Review: Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

Beauty and brains!

Even though this book has been sitting in my BEA box of goodies since May, and other bloggers have raved about it, and Scholastic's This Is Teen team has been gently nudging me to read it, I expected something completely different.  I thought I was picking up a light, humorous book that poked fun at pageants, highlighting the objectification of women.  Instead, what I got was a book that ...well, I'm still trying to wrap my head around it all! 

Laugh-out-loud hysterical, BEAUTY QUEENS is a satirical novel of empowerment, independence, love, self-actualization, sisterhood, overcoming obstacles, and the issues of society itself, yet it's cleverly disguised as an over the top sit-com, complete with Corporation commercials and public service announcements.  Oh, you are so clever, Libba Bray!  

Reality show pirates...lesbians...depilatory cream bombs...sign language...

After surviving a plane crash on a supposedly deserted island, Teen Dream pageant contestants found themselves having to survive in a harsh environment - and that includes their leader, Miss Texas, Taylor Rene Krystal Hawkins.  Miss Texas is the ultimate Teen Dream contestant, and leader of their motley tribe of beauty queens.  Also on the island: Miss New Hampshire, Adina Greenberg; Miss Nebraska, Mary Lou Novak; Miss Michigan, Jennifer Huberman; Miss Rhode Island, Petra West; Miss California, Shanti Sing; Miss Illinois, Sosie Simmons; and poor Miss New Mexico who has a tray stuck in her head.

Yes, she has a TRAY...stuck in her HEAD.

Each beauty queen has a story to tell, punctuated by her very own Teen Dream questionnaire.  What we learn early on, is that each beauty queen also has a secret to hide, whether it be an issue of sexuality, race, gender, disability or feminism.  Just when I was sure that Ms. Bray was about to cross into that dreaded zone of melodrama and predictability, I remembered that these issues are very real in our current society.  And, she managed to surprise me at each turn, giving me a virtual smack in the face.

I seriously could talk about this book for days.  Each character deserves her own review! 

Watch out readers, just when you're giggling away, you might find yourself learning a thing or two!On a personal note, I have avoided Young Adult lit that deals with GLBT topics, because I was afraid of inadvertently being insensitive to an issue that deserves the utmost care. Instead, I always left it up to the other YA bloggers. I don't want to ruin any of the book for you, but let's just say, I am so glad that this was a part of the book.

I have heard great things about the audiobook version of BEAUTY QUEENS, narrated by author Libba Bray herself.  I must tell you, read the first few pages. If you can't "hear" the sarcasm required for this book to work, I suggest you fire up the iPod and go for the audiobook. 


My apologies to Scholastic and Libba Bray - I am so late to this party, but it sure it nice to be here!



Book Extras:
This Is Teen - website, on Facebook, on Twitter
Libba Bray - website, on Facebook, on Twitter


About the Book:

Reading level: Ages 14 and up

Hardcover: 400 pages

Publisher: Scholastic Press (May 24, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0439895979

ISBN-13: 978-0439895972

About the Author:
Libba Bray is the New York Times bestselling author of the Beauty Queens and the Printz Award-winning Going Bovine, as well as The Gemma Doyle Trilogy, which includes the books A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, and The Sweet Far Thing.
She has contributed short stories to the anthologies Restless Dead, 21 Proms, Up All Night, Geektastic, Eternal Kiss, Vacations from Hell, Zombies Vs. Unicorns and Steampunk!: An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories.

*Disclosure:  A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

What Are You Reading?

Today is Monday, November 28, 2011...What Are You Reading?

This weekly meme is brought to you by the brave Black Friday fearless shopper, Sheila from Book Journey.  Sheila, I really hope you got some great bargains - you are a braver woman than I!

This weekend, my intention was to take part in Thankfully Reading, hosted by Jenn's Bookshelves.  I did finish a few books I had started, and opened a few that have been sitting on my nightstand for a few weeks, but I didn't participate in any of the mini-challenges.   

