Julia's activities for the holidays: Halloween

Hi! Do you just LOVE Halloween? I know a lot of kids like to dress up in costumes, have fun with their friends and family and most importantly. . .receiving all of the CANDY! But have you ever wanted to do more? Bellow are ten fun and spooky Halloween ideas that will make you SHRIEK with joy!

1. MAKE COSTUMES FOR YOUR DOLLS OR STUFFED ANIMALS You love dressing up in a costume, so your little friend must enjoy it too! You don't need a lot of stuff. You can use paper, blankets and anything around the house your parent is okay with. For a goddess, you can wrap a tissue around your Barbie doll and secure it with a hair tie or rubber band. For a super hero, you can make a mask out of paper and a cape using a small blanket (you can also use a tissue, cloth or maybe some fabric scraps from your mom after she sews).

2. MAKE A SILLY HALLOWEEN SONG THAT YOU CAN SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY Making a song can be fun and can let you show how creative you are! Write the song about anything Halloween-- mummies, zombies, candy,etc. In it you can show why you love Halloween or it could just be about scary stuff.

3. MAKE A HALLOWEEN BOARD GAME You can make the game out of paper or cardboard (if you use cardboard you might want to glue paper on top). Draw little squares in a line on the base of your board game. They can be in a wavy, straight, whatever you want kind of line. Make sure that your squares are big enough so you can write in them. Make a start and a finish square. In the other squares you can write Halloween phrases that will either make you move ahead, move back or make you lose a turn. For example, "lost in graveyard--lose one turn" and "befriended a witch who gave you a ride on her broom-- move 3 spaces. It's your decision if you want to use cards that tell you how many spaces to move or to use dice. Have fun!

4. DRAW YOUR OWN MONSTER You've heard of zombies, witches and werewolves but have you ever heard of a zummy? It's a zombie and a mummy! With this activity you can either make your own new monster or combine two to make a super monster!

5. MONSTER CARDS Did you love activity number 4? Well then you'll love this one! In this activity you need an opponent (if you have a lot of players, you can make teams!) Each player or team needs a sheet of paper. Cut up your paper so you each have the same amount of pieces. If you have teams you need to make enough pieces for everyone. On your paper, draw a monster and on the bottom write it's power (mind reading, fire maker, etc.) On the count of three two people will reveal their cards. The winner (ex. water beats fire) gets to take the loser's card, which they can use later on in the game. The game will end when either no more cards or left or when time (you can pick how long) runs out.

6. MAKE YOUR STUFFED ANIMALS GO TRICK-OR-TREATING It's fun and simple. Dress your stuffed animals in their Halloween costumes and get them "candy bags." The candy bags can be made from a small container or maybe just a plastic bag. You can use little beads as the candy. You can set up little stations or "houses" for your little friends. You can have other stuffed animals give them candy. Remember to have fun with your little friends!

7. MAKE HALLOWEEN RAINBOW LOOM BRACELETS I know a lot of people love the rainbow loom so I made an activity for those people. All you have to do is grab some orange and black rubber bands to make your Halloween rainbow loom bracelets. You could make starburst, ladder, fishtail, and raindrop bracelets. I'm sure that you can make other bracelets, too! Have fun!

8. MAKE HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS FOR YOUR LOCKER  You decorate the house for Halloween, so why not decorate your locker? There's a bunch of stuff you can make for your locker--like a paper jack-o-lantern, Halloween bubble letters, little ghosts and many more.

9. MAKE A SCARY HALLOWEEN DANCE This activity will be fun for those of you that like dancing. Make sure that your dance moves are fun and scary! If you want to, you can perform your dance while someone else (or you could try to) sings your song.

10. HAVE A "SPOOK-TACKLER" HALLOWEEN PARTY With all of these fun activities, you can definitely have a "SPOOK-TACKLER" party! You can also come up with some of your own ideas and do those at your party too.

REMEMBER TO HAVE A LOT OF FUN! HALLOWEEN IS A GREAT TIME TO GET TOGETHER WITH SOME FRIENDS. I HOPE YOU'LL SHRIEK WITH JOY! :)

Have any more fun Halloween ideas? Leave a comment on this post to give others more things to do to celebrate!

     

Bookworm Reviews: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime

     Christopher John Francis Boone is a smart individual, with just a bit of behavioral problems. But that doesn't stop him from learning the names and capitals of all the countries in the world, or taking an A mathematics class, or investigating a recent neighborhood dog's death. But as he buries himself deeper and deeper into what seems like a simple mystery, much larger discoveries are made. But, will he like what he finds? And how can a mystery on a killed dog change his life?
     In this attention-grabbing novel, Mark Haddon creates a simple yet complex story. Told through a first-person point of view bursting with voice, this book must be read. Although it may not seem so at first, this book will get to your emotions, and it brings up the issues and feelings of everyday life through an intersting viewpoint. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime is not just a novel nor a must to read, but perhaps something else all together. This book is a reminder of what we are capable of, and who we can be.

