The winners, randomly selected thanks to random.org:

Kimberly H., ARC and Random Buzzers code

Candice M., ARC and Random Buzzers code

Kat W., Random Buzzers code

Jen, Random Buzzers code

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and left comments.

Bibliography: Fredericks, Mariah. (2012).  The Girl in the Park.  New York: Schwartz and Wade.  ISBN: 978-0375868436

Plot Summary:  When Wendy’s body is found in Central Park, headlines paint her as a party girl.  Other girls know Wendy as the wild child who is after their boyfriends.  Some students at the exclusive Alcott School are upset and others secretly glad, maybe she got what was coming to her.  But former best friend Rain, shy and quiet because of the cleft palate she was born with, remembers the Wendy who told her to stand up and speak up.  And when Rain starts to uncover the truth and the details don’t add up, will she find the voice to speak for her friend?

Critical Analysis:  True mysteries written for teens are rare enough, and I am glad to say that Fredericks does an excellent job of creating a taut well paced novel peopled with compelling characters in an ultra exclusive setting.  Rain and Wendy are especially well drawn, contrasting with one another.  Wendy is everything Rain is not, and the reader sees that Rain both admires Wendy for being able to be so bold, so loud and feels for her as Rain knows without asking that some of Wendy’s actions are born from deep emotional pain.

The details of Rain’s cleft palate are handled with care, which makes sense since Fredericks herself was born with one.  As Fredericks notes, “For a long time, that meant I didn’t talk a lot.  But I did listen.”  Exactly the same traits she has given to Rain, and this listening and observations from the edges of events are what leads to the putting together the pieces to solve Wendy’s murder.

Oh the mystery.  I want to say I didn’t guess the ending far in advance, but I did.  But I don’t think most readers will care.  The pacing sweeps the reader along and by the time you realize who did it, you will be so involved in Rain’s story and the suspense of events and when she will tell someone that you won’t care.  This book should have high appeal for teen girls, and while there is partying and alcohol use and adult situations, I can’t see much that would keep this out of middle schoolers’ hands.

Review Excerpts: “Rain’s voice provides an authentic portrait of grief and powerlessness, while Fredericks (Crunch Time) offers profound, provocative commentary on what it means to grow up in the age of Facebook.”–Publisher’s Weekly

“[B]oth Rain and Wendy emerge as fully rounded, flawed characters that teens will recognize and connect with. A satisfying whodunit with enough clues and red herrings to keep mystery fans happy.”–Kirkus Reviews

“Fredericks has constructed a taut, suspenseful mystery with convincing characters whose actions and motives propel the plot. Rain is an unusual, compelling protagonist, a watcher who must step reluctantly out of her comfort zone. Observant readers…will find as much satisfaction in observing Rain’s personal growth as in the solving of the intriguing mystery.“–Booklist

“”The story starts off slowly, gradually building to a surprise ending. Rather than a heavy-handed explanation of Rain’s cleft palate, details are sprinkled throughout the story, building readers’ understanding of her communication difficulties and readers’ compassion for her.”–School Library Journal

“The mystery unravels amidst a sensitive exploration of Rain’s coming to terms with her own quiet, demure personality, with its flaws and its advantages measured against Wendy’s extroversion and desire for recognition and love. The crime itself offers up multiple suspects before a triumphant resolution tinged with melancholy, a conclusion that highlights the fact that while growth is certainly possible, some people, unfortunately, never make it past the slights of high school.”–The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“The very real mystery of the story is a riveting background for Rain’s self-struggle, and the plot twists make this a true page-turner. This book will find a ready audience in fans of Sarah Dessen and Deb Caletti who are looking for something a bit edgier.”–VOYA

Giveaway:  I have two advanced copies of this title to share with you.  In addition, as an Ambuzzador for this title and I have special codes you can use to sign up for Random Buzzers that will give you enough “Buzz Bucks” (points) and special privileges to be eligible for a free book.  If you are already a member, perhaps you have a friend or teen who might like to join.  If you would like to be entered in the giveaway, leave a comment below with your e-mail address so I can contact you if you win.  I will accept entries until Sunday night.

