And Now Ladies and Gentleman, The Final Four (3rd Round)!!!

Hi all,
Well, the The Boys Rule Boys Read Book Series Tournament has been interesting, to say the least. Some unexpected upsets and crazy twists, but, hey, that's how these tournament things go (look how far Davidson went in the NCAA Tournament--they almost even took out mighty Kansas). Well, now it's time to vote to see who plays in the championship. You, the posters in Blogland and paper voters via ImaginOn, determine who. Oh, there are also the really cool prizes to be won. Let the games begin:



Right Side Game:


The Harry Potter Series (seed 1) Vs. Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures (seed 3):



The Harry Potter Series

Vs.

Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures

Left Side Game:


The Chronicles of Narnia (seed 6) Vs. The Undeland Chronicles (seed 7)


The Chronicles of Narnia

Vs.

The Underland Chronicles

So let the voting begin to see who will play for The Championship!!!!!!

Here are the rules once again:

1) The books that are going against each other will move to the next round if they receive the most votes from you guys.

2) Everyone who wants to (adults and girls also) can vote by responding to this blog and voting for the books in each match-up they would like to see go on in the tournament.

3) Multiple voting by the same individual for a particular book is not allowed. One vote for each match-up.

4) Voting will start with the posting of this blog entry. Voting from bloggers will be allowed for that day and for 8 following days (fourth round votes due by 9:00 p.m. Monday, April 7) . Also if you can get by ImaginOn, we will have paper handouts that you can use to vote.

5) You will notice that the books are seeded. What this means is the books with the higher seeds (1 being highest, 8 being lowest) are expected to go further in the tournament. Those with lower number are expected to make early exits. However, who goes on and who goes home will be determined by your votes.

6) Finally, prizes will be awarded to the one who votes for the most books that go the furthest. In the case of a tie, the number difference between upsets will be used to determine the ultimate winner (say someone picks a seed 8 to beat a seed 1, that would give them 7 points for a tie-breaker, etc.). Also the three pointer can be used to give voters more points (3 points).

7) Let me stress the 3 pointer once again!!!! One review gives the writer the equivalent of 3 right votes. Lets say you have 8 points now on the Leader Board ; one review would up you score to 11 points (the number of points the leaders have now). This is a powerful tool in the tournament!

8) Also remember the prizes for the 3 highest on the Leader Board!!!! First place will be an autographed T-shirt from the UNCC Men's Basketball Team. Second place will be an autographed poster. 3rd prize will be a book of your choosing (softcover) from all the contenders in the tournament. If you live near in the Charlotte area, you could come to Imaginon to claim your prize, If you live out of town or can't get to Imaginon, we will send your prize to you.

9) That's it all. So get in there and vote for your favorite books and more importantly have fun!!!!!!

Well that's all I have time for right now (I think I just saw the Lagamorph in the library. Gotta get my trusty two-sided lightsaber in case he is looking for trouble.

Peace all,

Bill

The Results from the Final 8 and Book Reviews!!!!

...And Then There Were Four

Well the votes are in, the three pointers shot and the survivor's standing proud. Here are the Results from The Final 8 of The Boys Rule, Boys Read Book Tournament:







First Game Left Side:

The Harry Potter Series (seed 1) Vs. The Artemis Fowl Series (seed 4):

Harry Potter 9 Points.

Artemis Fowl 5 points.

Harry Potter beats a real challenge in Artemis Fowl!!!!!

Second Game Left Side:

Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures (seed 3) Vs. The Jack Sparrow Series (seed 7):

Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures 8 points.

The Jack Sparrow Series 7 points.

In a very close match Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures edges by The Jack Sparrow Series!!!!!!

Overtime Game on Right Side Between The Percy Jackson Series (seed 1) and The Time Warp Trio Series (seed 8):

The

Percy Jackson Series 9 points.

The Time Warp Trio Series 8 points.

