Indie Bookfest Coming Soon!

Over eighty fabulous authors, panels and workshops for both authors and readers . . . two amazing parties and a huge signing . . . where in the world can you find all of this awesomeness in one event?

Indie BookFest, of course!

This premier author-reader event, in its fifth year in central Florida, takes place September 28 th through October 1 st at the Westin Lake Mary.

Indie BookFest is the only non-organization- affiliated author event to offer a dedicated Industry Day, with representatives from a variety of service companies presenting workshops, participating in panels and meeting with authors. This year, industry reps include those from Written Word Media, Draft2Digital, Robin Reads, Bublish and more.

But IBF isn’t simply an author education conference. We also offer an entire evening and day of Reader Appreciation panels and presentations—PLUS FanFare, an evening where the authors entertain the readers.

And if that wasn’t enough, there’s also a three-hour signing that is free and open to the public, on Saturday from three to six.

Tickets to Indie BookFest 2017 are available now. There are several options for readers and for attending authors:

--INDUSTRY DAY Ticket: This option provides admittance to and participation in all the panels and workshops offered on Friday, September 29 th . Topics will apply to both new and established authors, as well as to others in the publishing field. This ticket allows attending authors and those interested in exploring the possibility of authorhood to participate in the entire weekend; it also includes FanFare, Reader Appreciation Day participation, the signing and Saturday night party. Thursday night’s Dinner with the Authors is not included.

--VIP TICKET: This option provides admittance to and participation in all aspects of Indie BookFest, including access to the entire weekend EXCEPT the Thursday night dinner (available at an additional charge), including the Green Room, all panels, workshops, parties and signings. VIP ticket holders also receive a special VIP swag bag.

--GENERAL ADMISSION TICKET: This option includes access to FanFare on Friday night, reader workshops and panels on Saturday, the three-hour signing on Saturday, and the Saturday night party, as well as access to the Swag Tables.

--YOUNG AUTHOR EVENT: The Young Author session will take place Saturday, September 30, from 9:30-11 AM. Attendees must be under 18 to attend. A panel of authors will lead the workshop, which will explore all nuances of writing and publishing a book. Very Important: This is an add-on ticket to the main event. You must purchase either a general admission/VIP or Industry Day ticket to add this event.

-- THURSDAY NIGHT DINNER WITH THE AUTHORS: Join authors from Indie BookFest 2017 as we kick off the event with a lovely buffet meal in a beautiful setting.

 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit our website and Eventbrite page.

#Review & Activities: For the Right To Learn Malala Yousafzai's Story by Rebecca Langston-George/ Illustrated by Janna Bock #ReadYourWorld #Peace @MalalaFund

"In some parts of the world, students are going to school every day. It's their normal life. But in other part of the world, we are starving for education... it's like a precious gift. It's like a diamond."

~Malala Yousafzai

• Age Range: 8 - 11 years
• Grade Level: 3 - 4
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Capstone Press; Reprint edition (July 1, 2016)
• 
  

Summary:
She grew up in a world where women were supposed to be quiet. But Malala Yousafzai refused to be silent. She defied the Taliban's rules, spoke out for education for every girl, and was almost killed for her beliefs. This powerful true story of how one brave girl named Malala changed the world proves that one person really can make a difference.

My review:
Looking back into my teenage years, I could never imagine not being able to learn or read books. I came from a parent who was a teacher, so, it was a given. In essence, I took my education for granted.
This is why I admire Malala and her father so much. For them, education is highly important and they stood up without fear so all could learn.

From the very first time I heard Malala's story, I have wanted to read about her and know more about her. Isn't ironic that I finally have had the opportunity to read and review this children's book about her? Think about it, at the point that she began to stand up against the Taliban, she would not even have been able to read this book about herself. Wow!

I found it interesting that she wrote scientific formulas in henna on her arms just so she could keep learning. I also thought it was interesting that of all the things she received in the hospital, that her prized possessions were her books and a couple of shawls.That is what I call continued education and the desire to learn.
 I also loved that her father reopened the school for boy and girls after they were able to return from exile. His continued support of his daughter in a world where women have no standing is admirable.

The illustrations only enhance what is already and excellent book. The colors are muted are appropriate for the subject matter. 

As a whole, the book is straightforward and honest. It packs and punch and leave the reader wanting to take action. Excellent book!
5 stars!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. This review is also part of the Multicultural Book Day posting which as of this review, takes place Jan.27, 2017. Book activities and further information is attached below. ~ M.M. Hudson aka Naila Moon

Where to find the author:

Rebecca Langston-George is a middle school language arts teacher who also trains teachers in writing instruction.  Her articles, poetry and puzzles have appeared in many children’s magazines. When she’s not at the keyboard Rebecca volunteers for the local chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).  She is also a past president of the Kern Reading Association.  The granddaughter of a fabulous flapper, Rebecca lives in Bakersfield, California. Amazon Facebook

Janna Rose Bock is a freelance illustrator in Long Beach, California. She earned a BFA in illustration from California State University, Long Beach, and later continued her education at Concept Design Academy in Pasadena. She specializes in digital illustration and whimsical stylized illustrations.


Activities for further extension of this book:

1. Donate to the Malala Fund
    Inspired by co-founders Malala and Ziauddin Yousafzai, Malala Fund’s goal is to enable girls to complete 12 years of safe, quality education so that they can achieve their potential and be positive change-makers in their families and communities. We work with partners all over the world helping to empower girls and amplify their voices; we invest in local education leaders and programs; and we advocate for more resources for education and safe schools for every child.