Random Buzzers:   An online community for teens from Random House, Random Buzzers is a fun, safe place for readers and writers to gather and share their favorite reads, chat with authors, win books, share reviews and tons of other fun stuff!  This week Mariah Fredericks is the featured author and you can post your questions for her to reply.

Reviewed from Netgalley electronic copy.  Amazon Affiliate: If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase

End-Oh I had such good intentions to sleep for a just a few hours and then get up and read some more.  So didn’t happen.  So I didn’t make my goal, but I did have fun.

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? The last one
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? I really felt like Bunheads by Sophie Flack held my attention, but that is possibly because I love the subject (ballet) so much.
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?  Ummm, not really.  I just wish I could find the magic way to stay up longer!
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?  My favorite part is interacting with everyone else.
5. How many books did you read?  I read a lot of pieces of books, but not one complete book.
6. What were the names of the books you read?  Doom with a View by Daniel Nayeri (novella), Bunheads by Sophie Flack, The Moving Toyshop by Edmund Crispin, “Some Fortunate Future Day” by Cassandra Clare (short story), Wicked Autumn by G.M. Malliet, 17 Things I’m not allowed to do any more by Jenny Offill and Nancy Carpenter, To Fetch a Thief by Spencer Quinn, Vixen by Jillian Larkin.
7. Which book did you enjoy most?  Bunheads I think.
8. Which did you enjoy least?  The Moving Toyshop, but I think that is because I was feeling sleepy so I wasn’t “getting” it very well.
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?  I wasn’t a cheerleader but I liked having them stop by!
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?  I am sure I will participate again, probably as a reader.

11:44 p.m.-Read Cassandra Clare’s story from Steampunk. Have made it through several chapters of Wicked Autumn by G.M. Malliet.  Drunk 2 large glasses of Diet Mountain Dew.  And with all of that, all I feel is more and more sleepy.  Every time I do a read-a-thon I say this will be time I stay up and read.  And every time (at least so far) I don’t do it.  I think if I can just push through I’ll get a second wind but so far I have never found out.  And tonight won’t be that time either.  Good night.  7 hours read.

10:18 p.m.-Got back from the party and started reading again just before 9.  (I made way too much food, but we’ll just enjoy crostini for a few days.)  I finished Bunheads, which I loved.  Every time I read a book with ballet in it, it makes me wish for more books about ballet.  I do have this post about dance titles but it could perhaps stand to be updated.  I drank a couple of cups of coffee, one with chocolate syrup added (YUM!).  Thinking about hitting the diet Mountain Dew.  Started The Moving Toyshop, but it might not be the best choice when I am starting to feel a little sleepy.  I only have about a billion other things I could read…now just to choose one.  5 hours, 55 minutes read.

5:45 p.m.-Taking an extended break for dinner and then off to a party.  Finally got to sink my teeth into Bunheads.  I am loving it so far.  I did buy a 2 liter of Diet Mountain Dew when I was at the store earlier, so perhaps I’ll do something wild and crazy like stay up all night.  Or at least until 12:00…4 hours and 35 minutes read.

4:02 p.m.-Cooking done!  Chili is simmering for dinner in a few hours.  Eggplant and sun-dried tomato tapenade in the fridge for party later.  (Not sure why I don’t like olives but I do like tapenade.)  Dear husband was a little surprised I bought pre-made toasts at the store, but I wanted a few minutes to read!  I listened to more of Vixen while cooking.  Up next, Bunheads! 3 hours, 15 minutes read.

2:48 p.m.-Back from errands.  Picked up Death Angels by Ake Edwardson and The Moving Topyshop by Edmund Crispin at the library.  Both are for discussion on 4 Mystery Addicts, a listserv I joined this week.  I also picked 17 things I’m not allowed to do any more by Jenny Offill and Nancy Carpenter.  It was recommended on another listserv, and I just had to get it.  I don’t read many picture books since I stopped being a children’s librarian, so this is a real treat.  I managed to listen to 30 minutes of To Fetch a Thief by Spencer Quinn and another 30 minutes of Vixen by Jillian Larkin.  Then I stopped by a few blogs.  Now I am back to the audio while I prepare eggplant and sun-dried tomato tapenade crostini for a party tonight and chili for dinner.  2 hours, 30 minutes read.