I want to thank you all for sending your get-well wishes to me, and especially to The 9 Year Old.  He responded well to the antibiotics once we convinced him to take them.  The fever is down, and he seems to have beaten the pneumonia.  I don't want to speak too soon, but he is on the mend!  Do you want to know how I knew when he started to feel better?  He got into bed the other night and read his book instead of crashing as soon as his head hit the pillow. 

Now, to the books!

COMPLETED:

ASHFALL by Mike Mullin (Tanglewood Press; September 2011; 476 pg; Young Adult)

BEAUTY QUEENS by Libba Bray (Scholastic; May 2011; 400 pg; Young Adult)

EXPLOSIVE EIGHTEEN by Janet Evanovich (Bantam; November 2011; 320 pg)

MENTAL_FLOSS: THE BOOK by Ethan Trex, Will Pearson and Mengesh Hattikudur (William Morrow; November 2011; 320 pg; paperback)

WOLFSBANE by Andrea Cremer (Philomel; July 2011; 400 pg; Young Adult)

CURRENTLY READING:

UNDERDOGS by Markus Zusak (Arthur A. Levine Books; September 2011; 512 pgs; YA) 

PLANNING TO READ:

SHINE by Lauren Myracle (Amulet; April 2011; 376 pgs; Young Adult)

IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS by Erik Larson (Crown; May 2011; 464 pgs; Non-fiction)

THE APOTHECARY by Maile Meloy, Ian Shoenherr (Putnam; October 2011; 368 pgs; YA)

HAPPY READING!!

Review: Crossed by Ally Condie

A worthy sequel to my favorite YA of 2010.

Since every synopsis I write myself contains a boatload of spoilers, and had to be deleted, I'm leaving the main points to Penguin's professionals. 

Synopsis:
In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever

While some series tend to simply continue the story, Ally Condie has created entirely new challenge in CROSSED.  Cassia and Ky are still very much the same, but they know more...and less...about the Society and what's beyond its borders.  Xander (oh, Xander) also plays a role in this book, which left me a bit breathless.  It's a puzzle, and we're all trying to figure out the pieces.  Everyone has secrets to hide and lies to tell.    In the meantime, Cassia and Ky need to find one another.

The chapters alternate between Cassia and Ky, so the reader is given access to what each of them are doing.  While I usually feel that this writing method is overdone, especially in YA, I feel like it fits here because each character has their own quest, their own story to tell.


CROSSED is the second part in Ally Condie's Matched series. I absolutely flipped for MATCHED, which was my pick for the #1 Young Adult book of 2010 (For original review, click HERE).  For this reason, I was a bit afraid to read CROSSED.  While I preferred MATCHED, I feel like CROSSED is a worthy sequel and I can't wait to read the third book, which will be released in November 2012.  (I have a long time to wait!)


"Love changes what is probable and makes unlikely things possible."

Book Extras:
Ally Condie's Website, Twitter
Matched Website
Pengin Young Readers You Tube Page





About the Book:

Reading level: Ages 14 and up

Hardcover: 367 pages 

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (November 1, 2011) 

Language: English 

ISBN-10: 0525423656 

ISBN-13: 978-0525423652

About the Author:
Ally Condie received a degree in English Teaching from Brigham Young University and spent a number of years teaching high school English in Utah and in upstate New York. She lives with her husband and three sons outside of Salt Lake City, Utah.


*Disclosure:  A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday!!

Growing up, our house was open to family and friends on this special day each year.  My mom had a way of welcoming everyone, setting a table to fit as many people that walked through the door, sometimes snaking the tables and chairs into the entryway itself.  She always did so without showing the work involved, always with a smile, no matter the disaster that might occur (flood in the laundry room; fire in the oven; or a last minute dash to the food store for Stove Top due to an unfortunate ingredient mistake.  Good times!)  Even though I miss my mom like crazy on Thanksgiving, I feel connected to her today, as this was her favorite holiday as well.  I can feel her hands guiding me, I can see her smile in my mind's eye, and I can hear her laughter among those that are around me.

 I have since inherited the holiday from her.  I have also made my own traditions, blending my husband's beloved parts of the holiday (Nana's Chestnut Stuffing) with my own family's favorites (a lively round of Family Feud between courses), and always starting the day with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV. 