Look at this other Bookworm Reviews:

 Out of my Mind

Skyscraping

Or, check out this Phenomenal Reads with Emily:

 Landline

Made You Up

Prepare for School: Labeling Your Supplies

     You finally finished all of that back-to-school shopping. You've got pencils, notebooks, folders, binders, pencils, pens, and more. Finally, finally you have gotten back home, and you are ready to plop on the couch...your bed...even the floor. You think you're done. But, not so fast: you still have to do some things. One such thing being labeling your school supplies.

If you don't change classes, then this process will be easier for you.
     First, grab all of your supplies and a pen. You do not want to use a pencil. If you use a pencil, your hard work could easily be erased or looked over. A dark pen will stick and stand out.
     After you have gathered your things, it's time to label! Start out with the simple things: notebooks, folders, binders, etc. Write your name, grade, room number, and teacher on the supplies. It's good to write on the inside of things (inside covers, not pages), just in case your teacher is specific about what she/he wants written on your supplies. Just be careful when you write: let it dry before closing it up to avoid a big smear of ink.
     Don't think you are done just yet: you still have the more complicated things left. These include pencils, pencil cases, tape, etc. These, of course, are optional, but can be helpful in the long run. For pencil cases, it might be best to paste a piece of paper on it and write on that. Tape, too: homemade paper labels are useful. In fact, these labels are a great way to label any difficult surface.

However, if you do change classes, you'll have to be more careful when labeling your supplies.
     First things first: look at your school supply list. On this list, is it specific about what supplies are needed for each class? For example, does it say, "1 3-subject notebook for math, 3 composition notebooks for language arts, etc."? If not, you will not be able to label things as specifically as preferred.
     Organize your supplies based on what is needed for each subject. Put math in one section, science in another, social studies in yet another, an  so on and so on. This will make it easier when labeling your things, and will also make clear any mistake  in back-to-school shopping.
     Once this is done, you may start labeling. Write your name, class, grade, and other necessary information on the inside covers of things. Writing things on the inside is best because each teacher might have a set way they like information written on supplies. Be sure that you write in pen, as pencil can easily be erased, and let it sit for a little to prevent smearing. Then, now that you have done this, you can move on to general supplies.
     These include pencil cases, pencils, pencil sharpener, etc. You can choose what you want to label. Do you want to label everything? Or do you want to leave some unlabeled? The decision is up to you.

     Remember to put your supplies away in your backpack when you're done...you don't want all of this work--buying supplies and labeling them--to be wasted by carelessness!

Phenomenal Reads With Emily: Landline

  About a week ago I finished Landline by Rainbow Rowell. It was truly an amazing book that was very realistic. I loved the characters, and enjoyed the plot. It was really different from other books I usually read, which is part of the reason why I liked it. In many books I read, the boy and the girl are together in the end, you you assume they live happily ever after. However, that is not the case in the real world. This book tells you about the fairytale part, the part where everything is happy, where the boy and the girl get together and you assume they will be together forever, and the realistic part, where after they are married, work, kids, and differences grow them apart.
   However this book also includes one other thing that puts it apart from other books; a magical phone. Yes, you read that right, a magical phone. In this book, the main character, Georgie, struggles what to do when she finds a phone where she can talk to her husband, Neal, from the past, while he and their kids are visiting his family for Christmas without her. Is this an opportunity to fix her struggling marriage. Or, is it an opportunity to stop it before it even happens? Georgie is not sure.
   I loved how the characters interacted with each other. Everything was so realistic. I really understood what the characters were going through, and why they did certain things. I loved how Rainbow Rowell really shows what the character are like through their actions. They all had their little quirks, and they all had their struggles. I loved every single character, and found myself rooting for every one of them.
    The ending of this book was fantastic. Ever read a book that was so good, but don't like the ending? That you find yourself thinking it was a bit too rushed. Well that didn't happen in this book I'm glad to say. It really summed up everything well, with also leaving a little bit of mystery. This book grabbed my attention and kept it. I think every one should read this book; it really is something quite special.

Check out another "Phenomenal Reads With Emily"

I'll Give You The Sun

Or check out a "Bookworm Review"

Skyscraping

Julia's Tips for...Cleaning Your Room

     If you read yesterday's post (Prepare for School: The Importance of a Clean Room), you know that having (and keeping) a clean and organized room is important. But, cleaning your room is easier said then done. All it takes is one step into your cluttered room for all of your motivation to fly away. So, how do you manage to get started? How do you keep on going? How do you get started? Searching for answers to these questions? Then read below for all if those little tips that will keep you on track.

Tip #1: Create a Plan. Of course, this will only work for some people, as not everyone works well with a plan, but I know this definitely works for me! This plan can be as detailed, simple, or complicated as you want. Is it a to-do list? An hour-by-hour agenda of the process? A simple list of what you want to get done? Whatever you chose to do, forming a plan might be one of the most logical and easiest ways to stay focused and productive.

