The Kicks- Saving the Team by Alex Morgan ARC Breview

The Kicks- Saving the Team by Alex Morgan

Illustrated by Paul Franco

ebook, 176 pages

Published May 7th 2013
by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

ISBN 1442485728

Book Source: Edelweiss

5 Stars

Book Summary From Goodreads: From star soccer player and Olympic gold medalist Alex Morgan comes the first book in an empowering, fun-filled middle grade series about believing in yourself and working as a team.Twelve-year-old Devin loves to play soccer. If she hadn’t just left Connecticut to move across the country, she would have been named seventh-grade captain on her school soccer team.

But now that Devin is starting seventh grade in Kentville, California, all bets are off. After all, some of the best players on the US national team come from California. She’s sure to have stiff competition. Or so she thinks.

When Devin shows up for tryouts, she discovers that the Kentville Kangaroos—otherwise known as the Kicks—are an absolute mess. Their coach couldn’t care less whether the girls win or lose. And Devin is easily one of the most talented players.

The good news is, Devin quickly makes friends with funny, outgoing Jessi; shy but sweet Zoe; and klutzy Emma. Can Devin and her newfound friends pull together and save the team from itself?

Breview: She was running as fast as she could. Her friend Kara and herself were like on a string attached together. Kara passed it high high, she flicked her head forward in aim of the goal, she hit it, and ggooaall!! Her friends lifted her up and chanted her name but it was really a dream.  She woke up and looked at her sister.

It was the first day of school and her dad was going to drive them to school. She opened a picture of her friend and saw the outfit she had described in her text. Her hair was in a long brown pony tail.  Then her mom yelled up to her that she had to go to school early to get paper work done . She started to eat breakfast and got on their way.  Soccer tryouts was today on the first day of  school.

My favorite character in the story is Kara.  I liked her because I love friends!

I enjoyed this book because I love soccer a lot .

age 10

About the author: Alex Morgan became the youngest member of the US women’s national soccer team in 2009 and competed in the 2011 FIFA World Cup. She was the first overall pick in the 2011 Women’s Professional Soccer draft and landed a spot on the US Olympic women’s soccer team in 2012. At the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, held in London, Morgan won her first Olympic medal, a gold, with the American team. The team beat Japan, 2–1, in a match watched by nearly 80,300 fans—the largest soccer crowd in Olympics history.

Photo from Equalizersoccer.com

Learn more at Simon and Schuster/ Goodreads

House Of Secrets by Chris Columbus and Ned Vizzini Harper Collins Sneak Peek

Catch a sneak peek of House of Secrets, the new bestseller from Chris Columbus and Ned Vizzini right here on Little Red Reads. Thanks HarperCollins!

Watson Series by Craig Farmer- Review and Signed Book Giveaway

• Watson Everyday 
• by Craig Farmer
• Paperback: 28 pages
• Published January 22, 2013
• by Tate Publishing 
• ISBN-10: 162295808X
• Book Source: author
• 5 stars
• 
  

Watson Everyday Book Summary from the author's page: Watson knows that everyday life is filled with choices that affect his own happiness and that of others. He shows how daily decisions can make a big difference. Join Watson in his routines of getting ready for the day, performing his chores, caring for his toys, and heading to bed, among many other everyday adventures. If Watson can do it, you can too!

View a sample page of this book. To hear the audio book, click here and enter the code: eb15-dfea-79c1-f928-6798-42db-939b-af28

Heather's Review: My children love Watson, the cute terrier who lives a life full of values and politeness. Each book in the four book series teaches children simply and clearly how to have manners, respect for their elders and how to contribute to school and home. As a mother I appreciate books like this that are enjoyable for all ages and have a moral built in. Out society needs more citizens like Watson who are willing to do chores without complaining and prodding. Thanks so much to the author for his insight!

About the Author: Craig Farmer is the author of the Watson series. He lives in Riverton, Utah with his wife Julia, and of course, Watson.

Watson books are published through Tate Publishing, a mainline publishing house dedicated to working with aspiring authors and giving their book its best chance in the marketplace. If you’ve ever thought about publishing a book, you should visit Tate Publishing.

The Giveaway: Little Red Reads is giving away your choice of the four Watson books autographed by the author. 

Simply comment below to enter. Giveaway ends May 21, 2013 and is open to US only.

The Buttersmiths' Gold by Adam Glendon Sidwell Book Release and Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

Little Red Reads is thrilled to be a part of the book release and blog tour for...

The Buttersmiths' Gold

BATTLES. BLUEBERRIES. BOVINES.

TORBJORN AND STORFJELL’S HISTORY UNFOLDS IN AN EPIC EVERTASTER NOVELLA.

Everyone knows the most coveted treasure of the Viking Age was blueberry muffins. Blueberry muffins so succulent that if you sniffed just a whiff, you'd want a whole bite. If you bit a bite, you'd want a batch; if you snatched a batch, you'd stop at nothing short of going to war just to claim them all. 

