Mundie Moms

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Thoughtful Thursday & Giveaway

With the beginning of summer I thought we'd take a moment to spotlight a wonderful summer program that many of us have taking part in since we were kids, Summer Reading Programs. Summer time is perfect time to promote healthy reading habits with our children and even for ourselves.

Many local libraries have some great Summer Reading Programs. This a great way to support your local libraries, as they have wonderful incentives for kids, teen and adults alike to read. Libraries will vary on their reading programs, but the core of the program is to promote reading. The cost is FREE and in most cases all it requires you to do is keep track of the minutes you read. *be sure to visit your local library for more information and their specific rules*

While I support my local libraries, I am a huge supporter of my personal at home library. There's just something about having a room full of books that makes me giddy. There's so many wonderful summer releases coming out, that I just can't help myself and will be adding them to my collection.

One of those great releases is Everlasting by Angie Frazier. We chatted with Angie last week and mentioned a giveaway on our chat. Angie has graciously offered to give away TWO of her books! Believe me, this is a perfect summer read!! Here's all you have to do-

Happy Book Birthday!

Happy Book Birthday to Heidi R. Kling's Sea! I really adore this book!! Don't forget, we'll be chatting with Heidi Kling tomorrow night, here on our site at 9 pm EDT!!

Book Review- Harmonic Feedback

Author: Tara Kelly
Published by Henry Holt and Co.
Released: May 2010
Rating: 5 stars- This is a must have

Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old, music- and sound design-obsessed Drea doesn’t have friends. She has, as she’s often reminded, issues. Drea’s mom and a rotating band of psychiatrists have settled on “a touch of Asperger’s.”

Having just moved to the latest in a string of new towns, Drea meets two other outsiders. And Naomi and Justin seem to actually like Drea. The three of them form a band after an impromptu, Portishead-comparison-worthy jam after school. Justin swiftly challenges not only Drea’s preference for Poe over Black Lab but also her perceived inability to connect with another person. Justin, against all odds, may even like like Drea.

It’s obvious that Drea can’t hide behind her sound equipment anymore. But just when she’s found not one but two true friends, can she stand to lose one of them?

This is basically the same review from Page Turners, Katie asked me to post this as my review for this month.

From the moment I heard about this book, I knew I had to read it. I was not disappointed. I was, extremely surprised at how a simple book, about a girls first friends could ignite so many emotions. I cant really give you a better synopsis of the book, then the one on goodreads - so I am just going to tell you what I loved about this book.

The character development was wonderful. I felt like I was just another part of Drea.

Drea, is a very realistic character. I wondered, how well a narrator with Asperger's would translate on paper. Tara did an amazing job bringing Drea to life. I loved, that her grandmother was outspoken and stubborn, she was a great character. I even loved that she just considered Drea a brat, because I run into people like that all the time.
Her mom, although flighty and co-dependent really did have Drea's best interest at heart; and was lenient and let Drea make her own mistakes. Her flawed friends are very much a part of the book. They become your friends - you care about what happens to them, and you fall head over heels for Justin.

The storyline was very realistic- music, fast cars, drugs, sex. All things teenagers deal with on a daily basis, and not everyone in the story makes the right choices.

And last but not least- and this part alone is worth buying the book. I am warning you, its a little spoiler. There is this one scene- when Justin takes Drea to meet his sister and play the piano for her. SWOON! I know, it sounds a little like another book we know and love, but, I promise this scene is SO MUCH BETTER!!

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