Nate Rocks the School by Karen Pokras Toz - Review & Giveaway

So, who attended the Twitter party on March 4th? I wasn't able to be attentive as I would have liked since we are on vacation but I did enjoy myself, and even learned a few things.

Nate is at it again in the third Nate Rocks book, Nate Rocks the School.

Nate Rocks Is At It Again . . .

According to Nathan Rockledge, fifth grade has plenty of perks. Oh sure, there’s more work and that know-it-all, Lisa Crane, is still around – but, there’s a lot to look forward to as well: a laser tag birthday party, baseball at recess, and even a cool Halloween dance. Of course, all of that means nothing without the biggest perk of all . . . the class trip to New York City in the spring. If Nathan’s class can raise enough money to go, that is.

Give Nathan paper and a pencil and watch as his imagination turns him into Nate Rocks, hero and fifth grade super star. With adventures abound, Nate saves the day time and again. But will Nate be able to save the fifth grade trip?

Join Nathan, his hilarious family, and his friends, as he rocks the school in another fun Nate Rocks adventure.

Karen Pokras Toz lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband and three children. Karen’s middle grade childrens’ novels: Millicent Marie Is Not My Name and the Nate Rocks series, have won several awards including 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. Karen is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI). Her first adult contemporary novel, Invisible, will be released this summer. For more information, please visit www.karentoz.com.

   

• Website: www.karentoz.com
• Blog: http://kptoz.blogspot.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/karenptoz
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/karentoz
• Amazon:Nate Rocks the School
• Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nate-rocks-the-school-karen-pokras-toz/1114663864?ean=2940016344119
• Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5009570.Karen_Pokras_Toz

My Review - 4.5 Stars

If you follow our facebook page you may have seen a post I shared from Karen recently. See, I am part of Karen's Street Team and occasionally Karen gives us some pretty awesome swag. Since Poppy has been reading Nate Rocks as well, she has been helping me with my reviews by doing book reports on the books (two birds - one stone!). When Karen sent out the latest round of swag she sent an autographed bookmark. Since Poppy did so well on her last book report of Nate Rocks the World I gave her the bookmark! She quickly went in search of a place to put it up so it wouldn't be destroyed, but not before I was able to snap this picture and send it to Karen. You can see more pictures of other great kids reading Nate Rocks here. Poppy was pretty excited to see that she had made it to Karen's website!

(Sorry I just had to share Poppy's stardom!)


Well not only is Nate at it again, so is Karen! I've sat thinking, "Which Nate Rocks book is my favorite?" I've found that it a hard question to answer. Karen is so creative and there are so many great highlights in each book. I would have to say without a doubt that the babysitting scene is by far my favorite in Nate Rocks the School! I spent a lot of time babysitting when I was a teen. One family in particular, a family friend, had 3 kids - 2 girls and a boy. They definitely kept me on my toes at all time, and could so have seen the little boy escaping a climbing a tree.Thankfully though he never did!

Nate is in 5th grade - his last year before moving up to middle school. He is finally and the top of the ladder - the big kid in the school, AND they long awaited class trip to New York City! This year couldn't be better. But wait, everything is not set in stone and there may not be a trip to NYC! WHAT? How can that be possible? Everyone has always gone in 5th grade. Plus all the parents signed the permission slip and paid the deposit so it is a go - RIGHT? With the Halloween Party (the BIG fundraiser for the 5th grade trip) being a bust due to Nate's Mom and her awful cooking, Nate and his friends must find a way to raise enough money before the school has to cancel the trip. If Nate didn't have bad luck sometimes he'd never have any luck. With Tommy's big mouth and Nate's outburst in class, they are now stuck working with Lisa Crane to find a way to raise enough money and before Christmas Break.

As with anything involving Lisa, there are lots of arguments on who has the better fundraising idea - Lisa or Nate. Lisa wants to make custom Christmas ornaments. Nate wants to do a car wash. Either way it is November, and it's not exactly car washing weather and there is not nearly enough time to take orders and make custom ornaments.

After another failed attempt for fundraising with the car wash the kids finally decide to hold an auction. They visit all the stores in the mall, passing out flyers asking the stores to make donations to be auctioned off. Nate gets super exited when there is a Phillie's jersey donated. His Mom promises she will bid on it for him, but once it is up for auction she doesn't even bid once. Nate is super disappointed, but not for long! Will they earn enough for their trip to New York City? What about the jersey Nate wanted SO bad? Well, you'll have to scroll down and buy Nate Rocks the School now so you can read it and find out! Hurry! What are you waiting for?



