GreenBeanTeenQueen

Remember back when Pretty Little Liars started and I was a secret keeper ? Well, it turns out A is never too far away and she's got more in store for us! This week I got a mysterious package from A: When I opened it up, there was a bowl of orange M&M's that all said "trick" "treat" or "witches" a flashlight, and a note that said the light would reveal the truth: Using the flashlight, I found a website that A had set up with this special sneak peek of Pretty Little Liars which is back on ABC Family January 3rd! Remember-A is watching!!

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars Genre: Contemporary Comic/Graphic Novel Release Date: 9/1/2010 Add to Goodreads FYI: This is an adult title, but I do think older teens would enjoy it. About the Book: After a fight with her boyfriend one evening, Alexandra is wandering the streets of Chicago when she comes across the Night Bookmobile. There's something familiar about this bookmobile and she realizes it contains every book she's ever read. But when morning comes, the bookmobile and it's kind librarian move on. Alexandra spends years searching for the bookmobile and reading and adding to her collection. Her search for the mysterious bookmobile becomes and obsession as Alexandra longs to be reunited with her bookmobile. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: The Night Bookmobile is hauntingly good. If you're an avid reader and a book lover, you'll find yourself in Alexandra. The book is fairly short and the illustrations aren't always superb, but the story is what sells this book a

Rating: 4/5 Stars Genre: Contemporary/Horror/Poetry Release Date: 8/17/2010 Add to Goodreads About the Book: Middle school is hard enough but trying being a zombie! Loeb is a zombie and at his school, zombies and humans don't mix. But Loeb has a crush on human Siobhan. Can Loeb enter the poetry contest and school and win over the girl? GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: When Brains for Lunch came across my desk at the library in my new book stash, I knew I had to check it out. Brains for Lunch is a fun twist on zombies. The book is told entirely in haiku-you see, zombies talk in haiku. The haiku format is creative and makes for a fun fast read. It's a short book-just under 100 pages-and the short poetry format makes the book go quickly. The haiku format does give the reader a good idea of zombie speak, but at times I wish there was room for just a bit more story. I wanted to know just a bit more about the characters and the school that couldn't really be written in such a sh

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted here at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens. Join the fun and leave your Tween Tuesday link below. How to Trap a Zombie, Track a Vampire and other Hands-On Activities for Monster Hunters by A.R. Rotruck Rating: 4/5 Stars Genre: Fantasy/Crafts Release Date: 9/14/2010 Add to Goodreads About the Book: If you want to be a monster hunter, you'll need this guide to teach you. Everything you need to know about monsters, zombies and other creatures you might encounter and everything you'll need to take with you, this book is the ultimate monster hunting guide. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: How to Trap a Zombie is a book that teachers and librarians who work with tweens will want to have. The crafts and activities included can easily be adapted into a program. The way to book is written, it reads as though it's a guide for young wizards who are wanting to hunt monsters. There is advice about monster hunting trips ranging fr

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars Genre: Contemporary Release Date: 8/24/2010 Add to Goodreads About the Book: Fifteen-year-old Kyle Chase is coasting through high school. He's part of the "hoodies" crowd and he doesn't really fit in. He's awkward, he's on the fringe of his friend group, he's failing his classes, and he can't seem to tell the girl he likes how he feels. Then new student Zack shows up and Kyle slowly and unwillingly befriends him. Zack is after Kyle's weak spot and is out to break Kyle and everyone else in his path. Nothing will be the same-and when did it really all start? GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: There's a reason the ARC of You has blurb after blurb from authors, librarians and booksellers-Charles Benoit has written a stunning YA debut. In the author's note in the beginning of the book, Mr. Benoit states that Kyle is not a bad teen nor is he good teen, but he's a typical teen and I couldn't agree more. Kyle is that teen boy tha

Calling all writers! Author Holly Schindler , author of A Blue So Dark , needs your help! Each month Holly is hosting a writing challenge on her blog called Flash Fiction. Using ideas gathered from her readers, Holly will write a short fiction piece based on one of the writing prompts she recieves. Here's the rules according to Holly: THE RULES: Okay, I'm not much of a rules kind of gal (as you'll be able to tell by the loosey-goosey requirements outlined below). But here they are: 1. Come up with a writing prompt. It can be anything. Totally random. (The prompt in no way has to relate or reflect back to the original "Rocket In Real Life" flash fiction post...unless, of course, you want it to.) The prompt can be a title. A first line / last line. A list of words I have to incorporate. A character name. A setting. A metaphor I have to use. Or anything else you come up with. And I welcome, welcome challenges. The tougher the better. Try to stump me! (FYI: I called i