Tip #2: Set Goals for Yourself. Goals, small or big, are a great way to push yourself forward. They also can easily take the place of a plan, and are, most likely, something you are used to doing by now. In school, you are constantly making and working to achieve set goals. Teachers do this for a reason. By making goals, you are sure of your purpose, what you are going to do, when you want it done by...all of the little details you might forget other wise!

Tip #3: Set Rewards for Completing a Step. Who doesn't like rewards? By creating rewards for yourself, you are motivated to get work done. For example, a reward could be texting your friend for 10 minutes or eating a special snack. Just be sure that your reward won't distract you!

Tip #4: Listen to Music. By listening to music, you can keep yourself entertained, and cleaning your room will seem less boring. An  the great thing is, there are so many ways you can listen to music: on the radio, your phone, iPod, Kindle Fire, iPad, CD player, etc. I am sure there is some way that you can play your music. Just be careful: play it too loud and you may disturb your family members.

Tip #5: Hold a Competition. If all else fails, a little friendly competition won't hurt, and will definitely push you forward. Grab a friend, sibling, or even your mom or dad and start the cleaning! First clean room wins.

     I wish you luck in cleaning and organizing your room. Remember, it does not have to be done in a day. This might take time. All that matters is that you get a good product at the end.

Prepare for School: The Importance of a Clean Room

     Let's face it: no one really likes to clean their room. Yes, there are those who actually find pleasure in doing this, but for most of us out there, cleaning our room can be very difficult. Even if we say, "I want to clean my room," when it comes time to do so, we suddenly find ourselves not wanting to. But we all know that a clean room is important...especially during the school year. The longer you stall, the harder it will be when you clean it, so you might as well do it now. (This, in a way, is also a reminder to myself. In fact, I will make you a deal: I will clean mine, and you, yours. Okay? Good.)


Why should I clean my room?

Answer #1: You should clean your room because a neat room is important for the school year. For a lot of teens, tweens, and kids, homework is done in the bedroom. And, who wants to do homework in a messy bedroom? A neater room is easier to concentrate in. Additionally, a clean space is more welcoming (you will actually want to go in it), and less distracting (pretty difficult to focus on homework with clutter all around, isn't it?), making homework time easier.

Answer #2: A clean room is more welcoming (as mentioned briefly in Answer #1). With a cluttered room, you will not want to spend much time in it. If it is insanely messy, it will be difficult to move around. Your room should be a place where you can relax and rest at the end of the day, but with an unorganized room, it will be harder to settle down. The mess is distracting and stressful, and might even keep you more awake. Plus, if you are like me, a messy room will be a constant reminder of all the work you will have to do to clean it, adding more stress to whatever pile you have already created. Hanging out in your room will not be fun, as you might not be able to sit in it, move around easily, or do things you want to do.

Answer #3: Having a tidy room is key to being organized. Having an untidy room however, is a one-way path to a struggle in finding things. You might currently find yourself thinking, "Where is it?", and this might be happening a lot. If this is happening (or you think you are close to being in this state), you know you need to clean your room soon. Not being able to find things is really annoying and frustrating...and definitely something you don't want happening to you. On the other hand, if you have a clean room, you will easily be able to find things, important when you need to quickly grab something.

     So, where do you go now? Well, I hope this answer comes to you instantly. If it doesn't, I will tell you directly:

·~·~·~·~·~·CLEAN YOUR ROOM!·~·~·~·~·~·

     Remember, cleaning your room will take time, as a lot of thought and planning will be put into it (unless you just throw things in drawers and your closet...don't do that), and that's okay! No one is expecting you to finish cleaning your room in an hour (unless it really isn't that messy), and there is no set level of how organized or clean it should be. Some people like it so that every little thing has its on place, and others are a little more laid-back. But whatever your style, be sure to keep your goal and self in mind. :)

[Just a Little Note: To make up for not posting on Monday like usual, I will be publishing a special Wednesday treat for tomorrow. I hope you will enjoy it, and thanks for reading our blog! :D :D :D]

Bookworm Reviews: Made You Up

     Recently, I finished Made You Up by Francesca Zappia (see Emily's review: Emily's Phenomenal Reads: Made You Up). When Emily told me that I should read it because it was "the best book ever", I have to admit that, at first, I wasn't so sure. I know that she is into teen books with romance in it, and there is nothing wrong with that. The only thing is, romance-themed novels aren't my favorite. But, I was surprised: I like it. This book is now my favorite fictional book, matter of fact. Oh, and don't worry for those of you who do not love the love, for Made You Up is so much more!