The Nate Rocks series is recommended for children 7-11 years old. If you have an younger advanced reader that is ready to move beyond the simple 2-4 page chapter books then give Nate Rocks a swing! Nate Rocks is not a BOYS book, girls will enjoy Nate Rocks as well. However, if you are looking for a good book for the little girl in your life, I heard from a little birdie that Millicent Marie is Not My Name is pretty darn good!



Be sure to check out the other blog stops where there will be character guest post, an excerpt from Nate Rocks the School, author guest post, and more reviews! Be sure to come back and tells us your thoughts on Nate Rocks the School, and don't forget to enter below for a chance to win some pretty awesome Nate Rocks swag!

Schedule:

March 4 Blog Blitz and Twitter Party

March 5 Publishsavvy www.publishsavvy.com/blog Author Guest Post

March 6 There for You http://thereforyoumelissa.blogspot.com/ Character Guest Post

March 7 Marietta Homeschooling Zoo http://mariettahomeschoolingzoo.blogspot.com/ Review and Giveaway

March 8 Fresh Pot of Tea http://alisondeluca.blogspot.com/ Review, Excerpt, and Giveaway

March 9 Kid Lit Reviews http://kid-lit-reviews.com Review, Excerpt, and Giveaway

March 10 KidsnBooks http://kidsnbooksdonna.blogspot.com Review, Character Guest Post, and Giveaway

March 11 Dag-Lit Central http://daglit.blogspot.com Author Guest Post

March 12 Book Lovers Paradise  http://bookloversparadise.blogspot.com Review, Character Guest Post, and Giveaway

March 13 Library Girl Reads and Reviews http://librarygirlreads.blogspot.com Author Guest Post and Giveaway

March 14 Living, Learning, and Loving Life http://www.livinglearninglovinglife.com Review

March 15 Yours and Mine ARE Ours http://www.yoursandmineareours.blogspot.com Review, Character Guest Post, and Giveaway

March 16 Recent Reads http://www.recentread.com Review, Character Guest Post, and Giveaway

March 17 Mom Loves 2 Read http://lovez2read.blogspot.com Review, Character Guest Post, and Giveaway

March 18 Ali's Bookshelf http://alisbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/ Guest Post and Giveaway

March 19 Lisa Bilbrey http://lisabilbrey.blogspot.com/ Review

March 20 Fairday's Blog! http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/ Review

March 21 Lissette E. Manning http://www.simplistik.org/lissetteemanning Review, Author Guest Post, and Giveaway

March 22
The Children's and Teens' Book Connection Review, Character Guest Post, and Giveaway
Mom Does Reviews http://www.momdoesreviews.com Review, Character Interview, & Giveaway

March 23 My Devotional Thoughts http://mydevotionalthoughts.com Character Guest Post and Giveaway

March 24 Diary of a Semi-Crazy Author http://diaryofasemi-crazyauthor.blogspot.com/ Review

Grand Prize Giveaway

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A GWR Publicity Event. Sponsored by Karen Pokras Toz.

Vacation and Winners

I hope everyone is having a good week! We've been in FL. the last few days visiting my father and will be here for another week or so. Yesterday we went to the beach. While it is much warmer here than in Ohio, the water is still chilly. Yang has never seen the ocean before and absolutely loved it! She was in the water the entire time! Poppy got a little sun on her back where her bathing suit rode up when she way laying on her towel. My lower legs and left shoulder are BURNT! At this point in my life, I am just use to it!

After the beach we walked around and had some frozen yogurt - yum!

A few days ago we reached 100 FB likes! WHOO! Thanks EVERYONE! With the release of Nate Rocks the School and 100 FB likes all in the same week I decided to do a giveaway. With Random.org I selected one winner to receive a free copy of Nate Rocks the School on Kindle (you do not have to have a Kindle to read all the wonderful e-books out there! Click here for more info.) Our winner is.................................................................................................................................................. Elissa Nelson!!!!!! CONGRATS!! 

Please send me an email at MariettaHomeschoolingZoo@Gmail.com to claim your prize!

