Books For Easter!

Sharing with you some delightful books from Random House Children's Books to fill those Easter baskets!  Hoppy Reading!!

Picture Books –

BUNNY’S NIGHT LIGHT: A Glow-in-the-Dark Search  by Geoffrey Hayes
(Random House / 9780375869266 / On sale January 24, 2012 / Price $11.99 / $12.99 Can. / 3-6 years / 32 pa)

A reassuring glow-in-the-dark bedtime tale about finding a night-light that is just right. When Little Bunny can't sleep because "there's too much dark at night," it's up to Papa to find just the right night-light for his little bunny. The pair go for a walk around the woods and Papa points out the possibilities. Perhaps the moon is the ideal night-light? Or maybe the fireflies will be able to help? Or even the little glow worm? Featuring luminescent nighttime illustrations that glow in the dark, and a comforting text, this bedtime story will resonate with little bunnies and their parents.

10 HUNGRY RABBITS by Anita Lobel

(Alfred A. Knopf / 978-0-375-86864-1 / On sale February 14, 2012 / $9.99 / $10.99 Can. / 1-4 years / 24 pages)

One by one, 10 very hungry rabbits find 10 very yummy vegetables for Mama Rabbit's soup pot. Caldecott Honor Book artist Anita Lobel combines learning to count with color concepts in this mouth-watering celebration of good things to eat. One big purple cabage, two white onions, three yellow peppers, and so on through 10--garden vegetables have never looked so appetizing! Here Anita Lobel makes a delightful story for preschoolers with the two most basic early learning concepts, counting and color. And her beautiful illustrations of vegetables might even tempt picky eaters into new adventures in eating!

Board Book –

DUCK AND GOOSE: Here Comes the Easter Bunny! by Tad Hills

(Schwartz & Wade Books / 978-0-375-87280-8 / On sale January 24, 2012 / $6.99 / $7.99 Can. / 22 pages )

Duck & Goose are back! New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Tad Hills brings our favorite feathered friends out to celebrate spring in this sturdy board book. Duck & Goose have lots of ideas about how to find the Easter Bunny, but will they succeed? Preschoolers won't be able to resist this latest board book featuring Duck & Goose, lots of colorful eggs, and the Easter Bunny.

10 EASTER EGG HUNTERS by Janet Schulman; illustrated by Linda Davick(Alfred A. Knopf / 978-0-375-86787-3 / On sale February 8, 2012 / $8.99 / $9.99 Can. / 32 pages)

The adorable kids from the New York Times bestseller 10 Trick-or-Treaters are back and they're counting their way to Easter! Can you help them find all of the eggs the Easter Bunny has hidden in time for the Easter Parade? 

Middle Grade –

Mr. and Mrs. Bunny – Detectives Extraordinaire! by Mrs. Bunny (Translated from the Rabbit by Polly Horvath); illustrated by Sophie Blackall

(Schwartz & Wade Books / 978-0-375-86755-2 / On sale February 14, 2012 / $16.99 / 8-12 years / 256 pages)
Newbery Honor- and National Book Award-winning author Horvath's funniest book yet! In this hilarious chapter book mystery, meet a girl whose parents have been kidnapped by disreputable foxes, and a pair of detectives that also happen to be bunnies! When Madeline gets home from school one afternoon to discover that her parents have gone missing, she sets off to find them. So begins a once-in-a-lifetime adventure involving a cast of quirky and unforgettable characters. There's Mr. and Mrs. Bunny, who drive a smart car, wear fedoras, and hate marmots; the Marmot, who loves garlic bread and is a brilliant translator; and many others. Translated by National Book Award-winning author Polly Horvath, and beautifully illustrated by Sophie Blackall, here is a book that kids will both laugh over and love.

 

Golden Baby Board Books –

GOLDEN BABY: Home for a Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown; illustrated by Garth Williams

(Golden Books / 978-0-307-93009-5 / On sale January 10, 2012 / $3.99 / $4.99 Can. / 2-5 years / 24 pages)
Generations of children have followed this furry, lovable bunny on his springtime journey to find a home. A family favorite since 1956, Margaret Wise Brown's simple yet playful tale is perfectly complemented by Garth Williams's exquisite artwork--and is now back in print as a Little Golden Book Classic.

