In My Mailbox/Mailbox Monday - 4/4/2010

Welcome to my Easter edition of In My Mailbox/Mailbox Monday!  You can find these hosted by some wonderful ladies: Kristi at The Story Siren and Marcia at The Printed Page, respectively. They host these memes so that book bloggers can share the books that come into their houses. I appreciate them both and hope that you will visit their blogs.


Here's what came into my house, via the mailbox...

The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge by Joanna Cole, from Scholastic (review posted yesterday) - Like it or not, global warming is a hot topic, and it will affect the younger generation the most. So why not turn to the teacher kids like the most, Ms. Frizzle! Only the Friz can boil all the hoopla down to the scientific facts in a fun and informative way.

With trademark simplicity and wit, Joanna Cole explains why the earth is getting warmer, and Bruce Degen's bright, action-filled illustrations make the science easy to understand and fun to learn. This team brings a new, improved understanding to climate change, engaging kids and empowering all. Teachers will cheer!

White Cat (ARC) by Holly Black, from Margaret K. McElderry Books - Cassel comes from a family of curse workers -- people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they're all mobsters, or con artists. Except for Cassel. He hasn't got the magic touch, so he's an outsider, the straight kid in a crooked family. You just have to ignore one small detail -- he killed his best friend, Lila, three years ago.

Ever since, Cassel has carefully built up a façade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his façade starts crumbling when he starts sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat that wants to tell him something. He's noticing other disturbing things, too, including the strange behavior of his two brothers. They are keeping secrets from him, caught up in a mysterious plot. As Cassel begins to suspect he's part of a huge con game, he also wonders what really happened to Lila. Could she still be alive? To find that out, Cassel will have to out-con the conmen.

Otto Grows Down by Michael Sussman, from Sterling Publishing - What would it be like if time went backwards? One unlucky little boy is about to find out!
Otto has just one birthday wish: that his new baby sister Anna had never been born. And it comes true when the days suddenly start moving in reverse. But now, instead of growing up, Otto’s growing DOWN. He’s getting younger every minute and in danger of disappearing entirely. Can he turn things around before it’s too late—for Anna and himself?


She's So Dead to Us (ARC) by Kieran Scott, from Simon and Schuster - When having money is all that matters, what happens when you lose it all?

Perfect, picturesque Orchard Hill. It was the last thing Ally Ryan saw in the rear-view mirror as her mother drove them out of town and away from the shame of the scandal her father caused when his hedge fund went south and practically bankrupted all their friends -- friends that liked having trust funds and new cars, and that didn't like constant reminders that they had been swindled. So it was adios, Orchard Hill. Thanks for nothing.

Now, two years later, Ally's mother has landed a job back at the site of their downfall. So instead of Ally's new low-key, happy life, it'll be back into the snake pit with the likes of Shannen Moore and Hammond Ross.

But then there's Jake Graydon. Handsome, wealthy, bored Jake Graydon. He moved to town after Ally left and knows nothing of her scandal, but does know that he likes her. And she likes him. So off into the sunset they can go, right? Too bad Jake's friends have a problem with his new crush since it would make Ally happy. And if anyone deserves to be unhappy, it's Ally Ryan.

Ally was hoping to have left all the drama in the past, but some things just can't be forgotten. Isn't there more to life than money?

Necessary Heartbreak by M.J. Sullivan, from Gallery - An extraordinary journey back in time shows a struggling single dad that the faith he’s lost is still alive—and stronger than ever. . . .Michael Stewart has weathered his share of hardships: a troubled childhood, the loss of his mother, even the degradation of living on the city streets. Now he’s raising his teenaged daughter, Elizabeth, on his own and doing the best he can at work and at home. But he’s turned his back on his faith—that is, until the morning Michael and Elizabeth volunteer for a food pantry at their local church. While storing boxes in the basement, they step through a mysterious door . . . and find themselves in first-century Jerusalem during the tumultuous last week of Jesus Christ’s life. It is a dangerous and violent place, where doing what your heart tells you is right can get you imprisoned—or worse—and they are thankful to take refuge with a kind widow. But when they come face-to-face with Judas Iscariot and the condemned Christ himself, Michael realizes that before they can escape Jerusalem, he must experience history’s most necessary and shattering heartbreak—and that pain and loss must happen if Michael is to be set free: to live, love, and reclaim the blessings he has in the present day.

Hailey Twitch is Not a Snitch by Lauren Barnholdt, from Sourcebooks Jabberwocky - Meet Hailey Twitch...

