September 15, 2015

New Titles, Author Notes, Book Giveaways, and More

Dear Readers,

In this issue of KidsBookClubbing, you'll...

... meet Charlie Parker who gets caught up in a mystery on the island estate of a reclusive billionaire in KEEGAN'S POINT by HD Smith, and

... discover how your brain works in totally fun challenges and games based on the hit TV show in BRAIN GAMES by Jennifer Swanson

Warm wishes,

Judy Gelman and Vicki Levy Krupp

kidsbookclubbook.com

Ages 9-17 / Middle Grade Fiction / Wild Fey

Win a set of KEEGAN'S POINT by HD Smith for your book club. Enter to win by emailing the author (write "KidsBookclubbing" in the subject line).

Dear Reader,

The plot for KEEGAN'S POINT started with the idea of a theft. What if the thing you plan to steal isn't all you take, and that second item is what ultimately causes all your problems?

The theft Marcus Keegan commits in his youth results in the death of his brother and eventually leads him to a reclusive life on an island in the Florida Keys.

This backstory drove the plot and set up a perfect mystery for Charlie to solve.

Charlie Parker, our main character, is obsessed with Keegan's Point, the island estate of reclusive billionaire Marcus Keegan. The mystery Keegan left behind -- hidden rooms,

twenty passports, and stories of treasures -- has fascinated Charlie for years.

Charlie would give almost anything to visit the estate. He gets his chance -- unwillingly -- when he overhears a plot to steal something off the island.

Join Charlie on his adventure as he discovers just who Marcus Keegan really was.

Sincerely,

HD Smith

Book reviews:

"KEEGAN'S POINT spirited me back to the adventure stories I read when I was younger. Very easy to get into I managed to let everything else slip by for a day whilst I read it. I thought the plot was very clever as it doesn't give everything away up front but rather keeps you guessing as to what the outcome could be."
- Danny (Amazon-UK Reviewer)

"I got this book for my 13 year old son and he really liked it. He enjoyed the plot and the booby traps and puzzles, especially that the kid was able to solve things before the grown ups did."
- Bill Lefler (Goodreads Reviewer)

Discussion questions:

What are some other ways Charlie could have handled his bullying situation?
Charlie gets into trouble by lying to his mother. After the events in this story, is he likely to make the same mistake again?
If you were Charlie, what would you have done differently?
Nick was wrong to kidnap Charlie, in the end do you think he did enough to make sure Charlie made it home safely?
If you could change one thing about the story, what would it be?

To connect with author HD Smith and/or join her mailing list, visit her website.

Author call-in information: HD Smith is happy to call-in to or Skype with your club. She can also meet with your group if you live within ten miles of Celebration, Florida. Email the author to submit your request.

Ages 8-12 / Nonfiction / National Geographic Kids

Win a set of BRAIN GAMES by Jennifer Swanson for your book club. Enter to win by emailing the author (write "KidsBookclubbing" in the subject line).

Dear Reader,

I have always wanted to know how things work. At the age of seven I started my own science club, and my love of science has continued to this day.

Why a book about the brain? It's the most powerful and complex supercomputer ever built. It can process tens of thousands of thoughts a day, make you laugh, make you cry, run, jump . . . it's what makes you YOU! To me, the brain is the ultimate puzzle.

BRAIN GAMES is a super fun, super interactive collection of challenges, myths, fun facts, science and games based on the hit National Geographic Channel's TV show of the same

name! Ever wonder why you act the way you do? It's all in the brain! So, fire up your neurons, hang on to your hippocampus, and join in on a rockin' ride through the twists and turns of the cerebral superhighway to discover how this amazing organ -- that's about the size of a grapefruit and looks like a grey sponge -- works!

I had a blast writing this book and I hope you and your book group will enjoy reading about the amazing mind-blowing science of your very own brain.

Science ROCKS!

Jennifer Swanson

Book reviews:

"Explore how your brain's wet ware helps you create memories, experience emotions, make decisions, and control your body. Chapters begin with an intriguing Challenge to try, then explain what's happening. The Challenges and the Brain Breaks games are fun for kids and adults! Vivid illustrations complement clear writing. Enjoy this lively read alone, in a classroom, or traveling."

- Ben Reynolds, Senior Program Manager, Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth

"I never imagined that reading about how the brain works could be such fun! BRAIN GAMES is an interactive and exciting reading experience. Readers learn as they play. BRAIN GAMES explores memory, emotion, decision-making, and physical action using real life examples and sound scientific facts. A fantastic resource for school or home."

-Elizabeth Raum, author of over 100 children's nonfiction books, former library director of Concordia College and Teaching Artist with the North Dakota Council on the Arts

Discussion questions:

Is multi-tasking good for your brain or not? Why?
What exactly is the hippocampus and what does it do for you?
Why do ballet dancers have smaller than average cerebellums?
How do you see in 3-D?
Can forgetting things actually help you remember them?

To see more cool science facts and books and keep up with author Jennifer Swanson via Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest, please visit her website.

Author call-in information: Jennifer Swanson is happy to call-in to or Skype with your club. She can also meet with your group if you live in the Northeast Florida / Southeast Georgia area. Email Jennifer to submit your request.

A maximum of 10 books is available for each book club giveaway.
Contest entries are sent directly to the authors administering each contest. Our Privacy Policy does not apply to emails sent as contest entries. You must be 18 years or older to enter the contests.