GOLDEN BABY: The Fuzzy Duckling by Jane Werner Watson; illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen

(Golden Books / 978-0-307-92966-2 / On sale January 10, 2012 / $6.99 / $7.99 Can. / 0-4 years / 24 pages)
A beloved Little Golden Book is now available in our recently launched Golden Baby board book line. In this counting book, the youngest readers will enjoy following an adorable duckling as he explores the farm.

World Book Night - April 23, 2012

World Book Night is coming up next month.  The 30 books that were chosen by the WBN organization were carefully selected.  As far as I'm concerned, if I had to choose 30 books to read for the rest of my life, I would be happy with this list.

When I filled out my application to be an official Book Giver, I had to give my 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices.  No one who reads my blog or knows me in real life, would be surprised to find out that I chose THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusack as my 1st choice.  I always have a paperback copy of this book ready to give to someone.  I never ask for it back.  It's just one of those books that appeal to so many different people, I can't help but share it.  I think I have given at least 8 copies out so far on my own!

But, the list has me thinking....

If you had to hand out 20 copies of any book...WHICH BOOK WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Angry Birds Space

It's one small step for birds, one giant leap for birdkind... 

National Geographic, in partnership with Rovio Entertainment, has launched the very first companion book to the newest Angry Birds game - ANGRY BIRDS SPACE: A FURIOUS FLIGHT INTO THE FINAL FRONTIER by Amy Briggs (National Geographic Books; ISBN 978-1-4262-0992-5; March 20, 2012; $13.95 paperback).


ANGRY BIRDS SPACE follows the characters we already know and love, as well as some new faces, as they discover the inner depths and outer reaches of space in pursuit of their precious golden eggs.  Stunning photos and space facts galore, ANGRY BIRDS SPACE is perfect for readers and gamers of all ages.  My 9 year old son was thrilled when I told him a copy of the book was on the way, but since I don't like to share, I will need to get my own copy. 


ANGRY BIRDS SPACE is more than an educational thrill ride, as it may just lend gamers an advantage as they strive to conquer the latest obstacles facing our favorite fowl - zero-gravity, planets, black holes or meteors. Since I haven't played the game yet, I'm just guessing, but since Rovio partnered with NASA physicists to engineer their new game, you know we're getting more than sticks, rocks and panes of glass this time around!   No joke - NASA. You might have to know a little something about the Rings of Saturn to protect your golden eggs! 


On a personal note, I am so excited ANGRY BIRDS SPACE is out!  Not only does it tackle two of our favorite subjects in this house - space and Angry Birds - but it was written by my long-time friend, Amy Briggs.  She is one of the smartest and funniest people I have ever known.   Amy's book promises to be a fun, fantastic journey through space. 


Lucky for us, Amy has graciously allowed me to interview her for Book Marks, and her publisher has agreed to let me host a contest for a copy of ANGRY BIDS SPACE so stay tuned! 

About the Book:
National Geographic Angry Birds Space: A Furious Flight Into The Final Frontier
by Amy Briggs, Forward by Peter Vesterbacka

Paperback: 160 pages

Publisher: National Geographic (March 20, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1426209924

ISBN-13: 978-1426209925

For more information on National Geographic Books please visit facebook.com/NatGeoBooks and nationalgeographic.com/books.

For more information on the new Angry Birds game, stay tuned to angrybirds.com/space. 

IndieBound

What Are You Reading?

It's Monday, March 19, 2012...What Are You Reading?

*crawls out from beneath my rock*

Hello, book fans!  I know, I know, it's been quiet over here on this side of the blogosphere.  I will not give you a laundry list of excuses - bah! who needs them!  I will, however, say a very Good Morning to the hostess of our weekly (*ahem* monthly) meme, Sheila from Book Journey! 

Now, the books!

Completed (since my last check-in):

THE FOURTH STALL, PART II by Chris Rylander (Walden Pond Press; February 7, 2012)

CONFESSIONS OF A FORMER BULLY by Trudy Ludwig (Tricycle Press; August 2011)

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE by JK Rowling (yes, again) (Scholastic)

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE by Beth Revis (Razorbill; ppb; November 2011; Young Adult)

A WRINKLE IN TIME by Madeleine L'Engle (50h Ann Ed; Farrar, Straus and Giroux; January 31. 2012; Middle Grade)

THE HERO'S GUIDE TO SAVING YOUR KINGDOM by Christopher Healy (Walden Pond Press; May 2012; Middle Grade)

DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth (Katherine Tegan/HarperCollins; May 3, 2011; Young Adult)