     In this wonderfully written debut novel, Zappia uses the fictional story of Alexandra ("Alex") Ridgemont to do all sorts of things. She, of course, creates an exciting romance. She gives readers a mix of mystery. She teaches readers valuable lessons through a book they will come to love. Additionally, she gives readers characters they will fall in love with and characters who they will truly hate. She creates that special bond (as mentioned in my Bookworm Review for Skyscraping) between readers and characters that causes true empathy for them. What more is there to ask for?

     In other words, this book is not just for romance lovers. Nor is it just for those who want to learn something new; discover the truth behind the mystery; like a good read. It is for ALL of those people. For her first novel, Francesca Zappia has done an astounding job. Seriously: both Emily and I find it amazing, which means...You MUST read it now!

Check out this other Bookworm Review: 

Skyscraping

Or, look at this Phenomenal Reads With Emily:

All the Bright Places

Oh, and definitely check out Emily's review on Made You Up:

Made You Up

Bookworm Reviews: Skyscraping

     Everything...everything...is changing for Mira. Everything she thought she knew about her parents and their lives seems to be wrong. Everything she found important suddenly doesn't matter. How can one event change everything? How can any of this be happening?

"How do you learn to fly when you haven't been taught how to fall?"

--Quote from back cover of 2015 copy of Skyscraping

     

     In this teen novel of poetic free verse by Cordelia Jensen, readers are taken on a journey through Mira's senior year of high school. When thinking back to my personal experience reading this book, I remember watching as Mira's life fell apart, feeling bad for her. I recall hoping that she would get better, hoping that she would find whatever it was that she needed to get her back on track. The fact that I felt that way and wanted those things for her tells me that I had a special bond with this character, and you do not have that kind of bond with every book. But, at the same time, I hated her. Why was she doing that? Just letting everything go away? It's interesting that I could feel both feelings for a single character (I think Jensen did a wonderful job), and you have to decide: will you give up on her, or do you have hope?
     Reading in poetic free verse might sound like an uninteresting concept. It's just a bunch of words scattered around the page, right? Wrong. That's because, in pieces with a poetic structure, there is always a deeper meaning. There is always something behind that stanza; line; metaphor...word. Finding that deeper meaning takes thought, and will actually boost your reading skills.
     All in all, I highly recommend reading Skyscraping by Cordelia Jensen. Try your mind at reading free verse. Find out who Mira is, and love her; hate her. Discover what has been kept a secret from her. Watch as one event leads to the next like falling dominoes, falling and pushing and falling and pushing over and over again. The question is, what will become of Mira; what image will the dominoes create?

By Julia 

Check out another Bookworm Review:

If I Stay

Or, look at this Phenomenal Reads With Emily :

Made You Up

Summer To-Do List Check-In

     I know that you were probably expecting a post from Emily today, as she usually writes on Fridays, but for this Friday, you get me (Julia) instead! Hope you don't mind that. I'm not that bad, right? Anyway, I am here to remind you of something very important. Remember that summer to-do list I suggested? Well, how many of those things are actually done? 
     If your answer was "many of them", "most of them", or "all of them", then congratulations! You are very well accomplished this summer! But, if you are like me, and answered "some of them", "few", or even (gasp!) "none", than you might want to continue reading. Sorry. Oh, and if you did not make a summer to-do list, don't worry! Click here to view that post.
     Okay, so you don't have a lot of boxes checked off. Don't worry, for there still is some time left of summer vacation left (for some people) to get at least some of these things done. How are you ever going to do these things? There are a few solutions to your troubles, so don't worry. Read through each one and find the one that best fits you and your situation.

1. Make a plan. Making a plan is probably one of the simplest options, but might sound easier than it is. Before finalizing your plan, think about the following. Do you have any plans with family and friends over this time? Do you have other priorities? How long will each activity take? Oh, and don't forget to work some testing time into there too!
2. Discard some of your "to-dos". So maybe you don't have enough time to do all of your planned things. I know that I don't have enough time to do all of the activities on my list! Pick certain activities based on both the amount of time you have left and on what you like the most. The rest of your activities can be saved for next summer's fun!
3. Save some activities for school weekends. You do need something to do over the weekend, and if you can't complete these activities over the summer, why not do it during the school year? It might be a slow process (one or two per weekend), but eventually you'll be able to say that you completed your summer to-do list...even if it is a little late!

     After looking through these myself, I suggest combining the first option with the second or third option. If you know you can't complete these over the summer, why not extend your plan over the rest of the summer and the school year? So, I wish you luck with your last-minute summer plans, and maybe future school plans. Just don't let it distract you from enjoying your last days of summer vacation...or doing homework!

[Sorry about the hastily-made post. At least it's something! :)]

How to Play Gin

     Gin is a fun card game that involves memorizing, strategy, thought, luck, trickery, and a good poker face! As long as you have a deck of cards, someone to play with, and a surface to play on, you can start a game of gin!

Object of the Game: To be the first player to get three sets (two sets of three and one set of four).

Number of Players: 2 players

Set-Up: Shuffle and deal ten cards to each player. Be sure to take the jokers and any other extra cards out of the deck. Put the remaining cards in the center, and put the top card face-up beside the other cards, forming the discard pile.

