Friday 30 September 2011

Top 10 Fiction Books of the 3rd Quarter 2011

Top 10 Fiction Books of the 3rd Quarter 2011


1. Bluefish - Pat Schmatz
2. First Day On Earth - Cecil Castellucci
3. Circle the Truth - Pat Schmatz
4. Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods - Underland Chronicles Book 3 - Suzanne Collins
5. Gardians of Ga'Hoole - Kathryn Lansky
The Rescue - The Siege
6. The Unwritten Girl - Unwritten Book 1 - James Bow
7. This Dark Endeavour: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein - Kenneth Oppel
8. Empire of Ruins - Hunchback Assignments #3 - Arthur Slade
9. The Brimstone Key - The Grey Griffins Clockwork Chronicles #1 - Jon S. Lewis and Derek Benz
10. Mousetraps - Pat Schmatz

Honorable Mentions
(Made Top Ten Lists Last year but upon rereading still great books.)
11. LA Trilogy - Cecil Castellucci
Boy Proof - Queen of Cool - Beige
12. The P.L.A.I.N. Janes & Janes in Love - Cecil Castellucci & Jim Rugg
13. Rose Sees Red - Cecil Castellucci
(Note: Some of these were digital ARC's from NetGalley and reviews will be posted closer to the publication date. Some of the reviews are scheduled over the next few weeks. I will link to the reviews once they post.)

Relates Posts: 
Top 10 Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2010
Top 10 Reading Goals for 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2010

Top 10 Fiction Books 4th Quarter 2010
Top Ten Reading Goals For 2010 - Recap

Top 10 Fiction Books 2010
Top 10 Picture Books of 2010
Top 10 Non-Fiction Books of 2010

Top 10 Graphic Novels for 2010
Top Ten Reading Goals For 2011
 

Top Ten Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2011
Top Ten Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2011
Top Ten Reading Goals for 2011 Update
 
Top Ten Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2011 
Top Ten Fictions Books 4th Quarter 2011
Top Ten Fiction Books 2011
Top Ten Reading Goals 2011 - Recap
Top Ten Reading Goals 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2012

Top Ten Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books  4th Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 2012
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2012
Top Ten Reading Goals 2012 - Recap
Top Ten Reading Goals 2013
Top 10 Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2013

Top 10 Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2013
Top 10 Books Second Half 2013
Top Ten Fiction Books 2013
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2013 
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2014
Top Ten Fiction Books 2014
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2014
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2015
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2015
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2015

All Top Ten Lists on Book Reviews and More

Statistics Books Read By Year:
106 - January-September 2011
302 - 2010
142 - 2009
98 - 2008
83 - 2007
191 - 2006
151 - 2005
60 - 2004
52 - 2003
97 - 2002
50 - 2001
41 - 2000
71 - 1999
73 - 1998
131 - 1997
101 - 1996



Thursday 29 September 2011

Anakin Space Pilot - Lego Star Wars - Ace Landers and David A. White

Anakin: Space Pilot
Lego Star Wars

Ace Landers (Author)

David A. White (Illustrator)

Scholastic
ISBN 9780545304405


This 3D book is amazing. I could not believe the clarity of the 3D images. It is an overview of the whole Anakin story arch in less than 20 pages. This book has amazing graphics and a good overview of the story, from Anakin as a young pod racer to Luke and Darth's fight on the death star. This book will introduce young readers to the Star Wars story and begin the love of a legend.

Other Scholastic Books:
Lego Star Wars Books:
Save The Galaxy!
Anakin: Space Pilot 3D
Darth Maul's Mission

Star Wars Books:
Star Wars The Complete Saga
Star Wars Millennium Falcon YT-1300: A 3-D Owners Guide


Lego City Adventure Books:
Fire Truck To The Rescue
Help Is On the Way!
Calling All Cars
All Aboard!
Ready For Take Off
Build This City
City Adventures Sticker Book

Work This Farm
Fight This Fire!
Lego City Heroes!
Trucks Around The City
Escape From Lego City
3, 2, 1 Liftoff
All Hands On Deck
Fire In The Forest!
Catch That Crook!

