Hippopotamister by John Patrick Green Blog Tour

 

Goodreads Synopsis:

The zoo isn't what it used to be. It's run-down and falling apart. Hippo hardly ever gets any visitors. So he decides to set off for the outside with his friend Red Panda. To make it in the human world, Hippo will have to become a Hippopotamister: he'll have to act like a human, get a job, and wear a hat as a disguise. He's a good employee, whether he's a construction worker, a hair stylist, or a sous chef. But what he really needs is a job where he can be himself.

 

ISBN: 9781626722002
May 10, 2016
Amazon Link
Macmillan

 

Review:

I'm just going to come right out and say it,  Hippopotamister is so far the best children's book I have reviewed to date. Hippo's good friend Red Panda made the story for me, which I believe was the intended purpose. He could not catch a break but that didn't dampen Hippo's attitude towards him. The overall message (which I won't say for spoilers) is meaningful. The friendship is admirable and his idea's are creative. Hippo and Red Panda try out different jobs that aren't too far fetched, for example, construction workers and accountants. I was actually quite stunned to see accountants as an occupation in a children's book. I personally recently graduated with an accounting degree, so this was especially nice to see. The artwork was simple yet descriptive. Below are some extra pictures drawn by the author himself. This book was adorable and funny, I would definitely recommend it to everyone.

About the Author

John Patrick Green grew up on Long Island and has worked in New York City since graduating from the School of Visual Arts with a degree in graphic design. He was the comics consultant for Disney Adventures magazine, where he wrote and often drew the popular Last Laugh feature. John is the co-creator and illustrator of the graphic novel series Jax Epoch and the Quicken Forbidden and Teen Boat!, both with writer Dave Roman. He has also worked as a writer, illustrator, or designer on comics and graphic novels for Nickelodeon Magazine, DreamWorks, Scholastic Graphix, and DC Comics. John lives in Brooklyn with zero cats and way too many LEGOs.

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Science Comics: Coral Reefs-Cities of the Ocean

 Synopsis:

Every volume of Science Comics offers a complete introduction to a particular topic--dinosaurs, coral reefs, the solar system, volcanoes, bats, flying machines, and more. These gorgeously illustrated graphic novels offer wildly entertaining views of their subjects. Whether you're a fourth grader doing a natural science unit at school or a thirty-year-old with a secret passion for airplanes, these books are for you!

This volume: in Coral Reefs, we learn all about these tiny, adorable sea animals! This absorbing look at ocean science covers the biology of coral reefs as well as their ecological importance. Nonfiction comics genius Maris Wicks brings to bear her signature combination of hardcore cuteness and in-depth science.

ISBN: 978-162672-145-6
March 29, 2016
Amazon Link 

Review:

Science Comics: Coral Reefs - Cities of the Ocean was pure nostalgia for an adult like myself. My youth days of watching The Magic School Bus felt somewhat relived when I was reading this informative yet creative and funny comic. This is a great introductory to beginner science as well as a review for experienced learners. I was stumped on several of the "Did you Know" questionnaire.  

The author included a brief three page note about himself which I found to be just as intriguing as the comic itself. He does a great job including himself into the story and also includes comedic footnotes to help the reader make sense of the topic. There's a glossary in the back filled with important terminology. 

Overall, I would highly recommend this series for any kid or science lover out there. The illustrations were vivid and the plot moved pretty fast. It is a nice size comic book for any age.

About the Author:

Maris Wicks lives in sunny Somerville, Massachusetts. She is the author behind Human Body Theater, as well as the illustrator of New York Times-bestselling Primates, with Jim Ottaviani. When she's not making comics, Wicks works as a program educator at the New England Aquarium. She is quite fond of being in the water, whether it's swimming in ponds or scuba diving in the Atlantic Ocean. dotsforeyes.blogspot.com

Checkout the Tour:

Name	Blog/Website/Library/School/Etc	Date of Post (April)
Lizzi	xbelleofthebooks.com	11
Briana	Pages Unbound (http://pagesunbound.wordpress.com)	12
Stephanie Torina	http://readingwithcupcakes.blogspot.com/	13
Margie	http://bumblesandfairytales.blogspot.com	14
Kristine Hall	http://kristinehallways.blogspot.com	15
Jessica Harker	http://spinesandcovers.com/	18
Tanya	bookishbabes.wordpress.com	19
Kaitlyn H	No blog but Twitter.com/achubbybookworm	20
Marcilia Loubach	www.theplotbunny.com	21
Mia Swartz	Www.Mandemread.blogspot.com	22
Cody Roecker	www.roeckerreviews.blogspot.com	25
Heather DeFilippis	http://hermitlibrarian.blogspot.com	26
Amber Mann	http://bookstacksamber.wordpress.com	27
Sierra Davenport	sdavreads.wordpress.com	28
Martika	www.fangirlavue.blogspot.com	29

