Sneak Peek: Dear Dumb Diary #9

Everyone's favorite middle-schooler, Jamie Kelly, is back — with an all-new, all-funny diary! A lot has been happening at Mackerel Middle School, and Jamie is documenting every minute of it. Check out this special peek at Dear Dumb Diary #9: That's What Friends Aren't For, in stores now! Jamie promises that everything she writes is true . . . or at least as true as it needs to be.

Dear Dumb Diary,

We've entered that part of the school year where you begin to wonder if maybe even the teachers are beginning to lose interest in education. We study something — like igneous rocks, or spit molecules, or one of those countries that looks like where they are going to build a country one day — we glue-stick a bunch of things about it to a piece of poster board, they get hung up in the hallway, and then we never talk about them again.

So toward the end of the year, just to keep things interesting. the school has lots of events like an Art Show, a Talent Show, and Bingo Night, which features a game that was developed long ago so that we'd have something to do until fun was invented.

If I ever become a teacher, I'm going to jazz it up a bit. Maybe I'll glue-stick the actual students up in the hallway, and when you walk up to one, he'll have to tell you what he knows about spit molecules or whatever.

Also, I'm going to make it so that if a kid bothers me, I can legally shoot her out of a cannon. I really may have psychic powers, because I think I've read the mind of teacher who was thinking that exact thing one time when Mike Pinsetti got almost all of a crayon stuck in his ear.

Signed,

Missile Mouse Sneak Peek and Writing Prompt

My friends who are into comics were very excited last year about a graphic novel anthology called Flight Explorer. It is a group of different stories all by different artists. If you read Flight Explorer, then you already know Missile Mouse, who made his graphic novel debut in that book. This new book Missile Mouse: The Star Crusher by Jake Parker coming out in January is entirely devoted to the adventures of Missile Mouse.

Missile Mouse, secret agent for the Galactic Security Agency, is a risk taker and a rule breaker, which is why he's in hot water at GSA headquarters. Then RIP, the Rogue Imperium of Planets, kidnaps a scientist who knows about the Star Crusher, a doomsday machine capable of destroying the entire universe. . . Time to let loose the mouse!

Take a look at this sneak peek from the book, and read on for today's Writing Prompt:

Click to view larger

In this panel from the book, Missile Mouse has gotten into a spot of trouble. He's surrounded by those dangerous looking ant creatures but he can't kill them because they're endangered species! How is he going to get out of this situation? Write what you think happens next.

Leave your answers in the Comments.

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Wolves of the Beyond, a New Ga'Hoole Series

A newborn wolf pup with a twisted leg is abandoned in the wilderness beyond Ga'Hoole. Miraculously, he survives and grows up to change the Wolves of Beyond forever. If you loved the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series by Kathryn Lasky, then this Sneak Peek of her newest series is for you.

Lone Wolf, Book 1 of the brand new Wolves of the Beyond series is not coming out until December 29, but you, dear Ink Splot 26 readers, can be the first to read Chapter 1 right here (PDF).

In other news, the Guardians of Ga'Hoole movie is coming out in September 2010, which feels like an awfully long time, so it's a good thing we have this new series to read while we're waiting!

Catching Fire Sneak Peek

If you've read The Hunger Games, I just know that you CAN'T WAIT for the sequel Catching Fire. (If you haven't read it yet, you totally have to!!! It is by far the BEST BOOK EVER for kids ages 12 and over. Go. Read. Now.)

Well, like I was saying, the wait is almost over for Catching Fire. It will be in bookstores on September 1, so cancel all your other plans, clear out your schedule and just block out all day for reading because once you start, you are not going to want to stop reading for anything! I would suggest asking people to bring you food so you don't starve to death — seriously, you will not be able to put this book down!

So, do you want a sneak peek now? We have Chapter 1 for you to read, and an audio excerpt of Chapter 2 read by the author Suzanne Collins.  For more about The Hunger Games trilogy including downloads and a message board where you can talk to other fans of the book, visit The Hunger Games Web site.

Enjoy!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

America's Next Top Model: Book Series

For all you fans of America's Next Top Model, we're happy to introduce you to a fabulous new book series inspired by the show, for readers ages 12 and up.

The characters in these books do not have a typical summer vacation. They attend the elite Top Model Prep in New York City where the girls compete to become the next big thing in the world of fashion and beauty. 40 girls have been accepted to the summer program but only one will win the coveted prize: becoming America's Next Top Model!

Books #1 and #2 are available now and they are packed with stories of high fashion. . . and high drama.

    
Click cover for book information

Read this excerpt (PDF) from Book #1: Face Value and get a sneak peek of what happens when the girls move into their chic SoHo apartment.

Get ready for life at the top!

— Whitney, Scholastic Staffer

Allie Finkle #4: Stage Fright Sneak Peek

So I just read the very first chapter of Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls, Book 4: Stage Fright by Meg Cabot, and if you're an Allie Finkle fan, you certainly won't be let down. Even reading the first fifteen pages, I already see Allie's cute wit, and I get a sense that deep down inside she wants to be a star! I mean, who wouldn't want to be a celebrity? I'd take being a local celebrity!

