as opposed to other wars? Because it was such a terrible war, Americans

fighting one another, even fighting their own relatives. And because it's one war we study in school, so most people know something about it and are curious to know more.

3.Why did you base Lizzie on this real girl? I based Lizzie on Tillie Pierce because when I read about Tillie, I imagined what the the war would look like through her eyes. I thought my readers would enjoy character based on a real person, that it would make the war itself seem more immediate. I also identified with the photograph of Tillie. Any girl living today could have been Tillie!

4. Was your book originally named Two Girls of Gettysburg? I think that was the tittle I had all along. Sometimes the editor will change the title, but this one seemed to work for both of us. (Ophelia was originally titled-by me- "The True and Noble History of Ophelia" my editor wisely shortened it to just"Ophelia"!)

5. What age group do you recomened for your book? Ages 12 - 100. Seriously!

Signiture question:

What was your favorite book growing up?

Well, ONE of my favorite books was "Gone With the Wind," which I read ten times when I was a teenager. And so when I started writing fiction, In the back of my mind was the idea to write my own Civil War novel- because I loved so much reading about that war. I don't know if many teens would read GWTW tday, but I hope they find "Two Girls" interesting and exciting.

Also, be sure to check out Lisa Klein's newest book Cate of the Lost Colony, about the love story of an orphan girl banished to Roanoke.

~Bookgirl~

A Summer of Books

Great Summer Reads

When the Whistle Blows~Fran Cannon Slayton

The Penderwicks~Jeanne Birdsall

Mudville~ Kurtis Scaletta

~Bookgirl~

Good Reads

Check these books out!

Redwall-Brian Jacques

Me and the Pumpkin Queen- Marlane Kennedy

The Shadow Thieves- Anne Ursu

~Bookgirl~

Book of March (continued)

Book Seven
When Professer Snape is named Headmaster of Hogwarts and other Death Eaters are made teachers Ron, Harry, and Hermionie reach the conclusion that Hogwarts is not safe. They embark upon a journey together aiming to destroy Voldemort. Unfortunately excessive amount of time together takes its toll on their friendship. How do you fight the Darkest wizard of all time when you can't even stand your two best friends??

The mysterious wizarding world of Harry Potter is ADDICTING!!!!!!!

~Bookgirl~

Book of March

Since the Harry Potter books are so long , The book(s) of March are going to be Harry Potter 4-7.

• Book four (Goblet of Fire) is about the Triwizard Tournament. This year the Goblet spits out 4 names Krum, Fleur, Cedric, and Harry. All is well until Harry comes out of the last task with a dead Cedric. Mad-eye Moody iS the D.A.D.A. teacher.
• The 5th book (Order of the Phoenix) is about Harry's fight to control his own mind and his life with Sirius at Number 12 Grimauld Place. He learns a lot about the Black family which helps in the long run. The ministry denies that Voldemort is back and sends Delores Umbridge,the Senior undersecretary to the Minister,to be the D.A.D.A. teacher at Hogwarts.
• Book Six is crucially to the understanding of nearly the entire 7th book. Harry and Dumbledore together unlock the key to Voldemorts immortality through the memories of many people including Horrace Slughorn the new D.A.D.A. teacher at Hogwarts. The death of Albus Dumledore leads us once again to the ultimate question........Who is good and who is bad?? (Continued)

More to Come

I've read like crazy the last month (yes it has really been a whole month since I last blogged. Oops!) And I assure you that there are many great books to come!

~Bookgirl~

April Already?

Ahhhhhh!!!!! Is it April already? It seems like just yesterday that we had 3ft. deep snow. Winter is gone and Spring is on the loose! As well as planting season. While some may think Spring is the time to unwind and get ready for summer break it is opposite for the farmers. It is time to get to work and that is just what they do on crisp Spring mornings like these.

~Bookgirl~

Author Marlane Kennedy's The Dog Days of Charlotte Hayes

The Dog Days of Charlotte Hayes by Marlane Kennedy is an excellent book. I love this book because its so unpredictable. About halfway through I was sure I had the ending totally figured out and I almost stopped reading it. What a mistake that would have been!!! :-) But, something about the way Marlane puts the story together kept me going. Thank Goodness!! This book is about a girl named Charlotte and a dog named Beauguard. Now, Charlotte , unfortunately, doesn't exactly love dogs. But this one needs her help. When her dad tries to sell the dog she wants to make sure it gets a great home after its lack of loving with her family so she tells her dad that she will buy him. But where will she get the money?? You'll have to read to find out!!

Readin' Like Crazy,

~Bookgirl~

My Interview with Marlane Kennedy

This is my Interview with Marlane Kennedy about her book The Dog Days of Charlotte Hayes. Below in the bold, blue type are the seven questions I asked Marlane her answers follow in green!

What was your inspiration for writing a book about St. Bernard’s / Dog adoption? About 4 years ago I was looking out the passenger side widow as my husband drove. I happened to see a St. Bernard in someone's yard. He was chained up and had his head on his paws and wore the saddest expression. I have always had a soft spot for St. Bernards. I had one growing up and she was the sweetest dog, so the image of this dog's sad face stuck with me long after we passed by. I tried to convince myself that he was a well cared for dog--that maybe being chained up was a temporary thing and he would be lavished with attention soon. But unfortunately, I know sometimes dogs on chains end up with little in the way of companionship or attention from their owners. My worry and wondering about the dog soon was channeled into a story that became The Dog Days of Charlotte Hayes.

Do you have a dog now?

Yes, I have a chocolate lab named Carl. He is huge--a little over a hundred pounds--but not quite as big as a St. Bernard!

Is everyone in the story made up or are some characters real? Everyone is made up. I seem to have more fun with my characters that way. Though perhaps little bits and pieces of people I've come across end up tossed into the mix.

What would you say the age level for this book is?

8-12 years olds--though I'm hoping parents and adults will enjoy the story, too, if they have the chance to read it.

Where can kids like me buy this book? If your local bookstore doesn't have it on the shelf, they should easily be able to order in a copy for you. It is also available online through Amazon.com, Barners and Noble, and many other online retailers that sell books.

Do you do school visits?

Yes, I love doing school visits. It is wonderful having the chance to interact with my readers! I have been able to travel to all sorts of neat places this past year and it is great to meet teachers and librarians, too.

Signature Question:
What is your favorite book that you remember reading when you were little? Oh, I can't pick just one. Impossible for me to do. I will tell you when I first started reading independently I loved the Nancy Drew andTrixie Belden mysteriers. In upper elementary I devoured and was fascinated by A Wrinkle in Time. A favorite from my junior high years was The Cat Ate My Gymsuit. And in my late teens, I was absolutely swept away by Jacob Have I Loved.

These question were answer by Marlane Kennedy, Author and great friend!

Don't forget to pick up her books The Dog Days of Charlotte Hayes and Me And The Pumpkin Queen.

Readin' like crazy,

~Bookgirl~

Author Interview

In a few days I will be posting my Interview with Author Marlane Kennedy live on my blog. I have been contacting her via email and she has very kindly agreed to appear on B.A. Reader! She wrote The Dog Days of Charlotte Hayes and Me and the Pumpkin Queen. Since I'm going to interview her I'm going to be doing a special review on The Dog Days of Charlotte Hayes. Her website is http://www.marlanekennedy.com/ and she has a linkto where you can email her! I am very excited and I would like to thank Marlane once again for doing this!

Readin' like crazy,

~Bookgirl~

P.S. Marlane lives in Centerville. Which is where the Giant pumpkin show is. This is a picture of Marlane and a HUGE pumpkin!

Book(s) of February

Since the Harry Potter books are so long the book(s) of February are going to be Harry Potter books (1-3).

In the first book (Sorcerer's Stone) An eleven year old learns that he is a wizard and has been accepted Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a school for young witches and wizards. He also learns of his horrific past with a powerful Dark wizard named Voldemort.

In book two the myth of The Chamber of Secrets comes true when many students are petrified and young Ginny Weasly is taken in to the chamber. Hermione helps to figure out what kind of creature lives in the chamber and how it petrifies people.

In book three Harry learns about an Askaban escapee named Sirius Black. Harry is warned that Sirius wants to kill Harry but in the end learns that Sirius is Harry's godfather.

I am in the middle of book four!

~Bookgirl~

Book of January

Sometime in the month of January I started Last Shot: A Final Four Mystery by John Feinstein so it is going to be my Book of January. I liked this book because John Feinstein gave it many themes to keep both girls and boys interested. It takes place at the Final Four and is centered around men's Basketball. Two kids win a writing contest and as their prize they get to follow around two sports reporters the whole time. But when they over hear a player being Blackmailed their whole world gets turned upside down. Who is going to believe two twelve year olds? If your like this book I also Highly recommend the other two books in the series. Vanishing Act: Mystery at the U.S. Open and Cover Up : Mystery at the Superbowl.

~Bookgirl~

Winter Reads Book #2

Although a smaller book ,If You're Missing Baby Jesus, Is a wholesome story that is great for telling on those cold nights in the Christmas season! This book is about a family who buys a manger scene That includes two Baby Jesus figurines. The mother is convinced that this means one of the other sets down at the store is Missing Baby Jesus. So, she sent her boys back to the store with a sign that says "If you're missing Baby Jesus call this number" I'm going to leave they end a secret because it is so good.

~Bookgirl~

Time Flies!!

Oh where , Oh where has the precious time gone! Its nearly Spring! I have been BUSY! On December 27th my mom , her two sisters, my four younger girl cousins , our six American Girl Dolls, and I embarked on a journey to The Windy City. Me, coming from a small , rural town in Ohio was absolutely amazed by what Chicago had to offer. I was also quite alarmed at the huge amount of traffic , considering I had never seen a parking meter in my life! We all came home with many enjoyable experiences including eating at Pizzeria Due and The American Girl Cafe.

Since then I have been busy with school and TONS of reading! Three days ago my mom passed her sinus infection to me. So what does one do when they are sick? READS! I have many books to blog about

Reading until I blog again,

~Bookgirl~

Winter Reads Book #1

The Last Holiday Concert by Andrew Clements is my first Winter Read! This is a hilarious book that unfolds into a great story. The artistic plot lands school hot shot, Hart Evans, as the new 6th grade chorus directer just three and one half weeks before the 30 minute holiday concert performance. After a mishap with a rubber band Mr. Meinert, The real chorus director, gives up on trying to teach his group of easily distracted chorus members. He decides that since it is the kids preforming, it should the kids who run it as well. When the members vote for Hart to be the kid director, Mr. Meinert is sure that in a few days they will come running to him for help. Will Hart pull though with a concert?

~Bookgirl~