GAME OF THRONES (BOOK 1) by George RR Martin (Random House Audio)

THE ART OF FIELDING by Chad Harbach (Little, Brown; September 2011)

THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES by Sue Monk Kidd (10th Ann Ed; Penguin; November 2011)

SHOCKAHOLIC by Carrie Fisher (Simon & Schuster Audio; November 2011)

THE NIGHT CIRCUS (Random House Audio; September 2011)

Currently Reading:

THE LAND OF DECORATION by Grace McCleen (Henry Holt; March 27, 2012)

Currently Listening To:

STORIES I ONLY TELL MY FRIENDS by Rob Lowe (Macmillan Audio; April 2011)

(Ohmygosh, I love this audio!)

Plan To Read:

THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE by Adriana Trigiani (Harper; April 3, 2012; Hardcover; 496 pgs)

THE EXPATS: A Novel by Chris Pavone (Crown; March 6, 2012; Hardcover; 336 pgs)

What Are YOU Reading??

Baseball Books for Kids!

Derek Jeter

My Yankees are busy at Spring Training, which means that in just a few short weeks, they will be taking the field in the Bronx.  Here at home, my little leaguers are already practicing hard gearing up for their first games.  We love baseball around here!!

I don't know about your kids, but my boys love to read books about their favorite sports!  Who am I kidding?  I love to read books about sports too.  At least half of all non-fiction books I read are about my Yankees.  But, today, I'm talking about Middle Grade Fiction!

My friend, Judi, recently asked for recommendations on some good sports books for her son, and I turned out such a fun list, I wanted to share it with all of you! Thanks, Judi, for inspiring this post (and, this entire blog, actually!).

Play Ball! 

Ballpark Mysteries by David A. Kelly

(Random House Books for Young Readers, ages 6 and up)

An early chapter series, David A. Kelly's Ballpark Mysteries start off with the Fenway Foul-Up.  As the titles suggest, each installment of the series takes place at a different major-league ballpark.  Mike and Kate are the stars of these books.  Kate's MOM is a sports writer (love this!) who brings them with her on assignments, where they find adventure, excitement, and mystery.   Each book also has a fact page about each stadium!   

Baseball Card Adventures by Dan Gutman

(Harper Collins; Grades 4-6)

Joe is an average kid...who travels in time when he touches a baseball card!  Whenever he touches a baseball card he is transported to the time of that baseball player.  The stories are not always about the player, though.  They are more about the history of the time, as represented by the great American sport.  Full of sports heroes, fast-moving plots, and adventures, choose one of the 13 Baseball Card Adventures.  You may want to start with the first one:  Honus & Me (1909 World Series).

Quick note:  A good friend of mine, a father of a 9 year old boy, told me his son read one of the Baseball Card books, and loved it so much, the son gave it to him to read.  My friend thought this was a great idea, as he could then talk about the book with his son.  When he told his son how much he liked the book, his son said, "Great!  I just finished Jackie and Me, now you can read that one!"  This made me smile! 

Tales From the Sandlot series by Dan Gutman

(Scholastic; Ages 8 and up)

What happens when a kid gets hit in the head with a baseball and develops ESP?  Is it cheating if Jake uses his new gift to help his team to victory?  This is the first book in Gutman's Tales From the Sandlot series. This is a fun little league series in which weird paranormal things happen.   Also in the series:  The Green Monster in Left Field, The Catcher Who Shocked the World, The Pitcher Who Went Out of His Mind.

Million Dollar series by Dan Gutman:

(Hyperion, Grades 4-6)

Yes, Dan Gutman can do it all.  Is there any other Middle Grade writer as prolific as Gutman??  His Million Dollar books are also fun, fast reads for sports fans, full of twists and turns...and maybe a little lesson or two along the way.  Choose from:  Million Dollar Shot (basketball), Million Dollar Kick (soccer), Million Dollar Putt (golf), Million Dollar Goal (hockey), Million Dollar Strike (bowling).