In another nail biter The Percy Jackson Series sends The Time Warp Trio Series packing!!!!!

Right Side Game 1 after Overtime Game:

The Percy Jackson Series (seed 1) Vs. The Chronicles of Narnia (seed 6):

The Percy Jackson Series 2 points

The Chronicles of Narnia 14 points.

In an upset The Chronicles of Narnia shows that it is a real powerhouse not to be overlooked in the Tournament!!!!

Right Side Game 2:

The Charlie Bone Series (seed 4) Vs. The Underland Chronicles (seed 7):

The Charlie Bone Series 5 points.

The Underland Chronicles 9 points.

Charlie Bone puts up a valiant fight but loses to The Underland Chronicles!!!!!

I have to say something here about this tournament. Although some books may go further into the tournament, this is not a reflection on their quality or general awesomeness. These books, among many others that could have been put in the tournament, are all great books. If there are some that you have never heard about, go to the library and check them out. You may find another really cool series of books that you like. In this contest there are no losers.

And now the new leader board (from computations of the first two rounds) featuring those with a total of 8 points (from voting) or more. Also shown will be three pointers, which are the equivalent of 3 correct votes and tie breaker points from the seeding upsets (ex. a seed 6 beating a seed 1 would be 5 upset points - these are only used to break up ties in voting):

1) Carl M. with 11 points (having 18 upset points) sitting in first place!!!!!
2) Melissa with 11 points (having 8 upset points) in second.
3) Bekah with 10 points (having 3 upset points).
4) A tie between Stephen and Mary with 9 points (each having 16 upset points).
5) Melanie with 9 points (having 11 upset points).
6) Leah with 9 points (having 10 upset points).
7) A tie between Cyber Kid and Anonymous with 8 points (each having 3 upset points; also Cyber Kid shot a 3 pointer!!!!!!).
8) Matthew and Mona are tied with 8 points (no upset points).

And that's were things stand right now kids. I'm sure this order will change with the next round of voting (coming soon). If you are not on this list don't give up!!!!! Keep voting and shoot some three pointers and you will be amazed at what happens.

And now for something completely different; book reviews:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney – This book is a follow up to the extremely funny “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” that I reviewed way back in my very first “Boy Read, Boys Rule Blog” Thursday, June 7, 2007. Wow, we have not even been doing this a year yet. It’s amazing how time just flies by when you’re having fun. Well this book continues the diary, err… I mean journal, entries of Greg Heffley as he begins another year of school. The book written in a diary/journal format which includes simple illustrations is truly one of the most original books I have read in some time. The main character Greg has to deal with life as kid in a world we all understand (somewhat) that anybody who is or was a boy can identify with spot on. This book, simply put, is laugh out loud hillarious to the point of tears. The family includes Greg, his obnoxious older brother Rodrick (thus the book’s title) who is the drummer in possibly the world’s worst rock band, his younger brother Manny who gets away with bloody murder, and of course his parents. The really cool thing about reading this book is that you are not only laughing at Greg’s experiences, but also happenings and events that perhaps happened to you or that you can really identify with through Greg’s writing. To get a taste of what this book is like checkout the following website: http://www.funbrain.com/journal/Journal.html.

Carl Barks’ Greatest Duck Tales Stories Volume 1 by Carl Barks – If you didn’t know by now, well it’s time to let the secret out. I’m a huge fan of Uncle Scrooge Comics!!!! The true master of all the Disney Duck tales ever told was Carl Barks (1901 – 2000). His Uncle Scrooge stories are in a class by themselves and have stood the test of time. This collection comes from Uncle Scrooge stories that Barks wrote and were adapted into a television series called Duck Tales (sans Donald who was replaced in the series by Launchpad McQuack) that ran from 1987 to 1990. These are the original stories collected in graphic novel format with Donald back were he belongs. These are wonderful stories full of adventure, action, and lots of laughs. Visit the wild and woolly Klondike, journey far beneath the earth to find the unexplainable explained, face true fear and hilarity in the face of the Hound of the Whiskervilles and the Abominable Snowman, rocket into inner space and so much more. Uncle Scrooge, Donald, and his nephews (Huey, Louie, and Dewey) will take you to the limits of your imagination with stories not soon to be forgotten.