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Because You'll Never Meet Me Review

ISBN:9781408862629
June 2, 2015
Amazon Link

Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas is about two boys on different sides of the world who share one major commonality, they both have extremely rare disabilities. Moritz, a 14 year
old boy living in Kreiszig, Germany was born without eyes in his skull and had a pacemaker put in his chest. His also 14 year old pen pal Ollie who lives in Michigan shacked up in a tiny little cabin out in the middle of the woods. He lives out there because he's allergic to electricity, how it works is electricity rejects him and he rejects electricity. The boys can never meet because of their disabilities but, that doesn't stop them from keeping in touch via letters. After the course of these letters both boys change each other's lives for the better. Oliver influences Moritz to embrace his disability and Moritz influenced Oliver to become focused and get up and out from
his hermitopia. With so many secrets and plot twists you can never predict what is going to happen to the boys next. I completely absolutely loved this novel I just couldn't put it down. Moritz had an extremely dark past, you think you know what's about to happen next but the actual event that occurs takes you by complete surprise. I stood corrected on just about every prediction scenario and was blown away by the diverse and different secrets these boys had. I will admit, as much praise that I would give this The back and forth communication between the two boys was my favorite part, I bumped a star because there's a noticeable chunk in the middle without their witty banter that I longed for. Overall this book was amazing and completely , utterly, and beautifully different than many other contemporary books that I read. I highly recommend Because You'll Never Meet Me.

Published by EM

The Sin Eater's Daughter Review

ISBN:9781760151577
March 1, 2015
Amazon Link

 *I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

This review is long over due, I know but I am slowly coming out of my reading slump. This book was exactly what I needed. I'd say overall, I really enjoyed this but I had high hopes and was let down on a few occasions. BUT *DROOLS* this cover is simply GORGEOUS! And was the main reason why I had to read this. Just because of the cover, I own this title in every format available.

I've never read Graceling by Kristin Cashore but I heard this book is similar. I on the otherhand was reminded of The Selection by Kiera Cass and the CW TV show Reign when I was reading this book.

 I fell in love with the writing, in fact I started this book back in April but had to set it down, the first chapter was hard to forget and was desperate for more. I picked it up a few months later and finished it that same day. I was hooked. However, looking back I realized a few things, the plot really sticks in my mind after months from my initial read and aside from the writing, the plot wasn't all that exciting but yet I cannot get it out of my head. I will say though, I plan to read the sequel. I'm also dying to see what the will look like. I'd love to have these on my shelves no matter. Ugh, I am getting carried away again by the pretty cover, overall, I liked it but at the same time it wasn't great. I hope to see more action, maybe even a battle by breach? IDK I am curious to see where this series will go.

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Sunday Street Team: Where You'll Find Me by Natasha Friend

ISBN: 9780374302306
March 8, 2016
Amazon Link

Synopsis (GR):

The first month of school, thirteen-year-old Anna Collette finds herself... DUMPED by her best friend Dani, who suddenly wants to spend eighth grade "hanging out with different people." DESERTED by her mom, who's in the hospital recovering from a suicide attempt. TRAPPED in a house with her dad, a new baby sister, and a stepmother young enough to wear her Delta Delta Delta sweatshirt with pride. STUCK at a lunch table with Shawna the Eyebrow Plucker and Sarabeth the Irish Stepper because she has no one else to sit with. But what if all isn't lost?

Review:

I haven't read many young adult/middle grade books with major focus on family relationships but I would like to. Where You'll Find Me was a great start. The plot was learning how to deal with what you have, overcoming obstacles, and enjoying every moment you have or had with a love one. I was able to easily relate to Anna, she loved her mother and would do anything for her, forming a lifestyle without her (Alive mother) around was unbearable and her emotional journey to make it though was realistic. I'd be a wreck if I was placed in her shoes. 

The one major issue I had with this book was the pacing. For a short book of 272 pages, it was a bit rough to make it all the way through. 

Where You'll Find Me was a family dynamic, coming of age novel about learning to cope. Overall, the pacing was a little to slow in some areas but the plot was different from other YA/ middle grade books and I enjoyed it.

