Holiday Book Recs, Day 7: For Animal Lovers

Isyour BFF devoted to his dog? Does she ham it up with her hamster? Hangout with spiders? Well, if you are looking for books for animal lovers,check out a few of my faves below for your consideration . . .

Marley: A Dog Like No Other by John Grogan
When John and Jenny decide to adopt a cute Labrador puppy (Marley)they have no idea what they are in for. He's like a walking hurricanewith paws — eating expensive jewelry, jumping everyone who walks through the door, flinging drool everywhere, and even getting kicked out of doggie obedience class. But their life will never be the same,and they find out Marley is a very loyal and loving dog. I couldn't put this book down; it had me ROTFL at one point, then ready to grab a Kleenex at the next. And I really think any dog lover or pet lover will LOVE this one.

A Cricket in Times Square by George Selden
When Chester the Cricket finds himself in New York City's Times Square (after a wayward jaunt into someone's picnic basket from his home in Connecticut), he is totally lost until he finds Mario, the human boy who sets him up at his family's newsstand.He befriends Tucker the Cat and Harry the Mouse, and he finds that bigcity life isn't all it's cracked up to be. He lives in a matchbox bedwith Kleenex sheets and has some pretty cool adventures. But the friendships he makes and life lessons he learns, I could totally relate to —  even though he was a cricket. This one definitely is one of my faves.

The Warriors Books (Book #1: Into the Wild) by Erin Hunter
This book is like house cat meets ancient tribal wildcat, or as I like to call it . . . Lord of the Rings with cats! This epic saga runs through several books and series (The New Prophecy, The Power of Three,and more), but for starting out, I recommend Into the Wild, which is the very first book. Rusty, a house cat, gets the chance to join Thunder Clan, one of the ancient warrior cat clans, but in the process gets in the middle of a turf war with other rival clans. He has to prove his bravery, uncover a traitor, and rise to become a hero. If you are a fan of animal fantasy adventure stories, check this out. You'll never see your cat the same way again.

Charlotte's Web by E. B. White
Okay, this book is a total classic, so I just had to put it on the list. Not only because it is on a billion reading lists (forget all that!), but it really stands on its own. It's like a soap opera for barnyard animals. After Wilbur the piglet is deemed the runt of hislitter, he is sentenced to live a lonely life in the cellar of the barn. He meets spider Charlotte, and they become fast friends. When Wilbur discovers he is going to be slaughtered and eaten, Charlotte finds a way to save his life. I don't want to reveal anymore, but there are more twists and turns after this, leading up to a heart-wrenching ending. Again, I had my box of Kleenex handy.

So there you have it! My holiday book recommendations for animal lovers. All of these get my vote for two paws up!

— Ratha, STACKS Writer

Holiday Book Recs, Day 6: For Goth Girls and Guys

Looking for a gift for your best goth girl or guy friend? Check out these books I uncovered. They had my black fingernails eagerly turning each page.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
Okay, unless your BGF (best goth friend) has been hanging upside down in a cave for the past year, chances are they've already heard of Twilight, Stephanie Meyer's über-famous book for ages 12 and up. But if they haven't, or haven't gotten the book, this one rocks. A love story between Bella the human and Edward the vampire — with a little werewolf and other angry vampires thrown in — this had me up several hours past bedtime to read just a bit more each night. One of my friends actually read it overnight and finished at 5:00 a.m.! Trust me, this is one your BGF will enjoy.

Encyclopedia Horrificia: The Terrifying TRUTH! About Vampires, Ghosts, Monsters, and More by Joshua Gee
This "reference book" is a frighteningly fabulous read — that is, if you're interested in zombies, ghosts, witches, and other paranormal beings. It's a mix of folklore and science, and it lets you draw your own conclusions (i.e. it doesn't tell you vampires exist, but rather presents the facts and lets you make your own decision). Plus, it's got a lot of great illustrations and drawings, and the writing is very witty and tongue-in-cheek.

Oliver Nocturne #1: The Vampire's Photograph by Kevin Emerson

Oliver Nocturne is a 13-year-old vampire (although about 60 in vampire years) and pretty normal for the most part. Okay, okay, so he does sleep in a coffin. But he has a loving vampire family and goes to a normal vampire school (which is in session at night when the human kids are asleep). Then one day a human girl takes a picture of Oliver and sees something that could change his life forever. It sets him off in pursuit of his beginnings as a vampire and more — you'll have to read to find out!

