Mundie Moms

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Book Review: Dear Bully, 70 Authors Tell Their Stories


With stories Written by: 70 different authors
Website: Dear Bully
Published by: Harper Teen
Released on: August 23rd, 2011
Source: ARC from TLA
Ages: 12 & up
5 stars- PICK IT UP

You are not alone

Discover how Lauren Kate transformed the feeling of that one mean girl getting under her skin into her first novel, how Lauren Oliver learned to celebrate ambiguity in her classmates and in herself, and how R.L. Stine turned being the “funny guy” into the best defense against the bullies in his class.

Today’s top authors for teens come together to share their stories about bullying—as silent observers on the sidelines of high school, as victims, and as perpetrators—in a collection at turns moving and self-effacing, but always deeply personal.- Quoted from Goodreads

If you have ever been bullied, pick this book up!

If you've ever been a bully and wondered if your words and actions really effected the person you bullied, pick this book up!

If you've ever thought bullying doesn't really effect anyone, than you REALLY need to pick this book up

If you're dealing with a bully or know someone who is, GO PICK THIS BOOK UP, because you will realize you are not alone! In fact, you're far from it. There's a whole slew of authors who know what you're going through and believe me, their stories will effect you one way or another.
They'll do more than make you realize you do have a friend in all this, they'll inspire and empower you to rise above the crap you're having to deal with, and help you to realize you are far better than those who are or are trying to bring you down.

Normally when I read a book like this I like to talk a little about each author's story, but this book is different. There are so many stories that one, there's no way I could fit it all in one post, or even two, and two, this entire book is one that at times made me cry, made me smile, made me think, made re-count my middle grade years, and more. Dear Bully made me think of my bullying experiences and made me think of the things I've done to others that may have effected them in ways I was effected by a bully, not that I was a bully, but this book makes you realize that all the things we do and say no matter how big or how little effect someone.

You know the old saying, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but your words will never hurt me!" Well many of us know that words are far more powerful than that saying indicates and have a longer, lasting effect than a broken bone. The stories included in this book are real experiences these authors have had, and each of them made me reflect, but the two more powerful stories came from Ellen Hopkins, who's story is the first in the book and than Heather Brewer's story. If I could send her message to every person I know who's been effected by bullying I would, but instead I'm going to close my review with a quote from her story that made me cry, and I'm not a crier:

"Bullying is a horrible thing. It sticks with you forever. It poisons you. But only if you let it. See, there's a secret that no one ever tells you when they're filling your head that this "will build character" or just completely go away when you're an adult. You have the power to decide what hurts you and what doesn't, what sticks with you, and what you use as fuel to pull yourself out of the muck. You can make the needed change in your life and give yourself happiness and joy, despite what the bullies have tried to instill in you. You can succeed at anything, at everything. But you can't let them see you cry. Instead, when they want to see those tears, when they're doing everything possible to break you down, I want you to smile and remember that they're just picking on you because they wish they were just like you, but they don't have the guts.

Remember that minion, because everyone deserves a happy ending"- pages 69 & 70

GO PICK THIS BOOK UP! Every tween, teen, teacher, parent and so forth NEEDS TO READ THIS! Bullying IS A PROBLEM and it's one that's not going away. It's at every grade level, in every school, in every town across the US (and through out the world) and it's time to change that. Thank you to each of 70 authors who not only shared their own experiences with bullying, but have now connected with their fans on a whole new level. This is a book that everyone needs to read.

Book Review & Giveaway: Amulet, The Last Council

Published by: Scholastic
Released on: September 1st, 2011
Source: publisher to review/blog tour
4 stars- It's A Great Read

Kazu Kibuishi's thrilling, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling series continues!

Emily and her friends think they’ll find the help they need in Cielis, but something isn’t right. Streets that were once busy are deserted, and the townspeople who are left live in fear. Emily is soon escorted to the Academy, where she’s expected to compete for a spot on the Guardian Coucil, a group of the most powerful Stonekeepers. But as the number of competitors gets smaller and smaller, an awful secret is slowly uncovered – a secret that, if left buried, means the certain destruction of everything Emily fights for.


I've only read a small amount of graphic novels before, and this one is one of the best ones I've read. Kazu Kibuishi's illustrations are amazing. The story itself is really good, and despite the fact I've not read the other books in the series, it didn't take me long to pick up on what was going on. Now I see why this series is so popular. After reading this I'm definitely planning on picking up the rest of this series! I'd definitely recommend picking up The Last Council. It's a great read for readers ages 9 & older.

Here's a sample of the inside of the book:


Visit the websites for Amulet at Bolt City and at Scholastic

Praise for AMULET:

“Five – no, three pages into Amulet and you’ll be hooked.”

-Jeff Smith, creator of Bone

“A must for all fantasy fans.”

-Kirkus Reviews




Thank you to Scholastic, we have 2 copies we're giving away! To enter, please fill out the form below:
- Open to residents of the US only
- 1 entry per person, per email
- If you're under 13 yrs of age, you must have your parent/guardian's permission to enter

Waiting on Wednesday: Pure by Jennifer Armentrout


Published by: Spencer Hill Press
To be released on: April 2nd, 2012

Alex lives--and loves--recklessly, until a single decision leads to a heartbreaking revelation. As a mysterious threat closes in and she confronts a Council that wants to see her in servitude, Alex must face a choice between love that is fated... and love that is forbidden.

I know this book isn't going to be released until next year, but after I read Half Blood, I have patiently (not so patiently) been waiting to read the sequel Pure. If Half Blood is this addicting, I can only imagine what Pure is going to be like.

What book are you waiting on?

Giveaway Winners!!!

CONGRATULATIONS to our latest giveaway winners!

295- Christina W

#154- Connie S
#68- Julie W


Book Winners:
#76- Deserae McG.
#49- Gayle H

Audio Book Winners:
#25- Kaitlyn S
#4- Taryn A
#37- Melissa L
#82- Dawn M

#209- Raquel

#139- Lindsey B

#14- Stephanie B

#37- PoisonIvyRed


Thank you to everyone who entered! All of our winners have been notified via email. In the event we don't hear back from our winners in the time that was allotted to them, we will pick new winners.

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