Weekend Book Give-Away: The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making

This week's book giveaway The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente is a splendid fantasy story that will make you feel like a dreamy little kid again.

Twelve-year-old September lives in Omaha, and used to have an ordinary life, until her father went to war and her mother went to work. One day, September is met at her kitchen window by a Green Wind (taking the form of a gentleman in a green jacket), who invites her on an adventure, implying that her help is needed in Fairyland. The new Marquess is unpredictable and fickle, and also not much older than September. Only September can retrieve a talisman the Marquess wants from the enchanted woods, and if she doesn’t . . . then the Marquess will make life impossible for the inhabitants of Fairyland.



You can begin reading the book online here, or get it from Sno-Isle here, too if you don't mind a bit of a wait.

To enter to win this book, leave a comment telling us about your favorite fairytale daydream...either current or from when you were a kid. Me, I liked to image I had a pet dragon!

Winner will be selected on Tuesday July 12, 2011.

Top Ten Sci-fi & Fantasy in the last year

at least, according to Ian Chipman at Booklist. Here's his list, with his comments:

1. The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness
   The middle volume in the Chaos Walking trilogy expands the series’ litany of heavy themes (genocide, extremism, civil war, terrorism), all while delivering some of the most pulse-pounding action around.



2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
   The deal was, if you win the Hunger Games, you get to live out your life in fame and comfort. The Capitol, however, has other plans for last year’s heroes, Katniss and Peeta, as whispers of growing unrest flit about the Districts.



3. A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner
   In this stand-alone return to the series begun in Turner’s 1997 Newbery Honor Book The Thief, the focus shifts from Eugenides to Sophos, the reluctant king of Sounis, who relates his own rise to power, which is fraught with political intrigue.



4. Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce
   People always mistake 12-year-old Liam for a grown-up, which might help explain how he got to be the adult chaperone for a bunch of kids in a rocket hurtling through space 200,000 miles above Earth.



5. Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones
   Fantasy veteran Jones hits a high note with this tale of a boy who is stalked by dangerous magical beings and seeks help from a powerful sorcerer. Instead, he finds the magician’s grandson, who has forgotten everything he was taught.



6. Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve
   Set hundreds of years before the Hungry City Chronicles, this story of young Fever Crumb digs into the foundations of Reeve’s intricately imagined future, including how cities started gobbling each other up.



7. Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
   Ten years ago, the royal family of Lumatere was murdered by assassins and the kingdom ravaged by a blood curse. Now, a group of outcasts, led by the son of a former royal guard, look to resurrect the hopes of their people.



8. Fireby Kristin Cashore
   This romantic and suspenseful fantasy, a prequel of sorts to Graceling (2008) set in an adjoining kingdom, introduces another deadly strong heroine who struggles to use her formidable powers for good.



9. Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
   No one from Outside ever goes into Incarceron, a vast futuristic prison gripped by tyranny and strife, and no one Inside ever escapes. Until Finn finds a crystal key that unlocks every door, and the great escape is on.



10. For your younger sibling:
    The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz
    This uncommonly dynamic story of a wee sprite is set in the familiar yet exotic landscape of a backyard, where a determined and egocentric young fairy weathers peril and finds redemption.

My opinion? I think Incarceron was slow, that Fire & Catching Fire were good, but not as good as their predecessors (Graceling & The Hunger Games, respectively), and that A Conspiracy of Kings about gave me a heart attack whilst lying in bed it was so awesome (read The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, then The King of Attolia first, though!).

What do you think? Have you read any of these? What's YOUR favorite fantasy/sci-fi book you've read in the last year?

The Ranger's Apprentice Giveaway!

Ok, since the winners of the Harry Potter giveaway are most likely quietly ensconced in their reading chairs revisiting the last three adventures of that scar-faced bespectacled boy, it's time for a new giveaway. Now, The Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flanagan may not be as popular as good 'ole Harry, but I assure you, if you are a fan of adventures and quests concerning orphaned young underdogs, you will love Will, who has been apprenticed to the mysterious Ranger.

I have TWO copies of the newest installment in this series, The Siege of Macindaw, to giveaway. Same drill as before, you must comment to have a chance at the books - this time I want you to tell me what your favorite fantasy book (or series) is that ISN'T Harry Potter, Twilight, or The Ranger's Apprentice.

The rules: You MUST be between the ages of 12-18. You MUST be able to pick up your prize at one of the 21 Sno-Isle libraries (or be on the bookmobile route). Find a library near you. Note that you can only enter ONCE! :)

You have until Tuesday, August 11th at 8pm to enter! We'll have a random drawing and announce the winners Tuesday night - so you'll have to check back to see if you win - and then the winners will need to email us at the address we'll provide on the 11th.

Just to whet your appetite, here's a teaser book trailer for the first three books:



And, if you need more proof of this series' cred (I don't know why I'm assuming you haven't read it, I've personally given it to scads of you - and there are currently 72 holds on The Siege of Macindaw) THEY ARE MAKING A MOVIE OF THE FIRST BOOK TO BE RELEASED NEXT YEAR. Just so you know. It's not like I'm all excited or anything... *looks away*

Fantasy Road Trip Contest

from Lorraine, our fabulous teen book buyer:

Listening Library is sponsoring a Fantasy Road Trip Contest for teens. Teens can submit a video featuring a road trip with a character (or characters) from the Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray, the Legend of Beka Cooper by Tamora Pierce and Percy Jackson & the Olympians by Rick Riordan.

The three authors will choose three grand prize winners who will receive an 8GB iPod Touch and signed audiobooks!

The trick is...you have to have

• a reference to Florida
• a reference to audiobooks
• a clip of dialogue from the audio you’ve chosen

but Listening Library makes it easy to do this. Check it out:



You must be 13-18, and a legal resident of the USA. Deadline is August 17, 2009. For all the rules, click here.