tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712Sun, 02 Aug 2026 11:01:23 +0000Book ReviewChallengesGiveawayGood for GirlsRead-A-ThonDystopian LiteratureSeriesRealistic ReadGood For GuysParanormalAuthorsPoetryARC TourOn My WishlistHolidaysAbout MeMulticultural LitHistorical FictionBook to MovieClassicsDebut AuthorSuspenseful ReadChick Lit Book ClubFriday's Fab FiveAudio LitIn My MailboxMiddle Grade ReadcontestsBook ClubCover LoveGLBTQNonfictionContemps ChallengeMaine LitMusicOrganizationsReadathonTeen PregnancyCensorshipDystopiaEnvironmentShakespeareTeen Book SceneTeens at RandomWWIIBBAWBEABook 2 BookBook to BookFairy Tale RetoldGraphic NovelsHorrorInterviewRelease Day GiveawayShort StoriesBook ExtravaganzaCharacter ConnectionsCharacter InterviewDomestic ViolenceEventsHalloweenHuman RightsLucky YOU GiveawayPrintz AwardRecreate A CoverSupernaturalALA Best Book for YAALA Quick PickAdventureEating DisordersLibraryOn StageRandom House for TeachersRomantic ReadScience FictionSports LitSummer Read9/11AccessoriesAfrican American LitAlex AwardArtAuctionBiographyBlog AwardBlogs I LoveBook HabitsBook TrailerBookcasesCarnegie MedalChildren's BooksCivil RightsCreative WritingCuttingDrug UseEarth WeekEdgar AwardFreeHoliImmigrationLiterary GemsMagazineMagical RealismMemoirNational Book AwardNative LitNew EnglandNewbery MedalPublisherRapeReality TVTrailersUrban LitVideoYoung Adult Appreciation MonthtattoostheaterYoung Adult Lit Reviews &amp; Morehttp://derapsreads.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)Blogger520125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-3652825423188529791Sat, 09 Apr 2011 15:07:00 +00002011-04-09T08:07:52.279-07:00AuthorsDystopiaTeen Book SceneWhenever I read a new dystopia, I wonder about the influences of classic dystopias on current authors. I love teaching dystopias in my classroom, and wonder which of the books I teach will inspire my students to write their own stories some day. Ann Aguirre, author of Enclave, stopped by to talk about the classic dystopias that inspire her writing. &nbsp; The first dystopian I ever read was http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/04/author-guest-post-ann-aguirre-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-5486359316815407912Sun, 20 Mar 2011 13:09:00 +00002011-03-20T06:09:14.634-07:00AuthorsHorror <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:SimSun; mso-font-alt:宋体; mso-font-charset:134; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 680460288 22 0 262145 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/03/author-guest-post-jennifer-archer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-2949631695724748993Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:49:00 +00002011-03-06T16:49:44.875-08:00ARC TourBook ReviewFairy Tale RetoldJackson Pearce's newest novel, due out in August, retells the classic tale of Hansel and Gretel. Rather than two young children lost in the woods after their evil stepmother forces them out of their home, this is the story of Ansel and Gretchen. They have been kicked out of their family home, but these characters are teenagers on a road trip to find a new life. When their car breaks down in the http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/03/book-review-sweetly-by-jackson-pearce.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-7178610893291325153Fri, 04 Mar 2011 13:57:00 +00002011-03-04T05:57:46.266-08:00Character InterviewGLBTQTeen Book SceneCris Beam's I Am J tells the story of "J," originally called Jennifer. Ever since he can remember, J has felt out of place in his own body. Because of this disconnect, J goes to great lengths to alter his appearance so that he will feel and be seen as a male. Anyone who knows anyone who identifies as transgendered and anyone who'd like to know more about this experience should read this book. http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/03/character-interview-melissa-from-cris.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-1209648258433276327Fri, 04 Mar 2011 02:34:00 +00002011-03-03T18:34:44.982-08:00Audio LitBook ReviewGood for GirlsMiddle Grade ReadSeriesRadiance is a middle grade story that deals with a topic that is hard to broach with this age group: death. It can be difficult to talk about death with children, particularly in cases where the person who dies is very close to a child or where the person who dies is very young. The main character of this story, Riley (only twelve years old), has just died along with her parents and dog. She http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/03/audio-book-review-radiance-by-alyson.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-4320410453381625207Sat, 26 Feb 2011 16:26:00 +00002011-02-26T08:26:33.144-08:00Book ReviewDebut AuthorGood for GirlsMusicRealistic ReadTeen Book SceneIn alternating narratives, Sara Bennett Wealer tells the story of two talented teens--Kathryn and Brooke. Both girls are exceptional singers and, though they used to be very close, they have a rivalry that has spiraled out of control. Brooke seems to have it all. She is the most popular girl in her class, she has talent, money, and people generally look to her to decide who's cool and who's not.http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/book-review-rival-by-sara-bennett.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-6650861372418167478Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:41:00 +00002011-02-25T06:41:00.736-08:00AuthorsHorrorSuspenseful Read Savita Kahlan is the author of the chilling thriller, The Long Weekend. This book is absolutely terrifying, due to the subject matter and the author's skill at creating a tense, suspenseful situation where the lives of two boys are at stake. Though this book is thoroughly disturbing, I know that it takes a great writer to develop this type of character/ reader connection. I am highly impressed http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/author-guest-post-book-giveaway-savita.