I found it interesting that the book starts with a rule (No, I'm not going to give it away!) that basically acknowledges the importance of giving compliments. Allie certainly isn't a stranger to giving herself compliments either. Some people might call it bragging, but I think she's just confident. However, I wonder if this first rule is going to be a running theme throughout the book. Even if someone makes a complete fool out of herself or totally messes up, shouldn't you always make that person feel better anyway?

That's just my guess regarding the theme of the book. However, in order to know for sure what is really going to happen to Allie, I'll have to read Stage Fright in its entirety when it comes out on September 15th.

Read the Stage Fright Excerpt (PDF)

— Carly M., STACKS Staffer

Oh and since when is Allie into 1980's comic books? The Voltron reference was awesome!

Get a Sneak Peek at ROSE, the prequel to BONE

If you thought BONE, the graphic novel series by Jeff Smith, was over when book 9, Crown of Horns, came out, well then you'd be . . . only sort of right. On August 1st, the prequel to BONE, ROSE, comes out. (That's the story that happened before the story.)

BONE is the story of the three little Bone dudes who get lost in the woods, and wind up battling the Lord of the Locusts to help Thorn reclaim her family's kingdom. Their story is over.

Author Jude Watson reads from The 39 Clues Book 4

Hello, Clue Hunters! The last time you heard from us, we were busy cracking codes with 39 Clues author Peter Lerangis as he traveled across the United States on The 39 Clues Double-Dealing Tour. Now we're gearing up for the next adventure! Are you ready for the next book? Only a few more weeks until The 39 Clues Book 4: Beyond the Grave goes on sale!

What will happen to Amy and Dan in Egypt? What will be revealed? And what are they doing in a mummy's tomb?!?

Watch this video from the author of Book 4, Jude Watson. She has a special message for you, followed by a sneak peek from Beyond the Grave.

Don't forget — Book 4: Beyond the Grave goes on sale June 2nd!

— Whitney, The 39 Clues Team

Sneak Peek: The Roar by Emma Clayton

Next month, there's a new book coming out that you are going to want to read. It's The Roar by Emma Clayton. It's a sci-fi thriller that takes place in a future where people live entirely without nature or animals. Years back, all of the animals were ravaged with a plague that made them attack humans. So a huge wall was built all around Europe and America to keep animals out. Twins Mika and Ellie have spent their entire lives behind the wall, and they've never seen an animal outside of books. And then Ellie is kidnapped.

The book opens a year after Ellie's been kidnapped, as she escapes from a space station with a pet monkey. Her captor, Mal Gorman, has been training her for something big and has just told her "The Secret." What secret? Well, I don't know. All I've gotten to read so far is the Chapter 1 sneak peek, and it doesn't say, but it certainly sounds sinister.

I could tell you more about the sneak peek, but you can read it for yourself right here:

The Roar by Emma Clayton, Chapter 1 (PDF)

If you're as intrigued as I am, you can get to know the author in this behind-the-scenes video interview:

— Carly H., STACKS Staffer

Hot off the presses! Sneak Peek at 39 Clues, Bk 3!

I know you've been anxiously awaiting the release of the next 39 Clues book after hearing about Peter Lerangis's tour. Guess what? Here's a sneak peek at the next book in the series, Book Three: The Sword Thief!

Where are Amy and Dan Cahill headed next? And who is trying to stop them?

Click here to get all those answers and your first look at The Sword Thief (PDF)

Don’t forget, Book Three: The Sword Thief goes on sale March 3rd! Only another week and a half of waiting!

— Whitney, The 39 Clues Team

Sneak Peek: Allie Finkle Book 3!

You dressed Allie up for the holidays on the Allie Finkle site. But now winter break is over, and Allie is going back to school just like the rest of us (or, well, work in my case). In Best Friends and Drama Queens (the third book in Meg Cabot's series, Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls) Allie's friend, Caroline, comes back from vacation with exciting news: there's going to be a new student in Allie's class!

Now, much to Allie's relief, she won't be the new girl anymore. But it turns out that Allie's excitement is premature. The new girl, Cheyenne (who's come all the way from Canada), starts bossing around everyone in the fourth grade. Soon Cheyenne has everyone, including Allies best friends, Caroline, Sophie, and Erica, believing that if they don't do what she says, they'll be exactly what Cheyenne accuses them of being — babies!

The book doesn't hit stores until next month. But as a special treat to ease your back-to-school blues, you can read the first chapter right here on The Splot:

Download Chapter 1 of Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls Book 3: Best Friends and Drama Queens (PDF)

I can't wait to read the rest of the book!

— Carly H., STACKS Staffer

Ink Splot 26 Exclusive: Inkheart Movie Clips!

Hey, Cornelia Funke fans -- how much do you love us?

A few months ago, we brought you the first look at the official poster for the Inkheart movie (in theaters January 23). Then we gave you an interview with Brendan Fraser, who plays Mo in the film. And earlier this week, we posted the music video, showcasing the vocal skills of Eliza Bennett, who plays Meggie.

Well, now we've got another treat for you: an exclusive sneak peek at the movie itself! Check out this Inkheart video clip, which you won't see anywhere else on the web until tomorrow. At this rate, we might as well change Ink Splot 26 to be called Inkheart 26!

Enjoy!

— Karen, STACKS Staffer
Movie poster and clips courtesy of New Line Cinema