So, this is my first ever JournalJabber recap :-). Tonight's show was all about YA/Children's books, and Brett Talley co-hosted with us! It was tons of fun, as always. We are so thrilled to have some testosterone on air with us...and I don't think we've scared him away, yet... :-)
The books we discussed:
Super Zombie Juice Mega Bomb
By: M.J.A. Ware
ISBN: 2940013006850
Published September 5, 2011
When life gives you lemons, kill zombies -- turns out lemon juice neutralizes the undead.
After a failed attempt at running away, best friends Nathan and Misty return home expecting to face angry parents. Instead, they discover the military has destroyed the bridges out of their rural town and everyone's fled—except a small horde of the living dead. The stress of flesh-eating zombies may be more than their already strained relationship can handle.
Even with the help of the town geek and lemonade-powered Super-Soakers, there's not enough time to squeeze their way out of this sticky mess. Unless the trio eradicates the zombie infestation, while avoiding the deadly zombie snot, the military will blow the town, and them, to pulp.
Their only shot is something with a lot more punch. Something like the Super Zombie Juice Mega Bomb. But even if their friendship survives, there's another problem: Someone has to lure the undead into the trap.
Includes two free short stories.
Print length is approximately 204 pages (40,000 words).
May not be suitable for kids under 9.(less)
The Lightning Thief
By: Rick Riordan
Illustrated by: John Rocco
ISBN: 9780786838653
Published April 1, 2006 by Miramax
After getting expelled from yet another school for yet another clash with mythological monsters only he can see, twelve-year-old Percy Jackson is taken to Camp Half-Blood, where he finally learns the truth about his unique abilities: He is a demigod, half human, half immortal. Even more stunning: His father is the Greek god Poseidon, ruler of the sea, making Percy one of the most powerful demigods alive. There's little time to process this news. All too soon, a cryptic prophecy from the Oracle sends Percy on his first quest, a mission to the Underworld to prevent a war among the gods of Olympus.
Leon Chameleon P.I. and the Case of the Kidnapped Mouse
By: Janet Hurst-Nicholson
Illustrated by: Barbara McGuire
ISBN: 9781875011117
Published 1995 by Gecko Books
When Mr Woodland Mouse mysteriously disappears, Constable Mole is quick to enlist the help of Leon Chameleon, Private Investigator, whose expertise enabled the Pigeon Valley Police to solve the case of the missing canary eggs.
After organising a search, Leon realises that there is only one creature in the valley who can spring the captured mouse from his prison. But just when he thinks Mr Woodland Mouse is safely on his way home, the plan goes horribly wrong...
The Mystic Phyles: Beasts
By: Stephanie Brockway
Illustrated by: Ralph Masiello
ISBN: 9781570917189
Published July 1, 2011 by Charlesbridge Publishing
Abigail Thaddeus lives with her grandparents in an old, spooky, ramshackle mansion. Pop is super strict, and loveable Ninny is a tad, well, eccentric. While her life is certainly unusual, Abigail finds it just plain boring. That is, until she receives an anonymous letter that sends her on a quest to research mythical creatures. With her best friend Charley's help, Abigail learns more about beasts familiar (e.g. the unicorn) and unfamiliar (e.g. the bonnacon) and is shocked to discover that they may be more real than she had thought. When a threatening letter from the mysterious Board of Mystical Management arrives, Abigail has to decide whether to pursue knowledge at all costs or chose a safer path. Abigail's adventure is told through her journal entries, sketches, and beast research pages, using a scrapbook style.
Of course, we never stay completely on topic. Harry Potter, Goosebumps, Fear Street, Christopher Pike, Twilight, and even Vampire Diaries and True Blood (which is NOT YA!) got a bit of air time. And in case you are wondering, those are my kids screaming in the background!!! Sigh...
Lovecraft Trivia Contest:
Gearing up for the Halloween season, we also opened up a new contest. Brett got a lot of his inspiration for his fabulous novel (That Which Should Not Be) from the legendary H.P. Lovecraft... So, Brett is offering up a signed copy of his novel and JournalStone is tossing in a gift card for a the lucky listener who can answer the following questions:
What is written on Lovecraft's tombstone?
In the HP Lovecraft Historical Society's newly released film, The Whisperer in the Darkness, from what planet do the "living fungi" originate?
Complete this quote, "'The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is __________."
If anyone takes a picture completing this contest -- looking up the answers, reading a Lovecraft story, watching the movie, visiting Lovecraft's tombstone, etc. :-) -- you will earn extra entries!
Email your responses to Amy - amy@journalstone.com to enter! Winners will be announced October 11th...
Next week, our guest will be Regina Wamba, a photographer and graphic designer who has created some GORGEOUS book art, including Cambria's beautiful Masquerade cover! Be sure to tune in and join in all the fun! Every Tuesday at 9PM EST...
Our Links:
JournalStone: www.journalstone.com
JournalJabber: www.journalstone.com/journaljabber
Cassie’s Blog: www.gatheringleavesreviews.blogspot.com
Cambria’s Blog: www.theunlockeddiary.blogspot.com
Goodreads Group: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/46156.Creative_Reviews
