The Choir Boats by Daniel A. Rabuzzi

Daniel A. Rabuzzi‘s debut fantasy novel The Choir Boats is featured asWowio‘s July Book of the Month.
During July 2010 only, the e-book version is FREE to download here: The Choir Boats

The Choir Boats has been describe it as “Gulliver’s Travels crossed with The Golden Compass and a dollop
of Pride and Prejudice,” and “a muscular, Napoleonic-era fantasy that, like Philip
Pullman’s Dark Materials series, will appeal to both adult and young adult readers.”

Find out more about The Choir Boats on Daniel Rabuzzi's website.
The Embassy of Japan is once again launching the major manga-writing competition, MANGA JIMAN 2010, with fantastic prizes and open to anyone fourteen (14)* years of age or over.

The amazing First Prize is two (2) return air tickets to Japan, courtesy of All Nippon Airways!**
The Second Prize is a fabulous TOSHIBA laptop computer.
Third Prize is a superb digital camera from RICOH UK Ltd
Runners-up will receive and a selection of manga publications, available in the UK from various UK manga publishers amongst others prizes.
The winners’ works will also be displayed in a special MANGA JIMAN EXHIBITION at the Embassy of Japan.

This competition is open to all UK residents. All creations should be original and between six (6) to eight (8) A4-sized pages in length and although entrants are free to choose their own theme, restrictions do apply, and importantly the manga should in some way make reference to nami or ‘wave’. The closing date for the submission of entries is Monday, 1 November 2010.

Manga by Ollydead

Should you wish to enter, please read the full MANGA JIMAN COMPETITION 2010 RULES & REGULATIONS and then carefully fill out and submit the official entry form along with your entry by post or in person to Manga Jiman 2010 Competition, JICC, Embassy of Japan, 101-104 Piccadilly, London W1J 7JT.

* The competition is open to all legal residents of the United Kingdom who are, or will be, over the age of fourteen (14) by 1 January 2011.

**Terms and conditions apply.

William Nicholson

William Nicholson has written a range of books including 'The Wind Singer' and his latest 'Rich and Mad' - much loved and promoted by Mrs. Malcolm. He also co-wrote a bunch of movies including Gladiator.

You can read all bout his work at his website

You can hear what he has to say about writing - novels, screenplays and plays on this podcast from the Scottish Book Trust.

Explore the World's Knowledge

The British Library holds 14 million books, 920,000 journal and newspaper titles, 58 million patents, 3 million sound recordings, and so much more.

Timelines allows you to explore British Library collection items chronologically from medieval times to present. It includes a diverse combination of texts including handbills, posters, diaries, speeches etc.

I've already checked out the medieval cookbooks!
Take a look for yourself here.

To Kill a Mocking Bird - by Harper Lee

The American classic 'To Kill a Mocking Bird' is 50 years old this year. The story is written from the perspective of a little white girl who's father has taken on the defense of a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman.

Based on the author's childhood in the 1930 is Alabama, where she watched her father defend people in the local court it was published during the Civil Rights Movement "Those of us who stood up for civil rights were much encouraged by the book because in a very skilful and subtle way it addressed itself for justice." - Rev.Butts (who was a civil rights campaginer).

You could also try 'Roll of Thunder here by Cry' by Mildred D. Taylor which tells the story of a black girl in Mississippi in the 1930s.

The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

The book opens four weeks after Lennie's older sister, idol and constant companion suddenly dies. The book is about Lennie trying to cope with this loss and with her hormones and boys. A touching romantic story it is filled with hand-written notes, diary entries and photographs this is a really lovely book to look at and to read.

If you are looking for something visually different you could also try Cathie's Book by Sean Stewart it's full of doodles, notes, websites and there is even an app for your i-Phone. 'Cathie's Book' is a secret diary kept by Cathie as she goes in search of her missing boyfriend into the dangerous world of San Francisco's China Town.

Eoin Colfer -Live

You can catch Eoin Colfer online 'virtually live' for  "an adrenaline-fuelled exposé of teenage criminal mastermind, Artemis Fowl".

It takes place at
2:00pm - 2:45 pm BST
on Tuesday 20th July 2010.

You'll even be able to submit questions to him during the webchat.
Register here to see it

Get famous authors on your i-Pod

The National Library of Scotland (NLS) has created a free App for the i-Pod Touch and i-Phone.

The app takes you on a virtual tour of the John Murray Publishing firm's archive held by the NLS which spans over 200 years of history and features famous authors and figures like Charles Darwin, Jane Austen, Walter Scott, Lord Byron and David Livingston.

Get it for yourself here

247tales.com


What is a public library?


Inspired? Go check out your local public library over the summer.
The closest two are:

Lanthorn Library, Kenilworth Rise - 01506 777700

Almondbank Library, Craigshill Shopping Mall - 01506 777500

Under 16? Just pick up a form and a get your parent or guardian to sign it (at the time or you can take it home and bring it back later).

Over 16? You'll need two forms of ID - one with your name and address.

Plus if under 16 you don't need to pay for requests - just like in the school library!

Kids' Lit Quiz World Final

In case you were looking for ideas on how to fill your holiday why not head along to the

Kids' Lit Quiz World Final
Saturday 14th August 2pm - 5pm
Performing Arts Centre, Stewart's Melville College, Edinburgh
tickets from dianaesland@yahoo.co.uk

The Kids' Lit Quiz is an annual literature quiz for pupils aged 10 -13 held in New Zealand, South Africa, China dn the UK - the winning team from each nation competes in the World Final.

Get more details here www.kidslitquiz.com

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