Featuring Amanda of Maestra Amanda's World

Today please welcome Amanda, 

who blogs at Maestra Amanda's World.

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What's the meaning behind the name of your book blog?

My first teaching job was teaching bilingual pre-k outside of Chicago. All my students called me "Maestra Amanda" (in Spanish, "maestra" means teacher). I really liked it and wanted to keep it going, especially since I wanted to blog about books that I could use in my classroom / books for younger children.

Funny story though---my friend thought that I had named it after the "Maesters" in the Game of Thrones series! I had no idea what he was talking about since I hadn't read the books yet (I have now, so no worries).

How long have you been blogging?

I *think* it will be 4 years in January.

Tell us a bit about your book blog. What makes it unique?

I started out blogging about just books that I've read that I can see being used in the classroom. But, over the years, I've found myself wanting to talk about more---classroom ideas, technology, the dogs, my life, that I felt I needed to just combine it all into one blog.

What genres do you write about most, and why?

Childrens/MG/YA ---many reasons!
1. I am an elementary school teacher, so I want to keep current and make sure I'm making great suggestions to my students.
2. I'm a member of the Virginia Reader's Choice book selection committee (for elementary readers)
3. I LIKE THEM!  

What's your earliest memory of reading?

Wanting to be like my dad and taking a newspaper into the bathroom with me!  

What was the first book you read over and over, or the book you've reread the most?

I remember loving the Berenstein Bears series as a child, and I know I made my mom read that to me a lot! But the first book that I really REALLY remember rereading is THE WILD HUNT by Elizabeth Chadwick. I was 14ish and just wildly in love with English history and romance books in general, that I'd check it out from the library, read it, drop it off, and then a week later check it out again. I must have read that book 20 times! Shoot, I kind of want to download it to my kindle now....

Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?

Um, no thank you.
1. It's graffiti
2. It's rude.
3. Usually, you're wrong.
4. I don't care.

What's your favorite place to read?

Either my bed or my couch.

Do you have any reading accessories you can't do without?

I am coming around to reading on my ipad (kindle app), but I just love having a hard copy.

Finish the sentence: My bookshelves are...

messy.

My TBR pile is...

HUGE.

What's a book that's changed your life?

Professionally, THE BOOK WHISPERER by Donalyn Miller.

Personally, I really don't know. I feel like every book I read changes just a little part of me---whether it be teaching me something, giving me a different perspective about something, or taking me to a whole new place.  

One book you like that no one else seems to, or vice versa?

Anything Jane Austin. I'm not a "classics" fan. I think she's long winded and boring.  

To DNF or not to DNF?

DNF. Ain't nobody got time for that.

What's one book that intimidates you?

THE HOBBIT.

If you could go to any literary destination, where would you go?

Hogwarts, duh.
But also, Redwall and possibly Westeros (but I'd totally need sword fighting lessons first).

How about non-book related hobbies? What do you do when you don't feel like reading?

I watch a LOT of tv! I also like to bake, take photographs, travel, and do crafts, like knitting (scarves, fingerless mittens & can coozies only) and making cards (Stampin' Up).

What's your favorite book to movie adaptation?

I HATED the ANGELS & DEMONS and THE DA VINCI CODE book to movie adaptations. But I think that the one that is the worst is the Percy Jackson movies. Hollywood just changed too much. PJ was almost a totally different story by the time the movie was over.
THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX was like that, too.
Don't get me started. Grrr....

What are 3 of your must-read blogs?

Andi's ABCs 
Nerdy Book Club
Teach Mentor Texts 

What is your reading personality? (via quiz at http://www.bookbrowse.com/quiz/)

The All-Rounder

Your responses showed you fitting equally into all four reading personalities:

Involved Reader: You don't just love to read books, you love to read about books. For you, half the fun of reading is the thrill of the chase - discovering new books and authors, and discussing your finds with others.
Exacting Reader: You love books but you rarely have as much time to read as you'd like - so you're very particular about the books you choose.
Serial Reader: Once you discover a favorite writer you tend to stick with him/her through thick and thin.
Eclectic Reader: You read for entertainment but also to expand your mind. You're open to new ideas and new writers, and are not wedded to a particular genre or limited range of authors.

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Thank you for joining us today, Amanda! 

Remember to check out Amanda's blog, Maestra Amanda's World, 

and leave a comment or question.

Danielle of There's A Book

Please welcome Danielle, who blogs at There's a Book. Danielle''s blog is known for her outstanding children's book reviews, featuring star reviewers Turkeybird and Littlebug!

NAME OF MY BOOK BLOG(S): 
There’s A Book. I’m also a co-founder of both Armchair BEA and Brazen Reads. 

I HAVE BEEN BLOGGING SINCE: 
My book blog started back in September 2009, but I’ve been blogging elsewhere for years. 