She's just like you. Well, sort of.

She loves pink sparkly pencils and ice cream. But Hailey also has a secret: she's friends with Maybelle, a sprite that only she can see.

Hailey and Maybelle are having fun, fun, fun. But they're also getting into lots of trouble!

Can Hailey keep her friend a secret or will she have to tell?

The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott (ARC) by Kelly O'Connor McNees, from Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam - In the bestselling tradition of Loving Frank and March comes a novel for anyone who loves Little Women.

Millions of readers have fallen in love with Little Women. But how could Louisa May Alcott-who never had a romance-write so convincingly of love and heart-break without experiencing it herself?

Deftly mixing fact and fiction, Kelly O'Connor McNees imagines a love affair that would threaten Louisa's writing career-and inspire the story of Jo and Laurie in Little Women. Stuck in small-town New Hampshire in 1855, Louisa finds herself torn between a love that takes her by surprise and her dream of independence as a writer in Boston. The choice she must make comes with a steep price that she will pay for the rest of her life.

What did you receive in your mailbox?

Review: The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge

Just in time for Earth Day comes Ms. Frizzle and her students in a new Magic School Bus book!

Title:  The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge

Author/Illustrator:  Joanna Cole/Bruce Degen

Review Copy Provided by:  Scholastic

About the Book:  Ms. Frizzle’s students are putting on a play about global warming, and they need some cold, hard facts. The Friz knows just where to find them! A hop on the Magic School Bus takes the kids on a whirlwind tour. From the Arctic to the equator, they see telltale signs of climate change. But to get the really big picture, the class has to get really small – so they can see exactly what is in the air and why it is making the world warmer. What they find gives them a real cause for concern!

My Review:  I am a HUGE Magic School Bus fan! I have a collection of the books, that went along with themes in my classroom, and I loved to use the videos with my kindergartners and 3rd graders!  This is a great new book from Joanna Cole.  Global warming and climate change are words that we're hearing too often these days.  This book helps to explain the phenomena to children in a way they will understand.  It makes non-fiction reading fun!

Children love these books because they are fun!  Ms. Cole tells a story about climate change that can be read on it's own and easily understood, without all the side notes.  But, if you read the side notes, definitions, etc, you will be that much more informed about global warming.  The children in Ms. Frizzle's class explain gases, conserving, recycling, molecules, atoms and many more words.  In their mini-reports, they teach the reader about fossil fuels, why global warming is happening now, and much more!  It's amazing the way Ms. Cole packs a ton of facts into one children's book.

I think another reason children are drawn to these books is the fact that the characters become the science that they are talking about.  It is more of an interactive non-fiction text that not only informs but entertains.  This is a must have addition to a classroom or school library.

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Find out more information on Ms. Frizzle’s April 20 Webcast:  Climb on board with author Joanna Cole and illustrator Bruce Degen on Tuesday, April 20th at 1pm ET / 10am PT as they join Ms. Frizzle to celebrate Earth Day and their new book The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, New Jersey! Simply register online, then tune in on April 20th and join the fun! Visit The Magic School Bus Webcast.






*I received a copy of The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge in support of this post*

Blog Tour: How to Save Your Own Life

Title: How to Save Your Own Life: 15 Lessons on Finding Hope in Unexpected Places
Author: Michael Gates Gill
Review Copy Provided by:  Gotham Books via TLC Book Tours

About the Book:  Michael Gill's lemons-to-lemonade memoir chronicled his transformative years working at Starbucks after losing his high-powered job, his marriage, and his health (he developed a brain tumor). In response to overwhelming requests from readers who wanted to know how they, too, could weather downturns, he has distilled his lessons into fifteen meaningful lessons, including:


A-Leap...With Faith: Sometimes it pays to leap without looking and say yes without thinking (Gill accepted the Starbucks job immediately, on a whim).

A-Let Yourself...Be Helped: Pride is even more paralyzing than fear.

A-Look...with Respect at Every Individual You See: Gill was raised to avoid eye contact with those who were different, cloistered in a privileged world. Now he realizes the potential in all who cross his daily path.

A-Lose...Your Watch (and Cell Phone and PDA ): Our obsession with productivity produces madness, not gladness.

Offering living proof that extraordinary happiness is found in ordinary moments, How to Save Your Own Life provides empowering words and hope for anyone facing a reversal of fortune. True fortune, Gill discovered, lies not in fate but in discovering the innate capacity we all possess to rescue ourselves.