12:30 p.m.-Back home.  Made a grocery list, frozen pizza for lunch.  Stopped by a few blogs to see what others are reading and how the read-a-thon is going for them.  Stopped by read-a-thon page to realize I had won a prize!  Cool.  I never win anything, especially if they are going for time reading on these events.  Now, off to the library and perhaps craft store before hitting the grocery store.  I will get in some audio book time and contemplate caffeine for later.  I bet I am the only person in Publix with earbuds NOT listening to tunes.

9:30 a.m.-Just finished reading “Doom with a View,” one of the novellas in Daniel Nayeri’s new book, Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow.  Nothing like a little Death, first thing in the morning.  Getting ready to go to a memorial service, so perhaps that is appropriate in an odd kind of way. 1 hour, 30 minutes read.

8:00 a.m.–So excited for another read-a-thon, although this one will be a bit of a challenge because of the various activities I have going on today.  Find out more about this read-a-thon by visiting Dewey’s Read-a-thon.  There will be posts throughout the day including  mini-challenges.  And of course, prizes! It isn’t too late to sign up.  You can also follow along on twitter, look for the #readathon tag.

Here is my introduction:

1)Where are you reading from today?  Naples, Florida

2)Three random facts about me…

a) I love television shows that are targeted to teens but today will be all about the books.

b)  I am a librarian at a university.

c) I love ballet (see 3 below).

3) My TBR pile is always huge and I always think I will read more for these read-a-thons then I do.  I would like to finish Bunheads by Sophie Flack.  (ballet=win!)

4) Even though I have a packed day, I want to read more than then 11 hours I read last time I participated.

5) My favorite part about read-a-thons, besides the luxury of reading, is connecting with other readers.  Visit blogs, post on twitter, share what you are reading.

Feeling a little sleepy this morning.  Going to start my reading off with a sampler from Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow by Daniel Nayeri…and coffee.

Wow this is a busy week.  First Mystery Series Week, and now Great Books.  According to the website, “Great Books Week 2011 is honoring Great Expectations in its 150th anniversary year.”  They suggest all kinds of activities surrounding the book, including reading it online, watching the 1946 movie, and participating in their blog challenges.

I first read Great Expectations in maybe 3rd (?) grade in a paperback adaption from the Great Illustrated Classics series.  I had received a set for Christmas and felt rather grown up to read the classics.  (Nowadays I am torn–a part of me wants to say read the original!  But then, I read the adaption first and still went on to read and enjoy the full version of this and many others later.)  I remember reading the full novel in 9th grade Honors English.  It was a perfect kind of story for teenagers.  I think if I were to read it again now, I might feel differently.

Matter of fact, for anyone interested in the classics, I highly recommend finding audio versions.  I spent one summer listening to Pride and Prejudice on my mp3 player.  Austen’s writing (especially the dialogue) really came alive.  So I am off to my public library site to see if they have Great Expectations for me to download.  You can see what your library has as well.

Amazon Affiliate: If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.

How did I not know about this special week?  According to Chase’s Annual Events, “[m]ystery series week is a celebration of continuing characters in mystery fiction.”  I have always said I was a mystery junkie.  But really, I LOVE mystery series.  The best series deliver great characters, settings and an excellent mystery, volume after volume.  Even better is the growth of the characters and the glimpses the reader has into their lives.

Again from Chase’s: “Two-thirds of all new mysteries each year feature a series detective. The series tradition has been alive and well for more than 100 years.  Series readers today can choose from more than 20,000 adult mysteries featuring more than 4,000 continuing characters from living writers.  Mystery Series Week celebrates fictional cops, private eyes and amateur sleuths from all walks of life—solving crimes from 55 BC to the 22nd century.”

I am now and have almost always been a mystery junkie and most of those in series.  I started with the Bobbsey Twins, and then moved on to Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden and even a few Hardy Boys for good luck.  I think it was the summer after 8th grade that I read every Agatha Christie from the public library down the street.  In 10th grade my wonderful English teacher allowed us to explore adult mysteries as part of our free reading.  Thanks to her recommendations, I discovered Sue Grafton, Anne Perry, Martha Grimes, Lilian Jackson Braun, Nancy Pickard and I am sure several more I am forgetting.  I babysat for several ladies in the neighborhood, one had almost all the Jeeves and Wooster books.  Another had more contemporary series.