How to Play (basics): The player who has not dealt goes first. During one's turn, they must pick up one card and put one card down in return. The card they pick up can either be from the discard pile or the "regular pile": the pile of cards that are face-down. Once they do, they must put one card down on the discard pile, so they still have only ten cards. Each player will continue to do this on their turn. The cards each player picks up will help them in their attempt to form sets. A set, as stated before, has to be made up of four or three cards and can either be the same number in multiple suits or 3/4 numbers of the same suit in order. For example, a set could be an ace of hearts, spades, and clubs or the 2, 3, 4, and 5 of diamonds. In this game, aces are 1, jacks are 11, queens are 12, and kings are 13. When a player picks up a card, giving them "gin" (three sets), they will place the card they must set down face-down, and say "Gin".

Additional Things to do in Play: Remember when I said that gin involves memorizing and trickery? I am now going to tell you why gin involves these things.

When cards are placed down in the center, it is helpful to remember which cards are put down. Why, you ask? Well, let's say that, for instance, you are trying to form a set of spades. You have a 9 and an 8 of spades. All you need is a 10 or 7 of spades and you will complete the set...AND get gin. You probably are excited, happy, sure of your win...right? No! This is because you were not watching what cards were being discarded earlier in the game, when you did not need the 10 and 7 of subject, not noticing that those two valuable cards were put down! There's no way of getting them back now, unless, of course, you must re-shuffle the deck due to a lack of cards, but by then your opponent could win! Had you watched the cards you would've known, but now, oh: it's too late, and--do you see where I'm going with this?
Paying attention to the cards played by your opponent also proves to be helpful when trying to prevent your opponent from winning (getting gin). If you watch your opponent carefully throughout the game--noticing the cards they put down, what they pick up, how well they hide their fortune--you might be able to determine what card your opponent needs to get gin, and if you, by luck, happen to pick up that card, you are going to want to hold on to it! But, if you didn't watch the games carefully, then you would've put down the card, as it had no use to you. Then your opponent, smiling, would snatch that card, and put a card face-down on the pile. "Gin," they grin, and at that moment you would be thinking, If only I watched the cards. If only...if only...then I wouldn't have put down the winning card!

But, how will you avoid your opponent from doing these things to you? It's simple: you'll TRICK them. Tricking your opponent is easy and helpful...UNLESS your opponent isn't watching the cards. Then "tricking" them is just a waste of time. Now you can see how trying to trick your opponent can be risky. But before you decide whether or not you want to trick the other player, first you should know how to trick them, so you can consider your options. Let's go back to the example I used before: you already completed two sets, one of four and one of three. You have a 9 and 8 of spades. All you need is a 10 or 7 of spades and ta-da! you win the game! And this time, both cards are out there somewhere in the pile, waiting for you. It's your turn. You pick up a card from the regular card pile. It is a...6. Of hearts. You don't need this! But you can TRICK the other player. Put down your extra card and KEEP the 6. Later you can put down that six. By picking up a card, you create suspicions inside your opponent's head, and you get them thinking, and sort of off track. Just be careful...they might be tricking you too!

DIY Photo Holder

   Today I'm going to teach you how to make your own photo holder! It is extremely easy and will only take about a minute. You need:

• Some Snapple bottle caps (3 per picture holder)
• Some small pictures (1 per picture holder)
• Duct tape/ Washi tape

1.Put one cap on top of another so the space between the caps is hollow.

  

2. Put tape over half of the caps so they stay together.

3. Put the two caps in another cap tape side down.

4. Customize! Make it your own! This photo is a photo card I made of Miles in Made You Up. I love that book! Here's a link to my recently updated book review: Made You Up book review

   I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!

                                   

                 -Emily

Top 10 Things to do in the Car

     Over summer vacation, you'll probably do a good amount of traveling. Whether the car ride is only half an hour or 5 hours, you probably don't want to be bored out if your mind waiting. So, I have created this "Top Ten List" to help guide to the world of car ride fun! Even if you have some ideas, it wouldn't hurt to have a few more! Look below for my top ten picks!

1. Read a book! Everyone loves reading, right? Okay, this might not be true for everyone, but Emily and I sure live to! Books take you to new places. They teach you so many things! Romance, comedy, mystery...there's something for everyone! Check out our book reviews page for a few good suggestions!

2. Talk! Why not? Your parents have tons to say, and I'm sure you do too! Talking is fun for most people, and will make time fly! It also is a great chance to bond with your parents! Have siblings? Even better! You can have a chit-chatter party!

3. Listen to music. Your parents might by mind. In fact, some (maybe including yours) parents listen to the radio themselves! If not, don't worry: a lot of people have some sort of device that they can play music on. Just pick some songs and listen! Just, be careful not to crazily sing along...out loud.