My Review:  While I haven't completely finished reading this book, because there is so much to it, I am going to give you my thoughts so far for the tour today.  Michael Gates Gill wrote another book, How Starbucks Saved My Life, which I haven't read, but got great reviews.  This book, is full of new anecdotes from Michael about his father, author Brendan Gill, his mother, family and friends, and people he has met either at Starbucks or out on the road.

Most of us are so busy with life, that we take for granted the little things that are usually common sense.  Gill gives us some lessons to remember, like live each day like it's your last and listen to your own heart, for example.  These are two that are really sticking with me right now.  It's easy to read these, but hard to live.  Life gets hard for many, but everyone has it in them to better themselves.  Michael Gill is living proof of someone who loses everything in life: getting fired from a job with a six-figure salary, his family in a divorce, and possibly his life when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  If he can come back from that, and find inspiration, then anyone can.  His book is an inspiration to me, and one that I look forward to finishing and putting the lessons into practice in my own life.  I hope that you will consider picking it up!


Here are the other stops on the tour this week, if you'd like to visit them.
Monday, January 25th: Silver and Grace

Tuesday, January 26th: Inventing My Life
Wednesday, January 27th: Write for a Reader
Thursday, January 28th: Confessions of a Book a Holic
Friday, January 29th: Simply Forties

Giving Books for the Holidays IV

I have 4 older nephews.  By older, I mean tweens.  They are all readers, but they enjoy books like Guiness, Top Ten..., etc.  So, with this in mind, I took care when choosing their books this year.  Maybe someone on your list would enjoy one of these picks.

Blast Lab by Richard Hammond
Richard Hammond strikes again with more fun and fantastic science! Readers can get their hands dirty-literally-in this wacky lab manual that walks them through more than 100 awesome experiments. Hammond's irreverent text and easy-to-follow instructions reveal the key principles of biology, chemistry, physics, mechanics, and more, getting readers truly engaged in scientific study.

96 pages
Ages 9-12

My Thoughts:  I found this one at our school book fair and just knew the boys would love it!  The great thing is that a book I get for one, is eventually shared by all 4 of them, because they trade.  I'm hoping they'll do some of these experiments together.  The experiments in the book are divided into 6 sections:  Up, Up and Away; Bright Ideas; That's Incredible!; Eww, Gross!; Playing with Food;  Turn up the Volume.  I wonder which section they'd like most?  My choice is food because you can make Ice Cream in a Bag.  Each experiment has colored pictures as well as pencil drawings.  There are step by step instructions for all, and a "How Does it Work" section for many.  Most of them can be done with simple items you have around the house.

A Really Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson

Enter the world of science as Bill Bryson unmasks the mysteries of the universe.

Did you know that:

• Every atom in your body has almost certainly passed through several stars and been part of millions of organisms on its way to being you?

• If you are an average-sized kid, you have enough potential energy inside you to explode with the force of several hydrogen bombs?

And—What happened to dinosaurs? How big is the universe? Why are oceans salty? Is a meteor going to hit us?

Tackling everything from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization, Bill Bryson’s inimitable storytelling skill makes the why, how, and, just as importantly, the who of scientific discovery entertaining and accessible for young readers. 

 

176 pages

Ages 9-12

 

My Thoughts:  Kids don't know enough about history.  It seems these days they aren't real concerned with it.  That's a shame, because we learn from our past.  All of the history in this book is about science.  How can that be, you say?  Well, it's easy...Bryson explains the history behind the mighty atom, an asteroid hit, Earth's five major extinction episodes, just to name a few.  My nephews love science and history, so I thought this combination was perfect!  Thanks to Knopf for the review copy that I can pass on.  The pictures in this book are real as well as drawn and colored.  I think it really helps children to see real pictures when reading non-fiction, but I like that the author added illustrated pictures to bring fun and whimsy to the book.  This will attract ones who may steer away from non-fiction, because it looks more like a picture book would.

 

Top 10 of Everything 2010: Discover More Than Just the No. 1! by Russell Ash

With annual sales of 200,000 copies, Top 10 of Everything is clearly the place people go to get the lowdown on what or who was the best, worst, richest, fiercest, deadliest, or simply biggest of practically anything. It features over 7,000 intriguing facts and stats on history, science, sports, music, movies, nature, people, and places—from the stars of stage and screen who shone the brightest to the terrestrial animals that weigh the most.