Diary of a Wimpy Kid balloon!

Unfortunately, for the first time in a long time, we will not be celebrating Thanksgiving surrounded by 20+ members of my family today. The 9 year old has pneumonia, and I will juggle my roles as Nurse Mom and Chef Mom today.  I will still make a turkey dinner, just a very scaled-down version of the feast that usually is our Thanksgiving Day Dinner.   And, of course, my extended family and my friends will be in my thoughts and prayers today.

Whatever your traditions may be today, I wish you love, happiness, and peace.

Thankfully Reading 2011

Not only will I celebrate my favorite holiday this weekend, I plan to reward myself for a Turkey Day well done by curling up with a few good books!

Welcome to the 3rd Annual THANKFULLY READING WEEKEND, hosted by Jennsbookshelves.  There are mini-challenges throughout the weekend, giveaways around the book blogosphere, and a whole lotta reading going on!!

Some people shop...I read.

That's just the way it is.

I will update the books I have completed on Twitter and Facebook.  (#ThankfullyReading) At the end of the weekend, I'll let you all know how I did.  In the meantime, I will link you all to the fun stuff, so you can join in.

Happy Reading!

More Holiday eBook Deals

From today through January 6th, 2012, Bloomsbury USA has reduced the price on over 60 of their young adult, adult, and middle-grade e-books to $3.99 or less! Mystery, fantasy, history, romance and more, and they’re all available on all e-reader devices.

If you plan to give an eReader as a gift this holiday season, load it up with some great books!

Which books do I suggest you take a look at from Bloomsbury? It's tough to choose, but here are a few that I have either already read and loved, or heard good things about and plan to check out myself with this deal:


ADULT TITLES:

YOUNG ADULT TITLES:

MIDDLE GRADE TITLES:

Visit Bloomsbury USA on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/BloomsburyKids

www.facebook.com/BloomsburyTeens

- -

Contest from Scholastic's This Is Teen

NEW CONTEST!

I am thrilled to offer the following books for giveaway, courtesy of Big Honcho Media and Scholastic's THIS IS TEEN:

THE ELEVENTH PLAGUE, UNDER DOGS and iBOY

One winner will receive a copy of all three THIS IS TEEN books:

UNDERDOGS by Markus Zusak

THE ELEVENTH PLAGUE by Jeff Hirsch

iBOY by Kevin Brooks

Visit THIS IS TEEN on Facebook

About the books:

The Eleventh Plague

By Jeff Hirsch

 “The Eleventh Plague hits disturbingly close to home…An excellent, taut debut novel.” – Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games

In the aftermath of a war, America’s landscape has been ravaged and two thirds of the population left dead from a vicious strain of influenza. Fifteen-year-old Stephen Quinn and his family were among the few that survived and became salvagers, roaming the country in search of material to trade for food and other items essential for survival. But when Stephen’s grandfather dies and his father falls into a coma after an accident, Stephen finds his way to Settler’s Landing, a community that seems too good to be true, where there are real houses, barbecues, a school, and even baseball games. Then Stephen meets strong, defiant, mischievous Jenny, who refuses to accept things as they are. And when they play a prank on the town bully’s family that goes horribly wrong, chaos erupts, and they find themselves in the midst of a battle that will change Settler’s Landing forever.

Book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__f4S0hv1EI&feature=youtu.be



I haven't had a chance to read and review this book yet, but here is a link to a review for THE ELEVENTH PLAGUE at a book blog I know, trust and read myself:   Jenn's Bookshelves

 Underdogs

By Markus Zusak

 Before The Book Thief, Markus Zusak wrote a trilogy of novels about the Wolfe brothers: The Underdogs, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, and Getting the Girl. Cameron and Ruben Wolfe are champions at getting into fights, coming up with half-baked schemes, and generally disappointing girls, their parents, and their much more motivated older siblings. They’re intensely loyal to each other, brothers at their best and at their very worst. But when Cameron falls head over heels for Ruben’s girlfriend, the strength of their bond is tested to its breaking point.

iBoy

By Kevin Brooks

Before the attack, Tom Harvey was just an average teen. But a head-on collision with high technology has turned him into an actualized App. Fragments of a shattered iPhone are embedded in his brain. And they’re having an extraordinary effect on his every thought. Because now Tom knows, sees, and can do more than any normal boy ever could. But with his new powers comes a choice: Seek revenge on the vicious gangs who rule the South London housing project where he lives, and who violated his friend Lucy? Or keep quiet and move on? Not even the search engine in his head can predict the shocking outcome of iBoy’s actions. A wifi, thriller by YA master Kevin Brooks.

