MONDAY: I Am Invited to a Party

I have said it before - you can't go wrong with Mo Willems! In this story, Piggie is invited to a party and Gerald volunteers to help her get ready since she hasn't been to a party before. She isn't sure Gerald knows what he is talking about as his advice gets more bizarre by the moment. But she (and the reader) is pleasantly surprised when she arrives at the party. Watch the facial expressions on Piggie in this one. They are a riot!


[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.]

Gift Ideas - Adult Fiction

The final installment of gift recommendations come from the category of fiction for adults. You can go here to look at the books on my Amazon store.

For this category, I included some Christian Fiction (Deadline, Amber Photograph, Amethyst Heart, The Prince) as well as the first book in a few series that I have enjoyed. As with non-fiction books, it is hard to make too many recommendations because people's taste in fiction varies widely. You can always reference my Friday Fiction reviews for more ideas.

If you are looking for fiction for the adults on your holiday list, check these titles out here.

Well, I don't know if you have been out braving the shopping crowds today, or you have hunkered down at home, but I hope you have gotten some ideas this week of gifts for the readers on your holiday gift list. You can check out all of my recommendations here. Enjoy the holiday season!

[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs, or from this store, and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.]

Gift Ideas - nonfiction for adults

Today's gift recommendations come from the category of nonfiction books for adults. You can go here to look at the books on my Amazon store.

This was a hard category to fill. There are so many nonfiction books about so many topics, it is hard to know what you might be looking for on your holiday list. I did include two books that I think make great teacher gifts, both by Philip Done. I also included a couple books for parents, one specifically for parents of boys.

My husband gave me a few football-related suggestions that might interest the football-lovers on your holiday gift lists - two Tony Dungy books (Tony Dungy is a former NFL coach), a book by Jim Tressel (the football coach at Ohio State University), the book The Blind Side. My husband read it before it was going to be made into a movie, but the movie came out this month. Also, you can always scroll back through my Thursday nonfiction reviews to see if any titles fit your gift-giving needs.
If you are looking for nonfiction books for the adults on your holiday list, check these titles out here.

[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs, or from this store, and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.]

Gift ideas - books for kids, part 2

Today's gift recommendations come from the categories of books for older kids and graphic novels. You can go here to look at the books and here for the graphic novels on my Amazon store.

I had a hard time narrowing down my recommendations for older kids. This is my favorite age group to read right now, so I had lots of recommendations.

It should come as no surprise that Andrew Clements is on this list. There are also some books from Michael Buckley. Both of these authors have things to offer both girls and boys.

Other books for girls (or at least, books with female protagonists) are the Blog On! series and the Red Blazer Girls. Books for boys (or with male protagonists) include the Ordinary Boy series and the Quantum Prophecy series. And I just had to include personal favorites The Westing Game and the Harry Potter series. So many good choices for kids these days! There were many more I could have included, but this will give you a place to start.

If you are looking for books for the older kids on your holiday list, check these titles out here.

If you are looking for some graphic novels for the kids on your list, check out the Lunch Lady series, the Knights of the Lunch Table, or BabyMouse. A good stand alone graphic novel that we loved is Binky the Space Cat. You can check these titles out here.

{SIDE NOTE: I received a copy of Ella Bella Ballerina and Cinderella in the mail yesterday. It is a gift for my niece. The illustrations are gorgeous! I think I like this one better than the first one. If you have a little ballerina in your life - or your own "Ella," you should check it out!}

[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs, or from this store, and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.]

Gift Ideas - books for kids, part 1

Today's gift recommendations come from the category of Early Readers. You can go here to look at the books on my Amazon store.

For beginning readers, I included a couple favorites from Mo Willems' line of books about a pig and an elephant that are great for kids who are starting to read on their own. These also are great when you have a reader and a pre-reader. The stories appeal to both groups.

I included all the books in the Roscoe Riley series. I have reviewed a few of these before.

I also included some Magic Tree House. My son's class is reading these and he has become quite a fan. I don't read them very often because they are a little choppy for reading out loud, which is what makes them perfect for early readers.

I also included the first book in the Pony Crazed Princess series. I have read it and it is cute. I know my niece has enjoyed the entire series. The same is true for Daisy Meadows' series about fairies. I only put a link for one part of the series, but my niece has enjoyed every one she has read (and she has read quite a few!).

If you are looking for books for the early readers on your holiday list, check these titles out here.

