Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Only The Good Spy Young- GG4 *Review & Giveaway*


Publisher: Hyperion
Release Date: June 29, 2010

When Cammie Morgan enrolled at the Gallagher Academy, she knew she was preparing for the dangerous life of a spy. What she didn’t know was that the serious, real-life danger would start during her junior year of high school. But that’s exactly what happened two months ago when she faced off against an ancient terrorist organization dead set on kidnapping her.


Now the danger follows her everywhere and even Cammie “The Chameleon” can’t hide. When a terrifying encounter in London reveals that one of her most-trusted allies is actually a rogue double-agent Cammie no longer knows if she can trust her classmates, her teachers—or even her own heart.



In this fourth installment of the New York Times best-selling series, the Gallagher Girls must hack, spy, steal, and lie their way to the truth as they go searching for answers, recognizing that the key to Cammie’s future may lie deep in the past....

Cammie is never without major security-  as a Gallagher Girl she is always in immediate danger and this is just a normal part of her life.  She is attending school at the Gallagher Academy for girls training to become a spy.  When her favorite teacher gives her a special message she is heart broken to find out he is considered to be "the enemy".  Not sure who to trust or believe, Cammie turns to her friends and finds her inner strength.  She fights to the very end never backing down, never giving up.  Who is really against her?  Who can she really trust?

This is such a fun book!  I honestly read it all in one afternoon.  Cammie is a great role model for young girls (the book is for ages 10 and up).  She has a boy "friend" but that is kept to a minimum and their relationship is never the main topic of the book.  I cannot wait until my daughter is old enough to read this & I really enjoyed it myself.

I am so happy to share some Q & A's from the amazing author of the Gallagher Girls Series- Ally Carter.  She is an amazing author and I really enjoyed her answers :o)

1) What are some trends in the type of female role models seen in recent YA fiction? Do you think that there is an adequate amount of YA fiction that encourages girls to be ambitious like The Gallagher Girls?

I have been talking a lot lately about the "Golden Age of Young Adult Fiction" that I think we're currently going through. Really, truly, I think the YA books that are making waves right now will be studied and read for many, many generations to come. There's just so much good stuff out there-and that, of course, includes great heroines.

It's almost impossible to talk about the fabulous books published within the last couple of years without mentioning the trend of smart "warrior girls" like Katniss from HUNGER GAMES or awesome masterminds like Frankie from E. Lockhart's brilliant THE DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF FRANKIE LANDAU-BANKS.

These are the strong, ambitious female characters that are grabbing all the headlines, but beyond strong and ambitious I think it's important that all types of teens be depicted in teen fiction and not all teen girls want the same things-nor should they. Some want to take on the world and earn a place in history. Some teens have far more personal goals (finding love, being a good person, figuring out who you are).

Neither type is right and neither type is wrong. To me, what's important is that fiction features characters that want something and work toward some goal, and I feel that the breadth of teen fiction being published today covers that span quite nicely.

2) Your characters in The Gallagher Girls series seem relatively mature for their age, especially in how they handle their crushes on boys. What message do you think Cammie and her friends send readers in terms of how to prioritize and judge relationships with boys?

For the Gallagher Girls, the world is both very big and very small. Big in that they are being prepped for a global profession, so their interests and abilities extend far beyond the walls of their school and the borders of their town. When you spend most of your waking hours learning how to prevent nuclear war and overthrow dictators then whether or not you have a date to the big dance is an easy thing to keep in perspective.

But the flipside of that coin is that the girls are also very sheltered behind their stone walls and the physical world they live in is very small.

Boys are very much a mystery to them-something that has never appeared on any midterm. And one of the lessons that the girls have to learn is that boys are a part of life. Relationships are a part of life. And those are lessons that even the best school in the world can't teach you.

I hope that readers of the books take away both of those lessons: that relationships matter, but they are far from the only thing that does.

3) Now that you are a New York Times bestselling author of two hit series, what influences do you believe were most important in leading you to write for the YA genre? Why do you love what you do?

It seems as if once a week someone will ask me how I'm able to get into the mindset of a teenager-as if teens are some mythical creature and I'm on a scientific exploration to study them in their native habitat. The truth is, I'm a firm believer that teens and adults have the same basic fears, concerns, wants and needs the only difference is that, hopefully, as we age we become better at dealing with those same issues.

Teen writers, as a whole, I think are just people who get that on a deeper level. We're also, largely, teens at heart. We get to write about emotions that are the most raw, feelings that are the most intense. Time is like water, I really believe, and teens are just people.concentrated. It's a great blessing to get to write about life when it's the least watered-down.

