Guys Read: Funny Business

Guys (and some adventurous girls) are going to want to read this one, Guys Read: Funny Business, edited by Jon Scieszka. Ten short humorous stories written by some of your favorite authors (Mac Barnett, Eoin Colfer, Christopher Paul Curtis, Kate DiCamillo & Jon Scieszka, Paul Feig, Jack Gantos, Jeff Kinney, David Lubar, Adam Rex, and David Yoo) and illustrated by Adam Rex. The purpose of Guys Read is to instill a love of reading in boys that will last a lifetime. Funny Business is the first volume in the Guys Read Library. Storylines include the inspiration behind Artemis Fowl, a killer turkey, a grumpy grandpa with unbelievable childhood stories, and a deadly wart. Click on the video below to hear the authors tell “The Joke” which also happens to be the foreword of Funny Business. The second volume of the Guys Read Library is Guys Read: Thriller.

Spaceheadz

Spaceheadz is a new series by Jon Scieszka written with Francesco Sedita and illustrated by Shane Prigmore. I was fortunate enough to hear Mr. Scieszka talk about his new series at the Jan Paris Book Festival (Sam Houston State University) in Corpus Christi in November. This zany new interactive series will appeal to reluctant readers – upper elementary to middle school. Michael K.’s first day of school couldn’t have been stranger. He meets two odd kids, Jennifer and Bob, who are also new to the school. They and their pet hamster claim to be Spaceheadz, aliens from another planet. The only phrases they know are the ones they have watched from advertisements from television broadcasts that have reached their planet. They have selected Michael K. to help them save Earth, because of his commercial – “When I eat my Super Crunchies, I can do anything!”. Read Spaceheadz to find out if Michael K. will help the aliens or turn them into Agent Umber from the Anti-Alien Agency. Readers can become even more involved by following facebook, youtube, blogs, and tweets related to the characters in the book. Watch the video below for more information.