Ho ho ho and happy holidays, guys! What a great piece of luck--one of our reader guys got an early present today. His name is Mighty Micah and he came to our Boys Read and Write Club over the summer. He also sent us a review of that terrific sci-fi book, The Roar by Emma Clayton. The Iron Guy, whose generosity is exceeded only by that of Santa Claus, has always said that the first time any boy sends in a book review, that boy gets a free book. So Micah came in today to claim his prize from our ultra-cool prize box. Of course, he went right away for the Calvin and Hobbs book, which he said was a favorite of his grandmother. (of course, a lot whole lot of guys like Calvin and Hobbs) As a holiday bonus, he also got a Capt'n Eli coloring book, which comes from the fabulously-cool Capt'n Eli series of graphic novels.
Mighty Micah and his free books
Congratulations, Micah! I hope you send in some more reviews soon. And, guys, this goes to show that other boys are excited about reading. It's proof positive that--
BOYS RULE! BOYS READ!
Reading is an occupation forMANLY MEN!!
All silliness aside, I really hope all of you have a great a great holiday season. And to make your season merry and bright, here's a video I shared a few years ago. Enjoy!
Hey and middle-of-July greetings from the Iron Guy to all the reader guys out there. Summer is really rockin' at the library. We have lots of cool programs at the Myers park library like the Story Explorers on Monday nights and the Tuesday at Two programs. (check out more info here) In fact, we had a great one last Saturday. It was the fourth meeting of the Boys Read and Write Club and we had a really great time. There was a new guy there and his name was Winnux. He likes graphic novels and he checked out a couple--but more about that in a minute. As always, we start with a fun activity. This time we did something inspired by the great Lunch Lady graphic novels. There were 4 bad guys trying to sneak into the school. Winnux had to use his Slotted Spoon Launcher to stop them by using Mustard Packet Grenades and Sour Cream Bombs. If he missed, the bad guys got closer. Even though they tried over and over, our hero bravely beat them back! Our schoolkids can rest safely now, knowing they are in the hands of heroes like Lunch Lady and Winnux!
After our fun, we had some snacks and talked about our favorite graphic novels. Winnux checked out a couple, as you see here--a Lego Chima (The Power of Fire Chi) and an Oh Yeah Comics! graphic novel. These look really good. I can't wait to hear what you think of them, Winnux! Write to us and let us know.
Winnux and his graphic novels--good choices!
In the meantime, enjoy the summer, keep cool and keep reading!
That's right, guys, we held the third meeting of the totally hip and happening Boys Read and Write Club last Saturday. And we had a good time too! Our friend Mighty Micah, who was at the second meeting, couldn't be here this month but we did have a great new friend come for the first time. His name is Walden and he likes mystery and comedy books. But I'll get to that in a minute. Our club always starts off with an activity, so this time we tried the Balance and Rescue activity from the upcoming Superhero Training Camp program. (which will happen at 2:00 pm on June 30 here at the Myers Park library) I put two rows of narrow tape down on the floor. One row of tape represented a cord stretched between tall buildings; the other was a wire over a deep prehistoric canyon. At the end of each row was a Cute Little Bunny that needed rescuing, one from a burning house and one from a T. Rex. If his feet didn't stay on the tape, he'd plunge hundreds of feet to certain destruction. If
he touched the burning house or the T. Rex, he'd be burned to a cinder or snapped up by hungry jaws. Was Walden up to challenge? Of course he was, just like all the MANLY MEN who attend this club! He walked the rows of tape as confidently and sure-footedly as the most fearless mountain goat. In fact, he even managed to walk BACKWARD at one point! What a guy! What a hero! (too bad I don't have any pictures of him performing his mighty deeds available)
After that, we had some snacks and talked about some of our favorite books. Walden has read some books by Gordon Korman that he likes a lot, such as The Masterminds. And, as I said, Walden is a big fan of mysteries and comedy. I wish we would have had some copies of the Brixton Brothers books on hand, so he could have gotten both in the same books. However, I did have The Wright 3by Blue Balliet, which has a good bit of mystery. We also had Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters by Lenore Look, one of the hold-your-sides-funny books in the Alvin Ho series. He checked them out and will write reviews of them for us. Good choices, Walden! Can't wait to hear what you think of them.
The next meeting of the club will be on Saturday, July 11 at 2:00 pm. Hope to see a bunch of you then!
Hey, all you super-cool reader guys out there, you probably don't need me to tell you what today is--but I'll tell you anyway! It's May the 4th, Star Wars Day. That's because we can say, "May the 4th be with you." Clever, huh? Anyway, guys everywhere love Star Wars and the library has a truly great new book, Ultimate Star Wars by Patricia Barr, Adam Bray, Daniel Wallace and Ryder Windham. It's amazing--it covers all the movies and animated series and has stunning photos and scenes. You GOTTA check this one out!! While we're at it, let me show you the trailer for the NEW Star Wars movie:
Doesn't that look exciting? And it's good to see Hans Solo and Chewbacca again.
