More Dunks and the First Buzzer Beaters!

The competition has just gone up another level! We have our first reviews of the Treasure Island book and, as you know from the March 1 post, those reviews are Buzzer Beaters and count as five points! Before we get into that, though, let me let you all know that your reviews of the Treasure Island play have been mentioned on Imaginon's Facebook page. Take a look and good work, men!

We have three new reader guys jumping into the competiton today, so let's start with them. First up is dunkin' Demitri:

This is Demtri Stirewalt doing a review on Amulet Book One The StoneKeeper by Kazu Kibuishi. This book is about a little girl,Emily, that finds a necklace and tries to save her mom with the help of her brother Navin. I enjoyed this book so much that I read it twice and I cannot wait to read the second book The StoneKeeper's Curse in this series. I recommend this book.

Then we have crunchin' Keegan89:

The Kite Rider By Geraldine McCaughrean

This book takes place in thirteenth century China; a young boy saves his widowed mother from a horrible second marriage to the man that killed his father. Twelve year old Haoyou joins the circus as a kite rider, one who rides a large kite into the sky, to pay for his mothers expenses. However none of his money ever reaches his mother, instead his grandfather takes it and gambles it away. Haoyou is captured by the Mongol ruler. He soon escapes and makes his way back towards his home in Dagu. When he arrives he finds that his mother works at the tavern and is only paid in food and housing. She and her baby girl had not seen the light of day in months when they leave the tavern to find a place to sleep. They use the boat house that belonged to Di Chou, the man who killed his father. They stayed there until he returned from the voyage Haoyou sent him on. Haoyou distracted Di Chou by gambling with him losing everything including his mother. As Di Chou was removing the goods the men who they belonged to came and requested their money back, but he did not give it to them. He was then beaten by the debt collectors as he fled town. This emotional story follows the turmoil of a young boy struggling to please his Great Uncle. He has been taught to always obey his elders even though his Great Uncle is nothing more than a gambler, earning no money himself. The Kite Rider is an easy read and I recommend it for ages 10 to 12.
And then we have joltin' Josh with two shots:

Book :Treasure Island

Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
Summary
Treasure Island tells the story of Jim Hawkins, a young teenage boy who embarks on a journey to find a great amount of money after stealing a treasure map from an old buccaneer. Little do Jim and his companions know of the treachery that pursues them every step of the way. They must find the treasure while guarding themselves from murderous pirates who are willing to kill for the money. I liked this book because there is lots of adventure and action with a great ending that you won’t see coming.

Book Dracula (abridged)
Author: Tania Zamorsky (possibly a vampire)
Summary:
Jonathan Harker, a lawyer working for the firm of Mr. Hawkins, travels to Transylvania to conduct business with a count Dracula regarding the purchase of an old home in London. While at the count’s estate he is questioned about life in London and discovers the count is keeping him prisoner. The count leaves for London leaving Jonathon at the mercy of three vampire sisters (author possibly one of them). While in London the count is wrecking havoc by turning Jonathon’s fiancé, Mina into a vampire. A band of three men plans to kill count Dracula to find out if they succeeded or not you will have to read the book. I liked this book because it is very suspenseful, and even shocking at times. If you spook easily you should not read this book!

And the final competitor today is dominatin' Dakota T with three shots:

The book I'm going to review is Treasure Island. It is about a boy who is on a pirate ship and the captain, who drinks too much rum, passes away and leaves a treasure map in his possetion. It was very hard for me to understand at first but you kind of get used to it. This book kept me confused, but reading, so I'd advise it for more experienced readers.
The next book I'm going to review is the book The BFG by Roald Dahl. This book is about a Big Freindly Giant who takes away a young girl who was one of the few to see him. She learns (in the giants cave) that the long, clarenet shaped instrument that he caried around was something that blew dreams into your mind. A little while later, the girl sees other giants lazily lying around. The BFG tells about what they do at night and that he couldn't do anything because he was half their size, but that didn't stop her. They come up with devious pranks that has little effect, so they come up with a wonderfull idea... This boook was exciting and out of the ordinary. This was one of my favorite books growing up because it was clever and it made me want to read another book by this author.
Another book I read by Roald Dahl was Matilda. The is about a very young girl who at a very young age starts to read, and she loves it. Her parents though, are uncaring and cheaters. When She becomes of age, she goes to a school that is led by the TRUNCHBULL. She is a mean, strong lady that abuses that students in ways so that when they tell their parents, they don't belive them. Her assigned teacher is Mrs. Honey who is exactly the oppisite of the TRUNCHBULL. She seems like the only one to notice Matilda's true abillity to do math, read, and apply her knowlege. Matilda gets so smart that something happens in the story that will change her life. In this book there is a hidden secret, humor, and thrilling activity. I recomend this to all ages-even if you are fourty five.

