Children's Book Week Giveaway Hop - May 13-19, 2013

Children's Book Week is finally here and I am honored to be able to host the Children's Book Week Giveaway Hop with Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, and Ella from Mymcbooks.

What is Children's Book Week?

Established in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running literacy initiative in the country. Each year, books for young people and the joy of reading are feted for a full week with author and illustrator appearances, storytelling, parties, and other book-related events at schools, libraries, bookstores, museums, and homes from coast to coast! - www.bookweekonline.com

The theme for this year's Children's Book Week is "books can take you anywhere".  As a child, books were the best way for me to visit other times and places, real and imaginary.  I learned about what is was like to live on a prairie in the mid to late 1800's and I went on adventures to magical lands with hobbits and dwarves.  In a book, I could do anything or be anything.  Books are magical and wonderful.

To celebrate, I am giving away to one lucky reader a free picture book, middle grade novel, or young adult novel of your choice ($15 or less on Amazon).     

Please enter below to win:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget to check on the other Blogs participating in this Giveaway Hop:

Clear Your Shelf Giveaway Hop - May 7 - 13, 2013

Thanks to Kathy from I am a Reader, Not a Writer for hosting this hop! Don't forget to check out all of the links below for blogs participating in the Giveaway Hop.

What is a Clear Your Shelf Giveaway Hop - A chance to clear out bookshelves and give books away to other book lovers.

My Giveaway - A Young Adult ARC pack of 5 books

Enter this giveaway by completing the Rafflecopter form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out the other blogs participating:

Children's Book Week Giveaway Hop - Sign-Ups are Open

 

Children’s Book Week Giveaway Hop

May 13th – 19th

Hosted by KidLitFrenzy, Mymcbooks

& I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

What is Children’s Book Week?

Established in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running literacy initiative in the country. Each year, books for young people and the joy of reading are feted for a full week with author and illustrator appearances, storytelling, parties, and other book-related events at schools, libraries, bookstores, museums, and homes from coast to coast!

For more information please visit: http://www.bookweekonline.com/

Celebrate & Promote Children’s Book Week by taking part in The Children’s Book Week Giveaway Hop.

Giveaway Hop Rules:

* Each participating blog will host a giveaway on their site.
* The giveaway must be for a children’s book (picture, juvenile fiction, middle grade, young adult).
* No more than 6 possible entries per person. 1 mandatory & up to 5 optional.
* Offering a Gift Card or book of choice from The Book Depository is fine.
* Any family friendly blog or site is welcome to join.
* Your post must include the Children’s Book Week image, the linky or a link to one of the host’s sites & must be live by 9:00 AM on May 13th.

Please review all I am a Reader, Not a Writer's hop rules here:
http://www.iamareader.com/giveaway-hop-rules

To sign up to host a giveaway simply add you blog to the linky with your shipping info in parenthesis following your blog name.

Printed Books Giveaway Hop

The Printed Books Giveaway Hop is hosted by Kathy over at I am a Reader, Not a Writer.  This hop celebrates the printed book.  No e-books this time.


I will be giving away signed copies of the following Middle Grade Mystery/Adventure Pack:

The Fellowship for Alien Detection by Kevin Emerson (Walden Pond Press)

The Tell-Tale Start: The Misadventure of Edgar and Allen Poe by Gordon McAlpine (Penguin)

Girls' Best Friend: A Maggie Brooklyn Mystery by Leslie Margolis (Bloomsbury)

Enter Using Rafflecopter:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Don't forget to check out the other blogs participating in this giveaway hop:

Gratitude Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the 3rd Annual Gratitude Giveaways Hop hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer. 
The Hop Runs from November 15 - November 25, 2012.

The Annual Gratitude Giveaways Hop is to thank followers of the Blog.  As a thank you, I am giving away a copy of Philip Pullman's Fairy Tales From the Brothers Grimm (courtesy of Viking Publishers), a copy of In A Glass Grimmly by Adam Gidwitz (Penguin, September 2012), and a Fairy Tale revision of your choice ($15 or less on Amazon).