Speaking of movies, I saw the new Avengers movie yesterday. I won't say much about since I'm sure most of you will see it or may have seen it already because it has all the things GUYS love in a movie--superheroes, explosions and fights with killer robots. Anyway, one thing really stood out for me. Near the end of the movie, they show a scene of a family at home, waiting for the dad to arrive. There's a boy, curled up on a sofa. And what is that boy doing? Playing a video game? Staring at an hand-held device? No, he's reading a book! A Wimpy Kid book, no less. See, it does prove that boys read!
Mighty Micah and his books
Which brings me to the main point of this post. We held the second meeting of the Boys Read and Write Club last Saturday. Our two friends, Sharyq and Zarak, couldn't make it this time but we had a terrific new guy show up. His name is Micah (aka "Mighty Micah") and he was very excited to be there. Micah and I have talked before and I've recommended several books to him. But what really convinced me that he was a world-class reader guy was that he is a big fan of The Copernicus Files books!! Oh, yeah! So I was very glad to see him come to the meeting Saturday. We had a good time--we started out with some Nerf ball soccer. Micah, of course, is shorter and faster but I'm bigger and could block the goal better. So we had an epic contest--Mighty Micah vs. the Iron Guy! We played a bit of regular soccer, then did something inventive--I got books off the shelves and put them up as "players." Micah and I had to avoid them when bringing the ball up the "field." In fact, Micah knocked one over and had to sit out a "penalty." But, in the end, youth and speed prevailed and Micah won, 3--2.
Then we talked about books we like. Micah reads a wide variety of stuff, including a YA book called Boundless. He liked it so much that he talked me into getting it. You'll see a review of it here one day. Micah doesn't like books that start out slowly; that's why he doesn't like The 39 Clues. He says The Maze of Bones begins slowly. (Hint--stick with it, Micah. It gets really good) After we talked, Micah picked out not just one, not just two but three books to read and review. You'll see them in the picture. One isLucky Strike by Bobbie Pryon, one is The Roar by Emma Clayton and the other is the fabulous Wade and the Scorpion's Claw by Tony Abbott. Good choices! Of all the books I've ever reviewed, The Roargot the most comments from boys. And do I think that Wade and the Scorpion's Claw is good? Just look here.
OK, Micah, I can't wait to see your reviews! We are planing another meeting on Saturday, June 13 at 2:00. It will be a great time, just like the others. And we have plenty of room for new guys! Call me at 704-416-5800 to find out more.
HEY, all you totally cool reader guys! We've got good news--our first two book reviews are in from Sharyq and Zarak (aka "Shark and Zark"), those two awesome guys from our Boys Read and Write Club. (Actually, they sent in their reviews last Monday but I was out of town on vacation and just got back--so I'm sorry for the delay, guys!) Let's not waste any time; here's a review from Sharyq:
Hyperspace high crash landing
by Zac harrison
Hey bookworms I got a good book for you! Its about a boy named John Riley who
gets on the wrong bus. aparently he gets on a bus to a space bus to a alien
school. there he learns that you don't need to be a supreme life form to be a
hero!
Thanks, Sharyq!! I've never read any of the Hyperspace High books but it sounds really good. Have any of you other reader guys read one? And here's the review from Zarak: how to eat fried worms
by Thomas Rockwell
pictures by Emily McCully
I didn't like this book because it grossed me out because it's about a boy
named billy and he got dared a lot and he didn't get dared but he ate worms
with yucky stuff on it just to get money. And thank you too, Zarak!! I'm sorry you didn't like it because I think it's a really funny book and I recommend it all the time but, hey, not everyone likes the same things. And that's good. If everyone liked exactly all the same things all the time, the world would be a dull place. It's the differences that make life interesting. OK, we really appreciate your sharing your thoughts with us and look forward to hearing from you again. Don't forget that the first time any guy writes in a review, he gets a free book! So come over and claim them, Shark and Zark!
Hey, again, reader guys everywhere. This is the Iron Guy again, telling you about an extremely cool event that took place here at the Myers Park library this afternoon. I'm referring, of course, to the first meeting of the Boys Reading and Writing Club. We had two guys here, the very hip and happeningShayryq and his ultra-cool brother Zarak. Or, as they call themselves, "Shark and Zark."