4. Look out the window. Okay, okay, I know: might not be your favorite. But, it can be worthwhile. Especially if you happen to be driving through rows of trees or rolling hills; historic houses or tall city buildings. I'm sure there's something out there! All you have to do is turn your head!

5. Play gin! While this card game may not be ideal for a car ride, it surely is fun--and addicting! It is possible to play in the car though, and is a great thing to do with a friend! (Don't know how to play? Do not worry! Next Monday you can learn how to play through a blog post! So, stay tuned!)

6. Think. Who says you have to actually do an activity? Thinking can be quite fun. And the great thing is, there's so much to think about! Think about what's going on in your life: family, friends, what you're going to do on vaction; what has happened in your life: happy things, troubling things, what happened on your vaction; and, of course, there always is the simple fun of thinking random thoughts!

7. Crochet/Knit. Yes, you may not know how to do either of these things, but there must be a hobby of yours that can be done in the car! Whether it is crocheting, knitting, drawing, etc. it doesn't matter. As long as it is fun for you and meets the previous requirement, it's a possibility!

8. Play a car game. Don't have a deck of cards? That's okay, because there are plenty of games that are made for car rides! Games include I Spy, 20 Questions, an assorted selection of hand games, and so much more. You can even create your own car game to pass the time!

9. Take a nap! Who says this isn't nice? Maybe you had to get up at some unpleasant hour early in the morning. Or you didn't sleep well from vacation excitement. Whatever it may be, naps are an easy and simple option. They especially come in handy during LONG car rides. So sit back, close your eyes, maybe even snuggle up under a packed blanket and begin your snooze!

10. Go on a device. You may be wondering why I chose to put this last on the list. My reason for doing so is because I believe that kids these days already spend enough time on their kindles, phones, iPods, iPads, etc. Anyway, you might not be able to bring such things with you in the car, so it might be best not to think about! With so many options listed above, hopefully you won't have to turn on your electronic!

By Julia

Summer Book Club with Friends!

     Reading. A lot of schools, including my own, require you to do so over your summer vacation. Some people, possibly including yourself, don't find the fun or need in this. But, it is important, and it can be fun. Even if you don't enjoy reading, having a book club can make it enjoyable. And the best part is, you only need at least one friend and enough copies of a book for each person.

Get your friend(s) on board with the idea. Before you can start your book club, you need to find a good group to have the book club with. But don't rush into gathering your group. Try thinking a little. A few factors might make some friends unsuitable for your book club. Ask yourself the following when looking over a friend:

1. Would they have time to get together (or at least chat electronically) for the book club?
2. Do they have a reading level similar to yours?
3. Would you enjoy having them in your book club? (After all, you're trying to have fun!)
4. (If others have already been invited) Is there enough room for them in the book club?

Pick a book. This might sound simple, but there is actually a lot of thinking involved! Is it on a good reading level for you? Will everyone in the book club be able to finish it on time (before summer vacation ends)? Is it interesting to all or most of the book club members?  Are you able to find enough copies of the book for each person? (This last question should also be considered when finding members.) If you need help finding books, you can look at our book reviews page!

Get started! From here on, a lot of the details are up to you! How do you want to do your book club? Will you have physical meetings or electronical ones? How many discussions will you have? How will you split up the book? Will there be assigned roles, or will everyone talk freely about their thoughts on the book?

Why should I have a "Summer Book Club"?

• It would make summer reading even better!
• It gives you a chance to hang out and interact with friends while doing necessary things.
• By having your own book club over the summer, you would be prepared for a book club you might have to do in school.

By Julia

Phenomenal Reads With Emily: Made You Up

  Recently I've enjoyed Made You Up by Francesca Zappia. This book is truly phenomenal. At first I only read it when I had the time, getting up to page 68, but then I began reading it more seriously, and over the course of two days I finished the rest of the book. While looking for good books to read over the summer, this book was number 4 on my list, but really should have been at least in my top three picks.

   I fell in love with this book almost instantly. From the cover, to the interesting prologue, and the great characters, this book is literally perfect. I couldn't stop reading! I just don't have the words to describe how amazing this book is (Miles does)! It was so hard to put it down I felt like it was super glued to my hands (fault of Alex). I loved how it was realistic. Everyone has their flaws. No one is perfect. All the characters had flaws and weaknesses, which made the book really relatable.

    Alex. Alex has Schizophrenia. This means that sometimes she has delusions, and is also very paranoid. She often struggles to figure out what's real and what's fake, so she takes pictures. I really liked her character. She is kind, and understandable. Everyone at her old school judged her because she is schizophrenic, so I feel bad for her. She just wants to fit in, and to be treated normally. This is why at her new school, she wants no one to know.

    Miles is a very interesting character. However, I still really liked him. His home life is not the best, but of course he doesn't tell anyone that. He has many layers to him, and even though the whole school is convinced he is a complete and total jerk, he is just misunderstood. He does things for people to earn money, for reasons I'm not going to mention (because it will spoil the book), but I'll tell you one thing: you won't see it coming!

