Inspire - Toronto International Book Fair

We just got back from two jam packed days at Toronto's Inspire book fair.  I'm exhausted!  I was fortunate enough to win tickets to the show from their booth at Toronto's Word on the Street festival back in September.  Word on the Street is amazing and so much fun but Inspire is a book festival on a whole other level.  First off Inspire was held indoors at the Metro Toronto Convention centre.  We walk in and my husband commented that he wished he'd brought slippers because much of the area was carpeted and decorated in a home and comfort but classy way.  All the areas were so inviting.  It looked awesome!  There were so many amazing authors in attendance.  There were a few highlights for my family.  First up I ran to the washroom and my son waited outside for me.  When I came out he said Margaret Atwood was in there and she said hi to him on the way in.  First off, I love that my 12 son knows who Margaret Atwood is and what she looks like.  While he was recounting the story out she came and she stopped by to speak with us for a moment before going on to do her presentation.  I had met Margaret Atwood a few years ago and I absolutely love her.  She is the absolute coolest 75 year old (happy birthday to her this Tuesday!).  Next up my oldest son getting an autograph and to shake hands with Chris Hadfield.  Another super cool Canadian!  There were so many rock star Canadian authors there - that's probably because Canada has so many great authors!  But the Inspire festival also had some huge American children's authors as well.  We didn't get to meet Jeff Kinney (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) but we snatched up an autographed copy of his latest book from Chapters.  We did get to meet Dav Pilkey!!  He gave an awesome talk to a group of young kids and we got an autograph and awesome photo.  He was in the Scholastic booth doing more autographs later on and he drew a hilarious evil toilet character from his books for display.  My son bravely asked if he could buy it and Dav generously personalized it for him and gave it to him (for free!).  That's going to look awesome on his bedroom wall.  We ended the day having a chat with Eric Walters - rock star!  It was a fantastic weekend and I hope such a success that this becomes an annual event.  Well done to everyone that had a hand in making it happen.  It was inspiring!!

Sleeper by Eric Walters

In October 2014, seven of the best Canadian children authors will release seven sequels to their popular Seven series published in 2012.  I can't say enough about how much I love this series.  I was very fortunate to receive an ARC of Sleeper by Eric Walters from Orca Book Publishers.

Sleeper begins with some of the cousins meeting at their deceased grandfather's cottage.  Within the first few pages a mystery is uncovered and the action begins.  With a puzzle to solve, the cousins don't even have time to get settled at the cottage, before they each grab a pile of the hidden cash they've discovered and jet off to locations all around the world.  In Sleeper, DJ, now known as David, heads off to England to visit his friend, Doris, from his Mount Kilimanjaro climb.  While he is there, he also hopes to figure out the truth about who is grandfather really was.

Sleeper will be the answer to all 'Which book should I read next?' questions this upcoming school year.  It has something for everyone - strong male character, strong female character, mystery, spies, action, travel, fast cars, good role models, history and, yes, even a touch of a love story.  Everyone should read Sleeper and when you read one, you'll be sure to read them all!

Seven the Series

David McLean is a recently deceased grandfather of seven grandsons.  At the reading of his will it is discovered that David has requested that each grandson complete a task on his behalf.  The tasks are bucket list items from his life that he did not get around to completing.  There are seven books in the series, with each book following an individual grandson completing their task.  Each task is completed independently, although the grandsons' have contact with each other throughout the stories.  The books are each written by a different author which really gives each grandson their own voice and style. The series of books can be read in any order, although beginning with Between Heaven and Earth by Eric Walters and ending with The Last Message by Shane Peacock might be preferred.  Seven the Series provides many lessons in history, geography and life that come across in a way that isn't preaching or obvious.  Inquisitive readers may find themselves reaching to the non-fiction section to inquire further on subjects such as Mount Kilimanjaro, the Spanish Civil War and more.  Between Heaven and Earth, Devil's Pass by Sigmund Brouwer and Jump Cut by Ted Staunton are nominees for this year's Red Maple category in the Forest of Reading. The series also includes Lost Cause by John Wilson, Ink Me by Richard Scrimger, Close to the Heel by Norah McClintock and Last Message by Shane Peacock.  A visit to http://orcabook.com/seventheseries tells readers that there will be seven sequels published later this fall.  With the same collection of authors, it's safe to say the sequels will be a captivating read as well.