about the book

Meet Edgar and Allan Poe -- twelve-year-old identical twins, the great-great-great-great-grandnephews of Edgar Allan Poe. They look and act so much alike that they're almost one mischievous, prank-playing boy in two bodies. When their beloved black cat, Roderick Usher, is kidnapped and transported to the Midwest, Edgar and Allan convince their guardians that it's time for a road trip. Along the way, mayhem and mystery ensue, as well as deeper questions: What is the boys' telepathic connection? Is Edgar Allan Poe himself reaching out to them from the Great Beyond? And why has a mad scientist been spying on the Poe family for years?

With a mix of literary humor, mystery, and a little quantum physics, this series opener is a perfect choice for smart, funny tweens who love the Time Warp Trio, Roald Dahl, and Lemony Snicket.

our thoughts

What a fun and quirky story.  I love books that hold my attention from beginning to end.  This was such a book.  The characters are amazing!  I loved the cat!!! If you read this book, you'll understand what I'm saying.  The cat is a major player (even pictured on the cover).   Acts like a real person (well, most cats do, but this one is special).

Illustrations are fantastic, they tell a story themselves.

The publishers blurb calls this book a mixture of Lemony Snicket and Roald Dahl.  I must agree.    

If you like middle grade stories (and who doesn't), you'll love this book.

we give this book 4 ice cream cones

It's here!

Nate Rocks Is At It Again . . .

According to Nathan Rockledge, fifth grade has plenty of perks. Oh sure, there’s more work and that know-it-all, Lisa Crane, is still around – but, there’s a lot to look forward to as well: a laser tag birthday party, baseball at recess, and even a cool Halloween dance. Of course, all of that means nothing without the biggest perk of all . . . the class trip to New York City in the spring. If Nathan’s class can raise enough money to go, that is.

Give Nathan paper and a pencil and watch as his imagination turns him into Nate Rocks, hero and fifth grade super star. With adventures abound, Nate saves the day time and again. But will Nate be able to save the fifth grade trip?

Join Nathan, his hilarious family, and his friends, as he rocks the school in another fun Nate Rocks adventure.

My thoughts about the book (Lucas)

Wow, awesome book.  I love the Nate Rocks books, this one is the best yet!  I love the way Nate's daydreams are so realistic.  I especially like the way his final adventure is not a dream, but reality.  He really does rock the school.  

Oh, and Ms. Toz, thanks for the great swag stuff.  I've included a picture of me with the bracelets.

This picture is of Karen Toz, the author of both the Nate and Millicent Marie books

Nate has decided to stop by and hijack my blog for a post...Take it away, Nate!

Hi! Nathan Rockledge here – you might know me better as Nate Rocks though. Do you have a problem that’s bugging you? Do you wish you could be a rock star or a dinosaur wrangler? How about a world famous racecar driver? You do? I know exactly how you feel, because I do too!! So it’s lucky you asked me here today, because I’m going to let you in on a little secret of mine.

You see, whenever I need an escape from my own world, I create a new one that’s even better. It’s easy. All you really need is a piece of paper and something to write with. I prefer pencils myself, but honestly, anything will work. 

Okay, so here’s what you do. You start thinking about what you want to be and where you want to go. Then, you start drawing. That’s it! Before you know it, you’ve entered your own secret world of mystery and fun, where you can do whatever you want, and of course, you always wind up saving the day! 

But you have to be careful, because sometimes you might find yourself drifting away when you’re supposed to be doing something else, like when you’re in school or something. I’ve done that a few too many times myself. So try not to get in trouble. But most importantly, remember one thing  - using your imagination rocks!

I agree Nate!  (Lucas here again). Sometimes I like to imagine I'm living in my Minecraft world.   Imagination is fun and you're so right....it rocks!!!

And don't forget to check out Nate's other adventures

Nate Rocks is at it again...

The highly anticipated third installment of the Nate Rocks series is here! 

According to Nathan Rockledge, fifth grade has plenty of perks. Oh sure, there’s more work and that know-it-all, Lisa Crane, is still around – but, there’s a lot to look forward to as well: a laser tag birthday party, baseball at recess, and even a cool Halloween dance. Of course, all of that means nothing without the biggest perk of all . . . the class trip to New York City in the spring. If Nathan’s class can raise enough money to go, that is.

