Warner Bros. has announced the release date for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two. It will be July 15, 2011.
The studio has decided to split the final book in J.K. Rowling’s series into two movies. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One will be released November 19, 2010.

We all knew the book was good. Heck, Coraline was fabulous so The Graveyard Book had to be just as enticing. Graveyards, bodies, and ghosts…
Neil Gaiman is the master of the new tween ghost story and is now also the winner of the Newbery award and has a new movie coming out in just a week. What a whirlwind.
From the ALA site:
A delicious mix of murder, fantasy, humor and human longing, the tale of Nobody Owens is told in magical, haunting prose. A child marked for death by an ancient league of assassins escapes into an abandoned graveyard, where …read more

Marley has certainly made his impact in bookstores and in children’s and adult’s hearts across the country (the book was first a biographical  novel about Marley 2005). He is as lovable as any dog, especially because he is a rambunctious lab that almost every boy and girl can relate to. He destroys everything in sight; shoes, dinners, and toys. But, he is also the most adorable pup to ever bound across some book pages.
Wikipedia says that Marley, a yellow Labrador Retriever, is described as a highly strung, boisterous, and somewhat uncontrolled dog. He is strong, powerful, endlessly hungry, eager to …read more

I have been a big fan of Kate DiCamillo since I began reading her novels way back when…Because of Winn Dixie (which makes me cry).
The Tale of Despereaux tells a magical story about a mouse in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea (reminds me of a friend who played the Princess in the play). It is ALSO the story of a rat who lives in darkness. It is ALSO the story of Miggery Sow, a serving girl who wants one wish granted.

And, in true fantasy, Camillo tells us, the readers, that it is “our destiny to find …read more

If you are either a fan of Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Julia Ormond, or the well renowned writer, F. Scott Fitzgerald …you will probably enjoy seeing this over your holiday vacation.
Mark your calendars for December 19 and check out the trailer below.
To order the book before seeing the movie (always a good recommendation) click on the link. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: The Inspiration for the Upcoming Major Motion Picture
To see Brad Pitt this week…check out the Today Show on Tuesday morning.
Trailer

Lauren Conrad, average teen turned shining MTV star, has signed a three-book deal with Harper Collins. The books will be a series about a teen who becomes a reality star (sound familiar?).
“I’m not trying to do a fictional story based on all my friends in my real life because their stories aren’t really mine to tell,” she said, adding that she has already completed the outline for the first book. “Some of the characters may symbolize people in my life, but it is in no way calling anyone out.”
At 22 Conrad has it all. Author, fashion designer, reality star, and, …read more

The City of Ember is the only light in a dark, dark world. But, when the light starts to dim because the power starts to fade it’s up to just two children to try to save the city.
There is more to the The City of Ember (The First Book of Ember) than just the darkness. Deep beneath the city is a history that is ignored, there are things like death that have no meaning, much like that in the The Giver.
Ember comes to the screen October 10, 2008. Read the book BEFORE you see the movie!

OneBookTwoBook.com

 We’re having an interesting, actually thought provoking, discussion at Marcie’s post, The Gossip, the Girls, and, OH, the Sex. You might like to check out the comments and add your own. 
Here are some questions you might think about:

 What’s your take on the Gossip Girl book series and the show?
Do you read the books or watch the show?
Do, or would you, encourage your youngsters to read the books and watch the show?
Would you participate in discussions with your youngsters or simply let them go along on their own?
What are your thoughts about books like these for youngsters and teens?

Let us know what you think.
(Amazon image; …read more

Gossip Girl: Unlike the rest of us, sex lies and scandal never take a vacation.
I will be the first to admit that although I am an over 30 female I absolutely love Gossip Girl  I found the first season season to be utterly fascinating. Sure, it is all surreal…do 16-year-olds really have Serena-like summer sexcapades and socialite soirées in the Hamptons? Do they really drink in trendy nightclubs just like the Sex in the City 30+ year olds? And Chuck? Ah, Chuck…Are there really guys like him? He’s just the guy you don’t want to mess with..He’s all smarmy sex, …read more

Susan Meddaugh’s talking dog Martha, of Martha Speaks , will dig her way to the television screen starting September 1. Airing on PBS Kids, there are two episodes per program.
There are some changes from the book though. Mom is now Hispanic, Helen has a baby brother, and the family lives in Wagstaff.
You can find more about Martha Speaks at pbskids.