Vampyre: The Terrifying Lost Journal of Dr. Cornelius by Dr. Cornelius Helsing and Gustav de Wolff
This book was supposedly written by a vampire hunter and relative of Van Helsing from Bram Stroker's Dracula — Cornelius Van Helsing. He recorded everything he learned about vampires in this 19th century journal. And there are additions by his trusted companion Gustav de Wolff (get it — de Wolff?!), who sometimes offers conflicting information. This book is just plain fun to read, with foldout maps, booklets of vampire myths, heat-sensitive images, and even wolf hair in an envelope. There's even a surprise at the end, which all in all makes it a great gift book.

And there you have it. Hope you have a wicked cool holiday.

— Ratha, STACKS Writer

Holiday Book Recs, Day 5: Reads for Drake, Josh, and Megan

On Friday nights, I like to park myself in front of The N and gasp in disbelief at the latest exploits on Degrassi: The Next Generation — like, Hello! My high school was definitely not that exciting. Just ask my textbooks; they would know because I was spending my time with them instead of playing in a rock band under a secret identity or appearing in a big-time movie filmed on campus or dating the adorable Craig (sigh).

Uh, anyway . . . you can imagine how delighted I was when I saw Morgan's Holiday Book Recs entry from yesterday, matching book gift ideas to Degrassi characters. It inspired me to come up with my own book recommendations based on a TV show: Drake & Josh on Nickelodeon — you may have heard of it?

So if you're looking for a good read for your friend this holiday season, consider the age-old question: is your pal a Drake or a Josh?

If you know a Drake:
Drake is into playing his guitar, hanging with the ladies, and just generally having a good time. Responsibility? Schoolwork? Chores? No, thank you! Kind of reminds me of Alex, the main character in Notes From the Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick. Alex just wants to spend time with his guitar and his best friend, Laurie, but when he gets in trouble for drunk driving, he's sentenced to spend 100 hours caring for a cranky old man — and it looks like Alex may have met his match!

If you know a Josh:
If you thought I was a nerd in high school, then you haven't met Josh! The poor guy is super smart and has his heart in the right place, but he's totally uptight. I think he could really benefit from meeting someone like Victoria in Secret Letters from 0 to 10 by Susie Morgenstern. Victoria barrels into the humdrum life of straight-laced Ernest, and suddenly his flat existence turns 3D.

Of course, I can't leave out Megan:
Is your friend some sort of evil genius? It may not be wise, but here are some book recommendations for any Megans you may know (and cower from):

	The New Way Things Work by David Macaulay
	The Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist series by Jim Benton (starting with Book 1: Lunch Walks Among Us)
	The Boy/Girl Battle books by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (starting with Book 1: The Boys Start the War)

And for Walter and Audrey, the unfortunate parents of Drake, Josh, and Megan, I think the best gift would probably be a year's supply of Tylenol.

— Karen, STACKS Staffer

P.S. - If you're a Drake & Josh fan, then I'm sure you already know that their new Christmas movie is premiering on Nick tonight. Let me know if you watch it and come up with more book gift ideas for any of the Parker-Nichols!

Holiday Book Recs, Day 4: If you have friends like these . . .

Have you ever watched a television show or movie and realized the character on screen is just like your best friend? Or maybe a character reminds you of the class clown who plays jokes in homeroom, or the school jock who runs laps around you in gym class?

When I watch Degrassi: The Next Generation, there are lots of characters I identify with, and lots who remind me of my friends. And since this is the holiday season, I got to thinking: what gifts would the characters on Degrassi like? And would my friends like them too?

So this holiday season, if you’re stuck on gift ideas and you have friends like the Degrassi kids, maybe these recommendations will help!

If you know an Emma:
On Degrassi, Emma starts off as the environmental activist who always stands her ground even when she's being teased. If you have a friend like Emma, encourage her activism with books like The Down to Earth Guide to Global Warming, the award-winning book from Laurie David and Cambria Gordon that offers simple steps anyone can take to help the planet.

If you know a Manny:
Sassy, strong, and a top-notch cheerleader, Manny is one of those girls who seems to find trouble at every turn. But she always comes through with grace. If you have a friend like Manny, give her The Accidental Cheerleader by Mimi McCoy, where a friendship is tested against a fun, competitive cheerleading background.

If you know a Marco:
Do you have a unique, true-to-himself friend who would do anything to help you even when he’s facing troubles of his own? Like Marco, a friend like that deserves a great gift. Try Knights of the Lunch Table: The Dodgeball Chronicles by Frank Cammuso, which follows Artie as he eases into his new life at Camelot Middle School. You’ll recognize some of his heroics!

