Kid in Chief

Kid in Chief by Paul Maguire

Genre: Middle Grade 

4 Stars

When third-grader Bobby Barton visits Washington, D.C. on a class trip, he doesn't know he will walk away with a chance to become the leader of our nation. It's on that trip that Bobby finds a missing part of the United States Constitution telling him how he could become President! Soon after making this discovery, Bobby moves into the White House as the youngest American President in history. With his friends Maria Cagney (Bobby's Vice-President) and Kevin Sawyer (his Chief of Staff), Bobby is faced with many important decisions, confusing situations, and exciting adventures. Bobby quickly finds out that being President is a very tough job. Join him as he and his friends learn all about how the government works, having loads of fun along the way!

Kid in Chief was so much fun!

Third grader, Bobby Barton, discovers a line in the Constitution that states that anyone who challenges the current President in a game of checkers and wins will become the next President of the United States.  So he challenges and so he wins, becoming the youngest President of the United States to date.

Again, this was so much fun. I thought that the author did an incredible job capturing a third grader’s voice. The author also did an incredible job making this read a real page turner, one that you just couldn't put down until you read every single page.  It was fun, light and exciting yet you still understood the importance of the process used to pass laws, maintaining international relationships, and how perhaps not everyone is cut out to run a country at the age of 10.

However, I wouldn't be quick to think that a 10 year old or anyone under the age of 18 wouldn't be an impressive President.  People this young are not corrupted by politics and view things very differently. Something tells me the laws they would pass are not the ones passed in this book. 

I would definitely suggest this book be included in a curriculum as it is a wonderful way to learn about White House politics as well as a great discussion starter!

ARC provided by Dog Ear Publishing via NetGalley.

Special Guest Post by Millicent Marie & Giveaway!

Rumor Has It and Arroz Con Leche welcomes Ms. Millicent Marie with open arms to the blog! I LOVE this little girl to pieces!

Enjoy Millie's post and don't forget to sign up for the giveaway!

Millie, take it away! 

 Honesty

Hi and thanks for having me on your blog today! I’m Millicent Marie Harris, and I’m twelve years old. You may think twelve is kind of young for a discussion as deep as honesty. I mean wouldn't I rather be talking about video games and lip-gloss? Not really. You see, honesty is something that’s been on my mind a lot lately. In fact, it’s so important, that I asked my creator to put my story down on paper.

Here’s the deal. If you’re not honest with yourself, how can you expect others to be honest with you? Maybe I should start from the beginning: Well, I've always hated my name, so I decided I would change it to Amanda. Except nobody knew about this. You see, to the people who knew me, I was still Millicent Marie. To my diary, which was private, I was known as Amanda. Why not? It seemed harmless. Except my younger brother found my diary and thought it would be funny to publish it, on the INTERNET, for everyone at school to see. At least they didn't know it was me, since I signed all the entries Amanda. 

I should have just deleted it, but the other kids actually liked what I had to say. They started writing to me, asking me for advice and stuff. It was kind of cool – plus, since they didn't know I was Amanda, I could sort of say anything about anyone without getting in trouble. I may have gotten a little carried away.

I know, I know – the whole thing was so wrong! I just couldn't help myself! Don’t worry. I learned my lesson. You know that old saying that your parents always use: “Honesty is the best policy”?  Well, as much as I hate to admit that my parents are right, I have to agree with this one. Just please don’t tell my parents I said so, okay? This is just between you and me, right?  Awesome! Thanks for stopping by today – see you on the “net,” only this time you can find me posting as Millicent Marie, because that’s who I am – honest.

Thanks Millie! Please stop by anytime. :-) 

Beautiful peeps...  You have a few things to do right now. 