    In this book, I found myself guessing what was real and what was not, and more often I found myself wrong than right. This book is a 

must-read. The characters are well thought out and relatable. The story is interesting and complicated. What's not to love about this book?
    Recently I have reread 1/4 of this book,(this part of this post is added on after it was published), and I completely fell in love with it all over again. The characters are amazing and have so many layers. I love the voice Alex's mind respond to things. For example

"Stop thinking about him, idiot!"

Oh, and how I love how Alex asks a Magic 8 Ball questions. Or more tells the Magic 8 Ball. Some things she says to it are not questions. This book is wonderful. Yes, Miles, it made me cry, but it also made me smile. And that smile is permanent.

Check out another "Phenomenal Reads With Emily"

I'll Give You The Sun

Let's Go Bowling!

   Bowling is a great activity for the summer. It's indoors, which means air conditioning; it's something you can do with friends and family; and it's fun! Go bowling with your family and friends!
   Imagine a hot day (it can get really hot in the summer). You can't stay outside for five minutes without sweating. Your parents want to get out of the house to do something, but it's just TOO hot! But, with bowling, you can bring the fun indoors!
   Also, bowling isn't fun with just one! This is an opportunity to have some fun with others! A little friendly competition can't hurt! ;) Afterwards, you can always get a yummy treat. May I suggest ice cream?
   Bowling is a great activity to do this summer. I have done it a few times myself. Go bowling!

By Julia

Bookworm Reviews: If I Stay

     Mia's whole life is torn apart on what seems to be an ordinary day. One moment she has everything: a wonderful family who loves and supports her, a loving boyfriend, a nice BFF, good hopes in following her dreams in music...and then smash! everything is different. Caught in the middle of life and death she must make a decision that will affect the lives of everyone around her, including her own. Will she chose to stay and live on, or will she go and join the loved ones who didn't survive? In this novel, Mia reflects on everything that has happened to her, and watches the events that happen while her survival is still uncertain. What will you uncover in this book? Romance. Loss. Uncertainty. Joy. Grief. Hope...
   
     Overall, If I Stay by Gayle Forman contains an idea that is so interesting and exciting that it clings onto the reader. For what seems like forever readers are flipping page after page, all the time searching for the answer to the following:

"What will happen if she leaves? If she loves? If she stays?"

Question above is from the summary on some copies of If I Stay.

By Julia

Check other Bookworm Reviews:

Out of my Mind

Every Soul a Star

Or look at this Phenomenal Reads With Emily:

All the Bright Places

Phenomenal Reads With Emily: I'll Give You The Sun

  You know you love a book when you ask Siri to call you one of the characters names. She now calls me Jude. I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson is mostly about two twins named Noah and Jude, their family, and people they meet. Noah tells the story when he and Jude are 13-14 years old, and Jude tells the story when she and Noah are 16. Noah is a boy with little friends. He draws to pass time, while Jude is popular and surfs. Each twin has a secret that they are keeping from the other. Jude worries if she tells her secret, Noah will never talk to her again. Noah believes that by keeping his secret, he is protecting his family. All The characters are connected in wild and unbelievable ways.
   Now I'll Will talk about the characters.
   Noah: Noah is absolutely my favorite character in theis book. With only a few pages into his point of view, I already felt I knew him and was in love with his character. He is just do devoted, sweet, and super talented. His character was just simply perfect and likeable.
   Jude: Jude is also very talented, she just doesn't really know it. She is an excellent person, that you'd think is on a path to success, but she gets a little lost along the way. She starts hanging out with the popular crowd, and after something happens that hurts her family, and completely destroys her brother, she changes dramatically- and so does Noah.
    This book is great. I finished it in 5 days, because it was so interesting I couldn't put it down. I felt that the characters were extremely realistic and in depth. Jandy Nelson describes the characters like she actually knows them. Also, both characters are very relatable. There are many surprises in their path, all of which you will not see coming. I can not stress this enough; read this book. It will forever change your life. 5 out of 5 stars. Fantastic work Jandy Nelson.
                                                                          - Emily

Check out another "Phenomenal Reads With Emily":

All The Bright Places

Or look at this "Bookworm Review":

Every Soul A Star

Stuck to the Screen: Great iPod and iPhone Apps: Part 2A

   Bored of the apps and games on your iPod or iPhone? Well, we're here to help you. Here is a list of my top 10 favorite apps and games.