Some of the lists are entirely new, some are updated with the latest news, and all appear on attractively illustrated spreads. “First” and “Fast” fact boxes pinpoint the pioneers and the most recent achievers in various endeavors. It’s entertaining and educational!

256 pages

My Thoughts:  Every time I look at this book, I think of David Letterman's Top 10.  How funny is that?  Some of the top 10's in this book are just as bizarre and/or funny as his were.  My nephews love stuff like this!  I have loved looking at it, thanks to Sterling Publishing.  Some of the top 10s include:  The 10 Most Venomous Reptiles and Amphibians, The 10 Least Corrupt Countries, Top 10 Albums by Groups in the USA, Top 10 Halle Berry Movies, Top 10 Motor Vehicle-Owning Countries (USA is #1).  Interesting, huh?  The lists go on and on.  It's illustrated with real color photographs, charts, graphs, and tables.  A must have for anyone who wants to be "in the know" or to impress others with random facts of trivia.

Ripley's Believe It or Not!: Seeing is Believing

This all new 6th title in the best selling Ripley's Believe It or Not! annual series, is a compendium of incredible bizarre facts, stories, interviews and features all presented in a stunning bright new design. This year's book also features icons that guide readers to astounding video clips on our new fully-integrated website, where they can see some of our subjects in action. Also, a dramatic eight-page gatefold section presents some extraordinary performers of the past, and additional black and white Ripley archive photographs feature throughout the book.
Be amazed at the dentist with no arms, the snake that swallowed a wallaby, an underwater sculptor and a four-eared cat! For the legions of dedicated Ripley's fans, and anyone else on the planet who loves unbelievable facts and jaw-dropping images, the latest annual in this successful series is a feast of delights.

256 pages

My Thoughts:  That eye on the front cover is really a hologram...the eye appears to open and close.  Pretty cool!  The book is appealing, from the blue cover to the bright, vivid photographs throughout.  I have to admit that some of the things in this book grossed me out, but my husband loved them, so I'm sure my nephews will as well.  What was gross?  Well, for one, the man who crams 11 LIVE Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches into his mouth...ewww!!  There are interesting facts, like, did you know the Devil has a swimming pool?  It's the most dangerous pool in the world, located on the Zambezi River in Africa.  Or, the swiss auto company that created a completely submersible convertible.  Oddities are included such as the kitten born with 2 heads or the Chinese olympian that pierced his head, face, hands and chest in the Olympic ring colors with 2,008 needles.  He was celebrating the 2008 Olympics.  You want facts, oddities, unbelievableness, you get it and plenty more in this book!  There's even a fold out section, in black and white, showcasing Barnum and Bailey's Sideshow.  So much for readers to learn...they will be learning as they go through the pages!

Who on your list would like one of these books?  My problem is, I hope my nephews will have enough room on their bookcases for these great new titles!  Oh, well!  I guess they could always ask Santa for another one if they don't fit.  I know I could use a new one right about now!

Winter's Tail Book Giveaway

I am pleased to be working with Scholastic on Winter's Tail book promotion. I received this book in the mail last week and couldn't wait to share it with you.

Title: Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again
Authors: Juliana Hatkoff, Isabella Hatkoff and Craig Hatkoff

Review Copy Provided by: Big Honcho Media

About the Book: When Winter, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, was found trapped with her tail badly damaged, she was not expected to survive. This is her miraculous story, from her rescue to learning how to swim again to her unprecedented success using a prosthetic tail. This is also a celebration of her indomitable spirit.

You and your family can meet Winter the Dolphin!

Winter’s Tail Virtual Field Trip

Watch the Webcast Live!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

1:00 P.M. – 1:45 P.M. (ET)

My Review: This is a great non-fiction story! From the authors of Owen and Mzee, the hippo and tortoise, comes another story of an animal who overcomes obstacles. Unlike their other stories, that were about animals who lived on land, this one takes place in the water. Winter learns from her adversary, and overcomes the toughest obstacle, learning to swim without a tail. She is an inspiration to children and adults who are living with prostheses

I love the message that this story gives to children. It teaches them that you can overcome. Winter could have given up when she got tangled in the net, but she didn't. She also allowed others to help her when she needed it most

Non-fiction texts are ones that children don't usually like to read, but they need to understand it because it is the kind of writing that is found in their textbooks. It is a skill that we teach in school, but it's hard to find texts that are non-fiction and enjoyed by students. This is one that they would like. Dolphins are animals that many children enjoy reading and learning about, so I feel that they would enjoy Winter's Tail.