Sunday 25 September 2011

Trucks Around The City - Lego City

Trucks Around The City
Lego City
Scholastic
ISBN 9780545356299

Every time I think they cannot come up with something new, the Scholastic Lego City books do. This book has 7 double page spreads, each with a pull-out page flap. The vehicles are photos of actual Lego vehicles and everything but the ground and background can be constructed from Lego kits. They are:
Tractor Trailer
Roller
Dump Truck
Cement Mixer
Garbage Truck
Tanker
Tow Truck
Fire Truck
It is another great book in a great series. It will inspire the imagination in many new ways.

Lego City Adventure Books:
Fire Truck To The Rescue
Help Is On the Way!
Calling All Cars
All Aboard!
Ready For Take Off
Build This City
City Adventures Sticker Book

Work This Farm
Fight This Fire!
Lego City Heroes!
Trucks Around The City
Escape From Lego City
3, 2, 1 Liftoff
All Hands On Deck
Fire In The Forest!
Catch That Crook!

Lego Star Wars Books:
Save The Galaxy!
Anakin: Space Pilot 3D
Darth Maul's Mission


Wednesday 21 September 2011

Hey Diddle Diddle - Little Scholastic - A Hand-Puppet Board book

Hey Diddle Diddle
A Hand-Puppet Board Book

Little Scholastic

Scholastic

ISBN 9780545351133

This book is the second book in this series that we have read. They are great books that children will love to have read to them again and again, and they will love playing with as they use the hand puppets. My 5 year-old can read it to the younger children, and the younger children love the finger puppets. It is amazing that the 6 pages in the little board book can be read so often and yet still be asked for so often. You use the finger puppets to point to the words and to the animals and items it is a great learning tool. Babies love the reflective spoon.

Scholastic Hand-Puppet Board Books:
Hey Diddle Diddle
Old MacDonald Had A Farm
This Little Piggy
Hello Dinosaurs!
Twinkle, Twinkle Panda Bear

Saturday 17 September 2011

The Art of Steampunk: - Art Donovan - Extraordinary Devices and Ingenius Contraptions from the Leading Artists of the Steampunk Movement

The Art of Steampunk:
Extraordinary Devices and Ingenius Contraptions from the Leading Artists of the Steampunk Movement

Art Donovan (Editor)

Fox Chapel Publishing

ISBN 9781565235731



This book grew out of the exhibit that ran at the Museum of the History of Science at the University of Oxford, UK. It features the art and creations from 17 different artists. This book celebrates the variety, creativity and uniqueness of Steampunk. It brings to life creations from moves like The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and from books by authors like Cassandra Clare, Arthur Slade and many more.

Artists Featured:
Tom Banwell
Art Donovan
Molly "Prokshanks" Friedrich
Kris Kuksi
Rich Nagy "Datamancer"
Jessee Newhouse
Thomas Willeford
Joey Marsocci "Dr. Grymm"
Eric Freitas
Stephan Halleux
Daniel Proulx
Haruo Suekichi
James Richardson Brown
Jos De Vink
Mad Uncle Cliff
Vianney Halter
Herr Doktor

This book will be a great hit with fans of the Steampunk movies or books. It will also be a fun coffee table book and conversation starter. Full of original and unique art work, it brings science fiction to life with a Victorian twist.

(Note: I received an electronic galley of this book through NetGalley, courtesy of Fox Chapel Publishing. As per my general disclaimer, free books have no impact on my review.)