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH5iHzTEkNE&feature=youtu.be

Fill out form below to enter!
Contest Open from 11/22/11 to 12/4/11

Review: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Brilliant!  Mesmerizing! Fearless!

UNBROKEN is the true story of Louis Zamperini.  As a boy, Louie was a holy terror, always in trouble and running from authority.  His brother helped Louie channel his energy into running competitively, and through a combination of talent and pure stubbornness, Zamperini made it to the Berlin Olympics, on pace to surpass the four-minute mile.  Like many able-bodied men of that era, Louie enlisted in the army during WWII and became an airman.  With little more than tin cans to fly, our airmen died as often in training as they did in battle.  Louie's bomber crashed into the Pacific and disappeared - beginning one of the most extraordinary stories of perseverance, tenacity, and will to live. 

"To be an enlisted prisoner of war under the Japanese was to be a slave."  Unfortunately for Louie, to be an unlisted prisoner of war was far worse.

UNBROKEN reads like a novel - a fast-paced, action-packed, suspenseful thriller.  There were times I had to remind myself that I was not reading fiction.  The unimaginable horrors that Louis Zamperini endured during WWII haunted me, yet compelled me to turn the pages.  There is nothing delicate about this story, but Laura Hillenbrand pieces it all together in a way that no one else could.  I hate the term "readable" but considering the size and scope of Louie's story, UNBROKEN certainly is readable.

Pete and Louis Zamperini

It's incredible how the cast of characters come in and out of Louie's life, it feels so unbelievable, all the coincidences and chance-meetings.  The most amazing thing is the thorough representations of these men.  They were not just supporting characters in Louie's story, they had their own stories to tell:

"Commander John Fitzerald had been in Japanese custody since April 1943.  For two and a half years, he'd been forced to grovel before sadists and imbeciles as he tried to protect his men.  He'd been starved, beaten, enslaved, given the water cure, had his fingernails torn out."

Even when I wanted to cheer for Louie and his friends, my heart broke.  You will want to cheer for Louie; cry for him; fight for him; and save him. 

If you read one non-fiction book this year, read UNBROKEN.



Many thanks to my friend, Ann Marie, for recommending UNBROKEN.  It is lovingly placed on my Shelf of Fame next to my other favorites. 


Book Extras:
Random House Unbroken page
Read an Excerpt
Laura Hillenbrand Website, Facebook,

About the Book:

Hardcover: 496 pages 

Publisher: Random House; 1st edition (November 16, 2010) 

Language: English 

ISBN-10: 1400064163 

ISBN-13: 978-1400064168

About the Author:
Laura Hillenbrand is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Seabiscuit: An American Legend, which was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, won the Book Sense Nonfiction Book of the Year award.   She and actor Gary Sinise are the co-founders of Operation International Children (www.operationinternationalchildren.org), a charity that provides school supplies to children through American troops. She lives in Washington, D.C. 

*Disclosure:  This book was purchased by me with no obligation to the publisher, book store, or author.

99 cent Kids Apps!

Read and Play!

I adore these Apps and the Books upon which they are based! 

Before you hop in the car for that long drive to Thanksgiving dinner, download a few of these 99 cent Apps from Random House Children's Books.
Visit http://www.rhkidsapps.com/category/app/on-sale/ for more information.