SLAM!! Thanks again, everybody! These were very good today and made me want to read them. Hope it does the same for all you reader guys out there. I'm especially interested in ancient China, Keegan. And Josh, you could be right--"Tania Zamorsky" sounds like a vampire name to me!

Sooooo--here are today's standings. Don't forget that the Amulet graphic novels are worth three points each so that means that Demitri starts out with a three-pointer.

Michael--12 points

Dakota T--15points

AXEL--12 points

Chandler--2 points

Brian B--8 points

Justin B--3 points

Shannon--3 points

Demitri--3 points

Keegan89--1 point

Josh--6 points

That means we have a new leader, Dakota T!! You go! But it's still close and, as you see, there are new guys coming in big. Stay tuned, everybody!!! The Madness never ends!

Carl

Swish! Our First Shots in the March Madness Slam Dunk Contest

Those first shots are, no surprise, from our good friend Michael. Here you go:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, book 1
Dairy of a Wimpy Kid
by Jeff Kinney
Middle-schooler Greg Heffley recirds his recent life in a diary that his mom told him to write in. He tells of his bully brother, Rodrick, his best friend, Rowley, and the all-school weird kid (who lives in the same neighborhood as Greg), Fregley. This is a hysterical story that is strangely true. There are 3 other Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. A 5th one is on the way, and the Movie Diary has been released. The other 3 books in order are... Rodrick Rules, The Last Straw, and Dog Days. Be sure to read them all!

Amulet, book 1
The Stonekeeper
by Kazu Kibuishi
Emily thinks that the new house that she, her brother Navin, and her mom have moved in (which was their grandfather's old mansion) is the worst thing that could have happened to her. It's covered with dust, it's not anywhere near the city, and it's filled with Grandpa's old inventions. He was a wannabe inventor, but he failed every time. Later, when Em finds herself alone, she notices a secret compartment with an amulet in it. She puts it on, only to find that she can never take it off. She and her family find themselves wisked away to another world. Their mom is eaten by a strange creature, and they barely manage to get her out. What other trials will they find in this alternate dimension? With a bunch of robots as their friends, they must fight against the evil elves and Em must harness the magical power of the amulet. More surprise and adventure is found in the next Amulet book, The Stonekeeper's Curse.

Good shooting, Michael! Since you reviewed Amulet: The Stonekeeper, one of the "three point" books, you start with a whopping 4 points! You're going in strong, just like that other hot-shooting Michael. Keep raining them in! And are you other guys going to let him go unchallenged?? Let's hear from you!
Got any questions? Look at the post under this one and it'll explain everything.

Looking forward to more Slam Dunks and Three Pointers,

Carl

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!

Darth Bill's Picks of 2008

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rock On Alll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Darth Bill Salutes You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Above is a picture of a couple of my Sith Buds I took on New Years Day. There a wild lot I'll tell ya that. These guys really know how to party!!!!!!

I was not going to do this originally, but after I saw the Calman's Post I felt compelled to do so. Okay here are my top 4 books of 2008 (the reviews are the same that I did earlier in the year):



1) Runemarks by Joanne Harris - This story is set 500 years after Ragnarok that ended the old world ruled by the Norse Gods. The main character in this story is a young girl named Maddy Smith who is born with a strange and magical birthmark. In Maddy's world "The Word" rules all with an iron-fist. In her world magic is taboo and imagination is highly discouraged. Because of what people perceive as Maddy's strangeness she is ignored by her father and has no friends. That is until one day when she meets and old wanderer called One-Eye who befriends here and teaches her to use the magic that has been lying asleep inside her. This book is filled with Norse Gods, Heroes, Villains and Monsters. This book will suck you in and you will not be able to put it down once you start reading it. This is a great book that I would put right up there with Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" book series. The one obvious difference is that this book rekindles excitement in Norse Mythology as opposed to Greek Mythology.

