Powerful conclusion to a stunning trilogy: Fallout By Ellen Hopkins

Fallout

By Ellen Hopkins


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Hunter, Autumn, and Summer—three of Kristina Snow’s five children—live in different homes, with different guardians and different last names. They share only a predisposition for addiction and a host of troubled feelings toward the mother who barely knows them, a mother who has been riding with the monster, crank, for twenty years.

Hunter is nineteen, angry, getting by in college with a job at a radio station, a girlfriend he loves in the only way he knows how, and the occasional party. He's struggling to understand why his mother left him, when he unexpectedly meets his rapist father, and things get even more complicated.

Autumn lives with her single aunt and alcoholic grandfather. When her aunt gets married, and the only family she’s ever known crumbles, Autumn’s compulsive habits lead her to drink. And the consequences of her decisions suggest that there’s more of Kristina in her than she’d like to believe.

Summer doesn’t know about Hunter, Autumn, or their two youngest brothers, Donald and David. To her, family is only abuse at the hands of her father’s girlfriends and a slew of foster parents. Doubt and loneliness overwhelm her, and she, too, teeters on the edge of her mother’s notorious legacy.

As each searches for real love and true family, they find themselves pulled toward the one person who links them together—Kristina, Bree, mother, addict. But it is in each other, and in themselves, that they find the trust, the courage, the hope to break the cycle.

Told in three voices and punctuated by news articles chronicling the family’s story, FALLOUT is the stunning conclusion to the trilogy begun by CRANK and GLASS, and a testament to the harsh reality that addiction is never just one person’s problem.

Review
Fallout - an unexpected or incidental effect, outcome, or product.

FALLOUT is exactly that definition....the effects of Kristina Snow's addiction with crank. The fallout that the title is referring to is the effects on her kids. FALLOUT tells the story of three of Kristina's children: Hunter (the oldest), and two daughters, Autumn and Summer.

Each of these children live different lives with different families. Hunter, the most fortunate of Kristina's children, lives with his grandparents in a normal life. Hunter constantly battles his own demons, though. He has a decent job with a local radio station and a relationship with a good girl, Nikki. But Hunter is constantly messing up that relationship and trying to find ways to prove to Nikki that he truly loves her.

Autumn is the daughter of the infamous Trey. She lives with her Aunt Cora and her grandfather. Her situation isn't that bad, either. But her aunt is getting married and that changes everything. It's at her aunt's wedding that Trey appears and shakes things up.

And finally we meet Summer. Summer lives in a broken-down trailer these days with her alcoholic father and his current flame. Summer had a decent boyfriend, but ruins it all when she falls for his best friend, bad news Kyle.

During the course of the next few months, the children of Kristina are on a spiral to a surprise ending one Christmas. They will all come together in an unplanned way.

FALLOUT is yet another amazing novel by Ms. Hopkins. It is an emotional roller coaster that leaves the reader saddened, and then triumphant, for the children affected by a parent's addiction.

Reviewed by: Jaglvr

Biography

Ellen Hopkins is the New York Times bestselling author of Crank, Burned, Impulse, Glass, Identical, Tricks, and Fallout. Her novels are praised by teens and adults alike, and she has been called the “bestselling living poet in the U.S.” by mediabistro.com. She lives with her family in Carson City, Nevada. Be sure to visit Ellen Hopkins online at ellenhopkins.com; myspace/com/ellenhopkins; and twitter.com/ellenhopkinsYA.


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A Warm, Whimsical Story Of Friendship's Transitions: City Dog, Country Frog

City Dog, Country Frog

By Mo Willems (Author), Jon J Muth (Illustrator)

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City Dog ran like the wind across the field in front of the old farmhouse until he saw something very unusual sitting on a rock. Very soon he had met the acquaintance of Country Frog perched on a rock. He sat right down next to him on a rock peering into his big googly eyes. His tail was wagging when he asked what Country Frog was up to. "Waiting for a friend." There wasn't anyone in sight, but the smiling frog replied, "But you'll do." Spring had begun and they played games and cavorted around. Of course Country Frog's games were things like "jumping and splashing and croaking." City Dog even let Country Frog sit on his head as he dog paddled through the water. 