The Poky Little Puppy (regular price $3.99)

This engaging app has been specifically designed to encourage reading and listening comprehension skills, and to reinforce core preschool-level concepts. With the swipe of a finger, users can crack open the cover—complete with the distinctive Little Golden Books gold spine—to reveal the entire text of this timeless story, beautifully rendered with interactive illustrations on every page. Users are given a choice of three ways to read the story. The first option enables users to watch and listen as words are highlighted while the text is read aloud. The second option allows users to turn off the narration and read at their own pace (with individual words spoken with the tap of a finger), and the third option allows readers to record their own voice to play on each page. Children can further hone their reading comprehension skills with the Little Golden Books Hide-and-Seek Challenge that can be played at the end of each page to unlock bonus stickers. When the story has been read, users can use the stickers they collected to create their very own storybook scene and save their masterpiece to the device’s photo album. Making this app experience even more unique, users can personalize their app with their name and photograph on the inside cover. This beautifully crafted app makes storytime a special time that parents and children will cherish together.

Barbie Princess Charm School (regular price $4.99)

Readers can join their favorite fashionista, Barbie^™ on her royal adventure with just the swipe of a finger, prompting animated illustrations and activities that bring storytime to life. This engaging app allows readers to experience the story in three different ways. The first option enables users to watch and listen as words are highlighted while the text is read aloud. The second option allows users to turn off the narration and read at their own pace (with individual words spoken with the tap of a finger), and the third option allows readers to record their own voice to play on each page. Supplemental activities featured in the app include the Little Golden Book Hide & Seek Challenge at the end of each page where readers can unlock bonus Barbie^™ stickers. After reading the story, users can collect the stickers they earned to create their very own stylish storybook scene and save it in the device’s photo album. The app can be personalized with a name and photograph on the inside cover. As an additional bonus, Barbie^™ Princess Charm School for iPhone^®, iPad^®, and iPod touch^® features the hit song from the DVD, “You Can Tell She’s a Princess.”

Pat the Bunny (regular price $3.99)

Designed for the youngest user, children can easily bring bunny to life and interact in new ways. They can pop bubbles with bunny, help bunny catch butterflies, tuck bunny into bed, and more. On devices with front-facing cameras, including the new iPad 2, children will be delighted by a “look in the mirror” feature that allows them to see their reflection. With 14 stunningly animated scenes in all, there are plenty of surprises to see and discover. There are three different ways to read through the app: users can watch illuminated text while hearing the words read aloud, turn off the narration and read at their own pace, or record their own voice to be played back. The pat the bunny app promotes the development of fine motor skills with a paint mode that magically transforms each page into a colorable activity. This paint feature is made for the youngest users as children can simply swipe a black-and-white scene to make the colors appear. Children will delight in dragging their fingers across an image of bunny’s birthday party and watching the picture come to life in vibrant colors. Sparkles jump across the page as little fingers brush yellow and pink onto the flowers in bunny’s garden. The app extends the legacy of pat the bunny to the digital world, promoting children’s mastery of their world through simple, interactive play.

Wild About Books (regular price $4.99)

The award-winning picture book now roars to life in 16 animated and interactive scenes where kids can tilt, swipe, and tap their way through Judy Sierra’s rollicking rhymed story. Readers can choose to listen or turn off the narration and read at their own pace. Whether they’re making monkeys flip, beach balls bounce, animals stampede, or bears burp, parents and kids are sure to laugh, learn, and get wild about books together.

How Rocket Learned to Read (regular price $4.99) [ONE OF OUR FAVORITES!!]

With the swipe of a finger or tilt of the iPad, Hills’s bestselling and award-winning picture book bursts to life, making learning to read fun. Children have two options for reading this story that boasts over 40 pages of interactive text and lively illustrations with a realistic page-turning feature. The first option, “Read to Me,” allows kids to simultaneously watch highlighted words and listen to the story read aloud by Tony- and Emmy-nominated actress Hope Davis. The second option, “Read It Myself,” enables readers to silence the narration and read the story at their own pace. With the tap of a finger, readers can hear any word on the page read aloud, giving them extra guidance when they feel challenged. In one spread that displays the entire alphabet, kids can tap their way through every letter to hear it and see a corresponding illustration created exclusively by Tad Hills for the iPad app.