If you're a reader of GreenBeanTeenQueen, you know I love romance! I'm a sucker for a good romantic tale, I love funny and charming chick lit, and I always think if a story has a dash of a romantic plot, it makes it even better. But romance has to get it right, which can be tricky. As much as I love romance, I can be a very picky romance reader. falls I've come across many books that have romance in them, but I feel like the romance falls flat. So I've been thinking about what makes a romance work. If a romance is going to get it right (for me at least), I think it needs to avoid these things: -I really really hate "love at first sight" that never develops beyond that. No more of these stories where the characters see each other and are immediately have a "connection" all based on the other persons hotness. -Relationships need to develop beyond making out. If the characters spend all their time making out and staring into each other's eyes and t

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme to highlight great reads for tweens (and sometimes giveaways!) Join the fun and leave your link below. Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not So Fabulous Life by Rachel Renee Russell It's a known fact that if you work with tweens, you're going to be asked "I want books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid ." When that happens, give them Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russell. The Dork Diaries books have a great sense of humor and Nikki gives us a great girl perspective into middle school. Nikki's at a new school and she feels like a dork. But really Nikki is a funny, creative, artist who lets readers peek into her diary and read her observations about middle school. Want to win a Dork Diaries prize pack? I've got copies of Dork Diaries 1 and 2 (thanks to the author) and a Slumber Party Cube from Table Topics (donted by Table Topics). Open to ages 13+, US Address Only, Contest ends Oct 26, midnight CT To Enter: Leave a comment and answer this fun

Marian the Librarian from Beautiful Creatures and Beautiful Darkness is my favorite librarian character in YA. I have to give a huge shout-out to Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl for creating such a kick butt and awesome librarian! So because I love Marian, I was thinking about what books would be on Marian’s bookshelf or TBR pile. And here’s what I pick for the Caster librarian: - The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling -I think Ms. Marian would enjoy reading about Harry and his magical adventures and I would hope she’s as big of a Harry Potter fan as I am! - Girl’s Guide to Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky -I’m sure Marian would get a kick out of this adult chick lit title-it’s about a librarian (like her) who finds out she’s a witch. - What the Librarian Did by Karina Bliss -Marian delivers romance novels to the town of Gatlin, but I wonder if she might have a soft spot for them as well? Plus, I think she'd get a kick out of this one! - Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink- Wi

Novel Noise Beautiful Darkness Tour Rating: 4/5 Stars Genre: Paranormal Release Date: 10/12/2010 Add to Goodreads Purchase from Book Depository Beautiful Creatures Review About the Book: The Gatlin Ethan Wate knew changed when he met Lena Duchannes. Lena's sixteenth birthday has come and gone and Lena is caught between light and dark and is wracked with guilt over her uncle's death. As she starts to push Ethan away, Ethan begins to have visions that only he can see. Ethan finds himself pulled into the Caster world's dark and dangerous tunnels and it's up to Ethan to find Lena and help her save herself. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Beautiful Darkness is another seductive southern Gothic offering from Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. There are many twists and turns throughout the story and plenty of delicious surprises! The thing that made the first book, Beautiful Creatures , stand out for me were the fabulous supporting characters. And they shine again here-from Marian t

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars Genre: Humor Release Date: 10/5/2010 Add to Goodreads About the Book: Poor Finbar. He's always lived in his athletic twin brother's shadow. Finbar is quiet, not at all athletic and can never seem to get a girl. He's pale, spends Friday nights watching chick-flicks with his mom, and he just found out he's allergic to the sun. But when he discovers that all the girls at his new school are going crazy for vampires, Finbar decides he's going to turn himself into a vampire to get girls. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: For anyone who is feeling burnt out on vampire books, give Bloodthirsty a try! The story is pretty funny and Finbar's attempts to transform himself and his observations about high school girls will be sure to leave readers laughing. Finbar is a narrator who has a wry sense of humor that will resonate with readers. Not only is this one a spoof of sorts of vampire novels, it's also a look at the craziness of high school life. Plus, it

I first saw this idea on The Story Siren and Kristi is awesome and said I could use it!:) I really do try to finish every book that I read, but I also give myself a 50 page rule (or longer depending on the length of the book). I really do believe that there's a book for every reader and sometimes a book just isn't for me-or it's just not the right time. And I tell my teens all the time that if you're not liking a book, don't spend your time on it! Don't force yourself to finish something that you're not enjoying-why would you like reading if you did that? So here's some recent reads I'm just not into. Just because I couldn't get into this books doesn't mean you should pass on them. Give them a try and let me know what you think! (My teens love challenging me on books!) Greek: Double Date by Marsha Warner -Ok, so maybe this one wasn't for me because I haven't seen the show. And you know, normally I don't mind Christian stereotyp