Simply enter below.  a Rafflecopter giveaway Don't forget to check all of the other blogs participating in this giveaway.

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop

Recently, I had some time to hang out with a couple of friends and author, Adam Gidwitz.  Adam's book A Tale Dark & Grimm is one of my favorites and his new book In a Glass Grimmly has just recently been released.  As we talked, the topic of scary stories came up.  One of my friends started talking about how scary Rick Yancey's The Monstrumologist is.   Each of us in this group had various levels of tolerance for creepy stories.  After a run in during 9th grade with books by Stephen King and John Saul, I have decided that I like my scary stories with a sufficient dose of snark and lite on the super creepy scary parts. 

All of this discussion and with Halloween right around the corner, I started to think more about whether there is a benefit for children in reading scary stories.  Some might ask if children should ever read scary stories.  As I thought about it and read some blog posts by others, my answer is a definite yes, but with some guidelines. First, especially as teachers and educators, it is important to know your students.  Everyone has a different threshold for what is scary and what isn’t.  Additionally, teachers need to be respectful of parents’ wishes. What I might be comfortable with a parent isn't.  With that said, here are some benefits to children to reading those creepy books.

Many experts divide scary stories into three categories:  Fairy Tales, Campfire Type Stories, and Real Life Scary Situations.  

Fairy Tales: Grimm not Disney – Most of us have become accustomed to the adaptations Disney has made with the original Grimm Fairy Tales, but pull out the original stories and what you have are tales that were quite dark.  What do children gain from these tales?  The stories allow children to grapple with lessons related to concepts such as greed, envy, vanity, abandonment, and more.  Also, children get to work through issues of good versus evil.  One of the regular patterns in these stories involve the evil witch dying in the end and the children triumphing over adversity.  As Adam Gidwitz mentioned in our informal chat, the happy ending balances out the gruesomeness of the story.

Spine-tinglers & Campfire Stories – How many of us recall times when we were children sitting around a camp fire or curled up on the floor in a darkened living room listening to a friend or an adult tell a ghost story or urban legend or other tale designed to scare us?  What was the common reactions to these stories, usually lots of screams, grabbing one another, running around, and inevitably laughter followed by the words "tell another one".  It is why books such as RL Stine's Goosebumps series is so popular.  It hits us with the right balance of scary and glad that it is happening to someone else.  

Real Issues that are Frightening – Children of all ages have to go through life challenges that can be difficult and truly scary.  Issues such as divorce, death of a close family member or a friend, fears of dogs or flying or what's under the bed, and even family abuse may be difficult to talk about.  Reading stories about these circumstances can help children develop ways of dealing or coping with the situations in their own live and provide them with words in which to discuss what may be bothering them.  One of my favorites from 2011 is Patrick Ness’ AMonster Calls, which uses a fantastical element of a monster who arrives at the same time each night as a means for a young teen boy to come to grips with his mother’s pending death. 

Some additional resources:

Check out the blog post for just right scary book reads for preschooler to teens – GettingReady for a Shivery Good Read on rocketcitymom.com.  For a professional look at the benefits of reading scary stories, look into Sheldon Cashdan’s TheWitch Must Die: The Hidden Meaning of Fairy Tales.   

This Halloween join author Neil Gaiman (Coraline, The Graveyard Book, and more) is celebrating by recommending that people give away a scary book(s) this year.  Check out his site All Hallows Read for book suggestions, and additional resources. 

To celebrate the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer and The Diary of a Bookworm, I am celebrating by giving away a scary book of your choice (under $15 on Amazon) to one lucky winner.  And this is a big giveaway hop - 500 bloggers participating.  Blogs will start posting sometime today though the giveaway technically begins tonight at 9 p.m. Eastern - feel free to start entering. 