Football Genius series by Tim Green :

(Harper Collins; Grades 4-8)

 

A successful adult author and former Atlanta Falcon, Tim Green brings a series of books praised by other middle grade authors.  Tim Green brings his readers behind the scenes of professional football, while introducing us to Football genius, Troy White, a boy that can predict every play before it happens.  Even though Troy is a genius, he's a good kid who has made some bad choices.   Even non sports fans will root for this underdog, while fanatics will relish in his adventures.  Also in Series: Football Champ, The Big Time, Deep Zone, Football Hero

Comeback Kids series by Mike Lupica:

(Puffin; Ages 8 and up)

Sports columnist turned novelist, Mike Lupica has co-written autobiographies with Bill Parcells and Reggie Jackson and has brought his knowledge and love for sports to children's books in a big way. Once again, Mike Lupica represents all of our favorite sports in this inspiring series of books for Midde Graders.  He is able to focus on what makes sports so much more than a game - friendship, teamwork, overcoming adversity, hard work, and that one friend that can make all the difference in the world. Choose from: Shoot Out (soccer), Two-Minute Drill (football), Hot Hand (basketball), Long Shot (basketball), Safe at Home (baseball).

**Check out Mike Lupica's ENTIRE collection of books - sports and otherwise. 

The Kid Who Only Hit Homers by Matt Christopher

(Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Grades 4-6)

Publishing his first book, The Lucky Baseball Bat, in 1954, Matt Christopher is one of the best-known sports authors with over a hundred books for young readers and young adults to his credit. He has written about every sport from baseball to dirt bike racing.  Matt Christopher's next book due out is called The Dog That Stole Football Plays (LB Kids; April 2012). If you go to his website, you can see the full list of books from which to choose.  Since we are baseball fans here, I wanted to feature his books starring the Home Run Kid:  The Kid Who Only Hit Homers, Return of the Home Run Kid, Comeback of the Home Run Kid, The Home Run Kid Races On, but check out the website for more...trust me!

I know this is only a small snapshot of all the sports books that must be available.  If you have any other favorites, please share them with us!

In My Mailbox

 

I have not updated you all on the goodness inside my mailbox, because, quite frankly, my office should be declared a disaster area.  I have a new bookcase waiting to be put together.  (I will post pictures, I'm so excited!!) but in the meantime, there are a few special books that have been placed in a special area outside the mahem.  Here they are:

 

Adult Titles:

THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE by Adriana Trigiani
(Harper; April 3, 2012; Hardcover; 496 pgs)
I absolutely adore Adriana!  Not only do I love her writing, but she is one of the lovliest human beings I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.  I have been anxiously anticipating the release of her newest book, only to have an advanced copy (and a very sweet note from Adriana herself!) come to my door. I can't wait to dive into this one!  What is it about?  It doesn't matter, really, I know I'll enjoy it!

KILLING TIME (An Eliza Gordon Mystery) by Amy Beth Arkawy
(Hen House Press; January 26, 2012; ppb; 226 pgs)
The first in a new series, Killing Time promises to be a juicy murder mystery with some interesting characters.  Author Amy Beth Arkawy is a playwright turned novelist, and this always makes for great characters, visual scenes, and tons of action.  I'm looking forward this this one too.

CALLING INVISIBLE WOMEN by Jeanne Ray
(Crown; May 22, 2012; Hardcover; 256 pgs)
When I read the synopsis, I had to have this book:
Fifty-four-year-old Clover Hobart steps out of the shower one morning, puts on her robe, starts brushing her teeth, and when she looks into the mirror sees the toothbrush floating a few inches above the cuff in her robe.  She quickly wipes the steam off the mirror with her sleeve, thinking it was some trick of light or the bathroom fog, but quite definitely she is not there.  And thus begins this captivating novel - a quirky allegory of a caring mother and dutiful wife who finds herself to be invisible, literally.

THE LAND OF DECORATION by Grace McCleen
(Henry Holt: March 27, 2012; Hardcover; 320 pgs)
Emma Donoghue loves it, which is great and all, but read this synopsis and tell me this is not going to be a talked-about book this year:
In Grace McCleen's harrowing, powerful debut, she introduces an unforgettable heroine in ten-year-old Judith McPherson, a young believer who sees the world with the clear Eyes of Faith. Persecuted at school for her beliefs and struggling with her distant, devout father at home, young Judith finds solace and connection in a model in miniature of the Promised Land that she has constructed in her room from collected discarded scraps—the Land of Decoration. Where others might see rubbish, Judith sees possibility and divinity in even the strangest traces left behind. As ominous forces disrupt the peace in her and Father's modest lives—a strike threatens her father's factory job, and the taunting at school slips into dangerous territory—Judith makes a miracle in the Land of Decoration that solidifies her blossoming convictions. She is God's chosen instrument. But the heady consequences of her newfound power are difficult to control and may threaten the very foundations of her world.