One reason I enjoy non-fiction is the real pictures. There are many in this story and they chronicle Winter's trial and triumph so vividly. I really enjoyed this one and can't wait to see what the Hatkoff's next tale will be.

Teachers, there's even a discussion guide and lesson plan to go along with the book. If you're going to use this book in the classroom, I recommend taking a look at it.

Q and A with the Author, Craig Hatkoff

Q: How did you first hear about Winter?
A: In almost all of our stories, we hear or read about these animals in the news or a human interest piece. We now get emails from scores of people anytime an interesting animal story makes the news. Sometimes, as in the case of Owen & Mzee, it will be a single picture in the newspaper, and other times it will be a series of articles. We saw a number of stories covering Winter's prosthetic tail in early 2008, and I called David Yates at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to see if he would be interested in doing a book about Winter.

Q: Why do you think kids and adults are drawn to Winter’s story?
A: Winter appeals to people on many different levels. People are very inspired by Winter’s resourcefulness and resilience. From her dramatic rescue to the way she learned how to swim first without a tail and then with her new tail, her story shows us that if this little dolphin can overcome her incredible challenges, we can get through our own life challenges as well. Also, the story of the engineers who are challenged to design her prosthetic tail adds an element of the wonders of technology. Winter has become an ambassador to children and grown-ups alike, inspiring people with her story and her exuberant “can do” personality.

Q: Winter began to swim on her own at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, so why was her health still in danger?
A: The caretakers at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium were afraid her side-to-side motion would damage her backbone and her internal organs.

Q: How did the idea come about to use a prosthetic tail on Winter?
A: Kevin Carroll, an engineer at Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics, a leading designer of prosthetic devices had heard about Winter in the news. He also loves dolphins. It was a huge engineering challenge that took almost 18 months to implement.

Q: What are some behind-the-scenes facts we might find interesting about Winter?
A: Winter as of right now is on her 7th tail and it is expected that she may need up to 25 or more tails as she grows, and as the engineers keep learning more and improving the technology. Winter is also quite a talented artist. Winter actually signed a book and created a painting for our family.

Q: How does Winter's story fit in with your line of other animal books?
A: This story takes us in a number of very interesting directions. It is our first story about an animal in the United States who people can easily visit. Secondly, it deals with the difficult topic of physical and other disabilities in a way kids can relate to.
Winter's story is helping to de-stigmatize disabilities of all kinds in a natural way. It adds a dimension and a new set of tools for kids, parents, and teachers to deal with difficult subjects or topics.

Q: What is it like writing with your daughters?
A: We each have a very special contribution to the stories. Isabella is very focused on the animals themselves and their dilemmas. Juliana tends to focus more on the people involved. But we all have to agree before we will invite an animal into the collection.

Q: What do you hope readers will take away from Winter's story?
A: I think there are many things readers can take away. First, the story of Winter is a great example of how humans and animals can work together to help each other. This story also has a very special and personal meaning to me on another level. When I was growing up, along with some friends, I had teased a boy who wore a hearing aid. To this day, I have never forgiven myself, and I think about it almost every day. It is one of the few things that if I could do over in my life, I would. It was only when I was teased a few years later (as almost all kids are teased at one point or another) that I truly understood how it felt to tease and to be teased. The experience had a profound impact on me, and I have tried to explain this lesson to my daughters. We hope the story of Winter will help kids learn to understand the experience of people who face different life challenges.

Q: Why is the publication date of this book significant?
A: Winter is turning 4 years old in October 2009. We will be celebrating the fourth year of this amazing dolphin that could.

Q: How can people meet Winter?
A: People travel from all over the world to Clearwater, Florida to see Winter up close. At the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, guests can see her and take pictures of her. Winter can also be seen live and in action on the Aquarium’s webcam, located at http://www.seewinter.com/. “Winter: The Dolphin That Could,” a documentary devoted to Winter’s story of survival, is also available for purchase on the Aquarium’s website.

Q: What does the future hold for Winter?
A: Many more tales with many more tails!


Watch the Book Trailer:

One (1) of my readers will receive a Winter’s Tail prize pack!

* Dolphin Plush

* Dolphin Key Chain

* Winter’s Tail game for Nintendo DS

* Copy of Winter’s Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again Book

Shipping Guidelines: The Winter’s Tail book promotion is open to participants with a United States mailing address only (international readers can enter if they have a friend in the States who can accept their prizes by mail!)