2. Tweet to Malala and keep up with what she is currently doing. @MalalaFund

3. Be a pen pal to another girl from another country. You could talk about what it is like to be in your school, what you are studying, draw pictures, send each other photos, always sign your name.

4. Watch Malala's speech to the United Nations upon accepting her Peace prize.

5. Make posters that promote peace and/or education, post them in prominent places.

6. Volunteer to help a younger kid read or help with homework

ABOUT MULTICULTURAL BOOK DAY:

​Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2017 (1/27/17) is in its fourth year and was founded by Valarie Budayr from Jump Into A Book and Mia Wenjen from PragmaticMom. Our mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in home and school bookshelves while also working diligently to get more of these types of books into the hands of young readers, parents and educators. 

Despite census data that shows 37% of the US population consists of people of color, only 10% of children’s books published have diversity content. Using the Multicultural Children’s Book Day holiday, the MCBD Team is on a mission to change all of that.

Current Sponsors:  MCBD 2017 is honored to have some amazing Sponsors on board. Platinum Sponsors include Scholastic, Barefoot Books and Broccoli. Other Medallion Level Sponsors include heavy-hitters like Author Carole P. Roman, Audrey Press, Candlewick Press,  Fathers Incorporated,KidLitTV, Capstone Young Readers, ChildsPlayUsa, Author Gayle Swift, Wisdom Tales Press, Lee& Low Books, The Pack-n-Go Girls, Live Oak Media, Author Charlotte Riggle, Chronicle Books and Pomelo Books

Author Sponsor include: Karen Leggett Abouraya, Veronica Appleton, Susan Bernardo, Kathleen Burkinshaw, Delores Connors, Maria Dismondy, D.G. Driver, Geoff Griffin,  Savannah Hendricks, Stephen Hodges, Carmen Bernier-Grand,Vahid Imani, Gwen Jackson,  Hena, Kahn, David Kelly, Mariana Llanos, Natasha Moulton-Levy, Teddy O'Malley, Stacy McAnulty,  Cerece Murphy, Miranda Paul, Annette Pimentel, Greg Ransom, Sandra Richards, Elsa Takaoka, Graciela Tiscareño-Sato,  Sarah Stevenson, Monica Mathis-Stowe SmartChoiceNation, Andrea Y. Wang

We’d like to also give a shout-out to MCBD’s impressive CoHost Team who not only hosts the book review link-up on celebration day, but who also works tirelessly to spread the word of this event. View our CoHostsHERE.

MCBD Links to remember:

MCBD site: http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/

Free Multicultural Books for Teachers: http://bit.ly/1kGZrta

Free Kindness Classroom Kit for Homeschoolers, Organizations, Librarians and Educators: http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/teachers-classroom-kindness-kit/

Free Diversity Book Lists and Activities for Teachers and Parents:http://bit.ly/1sZ5s8i

FIRST KID LIT BLOG HOP OF 2017 #Linkup #ReadYourWorld #KidLitBlogHop #KLBH

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017! We welcome you to the January 2017 Kid Lit Blog Hop. It was great to have a break for the holidays but it is also just as great to enjoy a brand new year of reading, reviewing, and sharing terrific children's literature. This monthly hop, happens every 3rd Wednesday of the month. It is designed to engage a  group of people who love everything that has to do with children's literature. Everyone is welcome to join us: bloggers, authors, publicist, and publishers!

Have you seen the  Kid Lit Blog Hopper Facebook fan page? This page has all the news and information related to the hop plus ongoing posts, giveaways, news articles, etc. related to Kid's Lit. Check it out and of course, please like the page.

We want to take this opportunity to promote a yearly day in which kid lit bloggers around the world share. Multicultural Book Day has been going on a few years now. Several of us participate and promote this day. You will find a list of 100's of books to choose from as well as activities to enhance the books. Children need to always seen themselves in the books they read. Join us on January 27th.

So for our hop, please make sure that your posts are related to Children’s literature only and add it to the linky. (Please make sure to add your direct post only) If you are an author, feel free just to link to your blog. Once you are done, then hop around to visit others. Please follow the co-host and visit at least the one or two people above your link. Please leave a comment when you do visit, we all like those.

Also, it would be appreciated if you grab the Kid Lit Blog Hop Badge and display it on your blog and/or your post. Note: Make sure you have the newest badge as the old one goes to the wrong page.

We would also be grateful if you tweet and/or posted on Facebook about the blog hop. Let’s grow this wonderful community.

This year's Kid Lit Hop dates are as follows:

January 18th

February 16th

March 15th

April 19th

May 17th

June 21st

July 19th

August 16th

September 20th

October 18th

November 15th

December No hop

Thanks for sharing your great children's books with all of us! The hostess will be around to see you.

Happy Hopping!

Reading Authors, Hostess

The Bookshelf Gargoyle, co-host

BeachBoundBooks, co-hostess

Pragmatic Mom, co-hostess

The Logonauts, co-hostess

Spark and Pook, co-hostess

                                                          

My Reading Challenges for 2017

Hello everyone and welcome to a new year and new reading challenges. This past year I did a few and completed some but did not meet all of the goals I set out to do. THIS year though, I plan to complete all of my reading challenges. I have decided to do at least the following:

Goodreads Challenge
Alphabet Reading Challenge
Gargoyle Bruce's Wild Goose Challenge
Diverse Reading Challenge
Mount TBR Challenge (Pike's Peak Level)

I think this will do me throughout the year but I may do sporadically others. In any case, if you would like to sign up for reading challenges, I suggest you check out this Master List.

Happy Reading and Happy New Year!
Naila Moon