For Guys Only: Reading Beyond the Series !  

OK! Even though most authors are men, guys who read are rarely “plugged-in” to book discussions. . . . .why is that?

Since the book Guys Read, compiled by Jon Scieszka, was published new online sites are emerging.  You might want to check these four out and do a bit of “surfing” on your own.

 Guys Read: http://www.guysread.com

SMS Guys Read Blog and Reviews: http://guysread.typepad.com/guys_read/2008/05/index.html

Guys Write for Guys Read:  http://www.geocities.com/~teddarnold/guysread.html

Guys Read: Kurtis Scaletta Blog and Reviews:  http://kurtisscaletta.com/home/?cat=6

Following the links to New Discoveries !  

 Encyclopedia Brown:

http://www.yourlibrary.ws/Childrens_Webpage/j-author102001.htm  

One of the all-time kid sleuths, Leroy Brown solves neighborhood mysteries.  For over 40 years this youth sleuth has tried to bring to justice the Meany gang and continues to hook young readers into the mystery/detective genre.  When was the last time you re-read an EB?

Check out these Encyclopedia Brown student reviews:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9152.Donald_J_Sobol 

How much do you know about EB? Take this trivia game: http://www.kidsreads.com/funstuff/trivia/brown-triv.asp   

  Hank the Cowdog: http://www.hankthecowdog.com

Hank is the most delightful “Head of Ranch Security” sheriff that any western ranch could hire.  Mysteries, murder, rustlers, and mayhem follows Hank and his deputy Drover throughout all of these western adventures.  If you haven’t checked out a book CD or a book Play-away from your local library, you must listen to recordings of Hank and his diabolical chaos it’s a perfect way to spend enjoyable time while riding in the car or for those down times at a relative’s house.

Just for fun. . . . re-read a chapter or find a game to play: http://us.penguingroup.com/static/packages/us/yreaders/hankthecowdog/chapters.htm  

 Hardy Boys: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/5567/history.html

Frank and Joe Hardy were brought into life in 1927 and most mystery readers discovered hours of reading trying to solve these mysteries that were taking place around the world in the most adventurous settings.  By 1987, the brothers were re-invented and guns were introduced. . . . . amazing progress, I wonder? 

 Tom Swift: http://www.tomswiftlives.com

Scientific inventions, unknown gadgets, saving the world from destruction, Tom Swift would come through.  When reading today’s sci-fi there is always a link to an invention that began when a young reader was introduced to Tom and his creative designs.  This series is a must read for those who enjoy science fiction and inventions. . . . .now in the 21^st century you can look back in awe at the impact of the forerunning inventions upon our tech gadgets of today. 

 Artemis Fowl: http://www.artemisfowl.com

In 2001, Eoin Colfer brought the world of Artemis into the US.  This adrenaline-packed fantasy adventure is just the ticket for those who enjoy a series that never gets boring.  As a teacher/author Eoin knows how to hook his readers with quick wit and extraordinary page turners you will not stop until the series is completed.

Check out this Artemis Fan-site for more adventures: http://artemisfowl.tripod.com  

A Fowl Movie? http://artemisfowl.fangathering.com/movie/artemis-fowl-movie  

 Thunder Cave: http://www.rolandsmith.com

Right from the beginning of this book, Jacob finds his life in peril.  Is father is in Africa trying to stop the elephant poachers and he has to find a way to get to him, but will his bike and a few hundred dollars get into the African out-back and safely into his father’s camp. . . . .that is if he is still alive!

Author bio: http://www.answers.com/topic/roland-smith 

Join in with Roland at his blog. . . .he writes back! http://rolandsmith.com/blog.html 

 Eragon: http://www.alagaesia.com/index.php

Christopher Paolini was fifteen when he wrote Eragon the first in the series.  Reading and imagination can lead you to worlds within your future!  Dragons and more await you in this adventure quest about a young man and his inheritance, complete with warring dragons.

Check out the book’s movie link:  http://www.eragonmovie.com  

  Inkheart: http://www.corneliafunke.de/en/index.html

Imagine a world where the one who reads aloud has a gift of reading you into the story or reading the characters out of the story. . . . . . .brings a whole new insight into a virtual world beyond the ink on the page!  This series is extraordinary, it contains all the unique qualities for your imagination to come to life as it weaves the plot of adventure, literally, beyond the cover of the book.

Check out the book’s movie link: http://www.corneliafunke.de/en/film/film-116.html 

Enjoy the book’s movie trailer: http://www.inkheartmovie.com 

 Redwall: http://www.redwall.org/dave/library.html

Enter into the medieval world of good vs. evil, one in which the characters are mice but the action is swashbuckling, fast-paced, and very quick to read.  This series has been entertaining readers for the last 20 years and will continue igniting historical quests into discoveries about knights, castles, and feasts.

Check out Redwall’s Wiki site: http://redwall.wikia.com/wiki/Redwall_Wiki  

Check out Redwall’s TV series and art work: http://www.redwalltv.com/show/series.htm 

 Undersea Trilogy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undersea_Trilogy

Sci-Fi fans. . . . have you read this undersea trilogy yet!  It is my favorite classic series.  Cadet Jim Eden of the Sub-Sea Academy is leaving land for training in a bubble community beneath the sea.  Being kicked out of the academy begins a quest to locate his missing uncle. . . . .who was on a  mining mission at the bottom of the sea.  Undersea cities collapsing, undersea monsters, murder, amazing settings and technology.  Written by two of Sci-Fi’s best authors take a breath-holding journey into the deep.

Author Frederick Pohl: http://www.frederikpohl.com & http://members.tripod.com/templetongate/pohl.htm  

Author Jack Williamson: http://www.sfsite.com/03b/jw77.htm 

Further strange worlds: http://www.strangehorizons.com/2007/20070219/megastructures-a.shtml 

 Exploring the Matrix: http://www.techsoc.com/matrix.htm

“When you wake up from a dream, how do you know you aren’t still dreaming?”  Virtual worlds and illusions. . . . this collection of essays from science fiction authors “takes-on” The Matrix .  What is real and what is an illusion? 

Following the Author links……… 

 Adventure/Survival Fiction: Will Hobbs 

http://www.willhobbsauthor.com

White-water rafting adventures lead this author into wanting to write about it!  Reading lead him into be a reading teacher and his imagination lead him into the best action-packed adventures for any reader.  Discover the great outdoors while you are “hooked” into on-the-edge travels. 

 Reality/Historical Fiction: Walter Dean Myers 

http://aalbc.com/authors/walter1.htm   &  http://www.walterdeanmyers.net/

This author, “discovered at an early age that books could take him to a place beyond his neighborhood.”  His writing is reality, weaving truth into real-life scenarios.  His passion for accurate historical perspectives leads his readers into “thinking for themselves.”  Not one of his books will be a disappointment, yet many of his titles are for mature readers due to the “reality” of the character’s struggles.

Check out the Reading Rockets video interview: http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/myersw 

  Adventure/Survival Fiction: Gary Paulsen 

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/garypaulsen

Most readers have experienced the Hatchet saga, so you won’t be disappointed with any Paulsen adventure.  The author spends time researching by “living & doing” the characters experience.  His fast-paced/action-packed plots will keep you on-the-edge yet there are plenty of “survival” tools that will not leave you frustrated in whatever situation  occurs.

Listen to a Paulsen interview: http://media.barnesandnoble.com/?fr_chl=4f1e67180775c0199816531cf6d28855b99bed39&rf=sitemap  

NY Times Interview: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/26/books/26paul.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

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