Summer arrived and they played new games, games that City Dog knew how to play like fetch. He taught Country Frog how to sniff and bark too. They played and played and played until fall arrived. The leaves had changed color and began to drift to the ground with their splash of color. Frog was getting tired and wanted to play "remember-ing games." Frog sat on his snout as they began to remember. Later City Dog and Country Frog sat on the rock and remembered how much fun they had. Winter arrived, but when City Dog raced through the snow to see his friend at their rock he was nowhere to be found. Where had he gone? Perhaps he would see him when spring rolled around again. 

This beautiful, heartwarming story about friendship will charm both children and adults alike. Every child eventually creates a friendship with someone special in their life and this unlikely, but joyful friendship, will bring a smile to those who have created them. The gorgeous watercolors create that special aura of the excitement and special moments that only close friends share. There also, unfortunately, is sadness of the loss of a friend, but the possibility of a new one. This is a very special book that city folk, country folk, and all kind of friends will be able to embrace and relate to! -- D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont)

Review
I first read this book to my three-year-old daughter at the library. We brought it home and read it no less than twenty times. I teared up almost every time.

Our family has dealt with the loss of both pets and friends in the past year. My daughter is a bit wise for her age. She asked me what happened to frog. I asked her what she thought happened. She answered "He died, right Mom?" We were able to have such great conversations about friendship, death and new beginnings thanks to this book.

There is more than one lesson to be learned from Dog and Frog, for every reader, at any age.

By the way, I bought two copies.-- carbotee

Biography

Jon J Muth (Illustrator)
Jon J. Muth's watercolor art has been called 'quietly life-changing' by the New York Times. He is the author and artist of The Three Questions and the bestselling picture book Zen Shorts, as well as A Family of Poems by Caroline Kennedy, which was a national bestseller. Other works include the graphic novel Moonshadow, and A Family Christmas. He lives in New York.

Mo Willems (Author)
A three-time Caldecott Honor winner for Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, and Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity, Mo Willems has also won two Geisel Medals for There is a Bird on Your Head! and Are You Ready to Play Outside? And his books are perennial New York Times bestsellers. Before he turned to children's books, Mo was a writer and animator on Sesame Street, where he won six Emmy Awards. Mo lives with his family in Massachusetts.


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Perfect Board Books for Little Ones: A Little Books Boxed Set Featuring Little Pea, Little Hoot, Little Oink

A Little Books Boxed Set Featuring Little Pea, Little Hoot, Little Oink

By Amy Krouse Rosenthal

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Three adorable characters in three adorable board books! These clever twists on dinnertime, bedtime, and clean-up time will delight all the little mess-makers, picky eaters, and night owls in your life.

Review
This set contains three books: //Little Pea//, //Little Hoot//, and //Little Oink//. Little Hoot is a young owl who is told to stay up much past his bedtime, because that is what owls are supposed to do. Little Oink is a piglet who likes things clean and orderly but is told to mess his room up. Little Pea hates having to eat candy for dinner and would much rather eat spinach. Each main character breaks their stereotypical mold.

This is a set of books that belongs on every infant and preschool-aged child's bookshelf. This would also make a wonderful baby shower gift. These stories are absolutely adorable! Amy Krouse Rosenthal's writing is whimsical and perfect for the targeted age group. Jen Corace's illustrations are darling and playful. This set is something I am definitely saving for the day I have my own children.-- Jen LeBrun "Sacramento Book Review" (Sacramento, CA)


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Interesting Biography On Several Levels - Worth The Read:Spoken from the Heart by Laura Bush

Decision Points
By Laura Bush

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In this brave, beautiful, and deeply personal memoir, Laura Bush, one of our most beloved and private first ladies, tells her own extraordinary story.

Born in the boom-and-bust oil town of Midland, Texas, Laura Welch grew up as an only child in a family that lost three babies to miscarriage or infant death. She vividly evokes Midland's brash, rugged culture, her close relationship with her father, and the bonds of early friendships that sustain her to this day. For the first time, in heart-wrenching detail, she writes about the devastating high school car accident that left her friend Mike Douglas dead and about her decades of unspoken grief.