[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs, or from this store, and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.]

Gift Ideas - Picture Books

Today's gift recommendations come from the category of Picture Books. You can go here to look at the books on my Amazon store.

For picture books, I included several choices from some of my favorite children's book authors - Mo Willems, James Mayhew, and Peter H. Reynolds (who is the illustrator for the Judy Moody and Stink Moody books by Megan McDonald).

I also added some other favorites - the Duck and Goose books by Tad Hills, Wild About Books (a great story about a library at the zoo), and He Came with the Couch.

If you are looking for picture books for kids on your holiday list, check these titles out here.

[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs, or from this store, and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.]

BONUS BLOG: Gift Recommendations

In honor of the holiday this week, I will be taking a break from blogging. Instead I will direct you to my gift ideas for the book lovers in your lives. Any time this week you can follow this link to an Amazon "store" for Bring on the Books which highlights some of my favorites. As always, please know that I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you purchase a book through a link on my blog, I receive a small percentage of the purchase price.

Stop back by any day this week for a link to that day's books and a little information about them. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

FRIDAY: The Cinderella Pact

Another treat from Sarah Strohmeyer!

Nola cannot get any respect as a plus-sized woman. So she invents an alter ego who is thin and dynamic and amazing, who speaks and writes Nola's words and "Belinda" is a hit. In fact, she is so influential that Nola's best friends take Belinda's advice and make the Cinderella Pact to lose weight together. When Belinda's popularity takes off and everyone starts clamoring to meet her, Nola has to join the Pact before she is discovered. Unfortunately, losing weight is not the solution to all of life's challenges.

A great, engaging story. I loved this story so much that I put the author's name in my upcoming releases notebook every summer since then to anxiously await her next stand alone. Check it out!


[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.]

THURSDAY: The Guinea Pig Diaries

A. J. Jacobs is the author of The Year of Living Biblically, a book high on my TBR (to be read) pile. In this book, Jacobs takes on smaller experiments, such as outsourcing his life, and reports on the results. My two favorite experiments are the outsourcing one and trying to live by George Washington's 110 rules.

Jacobs outsourced his personal and professional responsibilities to two different online assistants. One took care of buying birthday gifts, shopping, and even calling his parents on their anniversary. The other sent emails, scheduled appointments, and other tasks for Jacob's work. This idea was familiar to me because I had just watched Tim Ferriss do a presentation and he talked about doing the same thing. Regarding George Washington's rules, he said, "The rules are like cognitive therapy - behave civilly and eventually you will think civilly." Great idea! In other chapters, Jacobs tries radical honesty, posing as a woman online to find a date for their nanny, unitasking, and "Operation Ideal Husband" (aka "Whipped").

The whole book was fascinating. I love the idea of these experiments (a little like The Unlikely Disciple). I might have to try the unitasking experiment. Jacobs really speaks to me as a writer because he throws 100% of his energy into each experience.

[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs, and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.]

WEDNESDAY: You Were Born for This

The latest book from the author of The Prayer of Jabez starts with the premise that God wants to do miracles in the world and is waiting for His people to make themselves available. The stories in the book are inspiring. If it weren't for fear of what God might ask me to do, I would have jumped out of my seat at times shouting, "I want to do that!" I love stories of God at work in people's lives, and this book is full of them! The author also deals with things like fear and how to know when God is nudging you to take action. I thought the steps and descriptions were well done. I also appreciated the clear instructions to listen for God rather than moving on our own, willy nilly.

My favorite practical idea from the book is the idea of a "God pocket." The God pocket is a section of your purse or wallet where you put cash set aside for God's purposes. It is God's money - not yours, so don't treat it like petty cash. The money stays there until God prompts (as described in the book) you to use it for His glory. Great idea and many more in this book. Check it out!

[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs, and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.]

TUESDAY: The Enormous Egg

Nate Twitchell thought the giant chicken egg laid at the family farm was unusual, but no one was prepared for what they found when it hatched. A Triceratops! Nate raises "Uncle Beazley" with some help from a visiting paleontologist, but it isn't long before Uncle Beazley is too big to stay at the family farm. As fall approaches in New Hampshire, the weather will be too cold for him, too. So Nate and Dr. Ziemer head to Washington D.C. to find Uncle Beazley a new home. But that process gets a little complicated in our nation's capital.

