Whoopee! An Interview with Mac Barnett!

Yes, siree, Mac Barnett, author of the terrific The Brixton Brothers: The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity, has been good enough to grant us an interview. Listen up, guys--he's a lot of fun!

Why is it cool for boys to read?

The way I see it, it’s not my job to tell kids why they should be reading. It’s my job to write books that make kids want to read. Reading should never be something you feel like you have to do, like putting on sun block or taking a multivitamin. You should go to books because they’re enjoyable. I hope that’s why kids read my books, anyway.

Good point. I think you've got one here that's enjoyable. Well,then, is it cool for boys to write? Why?

Sure. Here’s one reason: People who write well get what they want more often. That’s a good thing.

Steve Brixton is a big fan of the Bailey Brothers mysteries, which seems like an obvious reference to the Hardy Boys mysteries? Were you a fan of those books as a kid? Or not?
I was a huge fan of the Hardy Boys. I loved everything about those books, except the fact that Joe was considered the less handsome brother. The only difference between him and Frank was that Joe was blond, and I was blond, and I never really got over that.

Were you a fan of any other book series?
Definitely. I read a lot of series. Henry and Ramona. Fudge. Narnia, Lord of the Rings, Shannara, and Xanth. The Hitchhikers Guide.

There were 59 Bailey Brothers books. Will you write 59 Brixton Brothers books? (maybe you could clone yourself?)

That sounds like a lot. My jokes would probably start to get old around book fifty-eight. I can promise you that there will be at least three Brixton Brothers books, though.

What do you like to do for fun? (as if writing the Brixton Brothers isn’t enough fun!)
I’ve recently taken up photography. All my pictures are of a bunch of wild turkeys that visit my house, and I took them all on my cell phone, and none of them are very good. But today I saw the lead turkey and he was huge. His head was red and he was twice as big as any other turkey around. I ran over and took his picture with my cell phone. It’s not very good.

Which do you like better--cheeseburgers or pizza? What do you like on them?

I like pizza. And I like to keep it simple. You could put a ton of toppings on a piece of boot leather and it would probably taste all right. But a good cheese pizza—that’s hard to make.

Thanks, Mr. Barnett! I really enjoyed this book and am glad there will be at least two more! Go get this one, guys!!

Carl

PS--one of the first books I reviewed was The Missing Chums, one of the Hardy Boys series. Check out the review here. (BTW, one of the chapters in The Brixton Brothers is called "The Missing Chum." Mr. Barnett really is a fan!)

Incredible Danger, Intrigue, Stupidity and Lost Worlds!!!!!

Hello all in The Land of Blog. It is I, the Incredible Super Spy Darth Bill!!!! Well, I have been doing some serious sleuthing (like Sherlock Holmes) and wish to present to you some great reads I have uncovered recently. So here we go:

For the first review The CARLMAN and I decided that, since we both loved these books (Graphic Novels), and since the comics have been around a long time (even way back when we where young...ouch), we'd read them again. Don't worry though--these books have been put back out in a fresh format and are as good as ever.

Spy vs Spy: Danger! Intrigue! Stupidity! by Antonio Prohias - This is an extremely funny Graphic Novel (GN) that is being reprinted from the pages of Mad Magazine. The basic premise is you have these two extremely goofy spies out to get each other with more often than not something going horribly wrong in a hilarious manner. I don't normally do this, but I want in this case to give a little background information on the gentleman responsible for this eternally funny series of comics. This is taken from the book itself:

"Spy vs Spy was the brainchild of Cuban-born political cartoonist Antonio Prohias, who fled his country after receiving death threats from Fidel Castro. Prohias settled in America, and in 1960 he began a 26 year run of Spy misadventures in Mad Magazine." Sounds like a pretty interesting guy to me.

If you like extremely funny tricks gone wrong, random blowing up of things and whacks over the head and crafty tricks. Do not miss out on this GN among some others I am recommending in this GN Series:

Spy vs Spy: Missions of Madness
Spy vs Spy : Masters of Mayhem

Really awesome stuff!!!!!!

And Now for a couple of words from the Carlman on Spy vs Spy:

I have to agree with Darth Bill. I read these in Mad Magazine when I was a CARLBOY. They were funny then and they're funny now. You will definitely enjoy these! BTW, Bill, I left you a present on your desk. Yeah, it's ticking, but that doesn't mean it's a bom.......KABOOOOMM!!!!!...cough, sputter...stupid timer always goes off too soon...

Lastly just to give you a taste of what Spy vs Spy is really about here is an animated short starring these two goofballs:






The Incredibles: Family Matters by Mark Waid and Marcio Takara- To be totally honest with you when I started reading this Graphic Novel, I did not expect much from it. I am very happy to report, man, that I was so wrong. I should have known better with the most excellent Mark Waid doing the writing duties. Also Mr. Takara's artwork totally rocks!!!!! The story starts out with The Incredibles -- Mr. Incredible (Super Strength), Elastigirl (Stretching Powers), Dash (Super Speed), Violet (Force Field Generator) and baby Jack-Jack (Powers ?) -- taking on the villainous Futurion (Time Powers) at the zoo. Much to Mr. Incredibles' shock and dismay during this battle and even before, he seems to be losing his super strength. How does he tell his super-powered family much less face up to the fact that he is no longer a super? Read this incredibly well written and well drawn GN to find out. Oh, almost forgot to mention, that my favorite super-hero in The Incredibles' Universe, Frozone also shows up in the GN along with other surprises. Cool Stuff!!!!!!!!!!

Lost Worlds by John Howe - For those of you out there in The Land of Blog who don't recognize the name John Howe, well you should (especially if you are a fan of The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings). John Howe and Alan Lee are recognized by most as the premiere artist associated with depicting the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. In this wonderful book John Howe takes a look at both lands and places that existed in the far past, may have existed in the far past and are purely myth (or so most would believe) and draws amazing pictures of these places. He also gives readers information on these ancient places that will astound the reader. Some of the places covered in this book are:

Atlantis - The legendary city beneath the waves.
Knossos - The home of the Greek Mythological Minotaur.
Pompeii - The very real Roman City that was destroyed by a massive volcanic eruption.
And many, many more!!!!!

This book is both a joy to look at and read!!!! Don't miss the opportunity to check it out. I really can not praise this book anymore than I have. Awesome, awesome, awesome!!!!!!

Well all until we next meet,
Happy Reading,

Bill

The Action Starts When Steve Checks Out A Book And Secret Agents Crash Through The Windows

Yep, that's right. In The Brixton Brothers: The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity by Mac Barnett, 12-year-old Steve Brixton is a big fan of the old Bailey Brothers mysteries. He's read every one of the 59 Bailey Brothers books--some of them two or three times! He also wants to be a detective, like the Bailey Brothers, and is smart enough to be one in real life. Then why is he stuck with a stupid homework assignment on early American needlepoint? When he goes to the local library and checks out the history of American quilting, the lights go out, alarms sound, secret agents burst into the building, and Steve is arrested for treason! Then the action really starts! Steve gets chased by secret agents in a bookmobile, tries to get out of a stretch limo while his arms are tied up, has to escape from his own bedroom, and is nearly run over at sea by a Chinese freighter! Wow! Is that enough excitement for you? AND this book is funny!! You'll find your selves laughing out loud one second and gasping with suspense the next. I enjoyed this book a lot. I think there are going to be more Brixton Brothers books. I sure hope so!! (PS--the illustrations by Adam Rex--who did the hilarious Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich books--are really great and set the tone well, making it look like one of those old Bailey Brothers mysteries. And wait until you see the picture of Steve trying to go undercover in his sailor costume and moustache!)

Carl

BTW, without giving too much away, you'll learn that all librarians know seven types of martial arts. Bill, of course, has the Flashing Book Ends of Death. I have the Nunchucks of Nastiness. Yes, I may seem like the mild-mannered librarian, but with a couple of rhythm sticks, some rubber bands, and a little book tape, I become the NUN CHAKU MASTER OF DESTRUCTION!!

This Turkey Is Thankful...

...that the Lightning Thief movie is coming out in less than 3 months! Here's the new movie trailer:


Thanks to our faithful follower Jana for the link. To check out more, go to http://www.percyjacksonthemovie.com/ (I'm also thankful for all our faithful followers)

AND I'm thankful for favorite old series like EREC REX and SLUGGERS that continue to put out new books and new series like LEVIATHAN and THE BRIXTON BROTHERS, which I'm reading now and looks like it will be another REALLY great series (hope to tell you about it soon).

AND I'm thankful that we live in a country where we can read what we like. Not everyone gets to do that, guys! Don't take it lightly!

And I'm thankful that I get to work and blog with a couple of turkeys like Darth Bill and Master Jedi Zack. We had some fun this year and read some good stuff, didn't we? Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Carl

Hi all, this is Darth Bill, I agree with The Great Carl Man in that I am grateful to live in a country such as ours where we have so many great freedoms and opportunities. I am also grateful to have two bums like Jedi Master Zack and The Carl Man to work on this post with (who an I kidding, this is not work...it's too much fun!!!!!). Hope you all have a great Holiday and Peace, Bill

My turn, Master Jedi Zack here! I too am thankful for the great and awesome Boys Rule bloggers that I work with, even if one of them is a dastardly sith. I'm also thankful for all of the awesome books that we can get our hands on around here. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