When Laura Welch first left West Texas in 1964, she never imagined that her journey would lead her to the world stage and the White House. After graduating from Southern Methodist University in 1968, in the thick of student rebellions across the country and at the dawn of the women's movement, she became an elementary school teacher, working in inner-city schools, then trained to be a librarian. At age thirty, she met George W. Bush, whom she had last passed in the hallway in seventh grade. Three months later, "the old maid of Midland married Midland's most eligible bachelor." With rare intimacy and candor, Laura Bush writes about her early married life as she was thrust into one of America's most prominent political families, as well as her deep longing for children and her husband's decision to give up drinking. By 1993, she found herself in the full glare of the political spotlight. But just as her husband won the Texas governorship in a stunning upset victory, her father, Harold Welch, was dying in Midland.

In 2001, after one of the closest elections in American history, Laura Bush moved into the White House. Here she captures presidential life in the harrowing days and weeks after 9/11, when fighter-jet cover echoed through the walls and security scares sent the family to an underground shelter. She writes openly about the White House during wartime, the withering and relentless media spotlight, and the transformation of her role as she began to understand the power of the first lady. One of the first U.S. officials to visit war-torn Afghanistan, she also reached out to disease-stricken African nations and tirelessly advocated for women in the Middle East and dissidents in Burma. She championed programs to get kids out of gangs and to stop urban violence. And she was a major force in rebuilding Gulf Coast schools and libraries post-Katrina. Movingly, she writes of her visits with U.S. troops and their loved ones, and of her empathy for and immense gratitude to military families.


With deft humor and a sharp eye, Laura Bush lifts the curtain on what really happens inside the White House, from presidential finances to the 175-year-old tradition of separate bedrooms for presidents and their wives to the antics of some White House guests and even a few members of Congress. She writes with honesty and eloquence about her family, her public triumphs, and her personal tribulations. Laura Bush's compassion, her sense of humor, her grace, and her uncommon willingness to bare her heart make this story revelatory, beautifully rendered, and unlike any other first lady's memoir ever written.


Review

Very well written. I enjoyed it very much. Especially if you like Laura Bush.....I loved the fact that it was written by someone who has always loved books. --Verna Ragland

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Good Overview Of The Bush Years:Decision Points by George W. Bush[Hardcover]

Decision Points
By George W. Bush

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In this candid and gripping account, President George W. Bush describes the critical decisions that shaped his presidency and personal life.

George W. Bush served as president of the United States during eight of the most consequential years in American history. The decisions that reached his desk impacted people around the world and defined the times in which we live.

Decision Points brings readers inside the Texas governor's mansion on the night of the 2000 election, aboard Air Force One during the harrowing hours after the attacks of September 11, 2001, into the Situation Room moments before the start of the war in Iraq, and behind the scenes at the White House for many other historic presidential decisions.

For the first time, we learn President Bush's perspective and insights on:

• His decision to quit drinking and the journey that led him to his Christian faith
• The selection of the vice president, secretary of defense, secretary of state, Supreme Court justices, and other key officials
• His relationships with his wife, daughters, and parents, including heartfelt letters between the president and his father on the eve of the Iraq War
• His administration's counterterrorism programs, including the CIA's enhanced interrogations and the Terrorist Surveillance Program
• Why the worst moment of the presidency was hearing accusations that race played a role in the federal government’s response to Hurricane Katrina, and a critical assessment of what he would have done differently during the crisis
• His deep concern that Iraq could turn into a defeat costlier than Vietnam, and how he decided to defy public opinion by ordering the troop surge
• His legislative achievements, including tax cuts and reforming education and Medicare, as well as his setbacks, including Social Security and immigration reform
• The relationships he forged with other world leaders, including an honest assessment of those he did and didn’t trust
• Why the failure to bring Osama bin Laden to justice ranks as his biggest disappointment and why his success in denying the terrorists their fondest wish—attacking America again—is among his proudest achievements

A groundbreaking new brand of presidential memoir, Decision Points will captivate supporters, surprise critics, and change perspectives on eight remarkable years in American history—and on the man at the center of events.

Since leaving office, President George W. Bush has led the George W. Bush Presidential Center at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. The center includes an active policy institute working to advance initiatives in the fields of education reform, global health, economic growth, and human freedom, with a special emphasis on promoting social entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for women around the world. It will also house an official government archive and a state-of-the-art museum that will open in 2013.

Review

Here's what I took out of reading this book.