1. The Sims FreePlay- Free
Description: In this game, you control the actions of virtual people, called sims. This game has many different quests so you can make your sim town even better. I've had this game for about two and a half years. My current level: 34.
 2. Minecraft Pocket Edition- $6.99
Description: I personally don't think this game need a a description. I mean, who doesn't know what Minecraft is? Let me tell you this. It is supper addicting. Every time I see I can update it, I squeal.
 3. Tsum Tsum- Free
Description: You connect Tsum tsums' to earn points. This game is really simple, and a pleasure to play! I currently only own one Tsum Tsum but want more!
 4. SimCity- Free
Description: You build a city for sims and take care of them. For example, they need lighting and water too! This game is very fun. It's so amazing to see your city grow!
 5. Geometry Dash Lite- Free
Description: In this game you tap your screen to hop over spikes and hop on objects to help you avoid the spikes. Extremely addicting and fun. There is also a regular Geometry Dash that is $1.99 and has more levels, but I haven't purchased it. I find no need because I haven't even completed one level yet!
 6. Inquizitive- Free
Description: In this app there are tons of Disney based quizzes and trivia. It is very fun, even if you aren't a huge Disney fan. It's really great when your bored and don't know what to do.
 7. Superimpose-$0.99
Description: This app is great for editing pictures. You can change a pictures background, recolor things, and much more. It also has a lot of cool filters. It is definitely worth $0.99 if you ask me!
 8. Room Planner Home Design- Free
Description: In this app you can make a 2D model of a house or other building and then see it in 3D. It is amazing. Now I know this may not be to popular among kids, but I have always been into making floor plans (I watch HGTV sometimes). I can't believe this app is free.
 9. Bakery Story- Free
Description: All these games are really great. In this particular one, you own a bakery. It is really fun to see it grow. You can customize your bakery, and choose what foods are made and served. I am currently on level 26.
 10. 1010!- Free
Description: In this game you are given a grid in which you place blocks. If you complete a row or column it disappears, and that's how you earn points. This game is really quite fun.

  I hope this has helped you find some really good apps and games!

       
                                                                            -Emily

Click the link below to see other great games and apps!

          Stuck To The Screen Part 1

Make a Summer To-Do List

     What do you plan to do this summer vacation? Clean. Draw. Write. Play. The possibilities are endless! To keep track of all of these wonderful things (that you MUST do), you can create a summer to-do list! It's easy, simple, and can be fun! But most importantly, it will serve as a reminder of all of your goals.

Step 1: Think! :) Obviously, before you make the to-do list, you have to think about everything you going to put on it! While you probably already have a good idea of what you want, allow me to list a few suggestions below!

• Read (our book suggestions can be found on our books page)
• Draw, paint, color, or sketch
• Tidy up your room
• Have sleepovers (check out our sleepovers label)

Step 2: Gather your supplies! Once you have thought of most of your plans (you'll probably think of more along the way!), it's time to get all needed materials!

• Paper (lined or blank; you pick)
• Different colored pens or pencils
• Any decorations or pictures you may want to add (ex. paper flowers, beads, etc.)
• Glue (used to apply decorations)

Step 3: ***CREATE*** the to-do list! This is the best step for me, and maybe you too! When you make your to-do list, don't just make it in one color! You can organize your goals while making it pretty just by doing this! For example, you can use orange for craft-related goals, purple for "chore"-related ones (ex. cleaning), blue for goals that involve reading, and green for social goals (goals that have to do with other people). You can do whatever you want to do! Use different colors and categories if you wish! Don't forget to include the check boxes! When your done writing down these plans, you get to ~~DECORATE~~ your list! Color, add, draw...I'll leave it up to you! ;)

Step 4: Hang up your to-do list! Where is a good spot for you? On your whiteboard? Wall? Bulletin board? Wherever you hang it, make sure that it is in a spot that you will easily see it and be reminded of your goals. After all, what good is a to-do list if you never look at it?

*~*~*~*CONGRATULATIONS*~*~*~*

You have successfully created your own summer to-do list!

I hope this will be helpful to you during your summer vacation.

Don't forget to check off completed to-do's!

By Julia

Love it? Loved it? Did it? Comment below and share with friends! :)

Phenomenal Reads With Emily: All The Bright Places

 

  Recently I have read All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. Let me tell you this: I could not put it down. I finished this book in about 3 days, not because it was a quick read, but because I literally could not put it down. All The Bright Places is about two teens: Theodore Finch (Theodore Freak) and Violet Markey (Violet Remarkey-able). They first meet at a bell tower at their high school, and save each other from jumping off. Violet is depressed because her sister died, and she blames herself. Finch is mentally ill, and has been bullied most of his life. When they team up on a school project, they become friends. This is where their beautiful and tragic story starts.

   I came across this book looking for novels to enjoy over the summer. In an hour of looking, I found myself  with a long list of a little over 15 books, with All The Bright Places at the very top. I was so anxious to get my hands on this book, that I got it from the library the very next day. Jennifer Niven is a genius. I repeat, a GENIUS. This book is one of my new favorite books. If you do not read it, your life will not be complete (I might be exaggerating just a bit). Overall, this book was lovely.

                                                                                       -Emily

Check out another "Phenomenal Reads With Emily":

The School for Good And Evil

Or look at this "Bookworm Review":

Out of my Mind