4) How can parents instill a love for reading in their tweens and teens, and what can they do to position reading not just as important or required, but also a fun pastime?

First of all, parents who want to instill a love of reading in their children really have to walk the walk. That means making books available, first and foremost, and leading by example. There's nothing more frustrating that hearing a parent complain that their teen isn't a reader and then asking the parent "what's the last book you read" and hearing them say "well, I don't have time for reading."

Perhaps the greatest compliment I receive is when parents and teens tell me that they both enjoy my books-that they're able to talk about them and come to signings and have that shared interest. That, for me, is easily one of the best parts of the job.

Buy It:  Only the Good Spy Young can be purchased on Amazon.

Win It:  One lucky winner will win a Gallagher Girl Prize Package!!  This includes a signed copy of Only The Good Spy Young, a Gallagher Girls tote bag, a Gallagher Girls Hair Pin, a Signed Heist Society book, and a pair of Heist Society Sunglasses with a total package value of $60.97

~Rules~
1. Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above
2. You must do the mandatory entry
3. Leave 1 comment for each entry including e-mail and/or link (ie if you blog about this for 3 entries you need to leave 3 comments)

~Mandatory~:  Tell me your favorite thing about this book/series or author

~Additional Entries~:
1."Like" The Simple Things on Facebook (1 entry-leave a comment with your fb id)
2. Follow The Simple Things on Twitter (1 entry-leave a comment with your twitter id)
3. Subscribe to The Simple Things (2 entries-must verify email)
4. Blog, Facebook, and/or Tweet about this giveaway (2 entries each)
5. Follow me on GFC (1 entry)
6. Enter one of my other giveaways (2 entries per giveaway entered, past giveaways do not count)

This contest will end Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. PST. The winner will be chosen using random.org. Winners will have 48 hours to respond to my email. If the winner(s) do not claim their prize in the 48 hour period, a new winner(s) will be chosen at random

Disclaimer: I did not receive any form of cash for this review and this is written based on my own honest opinion (other people opinions may vary). I was provided with the GG4 book to be reviewed but this does not affect my review and opinion of the product(s)

129 comments:

  1. What I like most about this book, is that it presents the idea that women can be something (like a spy!). It gives girls the underlying feel that they can be whatever they want! All that aside, this seems like an interesting book and I can't wait to read it!

    Email: melissajackson07@gmail.com

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  2. I initially loved the whole of idea of just a spy training school for girls. And then I discovered how very awesome Cammie was. She was smart and clever, but also still a girl who was learning and making mistakes.

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  3. I like the Simple Things on FB. (melissa jackson)

    Email: melissajackson07@gmail.com

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  4. I follow the Simple Things on Twitter. (@melissajackson0)

    Email: melissajackson07@gmail.com

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  5. Follow The Simple Things on Twitter as Tommygirl

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  6. Subscribe to The Simple Things via this email - tommygirl828 (at) gmail (dot) com

    entry 1/2

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  7. I subscribe to your email newsletter! #1

    Email: melissajackson07@gmail.com

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  8. Subscribe to The Simple Things via this email - tommygirl828 (at) gmail (dot) com

    entry 2/2

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  9. Tweeted about giveaway - http://twitter.com/tommygirl/status/22202839908

    entry 1/2

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  10. Tweeted about giveaway - http://twitter.com/tommygirl/status/22202839908

    entry 2/2

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  11. My daughter loves this series but hasnt' read this one. I like the books because they're exciting enough to where she can't put them down when she's reading, yet tame enough that I don't have to worry!
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

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  12. What I love most about the series is that it's so captivating and you get sucked into the story!


    Email: wildpeetree7@hotmail.com

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  13. I like that is shows that girls can be the strong independent one. My girls would love this book.
    nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

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  14. entered miracle suit giveaway
    nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

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  15. entered monopoly giveaway
    nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

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  16. I like that it gives a message to girls that no matter what you want to be~if you try hard enough you can accomplish it!

    deb55106(at)gmail(dot)com

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  17. I like you on Facebook{Deb S}

    deb55106(at)gmail(dot)com

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  18. I follow you on Twitter{Deb55106}

    deb55106(at)gmail(dot)com

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  19. I follow you with GFC

    deb55106(at)gmail(dot)com

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  20. Email subscriber

    deb55106(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. Email subscriber #2

    deb55106(at)gmail(dot)com

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  22. What I like best about this book is the spy idea. I love a book that has a lot of intrigue and mystery.
    monster6236 at gmail dot com

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  23. tweet 1 http://twitter.com/5memb/status/22875966403
    monster6236 at gmail dot com

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  24. tweet 2 http://twitter.com/5memb/status/22875966403
    monster6236 at gmail dot com

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  25. I like that the relationship bit is toned down. Sounds like something my daughter would LOVE. Thanks for the review.
    jas8929(at)gmail(dot)com

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  26. I love how spunky and smart the girls are!
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. I follow your blog with google friend connect
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

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  28. I follow The Simple Things on Twitter - my Twitter ID is @AmberGoo
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

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  29. I like The Simple Things on Facebook - my FB name is Amanda Moore
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

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  30. I like that the main character is a good role model for girls.