First, I got a great overview of world events that occurred during Bush's eight years in office. Regardless of whether you agreed with Bush, your memory will at least be refreshed on the important events of the Bush years, including 9/11, the stem cell controversy, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the financial meltdown. With hindsight being 20/40, it's easy to forget how we felt during some of those events, and this book does a good job of bringing us back to those uncertain times.

Second, it made me sympathize with Bush for some of the decisions he made, including those I disagreed with. I was struck at how influenced he was by the people around him. For example, his advisors basically put him in a
state of constant fear of a potential terrorist strike on him personally, and I was left wondering whether this was the cause of some of his war mentality. Another example is the doomsday scenario he was given during the financial crisis. These "worst case scenarios" always seemed to be the guiding light of his decisions. Also, while I disagreed with his stem cell policy, that chapter at least helped me understand his thinking.

Third, I was reminded of some of the reasons why I was ready for Bush to leave office when he did. The chapter that most reminded me of this was the one called "Freedom Agenda"; this chapter contains his overly-simplistic, black-and-white view of the world that I did not like during his presidency.

So whether you agree with Bush or not, I think this was a worth-while read. The most boring chapter was the one about the African malaria/AIDS initiative. Other than that, it kept my attention. --William E. Liberatore "edcctf"

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Annie Auerbach's Disney Storybook Collections:Toy Story Storybook Collection (Disney Storybook Collections)[Hardcover]

Toy Story Storybook Collection (Disney Storybook Collections)
By Annie Auerbach

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To story time and beyond!

Everyone's favorite toys are hitting the big screen. But the fun can be taken home and enjoyed over and over again with this brand-new storybook collection, timed to release with Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story 3! Sure to draw in a new generation of fans of these extremely popular movies, the collection features retellings of all three movies, plus brand-new stories about Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Rex and the rest of the gang. Young readers are in for hours of rollicking good fun. With gilded pages and over 250 illustrations, this latest addition to the bestselling storybook collection series will make the perfect gift.

Review

A great collection for the Toy Story fan family. Well-written; great for reading aloud. The additional stories are faithful to the original characters' arcs and add some new dimensions. Fun and highly recommended. --James Michael

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Previous Disney Storybook Collections include:

Jeff Kinney's Wimpy Kid Series - Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth [Hardcover]
By Jeff Kinney

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Greg Heffley has always been in a hurry to grow up. But is getting older really all it’s cracked up to be?

Greg suddenly finds himself dealing with the pressures of boy-girl parties, increased responsibilities, and even the awkward changes that come with getting older—all without his best friend, Rowley, at his side. Can Greg make it through on his own? Or will he have to face the “ugly truth”?

Review


Greg is a very self-centered young schooler. The book seems like an actual diary in words and amusing pictures about Greg's daily life at home and at school. His Dad wants him to live up his potential, but often he has his own ideas. Greg has to learn how to communicate with his brother, though it's not a easy job. The book successfully illustartes Greg's thought processes. My son is a reluctant reader, but he really likes to read this book. I also enjoyed reading it! I would like to recommend this book to all schoolers, caring parents, teachers, and librarians. --! Aesop - Sam

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Previous Wimpy Kid books include:

Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy :The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo , The Girl Who Played with Fire (Vintage), The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
By Stieg Larsson

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Once you start The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, there's no turning back. This debut thriller--the first in a trilogy from the late Stieg Larsson--is a serious page-turner rivaling the best of Charlie Huston and Michael Connelly. Mikael Blomkvist, a once-respected financial journalist, watches his professional life rapidly crumble around him. Prospects appear bleak until an unexpected (and unsettling) offer to resurrect his name is extended by an old-school titan of Swedish industry. The catch--and there's always a catch--is that Blomkvist must first spend a year researching a mysterious disappearance that has remained unsolved for nearly four decades. With few other options, he accepts and enlists the help of investigator Lisbeth Salander, a misunderstood genius with a cache of authority issues. Little is as it seems in Larsson's novel, but there is at least one constant: you really don't want to mess with the girl with the dragon tattoo. --Dave Callanan

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The Girl Who Played with Fire (Vintage)
By Stieg Larsson