Nowadays, I spend a lot of time reading the newest titles, but I am always happy to discover a new series and welcome the return of an old.  Here are some that I have enjoyed recently:

Myron Bolitar series by Harlan Coben: One False Move

Hannah Swensen series by Joanne Fluke: Devil’s Food Cake Murder

Maise Dobbs series by Jacquline Winspear: Pardonable Lies

Lena Jones series by Betty Webb: Desert Run

Detective Sargeant Emmanuel Cooper series by Malla Nunn: Let the Dead Lie

Baker Street series by Michael Robertson: The Baker Street Letters

The Abbott Agency series by Veronica Heley: False Charity

Curriculum Connection:  When I was searching for more information on this week, I found this excellent lesson plan for introducing students to the mystery genre on the Scholastic website:  Exploring the Mystery Genre

The same teacher provides a great list of recommended mysteries.

Cleary, Beverly. (1977). Ramona and Her Father. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN: 978-0688221140 (hc) 978-0380709168 (pbk)

I read ALL of Beverly Cleary’s books when I was younger, and I loved them.  I still remember the scene in one book where Ramona is sitting next to the curly haired girl and just had to pull one of the curls to see if it made a boing sound…and in another the time Ramona squeezed out a whole tube of toothpaste and…I watched the Wonderworks version of the books on PBS.  I had my mother cut my hair like the picture of Ellen Tebbits on the cover of the book.

This time I picked up the audiobook read by Stockard Channing, and her performance added another layer to the book.   I knew the books were funny, but I didn’t realize how funny.  I am sure as a little girl I identified with both Ramona and Beezus (being an older sister myself), but what I realized as an adult is that Beverly Cleary got everything right–the characters, their dynamics, actions are all pitch perfect.

Reviewed from public library audio book.  Amazon Affiliate: If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.

Even though I was busier than previous weekends when I have done the challenge, I still had a great time reading and networking with other bloggers and readers, especially new ones I hadn’t met before.  I am considering the next Dewey Readathon in the fall.

I feel like I met my personal goal, which was to participate as well as I could with everything else I had to do.  I also wanted to do more with commenting on other people’s sites, which I did Friday before I had even officially joined the challenge.  I wish I could manage to stay up later.  I am considering the next challenge might be a great reason to take a day off next year.

So the final numbers:  Time read:  13 hours 25 minutes.  Pages read: 762 Books read: 1 and more than 1/2 of 3 others Time networking: 1 hour 40 minutes

Sunday Afternoon, 1:40 p.m. Well, I made it maybe another 30 minutes after I posted last night, and while I got in a few hours this morning, church, lunch, and now university graduation and dinner out tonight will be eating into my reading time.  I am tempted to sneak a book into the arena, but I think people would notice…In an attempt to stay awake last night, I started Tahoe Heat by Todd Borg.  I love this series, and this one is just as good as the others.  If you like p.i.’s with intelligence and humor and an appreciation for art and Great Danes, you should check out this under appreciated series.  I also got further into Another Pan, which is getting creepier and creepier as it goes.  Teens will love it.  Time read:  10 hours 40 minutes.  Pages read: 636 Time networking: 1 hr 10 minutes

Saturday Evening, 11: 35 p.m. In spite of the double strength iced coffee and snacks, fading fast.  Past experience tells me if I push through, I’ll be good for a few more hours.  Made it about 1/3 of the way through Another Pan.  I enjoyed Another Faust, but this seems to be a stronger, better book in many ways, especially character development-wise.  I see elements from the original but they feel both modern and creepy at the same time. Time read:  8 hours 10 minutes.  Pages read: 454 Time networking: 50 minutes