Don't forget to enter to win a signed copy of "The Day the Televisions Went Outside", some awesome Nate Rocks Swag. Remember to Vote Daily (upper left hand corner) and comment on our facebook page once you have voted each day) to be entered into a drawing for a $10 Starbucks e-gift card once we reach 15th place.

Nate Rocks the School by Karen Pokras Toz BOOK BLAST

 

 

Nate Rocks is at it again...

The highly anticipated third installment of the Nate Rocks series is here! 

According to Nathan Rockledge, fifth grade has plenty of perks. Oh sure, there’s more work and that know-it-all, Lisa Crane, is still around – but, there’s a lot to look forward to as well: a laser tag birthday party, baseball at recess, and even a cool Halloween dance. Of course, all of that means nothing without the biggest perk of all . . . the class trip to New York City in the spring. If Nathan’s class can raise enough money to go, that is.



Give Nathan paper and a pencil and watch as his imagination turns him into Nate Rocks, hero and fifth grade super star. With adventures abound, Nate saves the day time and again. But will Nate be able to save the fifth grade trip?



Join Nathan, his hilarious family, and his friends, as he rocks the school in another fun Nate Rocks adventure.

Pick up your copy at Nate Rocks the School on Amazon

and B&N!

Chat with Karen Pokras Toz today at 10:30 am  EST and then follow the Nate Rocks the School Tour for appearances by the author and characters, reviews, and swag pack giveaways!

Grand Prize Giveaway





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A GWR Publicity Event. Sponsored by Karen Pokras Toz. 

Schedule:

March 4 Blog Blitz & Twitter Party

March 5 Publishsavvy www.publishsavvy.com/blog Author Guest Post

March 6 There for You http://thereforyoumelissa.blogspot.com/ Character Guest Post

March 7 Marietta Homeschooling Zoo http://mariettahomeschoolingzoo.blogspot.com/ Review & Giveaway

March 8 Fresh Pot of Tea http://alisondeluca.blogspot.com/ Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway

March 9 Kid Lit Reviews http://kid-lit-reviews.com Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway

March 10 KidsnBooks http://kidsnbooksdonna.blogspot.com Review, Character Guest Post, & Giveaway

March 11 Dag-Lit Central http://daglit.blogspot.com Author Guest Post

March 12 Book Lovers Paradise  http://bookloversparadise.blogspot.com Review, Character Guest Post, & Giveaway

March 13 Library Girl Reads & Reviews http://librarygirlreads.blogspot.com Author Guest Post & Giveaway

March 14 Living, Learning, and Loving Life http://www.livinglearninglovinglife.com Review

March 15 Yours and Mine ARE Ours http://www.yoursandmineareours.blogspot.com Review, Character Guest Post, & Giveaway

March 16 Recent Reads http://www.recentread.com Review, Character Guest Post, & Giveaway

March 17 Mom Loves 2 Read http://lovez2read.blogspot.com Review, Character Guest Post, & Giveaway

March 18 Ali's Bookshelf http://alisbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/ Guest Post & Giveaway

March 19 Lisa Bilbrey http://lisabilbrey.blogspot.com/ Review

March 20 Fairday's Blog! http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/ Review

March 21 Lissette E. Manning http://www.simplistik.org/lissetteemanning Review, Author Guest Post, & Giveaway

March 22
The Children's and Teens' Book Connection Review, Character Guest Post, & Giveaway

Mom Does Reviews http://www.momdoesreviews.com Review, Character Interview, & Giveaway

March 23 My Devotional Thoughts http://mydevotionalthoughts.com Character Guest Post & Giveaway

March 24
Diary of a Semi-Crazy Author http://diaryofasemi-crazyauthor.blogspot.com/ Review

Lindsay & Jane's Views and Reviews http://lindsayandjaneviewsandreviews.blogspot.co.uk/ Character Interview & Review

Be sure to check out my reviews of Nate Rocks the World & Nate Rocks the Boat if you haven't already done so.

 

The Day the Televisions Went Outside - Guest Post and Giveaway

Today we have a guest post author Redding C. Benning. A few weeks ago his mother posted a link for the video in a homeschooling group. I clicked on the link and called Yang over to watch it with me. The title was enough to get her laughing, and she continued to laugh at all the silly things the televisions where doing. I love the artwork, and wonderful message. 

