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Independence Day Celebrations and Books I've Been Reading

Calling all TAG members! We're going to be handing out water and lemonade during the 4th of July Parade on Friday (the parade starts at 10am), so if you're in TAG and in town, we'd love for you to come help us out. And if you're not in TAG you should still come visit us during the parade for some cool drinks!


(I love fireworks!)

In other news, I thought I'd gush about a few of the books I read this weekend.

First let's start with MVP by Douglas Evans. The cover of this book was enough to hook me, a kid with a blue backpack racing across the globe and being chased by what I can only assume are poisoned darts, looks intriguing to me!

On his 12th birthday Adam Story is approached by a mysterious man who calls himself Prince Oh and invites Adam to take part in a competition to circle the globe in 40 days using only land transportation (that means no planes!). If he makes the deadline, Adam and his lunch-lady mom will win 4 Million Dollars. But it couldn't be that simple could it? No, Adam soon learns that he is racing against other 12 year olds and that he must dodge Trackers who are out to detain him from his goal and Stoppers who shoot sleeping tranquilizer darts that cause you to sleep for 24 hours. Adam has to use his ingenuity to avoid capture in countries where he doesn't even speak the language and he makes friends with several unlikely characters all while enjoying his adventure.

I definitely recommend this book for anyone who likes traveling, making friends, palindromes, and adventures!


The other book I read this weekend was one I've been waiting to read for a long time, Suite Scarlett by the most excellent Maureen Johnson.

Scarlett lives in New York City. In an hotel that is owned by her family. This is not as glamorous as it sounds, especially when Scarlett is assigned her own suite to take care of along with its new occupant the irrepressible Mrs. Amberson who makes Scarlett her new assistant. Scarlett's troubles don't stop there, her brother Spencer has finally landed an acting role in Hamlet that would satisfy their parents--except that it's set in a parking garage. What with helping keep her brother's dream of acting alive, deal with her older sister Lola's break up with the wealthy Chip, avoid her younger sister Marlene's hostility, cope with Mrs. Amberson's and focus on her budding romance with Spencer's costar, Scarlett's summer will be anything but boring.

Scarlett's close relationship and funny banter with her older brother Spencer is probably my favorite thing about this book. However, Scarlett's quick thinking and Mrs. Amberson's outrageous antics and helpful contacts in the theatre world also help save the day and make this book something worth talking about. I would recommend this and any of Maureen Johnson's books to everyone looking for some laughs and a great storyline. Also, check out Maureen's blog, as it regularly makes me fall out of my chair laughing. :)

That's it for today, hope to see you around the library soon!

Sti

Comments

Unknown said…
I'm going to have to check out MVP...it sounds like Around the World in 80 Days crossed with The Amazing Race!

I definitely will see you around the library. ;-)

Keith

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