Amulet: Book One, The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishint- Wow, this is a really cool graphic novel that I encourage everyone to give it a read. The story starts out with a terrible accident that forces major changes in the lives of sister and brother Emily and Navin. Because of the accident Em, Navin, and their mother are forced to move into an abandoned house once lived in by Grandpa Silass who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The kids find out that their grandfather was an inventor of sorts but even more importantly Em finds a magical amulet that is a total mystery to her. On the families first night in the house, they are awoken by sounds coming from the basement. While investigating the sound, a strange tentacled creature pulls their mother through a mysterious doorway to another world. Em and Navin determined to save their mom follow and thus begins their true adventure in a place like nothing they could have imagined.

Well that all to next time you crazy kooky kids. Until we blog again,

Bill

Last Day for Round 8

Hello all, it is I, the all powerful Darth Bill!!!!! Just wanted to let you know that today is the last day for voting on the Book Series in the Overtime Game (Percy Jackson Vs. Time Warp Trio) and the Final 8 Round!!!! So if you have not voted yet, get them votes in today. There Can Only Be One!!!!!!

Click on

The Final Eight of The Boys Rule Boys Read Book Tournament!!

for the book series you can vote on.

Peace Out,

Bill

P.S. Almost forgot here are some more votes that were received from Mace Windu:

Overtime Game: Time Warp Trio
Narnia
Underlander
A. Fowl
Sparrow

"And He's Outta There!"

Hey, guys, just wanted to let you know that I'll be on vacation too. I won't leave town until Sunday but I'l be gone from the library on Friday. So keep writing and voting. Don't forget that you get three extra points for every review you send in. Don't stop writing because Bill and I aren't here. Bill will be back Tuesday and he'll catch up on things. I might even check in before Sunday. But don't forget that the deadline for voting on this round ends at 9:00pm Tuesday, March 25. (Bill will be back and he'll figure the results)

Our friends at the Guys Read blog often have a What I'm Reading Now post. Well, here's my What I'm Taking to Read on Vacation list:

The King's Fifth by Scott O'Dell. I told you earlier that I was reading a book called The Black Pearl by Scott O'Dell. Well, I liked it and I like the author too so, if I like this book, I'll make a Scott O'Dell post and talk about those two books.

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham--an old, old book but it looks good. A fictionalized biography of Nataniel Bowditch, who lived in the days of the tall-masted sailing ships. He went to sea when he was 12 and eventually learned to navigate ships so well that he became a living legend. This book the Newberry medal as Best Book of its year.

And I might finish the second Barnstormers book while I have the car worked on tomorrow. This second one is good!!

Well, like Harry Carey, the great baseball announcer said whenever someone hit a homer,''He's going ...he's going...he's outta there!"



Keep swinging for the outfield,



Carl

Cyberkid Sounds Off!

Looks like we're getting some lively discussion as well as votes. cyberkid 303 has something he really wants to say:


The Lightning Thief so did not reek!!!!!!It is the best book ever. It is all about Percy, who gets kicked out of boarding school. He then realizes he is a half-blood. A half-blood is a half god, half human. He is chased by a lot of minotaurs, hellhounds, furies, and other things. He is offered a quest to return the stolen lightning bolt.

VOTE FOR THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cyberkid 303 votes:
Percy Jackson
Charlie Bone
Harry Potter
Jack Sparrow

Hey, who said that The Lightning Thief reeks???!!!??? Them's fightin' words!! Who told you that, cyberkid? I'll thrash 'em and smash 'em and crash 'em--Well, you get the idea. I really like the PJ books. But I'll tell you guys something; I really like the Narnia books too. If they go head to head, well, I'll have a hard time deciding. Hmmm. Well, Ive said it before, and I'll say it again--Percy Jackson all the way!! But nothing will ever take the place of my beloved Narnia or Lord of the Rings books. I'd say those two and Percy Jackson are my all-time favorites.
But I'm getting off the subject. You'll notice that cyberkid included a review with his votes. That means he got a "three point shot." In other words, he gets 3 extra points for writing a review. So take notice, everyone!! If you want extra points, write in some reviews. You can do it even if you've already voted. Or if you've given us a paper ballot.
BTW, if you want to see something really fun, go to the Guys Read blog (you can go there from our links on the left-hand side of the page) and look at their Peeps Jousting!!

Carl

Wow! I'm Hooked!! Here's Another Choice From the ACCC

OK, guys, I'm hooked on a new series, the Barnstormers by Loren Long and Phil Bildner.
The series is divided into "games"--this first book is called Game 1; Porkopolis. What's it about? Well, I hate to say because if I tell much of anything, I'll ruin some surprise. Hmm, well, let me tell you this much--the Barnstormers are a group of baseball players called the Travelin' Nine and the Payne family--Graham, Griffith, Ruby and their mom. The year is 1899 and the Travelin' Nine are going across the country, playing games to raise $10,000 for the Payne family. Where is the father? Killed in the Spanish-American War. Uncle Owen had something important to tell the kids at the funeral, but they had to leave before they had the chance. But he did manage to tell them that they had to stay together, there was a very great danger, and they would understand the signs when they saw them. And he handed them the baseball their father carried when he died. There was something mysterious about that baseball, though. It seemed to quiver. Then the team found a team to play against and...well, I don't want to tell you, but some really strange things, and I mean really strange, happen. Are these the signs? If they are, what do they mean? And what is this great danger? Man, I gotta know!!!! And I won't find out until I read the other books. So far, I know there are 4 books in this series. I gotta read them because I gotta know!!! And so will you, once you pick up this one. So go out there and get it!!! ACCording to Carl, you'll be hooked too.



Carl

Here We Go! First Picks For the Final 8!

Yes, blogging and book fans, the first picks of the Final 8 have already started coming in. The very first came from our friends Andre the Giant and Koko B. Ware from the Guys Read blog:

For the tie of Lightning Thief and the Time Warp Trio, me and my friend think that Lightning Thief should win. Mark Lightning Thief with two more votes.

Another vote from Guys Read!

Koko B.Ware and Andre the Giant

Good choices! Percy Jackson all the way! But our friend Anonymous has a different idea:

TWT in OT
After OT
RS 1 - CN
RS 2 - CB
LS 1 - HP
LS 2 - SWCW

HEE HEE HEE! I messed with a Sith's mind!
Yea ME! : P!!!!!!!

Well, well, well--another vote for Time Warp Trio. And I thought Percy Jackson would just roll over the competition. You never know. But guess what? The paper ballots are what tied PJ and TWT. A lot of guys voted on paper for TWT and that did the trick. If any of you come to Imaginon, pick up a paper ballot--but no double voting! We'll know who you are! And, yes, you very successfully messed with the Sith lord's mind. Darth Bill is on vacation this week and will be back in time to post the results for the next round. (Remember, the deadline for voting is Tuesday, March 25) Well, Bill says he's on vacation, but I think he took a hyperspace jump to the Outer Rim to get away from the Easter Bunny. Why would he want to escape from a bunny? Because he thinks it might really be the Lagomorph!!!!!

Carl

The Final Eight of The Boys Rule Boys Read Book Tournament!!

Okay, I spelled a word wrong on the last blog!!! Well, Excuse Me!!!!!! (I think I might actually cry --- and I mean it; no joking) Let me explain; basically, Blogger was really messing with my mind and my typing. That's why that particular blog looks so bizarre. I tell you, it was like fighting a Vespin Windingo from the planet Fabio!!!!! Anyway the post got out finally and, despite it's look, I swear I was in my right mind----well, as right as it gets!!!!
Errrrrrrr, Sith do not suffer humiliation well!!!! I will have my revenge!!!!!!!!!!
Okay, maybe I'm overreacting; let me find my happy place!!!! Composure, breathe, and now, the Final Eight:




As you may remember, we had a tie between The Percy Jackson Series and The Time Warp Trio Series, so that means we go into overtime. What is overtime, you ask? Well, we vote again berween Percy Jackson and the the Time Warp Trio, with the winner moving on and the loser going home. Plus, whichever series you pick will go against The Chronicles of Narnia to move to the next round. So if you pick The Percy Jackson or the Trio to win and then pick them to beat Narnia, you better hope you picked right for the overtime game. Here we go:

Right Side Overtime Game:

The Percy Jackson Series (seed 1) Vs. The Time Warp Trio Series (seed 8):

Vs.

Right Side Game 1 after Overtime:

Winner of the Overtime Game (seed ?) Vs. The Chronicles of Narnia (seed 6):

Vs.

Right Side Game 2:

The Charlie Bone Series (seed 4) Vs. The Underland Chronicles (seed 7):

Vs.

Left Side Game 1:

The Harry Potter Series (seed 1) Vs. The Artemis Fowl Series (seed 4):

Vs.

Left Side Game 2:

Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures (seed 3) Vs. The Jack Sparrow Series (seed 7):

Vs.

Here is the leader board for the people who voted and got the most books right in moving them to the final eight:

1) Tie between Bekah and Melissa with 7 points;
2) Tie between Stephen and Mary 6 points (upset seed points = 13);
3) Tie between Carl M. and Koko B. Ware 6 points (upset seed points = 10);
4) Danna 6 points (upset seed points = 8);
5) Melanie 6 points (upset seed points = 3).

Very interesting results, wouldn't you say? Well, if you are behind in points there is a way in which you can catch up--or it could help you potentially win. We are incorporating, as of this post, the three pointer!!!!! What is this, exactely? Well, if you review a book and submit it to the blog, we will award the writer a three pointer (3 points) to be added to their score in the tournament voter standings.

Also, the prizes for the top 3 contenders has now been established. First place will be an autographed T-shirt from the UNCC Men's Basketball Team. Second place will be an autographed poster. 3rd prize will be a book of your chosing (softcover) from all the contenders in the tournament. If you live near in the Charlotte area, you could come to Imaginon to claim your prize, If you live out of town or can't get to Imaginon, we will send your prize to you.

Please notice that Bill and Carl have combined contests. Carl started off with a March Madness of Reading contest in which those who sent in the most reviews won. Bill created the Sweet 16 of Books. After much consulting and negotiating, (fortunately, we did not have to get into a light saber duel) we agreed that it would less confusing to combine the two contests. So you can still send in reviews--in fact, they will help you because you'll get three points for each one!! So the more reviews you send, the more points you get!!

Here are the rules once again:

1) The books that are going against each other will move to the next round if they receive the most votes from you guys.

2) Everyone who wants to (adults and girls also) can vote by responding to this blog and voting for the books in each match-up they would like to see go on in the tournament.

3) Multiple voting by the same individual for a particular book is not allowed. One vote for each match-up.

4) Voting will start with the posting of this blog entry. Voting from bloggers will be allowed for that day and for 7 following days (second round votes due by 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 25) . Also if you can get by ImaginOn, we will have paper handouts that you can use to vote.

5) You will notice that the books are seeded. What this means is the books with the higher seeds (1 being highest, 8 being lowest) are expected to go further in the tournament. Those with lower number are expected to make early exits. However, who goes on and who goes home will be determined by your votes.