2) Ironhand: Book Two of The Stoneheart Trilogy by Charlie Fletcher - This book takes of where Stoneheart (click HERE to see my review of that book), the first book in the trilogy, left off. It takes off like a rocket and doesn't stop the whole way through the story. The story starts with George and Edie determined to rescue the Gunner who has been captured by the evil and mysterious Walker. Now I know some of you are scratching your head asking who or what is a Gunner and a Walker. Well this story is set in a London that most people are not even aware exists. In this London, stone statues and carvings are very much alive. The statues in London are divided into two types. The taints (gargoyles, dragons and other sorts of inhuman stone creations) are evil soulless creatures. The spits (The Gunner and other more or less human looking statues, but not always as we see in this book) whom are akin to humans in that they have souls and tend, for the most part, to be on the side of good. What it really boils down to is what the statue makers intended them to represent and thus become. The Gunner is a statue of a World War I English Soldier who helped George and Edie quite a bit in "Stoneheart." The Gunner is the Walker's prisoner because of this help after George inadvertently set off a war between the taints and spits. The Walker, a sinister sorcerer type, is a servant of dark powers and leads the taints in their war against the spits. This book moves through both present day and the past. The reader travels with the characters from present to World War I to a pre-industrialized England and other strange places and times. This book is full of wonderful twists and turns that will keep the reader turning page after page. One word of advice, if you really want to enjoy this book fully, you should definitely read Stoneheart first. Man, I can hardly wait for the next book!!!! They are that good!!!!!!!!!

3) Tunnels by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams – This book rocked and I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel. The main character of the book is 14-year-old Will Burrows who along with his archaeologist father, Dr. Burrows, shares a passion for digging tunnels into the earth in search of buried historical items. Will’s family is extremely “different” and to say the least dysfunctional. His father is always involved with his work and little else, his mother watches TV non-stop, and his younger sister runs the families finances. Will is an extremely pale boy and picked on non-stop at school. That is until he befriends another outcast by the name of Chester, who is a rather large intimidating boy, and gets him interested in digging. Life is going pretty good for Will between digging with his father and digging independently with his new friend Chester. That is until Dr. Burrows goes missing and Will finds that right in their basement is a tunnel that leads to a subterranean world populated with people time left behind. This book is full of twist and turns and just when you think you know what’s going on, the book kicks into another gear to throw you for a loop. I would classify this book as a mystery/action book. Whatever you want to classify it as is up to you, just make sure you don’t miss one of the truly great books of 2008!!!!!


4) The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman - Neil Gaiman is one of my favorite authors and this book is a perfect example of why. The book starts out with the murder of a family by a "Jack The Ripper" type murderer. The whole family is murdered except for the baby boy who wanders out of the house and ends up in the local graveyard. There he is protected by the ghost and those who lookout over the grave yard from the murderer. The boy is adopted by two ghost and given the name Nobody Owens. Along with his ghost parents, he is raised in the graveyard by all of its inhabitants as one of its own. The book consists of the many adventures the boy Bod, short for Nobody, has as he grows up in the graveyard. There are ghouls, werewolves (which may surprise you), monsters and just plain evil people Bod meets or comes up against throughout the story and ultimately he must face up to the man who tried to kill him as a baby. This book is wonderfully written and full of thrills, action and poinyant moments that will make you remember it long after you have finished reading it. Gaiman leaves the door open for a sequel and I for one sure hope it happens. Great book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best 4 Graphic Novels of 2008 (reviews ftom earlier post):


1) The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli Vols. 1 & 2 by Jay Piscopo - Vol. 1: The first story "The Mystery of Me" introduces us to the main character of the graphic novel Capt'n Eli. This is Capt'n Eli's origin story and introduces many characters and asks many questions that you will be intrigued to learn about in future stories. In this story he joins the Seaserchers and also meets for the first time Commander X.

The second story in the book,"The Mystery of the Sargasso Sea," is an adventure tale that involves the mysterious Sargasso Sea that has been a floating burial ground for ships throughout history and the even more curious Bermuda Triangle where both ships and other seafaring vessels, planes even, have mysteriously disappeared never to be found again. This story involves time travel,Christopher Columbus, some of the very interesting history (or would that be future????) of Commander X, and lots of battling with the Hydrons (evil underwater dewlers). This is such a cool story!!!!!!