Saturday Evening, 9:25 p.m. Finally have minute to stop and update my progress.  Surprised how much reading I fit in between the events of my day.  The dribs and drabs, minutes here and there added up.  I finished one book, Twice a Spy by Keith Thomson, the sequel to one of my favorite books from last year, Once a Spy, and I am happy to say that Thomson doesn’t suffer from a sophomore curse.  I read a few chapters of Another Pan by Daniel and Dina Nayeri, and listened to 100 minutes of Leverage by Joshua Cohen.  Time read:  6 hours 25 minutes.  Pages read: 332 Time networking: 25 minutes

Saturday Morning, 7:00 a.m. I can’t believe that it has been a whole year since the last 48 Hour Book Challenge.   I have been looking forward to this for several weeks, although it will be a challenge to get my hours in, as I have to work today, attend graduation tomorrow, as well as spend time with my in-laws who are visiting from Texas.

My goal this year is to have fun, read a variety of books, and try to network more.  There was a period of time earlier this year when it seemed like I wasn’t finishing any book I started or blogging.  So I am just excited to be back in the game.

If you want to participate, it isn’t too late to get in on the action.  More information here.  The twitter hash tag for the challenge is #48hbc, if anyone else wants to follow along, and should be updates from various readers at the Mother Reader blog.

Levine, Gail Carson. (1997). Ella Enchanted. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN: 978-0060275105 (hc) 978-0064407052 (pbk)

It is funny to me how some books stick out in my mind.  I associate this book with when I was starting out as a librarian.  I remember how it and other books by Levine were very popular and we couldn’t keep them on the shelves.  But even though I had read it, I couldn’t recall much about the book itself.  Listening to it on audio, it was like reading it again for the first time.  So charming, so witty, so well plotted.  And Eden Riegel did such an excellent job in reading it.  Levine was not the first to retell or reimagine a fairy tale, but she was so successful I believe it led to many others we have today that otherwise may not have been published, and for that we should all be thankful!

Reviewed from public library audio book.  Amazon Affiliate: If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.

Plot Summary: At the end of A Whole Nother Story, Ethan Cheeseman and his three children escaped the various n’er do wells by hopping in their time machine and heading to the past to end the family curse and stop the murder of their beloved wife and mother.  Easier said than done–the  machine lands them in the middle of the 17th century, where they are being chased by witch hunters and pirates and a team from the future while trying to get a cursed goblet back to its rightful owner.  Even if they complete their quest, there is a chance the time machine is beyond repair.

Critical Analysis:  I found the second book in this series to be a little harder to get into then the first.  Perhaps some of the charm and wackiness of the characters and humour is wearing thin, or perhaps it has become harder for “Dr. Soup” to maintain the same level of hilarity and hijinks across a second book.  I’m sure it will matter little to the book’s target audience, kids in upper elementary, and Iwill say I was glad for the new sock puppet and was laughing out loud when the Cheesemans were trying to escape the villagers and the witch hunter.

That being said, I still really enjoyed the return Cheesemans, as normal and loving a family as can be, even with their time traveling and quests to break a curse and stop a murder.  Even among all the madcap adventures that Soup manages to show us more about their characters and even makes room for a little growth.

Review Excerpts: “The incessantly comic commentary is a bit hit-or-miss but over the course of these nonstop rollicking adventures, there are hits, and hilarity, aplenty.”–Children’s Literature

“This is a quirky, madcap tale….With such a variety of insane characters…there are many laugh-out-loud moments. Although this title stands fairly well on its own, it is especially recommended for libraries where the first book is popular.”–School Library Journal

Reviewed from publisher provided advanced copy.  Amazon Affiliate: If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.

Maclachlan, Patricia. (1985). Sarah Plain and Tall.  New York: HarperCollins.  ISBN: 978-0060241018 (hc) 978-0064402057 (pb)

I don’t remember reading this book as a child, although it was published when I was in 4th grade.  What I remember is seeing Glenn Close and Christopher Walken on television, loving the story and the realism of the movie, and seeking the book.  I loved how eloquent it was in its simplicity, how layered and complex in just a few short words.  And I loved how the movie captured and expanded the story in a way that was so true to the book and the characters.  I cannot separate the book from the movie or the movie from the book–and that’s okay with me.

Reviewed from public library copy.  Amazon Affiliate: If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.