About the Author:

Natasha Friend--wearer of silly hats, lover of press-on mustaches, admirer of Gloria Steinem, devotee of well-named nail polish shades--is also an author. When she is not writing books, you will find her playing Wiffle ball, turning cartwheels, making chocolate-chip pancakes, singing, dancing, and wishing she was in a talent show. Natasha lives in Connecticut with her husband, three kids, and dog. Where You'll Find Me is her sixth novel. Visit her online at natashafriend.com

                                                           
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Spooktacular Giveaway Hop US Only

This is just a small preview of all the books I have. A Google Doc will be provided for the Winners to choose from. There will be three winners of three sets. Please enter into the other fabulous giveaways. 

 The Guidelines:

-You must have a US mailing address 

-Must be 13 years or older with parent's permission (The winner has to be able to give me their address).

-All entries WILL be verified, don't cheat. 

-The giveaway will end the October 31st at Midnight 

-Winners will be announced via rafflecopter, email and Twitter

-Response is needed within three days if not another winner will be announced

- Books will be sent out 3-5 days after giveaway has ended

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Sunday Street Team: Dreamstrider by Lindsay Smith

ISBN: 9781626720428
October 6, 2015
Amazon Link

 Goodreads Synopsis:

A high-concept, fantastical espionage novel set in a world where dreams are the ultimate form of political intelligence.

Livia is a dreamstrider. She can inhabit a subject's body while they are sleeping and, for a short time, move around in their skin. She uses her talent to work as a spy for the Barstadt Empire. But her partner, Brandt, has lately become distant, and when Marez comes to join their team from a neighborhing kingdom, he offers Livia the option of a life she had never dared to imagine. Livia knows of no other dreamstriders who have survived the pull of Nightmare. So only she understands the stakes when a plot against the Empire emerges that threatens to consume both the dreaming world and the waking one with misery and rage.

A richly conceived world full of political intrigue and fantastical dream sequences, at its heart Dreamstrider is about a girl who is struggling to live up to the potential before her.

Interview Questions:

1. What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Aside from read? ;) I’m a really big board game and video game nerd! I cycle through a lot of different games, but right now I’m pretty obsessed with Heroes of the Storm, which is a battle arena game featuring a ton of characters from Blizzard games, and the board game Lords of Waterdeep. I love eating every cuisine imaginable and trying craft beers, as well.

2. What can we expect from you in the future?

Next fall (2016) I have another YA novel coming out from Roaring Brook/Macmillan Children’s that’s currently titled A Darkly Beating Heart. I don’t have a full summary for it yet, but I call it an angry bisexual Japanese time travel revenge fantasy. :) I’m also a member of the writing team for an upcoming serialized fiction project, The Witch Who Came In from the Cold, which is all about magical spies in 1970s Prague. That should go live early next year.

3. Do you have an interesting fact/inside joke about Dreamstrider?

There’s a scene where Livia and her team go undercover at a fancy masquerade ball early in the book, and Brandt, trying to pretend he’s intoxicated, goes on and on about the fact that there are tumblers at the ball. I shamelessly stole this from a friend who embarrassed himself when he met his favorite author George R. R. Martin, and tried to impress him with his knowledge of the opera company at Santa Fe (where Martin lives). When Martin replied that he hated opera, my friend insisted, “But they have tumblers! Tumblers!” Martin was unswayed.

4. Who is your least favorite character in your book?

Ooh, that’s tough! Even in my most despicable characters, I can usually find something appealing about them, or that I respect, at least. (I always say this about villains--you gotta admire their persistence!) Some of the Barstadt Empire’s advisers and ministers, however, are pretty inexcusable. They try to stymie Livia or dismiss her advice at every possible turn, all purely to make themselves look better to the Emperor.

5. Do you have any unique talents or hobbies? Any weird quirks while writing to help reach your writing goal?

I’ve gotten into the habit of writing with a timer instead of writing to a set word count. I’m not allowed to do anything--check social media, get a snack, turn on the TV--until the timer goes off. In the moment, sometimes I’ll get stuck, and each word I have to keep typing until that timer dings is painful, but whenever I look back on it later, it’s (almost) always perfectly fine in retrospect.

About the Author:

Author of YA historical thrillers SEKRET and SKANDAL and the forthcoming YA fantasy DREAMSTRIDER (all from Macmillan Children's). Russophile, foreign affairs junkie, nerd.

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