Tuesday 13 September 2011

Star Wars Millennium Falcon YT-1300: A 3-D Owners Guide - Ryder Windham, Chris Trevas and Chris Reiff

Star Wars Millennium Falcon YT-1300: A 3-D Owners Guide
Ryder Windham ( Author)

Chris Trevas (Illustrator)

Chris Reiff (Illustrator

Scholastic

ISBN 9780545210386


This book was amazing. It is a schematic breakdown of the Falcon's systems and features, some in a sturdy board book style, cut out - each level of the ship is revealed as you flip the pages, and as you traverse the 21 pages of the books you find out about the features of this ship, and the upgrades Han and Chewy have done. Each page has technical specifications, facts and information, as well as operation tips and tricks, and Han Solo's personal notes. The book is fun just to flip through for the casual fan, and will be great for true fans, both boys and girls, to share with their children. Incredible details in the illustrations make this an excellent coffee table book, or for your children's bookshelf if you are willing to share.

Also Available from Scholastic:
Star Wars Books:
Star Wars The Complete Saga
Star Wars Millennium Falcon YT-1300: A 3-D Owners Guide

Lego Star Wars Books:

Save The Galaxy!
Anakin: Space Pilot 3D
Darth Maul's Mission

Friday 9 September 2011

Tia Isa Wants A Car - Meg Medina and Claudio Munoz

Tia Isa Wants A Car
Meg Medina (Author)

Claudio Munoz (Illustrator)

Candlewick

ISBN 9780763641566


Tia Isa wants a new car, but with sending money home to her family each month it seems like just a dream. Her brother tells her it is ridiculous but her younger sister wants to help - sometimes dreams come true. The story is wonderful and the illustrations charming. It is a story of hopes, dreams and hard work. The story written from family history is a wonderful tale. Great fun for readers of all ages.

Monday 5 September 2011

Fight This Fire! Lego City Adventure - Michael Anthony Steele and Chuck Primeau

Fight This Fire!
Lego City

Michael Anthony Steele (Author)

Chuck Primeau (Illustrator)

Scholastic

ISBN 9780545317597


The Lego City Fire Department has a new recruit, and this rookie seems to miss the mark. First he soaks the whole crew during a hose drill, then he knocks the captain and another fire fighter in the ocean while training on the water cannon, then he dumps the helo drop all over the captain. The Captain still wants to find something he is good at but is not sure what. Then, when they have a real emergency, the rookie has a chance to shine and boy does he. This 9th book in the Lego City series is another great addition. The second book by Steele and Primeau continues with their style of illustrating actual Lego vehicles and they use a great palette for the illustrations. Also instead of just straight pictures with text boxes, they use a few different layouts and designs in this book. It is another great book in an awesome series for young readers.

Lego City Adventure Books:
Fire Truck To The Rescue
Help Is On the Way!
Calling All Cars
All Aboard!
Ready For Take Off
Build This City
City Adventures Sticker Book

Work This Farm
Fight This Fire!
Lego City Heroes!
Trucks Around The City
Escape From Lego City
3, 2, 1 Liftoff
All Hands On Deck
Fire In The Forest!
Catch That Crook!

Lego Star Wars Books:
Save The Galaxy!
Anakin: Space Pilot 3D
Darth Maul's Mission

Thursday 1 September 2011

Cookiebot! A Harry and Horsie Adventure - Katie Van Camp and Lincoln Agnew

Cookiebot!
A Harry and Horsie Adventure
Katie Van Camp (Author)
Lincoln Agnew (Illustrator)
Balzer + Bray an imprint of
Harper Collins
Browse Inside
ISBN 9780061974458

Harry and Horsie ride again. This second story book in the Harry and Horsie adventure series is great. Harry decides to build a robot to get the cookies from the top of the fridge. But soon the robot is out
of control. Harry is trapped inside and rampaging. The illustrations are similar to the first book but with a different pallet. Drawn like classic newspaper cartoons, there is a sense of nostalgia reading the book. Children love the story and ask for it to be read frequently.

Harry and Horsie Books:

Harry And Horsie
Cookie Bot! A Harry and Horsie Adventure