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme that highlights great reads for tweens hosted right here at GreenBeanTeenQueen! Join the fun and provide your Tween Tuesday link below! Rating: 3.5/5 Stars Genre: Historical/Adventure Release Date: 9/18/2008 Add to Goodreads About the Book: Tristan is an orphan who has been raised in the monastery that he was left at as a baby. When the Knights Templar stop for the night, Sir Thomas offers Tristan a position as his squire. Tristan joins the Knights as they first prepare for battle and then ship off to fight in the crusades. Sir Thomas entrusts Tristan with a delicate and holy artifact and it's up to Tristan to make sure it remains safe. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I'll admit, I first heard about this book several years ago when the author was at our local children's lit fest. I thought there was no way a book about the Knights Templar would work for young readers. Then Keeper of the Grail was nominated for the Truman award, which is our state

I presented a session on What's Hot on YA Fiction and Non-Fiction at MLA today. Here's the handouts from my session for those that couldn't make it to the session or missed out on the handouts! What’s Hot In YA Fiction and Non-Fiction MLA 2010 Printz Award Possibilities Bacigalupi, Paolo. Ship Breaker. May 2010. ISBN: 0316056219 Donnelly, Jennifer. Revolution. October 2010. ISBN: 0385737637 Green, John & Levithan, David. Will Grayson, Will Grayson. April 2010 ISBN: 0525421580 Marchetta, Melina. Finnikin of the Rock. February 2010. ISBN: 0763643610 Sachar, Louis. The Cardturner. May 2010. ISBN: 0385736622 Stork, Franciso X. The Last Summer of the Death Warriors. March 2010. ISBN: 0545151333 Newbery Award Possibilities Turner, Megan Whalen. A Conspiracy of Kings. March 2010 ISBN: 0061870935 Wiles, Deborah. Countdown. May 2010. ISBN: 0545106052 Williams-Garcia, Rita. One Crazy Summer. January 2010. ISBN: 0060760885 Morris Award Possibilities Nelson, Jandy. The Sky Is Every

To those of you who found this blog thanks to MLA-WELCOME! I hope you enjoy the blog and have fun exploring. Sarah's Picks Need to Know Releases are listed under the Booklists -both Spring 2010 and Fall 2010 lists are there. I hope you find these helpful! Let me know if you have any questions and thanks again for visiting!

My teens are always raving about how much they love Cinda Williams Chima's books. I met Ms. Chima at ALA last year and she was so incredibly nice! I got an advanced copy of The Demon King which was immediately snatched up by my teen readers and I haven't seen it since! They keep telling me to read the book, but I just haven't had the time. Well, I finally made time and I started reading The Demon King and I have to tell you, I should have listened to my teens all along! I'm not yet finished with the book (see Monday's post about getting a new puppy-that's been taking up my reading time!) but I am really enjoying the book. I'm not the biggest fan of fantasy, but that's what makes The Demon King so great-it's accessible to readers of genre. Now the sequel, The Exiled Queen, is being fought over by my teens! And if I thought I liked Ms. Chima before her guest post, she's even higher on my list of amazing authors after this amazing guest post! I thi

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted here at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens! Join the fun and leave your link below! Rating: 4/5 Stars Genre: Mythology Release Date: Various Add to Goodreads About the Books: The children of Greek gods attend a special academy just for them called Mount Olympus Academy. They study everything they need to know about mortal manipulation, beauty and inventions. Each girl has a story of her own-Athena didn't know she was a goddess and she's always been the smart brainy one, but now she's behind at MOA! Persephone tries to please everyone, but when she meets bad boy Hades, she finds she can finally be herself. And Aphrodite only wanted to help out a friend, but her makeover is giving her some unwanted competition! GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Since Percy Jackson hit the big time, I've been combing my library for fun humorous takes on Greek mythology. I'm a big fan of the new Goddess Girls series! These books are

When I'm not blogging, I'm taking care of my cute little dogs! On Saturday Mr. GreenBeanSexy Man and I went to pick up the newest addition to our family-a male Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier! We named him Zedd (after Zedd in the Sword of Truth Series ) and his full name is Zeddicus Albus Zul' Thompson (yes we're dorks!) His big sister dog Wrigley isn't sure wh at to think of him yet, but she's getting used to him. And Zedd has explored my office library and already walked over a stack of books-I hope he doesn't try eating them like Wrigley did! Welcome to the family Zedd!