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The girl with the dragon tattoo is back. Stieg Larsson's seething heroine, Lisbeth Salander, once again finds herself paired with journalist Mikael Blomkvist on the trail of a sinister criminal enterprise. Only this time, Lisbeth must return to the darkness of her own past (more specifically, an event coldly known as "All the Evil") if she is to stay one step ahead--and alive. The Girl Who Played with Fire is a break-out-in-a-cold-sweat thriller that crackles with stunning twists and dismisses any talk of a sophomore slump. Fans of Larsson's prior work will find even more to love here, and readers who do not find their hearts racing within the first five pages may want to confirm they still have a pulse. Expect healthy doses of murder, betrayal, and deceit, as well as enough espresso drinks to fuel downtown Seattle for months. --Dave Callanan

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The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
By Stieg Larsson

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As the finale to Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest is not content to merely match the adrenaline-charged pace that made international bestsellers out of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire. Instead, it roars with an explosive storyline that blows the doors off the series and announces that the very best has been saved for last. A familiar evil lies in wait for Lisbeth Salander, but this time, she must do more than confront the miscreants of her past; she must destroy them. Much to her chagrin, survival requires her to place a great deal of faith in journalist Mikael Blomkvist and trust his judgment when the stakes are highest. To reveal more of the plot would be criminal, as Larsson's mastery of the unexpected is why millions have fallen hard for his work. But rest assured that the odds are again stacked, the challenges personal, and the action fraught with neck-snapping revelations in this snarling conclusion to a thrilling triad. This closing chapter to The Girl's pursuit of justice is guaranteed to leave readers both satisfied and saddened once the final page has been turned. --Dave Callanan

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Homes'Kit and Homes'Appliances: Hand Blender Bestseller: Cuisinart CSB-76BC SmartStick 200-Watt Immersion Hand Blender, Brushed Chrome

Cuisinart CSB-76 Smart Stick Hand Blender

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Equipped with a powerful 200-watt motor, this immersion handheld blender quickly purees soups, blends batters, mixes beverages, and more. The unit's unique blade provides extremely smooth and even blending, while its protective blade guard helps prevent splattering. The blender offers one-handed operation with its lightweight design, easy-to-grip ergonomic handle, and simple push-button controls. In addition, its long shape reaches into pots, pitchers, and bowls to extend blending options, eliminating the need to dirty extra dishes. For quick clean-up, the blender’s stainless-steel shaft can go in the dishwasher and the smooth surface of the blender body wipes clean. A 2-cup plastic beaker comes included. This handheld blender measures approximately 3 by 3 by 14-1/8 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty.

Product Features

Color: Brushed Chrome

• Immersion hand blender equipped with powerful 200-watt motor
• Blade provides smooth blending; protective guard helps prevent splattering
• Simple push-button controls and lightweight design for one-handed operation
• Dishwasher-safe stainless-steel blending shaft; 2-cup plastic beaker included
• Measures approximately 3 by 3 by 14-1/8 inches; 3-year limited warranty

Great kitchen tool!, October 19, 2010

By

cpintx

I purchased this hand blender to make a cream of carrot soup that I had seen in a recent issue of my Southern Living magazine. My husband said that a regular mixer/blender would not give me the results I would want and that I needed one of these blenders. I compared several of these products and settled on this version because of the Cuisinart name and the great pricing. It arrived sooner than expected and a couple days later I used it in making the soup. The product directions and tips were great, and my soup turned out perfectly and delicious! The texture was amazing. I just made the soup again over the weekend while my in-laws were in town, and my mother-in-law loved the soup and asked about the blender. So, I think I will be ordering another one as a gift for her. The only thing about the blender is cleaning it. It comes apart very easily so you can wash it; however, I recommend rinsing very well right after using so you don't get any dried particles up under the blade area where it is hard to reach. Otherwise, I absolutely love this blender and can't wait to find other recipes in which to use it!

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Buy Best Price at Homekits

via homekits.blogspot.com

The product works as well as other blenders. The stainless head is a nice cleaning feature.

Sandra Boynton Children's Books: The Going-To-Bed Book, Moo Baa La La La, But Not the Hippopotamus

The Going-To-Bed Book
By Sandra Boynton

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For a little one who is reluctant to go to bed, sometimes a silly book is just the ticket. And when it comes to silly books, Sandra Boynton is the undisputed queen. In The Going to Bed Book, an ark full of animals watches the sun go down and then prepares for bed. They take a bath ("in one big tub"), find pajamas, brush their teeth, do exercises up on deck (imagine an elephant jumping rope, a moose lifting weights, and a pig doing handstands), and finally say good night.

