Welcome to this week's Contest Monday! I'm giving away
ARC of Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
backstage bracelet and a postcard
I really enjoyed this book! Read my review of Eyes Like Stars and get ready to be entertained! This ARC comes from Lisa Mantchev herself! I bought the HC because I want this one in my personal library too! Yes, it's that good. So what do you have to do to get this ARC?
Rules: US addresses only - to enter:
+1 - comment with your favorite Shakespeare play
+1 - you start to follow this blog
+1 - you comment on any review - tell me which one in a separate comment!
+2 - you are already a follower
That's all folks. Remember, leave me your email address so that I can contact you if you win! This contest runs until Sunday, July 19, 2009 at 11:59 pm. Winner will be posted on July 24, 2009 on The Friday Five.
Writin' Bertie Shakespeare Smith wants to know who she is and why she lives in a theater. Although she's curious she never wants to leave the place. The Stage Manager has always been The Stage Manager. It's not a part he plays, it's who he is and Bertie is in his way. He wants her gone. In the Theatre Illuminate people don't just have parts, they live them. They can't leave the theater because they are bound by The Book, every play ever written. And Bertie has caused problems for them all her life. The Stage Manager has complained for, what he hopes, is the final time. Bertie must leave and let them get on with their plays. The Theater Manager decides to give Bertie one last chance: She must prove to be valuable or she will be chucked out like yesterday's garbage.
'Rithmetic Although it takes a bit to get used to the theater lingo Eyes Like Stars is a fun, fast-paced read. Lisa Mantchev's quick wit shows in almost every word the fairies speak
"Stupid, men can't be divas...Divo then." 45
Lisa's writing is vivid and every sentence adds another scene to the story.
"The word-hurricane twisted about the Theater Manager, tugged at his coat, mussed his hair." 38
"Bertie would rather drink gasoline and shove a lit match up her nose than applaud..." 42
The characters are well-drawn, especially Bertie, Nate, and Ariel. As Bertie struggles to keep her place in the theater, always hoping her mother would return for her, she also struggles with a love for the Bad Boy, Ariel and the less bad, Nate. Eyes Like Stars is peppered with enough Shakespeare references to make you want to go and read a few of his plays, with an emphasis on Hamlet, to see if Mantchev knows her stuff. Or just because it brings back memories. I love how Lisa Mantchev allowed Bertie to grow. In the end, she gets everything she never knew she wanted and we are left with an eagerness to read Perchance to Dream. This love story, mystery, coming of age tale was delightful and well worth the read. I give it 4 copies and know they will always be checked out!
"There was no backtalk this time, just the sound of crickets chirping." 58
Check out the picture of books that arrived at my house this week, either from stores, the library, or generous publishers and friends.
Library Loot! It was a busy week at the library for me and I kept bringing books home. Not that I don't already have enough books in the house!
Stoneheart by Charlie Fletcher - patron told me this was a good series, thought I'd check it out see if I should get for school.
Baseball Great by Tim Green - a student told me I should have these in the library. I think Green has written three of them.
Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez - on my Are You My Newbery list.
Peace, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson - on my Are You My Newbery list.
Horrid Henry by Francesca Simon - received an email about these. Wanted to see what they were about before committing to anything.
Blog Tours: These tours help me stay connected to the rest of the cool book bloggers out there as well as find authors whose work I may not come across. Here are two new July ones -
The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand The Brain Lair Tour Date: July 9 Tour Dates: July 6 - July 10
Greg and Tess MacAvoy are one of four prominent Nantucket couples who count each other as best friends. As pillars of their close-knit community, the MacAvoys, Kapenashes, Drakes, and Wheelers are important to their friends and neighbors, and especially to each other. But just before the beginning of another idyllic summer, Greg and Tess are killed when their boat capsizes during an anniversary sail. As the warm weather approaches and the island mourns their loss, nothing can prepare the MacAvoy's closest friends for what will be revealed. Once again, Hilderbrand masterfully weaves an intense tale of love and loyalty set against the backdrop of endless summer island life.
Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev Monday Giveaways Month of July
This one's gonna be huge! There will be celebrations and giveaways throughout the YA blogosphere. We will kick off this event with a Twitter Party!! Mark your calendars boys and girls - let's see how many times @lisamantchev gets kicked off for too many tweets. Can she beat @SarahOckler's 5? You won't know unless you sign up and show up!
Friday, July 10th, from 4pm to 7pm (PST)
Prizes given for best Opening Night outfit (black tie or ball gown/prom dress, accessories like tiara and opera gloves OR dressing as a character from the book.) Pictures will be compiled into a gallery for the Théâtre Illuminata website.
Must be a follower of @lisamantchev or @TheCallBoard to win
I'll have a variety of fun filled activities here including Contest Mondays!
That's what I have - what about you? Have a great week and hope to see you on Monday! IMM is brought to you courtesy of The Story Siren, head on over if you want to sign up.