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  31. I love that this series is about a group of girls who act as a type of role model for the reader. Great young adult spy series!!!

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  32. "Like" The Simple Things on Facebook - Rachel Grimes

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  33. Follow The Simple Things on Twitter - @rachelie123

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  34. email subscriber #1 - rboo224ATgmailDOTcom

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  35. email subscriber #2 - rboo224ATgmailDOTcom

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  36. tweet #1 http://twitter.com/Rachelie123/status/22907022973

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  37. tweet #2 http://twitter.com/Rachelie123/status/22907022973

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  38. I love that Cammie character in this book is a great role model for young girls. My daughter loves to read and I want to ensure that she reads things that are not just age appropriate, but that show young girls as good role models. iluvmidori@juno.com

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  39. I like the Simple Things on Facebook! Thanks. iluvmidori@juno.com
    Mabelle Gonzales

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  40. I like the pro-girl perspective of this!

    theyyyguy@yahoo.com

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  41. I like books with female protagonists and spies are fun to read about.

    dlodden at frontiernet dot net

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  42. tweet 1
    http://twitter.com/darcy1956/status/22929317341

    dlodden at frontiernet dot net

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  43. tweet 2
    http://twitter.com/darcy1956/status/22929317341

    dlodden at frontiernet dot net

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  44. I like the strong female role in the series.

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  45. I am sohamolina (Soha M) FB liker---- eddiem11@ca.rr.com

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  46. I am @sohamolina twitter follower---eddiem11@ca.rr.com

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  47. I am an email subscriber----eddiem11@ca.rr.com
    1

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  48. I am an email subscriber----eddiem11@ca.rr.com

    2

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  49. http://twitter.com/sohamolina/status/22933650941

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  50. I am a GFC public follower---eddiem11@ca.rr.com

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  51. I like girl's approach to a man's world in this series :)

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  52. I like your blog on FaceBook (Louis Here) :)

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  53. following you on twitter at rosidentevil

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  54. here is my tweet
    http://twitter.com/rosidentevil/status/22936193043

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  55. 2
    here is my tweet
    http://twitter.com/rosidentevil/status/22936193043

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  56. shared
    http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000492008701&v=wall&story_fbid=152832481409818&ref=mf

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  57. 2
    shared
    http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000492008701&v=wall&story_fbid=152832481409818&ref=mf

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  58. Following your blog publicly as Louis on Google Friends Connect

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  59. the book seems intriguing..I love a good mystery

    jdmimi at gmail dot com

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  60. I entered your Bendaroos giveaway. #1

    Email: melissajackson07@gmail.com

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  61. I entered your Bendaroos giveaway. #2

    Email: melissajackson07@gmail.com

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  62. I entered your Jari Love Get Ripped DVD giveaway. #1

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  63. I entered your Jari Love Get Ripped DVD giveaway. #2

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  64. I entered your Pierre the Penguin book giveaway. #1

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  65. I entered your Pierre the Penguin Book giveaway. #2

    Email: melissajackson07@gmail.com

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  66. I love it's got some mystery in it!


    clarkmurdock@yahoo.com

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  67. I like that it's about strong girls who can have a career path and a boy (without him being the center of the universe). trinitygsd at yahoo dot com

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  68. I like that this is an intelligent story for a young adult. Too many young adult books are "silly" for a lack of a better term.

    bevwhip at yahoo dot com

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  69. I think this is just the kind of book that preteen girls should read. Very empowering and self assuring.