Rules for the Giveaway:
1. Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.). If you do enter personal information, your comment will not be posted.
2. You must complete the entry form to official enter the giveaway.
3. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time on October 24th to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 31st.
4. You must be 13 years or older to participate.
5. If you are selected as the winner, you will be notified by email. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
6. US participants only.

Banned Books Week Giveaway Hop

Thanks to Kathy from I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Jen at I Read Banned Books for hosting this blog hop giveaway.  Don't forget to check the Mr. Linky below to connect to the other blogs that are participating in the Giveaway Hop.

My thoughts on Banned and Challenged Books:
Since 1982, the American Library Association has joined in with various booksellers, publishers, and library associations to celebrate the freedom to read.   If you have never looked at some of the lists for banned or challenged books, you may be surprised to find out what is on it.

Go check them out...this post isn't going anywhere.

Banned and Challenged Classics

100 Most Frequently Challenged Books by Decade

Were you surprised that some of your favorites were on that list?  Two of my favorite children's authors - Judy Blume and Katherine Paterson are on the list numerous times.  It almost seems that every book I loved has made it to the Banned or Challenged list at some point.

As part of the Giveaway Hop, I am giving away a Banned or Challenged Book to a lucky reader.  Pick a book under $15 on Amazon, and if your name is selected (remember to fill out the form below), I will send it to you.

Join in on 30 years of celebrating the freedom to read and consider joining in on Banned Books Virtual Read-Out.

Check out this video created by the Association of American Publishers asking acclaimed authors about what Banned Books they are reading:



Rules for the Giveaway:
1. Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.). If you do enter personal information, your comment will not be posted.
2. You must complete the entry form to official enter the giveaway.
3. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on September 28th to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on October 6th.
4. You must be 13 years or older to participate.
5. If you are selected as the winner, you will be notified by email. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
6. US participants only.

Last Days of Freedom Giveaway Hop

Thanks to Kathy from I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Jessi from The Elliott Review for hosting this Giveaway Hop.

To celebrate the end of the summer and the start of the school year, I am giving away a copy of one of the following books:

Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

Rules for the Giveaway:
1. Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.). If you do enter personal information, your comment will not be posted.
2. You must complete the entry form to official enter the giveaway.
3. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on August 17th to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on August 22nd.
4. You must be 13 years or older to participate.
5. If you are selected as the winner, you will be notified by email. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
6. US participants only.

Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop

This is the 2nd Annual Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop and it will take place from June 20th to 26th! Thanks to I am a Reader, Not a Writer and  Uniquely Moi Books for co-hosting.  Don't forget to check out the links to see all of the different giveaways!

Since I will be attending my first ALA annual conference, I am doing a surprise giveaway.  I am not sure which Advanced Readers Copies - otherwise known as ARC's (Middle Grade and Young Adult) - I will be able to snag, but from my ALA Midwinter experience, I know that it will be good.  So I am planning to giveaway 2 yet to be named ARC's.  I will post a picture of as soon as I know.

The Rules:

1. Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.). If you do enter personal information, your comment will not be posted.
2. You must complete the entry form to official enter the giveaway.
3. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on June 20th to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on June 26th.
4. You must be 13 years or older to participate.
5. If you are selected as the winner, you will be notified by email. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
6. US participants only.

  

Splash Into Summer Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Splash Into Summer Hop co-hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Page Turners Blog.  This hop runs from May 25th to 31st with over 200 blogs each hosting a giveaway.  Don't forget to check out the linky to see all the giveaways!

The Giveaway:

If you are anything like me, you have an ever growing TBR pile and have certain books that you have put aside to read specifically in the summer.  Here is a chance to win one of those books in your pile.  The book you choose can be a picture book, middle grade novel, or young adult novel.  Fill out the form below and tell me what book you want.  As long as it is $15 or less on Amazon, I will send it your way.

The Rules:

1. Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.). If you do enter personal information, your comment will not be posted.
2. You must complete the entry form to official enter the giveaway.
3. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on May 25th to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on May 31st.
4. You must be 13 years or older to participate.
5. If you are selected as the winner, you will be notified by email. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
6. US participants only.

Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway Hop

Kathy from I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Yara from Once Upon a Twilight is hosting the Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway Hop.  This is a big hop with over 250 bloggers participating.  Don't forget to visit the Mr. Linky below to check out all of the other great giveaways.

I have been pondering what to do as a giveaway and then it hit me.  It is National Poetry Month.  So I am giving away a book of poetry or a novel in verse of your choice.  Complete the entry form below and indicate what book you would like to receive.  (Please note - all book choices must be less than $15 on Amazon.)  Here are some examples of books that I would recommend.






Rules for the Giveaway:
1.  Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.).  If you do enter personal information, your comment will not be posted.
2.  You must complete the entry form to official enter the giveaway.
3. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Easter Time on April 6th to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on April 12th.
4. You must be 13 years or older to participate.
5. If you are selected as the winner, you will be notified by email.  If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
6.  US residents only for this contest.

Spring Cleaning Giveaway Hop

Kathy from I am a Reader, Not a Writer is hosting a Spring Cleaning Giveaway Hop.  The concept is really cool.  I get to clean out some of my bookshelves and you get to win some books.  And don't forget to check all of the links for other great giveaways.

If you haven't discovered Priority flat-rate boxes from the Post Office, you really should.  They are the best for anyone needing to ship books.  I can often get about 15 books in a large flat-rate box and can mail it to anywhere in the U.S. for $14.95.  And it arrives within 2 days.  Cool huh?!

Two lucky participants will have a chance to win 1 box of books each.  One box will be filled with YA books and the other box will be filled with MG books. You can sign up to win a mixed box.

When I select the winners, I will send you a list of titles that I have available for giveaway and you may select as many of those titles as will fit in the box.

Rules for the Giveaway:

1.  Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.).  If you do enter personal information, your comment will not be posted.

2.  You must complete the entry form to official enter the giveaway.

3.  The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time on March 20, 2012 to 11:59 p.m. on March 25, 2012.  

4.  You must be 13 years or older to participate.

5.  If you are selected as the winner, you will be notified by email.  If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.

6. US residents only for this contest.

Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop March 17th to 22nd

Hosted By I am a Reader, Not a Writer,  Books Complete Me & Author Cindy Thomas. Don't forget to check out the Mr. Linky to visit all of the blogs participating in this Giveaway Hop. 

I have thought about it and thought about it and finally decided that since it is St. Patrick's Day my giveaway hop is going to be a "winner's choice".  Do you have a book on your TBR list that you would like to get?  Or does the book you want to read at the library have an incredibly long waitlist?  Have you been wanting to try out an audiobook?  On lucky reader can select a *book in the format (ebook, audiobook, or traditional format) of his/her choice. 

* Please note: Ebooks & Traditional Books must be available on iTunes or Amazon for $15 or less.  Audiobooks must be either $15 or less if on iTunes or worth one credit on Audible.com.

Rules for the Giveaway:

1.  Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.).  If you do enter personal information, your comment will not be posted.

2.  You must complete the entry form to official enter the giveaway.

3.  The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time on March 17, 2012 to 11:59 p.m. on March 22, 2012.  

4.  You must be 13 years or older to participate.

5.  If you are selected as the winner, you will be notified by email.  If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.

6. US residents only for this contest.
 

Follower Love Giveaway Hop

Thank you to Kathy from I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Rachel Renee Anderson for co-hosting this giveaway hop.  Since this is a giveaway hop, don't forget to check the links to more giveaways.

Recently, I read The One and Only Ivan.   It is simply a beautifully told story of a friendship between a Silverback Gorilla and a young elephant.  It will make a perfect read aloud for an elementary classroom.  The giveaway is a copy of the book signed by author, Katherine Applegate. 

Giveaway Rules:

1. Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.).  If you do enter personal information, you comment will not be posted.

2.  You must complete the Entry Form to officially enter the contest.

3.  The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on February 7, 2012 to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on February 14, 2012.