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-6665947451678604161Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:04:00 +00002011-02-24T16:04:52.522-08:00GiveawayYay! I'm finally feeling well enough to post the winners of my most recent giveaways. Sorry for the delay--It's been a rough couple of weeks. But, I am ready to announce and ship out some prizes to the lucky winners of the Valentine's Giveaway and the Rival book and necklace giveaway. Here we go... Winner of Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer and necklace: Ms. Ashley of Bookcase Siren! Winner of Love http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/winners-announced-three-of-em.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-3792120497765179358Wed, 23 Feb 2011 17:59:00 +00002011-02-24T05:15:37.360-08:00ARC TourMusicRealistic ReadSeriesIs it possible that I like Gayle Forman's Where She Went even more than If I Stay? I didn't know that this was possible. I am a little taken aback. But, from the very first chapter, I was captivated by this second book and could not put it down. Now, I did have a difficult time putting down If I Stay, but there was something so compelling about this book, even without the lure of tragedy and http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/is-it-possible-that-i-like-gayle.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-4454185698239188999Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:34:00 +00002011-02-22T08:34:17.458-08:00Audio LitBook ReviewDystopian LiteratureMiddle Grade ReadIn the futuristic world of Dark Life, the world is divided. There are those who live "Topside" or above water, and those who dwell deep under water. On land, the Commonwealth Government rules what is left of the overpopulated Earth. Due to many environmental and natural disasters, there is too little space for too many people. Under water, life is more like the Wild West. Those who choose to http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/audio-book-review-dark-life-by-kat.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-6036704733782520621Sat, 19 Feb 2011 14:04:00 +00002011-02-19T06:04:00.549-08:00ARC TourBook ReviewDystopian LiteratureParanormalSeriesPhew. Deep breaths. My breathing is a tad labored right now. I just finished this Carrie Ryan's newest installment of The Forest of Hands and Teeth series and realized that I hadn't taken one deep breath in a couple hours. How can you with action and stress and edge-of-seat (or bed, in this case) plot twists and turns? Okay. Beyond this first paragraph, I am going to admit that I have no idea http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/book-review-dark-and-hollow-places-by.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-7661485731373166581Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:16:00 +00002011-02-18T09:16:00.092-08:00Book ReviewDebut AuthorGood for GirlsRomantic ReadCorrinne lives a charmed life. Her parents own a posh apartment in NYC and a house on Nantucket. She has credit cards galore and goes out for sushi and (illegal) drinks with her best buds almost nightly. She plans to attend an exclusive boarding school in the fall and life is generally wonderful for cynical, whiny Corrinne. Really, she is a little hard to like at first. But, when her life's http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/book-review-where-i-belong-by-gwendolyn.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-4398561997573768614Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:01:00 +00002011-02-17T15:23:13.162-08:00AuthorsRecently, I received a request from author Laura Kreitzer, who asked if I'd be interested in giving her some room to talk about an important issue: Human trafficking. At the time, I was actually teaching Patricia McCormick's novel in verse Sold to my sophomore students. We've finished that book and are on to another human rights topic now, but I still think about the character Lakshmi in that http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/author-guest-post-laura-kreitzer-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-6132364828412456181Wed, 16 Feb 2011 14:33:00 +00002011-02-16T09:55:02.004-08:00Book ReviewDebut AuthorDystopian LiteratureIn a futuristic world, Nora and her family live as sheltered as possible from the terrorists that threaten their safety. Lucky for Nora and her mother,&nbsp; Nora's father is a wealthy business man with great connections and lots of resources. So, when Nora and her mother witness a horrific terrorist bombing while shopping one afternoon, they are instantly given appointments at the Therapeutic http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/book-review-momento-nora-by-angie.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-197147302295111773Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:21:00 +00002011-02-15T09:21:00.230-08:00Book ReviewDystopiaWhen I first heard that Pam Bachorz had written another dystopian book, I was overjoyed. I absolutely loved Candor and couldn't wait for another book by the same author. At first, I enjoyed this new book and when a bit starry eyed by the possibilities the world of this book held. Unfortunately, though, this love was short lived and was quickly replaced by lots and lots of confusion. Drought is http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/book-review-drought-by-pam-bachorz.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-5205010895043363395Tue, 15 Feb 2011 01:19:00 +00002011-02-14T17:20:43.263-08:00GiveawayHappy Valentine's Day!