Below you will find a Q & A, YouTube video (make sure you give it a thumbs up!) of The Day the Televisions Went Outside and giveaway. One lucky winner will received a signed copy of The Day the Televisions Went Outside.

                                              

What inspired you to write this book?

It was 2009, and I was living in Portland, Oregon at the time.  I was surrounded each day by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, and I spent a part of each day hiking and walking in the forests that line the western edge of Portland.  A few months prior to writing the original draft of "The Day the Televisions Went Outside" I had left a promising career at a bank to go back to school to study Music and Mandarin Chinese.  

I'm not sure exactly when the idea for the story first took shape in my mind, but I do still have the first draft that's dated "June 2009."  

Perhaps the shortest answer to what inspired me would be this:  I was inspired by the outdoorsy, do-it-yourself culture that I was surrounded by in Portland.   

  

Who did the art work for "The Day the Televisions Went Outside"?

I did the artwork, but that was not my original intention for the illustrations. 

After I wrote the story, I began asking artists to illustrate the book for me.  Most of them were too busy to get involved in a project that big.  So I decided to give it a try myself. 

I had never painted before (except once in Junior High School), so it took me a year to sketch, paint, and design the book.  Much of the paintings were done outdoors during the summer of 2010.

What are you working on next?

That's a question with many many answers.  

Under the pseudonym Redding C. Benning I have just finished writing the story for the second installment of the "Televisions Outside" series called "The Day the Televisions Played Football (meaning "Soccer").  This is another nod to the Pacific NW.  Oregon and Washington have very passionate soccer communities, and I am still very much connected to that community even though I am currently living many states away in Chicago, IL.  This book should be available on YouTube for viewing in April of this year (2013).  I have also outlined 3 more "Televisions Outside" adventures that I hope to finish by the end of 2013.

I am also working diligently on my Maze Art.  I create very detailed pieces of art that function as solvable mazes, and I am building both a portfolio of pieces and a fan-base for that venture.

Musically, I have studio time on the schedule for a guitar album due to be released in April and another more avant-garde vocal project in the Summer. 

Throughout the year, I am releasing follow-ups to my 2 poetry chapbook series:  "psomepoems" (pronounced "some poems") and "Limericks in the Wild." 

Lastly, I am in the process of finishing a play that I hope to premiere as a staged reading in Nashville, TN during November of this year. 

Maze art? WOW, that sounds interesting! Where can we find out more?



Matthew's Mazes on facebook.

What has been your most rewarding experience since your book was published and went viral on YouTube?

My most rewarding experience since publishing the book in September 2010 has been raising my daughter Quinnie (she is now 14 months old).  Since "The Day the Televisions Went Outside" has gone online, I would say that the proudest moment was when Reading Rainbow 'liked' my story on their Facebook wall. 

That is amazing! I remember watching Reading Rainbow as a child! Congrats!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a professional baseball player for most of my childhood.  In my early teenage years, that changed to a professional musician (which I actually did end up doing for a while).  I've always wanted to be an artist, but I don't think I've ever expected to make a living doing it, and--to be honest-- I'm still working on figuring out how to make a living out of it now.   

Anything else you would like to share with us today?

A few people have asked me recently how I finish so many projects at once and where I find the time.  I usually tell them that there's a lot to be said for being balanced as a person in order to be able to create consistently day after day.  "The Day the Televisions Went Outside" still teaches me a lot about how to find that consistent place from which to create:  getting outside, finding what I enjoy doing, working together with others who share my passions, and learning to find beauty in every day are just a few of the things I am reminded of when I watch that story.   

The same people who ask me about my productivity usually follow it up with a comment like, "I wish I had the creativity to do that," or "I'd like to do something like that someday,"  to which I think the best responses are "you do!" and "you can!"  There's nothing unique or special to me that makes it so I can create and another person cannot.  I think that we can see in our children the endless desire to know, learn and create that is innate to our being.  It's unfortunate that the majority of us have assumed that "growing up" means losing this trait.  It is unfortunate entirely because it is our universal ability to create that can best serve the communities, cities and world in which we live.

What an uplifting outlook, and very true! Thanks for stopping by. We hope to see you again soon, and can't wait to see the next installment in the "Television Outside" series.

 

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