The last story in the book, "The Return of Baron Hydro," take us back to the days of World War II. The Big 3 (Commander X, Sea Raider, and the Human Sun) take on Baron Hydro (major bad guy) and his Hydrons. This story is action packed and just a whole lot of fun!!!!!!!!


The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli: The Mystery of the Sargasso Sea (Volume 2) by Jay Piscopo - Man with this volume the Capt'n Eli Graphic Novel Series hits another gear and really takes off!!!!! As it was left off in the previous volume Capt'n Eli is still with Commander X aboard his super high tech submarine "Sub Zero." They reach the underwater city of Aquaria only to find it under attack by a race of underwater denizens known as the Outcast. It seems Aquira and it's people are now ruled by Commander X's former World War II partner, known then as The Sea Raider. We also find out that Commander X is Aqurian's sworn Lord Protector and it is his duty to protect them from all threats and enemies. Let's see what else happens in this story, we learn the history of Aquaria and its relationship to Atlantis, we learn the secret origin of the ruler of the Aquarians known by many names such as - Rex Noble, The Sea Raider and The Sea Ghost among others, Lord Hydro is back with all his evilness and Hydrons and much. much more!!!!!!!!!! I promise you if you pick up this Graphic Novel you will be unable to put it down until you have finished reading it and then you will still be wanting more.


2) The Bone Series by Jeff Smith:

Bone: Treasure Hunters, Volume 8 by Jeff Smith - Fresh into the have gained entrance into the once great ruling city of PLCMC Library's Graphic Novel Collection is the latest instalment of the Bone Series. Well kids things are really getting interesting in the Bone Graphic Novel Series. In this instalment the Bone Cousins (Phoney, Smiley and Fone Bone), Gran'ma Ben, Thorn and BartlebyAtheia. Inside and outside the city things are not well. Outside the city Ghost Circles are everywhere and Briar (Gran'ma Ben's Sister) is gathering both rat creatures and human warriors to serve the Lord of the Locust and bring an end to all. Inside the city things are not all that great either as our heroes must contend with Tarsil, The Captain of the Queen's Guard, who has turned traitor and now rules the city. So besides the dragons disappearing, enemies all around who would like nothing better than to find and crush the former royal linage of the kingdom (that would be Thorn and Gran'ma Ben) and all that support it, the nearing release the Lord of the Locust into the world and all other types of nastiness; everything is just great!!!!!! I tell ya, you need to get ahold of this latest volume as soon as possible and read it. This is really just awesome stuff!!!!!!!!!!

Bone Volume 7: Ghost Circles by Jeff Smith – Well, the seventh volume in the Bone Graphic Novel Series has finally come out and it was well worth the wait. As the title to this volume intones, things get real scary and serious in this one. The villagers and Veni Yan Monks are really put to the test by the “Lord of the Locust’ and his armies. Everything goes crazy with a volcano eruption and the appearance of “Ghost Circles” everywhere. The Bone cousins (Phoney, Smiley and Fone Bone), Thorn, Gran’ma Ben, and the recently returned Bartleby are also being pursued by the forces of the “Lord of Locust” and just manage to stay one step ahead. But how long can their luck hold? What is a Ghost Circle? Who lives and who dies? Only one way to find out, read the book. You won't be disappointed.

3) 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.

4) Salt Water Taffy: The Adventures of Jack and Benny - The Legend of Old Salty by Matthew Loux - This Graphic Novel is about two brothers Jack and Benny whose parents have decided to take the whole family away from the city and to spend the summer in the state of Maine at the weird and mysterious Chowder Bay. Jack and Benny make fast friends with one of the locals known around those parts as Fisherman Angus O'Neil. One evening the boys see something huge and monstrous on the beach, but can't quite make it out. After talking to Angus they discover that Chowder Bay has a mysterious resident in the waters known as Old Salty. This leads to strange robberies by lobsters, very strange behavior by seagulls and an epic battle between Old Salty and Angus. Does any of this make sense? If not read this excellent Graphic Novel and it all will. I really loved this book and look forward to the next in the series.

Well here's to looking for great titles in 2009!!!!! If you have some books or Graphic Novels that you particularly enjoyed from 2008, write in and let us know about them!!!!

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