Contest runs from today through Monday, Oct 12th. Extra entries for spreading the word about this contest on Twitter, Facebook, your blog, etc. Don't forget to leave me a link and your email.

Blog Tour Review: GirlForce

 

Title: GirlForce

Author:  Nikki Goldstein

About the Book:  Welcome to GirlForce, an exciting new lifestyle brand for tween and teen girls that is simply irresistible. At its core, Girl Force is based on an ancient science called Ayurveda that says our bodies are made of three elemental energies: Fire, Air, and Earth. And with just two quick quizzes about body and mind you can determine your Body Type. Air girls are outgoing and creative; Fire girls are born leaders and highly passionate; and Earth girls are easygoing and make loyal friends.

Guided by these principles, and using lush, high-end photography and gorgeously designed pages, GirlForce imparts the best food, exercise, makeup, yoga, stress relievers and more for your body type. But don't just read about your type...reading your friends' types can help you figure them out too! 

About the Author:  Nikki Goldstein has been a beauty and health editor for nearly 20 years and has written for magazines such as Elle, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan and Vogue. Nikki has conducted one of the largest global surveys of teen and tween girls and the issues they face, and the results of which inform every aspect of GirlForce.
Nikki’s favorite things are yoga, chocolate and spending time with her family. She’s an Earth Body Type and is fond of extravagant lounging and watching old movies. Nikki lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband Rowan and daughter Liberty.

I had the chance to send Nikki some questions about the book.  Here's what she had to say...

Write For A Reader: Young girls today are inundated by images of "skinny girl" models in magazines and on tv.  This leads to self esteem/body image issues in many teen girls.  How do you, as a beauty editor/writer for such magazines try to combat this dilemma that sometimes leads to tragedy in our teens?

Nikki Goldstein: It's true that many teenage girls feel a huge pressure to conform to stereotypical images of beauty. It's also true that this causes a lot of pain and has been linked to everything from depression to eating disorders. As a journalist and beauty/health editor I have the power to change the way girls see themselves. GirlForce is all about teaching girls to celebrate themselves - just the way they are. By practicing daily affirmations such as, "I love and accept myself just the way I am", girls will find a path to self-acceptance. From that place they discover that the media can only exert a very superficial influence on them.

Write For A Reader: Can you talk about celebrating your unique beauty?

Nikki Goldstein:  I aim to get girls to accept themselves no matter what shape or size they are, what skin colour they have and what challenges they have in their lives. Learning to celebrate your unique beauty is a daily process - one that involves taking action in little ways every day. Every girl will find flaws with her face and body when she looks in the mirror. The challenge is to get beyond the mirror, and beyond comparing yourself to others. The only way to do this is to incorporate self-loving practices such as yoga, exercise and pampering into their daily lives. When girls learn to love themselves in an active and healthy way their self-esteem blossoms. In the GirlForce universe everything is beautiful - big butts, little butts, big boobs, small, boobs, straight noses, crooked noses....beauty is about loving yourself.

My Review:  This was a fun book to read!  By fun I mean, it wasn't just page after page of text.  There were great pictures, quizzes, fun captions, and lots of information.  This book is geared to tween and teen girls, and I think it should be read by them.

Goldstein gives girls insight into how to love themselves, be happy with their bodies, and learn how to celebrate the uniqueness of themselves.  Today, too many girls focus on what they're not or don't have.  Everyone is different, and they need to be able to recognize those differences and strengthen them.

I think this is a great book for girls!  It offers so many tips, tools and advice to help girls lead a healthy, I love myself life.  I recommend this one for middle school/high school libraries, classrooms, and households with tween/teen girls.  5/5 stars for GirlForce!!

By the way, I'm a Fire girl.  See what you are by taking the Body Type quiz and then check out the Awesome GirlForce Body Types.

This content is by, Nikki Goldstein, author of the GirlForce series. Nikki Goldstein has worked as a beauty editor and writer for Marie Claire, Vogue, Elle, InStyle and Cosmopolitan. She regularly blogs on her two websites - www.mygirlforce.com and www.gettoknowyourdaughter.com which give further information about the power of GirlForce, as well as fun quizzes, activities and forums. You can also visit Nikki at http://www.facebook.com/pages/GirlForce/76740694436 or http://twitter.com/MyGirlForce. Learn more about the book at http://www.amazon.com/GirlForce-Nikki-Goldstein/dp/1599903547.