Princess Baby (regular price $1.99)

With the swipe of a finger or tilt of the device, Katz’s vibrant artwork bursts to life. After choosing a playmate from four adorable princess babies, users step into Princess Baby’s bedroom kingdom and discover an assortment of toys fit for a princess. Children can wave their royal wands, pet a kitty, knock down colorful building blocks, and much more. The app features original collage-style artwork by the creator, Karen Katz.

Bot Garage (regular price $0.99)

The Bot Garage app gives fans of David Carter’s LOTS OF BOTS! A Counting Pop-Up Book, a chance to build their own collections of wonderfully wacky robot friends. From a wide selection of colorful bot heads, bodies, arms, legs, and silly accessories, kids can design and name a multitude of bots that come to life with animation and sound effects. Once the bots have been placed in one of ten cool places to play, they can be saved and emailed to friends directly from the app.

Give Books!

Even though I am in denial that Christmas is around the corner, I know some of you more organized people are already checking off your holiday gift lists.  Some of you are probably preparing for your Black Friday frenzy! 
I didn't want you going into the bookstores unprepared, so I am passing on a list from SCHOLASTIC that highlights some of the hottest books of 2011. 

Scholastic’s Holiday Gift List for Kids:

Picture Books

 

• 10 Little Caterpillars by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Lois Ehlert (Simon & Schuster)
• Can You See What I See? Toyland Express written and illustrated by Walter Wick (Scholastic)
• If You Give a Dog a Donut by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond (HarperCollins)
• The Man in the Moon written and illustrated by William Joyce (Simon & Schuster)
• Pinkalicious: The Princess of Pink Treasury written and illustrated by Victoria Kann (HarperCollins)
  Click here for full list

Transitional Readers and Chapter Books

• Clementine and The Family Meeting by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Marla Frazee (Disney Hyperion Books)

• Fly Guy: Fly Guy vs. The Flyswatter! by Tedd Arnold (Scholastic)
• Magic Tree House: Dogs in the Dead of Night by Mary Pope Osborne, illustrated by Salvatore Murdocca (Random House)
• Rainbow Magic: Magical Holiday Boxed Set by Daisy Meadows (Scholastic)
• Super Diaper Baby 2: The Invasion of the Potty Snatchers by Dav Pilkey, George Beard, and Harold Hutchins (Scholastic)
• Click here for full list

Middle Grade Fiction 

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney (Abrams)
• The Heroes of Olympus, Book Two: The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan (Disney Hyperion Books)
• The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers Book 2: A King's Ransom by Jude Watson (Scholastic)
• War Horse by Michael Morpurgo (Scholastic)
• Wonderstruck written and illustrated by Brian Selznick (Scholastic)
• Click here for full list

Young Adult Fiction

• Crossed by Ally Condie (Penguin)
• Inheritance by Christopher Paolini (Random House)
• Okay For Now by Gary D. Schmidt (Clarion Books)
• The Hunger Games Trilogy Boxed Set by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic)
• The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (Scholastic)
• Click here for full list

Nonfiction

• How Cool Is This: An Up-close, Inside Look at How Things Work  (DK Publishing)
• The Hugo Movie Companion: A Behind the Scenes Look at How a Beloved Book Became a Major Motion Picture by Brian Selznick (Scholastic)
• Lego Harry Potter: Building The Magical World (DK Publishing)
• Lego Star Wars Character Encyclopedia (DK Publishing)
• Ripley's Believe It or Not!: Special Edition 2012 (Scholastic)
• Click here for full list

MANY THANKS TO SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUBS FOR PROVIDING A SUPER LIST!

These books are available through Scholastic Book Clubs and Scholastic Book Fairs in schools and online at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. When you purchase these or any other books through Book Clubs and Book Fairs you are helping out your child’s school. Teachers are awarded bonus points through Scholastic Book Clubs to purchase books and materials for their classrooms, and schools raise money through their Book Fairs to support the school community. If a title from Scholastic’s holiday gift list is not available through your child’s Scholastic Book Club or Scholastic Book Fair, check with your child’s teacher or visit a book retailer or library. 

For the full list please visit http://oomscholasticblog.com/2011/11/we_predict.html.