HIDE ME AMONG THE GRAVES: A Novel by Tim Powers
(William Morrow; March 13, 2012; Hardcover; 528 pgs)
Even though this book is a companion to Powers's other books, I have heard that it can be read as a stand alone.  This looked like the kind of book I could get lost in on a rainy day, full of dark history, family secrets, and the supernatural.  I hope I get my rainy day to hide under a blanket with this one!

(link to Goodreads for more info)

THE EXPATS: A Novel by Chris Pavone
(Crown; March 6, 2012; Hardcover; 336 pgs)
This book has been out for five minutes, but I already feel like the last person to hear about it!  Reading the synopsis is like listening to the next wild, edge-of-your-seat, action movie trailer.  Woman leaves behind her double life as a spy, only to find herself knee deep in secrets and lies.  I smell suspense! 

Show More

Young Adult/Children's Titles:

TAKE A BOW by Elizabeth Eulberg
(Point; April 1, 2012; Hardcover; 288 pages; ages 12+)
This is all I needed to know before I knew I had to have this book:  Performing.  Arts.  School.   I am a sucker for all things Fame, Victorious, and Smash.  I have always wanted to read Elizabeth Eulberg's Prom and Prejudice, but TAKE A BOW is going to come first!

WONDER By R.J. Palacio
(Alfred A. Knopf; February 14, 2012; Hardcover; 320 pgs; Ages 8-12)
First Line:  I know I'm not an ordinary ten-year-old kid. 
And this is no ordinary book.  The afternoon Wonder showed up in my mailbox, I was waiting for my kids to get out of school, and I started reading it...and I didn't want to put it down!  I had to force myself to put it aside so I could finish the other books I was reading so I could devote my full attention to this story.  It looks amazing...

THE FLYING BEAVER BROTHERS by Maxwell Eaton III
(Knopf Books for Young Readers; January 10, 2012; ppb; 96 pgs; ages 6+)
I could not leave off this new graphic novel series of books, for the simple reason that both my kids gobbled them up as soon as they came into the house.  We are big fans of the graphic book format (Babymouse, Lunch Lady, Bone, Squish, etc. etc.).  It's a nice break from all-text books, and these books had my 7 year old cracking up.  I haven't read them yet, but I might not be able to sneak them away from the kids!

Show Less

Review: Shockaholic by Carrie Fisher (audio)

A good choice.

Carrie Fisher narrates her own writing for SHOCKAHOLIC, which is an intimate look inside her life. From her relationships with Elizabeth Taylor, Peter Gabriel and Michael Jackson, to her ups and downs along the road to and from recovery from addiction, bi-polar disorder and depression, Carrie Fisher holds nothing back.  She even discusses her successful treatments of ECT - Electroconvulsive Therapy - or Shock Treatment.

Intimate.  This is the perfect word to describe this book, especially if you choose to listen to the audio.  I felt like I was sitting in Carrie Fisher's kitchen, and she was telling me stories about her life until the wee hours of the morning.  I admire someone who has that kind of courage, especially someone who has made the mistakes that she has made. 

Carrie Fisher is funny, but not in the same way that Tina Fey is funny in Bossypants.  They are both honest, but Fisher has lived more, suffered more, and her story is at once hilarious and incredibly sad.  She acknowledges this, though, and shares the wisdom she has picked up along the way.

Do I agree with Carrie Fisher on politics, parenting style, or Michael Jackson?  No, but she wouldn't care either way.  She did, however, remind me not to judge a person until I have walked a mile in her shoes.

As someone who has always known who Carrie Fisher was, I wouldn't consider myself a fan...until now.  She is the kind of person with whom I would love to hang out, have a (non alcoholic) drink with, and laugh...even if she couldn't remember my name.

I enjoyed this book, and recommend it to anyone who is looking for an entertaining memoir of sorts.


