Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Best of 2014 Book Giveaway Hop!

Thanks to Bookhounds and I Am A Reader for hosting the Best of 2014 Book Giveaway Hop. Fairday's Blog is giving away our top two book picks for the year. Enter the rafflecopter form below for your chance to win, and give yourself the gift of a story this holiday season! 

The Best of 2014 Book Giveaway Hop will run from December 11th-18th, so, join in the fun! This is a huge hop, and there are lots of great blogs participating, giving away all sorts of books and other fabulous prizes.

 Fairday's Top Pick for 2014 
Behind the Attic Wall by Sylvia Cassedy 
Maggie's learned how not to be friendly. Ever since her parents died, she's been shipped off to so many boarding schools that she's got the routine down. So when she's sent to live with her two strict aunts, she's not the least bit surprised when they find her disagreeable. After strange Uncle Morris drops her off at the old house known as Adelphi Hills Academy, which resembles all of the other gloomy girls' schools she's been through... read more!

Lizzy's Top Pick for 2014
It's only a year after Little Rock became an integrated school, and now the folks in Marlee’s town are putting up a fight to stay segregated. Marlee’s a bundle of nerves before school starts and she has to begin at the junior high. Although she has always been a wiz at math, she suffers from an extreme fear of public speaking and doesn’t talk in public... read more! 

 Book giveaways happening this month 

Middle Grade
Click to win 25 Roses by Stephanie Faris

Read our review
Connect with this author 



Children's Picture Book
Click to win Fartiste by Kathleen Krull 

 Read our review
Connect with this author 



Upcoming book giveaway


Friday, December 12th: Bella and Stella Come Home by Anika and Christopher Denise- plus a bonus holiday surprise! 




The Begonia House keeps its secrets. Everyone knows that. Everyone, that is, except for clever eleven-year-old Fairday Morrow, whose family has just moved in. Being the Senior Investigator in the Detective Mystery Squad, more commonly known as the DMS, she’s ready to uncover the mysteries hidden within the strange manor. As the investigation gears up and the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place, the DMS enters into a world where anything is possible, and the danger is most definitely real. Can the members of the Detective Mystery Squad piece together the puzzle before it's too late? Or will whatever's causing trouble find Fairday and her friends first?


 Stop by our cover reveal post, and enter the book giveaway for a signed hardcover of this new middle grade mystery!

Represented by Rachael Dugas with Talcott Notch Literary
Scheduled to hit bookstores everywhere in December of 2015! 

Brought to you by Krista Vitola at Delacorte/ Random House


What Fairday's Blog is all about...
Visit us at fairdaysfiles.com
Fairday's Riddles are posted on Mondays- they can be written about anything and everything, all at the same time!

 Lizzy's Book Reviews are posted on Wednesdays. Lizzy has read just about every middle grade novel out there, and she loves to share her thoughts and, of course, her opinions.

Author Interviews are posted on Fridays. The DMS seeks out the best middle grade authors today and brings them here to chat about their stories. 

 Margo's Musings Fridays are sometimes shared with Margo, Fairday's little sister. This post focuses on reviewing children's book authors, which we follow up with an Author Interview.

 The DMS Wants to Know was a post we came up with because when we get together to hang out on the weekend, we always chat about different situations and ideas that are floating around in our brains and we like to listen to what other people think about them- some of the comments we've gotten have been absolutely fascinating!

Character Book Club: Join us to find out what your favorite characters have to say to each other. Sign up for our monthly newsletter for more information about the Character Book Club !





 *NEW! Nate Rocks Virtual Sketchbook: Join Marcus Brocket (aka Brocket the Rocket ;) for some awesome adventures with Nate Rockledge from the Nate Rocks series by Karen Pokras Toz. 




 Make time to riddle and rhyme! 
62 original riddles and illustrations
Fairday's Riddles: Volume I 
Available in all e-book formats 
Jessica Haight is a true New Englander, with a deep desire to be near the ocean and a love of the four seasons. She enjoys drawing while standing up and cultivating magic in her garden. She easily floats away in the pages of a good story and is still waiting for her owl from Hogwarts. Jessica lives in Connecticut with her charming fiancé, James; their dog, Jack; their cat, Bill; and a very entitled bunny named Alice.
Stephanie Robinson lives with her husband in a quiet town, though it is not as quaint as Ashpot. After teaching fifth grade for almost fifteen years, she is now enjoying her role as a school media specialist. One of the many benefits of her job is that she learns something new every day. When Stephanie isn't isn’t working, she spends her time creating stories, getting lost in books, and traveling to new places. 