The moon is high. The sea is deep.
They rock
and rock
and rock
to sleep.

Boynton's inimitable animal characters have graced the pages of scads of picture books over the years. She has an extraordinary knack for knowing what appeals to small children: simple rhymes, goofy animals in goofy settings, and sweet, comforting stories. This book, along with her many other board-book titles (Moo, Baa, La La La!, But Not the Hippopotamus, and others) will surely remain a favorite. (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter

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Moo Baa La La La
By Sandra Boynton

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Sandra Boynton is a name you should become familiar with. Her books are fantastic gems. Moo Baa La La La is a wonderful "animal sound" book with a funny surprise in the middle.

You'll go through the sounds for such animals as: cows, sheep, pigs, ducks, horses, rhinoceroses, dogs, and cats.

It's funny to hear adults read this book. As they get to the part of what the rhino's say, our brains aren't quite sure if rhinoceroses is the correct word or if we should say something like "rhinocerosi".

And hearing the different types of "snorting and snuffing" brings down the house. Be sure to have grandma and grandpa read this to your little one so you, too, can have a blast.

You won't find any audio or texture features in this book but your child will enjoy growing up with this easy-to-read and echo book. --- MasterAP (Maryland, USA)

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But Not the Hippopotamus
By Sandra Boynton

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Simple rhymes depict a big coming of age Hippo story. While all the other animals are expressing themselves in various ways and joining in on activities, a shy Hippo weighs on in the background, yearning to be included. The hippo finds her happy ending by accepting the animal pack's invitation to join them by the end of the book; However, a poor Armadillo takes her place in the background. Like many infant books, this hard paged edition stands up to grabby little hands and exploring mouths. --- Sherry A. Taylor "Taylormade"

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Vicki Courtney's Teen Girl & Boy Books

Vicki Courtney's teen girl books

Between God and Me: A Journey through Proverbs Vicki Courtney speaks timeless truth to school-age girls in a modern language they understand. Her TeenVirtue and TeenVirtue: Confidential releases won ECPA Christian Book Awards while Between (for ages 8 to 12) landed on the industry’s young adult best seller list. Now, Between God and Me hits the “tween” scene with social talk that’s rooted in chapter-by-chapter wisdom from Proverbs. Amidst the cool, magazine-style photographs and colorful Q&A’s, kids will discover what’s not so cool about hanging with the wrong crowd, gossiping, being lazy or selfish, or having a bad temper. Girls will have all kinds of fun as they begin to understand that God has a greater purpose for their lives—even at this age. Read more...

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Five Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter [Paperback] From the cradle to college, tell your daughters the truth about life before they believe the culture's lies. For mothers with girls newborn to eighteen, Five Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter is simply a must-have book. Youth culture commentator Vicki Courtney helps moms pinpoint and prepare the discussions that should be ongoing in their daughters' formative years. To fully address the dynamic social and spiritual issues and influencers at hand, several chapters are written for each of the conversations, which are: 1. You are more than the sum of your parts 2. Don't be in such a hurry to grow up 3. Sex is great and worth the wait 4. It's OK to dream about marriage and motherhood 5. Girls gone wild are a dime a dozen--dare to be virtuous The book is linked to online bonus features offering invaluable tips on having these conversations across the various stages of development: five and under, six to eleven, twelve and up. Read more...

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Your Girl: Raising a Godly Daughter in an Ungodly World Vicki Courtney is someone who is "in the trenches" of ministry to preteen and teen girls (not to mention their mothers). She has seen firsthand the devastating consequences our provocative culture is having on women, both young and old. Your Girl addresses the negative influences facing young women in today’s culture and what mothers can do to counteract the cultural influences and raise Godly daughters. Vicki Courtney addresses the times our daughters live in, the high calling of motherhood, and the necessity to enter the battle to counteract the influences. Read more...

