I'd So Rather Be Reading: July 2016

Harry Potter as a Play {Harry Potter & the Cursed Child Release}

The Eighth Story. Nineteen Years Later.

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016.

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

The release of the new Harry Potter installment has very mixed reviews just 24 hours after its release. Harry Potter & the Cursed Child is labeled as the 8th installment of the series but it is not a written novel like its predecessors. This new installment is the rehearsal script for a PLAY written by Rowling's and two others.

I've never read a script and I am a little hesitant to dive in.
I want to know, did it bring back all #thefeels ? Is it still fun to read as a script? Were all the goodies you got at the midnight release epic?!?

image source: goodreads.com

AW Teen Summer Reading Challenge

Join the AW Teen Summer Reading Challenge and win books!

Who: Everyone who loves reading YA!

What: Read any AW Teen title (full list here: http://www.albertwhitman.com/teen/) and review it anywhere (your blog, Goodreads, Instagram, YouTube—wherever!).

When: June 15-August 31, 2016

How: Submit the link to your review here.

You will receive 1 entry for every AW Teen Book you review.

You will receive extra entries for sharing that review on Goodreads, Netgalley, Edelweiss, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or other review sites.

You will receive even more extra entries for following us on our Albert Whitman and AW Teen social media sites!

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Prize Package: Six AW Teen ’16 titles

Future Shock (hardcover)

Elena Martinez has hidden her eidetic memory all her life—or so she thinks. When powerful tech giant Aether Corporations selects her for a top-secret project, she can’t say no. All she has to do is participate in a trip to the future, and she’ll be set for life. Elena travels with four other teens with special skills, including Adam, a science prodigy. Soon they find themselves running out of time, and deadly secrets are uncovered. Can Elena and her new friends figure out how to change their futures?

Resurrecting Sunshine (ARC)

Seventeen-year-old Adam Rhodes is famous, but he’s been in a downward spiral since he lost the girl he loved, Marybeth, who went by the stage name Sunshine. Then, Adam is approached by Dr. Elloran with Project Orpheus, who wants to resurrect Sunshine. As the process sweeps Adam and Marybeth ever closer to reliving the tragedy that destroyed them, Adam must decide how far he’ll go to save her.

Until I Break (ARC)

Two boys: One is a star athlete and top student with a deep-seated need to prove himself. The other is a chip-on-his-shoulder quarterback who will never settle for second best. When gunshots echo through the halls of Broadmeadow High School, whose finger is on the trigger? This unforgettable novel counts down the twelve months leading up to an explosive moment.

Biggie (paperback)

At an obese 300+ pounds, Henry “Biggie” Abbott prefers classroom success to sports. As Biggie’s junior year begins, the girl of his dreams, Annabelle Rivers, starts flirting with him. He’s been told to follow in his dad’s footsteps and play baseball, but Annabelle might be the one to actually convince him to try.

Girl Last Seen (hardcover)

YouTube stars and best friends Kadence and Lauren recently had a major falling-out over Kadence’s boyfriend. Kadence launched her solo career when a nasty throat infection paralyzed Lauren’s vocal cords. And she knows how deceptive Kadence could be sometimes. But nobody believes Lauren when she claims she had nothing to do with Kady’s disappearance.

Hurricane Kiss (hardcover)

For sixteen-year-old Jillian McKay, the threat of Hurricane Danielle means a long car ride with her neighbors—including River Daughtry, the former star quarterback of Harrison High. The guy who was headed to glory until suddenly he disappeared to a West Texas juvenile detention center. Once cocky and flirtatious, he’s now silent and angry. But their evacuation route is soon gridlocked. As the teens wait out the storm, they confront the past and realize survival is more than just staying alive—it’s about fighting for yourself.

Join the fun and get your read on this summer!

Book Review: Welcome to Sortilege Falls (Grape Merriweather #1) by Libby Heily

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Grape Merriweather has just moved to Sortilege Falls and already she knows something isn't right. A small pack of teenage models, too beautiful for words, holds the town in their sway. The models have no plans on making Grape's life easy. But no matter how cruel they are to Grape and the other “Normals”, no one can stay angry with them for long.

Grape's life changes for the better, or so she thinks, when Mandy, the only “nice” model, befriends her. But that’s when the trouble truly begins. Mandy's friendship places Grape smack in the middle of a medical mystery that has the entire town on edge. One by one, the models fall ill from an incurable disease. Grape quickly realizes that the models' parents are hiding a secret, even as they watch their children die. To save her only friend, Grape will have to find the truth–and that means putting her life in danger.

Release Date: May 2016
Age Group: YA
Source: Review Copy from Author
Reviewed By: Nat

Review:
I finally found a YA series that had all #thefeels of a Goosebump mixed with the sleuthing heart of Nancy Drew!

Do not let the cover fool you. I will admit that that is the only thing that kind of turned me off. But man, you really can't judge a book by it's cover or you will really miss out on a good little story. I enjoyed such a face-paced read and really loved Grape. I mean how can you not love someone named after a fruit drink. For such a quick read I was guessing the outcome about every 5th page and then I would change my mind or find out I was totally off. I LOVED that I couldn't guess the plot. I am not going to divulge too many details because even the slightest comment could be a spoiler. But I will say that I thought of Nancy Drew with a little paranormal flare and one specific Goosebump tale.

Bravo to Libby for creating a new fun world that I am now pining for! I can't wait for Grape to come back. When Libby, when?

PS This is a CLEAN read, which I found refreshing. I didn't have to jump over any bombs or close my eyes.

image source: goodreads.com

Book to Movie Review: The BFG

To simply put it, this movie exceeded all expectations! Hands down one of the best adaptations of all time. I don't have a single complaint. I was worried I had beef'ed it up too much to my kids and feared they wouldn't get #thefeels that come when you read BFG but DANG did Spielberg bring his A-game. There are several scenes that are spitting images of the illustrations found in the BFG book but have been brought to life with incredible visual effects.

It's a wonderful tribute to Roald Dahl's work and one of the most family friendly films of the year.