Book Extras:
Simon and Schuster Page
Carrie Fisher Webpage, Facebook, Twitter

About the Book:
SHOCKAHOLIC written and narrated by Carrie Fisher

Audio CD

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio; Abridged edition (November 1, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0743550269

ISBN-13: 978-0743550260

About the Author: (from publisher)
Carrie Fisher, the daughter of Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, became an icon when she starred as Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy. Her star-studded career includes roles in numerous films such as The Blues Brothers and When Harry Met Sally. She is the author of five bestselling books: Wishful Drinking—which lead to a hit Broadway production of the same name—Surrender the Pink, Delusions of Grandma, The Best Awful, and Postcards from the Edge, the basis for the popular film starring Shirley MacLaine and Meryl Streep. In 2009, she was nominated for a Grammy award in Best Spoken Word Performance for the audio edition of Wishful Drinking. Fisher's experience with addiction and mental illness—and her willingness to speak honestly about them—have made her a sought-after speaker and respected advocate


Disclosure:  I won a copy of this audiobook from Audiobook Jukebox.com

The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

A Winner!

Still gracing the bestsellers' lists, THE ART OF FIELDING is a dramatic novel centered around a Division III college baseball team.  The college President, his estranged daughter, a talented shortstop, his gay roommate/teammate, and the team captain are at the heart of this book and baseball is the conduit that brings them all together.  One play.  Just one.  Threatens to destroy them all.

If you're new here, allow me to let you in on a well known Alison Fact:  I   love   baseball.  I have been a fan of the game, and, more specifically, the Yankees, most of my life.  At least half of all the non-fiction I read is dedicated to baseball.  So, when a novel came along that promised me rich drama, deep characters and a college baseball team, I wanted in.  THE ART OF FIELDING delivered.

The one play I mentioned above?  I have witnessed live and in person a play like that.  It sucks the air out of the entire stadium.  I don't want to ruin it for anyone who hasn't read it yet, but Chad Harbach captures that moment so dead-on, I don't think I breathed for two pages. 

I threw the book into my husband's hands to read the following:

Baseball, in its quiet way, was an extravagantly harrowing game.  Football, basketball, hockey, lacrosse - these were melee sports.  You could make yourself useful by hustling and scrapping more than the other guy.  You could redeem yourself through sheer desire.

But baseball was different.  Schwartz thought of it as Homeric - not a scrum but a series of isolated contests.  Batter versus pitcher, fielder versus ball.  You couldn't storm around, snorting and slapping people, the way Schwartz did while playing football.  You stood and waited and tried to still your mind.  When your moment came, you had to be ready, because if you fucked up, everyone would know whose fault it was.  What other sport not only kept a stat as cruel as an error but posted it on the scoreboard for everyone to see?

Does a reader have to love baseball or know the game to enjoy the book? Not necessarily, but I think you need at least a basic understanding and an appreciation for the game.  If you do not like baseball, and find the game slow, you may still enjoy this book.  On the other hand, if you are like me and experience heart-pumping excitement in each and every pitch, you're already half way there.

Take the baseball out of it for a minute, and I would still love this book simply for the characters.  THE ART OF FIELDING is character driven, not baseball driven.  There was one scene in Chapter 27 with four characters and I could not help but think to myself how much I would want to play out that scene on a stage.  There was so much going on underneath, so much for an actor to sink his teeth into, and so much for the audience to enjoy being a fly on the wall during such a tense situation.

This is not a quick read.  Instead, Chad Harbach takes his time building his characters, and their relationships among one another until they are completely intertwined, and you are so sucked in you will not care how long it takes you to finish - it's worth it!


Book Extras:
Publisher Page
Reading Group Guide
Author's website, Twitter, Facebook

About the Book:
 THE ART OF FIELDING by Chad Harbach

Hardcover: 528 pages 

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; 1 edition (September 7, 2011) 

Language: English 

ISBN-10: 0316126691 

ISBN-13: 978-0316126694

About the Author: (from Little, Brown page)
Chad Harbach grew up in Wisconsin and was educated at Harvard and the University of Virginia. He is a cofounder and coeditor of n+1.

*Disclosure:  I purchased a copy of this book for my personal library.

Read Across America Day!

Happy Read Across America Day!!!!

NEA's Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss.


NEA's Read Across America also provides NEA members, parents, caregivers, and children the resources and activities they need to keep reading on the calendar 365 days a year.


In cities and towns across the nation, teachers, teenagers, librarians, politicians, actors, athletes, parents, grandparents, and others develop NEA's Read Across America activities to bring reading excitement to children of all ages. Governors, mayors, and other elected officials recognize the role reading plays in their communities with proclamations and floor statements. Athletes and actors issue reading challenges to young readers. And teachers and principals seem to be more than happy to dye their hair green or be duct-taped to a wall if it boosts their students' reading.

If you need any great children's book recommendations, just ask!