1. Follow Millie's blog Millie Says... HERE

2. Read my review HERE. 

3. Follow the tour on Pinterest. HERE ( WE JUST LOVE PINTEREST!)

4. Sign up for the giveaways.

5. Check out the tour schedule.
6. Have a most beautiful Thursday. :-)

The Giveaway

Rumor Has It Swag Bag Giveaway

(bookmarks, sticker, notepad, magnet, keychain, & signed postcard)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Millicent Marie's Grand Prize Giveaway 

(swag pack plus tote bage, mug, and Amazon Gift Card)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Oct. 11: Loves 2 Reads - Character Guest Post, Review, & Swag Giveaway
Oct. 12 Alchemy of Scrawl - Author Interview, Review, & Swag Giveaway
Oct. 13 Living, Learning, and Loving Life - Review & Swag Giveaway 
Oct. 14 Double the Fun Day: Book Him Danno - Review & Swag Giveaway 
Lindsay and Jane's Views and Reviews - Review & Author Interview 
Oct. 15 So I'm Fifty - Character Guest Post, Review, & Swag Giveaway
Oct. 16 Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave - Author Guest Post 
Oct. 17 Geo Librarian - Character Guest Post, Review, & Swag Giveaway 
Oct. 18 Rumor Has It - Character Guest Post, Review, & Swag Giveaway 
Oct. 19 Book Lovers Paradise - Character Guest Post, Review, & Swag Giveaway 
Oct. 20 Fairday's Blog! Author Guest Post 
Oct. 21 Vixie's Stories - Character Guest Post & Swag Giveaway 
Oct. 22 Ali's Bookshelf - Author Guest Post, Review, & Swag Giveaway 
Oct. 23 The Bunny's Review - Character Interview, Review, & Swag Giveaway 
Oct. 24 Larkin's Book Bloggers - Author Guest Post, Review, & Swag Giveaway 
Oct. 25 Mrs. Mommy Booknerd's Book Reviews - Author Interview & Swag Giveaway 
Oct. 26 Someday, When I'm Famous... Author Interview, Review, & Swag Giveaway 
Oct. 27 It's About Time Mamaw - Author Interview, Review & Swag Giveaway 
Oct. 28 Q&A with Karen Pokras Toz at Goodreads.com 
Oct. 29 Mom Does Reviews - Character Interview, Review, & Swag Giveaway 
Oct. 30 Kid Lit Reviews - Character Guest Post & Swag Giveaway (Review on 10/31) 
Oct. 31 Italian Brat's Obsessions - Character Guest Post, Review & Swag Giveaway 

Millicent Marie Is NOT My Name Blog Tour! Review!

Rumor Has It and Arroz Con Leche is so excited about Millicent Marie is NOT My Name AND this tour! A big thank you to Karen Pokras Toz and Donna @ Girl Who Reads for allowing both blogs to participate in the celebration and for providing a copy of this wonderful book to read.  OH! Almost forgot! Millicent Marie will be stopping by in a few to shower us with her beautiful presence along with some giveaways. Be sure to check that out!

Millicent Marie Is Not My Name by Karen Pokras Toz

Genre: EVERYONE! but mostly MG

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary:

Twelve-year-old Millicent Marie does not like her name. After all, she was named for a woman who died more than fifty years ago and was not the most loveable member of the Harris family. Her friends call her Millie, but when she writes in her diary she refers to herself as Amanda – the name she always wished she had.

When Millie’s younger brother finds her diary on her computer, he decides to publish it as a blog for the entire world to see, including the boy Millie has a crush on. In the midst of all the mayhem, Millie/Amanda discovers she is suddenly Springside Elementary’s most sought after sixth-grade mystery gossip and advice columnist.

But not all is fun and games, as Millie quickly learns, once she realizes feelings are at stake. Nobody, least of all Millie, expects things to turn out as they do in this tale of friendship and respect.

OH MY GOODNESS! This was such a great read! I thoroughly enjoyed myself!

This is one of those books that everyone and anyone, of all ages, can relate to. Within these pages you will find the unique and funny voice of a girl who is trying to figure things out like all kids do. Millicent Marie is a good kid and just gets caught up with the intrigue and freedom anonymity gifts you, when all you really want to do is let it all out there, even if no one is out there listening. She obviously wasn’t expecting there to be someone “listening” or reading. She soon realized that the blog gave her power because words can be powerful. The good news is that although Millicent Marie was venting and the way she was going about things was pretty mild (IMO), she realized that her blog was still a form of bullying.  She also realized that just maybe not all bullies were bad people but just people that had a lot going on and didn’t know how to deal with all that was going on.

