Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos

Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos
by R.L. LaFevers

Theodosia’s mother is coming back home (finally) from a trip to Egypt and she is bringing back hundreds of artifacts found in an ancient tomb. One problem, all these things have evil curses surrounding them and for some reason her mother and father aren’t aware of the potential harm her mother is bringing to the world. Theodosia needs to try and some how get one of the artifacts back to Egypt with the help of her unwilling brother and a random pick pocket off the street before it destroys mankind and before the Germans (evil men trying to kill her and take over the world) catch up with her.

This book was very unique and interesting. I liked how the Egyptian cultures were portrayed and how Theodosia was a well-written, funny character who is easily remembered.

Author Chats

From left to right: John Green, Kirby Larson, Cecil Castellucci, Ann Brashares, and Sara Zarr

If you could meet any person in the world, who would it be?

Oh, I hate having to make these choices!!! I think I would've loved to have met Mother Teresa but otherwise, I feel so lucky to know so many wonderful children's and YA writers -- who, as you must know, are the greatest folks in the whole world.
-Kirby Larson

Anyone who has been to Outerspace.
-Cecil Castellucci

Any person in the entire world? Gosh that's a tough question. I'm going to assume they must be living (otherwise: Shakespeare. I have questions for him). I would be pretty interested in meeting Philip Roth. I think he's my pick, weirdly enough.
-John Green

Oooh, tough questions! Like, so tough that I can't think of any ONE person in the world that I'd particularly like to meet...every time I've met someone famous or semi-famous or just someone I admire, they turn out to be just regular people like you and me. Only usually with a lot more money. :) Okay, a name that comes to mind because she my favorite actress of my generation: Kate Winslet.
-Sara Zarr

Besides writing, what are some other interests of yours?

I love yoga and walking and feeding the birds in my backyard. I am also addicted to lattes! I have also been very involved in our community, including serving two terms on the school board, starting a foundation to build a performing arts center (it opened last year!) and helping raise money for literacy causes.
-Kirby Larson

Have you had any interesting fan experiences?

It was all pretty normal until the Nerdfighters started coming to stuff with their homemade shirts and their posters and everything. That's pretty awesome, I have to say. Nerdfighters are good at making a guy feel welcome.
-John Green

Soon after I published my first book, I was in an airport and saw a girl reading [my book]. I was so excited I couldn't contain myself. I went over to her and told her it was my book and that I was so happy she was reading it. Both she and her mother looked very suspicious and scared for a moment, but then they looked at the author photo in the book and decided it was me. We took our picture together. I still have it. I guess I was kind of the fan in this instance.
-Ann Brashares

What first got you interested in writing?

As for writing, my mom read to me all the time when I was a kid, from toddler years on through age 11 or 12. I think that put stories in my blood and pretty soon I wanted to start telling them myself.
-Sara Zarr


Many thanks to all the amazing people on readergirlz and the authors who took time to talk with us and make these online chats possible!
31 Flavorite Authors for Teens

Into the Wild Book Trailer

When I was over visiting Miss Erin a week or so ago, we filmed a book trailer for Into the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst. Erin edited it, produced it, filmed it, outlined it, etc. I acted in it.
Hope you like it!




Here are some links I recommend visiting:

Sarah Beth Durst's blog post HERE.(talking about the video)
Miss Erin presents her first book trailer HERE.
YouTube link HERE. (please go and leave us a comment)
and
Razorbill's Front Page (the book's publishing company) HERE. (look at the sidebar)

My Trip

My first quarter ended in school and so I decided to go and visit all my friends back home over my two week break! :D I was able to be there for about 10 days and it was so fun! Talking with people I haven't talked with for 3 months, walking in my neighborhood, going to church, chatting at my favorite coffee house, visiting everyone where I used to work, hanging out with my good friends, filming Antigone with even more of my friends, etc.

Ok, so what you have been all waiting for....my adventures on the trip back. Miss Erin's family dropped me off at the airport which was very nice of them. I had a good amount of time to myself so I ate and read! I then read some more once I figured out that my plane was going to be 45 min. late. It was 8:14 p.m. when we finally landed in Chicago(midway) and I had to catch a flight at 8:50. But, when I got there I realized that almost half of the flights were delayed because of the weather, including mine. 4 hours. Departure time: 12:45 a.m.

