Halloween Giveaway for Book Lovers in the Philippines

Calling all book lovers in the Philippines - this is for you! I am giving away five books and all you need to do for a chance to win is leave a comment for this post.

Third prize:


The third prize is a copy of Defining Twilight by Brian Leaf (Cliffs Notes, 2009), a vocabulary workbook for students that uses words from Stephenie Meyer's Twilight. Now, I know what you are thinking, because I thought it too at first. "No more Twilight please!!!" And I was thinking this even though I love Twilight and am a fan of Stephenie Meyer's. We can only take so much, right? So why am I promoting this book? Because it's a pretty darn good vocabulary workbook. Words are presented (some examples are "sauntered," "chortling," "unequivocally," "furtively," and "proprietary") and the reader/student is directed to the pages where they appear in Twilight so that they can be read in context. The reader/student is encouraged to determine the definitions of the words using context clues. She can then check her guessed definitions against the definitions provided by the book. Many times the synonyms, antonyms, etymology, and morphology of words are also given. And of course there are multiple choice, matching type, and fill-in-the-blank vocabulary exercises to help the reader/student review the words and their definitions. All in all, six hundred words are discussed in Defining Twilight, and the entire workbook is in simple, accessible, and even fun and friendly writing. I honestly can't think of a better way to make vocabulary lessons enjoyable for pre-teen and teen girls.

Second prize:


Every parent's worst nightmare is up to his old tricks in the early chapter book Horrid Henry and the Mummy's Curse by Francesca Simon (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2009). (For more about Horrid Henry, click here to read my review of the earlier books in this series for grades 2-5 / ages 7-10.) It's actually really nice reading about, laughing at, laughing with, and rooting for a naughty little boy!

The second prize is a copy of Horrid Henry and the Mummy's Curse and a copy of Defining Twilight.

First prize:


The first prize is a copy of Defining Twilight and a signed copy of The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl (Graphia, 2007). That's right, a copy of The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl signed by its awesome author Barry Lyga. Signed I tell ya, SIGNED!!!

*calms herself*

Okay, so their adventures aren't really astonishing, but Fanboy and Goth Girl are likable, very interesting, and authentically flawed teenage characters that seem so real. I am sure teenage readers (as well as the teenager in older readers) will relate to their insecurities, problems, hopes, and dreams. Plus all the comic book geekery in the novel is exciting!

(For more about the awesomeness that is Barry Lyga's writing, click here to read my review of one of his other novels, Boy Toy.)

So there we have it, folks. Those are all the prizes. If you are in the Philippines, please leave a comment below. These are all great books for yourselves or for your children, nieces/nephews, godchildren, grandchildren, or students. I will randomly choose three winners and post their names / contact them on Saturday, October 31.

Good luck and Happy Halloween! =D


[Horrid Henry and the Mummy's Curse was provided by its publisher. Defining Twilight and The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl were provided by their authors. Thank you!!!]