Give Nathan paper and a pencil and watch as his imagination turns him into Nate Rocks, hero and fifth grade super star. With adventures abound, Nate saves the day time and again. But will Nate be able to save the fifth grade trip?

Join Nathan, his hilarious family, and his friends, as he rocks the school in another fun Nate Rocks adventure.

Pick up your copy at Amazon and B&N!

Chat with Karen Pokras Toz today at 10:30 am  EST and then follow the Nate Rocks the School Tour for appearances by the author and characters, reviews, and swag pack giveaways!

 
 
Grand Prize Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A GWR Publicity Event. Sponsored by Karen Pokras Toz.




Links

Website: www.karentoz.com
Blog: http://kptoz.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/karenptoz
Twitter: www.twitter.com/karentoz
Amazon: http://bit.ly/NRTSamazon
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/NRSchoolBN
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5009570.Karen_Pokras_Toz

HASHBROWN WINTERS AND

THE

MASHIMOTO MADNESS

by

Frank L. Cole

All Hashbrown Winters ever wanted was a simple life: a treehouse full of buddies, enough marbles to keep him occupied at recess, and a Brody the Ape-Slayer action figure with authentic ninja throwing stars. But everything changes when Hi Mashimoto starts a rival club and threatens to take Hashbrown's place as the kid with the coolest treehouse at Pordunce Elementary.

our review (Mom and Lucas)

Frank Cole delivers more wonderful reading material for kids! Hashbrown Winters is a fantastic book. This particular book is the second in the Hashbrown series. It is truly laugh out loud funny. It is a well written story about Hashbrown and another kid, Mashimoto. Kids will learn how rivals must work together to achieve a common goal. This is a wonderfully written story that grade school kids (especially boys) will appreciate. I can't wait to read what's next for Hashbrown and his friends at Pordunce School.

about the book:

Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning?

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. 

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. 

If she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Watched this movie with mom the other night, and had to read the book.  Books are always better than the movie, movies leave out so much.  I love this book.  I think the actors chosen for the characters did an awesome job, especially Peeta.  Don't know Woody H. but mom says he is a great actor.  I think he did a great job as Haymitch.  The book is much better!  

STAY TUNED---IT'S COMING AND WE ARE GOING TO BE PART OF IT


 Nate Rocks the School Book Blast & Tour
March 4 - 24

According to Nathan Rockledge, fifth grade has plenty of perks. Oh sure, there’s more work, and he still has to deal with the know-it-all, Lisa Crane. Luckily, there is a lot to look forward to as well: a laser tag birthday party, baseball at recess, and even a cool Halloween dance. Of course, all of that means nothing without the biggest perk of all … the class trip to New York City in the spring. If his class can raise enough money to go, that is.

Give Nathan paper and a pencil, and watch as his imagination turns him into Nate Rocks, hero and fifth-grade super star. With adventures abound, Nate saves the day time and again. But will Nate be able to save the fifth grade trip?

Join Nathan, his hilarious family, and his friends, as he rocks the school in another fun Nate Rocks adventure.

“Two-headed monsters, giant tentacles, angry demons – Lovecraft Middle School is great creepy fun!”

–Ransom Riggs, author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

This second novel in the Tales from Lovecraft Middle School series begins right where Professor Gargoyle ended.  Seventh-grader Robert Arthur has discovered that two of his classmates are actually sinister snake-women in disguise. Even worse, his new middle school is full of “gates” to a terrifying alternate dimension – a haunted mansion full of strange spirits and monstrous beasts.  For Robert to protect his teachers and classmates, he'll need to return to this haunted dimension with his best friends Glenn and Karina.   Can they uncover the secrets of Lovecraft Middle School before it's too late?

The Slither Sisters features more bizarre beasts, more strange mysteries, and more adventure.  It's perfect for readers ages 10 and up. Best of all, the cover features a state-of-the-art “morphing” photo portrait – so you can personally witness the sisters transforming into their slithering alter egos.  You won't believe your eyes!

Our thoughts:

What a fun series!  Book two is a fantastic continuation of the Tales from Lovecraft Middle School.  A school being overtaken by monsters.   The characters are fun and engaging. The storyline is wonderful.  This is a series that will encourage middle grade students to read!  It is a unique story.   Kids, both boys and girls, will love the characters of Robert, Glen and Karina.  Pip and Squeak are fun, too- even if they are rats!  I'm anxiously awaiting the third installment in this series and I highly recommend it for anyone who likes different stories.



And don't miss book one of the series