Goodco In Virginia

Hello Readers,

As you may have read I just got back from a trip to Washington DC and we actually took the train up there.  We decided to get off in Alexandria, Virginia not, downtown DC, as it was closer to our hotel.  On the way home I really noticed the building across the street from the train station.  I have seen this building before, but after reading Adam Rex’s great new novel, Cold Cereal it struck me in a different light.

For those of you who have read Cold Cereal…Do you see why I need to take this picture?  Can you see the connection to the story? Hit that comment button and tell me what you think.

PS. Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley was the winner of the SMS Guys Read Books and Basketball Tournament and I plan to read it soon.  As I said before, it is a little more teenager than middle grade and so if you don’t want read about high school drama than pick another book from the final four and dive in.  I highly recommend Cold Cereal.  It is gonzo and weird and wonderful in the best ways possible.

Read On,

Mr. H

For Mr. S and the IBRG

Hello Readers,

Last week I was in Washington DC for a spring family get away.  While in DC we (and about 12 million others) visited the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum on day.  I took a left hand turn and headed down the space side of the museum.  I say this as I normally have headed right to the air side.

So as the huge room opened up to me, I was struck by a big black and white missile.  I drew up near to the rocket and noticed the signage in the front.

I think Mr. S and the guys in the IBRG will see why I took these pictures.

 

 

So there you go friends from the west.  Can’t you just see a great book or fun video placed on top of this missile and launched your way?  Not in any aggressive way, just transport. We look forward to getting the Intercontinental Ballistic Reading Group back up and running in the coming weeks.

Read On,

Mr. H

Hunger Games

Hello Readers,

With our current track out break getting in the way of our plan to see The Hunger Games movie I wanted to give you all something to keep you going until we track back in and can see the movie together.

I think we might need to play a few rounds of this game, what do you think?

Read On,

Mr. H

The Final Four

Hello Readers,

As you probably well know, the basketball world has settled down to its final four and that means we are one weekend away from crowning another SMS Guys Read Books and Basketball Champion.

The Final Four will consist of…

Where Things Come Back (UK) vs Darth Paper Strikes Back (Louisville)

 

 

 

 

 

 

HIVE (Ohio St) vs Cold Cereal (Kansas)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the looks of the last few basketball games, Where Things Come Back might have this whole thing in the bag.  That will lead to an interesting dilemma for us over here at SMS Guys Read.  Where Things Come Back is a Printz winner and by definition more of a YA, teenager book.  We have always said we would read the winning book, but if Where Things Come Back does in fact take the whole prize, we may have to offer the runner-up to our sixth grade Middle Grade readers.  That is of course if they can get past Darth Paper!!!

Enjoy the games, and let us know if you are planning on reading one of the final four books.  Would you pick up a Printz winner or stick to the middle grade?  Hit that comment button and let us know what you are thinking.

Read on, Mr. H

 

The Elite Eight

Hello Readers,

Last night the basketball world played on and we now have an Elite Eight to talk about.  The only real upset comes in the way of my new favorite horse in the race…The One and Only Ivan (FLA). The number 7 seed out of the west took out number three seed Harry Potter (Marquette).

Here are the Elite Eight match-ups…

Where Things Come Back (UK) vs. A Monster Calls (Baylor)

Darth Paper Strikes Back (Louisville) vs. The One and Only Ivan (Florida)

Department 19 (Syracuse) vs. HIVE (Ohio State)

 Wildwood (UNC) vs. Cold Cereal (Kansas)

Now that Dead End in Norvelt is out, my bracket is busted.  So who do you think will win it all in the end?  Are you cheering for a special book.  I would love to see Ivan come out of nowhere and win the whole thing.

Hit that comment button and let us know what you are thinking.

Read on,

Mr. H

The One and Only Ivan

Hello Readers,

 Look what I got in the mail .

I actually won this in a give away through the guys over at Middle Grade Mafioso.  They have a really cool blog that I recommend you  check them out.

Look it even is signed by the author!

This looks like a great read, I started last night and can’t wait to finish.  Today I handed it to a young man and he sped through 100 pages in 30 minutes!

The One and Only Ivan is also making a run in our Books and Basketball Tournament.  It was seeded 7th in the West Region and took Florida as they basketball partner.  Ivan took out OK For Now (Virginia) in round one and then Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again (Norfolk) in round two.   Last night Ivan put out Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Secret (Marquette).  They get to face the mighty Darth Paper Strikes Back (Louisville) next.

So thanks to Middle Grade Mafioso and good luck to Katherine Applegate and The One and Only Ivan.

Read On,

Mr. H

IBRG – On to the Break

Hey TMC Guys Read,

We have all really enjoyed the time sharing Horton Halfpott and the Intercontinental Ballistic Reading Group, but we are on our way to a break.  So after Friday we are off for three weeks.

We made this video to explain what we are getting up to and ask you a few questions for when we get back.

We look forward to hearing from you, even if we don’t respond for a few weeks.

Read on,

Mr. H