This is a book that EVERYONE should pick up and read. It is definitely a book I will have my son, nieces and nephew read because of its wonderful approach in addressing so many issues they are currently experiencing. Adults can find this book useful too...some need a friendly reminder about the effects of what they say and do...Just saying.  This book is empowering in every sense of the word. It teaches kids to be proactive, that it’s ok to have thoughts and to voice them, to rally together and make changes. It teaches that words have power but use that power responsibly because it can totally backfire and cause a good intention to turn bad within seconds. It teaches to think about the other person and that perhaps there is something more to what people see. It speaks of second chances and forgiveness along with that understanding.  Kudos to Karen Pokras Toz on a wonderfully written book that flows so well, has fantastic characters and is bursting with positive energy!

Purchase this book NOW! 

Amazon (print and ebook) 
Barnes & Noble (print and ebook) 

Karen Pokras Toz is a writer, wife and mom. Karen grew up in Connecticut and currently lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband and three children. In June 2011, Karen published her first middle grade children’s novel for 7-12 year olds called Nate Rocks the World, which won First Place for Children’s Chapter Books and the Grand Prize Overall in the 2012 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, as well as placing first for a Global E-Book Award for Pre-Teen Literature. In 2012, Karen published the second in the Nate Rocks series, Nate Rocks the Boat, followed by middle grade novel, Millicent Marie Is Not My Name. Karen is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI).

Connect with Author

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

Phoenix

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Published Date: September 25, 2012
Language: English
Pages: 288
Ages: 9 and up


Synopsis: It is 350 years after the events of The Five Ancestors. Phoenix Collins lives in Indiana with his grandfather who is teaching him kung fu. But Phoenix's real love is mountain bike racing. When unsettling events reveal that his grandfather is not only one of the legendary five Cangzhen monks, but also almost 400 years old, Phoenix must race the clock if he is going to keep his beloved ancestor alive. Traveling to China, he meets an intriguing young woman who is a talented biker and a terrific mechanic. She offers to help him, but can she be trusted?

I totally love Jeff Stone’s writing style. I have been a fan of his ever since I read his Five Ancestors Series with my son. The Five Ancestors is the tale of how five orphans save China using the skills taught to them by the monks who have raised them. Each one goes their separate ways after their temple is destroyed, each one having their own book to take us along their mega adventure.

Made In China

Publisher: Vanita Books

Published Date: June 1, 2008

Language: English

Pages: 30

Age Range: 4 yrs old and up

A little girl is told by her sister that she was “made in China” like toys and clothes. Naturally, she seeks out her father to set the record straight. 

I really liked this story. It was easy to read and to understand and most of all the feelings it tried to provoke radiated off the pages. I think the words the little girl’s father used to explain adoption and what she meant to their family were pretty perfect.

A Tale of Two Mommies & A Tale of Two Daddies

Publisher: Vanita Books

Published Date: September 1, 2011

Language: English

Pages: 40

Age Range: 4 yrs old and up

Publisher: Vanita Books 

Published Date: April 1, 2010

Language: English

Pages: 42

Age Range: 4 yrs old and up 

These two books were truly a fun read. The reality is that our world is constantly changing and with more and more same sex couples raising children of their own, it's important for all children to be taught that different is ok but that “different” is not that different at all. These books do just that.

Review: Arroz Con Leche & Giveaway!

Publisher: Scholastic

Published Date:  April 28, 1992

Language: Spanish & English (Bilingual)

Pages: 32

Age Range: 4-8

A collection of traditional Latin American songs and rhymes, in Spanish and English, with the music included.

I absolutely love this book! I remember buying this book years and years ago and being in awe with it. Being a Puerto Rican in the diaspora, I tend to grasp at anything that involves my culture and/or history. My family has always tried to maintain our roots alive and kicking even if we do live so very far from the island.