4.  You must be 13 or older to participate in this contest.

5.  If you are selected as a winner, I will notify you by e-mail.  If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.

6.  International participants are welcome to enter the contest.

Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop

Thank you to Kathy from I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Martha from Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf for co-hosting this giveaway hop.  Since this is a giveaway hop, don't forget to check the links to more giveaways.

I have decided to giveaway three of my favorite new releases.  There will be three winners selected (one for each book). 

Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Giveaway Rules:

1. Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.).  If you do enter personal information, you comment will not be posted.
  

2.  You must complete the Entry Form to officially enter the contest.

3.  The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on January 13, 2012 to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on January 18, 2012.

4.  You must be 13 or older to participate in this contest.

5.  If you are selected as a winner, I will notify you by e-mail.  If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.

6.  International participants are welcome to enter the contest.

Happy New Year 2012 Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Happy New Year 2012 Giveaway Hop!  It is hosted by Kathy of I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Babs from Babs Book Bistro.  The Giveaway Hop runs from December 30th to January 3rd.  Don't forget to check out the linky below and stop by the over 200 blogs that are participating in this Giveaway Hop.  Great way to ring in the New Year!

To celebrate the New Year, I want to help support everyone's reading goals.  Are you participating in the Newbery Challenge hosted by teacher extraordinaire Colby Sharp and super teacher/librarian Mr. Schu?  Maybe you decided on the Caldecott Challenge hosted by LibLaura5 and A to Z Library?  Or I know many of you often participate in the Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi, The Story Siren.  Whatever reading challenge you have set for yourself, I want to help support you by providing you with a book or audiobook that you can use towards your challenge.

Here is the Giveaway:

One lucky winner will receive a book (from Amazon or Book Depository) or an audiobook (Audible) worth $15 or less.  International participants are only eligible for the book (if someone knows if Audible can be gifted internationally, I am happy to consider that option too).  The book or audiobook must be specifically related to a challenge. 

Rules for the Contest:

1. Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.).  If you do enter personal information, you comment will not be posted.  

2.  You must complete the Entry Form to officially enter the contest.

3.  The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on December 30, 2011 to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on January 3rd.

3.  You must be 13 or older to participate in this contest.

4.  If you are selected as a winner, I will notify you by e-mail.  If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.

5.  International participants are welcome to enter the contest.

Mid-Winter's Eve Giveaway Hop 2011

Welcome to the Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop.  Thanks to Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Jessie Harrell from Oasis for YA for co-hosting!  This hop runs from December 21st to December 27th.  You have more than 200 blogs to stop by and enter a different contest.  Don't forget to check out the linky below.

artwork by Tom Angleberger

My Twitter buddies and fellow educators - Donalyn Miller and Colby Sharp started a new blog recently called the Nerdy Book Club Blog.  Other educators, librarians, and book people have been contributing guest posts.  They have been a lot of fun to read.  Recently, they even held the Nerdy Book Club Awards.  

But they didn't stop there. They also started a Café Press store.  There is lots of cool stuff in the Nerdy Book Club Store and what is wonderful is that the proceeds from the store go to RIF (Reading Is Fundamental).  For my Mid-Winter's Eve Giveaway, one lucky participant has a chance to win up to $20 in Nerdy Book Club merchandise from the Café Press Store.  Here is a sample of one of the items over at the Nerdy Book Club Store:

Wouldn't this be a great mug to sip your favorite beverage while reading from your TBR pile or checking out the blog posts written by various Nerdy Book Club Members over on the Nerdy Book Club Blog? 

Rules for the Contest:

1. Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.).  If you do enter personal information, you comment will not be posted.  

2.  You must complete the Entry Form to officially enter the contest.

3.  The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on December 21, 2011 to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on December 27th.

3.  You must be 13 or older to participate in this contest.

4.  If you are selected as a winner, I will notify you by e-mail.  If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.

5.  International participants are welcome to enter the contest.