Monthly Archives: October 2011

Review: The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

The Name of the Star, Maureen Johnson G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2011 (Currently Available) Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Ghost Story Face Value: Well, unfortunately, it’s the worst, which is particularly disappointing given the high quality of the writing between the covers. But … Continue reading

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Slatebreaking Halloween: Success!

It’s not quite Halloween yet, but a friends party offered us the perfect opportunity to test out our Slatebreaking Halloween costumes IRL. First, Brianna took her own advice and dressed as Jessica Darling. Not only was this costume comfortable, it … Continue reading

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Review: Small Persons With Wings by Ellen Booream

Small Persons With Wings by Ellen Booream. Dial Books for Young Readers (2011). Currently available. Genre: Middle grade fantasy/fiction Face Value: My initial impression of this cover was very positive. I liked that we don’t see any actual fairy bodies … Continue reading

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Review: Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King

Everybody Sees the Ants by A. S. King Little, Brown & Company, 2011 (currently available) Note: We already knew we were fans of A.S. King’s writing, based on her previous and totally Slatebreaking books Dust of 100 Dogs and Please … Continue reading

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How to Have a Slatebreaking Halloween

It’s Halloween season everybody! That means it’s time for the annual cringe fest that is this year’s crop of inappropriately sexy Halloween costumes! Basically, as anyone who has ever been at a bar on Halloween (or looked at the internet) … Continue reading

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Review: The Good, The Bad, and the Barbie by Tanya Lee Stone

The Good, The Bad, and the Barbie: A Doll’s History and Her Impact on Us by Tanya Lee Stone. Viking, 2010. Currently available. Genre: Middle Grade Non-Fiction Face Value: This cover is…well…weird. I have always found the sideways glance of … Continue reading

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Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Laini Taylor Little, Brown and Company, 2011 (Currently Available) Genre: Fantasy Face Value: It could be a lot worse. There’s a truly lovely element to this cover – the blue is striking against the black … Continue reading

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Use Your Gray Matter: Girls with Bad Attitudes

I sat down the other day to read Judith Viorst’s latest children’s book, Lulu and the Brontosaurus. It was a cute story packed with snark. But you know what? Lulu is a total brat. She throws tantrums. She feels that … Continue reading

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Review: The Red Wolf by Margaret Shannon

The Red Wolf by Margaret Shannon Houghton Mifflin, 2002 (currently available) Genre: Fairy Tale, Picture Book Face Value: This is an extraordinary cover. It is a particularly extraordinary cover for a princess book targeted at 4-7 year olds. To illustrate … Continue reading

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Review: Inside the Shadow City by Kirsten Miller

Inside the Shadow City (Kiki Strike #1) by Kirsten Miller. Bloomsbury, 2006. Currently available. Genre: YA Fiction Face Value: The dual image of the girls and the city is very intriguing, and I can see how it would appeal to … Continue reading

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