If you know a Spinner:
Are you friends with the class goofball whose good heart is often overshadowed by his silly mistakes? On Degrassi, Spinner reminds me of a Weasley brother from Harry Potter. If you have a friend like him, I recommend The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J. K. Rowling, the much-anticipated book that fans learned about in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It’s just the kind of book Ron Weasley would enjoy! (And it's unveiled in stores today!)

If you know a Paige:
Fashion-forward and popular Paige is one of the queen bees of Degrassi. If you’re friends with a similar girl, I’m sure she’d like Miss Popularity by Francesco Sedita, where stylish, friendly Cassie moves to a new school and goes from A-list to nobody. It’s an entertaining read about finding new friends in a strange land!

Happy shopping, and happy reading!

— Morgan, Scholastic Staffer

Holiday Book Recs, Day 3: Whet Your Appetite

As the holidays draw closer, I think of curling up with a good book, a mug of hot cocoa, and piles of treats on a plate. Here are some good books with good eats* for your consideration:

Danny, the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl

My first gut (pun intended!) instinct was to go with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory — but I've always thought Danny was a rather overlooked Roald Dahl book with scrumptious food descriptions. I've been dreaming of cold meat pie with whole hard-boiled eggs for years. (Come to think of it, most Roald Dahl books have scrumptious food descriptions.)

Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Anyone who has read this book will know what I'm talking about. If you don't, pick up this book now! It's nearly 40% food-related. Like all of the other "Little House" books, it also has lovely, heart-warming chapters devoted to Christmases and New Years. There's an exceptionally hilarious chapter involving a sled, sneaking off on a Sunday, and a wild pig.

But back to the food — here's a mouth-watering excerpt:

"Almanzo ate the sweet, mellow baked beans. He ate the bit of salt pork that melted like cream in his mouth. He ate mealy boiled potatoes, with brown ham-gravy. He bit deep into velvety bread spread with sleek butter, and he ate the golden crisp crust. He demolished a tall heap of pale mashed turnips, and a hill of stewed yellow pumpkin. Then he sighed, and tucked his napkin deeper into the neckband of his red waist. And he ate plum preserves, and strawberry jam, and grape jelly, and spiced watermelon-rind pickles. He felt very comfortable inside. Slowly he ate a large piece of pumpkin pie."

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

To be honest, I think I'd become a little pukey green if I actually were offered green eggs and ham. But I love this whimsical book purely because of the message — it's all about trying new things. Who knows, maybe I'll be up for a plate of green eggs and ham after New Year's!

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi and Ron Barrett

Ever wonder what the candy house from the tale of Hansel and Gretel would look like? That's the town of Chewandswallow! The illustrations in this book look so tasty I almost licked it once (I was very young. Like . . . 3 days younger than I am now). How wonderful would it be to sail away on a peanut butter and jelly ship into a mashed potato sunset?

The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling and Margot Apple

The main character, John Midas, loves chocolate and thinks it's is better than any other food in the world. A dose of magic from a local chocolatier, and suddenly everything he eats and drinks tastes like chocolate: bread, eggs, bacon — you get the idea. Doesn't that sound 100% awesome?! Well, maybe not. Read the book and find out!

— Nancy, STACKS Staffer

*food that is completely text-based and will not, unfortunately, magically appear

Holiday Book Recs, Day 2: Holiday Swap!

Want to start a rocking new holiday tradition with your friends? How about a book swap? Some folks have holiday cookie swaps or clothing swaps, but for those always on the hunt for the next great read, a book swap is the way to go.

Here's how it works:

• Invite a group of about 6-10 friends.
• Provide book-based snacks like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory hot chocolate or a bowl of blue M&Ms from Chasing Vermeer.
• Everyone brings at least one great read to swap – it can be new, used, dog-eared, whatever, as long as all the pages are there. Feel free to bring more than one title because the ultimate goal is to match every swapper up with a fabulous fit for them.

Get creative with how to match up friends with books. Here are a few ideas:

• Have each swapper create a short “personality quiz” (like in magazines) to see who's best suited to the book.
• Try a “Yankee Swap.” Draw numbers out of a bag. Person 1 gets first pick, but Person 2 can choose from the pile OR grab Person 1's pick – and so on.
• Another way to i.d. who belongs with which book is to make connections with other books your guests have already read and loved. Here are some pairings to get you started:

	If you liked the suspense of Twilight by Stephanie Meyer Try Daughters of Eve by Lois Duncan
	If you liked the alternate reality of Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Try Feed by M. T. Anderson
	If you liked sinking into all seven Harry Potter books Try The Dark Is Rising series by Susan Cooper
	If you liked going to England with The Calder Game by Blue Balliett Try The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken
	If you liked the characters with amazing abilities in Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke Try The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
	If you liked the quirky twists in A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket Try The 39 Clues series

Cap off your book swap festivities with crafty fun like bookmark-making (you supply the thick paper, stickers, and glitter glue). Or pop in a book-based movie like The Chronicles of Narnia or The Neverending Story, pop some corn and settle in.

