March Madness Slam Dunk Contest

Ah, yes, reader guys, the CARLMAN is excited because it's March again. Fabulous, wonderful March, the month of the March Madness college basketball tournament! Every year it's great. There are always exciting games, a major upset, and an unknown team that comes out of nowhere and thrills the whole nation. This year ought to be no different--although it won't be as much fun because my beloved Carolina Tarheels have a second-rate team and may not even make it. Oh, well.

But March is also the month the we hold an annual March Madness contest, complete with prizes. The last two years we've held Book Series contests and Author Shoot-outs in which we filled out brackets, went through elimination rounds, etc. but this year we're going to keep it simple and hold a MARCH MADNESS SLAM DUNK CONTEST. Each review you send in will be worth one point (a "slam dunk"). The three guys with the most points at the end of March will be the first, second, and third place winners. Simple, huh? BUT WAIT--THERE'S MORE!! You have chances to get THREE EXTRA POINTS! If you send us a review of any of the books listed below (which are terrific but don't get the attention they deserve), you'll make a "three-point shot" for three extra points. Here's the list:

Any book in the Racing for Freedom trilogy by Alison Hart (scroll down and see the post of 2-24 for more info)

Any book in the Sluggers/Barnstormers series (click here and here for reviews)

Any book in The Tiger's Apprentice series (click here for a review)

The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (click here for a review. The book's long but it's great!)

No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman (click here for a review. This is my pick to counter Carl's Dead Animal book. You can guess what happens to the deer in that one! Darth Bill Hey, man, come on! It's a great read. Yeah, so's this one. OK,OK!)

Amulet: Book 1, The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi (click here for a review)

Amulet. Book 2, The Stonekeeper's Curse by Kazu Kibuishi (click here for a review)
(These last two are my picks as well. Got a problem with them?? No, I trust your judgement on graphic novels. You say you trust a SITH?? Whatever)

AND any guy who writes a review of the Childrens Theatre of Charlotte's production of Treaure Island will also get three points.

PLUS--any guy who writes a review of the Treasure Island book will get a "buzzer beater" worth FIVE POINTS because the book's long and the language is old, but it's well worth reading. The language isn't impossible, the story's exciting, and it's one of my all-time favorite books. It may be the best pirate story ever written. (click here for a review)

OK, guys! Are you up for it? Let's...wait, what's that you say? What about prizes? Well, of course! What's a contest without prizes? We have some good ones this year. The Charlotte Bobcats have been very generous and donated three prize bags! Each one has lots of cool Bobcats stuff, including an autographed miniball (one signed by Gerald Wallace, one by Boris Diaw, and one by Alexis Ajinca) Sound good? The prizes will be:

First Place--A Bobcats gift bag and a book bag with three free books

Second--A Bobcats gift bag and two free books

Third--A Bobcats gift bag and one free book

All right! Get those keyboards pumped and burn in those reviews. Don't forget that reviews of graphic novels, audiobooks, biographies, and nofiction count too!

PS--if you live outside the Charlotte, NC area, you can also enter. Call Carl at 704-416-4630 and give your address if you qualify for a prize. But first make sure your parents know you're making such a call!