    ReplyDelete
  70. I like The Simple Things on Facebook as Patti Mercier Nicklas
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

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  71. I entered the Jari Love giveaway
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com (1)

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  72. I entered the Jari Love giveaway
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com (2)

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  73. I'm just so glad there are books with strong female characters in them that I feel good about letting the kinder read. Cammie sounds like a fabulous role model.
    heatherpooh (hotmail)

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  74. I follow The Simple Things on Twitter - choochoo428
    heatherpooh (hotmail)

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  75. I follow via gfc as /\Heather/\
    heatherpooh (hotmail)

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  76. I like that Cammie is strong and smart--she pulls u in and you gotta know how this will end :)

    marci
    tristatecruisers at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  77. Like" The Simple Things on FB :)

    marci
    tristatecruisers at yahoo dot com

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  78. subscribe via email--entry 1

    marci
    tristatecruisers at yahoo dot com

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  79. subscribe via email--entry 2
    marci
    tristatecruisers at yahoo dot com

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  80. follow via GFC :)

    marci
    tristatecruisers at yahoo dot com

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  81. i love how the book keeps my daughter off the internet
    joretta933@roadrunner.com

    ReplyDelete
  82. love how the book keeps my daughter off the internet
    joretta933@roadrunner.com

    ReplyDelete
  83. love how the book keeps my daughter off the internet
    joretta933@roadrunner.com

    ReplyDelete
  84. Subscribe to The Simple Things
    joretta933@roadrunner.com

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  85. Subscribe to The Simple Things
    joretta933@roadrunner.com

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  86. Subscribe to The Simple Things
    joretta933@roadrunner.com

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  87. Like" The Simple Things on Facebook
    joretta933@roadrunner.com

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  88. Like" The Simple Things on Facebook
    joretta933@roadrunner.com

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  89. 1 I entered the Jari Love giveaway.
    heatherpooh (hotmail)

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  90. 2 I entered the Jari Love giveaway.
    heatherpooh (hotmail)

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  91. I haven't read these books, but I like the cover art!

    juliabaxter at ihmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  92. I had never heard of this series before, but I'm definitely going to look for them now. I like how they encourage girls to read, the boy/girl relationship isn't the main theme, and how the main character is smart and a good role model.
    hickenfam at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  93. I follow with gfc. (psychdog)
    hickenfam at hotmail dot com

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  94. I subscribe to The Simple Things #1.
    hickenfam at hotmail dot com

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  95. I subscribe to The Simple Things #2.
    hickenfam at hotmail dot com

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  96. I entered the bendaroos giveaway. #1
    hickenfam at hotmail dot com

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  97. I entered the bendaroos giveaway. #2
    hickenfam at hotmail dot com

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  98. I entered the jari love giveaway. #1
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  99. I entered the jari love giveaway. #2
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  100. I entered the LG Vacuum giveaway (1)
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  101. I entered the LG Vacuum giveaway (2)
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  102. I entered the Pierre the Penguin giveaway (1)
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  103. I entered the Pierre the Penguin giveaway (2)
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

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  104. What I like best about these books is that my daughter actually likes to read them! They remind me of the old Nancy Drew books only with a more up to date style!
    bartontj909@aol.com

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  105. I follow on facebook! Tammy Ash Barton
    bartontj909@aol.com

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  106. I subscribe to email! #1
    bartontj909@aol.com

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  107. I subscribe to email #2
    bartontj909@aol.com

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  108. I follow via GFC!
    bartontj909@aol.com

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  109. I entered the LG giveaway #1
    bartontj909@aol.com

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  110. I entered the LG giveaway #2
    bartontj909@aol.com

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  111. I entered the bendaroos giveaway #1
    bartontj909@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  112. I entered the bendaroos giveaway #2
    bartontj909@aol.com

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  113. I like that its an Easy to read book

    ReplyDelete
  114. I like career preparation themed books. My kids don't know what they want to be.
    metu18 AT hotmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  115. I like strong female characters to encourage teen readers

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  116. I'm following your blog in Google Friend Connect.

    nesta 67 {at} live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  117. I'm following you on Twitter (I'm @LuckyJinxy).

    ReplyDelete
  118. I like that this series is intriguing.

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  119. What I like most about the series is the way it presents the girls in a positive light. The books would be an inspiration to girls. garrettsambo@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  120. You can't expect your kids to live in a bubble because one day that bubble will eventually burst and what a shock it will be for them. We have to let our kids experience all things so that they can grow into confident and independent adults ready to face the world that awaits them.

    ReplyDelete
  121. I like characters that encourage young girls to be empowered. I think my teens would enjoy these books. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  122. 1. Email subscriber. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  123. 2. Email subscriber. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  124. I've never heard of the author or the books.. I have 4 girls and it sounds like an interesting read.

    ReplyDelete
  125. My daughter would love this book - it doesn't sound like your typical junky "young adult" book. It sounds like I would probably enjoy it, too!

    Email address is in blogger profile

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