We had a great time. First, we all introduced ourselves, (their dad was there too--what a truly MANLY MAN!) then we played some Nerf basketball. They shot some shots but then we made it more interesting--each one grabbed a book at random and used that book to block his brother's shots as he brought the ball up the court. (Hint--use a bigger book, Zarak!) Then I offered them some snacks but they declined because their dad had taken them to lunch at Pike's. (what a good choice! Pike's is great) Then I showed them how to write reviews for the blog because that's how this club works--we have fun, they get some books AND will write reviews about those books, which I will post on this blog, before the next meeting. Here's a picture of them, holding the books they chose. Zarak made a good choice--How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell. That's a really funny book and a favorite of mine. Sharyq likes space books, so he got a Hyperspace High book (I'm not sure which one) and The Hunt for the Hydra, another one of my favorites.
As I said, we had a great time and can't wait until the next meeting, which will be Saturday, May 2 at 2:00 pm. Find out more about the club at my original post about it.
Thanks, Sharyq and Zarak! Can't wait to post your reviews!
Hey guys, I've got great news! The Iron Guy is going to start a Boys Reading and Writing Club here at the Myers Park library. The first meeting will be Saturday, March 7 at 2:00 pm. What will the club do? Well, we won't do anything boring! What we WILL do is check out books, read them and write your reviews of the books, which I will post on this blog. Plus we'll do some other fun stuff. Plus, we'll have snacks.
Here's how it will work: At the first meeting, we'll do a fun activity. Then I'll show you a bunch of books and talk about some of those books, recommending them. You can look through them, then check them out. You'll take your books home and read them--but that's not all. You'll also write a review of what you read and I'll post it here on the blog! Then, at the next meeting, I'll bring another set of books, you'll check them out, etc. We'll meet the first Saturday of March, April and May. If you like it and have fun, we'll continue meeting through the summer.
Now I know there are questions, so let me address a few. First, we won't just sit around and talk. I'll have a fun activity to do. And we will have snacks. Second, I said I'd bring a bunch of books. Well, I'll bring a wide variety to each meeting, so you'll have plenty to choose from. And I'll bring books that you'll like. Have I ever steered you wrong before? I've been recommending guy books for a long time and think I know something about books boys like. However, if you absolutely don't see anything in my selection that you'd like, I'll work with you to find something you would. Or if you have a book that you're dying to read and I don't have it, I'll be sure to get it. And, yes, I will show you how to write a review. BTW, this club is for boys ages 9--12. If you're a little older or younger and would like to come, call me at the library.
OK, if you have any more questions or would like to sign up, call the Myers Park library at 704-416-5800. Hope to see you there! Yes, it will be a different type of club but I think it will be fun. And this club will start just in time for the blog's March Madness Contest! (more about that later) Above all, don't forget--
That's right, guys, we held the third meeting of the totally hip and happening Boys Read and Write Club last Saturday. And we had a good time too! Our friend Mighty Micah, who was at the second meeting, couldn't be here this month but we did have a great new friend come for the first time. His name is Walden and he likes mystery and comedy books. But I'll get to that in a minute. Our club always starts off with an activity, so this time we tried the Balance and Rescue activity from the upcoming Superhero Training Camp program. (which will happen at 2:00 pm on June 30 here at the Myers Park library) I put two rows of narrow tape down on the floor. One row of tape represented a cord stretched between tall buildings; the other was a wire over a deep prehistoric canyon. At the end of each row was a Cute Little Bunny that needed rescuing, one from a burning house and one from a T. Rex. If his feet didn't stay on the tape, he'd plunge hundreds of feet to certain destruction. If 
However, I did have The Wright 3 by Blue Balliet, which has a good bit of mystery. We also had Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters by Lenore Look, one of the hold-your-sides-funny books in the Alvin Ho series. He checked them out and will write reviews of them for us. Good choices, Walden! Can't wait to hear what you think of them.
Hey, all you super-cool reader guys out there, you probably don't need me to tell you what today is--but I'll tell you anyway! It's May the 4th, Star Wars Day. That's because we can say, "May the 4th be with you." Clever, huh? Anyway, guys everywhere love Star Wars and the library has a truly great new book, Ultimate Star Wars by Patricia Barr, Adam Bray, Daniel Wallace and Ryder Windham. It's amazing--it covers all the movies and animated series and has stunning photos and scenes. You GOTTA check this one out!! While we're at it, let me show you the trailer for the NEW Star Wars movie:
most of you will see it or may have seen it already because it has all the things GUYS love in a movie--superheroes, explosions and fights with killer robots. Anyway, one thing really stood out for me. Near the end of the movie, they show a scene of a family at home, waiting for the dad to arrive. There's a boy, curled up on a sofa. And what is that boy doing? Playing a video game? Staring at an hand-held device? No, he's reading a book! A Wimpy Kid book, no less. See, it does prove that boys read!