Originally published in 1956. This is a fun story with great illustrations - and totally not the sort of book I would have picked up on my own! My son chose this as his free book for the summer reading program at Barnes and Noble and insisted on us reading it every night before bed. I was pleasantly surprised. A great read-aloud for the family or the classroom.


[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.]

MONDAY: Chester

I love Chester! Love him! And I just found out he has a second book. I have it on hold at the library, and can't wait to see it.

Chester the cat wants his own book, even if he has to hijack one with a red marker to make it his own. Chester and the author fight back and forth over the pages as she attempts to write her story and Chester tries to take it over. So clever! For student writers, Chester is a great example of voice. The 4-8 range is perfect for this book because those kids are just old enough to get what is going on in the story. This book is a gem!

[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.]

FRIDAY: Rachel Benjamin series by Jennifer Sturman

I am disappointed to see that Amazon only has the last book available for purchase because this is a great series. In fact, I was disappointed to have it end with only 4 books. Maybe you can find the series at your local library or through another book seller.

In the first book of the series, Rachel and her friends are prepping for the wedding of one of their own, only none of them likes the groom. When he turns up dead on the morning of the wedding, no one is very broken up about it. Rachel starts investigating in order to clear her friends from suspicion, discovering a new love interest (who is also her primary suspect) in the process of uncovering a murderer.

In the subsequent books, Rachel deals with her romantic relationships and her work life while also tracking a stalker, a serial killer, proving herself innocent of murder and finding a missing friend. This is a fun series. Whenever a new book came out in this series, I bought it on the day of release. In fact, reviewing it here makes me want to read them all again! Check out the Rachel Benjamin series by Jennifer Sturman.

[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.]

THURSDAY: The Way of Boys

Bottom line points of this book are:
Most boys are "normal."
Our expectations may be too high for boys (especially regarding readiness for school and the structure school imposes).
These are pretty standard statements coming from all the experts talking about boys and development in the last few years.

These authors look at boy "problems" like bullying, isolation, the fidgets, a "win-at-all-costs" attitude, the fascination with bad guys, hating school, and becoming suddenly "fragile." They talk through each type of situation, with examples, and talk about what might really be going on under the surface for these boys. I read a lot of books about boys and education or development. I did not feel like this was a re-hash of what everyone else has already written. The book is very well done.

[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs, and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.]

WEDNESDAY: Love Revolution

"Selfishness is the major problem we face today worldwide, and an aggressive movement to eliminate it is our answer. We need to declare war on selfishness." ~ Joyce Meyer

This is the basic premise of Love Revolution, the latest non-fiction title from Joyce Meyer. The book is filled with stories and instruction on living lives of love - actively seeking to be kind to others and being available to be used by God. One of the statements I liked was "Be aggressive in good works." It reminds me of a scripture I like in the NRSV, Romans 12:10 that says "Outdo one another in showing honor." I love the idea of being intentional - even to the point of aggressive action - about doing good works and showing honor to others. This book is a good challenge to love your neighbor well.

[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.]

TUESDAY: N.E.R.D.S.

Great new series from the author of the Sisters Grimm series.

Jackson Jones is Mr. Popular. He is a good looking kid who plays football and runs with a large crew of kids. Unfortunately, Jones is also a bully, picking on anyone at school who is the least bit "uncool." In a painful bit of irony, Jones finds out what it feels like to be the outcast after a trip to the orthodontist leaves him with a mouth full of magnetic metal.

When Jackson stumbles upon a secret lab at his elementary school, the NERDS aren't very excited to see him. You can't blame them, considering how Jackson tormented each of them when he was popular. They have no time to argue about his addition to the team, though. They need to focus their attention on a threat to destroy the world. After all, even though they are kids, the NERDS are the National Espionage, Resuce and Defense Society.

This book reminded me of the Adventures of Ordinary Boy series that I really like. There are fun interactive elements between chapters and some really funny moments. I am reading it out loud to my seven-year-old right now, and he loves it. I have had to edit out one reference to a grown up "seducing" beautiful women (not a new vocabulary word I want my child using) and some of the descriptions of one of the NERDS. He is often described as "chubby" or "fat," which accurately describes his body type, but are words I don't want my child to use. That's more about me than the book, though. I can't wait for the next one in this series!

[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs, and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.]

MONDAY: Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School

Amelia makes her way through her first day of school just as she does her grown-up adventures - taking everything literally. She jumps off the bus and onto a teacher, plays tag in class, made a hamster from clay, closes her nose in a book, and glues herself in a chair.