Norse Gods, King Arthur and Kick-Butt Superheroes

Well I could talk about a bunch of things before I give my take on some cool reads, but I just can't wait!!!! Oh wait a minute, Jedi Master Zack's Book Club for The Graveyard Book looks awesome!!! So if you can participate I highly encourage you as this book just rocks!!!!! Now let's get right down to talking about some reads I truly enjoyed:


The Chronicles of Arthur: Sword of Fire and Ice by John Matthews and Mike Collins - This Graphic Novel (GN) tells the story of young Arthur and his tutelage by Merlin on the island of Avalon, away from the land of Great Britain (also known as Albion) that he is destined to rule. The island of Avalon is ruled by the mysterious and mystical "Sisterhood of the Nine" and inhabited by many strange people and creatures such as: The Green Knight, The evil Fir Bolg, The Questing Beast, The Great Lord Arawn of The Underworld and more. Young Arthur learns many lessons in this GN filled with adventure leading to his becoming King of Albion. This is really a well done crafting of one version of the Arthurian Legend.




Odd and The Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman - This is a great short story by the great and most awesome Neil Gaiman that deals with one of my favorite mythologies; that being Norse Mythology!!!!! The story presents the tale of a crippled boy named Odd and his encounter with the Norse Gods Odin, Thor and Loki. When the story starts winter, it seems, is here to stay. Everyone waits but winter goes on and on. Things in the village Odd lives in start to turn ugly, so he heads out on his own to stay in his dead father's hut in the woods. While staying in the woods he comes across three animals: an eagle (the transformed Odin), a bear (the transformed Thor) and a fox (the transformed Loki). He finds out indeed that these are three of the greatest Norse Gods trapped in animal form. How did they get trapped in animal form and how can Odd help them? Read this great story and find out!!!!! Also find out about cool things such as the Rainbow Bridge, Frost Giants, Asgard, a giant hammer and Vikings. What are you waiting for? Start Reading!!!!!!




Marvel Adventures Thor Featuring Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and Captain America by Paul Tobin and More - Man, this was one awesome Graphic Novel to read. This Marvel Adventures collects issues 5 - 8 of the most awesome Marvel Comic: Marvel Adventures Super Heroes. The first story stars a team-up of two of my favorite Marvel Heroes: Dr. Strange and Spider-Man. Well, with Dr. Strange in the picture you can be pretty sure magic will be involved and just general, um well... strangeness.

The Sorcerer Supreme Dr. Strange

The second story tells the origin of one of the smallest super heroes around: Ant-Man. The third features one of my favorite mythological gods, who also happens to be a super hero... Thor!!!!! He's up against his half-brother, Loki, who also happens to be the god of mischief. Thor has his hands full in this one as Loki attempts to get him in trouble with The All Father Odin!!!!

A Comic from Way Back in the Day staring Thor Vs. Loki

The last story features truly one of my favorite super heroes... Captain America!!!! Cap has just been awoken in our present from way back in 1945 during World War II. To say the least, he is a bit confused about what has happened to him and this strange future he finds himself in. It doesn't help that both SHIED and HYDRA are both after him as he tries to figure things out with his new friend Rick Jones.

The Ultimate American Hero - Captain America

This was a great read, with lots of cool artwork!!!! If you are looking for a cool GN to read, I highly recommend this one. Too Cool!!!!!!!!!!!

Until next time all, peace,

Bill

Wednesday Warriors

Hey there Guys in the Land 'o Blog, Master Jedi Zack here.

The book club I do with my Padawan (Rebecca, also known as the Matthews Teen Librarian) is meeting again on Tuesday December 8th. The book club is for 5th-8th graders at the Matthews Branch Library and is called the Wednesday Warriors.

At our next meeting we will discuss The Graveyard Book as well as vote on what books we want to read for the Fall meetings. If you are interested come by the branch or give us a call (704.416.5000) to sign up.

The Black Circle by Patrick Carman

...will grab you by the throat and not let you go until you reach the very last word. Man, oh, man! I didn't think these 39 Clues book could get any better, but this one gets this suspense, action, creepiness, and mystery up to a whole new level. Dan and Amy Cahill get a strange telegram while in Cairo, Egypt that says they should go to a certain locker in the Cairo airport. What they find sends them deep into Russia with only 36 hours to traverse that enormous country to find the greatest Clue yet. Of course, they can't do it alone, so they have to make an alliance with one of the most unlikely branches of their deadly family. AND they have to solve a lot of mysteries and dodge ruthless killers along the way, climbing inside gigiantic statues and hiding in coffins with bones of long-dead rulers! I tell you, I couldn't stop reading until I got to the last page! For fun, exitement, and heart-stopping danger, you can't do better than The Black Circle!

Carl