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BeTween: A Preteen Girl's Guide to Life An insightful book for preteen girls that looks and reads like an irresistibly fun magazine, BeTween offers a wealth of wisdom to a booming and most impressionable audience. Through colorful articles, quizzes, games, and lists, girls age eight to twelve are encouraged to grow spiritually and socially in every major area of life. Still, most admirably, the book encourages girls to enjoy being their age rather than succumbing to modern culture’s temptations to grow up too fast. Best-selling author Vicki Courtney speaks to girls and women of all ages, and her sold-out conference events for tween girls and their moms are testament to the imminent success that awaits BeTween. Read more...

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Your Boy: Raising a Godly Son in an Ungodly World When popular speaker Vicki Courtney released the best-selling Your Girl in 2004, and Beth Moore declared it "A must read for every daughter’s mother," it wasn’t long before a fast-growing audience was naturally requesting Your Boy. After all, parents are seeking help to grow godly sons as well. And as the mother of two boys herself, Vicki rises to the occasion with this inspiring, tell-it-like-it-is new favorite. Read more...

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About the Author

Vicki Courtney is founder of Virtuous Reality Ministries, producing online
content and hosting events across the United States for preteen and teen girls
and their parents. She is the best-selling author of 5 Conversations You Must
Have with Your Daughter and Your Girl as well as the ECPA Christian Book
Award winners TeenVirtue and TeenVirtue Confidential. Vicki lives in Austin,
Texas, with her husband and their three children.

Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom Series: Carpe Demon, California Demon, Demons Are Forever, Deja Demon, Demon Ex Machina

Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom Series

#1: Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom When minions of hell infest her small California town, retired demon-hunter Kate Connor's the busiest soccer mom on the block. Read more...

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#2: California Demon: The Secret Life Of A Demon-hunting Soccer Mom Kate Connor is back—battling demons, trying to figure out why her daughter's chemistry teacher seems so familiar, worrying about her daughter's crush on a surfer dude, and every once in a while, dusting under the sofa. Read more...

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#3: Demons Are Forever: Confessions Of A Demon-hunting Soccer Mom Kate's back—and with husband woes playing havoc with her emotions, an ambitious teen nipping at her heels, and a precious item that the demons are just drooling to get their claws on—this mom's putting in a lot of overtime. Read more...

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#4: Deja Demon: The Days And Nights Of A Demon-hunting Soccer Mom The High Demon Goramesh has returned to San Diablo—this time with a full-blown army of the undead and a plan to get rid of Kate before she can get rid of him. And once again, it's up to Kate to save the world. Good thing she can multitask. Read more...

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#5: Demon Ex Machina: Tales Of A Demon-hunting Soccer Mom With her first husband possessed by a demon and her current husband spending way too much time at home, Demon Hunter Kate Connor is having one hell of a month... Read more...

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Story Behind the Story

Kate Connor has become much like a best friend. And like a good friend, we became acquainted in the most unexpected of ways.

It was 2003, and I was up for contract with Pocket, and trying to think of something to submit as my option book. I'd just written two romantic comedies for them, and wanted to go with a romance series, possibly paranormal. I had an image of a group of guys—very alpha males—with long, black leather coats that billowed as they marched over the marshy ground, each searching out evil, battling it, and finding love in the process.

At the same time, I was a relatively new mom, and the chick lit market was just taking off. I wanted to do something mommy-ish, though. And as I was brainstorming both of these desires with my critique partner, Kathleen O'Reilly, I had one of those V-8 moments. Or, to create a better metaphor, I had a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup moment: two great tastes that go great together. A soccer mom. And a demon-hunter.

Right then, Kate was born, and I banged out the first chunk of chapter one. It hasn't changed much since that first hour at the keyboard. (Though the title did change: Demons & Dirty Diapers really didn't do it for anyone.)

I tentatively sent it to my agent to see what she thought. Fortunately, she loved it, and I put together a proposal. We sent it to multiple publishers, Berkley snatched it up, and days later, Hollywood came knocking. The series is now coming up on it's fourth book, and is in development with Warner Brothers and 1492 Pictures.

Kate's life is becoming more and more complicated, too. But don't worry. She can slay a demon with a stiletto heel and take out a nest of vampires with a crucifix and a bottle of Diet Coke. I'm sure she'll get out of this mess okay. Trouble is, there's a new mess waiting for her just around the corner...

Pick up a book and join the fun! And I hope you love Kate as much as I do.

Julie Kenner