&nbsp; I'm writing to announce the winner of my giveaway of David Levithan's The Lover's Dictionary AND to encourage a more complete A-Z dictionary of LOVE. Here are your entries so far: adoration: loving someone not despite their faults but because of them. amore: Italian for love amour: A love affair, especially an illicit one. ardor: passion biglove: when you have http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/winner-additional-contest-our-alphabet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-273782588782248787Mon, 14 Feb 2011 08:01:00 +00002011-02-14T03:43:00.370-08:00GiveawayHolidays Welcome to the Valentine's Day Book With Love Hop at DeRaps Reads! I have noticed that there are two (at least) types of people in this world: Those who look forward to Valentine's Day and feel a surge of love and joy every February 14th, and those who want to retch just thinking about it. The former are usually blissfully in love and the latter are usually those muttering types who complain http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/books-with-love-hop-in-love-or-out.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-2923189067160391772Sun, 13 Feb 2011 23:08:00 +00002011-02-13T15:08:40.612-08:00Book to MovieShakespeareThis movie is full of awesome. It's funny and adorable and interesting and even somewhat close to the original Romeo and Juliet, given the complete transformation in, um, actors and setting. I'm not going to rehash the entire plot for you here because, well, you can kinda tell what it's all about from the commercials and from your working knowledge of Romeo and Juliet. Star-crossed lovers, http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/movie-review-gnomeo-and-juliet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-30141025681424092Sun, 13 Feb 2011 13:38:00 +00002011-02-13T05:40:03.085-08:00AuthorsGiveawayMusic Recently, I had what Oprah would most likely deem an "Aha" moment. It came after I watched and listened to an amazing performance by our school’s concert band. It was held in our school's gym, with about 800 people watching. As I listened to the music, I looked around at the crowd and saw dozens of students playing air drums and other instruments. This got me thinking about the number of http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/author-interview-book-and-necklace.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-930903176155869993Sat, 12 Feb 2011 13:44:00 +00002011-02-12T05:44:34.840-08:00Book ReviewGood for GirlsRomantic ReadZoey Commander's life is a mess. Her father is running off with is twenty-something girlfriend to marry in Hawaii, her normally "together" mother just attempted suicide, and Zoey just slept with her best friend, Brandon. But, the biggest of frustrations is that she had a horrible car accident that could have killed her and a couple of her friends. But, she doesn't remember it or any of the eventshttp://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/book-review-forget-you-by-jennifer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-8269140244192174545Thu, 10 Feb 2011 00:39:00 +00002011-02-09T16:39:29.810-08:00GiveawayTime to announce the winner of Marina Budhos's Tell Us We're Home! Congrats to Tara of Taming the Bookshelf Please return my email within 48 hrs to claim your prize!http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/winner-tell-us-were-home-by-marina.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-1619675639425104301Tue, 08 Feb 2011 08:02:00 +00002011-02-08T11:53:03.936-08:00Giveaway Hello and happy love month to all of you! I don't know about you, but I get very excited about this particular holiday. I have been married to my handsome husband for just over three years, and have never felt more happy in my life! We love Valentine's Day and take it as a chance to reconnect and celebrate every year. In this spirit, I am offering up David Levithan's new book The Lover's http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/follower-love-giveaway-hop-welcome-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-5947363801221645082Tue, 08 Feb 2011 08:01:00 +00002011-02-08T11:52:18.877-08:00AuthorsMichael Northrop, the author of the snowy survival tale, Trapped, stopped by to give his Top Ten Wintry Movies. I haven't seen all of these, but in some (The Shining and Fargo) I can see where he got some gruesome inspiration for his book. Here is Mr. Northrop's list: The Shining Fargo Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe The Thing http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/author-guest-post-michael-northrop-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-30842507438501494Mon, 07 Feb 2011 02:10:00 +00002011-02-06T18:24:49.770-08:00Book ReviewGood for GirlsParanormalSeriesEvie isn't your average every day girl. She's not even an average paranormal girl. Everything about her--from her birth to her teen years--is mysterious and interesting. Only, Evie doesn't quite see her life this way. She think it's pretty boring, not going to high school and having a locker like all other "normal" teens. Her life is anything but normal. And that's never really been enough for http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/book-review-paranormalcy-by-kiersten.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388821870168019712.post-8235041149116420649Sun, 06 Feb 2011 16:03:00 +00002011-02-06T08:03:00.792-08:00Book ReviewChick Lit Book ClubDystopian LiteratureIn a futuristic or fictional present, Grace is an Angel of Death. She, along with many other girls of the "People," has trained to become a suicide bomber for years. Unlike many of her Angel sisters, she is not completely successful in her mission. She returns to her encampment in shame, and then flees. To an unknown future. Her companion in flight, Kerr, is attempting to escape demons of his http://derapsreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/book-review-grace-by-elizabeth-scott.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. DeRaps)