Young Torbjorn Trofastsonn comes from the clan that makes them. He's a Viking through and

through – he's thirteen winters old, larger than most respectable rocks, and most of all, a Buttersmith. That's what he thinks anyway, until a charismatic merchant makes Torbjorn question his place among the muffin-makers. When Torbjorn lets the secret of his clan's muffin recipe slip, he calls doom and destruction down upon his peaceful village and forces his brother Storfjell and his clansmen to do the one thing they are ill-prepared to do: battle for their lives.

About The Buttersmiths' Gold

The Buttersmiths' Gold is a spin off novella in the Evertaster series that tells the story of two Viking brothers and their adventurous past. The Evertaster series (Book #1 released June 14, 2012) is about Guster Johnsonville, who goes searching for a legendary taste rumored to be the most delicious in all of history. Along the way he meets a slew of mysterious characters, including two Viking brothers Torbjorn and Storfjell. The Buttersmiths' Gold is their story. 124 pages. By Adam Glendon Sidwell. Published by Future House Publishing. 

Evertaster, Book #1:

A legendary taste. Sought after for centuries. Shrouded in secrecy.

When eleven-year-old Guster Johnsonville rejects his mother’s casserole for the umpteenth time, she takes him into the city of New Orleans to find him something to eat. There, in a dark, abandoned corner of the city they meet a dying pastry maker. In his last breath he entrusts them with a secret: an ancient recipe that makes the most delicious taste the world will ever know — a taste that will change the fate of humanity forever.

Forced to flee by a cult of murderous chefs, the Johnsonvilles embark on a perilous journey to ancient ruins, faraway jungles and forgotten caves. Along the way they discover the truth: Guster is an Evertaster — a kid so picky that nothing but the legendary taste itself will save him from starvation. With the sinister chefs hot on Guster’s heels and the chefs’ reign of terror spreading, Guster and his family must find the legendary taste before it’s too late.

You can get the book on Amazon here: 

In Celebration of the release of Evertaster Book 2 the author is giving away a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of The Buttersmith's Gold. 

To enter to win, fill out the rafflecopter form below. Good Luck!

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Zeke Meeks Vs the Big Blah-Rific Birthday- Children's Book Spotlight

Zeke Meeks Vs the Big Blah-Rific Birthday
by DL Green
Hardcover, 128 pages
Published February 1st 2013 
by Picture Window Books
ISBN 1404881050
Book Source: Netgalley
5 stars

Book Summary from Goodreads: When Zeke's birthday party falls near Grace Chang's and Owen Leech's big bashes, he decides to cancel his party. After all, even he would rather go to their over-the-top parties than his simple celebration. But Zeke and his classmates are in for a surprise. Bigger doesn't always mean better.

Caleb's Book Summary: Zeke got home from school and his mom said he could make his invitations for his birthday. His sister looked up from her boy magazine and Zeke said " I hate girls"  When he asked if his sister if she had kissed a boy --her face turned red.

At Zeke's birthday they eat and make cup cakes and they also made them they have a contest for who can vacuum the rugs the fastest and dust the shelves. Then his sister suggests they paint the dog's nails

After the party was over Zeke heard the door bell ring. He opened his door and another boy was there with all of his friends. He asked Zeke if they could have the party at his house since they all had a blast at Zeke's birthday party. 

Caleb's Book Breview: I read book one and liked Zeke Meeks Vs the Big Blah-Rific Birthday even better. My favorite character is Zeke's dog. There is also this creepy girl with long nails like a cat. I recommend the book to girls instead of boys because this one insults girls. This series is just funny!

Caleb, age 8

Author Bio from DL Garfinkle's website: "I grew up in L.A., the second of four children. I’ve always loved to read and write.

I majored in Economics at Brandeis University in Massachusetts, went to UC Berkeley’s law school, worked as an appellate bankruptcy lawyer in San Diego, married, had three children, and wrote my first novel.

Now I’m a fulltime homemaker/writer in Orange County, California. Penguin has published five of my young adult novels, and Mirrorstone (owned by Hasbro) and Capstone have published my twelve children’s books. In addition to writing books, I write a humor column for local sections of the Orange County Register and how-to articles for magazines such as Writer’s Digest Magazine. I hope you enjoy my writing."

Find out more on Goodreads/ Capstone Kids/ Author website

Cupcake Queen by Marci Peschke, Tuesday Mourning Children's Review

Cupcake Queen

by Marci Peschke, Tuesday Mourning

Board Book, 112 pages

Published February 1st 2013 

by Kylie Jean

ISBN 1404875808 

Book Source: Netgalley

5 stars

Book Summary From Goodreads: Kylie Jean needs money, so she decides to start selling cupcakes. But her doggie cupcakes can fund a really important cause helping orphan dogs at the shelter!

Meghan's (age 10)  Review: Kylie lives in Texas with her mom dad and two brothers. She lives on Peachtree lane. All of her aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents live in Jacksonville, Texas. Kylie has blue eyes, and brown curly hair.

Ever since she has been a little bitty baby she has wanted to be a beauty queen. Mostly on Saturdays she loves to go to garage sales with her mom dad and grandpa and grandma. When they leave they go out for pancakes. Kylie circles with a pink marker the big or even huge sales. Her granny buys her a fake necklace and puts it in the palm of her hand. 

They are invited to a tea party. Mrs. Clarabelle has 5 tea rules and she asks what they have been doing. They say they have been trying to find a business. Kylie thinks for a minute and then it came to her she is going to sell cupcakes. She tells her mom she said it was ok but she has to pay for the ingredients with her allowance. Kylie and Lucy go upstairs and count her allowance... she has 30 dollars. She asks her dad if they could have a garage sale.  He says that they have to ask their mom. Mom said yes but they had to clean out the garage. They agreed and got straight to work finding lots of boxes. She puts together some dolls she does not want and puts them in a box to sell. Then it is time to go to bed. So she gets into her bed with ugly brother and thinks about all they put together.

Kylie went to school and sat down at her table that she shared with her friends. She told them that she was going to sell cupcakes even doggie ones. That day at lunch they had corn dogs. They also had lucky Popsicle day. She got pink lemonade. After school she runs out to her bus and yells yay for Mr. Jim! When she gets home she asks Mr. Jim how many cupcakes he wants. He said he wanted a whole dozen. 

When she got inside her mom slipped on her cupcake apron. Her brother T.J. wants one but she says he has to help make cupcakes to get one. They get moving. Her dad is the judge of the cupcakes. And ugly brother wants to be the judge of the doggie ones. They try the cupcakes. Doggie says yes. Then dad tries them he says the winner is mom.  She takes some cupcakes to the doggie shelter so the dogs their can try them they like them. He is going to have to close the puppy palace. So they plan to give him the garage sale money. She invites her friends over to help they make posters for both things. They wonder who needs a dog. They say Mrs. Clarabelle! She is so lonely in her house, so she might want one. There mom gets them pizza and makes sure they get plenty of rest. The next morning mom wakes Kylie her up early to get her stand ready. Mrs. Clarabelle comes over and gets a strawberry cupcake. They make $220.25... they hope it is enough. 

After church they take her over to the puppy palace to give him the money and to meet Tess. She is so adorable.  She gets Tess. And when they get home they play with her. The dogs are excited they lick each other and they sit on the front step. They might be in puppy love! The next day they eat chicken noodle soup. They eat cupcakes for dessert.

I liked the part when they had the garage sale and Kylie sold cupcakes. Because I love all of the flavors that you had in the story.  This is one of the best books I’ve read and I want to buy the rest of the series!

About the author: Marci Bales Peschke was born in Indiana, grew up in Florida, and now lives in Texas with her husband, two children, and feisty black and white cat named Phoebe. During the day she is a school librarian. She loves reading, tea parties, and watching movies. When she was six she started writing poems, so for her writing books is a dream come true

 Learn more on the website/ goodreads/ author website/ facebook

Time for Kids: Kids in the Kitchen Cookbook Review and Giveaway

TIME For Kids Kids in the Kitchen Cookbook, Fun Recipes for Kids to Make!

Hardcover, 160 pages

Published April 2nd 2013

by Time For Kids

ISBN 1618930109

Book Source: publicist

5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: TIME For Kids Kids in the Kitchen Cookbook, Fun Recipes for Kids to Make! features tasty recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert that kids and adults can have a lot of fun making together.

These homemade meals focus on utilizing fresh ingredients while encouraging the understanding of the nutritional and kitchen safety. New twists and alternate recipes will be included to enhance a simple recipe becoming a new favorite.
Filled with full-color photos and some illustrations, this book will feature step-by-step, easy-to-follow recipes. Kids will practice measuring ingredients, reading nutritional labels, and learn the basics of cooking.

All of the recipes were chosen from myRecipes.com.

Recipes include:

Applesauce Muffins
Chocolate Chip Waffles
Fruit Smoothies
Sweet Potato Fries
Fish and Chips
Sloppy Joe Sliders
Creamy Berry Fruit Pops
And more...
Even the most picky eaters will find foods they will love inside this cookbook.

Heather's Review: The first thing that drew me to this cookbook is its sturdy construction and wire bound pages. Then once my kids came home from school I didn't get much of a chance to look at it since they wanted it. Which is always a good sign! This cookbook is kid approved. Each page has difficulty of the recipe, fun food facts, little known facts from Time magazine and the basic nutritional information, ingredients, serving size etc.  The photos are sharp and take up much of the page since children are very visual. 

My kiddos loved the "Here Comes Simon the Centipede" oreo dessert and poppy seed muffins best.

Mom's favorite is the after school snack section with easy to make and quick snacks for the family. My only wish is that there would have been a few more "just for fun" recipes instead of so many "more grown up" recipes. Make some designs out of fruit, give us bento box ideas.

But overall, we like!!

Thanks so much to Goodman Media for the book and for offering a giveaway!

Fill out the rafflbecopter below if you have a US mailing address and good luck :)

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