Enter to win Behind the Attic Wall and The Lions of Little Rock: 
1) Follow Fairday's Blog via GFC or Bloglovin
2) Leave us a comment: What was your favorite book of 2014?
3) Fill out the Rafflecopter form below 

Giveaway runs until December 18th
(Open to US and International )

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Posted by DMS 23 comments at 11:01:00 PM

Margo's Musings: Bella and Stella Come Home

Bella's not sure about moving, but she knows she needs to be brave for her imaginary friend, Stella. Everything is different when they arrive at the new house, and Stella has her doubts. They both take note of the various differences and decide that it definitely does not feel like home. After all, the kitchen should be blue, and there's no oak tree in the yard, plus her bedroom is so dark without stars on the ceiling. But still, Bella stays strong for her friend, and she tries to make Stella feel better about all of the changes. Her mom says that the new house has character, but Bella thinks it's just the dust. Will Bella be able to adjust to her new house? What will Stella think when the neighbors drop by? What if it never feels like home? You will have to read this adorable children's picture book to find out!
Bella and Stella Come Home by Anika and Christopher Denise is such a great picture book. Margo fell in love with Stella, and has been pressuring me to invite her over, so that her stuffed pony, Mr. Fazzy, can have a friend. My family has recently moved into a spooky old victorian house, and it was a big adjustment for all of us- especially Margo. My little sister is very brave, but moving was a huge change. This story has really helped her to understand what makes a house a home, and she's feeling much better about everything now. The illustrations are magical, and I'm sure we'll be pulling this book off the shelf many times to read again.

Has anyone else read Bella and Stella Come Home or any other books by Anika and Christopher Denise? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Stop by this Friday for an interview with this author/illustrator team, plus an exclusive look at some preliminary sketches by Christopher Denise. We'll also be hosting a fabulous holiday giveaway for this book, along with a bonus surprise. ; )

Happy reading!
~ F

Margo's stuffed pony, Mr. Fazzy :)

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Posted by DMS 35 comments at 5:00:00 AM

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Answer to Monday's Riddle: A New Home!

Here's a sneak peek at Margo's review
Excellent guessing, Riddlers! This week, we'll be taking you into a new home. Margo has a wonderful book she can't wait to share. Thursday marks The Best of 2104 book hop, and Friday we'll be chatting with Anika and Christopher Denise, so be sure to check back! See you all around the book block. ; ) ~ F

This can be a scary notion, trekking across land or even the ocean. Once arrived, it's all unknown; things look different and not like your own. The walls are strangers, watching their hosts. Who knows if there's monsters or perhaps lurking ghosts? When everything's new and there's so much to see, remember this thought at the turn of the key: take in the scene and explore your new room; old cobwebs can be swept out with a broom. Having a friend, even one who's not there, can give real comfort, no matter where. Look on the bright side when the journey's begun, there's sure to be adventure and loads of fun. For even though this change appears hard, it's always exciting to pull a new card. You'll never guess what's to be known, and in no time at all you'll feel right at home.

What am I referring to? Answer: Moving into a new home 


Make time to riddle and rhyme!
62 original riddles and illustrations 

Available in all e-book formats
Download for only .99¢ on Smashwords




Preview newsletter

Posted by DMS 11 comments at 12:01:00 PM

Monday, December 8, 2014

Monday's Riddle: Someplace Else...

Hello Riddlers! Can you guess our theme this week? Heading out on this journey can be challenging. In my case, a mystery followed! ~ F

This can be a scary notion, trekking across land or even the ocean. Once arrived, it's all unknown; things look different and not like your own. The walls are strangers, watching their hosts. Who knows if there's monsters or perhaps lurking ghosts? When everything's new and there's so much to see, remember this thought at the turn of the key: take in the scene and explore your new room; old cobwebs can be swept out with a broom. Having a friend, even one who's not there, can give real comfort, no matter where. Look on the bright side when the journey's begun, there's sure to be adventure and loads of fun. For even though this change appears hard, it's always exciting to pull a new card. You'll never guess what's to be known, and in no time at all you'll feel right at home.

 What am I referring to?

I gave you a clue!
CLUE! 
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Posted by DMS 30 comments at 9:02:00 AM
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