If you love Amelia Bedelia - or if your children do - you will enjoy the newest adventures with Amelia as a little girl. The illustrations are beautifully done. But, if grown up Amelia annoys you, don't try this because it is more of the same.

[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs, and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.]

FRIDAY: Sew Deadly

Tori fled Chicago and a cheating man to start her dream job as a librarian in a small southern town called Sweet Briar. Unfortunately, Sweet Briar is one of those small towns where everyone knows everyone, there is an unwritten code of behavior for everything, and they don't like "outsiders." To make matters worse, Tori discovers that the former librarian did not retire willingly and she is holding a grudge. Hoping to make some friends, Tori joins a sewing circle at the urging of the town mayor. Sewing and fellowship help some of the women in town warm up to Tori. But all of her progress may be in vain if the local police can pin the murder of the town sweetheart on poor Tori. She has her work cut out for her - starting programs at the library, finding out who keeps sabotaging all her efforts, and sleuthing out a murderer.

I have been "stalking" this book at the bookstore for a couple months. Sewing is something I would love to do, but don't really have the time or space to take on a new hobby. When I discovered the book at the library, I put everything else aside to enjoy a new mystery. And I really enjoyed this one. I was recommending it to others before I was even half way through. I really liked the characters. Tori is very "real." She is sensitive to small acts of kindness and sweet, quiet little girls. She wrestles with her feelings about a man since she is still trying to find her place in this community. She rants and raves over injustices, and feels remorse when she finds out she was wrong about people. The author does a great job of showing how the women in the sewing circle warm up to Tori and support her. The sewing is an enjoyable context for the story and characters without being exclusionary for those who don't sew.

One unusual piece was how the mystery wrapped up. There was no big confrontation. Tori's life wasn't hanging in the balance. She figured it out, took it to the authorities and heard about the outcome after the fact. It made the resolution feel a little abrupt, but with all the other tension throughout the story, that wasn't a terrible thing. This is a series I would buy and read again. The next book in the series is going to be Death Threads, and comes out March 2, 2010.

[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.]

THURSDAY: Close Encounters of the Third Grade Kind

From the author of 32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny - one of my favorite books for teachers - Close Encounters includes a school year's worth of stories, observations, and philosophies from the elementary classroom.

A funny, heart-warming book. I laughed (and cried a little) through this whole book, recognizing not only my own students from subbing and teaching experiences, but my own son who is not yet a third grader. Perfect gift for new and seasoned elementary school teachers, especially those in grades K through 3.

[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.]

WEDNESDAY: Nine Ways God Always Speaks

How has God spoken to you? Audibly? In a dream? Through a friend? Through Scripture?

In this book, the authors share their own stories and the stories of others who have heard from God. The organization of the book is a little odd and it took me awhile to get into the groove. The stories were what finally drew me in enough to ignore the structure. They were fascinating and inspiring. The book really got me thinking about ways I have heard from God and about looking for ways He might be speaking to me now. It definitely stirred in me a craving to hear more from God.

[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.]

TUESDAY: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt

The Moodys are on vacation in North Carolina where they visit Ocracoke Island and get to take part in a pirate treasure hunt. They have two days to follow the clues and collect 16 "pieces of eight" to win the prize of a doubloon and a trip on a pirate ship. But if they are going to win, Stink and Judy are going to have to beat a lot of other treasure hunters to the final piece of eight. And Tall Boy and Smart Girl are hot on the trail!

This was a cute story that shows two heads are better than one. The kids make some good choices when it comes to the competition and good sportsmanship. Great illustrations from my favorite illustrator, Peter H. Reynolds.

[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.]

MONDAY: Oh Ducky!

Oh, Ducky! A Chocolate Calamity is a new favorite at our house, although I think part of it is that my son likes to say "calamity!"

In the story, Mr. Peters runs a chocolate factory and Johnny works at the factory. He brings his rubber ducky with him to work, so that his duck can watch the candy making process. Unfortunately, Ducky falls into the machine one day, bringing candy production to a screeching halt. Mr. Peters has to dive into the chocolate tubes to figure out what has happened to his factory and Ducky.

This is a fun story for the picture book crowd as well as early readers. The illustrations are full of chocolate-y fun (especially the pictures of Mr. Peters trek through the chocolate tubes). While we first enjoyed the story from the library, we will be purchasing our own copy in the near future.

[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.]