6) Finally, for whomever votes for the most books that go the furthest, prizes will be awarded. In the case of a tie, the number difference between upsets will be used to determine the ultimate winner (say someone picks a seed 8 to beat a seed 1, that would give them 7 points for a tie-breaker, etc.). Also the three pointer can be used to give voters more points (3 points).

7) That's it all. So get in there and vote for your favorite books and more importantly have fun!!!!!!

Well that's it for me for now, but "I will be back,"

Darth Bill

P.S. As to the question "Do Sith celebrate Saint Patricks Day?" No, we do not!!!!!! However, we do wear green as we are afraid of being pinched.

Our Bad!

Whoops!! Our eagle-eyed reader Anonymous caught an error in the latest post:

Hummmmm Shouldn't that read Jack Sparrow taking DOWN not done Bone???

Do Siths celebrate St. Paddy's Day?

Good catch. We'll go back and fix it. How about it, Bill--do Siths celebrate this day?

Carl

March Madness Results Round One!!!!!!!

Hello all in Blogland, once again it is I, the slaminist sith around, Darth Bill!!!!!!! I don't know why Carl keeps saying I was sick on these posts. The really, real true story was that I had to put down a Jedi uprising on Coruscant (bet you didn't know that the Sith had reconquered the planet, did ya?). You will never guess who showed up to give me a hand on this occasion!!!! The one, the only Darth Jordan (bet ya didn't know he was a Sith Lord). He plays for our Sith Basketball Team against the Jedi Team all the time.










Darth Michael Rules the Courts!!!









Enough about that; let's talk about the results of the first round of The Boys Rule, Boys Read Sweet 16 Book Tournament. Okay, here are the results from the first round of play (points equal number of votes received both through the blog and from paper ballots here at the
library) :

Game 1 on the Left Side:

The Harry Potter Series (seed 1) Vs. His Dark Materials Trilogy (The Golden Compass, etc.) (seed 8):


Harry Potter Series 16 points

His Dark Materials 2 points

Winner by a landslide Harry Potter!!!!!

Game 2 on the Left Side:

The Artemis Fowl Series (seed 4) Vs. The Captain Underpants Series (seed 5):



Artemis Fowl Series 14 points

Captain Underpants Series 4 points

Winner by a landslide Artemis Fowl!!!!

Game 3 on the Left Side:

Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures (seed 3) Vs.The Matt Christopher Book Series (seed 6):


Star Wars: Clone War
Adventures 15 points

Matt Christopher Series 3 points

Winner by a landslide Star Wars: CloneWar Adventures!!!

Game 4 on the Left Side:

The Bone Series (seed 2) Vs. The Jack Sparrow Series (seed 7):


The Bone Series 8 points

The Jack Sparrow Series 10 points

Here we have our first upset as this thrilla in Manilla has Jack Sparrow taking down Bone!!!

Game 1 on the Right Side:

The Percy Jackson Series (seed 1) Vs. The Time Warp Trio Series (seed 8):
The Percy Jackson Series 9 points

The Time Warp Trio Series 9 points

In a shocker the fiesty Time Warp Trio ties the heavily favored Percy Jackson Series!!!!

Guess this means we will have to go into overtime for this math up. I will explain in the next post.

Game 2 on the Right Side: The Eragon, Eldest Series (seed 3) Vs. The Chronicles of Narnia (seed 6):

Eragon, Eldest Series 5 points

Chronicles of Narnia 17 points

Narnia looks like it could ne a real contender in this tournament!!!

Game 3 on the Right Side:
The Charlie Bone Series (seed 4) Vs. The Beet Series (seed 5):

Charlie Bone 12 points

The Beet Series 6 points

The Charlie Bone Series overcomes the Beet Series to live to fight another day!!!

Game 4 on the Right Side:
The Spiderwick Chronicles (seed 2)Vs.The Underlander Chronicles (seed 7):

Spiderwick 8 points

Underlander 10 points

The Winner in another upset--The Underlander Chronicles!!!!

The next round of voting is coming up soon--possibly today! Stay tuned.