So, I went and had dinner. Then, stood with a bunch of other sports fanatics and watched the two games that were being displayed on the TV's. A baseball game and a football game. ;) A guy from my flight came up to me and we started chatting. He was very nice and it was nice to have someone to talk with. I went and checked the status of my flight. *ouch* 1:30 departure. Ok, so now what. Lots of people were going to sleep, but I couldn't sleep, too much was happening! I finally sat down and was reading, but it was really loud because a bunch of drunken college kids were wheeling around in wheelchairs flirting and yelling at everyone. Yeah, that was weird. Finally, a lady updated us on our flight. It was coming in early and we could be boarded by 12:30. WAHOO!!! Once we were on the plane, everyone was laughing and joking around. It was late, give us a break. The flight attendants were so tired that they kept on slurring their words on the mike then laughing uncontrollably. Anyways, everyone was ready to go, but for some reason we weren't taking off. Then, these two policemen come on the plane. Uh-Oh. They go to the back of the plane then after a minute or so escort four people off the plane. A flight attendant explains in so many words that they were drunk. I found this funny, because more then half of the people on the plane were intoxicated, but tthe people who were taken out people had not kept their mouths shut and had made a nasty comment to one of the flight attendants. Finally at 1:30, the words that everyone was waiting to hear: "we have been cleared for departure!"

I landed in my home airport around 4:10 and wasn't in my bed until 5:00 a.m. I slept in till about 11:00 a.m. then lazed around and went to a party that night to end my fall break. ;)

Thank you to the family that kept me and fed me and everyone else (you know who you are) who drove me around and did helpful things! Thank you also to all my friends who took time out of their busy lives and spent some time with me! Love you all!!

What a game...

Ian Johnson about to get a touchdown - Joe Jaszewki / The Idaho Statesman

*breathes a sigh of relief* Last night was a VERY stressful night. The Broncos played Nevada at home. This wasn't suppose to be a close game (I thought the Broncos were going to smash them). It ended up being a fight to the end of the game, literally.

The game started out with the Broncos dominating, but by halftime, it was apparent that the teams were going to have to work a lot harder to hold on to the game. Back and forth they went, Nevada scoring, then the Broncos answering. As the game clock ticked the last seconds down, the Broncos kicked a field goal, tying the game. It was overtime. 44-44.

I don't like overtimes because they make me very nervous. I wasn't going to stop watching though. Nevada scored a touchdown on their first play, then the Broncos did the same. This was repeated with the second overtime. In third overtime, both teams were forced to kick a field goal. Now it was fourth overtime. Very few teams get this far. The rule in this overtime is that if you get a touchdown you have to go for the two-point conversion. This is pretty hard and many teams can't do it. So, we got the ball first. We scored. Now for the two points. I was so anxious because they HAD to make this and THEY DID!!!!!

So now it's Nevada's ball. It took them a bit longer to score but they ended up getting a touchdown. *doesn't breath* Time for the two-point conversion. *still isn't breathing* They hike the ball and............BAM, the guy with the ball is down and WE WONNNNNNNN!!!! *breathes and breathes and breathes and screams and jumps off the couch and back onto it and then screams again*

Final Score 69-67

Blocking an extra point - Shawn Raecke/Idaho Statesman

Cover-Up: Mystery at the Super Bowl

COVER-UP by John Feinstein

Stevie and Susan are teen writers and stars of a new TV show, Kids-Sports. They go to lots of events as reporters, but it seems wherever they are a deep, dark secret is uncovered. But, this time, during the Super Bowl it's not going to happen. I mean it's the Super Bowl, what could go wrong? Because of a slinky business deal Susan and Stevie aren't working with each other. They soon realize that the only way their problems can be solved is if they work as a pair. The hard part is everyone around them doesn't want them working together....

This book was a delightful read for me since I absolutely love football. Even though Stevie is the opposite gender of me, I felt at many points I could really relate to his life and thoughts. I believe any football or sports fan would enjoy Cover-Up and want more when it's done. This is John Feinstein's third book about Stevie and Susan and definitely my favorite. A bit of language and boyfriend/girlfriend content, but overall a very suitable book.

Also posted on Flamingnet.com

More Pictures

Picture Index:
1. Girls in my class at school
2. " " " " " "
3. Play Practice
4. " "
5. A Luau Birthday Party

The Family

Picture Index:
1. Me at a (Luau) birthday party.
2. Our dog Holly.
3. L., she won 2nd place out of about 100 kids for cross country. (sorry about her shirt, I had to edit it for safety reasons.)
4. A., spiking a ball for her team.
5. K., with one of her class projects.

Author Interview: Brent Hartinger

Hello! I'm so so so so sorry it has taken me so long to post. I just finished my first quarter in school. It has been interesting going to a private school and it's a lot different than homeschooling. But, I am enjoying it lots and have had many fun adventures.

When ever I can I have been participating in some author chats put on by readergirlz. See Miss Erin's post on this here. Last night we were able to talk with Brent Hartinger. See my review of his book Dream Quest here. He was kind enough to answer some of my questions:

Do you want to be writing books all your life, if not, what else do you want to do?
Good question! I'm working on some film projects right now (screenplays mostly, but we have plans to start a production company). So....I'd like to write for TV, and movies, and produce more plays. And keep writing books. And create world peace while I'm at it!

What Is your favorite movie?
Well, THE LORD OF THE RINGS! ;-)

If you could meet any person in the world, who would it be?
Hmmmm, lately maybe Peter Jackson

Thanks a bunch, Brent!