GENRES COVERED MOST ON MY BLOG: 
I primarily review children’s books from picture books through middle grade and young adult, but I’ve been known to review a parenting book here & there. My picture book reviews are also done with a short review from one of my two kiddos who read the book as well. 

MY EARLIEST MEMORY OF READING: 
My first real bookish love was for the book Socks by Beverly Cleary. I’ve read it more times than I can remember and when I was about nine it went everywhere with me. My favorite place to read Socks was actually in the car on weekend car rides my dad insisted we go on. I loved it! 

FIRST BOOK I READ OVER AND OVER: 
This would definitely be Socks again. Like I said, I honestly can’t remember how many times I read it, I adored that kitty so much. 

MY FAVORITE PLACE TO READ: 
Anywhere quiet if I’m reading by myself, which doesn’t happen all that often because usually I am reading with two kiddos on my lap or next to me. That would be my favorite place to read, picture books of course. When I’m reading alone it’s usually on my comfy couch or in bed. 

MY MUST-HAVE READING ACCESSORIES: 
My book light (because I usually read late into the night) and if I’m reading during the day I have to have chocolate. I know! I am one of those people who eats while reading. I’m careful though! 

MY BOOKSHELVES ARE: 
Mostly taken over by picture books, which is just fine with me. I’ve got one large tall book case in my living room that has three full shelves of picture books with the top two shelves filled with my signed books (some pbs, but mostly YA and adult fiction). In my bedroom though I have two large bookshelves for review books that I’ve separated by release dates and genres because I try to be organized even if it doesn’t always work. 

MY TBR LIST/PILE IS: 
Out of control. Really. My husband’s favorite thing to tell me is that he’d like to build an addition to our house out of all the books I own, not for, but out of them. What can I say? I love to read and you can never have enough books to pick up at any moment. 

A BOOK THAT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE IN SOME WAY: 
Momma Zen: Walking the Crooked Path of Motherhood by Karen Maezen Miller. Surprising or not, motherhood wasn’t something I always dreamed of being a part of. In fact, for a number of years doctors told me I’d never have children. Miller’s book came into my life when I needed to be reassured and find a way to be okay with just being the mom & person I am. It’s a profound book and one I give to just about every mother or soon-to-be mother I know. 

A BOOK I LIKE THAT NO ONE ELSE SEEMS TO EVERYONE ELSE NEEDS TO READ:
Dangerous Neighbors by Beth Kephart. This isn’t so much one that others don’t like, but one that I wish more people knew about. Beth is one of my all-time favorite authors and this is probably my favorite of her books. It’s beautiful and there are moments in it that make your heart soar. Love this book. 

A BOOK I DON’T LIKE THAT EVERYONE ELSE SEEMS TO LOVE: 
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan. Yes, I admit it, I hated this book. I tried everything to like it. First I started by reading it and couldn’t get into after about one hundred pages. Then I tried the audio version and had my husband giving me the strangest looks as I listened to the cussing and strange phrases that kept popping up. Eventually I just gave up and decided I’d forever be at odds with this generally adored title. 

A BOOK THAT INTIMIDATES ME: 
I’m going to get a lot of flak for this admission I think, but I’ll just get it out there. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

IF I COULD GO TO ANY LITERARY DESTINATION I WOULD CHOOSE: 
Narnia. Who wouldn’t choose this? If it were possible, I’d go in a heartbeat.

MY FAVORITE NON-BOOKISH ACTIVITY: 
Movies and/or TV. I’m a huge BBC Sherlock fan and I’ve been known to go a bit crazy over Benedict Cumberbatch, much to my hubby’s chagrin. But anything in the sci-fi, fantasy, horror or related genres are things I can be found to watch. 

MY FAVORITE BOOK TO MOVIE ADAPTATION: 
My favorite book to movie would have to be the last two movies for the final book in the Harry Potter series. It’s not spot on and you can’t really compare reading it over watching it, but in this case I think they did an excellent job. Who didn’t want to see the scene where Hagrid carries Harry out of the Forbidden Forest? Not to mention when Harry walked into the forest?! Loved it. 

MY BOOK BLOG STANDS OUT FROM THE CROWD BECAUSE: 
I hate answering these types of questions. I’m just not a braggy type of girl. But if I had to say something it would be what others have told me in the past that it’s my passion that stands out. I have a passion for children’s literature. No, it’s more of an intense need to get the right books into the hands of children (and those who love children’s books) everywhere. I love sharing comprehensive and hopefully articulate reviews of incredible children’s books in such a way that others understand how I feel about them and in turn want to pick them up and read them. 

MY MUST-READ BLOGS (PLEASE LIMIT TO 3): 
Tales of Whimsy 
Once Upon a Story 
Bunbury in the Stacks

Thank you for joining us today, Danielle! Remember to check out Danielle's blog, There's A Book, and leave a comment or question.  Other ways to keep up with Danielle include:

Twitter (@the1stdaughter)  

Facebook

Goodreads

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