Are you planning a holiday swap? Be sure to post here and let us know how it goes.

— Amy, Scholastic.com Editor

Holiday Book Recs, Day 1: ’Tis the Season

It’s now December, and you know what that means — ’tis the season for glorious snow days, delicious hot cocoa, and twinkling decorations. Oh yeah, it’s also time for all the grown-ups to get stressed out about buying satisfactory presents for everyone on their lists. I mean, this is my absolute favorite time of year, but even I find myself muttering angry insults under my breath, Kreacher-style, as I push my way through the gift-shopping masses. It’s enough to make anyone a little Grinchy!

So here at Ink Splot 26, we’re getting back to the basics. For the first week of December, we’ll be posting daily recommendations of books to share with your friends and family — tailored to fit their various personality types, of course. Because you know how you hate getting socks year after year from your great-aunt (the one who always pinches your cheeks)? Well, along the same lines, nothing ruins a good holiday gathering quite like giving Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls to your male cousin or suggesting Charlotte’s Web to your arachnophobic friend!

To kick things off, here are my recommendations for a very specific kind of reader: someone who doesn’t just enjoy reading to find out what happens next, but who also really loves words and the fun of language. Given that you’re hanging out on THE STACKS, maybe this sounds like someone you know . . .

Three books that transport the reader to fantastical realms where words rule:

1. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Milo is always bored. Then one day he receives a mysterious package in his room: a tollbooth that leads to a strange kingdom where a watchdog truly has an alarm clock for a body, a spelling bee really is an insect, and you suddenly end up on the Island of Conclusions when you make a hasty assumption (get it — you jump to Conclusions). This tale of Milo’s journey through the kingdom (called the Kingdom of Wisdom) and his eventual involvement in a war to save its princesses (named Rhyme and Reason) is definitely THE classic book for word-lovers.

2. Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie
Haroun’s father is known as the “Shah of Blah” because he is the most masterful storyteller in the entire country — until one day, the words dry up. Haroun blames himself and embarks on a quest to fix the situation. Want to know where he went? Well, that’s a little hard to say because, as the narrator explains, “in the country of Alifbay many places were named after letters of the Alphabet. This led to much confusion, because there were only a limited number of letters and an almost unlimited number of places in need of names . . . The employees of the national mail service had a lot to put up with, as you can imagine, so they could get a little excitable on occasion.” Intrigued? Just wait until you meet the army, which consists of Pages, who are organized into Chapters, and then Volumes, and so on!

3. Un Lun Dun by China Miéville
What do you call the world under London? Why, UnLondon, of course! And that’s exactly where 12-year-olds Zanna and Deeba find themselves after following a broken umbrella that they notice spying on them one night. In UnLondon, there are trash cans trained in martial arts and known as binjas, and creatures called black windows live in Webminster Abbey. Oh, and that broken umbrella? Yeah, it’s called an unbrella. But this book isn’t just about wordplay; it follows the fight to save UnLondon from an evil presence known as the Smog, and it’s a gripping adventure that I just didn’t want to put down — even when I had finished the book!

So there you have it: the first round of Holiday Book Recs from The Splot. Stay tuned for more, all this week!

(And if you’ve got any other books about words and language that YOU love, please leave a comment and let me know!)

— Karen, STACKS Staffer

An Interview With Brendan Fraser (aka Mo from the Inkheart movie!)

Based on all the discussion I've seen on the STACKS message boards, I know you guys are huge fans of Cornelia Funke's books, especially Inkheart. (And you're not alone, given that the book spent some time on the New York Times best-seller list! That just means you've got good taste, right?) Well, as I'm sure all you Inkheart-lovers know, there's a film adaptation of the novel due out on January 23, 2009.

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to be one of the first non-Warner Brothers people to see the official movie poster for Inkheart — which I promptly shared with you guys, of course! Well, now I've got another scoop for you: an interview with Brendan Fraser about playing Mo in the Inkheart film!

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to meet Brendan Fraser myself — or maybe fortunately, since I probably would have been too speechless to actually conduct the interview professionally. But I did get the 411 from the person at Scholastic who set up the interview, and here are some choice tidbits for your reading pleasure: