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Earlier today the American Library Association announced the 2013 Youth Media Awards Winners. Click here to read the press release.

Highlights include:

John Newbery Medal Winner (for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature):

The One and Only Ivan written by Katherine Applegate (HarperCollins Children’s Books, 2012)

Randolph Caldecott Medal Winner (for the most distinguished American picture book for children):

This Is Not My Hat, illustrated and written by Jon Klassen (Candlewick Press, 2012).

Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award Winner (recognizing an African American author of outstanding books for children and young adults):

Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America, written by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney (Disney/Jump at the Sun Books, 2012).

Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award Winner (recognizing an African American illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults):

I, Too, Am America, illustrated by Bryan Collier, written by Langston Hughes (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2012)

Pura Belpré (Author) Award Winner (honoring a Latino writer whose children’s books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience):

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, written by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2012)

Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Award Winner (honoring a Latino illustrator whose children’s books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience):

Martín de Porres: The Rose in the Desert, illustrated by David Diaz, written by Gary D. Schmidt (Clarion Books, 2012)

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Invisible is a YA Paranormal Romance Fiction.

Lola Savullo is in her senior year and she's dreading it.  She believes she is too tall, overweight and downright freakish.  She works as a Lifeguard at the local pool and the day she has to put on a bathing suit and attend to the children, instead of remaining on the sidelines, Lola learns of her wonderous power.

At first it is a rare incident and Lola quickly brushes it aside and when it happens again almost a year later, Lola is hard pressed to ignore what is happening to her.  After she confides in her best friend, Charlie, the two take to helping Lola practice her newfound ability.

The two girls have been bullied their whole lives, Lola for being a overly large freak and Charlie for her sexual orientation.  Charlie wants Lola to use her powers to get revenge on the group of teens that is forever making their lives miserable. 

Lola has had a crush on Jon most of her life and when she finds him hanging with the bullies, she is devastated, she never felt Jon was that kind of a person.  Along the way Jon learns of her secret and encourages her vengeful plot again the group that harasses her.

Over the course of events, Lola looses some very close to her heart and she must come to realize if revenge would make her feel whole or would believing in herself be the right option and after what the group almost did to Charlie, Lola is angry, very, very angry.

I thought this was a wonderful read.  Lola was easily likeable and you could feel for her life situations.  Lola has a gorgeous older sister who wrings havoc in her life, her 44 year old mother believes she is 18 and her dad looks like a tattooed hippie freak.  Lola just wants to blend in and not make any waves, however, Lola's mother believes she should act and dress more like a lady.

I wished I could have got more back story on the why's of the invisibility occurring, I was never really clear and the reason given, something to do with A neg. blood just didn't sit well with me. I thought it was a rather asinine way to describe the reasons why Lola was developing the trait that seems to be passed along through maternal genetic means, though this is never really brought to light and leaves the reader hanging for more explanation.

I didn't get a romantic feel for Jon and Lola, it continued to read like they were really good friends and I just didn't feel the spark coming off the pages.  I thought their friendship should have remained platonic and the story wouldn't feel so trite in areas.

I would give Invisible a three and a half stars of out five.  The basis for a good story is there and the characters are enjoyable to read, I just felt there was a serious something lacking that would've made this an exceptional read.  I would read more by author Jeanne Bannon, she does have a way with words that brings out an emotional aspect from the reader.

SYNOPSIS:
Lola’s not pretty. Lola’s not popular. Lola wishes she could disappear … and then one day she does just that... For seventeen-year-old Lola Savullo, life is a struggle. Born to funky parents who are more in than she could ever be, Lola’s dream of becoming a writer makes her an outsider even in her own home. Bullied and despised, Lola still has the support of her best pal Charlie and Grandma Rose. Not only is she freakishly tall, Lola’s a big girl and when forced to wear a bathing suit at her summer job as a ca

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It's the First Day of School Forever! is a juvenile fiction book by R.L. Stine.

It's Artie Howard's first day of school, summer vacation is over and its time to hit the books, or the floor, as Artie does on his first morning, banging his head and seeing stars.

The day doesn't get any better, Artie's younger brother, Eddy has squirted syrup all over him and splashes muddy water all over Artie as they walk to school.  Not only that, but Wowser, Artie's dog, has followed him to school and has jumped all over his new principal, Mr. Jenks, ripping his suit.

Then there is the school's hero, Brick, who always seems to be at the end of Artie's mishaps, from getting hit in the head with a baseball, to knocking Brick down the stairs and breaking his leg, the turmoil and antics do not stop.

Each thing that occurs, from the bodies buried in the basement of his school to the threats from his principal, Artie just wishes the day would end and he could start  a new day.  Artie realizes that being the new kid sure has its disadvantages as he becomes lost in the maze of his new school and dumps his lunch all over the students, Artie cannot wait for the day to end.  When he amazingly makes it through his first day, Artie wakes up to begin his first day of school all over again!!

Determined not to make the same mistakes as the day before, the outcome of the second day is worse and each day thereafter doesn't get any better.  How does Artie stop this time loop where he feels like he's in the movie "Groundhog Day"?  Is he doomed to repeat the first day for the rest of his life?

As usual, I enjoyed R.L. Stine's newest creation.  I loved the comedic aspects that R.L. writes with, the hidden meanings to the words is a lark.  I loved the story continuing as it did and getting worse and worse with each take.  I enjoyed not knowing what was going on, which ensured you continued to read until you do and even then, your not sure.  One of the great techniques that this book was written in.

I thought Artie was a very likeable character, as were everyone involved, even though we only see Brick at the hands of Artie's disasters, he gives an air of mystery to the book that only adds to its appeal.

If you enjoy the R.L. Stine books, then this one will not disappoint, its written with the PG-13 edge that R.L. is famous for and you will find pleasure upon the pages.  I would give this book a four out of five stars.

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Inherit The Throne is a political action thriller.

The Vice-President, Andrew Stovell, is about to be assassinated, however, before he is, a double steps in and resumes the VP's identity.  Everyone has their own political agenda and when the announcement is made that the VP has been shot, the President, Alan Sparks, finds himself being blackmailed by a mysterious woman named Hannah.

Melissa Stone, living under a new identity, has an attempt made on her life at the same time as the Vice President's.  She comes to learn that the attacks are connected and she finds herself coming out of hiding to find out who initiated the attacks and why.  Working through her past ghosts, she must come to grips with her present in order to stop the intrigue and save the President from his own downfall.

Along the way we meet many people who are involved, introducing many high-tech gadgets and political espionage.  Everyone has a stake in the game and time is running out!!

This was a fairly decent debut novel by author, Steve DeWinter.  It had many twists and turns that will leave your turning the pages, leaving you to correctly guess some and totally miss the mark on others.  The political intrigue that has been written between these pages is truly astonishing as it isn't an easy topic to deliver in a comprehensive manner.

Melissa is a great heroine to read, she is believable and delivers her persona without getting too bogged down in detail.  In many situations she finds herself in, you cannot help but wonder how she will get herself out and who it is she should trust.

I found there were too many characters, sometimes I had to backtrack in order to keep focused on who was participating in the plot at any particular time.  It was a bit confusing at times but not enough to thoroughly dismiss this as a good thriller.  As well, I did find some editing issues that were annoying, but I am particular like that, some may not even notice them.  All that said, the ending gives you the closure you need to make this a decent read.  If you like works by Clancy or Ludlum, then you will be pleased with Inherit The Throne.

SYNOPSIS:
"Just like "24", only better!" "A female Jason Bourne!" -- Textnovel Readers Some lines should never be crossed. Living under a new identity in the tiny Northwestern tourist town at the base of Mount Hood, Melissa thought she had finally escaped her past. That is until an assassin tries to kill her and forces her back into a treacherous shadow world she vowed never to return. That same night an unmanned robotic SUV slams into the limousine of the Vice President of the United States and detonates with several hundred pounds of explosives. Melissa soon discovers that the attack on the Vice President and the attempt on her own life are related. And time is running out to find out who wants her dead and why she alone holds the key to saving the President of the United States.


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