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Monday, August 29, 2011

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: JANITORS by Ty Whitesides + Giveaway!

Okay, so this if my first Marvelous Middle Grade Monday, but I have a few other middle grade books sitting on my shelf, so I think I'll be doing some more soon. You can go to Shannon's blog for more MMGM awesomeness.


Up today: JANITORS by Ty Whitesides.

About the book: Have you ever fallen asleep during math class? Are you easily distracted while listening to your English teacher? Do you find yourself completely uninterested in geography? Well, it may not be your fault. The janitors at Welcher Elementary know a secret, and it s draining all the smarts out of the kids. Twelve-year-old Spencer Zumbro, with the help of his classmate Daisy Gullible Gates, must fight with and against a secret, janitorial society that wields wizard-like powers. Who can Spencer and Daisy trust and how will they protect their school and possibly the world?

Okay, so I met Ty, oh, I don't know, last fall sometime, just after his book had sold. Mine had sold right about the same time, and we had a great time discussing the publishing industry.

I got an ARC of JANITORS a few months ago, and immediately devoured it. I mean, come on. The reason kids are distracted and sleepy in school is because of the janitors?? Brilliant. The writing is smart, and you really will never look at a mop the same again.

I teach twelve-year-olds, and Ty has really captured the essence of the pre-teen in JANITORS. Spencer is heroic, while Daisy fills the holes he can't. It's a story of great teamwork, a little ice cream, a bit of vacuum dust, and pure middle grade magic.

You won't be disappointed. And to prove it, I'm giving away a signed, hardcover copy! All you have to do is comment on this post by Wednesday, August 31. I'll announce the winner on my Bookanista Thursday post.

Did you fall asleep in school? Get distracted easily? Don't you want to know WHY??? Buy/Read JANITORS to find out...





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49 comments:

  1. Matthew MacNishAugust 29, 2011 at 5:31 AM

    I'm back! I missed you.

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  2. PK HREZOAugust 29, 2011 at 5:38 AM

    Pure genius! Bravo to Ty. I'll have to check this out very soon!! I never fell asleep in school, but I was always curious about the janitors. :)

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  3. KristenAugust 29, 2011 at 5:48 AM

    I was pretty good until high school and then yes I started to fall asleep during classes. :) Can't wait to read this one!

    dragonzgoil at gmail dot com

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  4. Jemi FraserAugust 29, 2011 at 6:25 AM

    This one sounds like complete awesomeness! My students would love it :)

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  5. JessAugust 29, 2011 at 6:42 AM

    This sounds hilarious and cool! Thanks for the review and giveaway :)

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  6. Laura PaulingAugust 29, 2011 at 6:45 AM

    This cover is absolutely fantastic and looks like something kids would love! And adults. :)

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  7. AnonymousAugust 29, 2011 at 6:51 AM

    Thanks for the giveaway. I never fell asleep in school. I might been distracted though. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

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  8. LizaAugust 29, 2011 at 6:54 AM

    I love this premise! It's unique and fresh! Sign me up! :)

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  9. MandyAugust 29, 2011 at 6:57 AM

    Me Me Me, please!

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  10. storyqueenAugust 29, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    This book looks so good. And the trailer is completely brill.

    Hoping I win!!

    Shelley

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  11. Creepy Query GirlAugust 29, 2011 at 7:20 AM

    Oh this sounds fabulous! Thanks for introducing us to Ty and his book!

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  12. SlamdunkAugust 29, 2011 at 7:31 AM

    Now that is a creative story.

    I did not start dozing in class until college, and it was because, well you know, it was college.

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  13. Janet JohnsonAugust 29, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    I've heard of this book and would love to read it! I may be a little jealous of your ARC. :)

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  14. KulsumaAugust 29, 2011 at 8:42 AM

    I would love to read this! Count me in if it's international.
    k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk

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  15. Carolyn VAugust 29, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    Woohoo! I have that book and it's on my shelf for reading. Can't wait!

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  16. Kelly PolarkAugust 29, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    Yay! I'm glad you are participating in MMGM! That book does sound great. Janitors are always a bit mysterious to the kids!

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  17. AldenAugust 29, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    I high school I always fell asleep in class.

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  18. Abby FowersAugust 29, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    OOH, OOOH, OOOOOH! Pick me! PICK ME! :) I have been dying to check out this book! So glad you shared. I definitely had my moments of sleepiness in school. I usually kept awake by writing notes to my friends. :)

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  19. Jean VallesterosAugust 29, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    Awesome review and I would definitely read it. Never actually actually fell asleep at school but Would to know more about the Janitors. lol So pick me <3 <3 <3

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  20. Tom M FranklinAugust 29, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    Commented!

    Pick me! Pick me! : )


    -- Tom

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  21. Sue CowingAugust 29, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    This is such a fresh and funny premise. Count me in!

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  22. EmilyAugust 29, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    I'm in. Definitely.

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  23. UnknownAugust 29, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    My Dad, who owns a bookstore told me about this one and I loved the premise. I had it on myTBR list. I'd love to win one.

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  24. LlehnAugust 29, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    I'd love to play please.

    lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  25. Jonathon ArntsonAugust 29, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    The cover gives me the creeps, which makes me want to read it! Also, I love books with strong teamwork.

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  26. AliceAugust 29, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    Huh. That explains why I struggled in math and geography. Finally I understand! Ha ha. sounds like a funny book. and I'd love to win a copy of your book!

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  27. Kathryn Packer RobertsAugust 29, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    This book looks so hilarious! PLEASE count me in! This looks like a keeper.

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  28. ShariAugust 29, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    This book sounds so great. I've been wanting to read it. So, if you could let me win, then I wouldn't have to use my grocery money to buy it. ;)

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  29. Myrna FosterAugust 29, 2011 at 10:22 AM

    I'd love to win a copy of this. Thanks, Elana!

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  30. Literary ChanteuseAugust 29, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    My kids would love this book! Thanks!

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

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  31. Shannon O'DonnellAugust 29, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    Awesome! Great MMGM choice, Elana, and great review. I've been anxious to read this one. :-)

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  32. Chelly WritesAugust 29, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    Sounds like a good one. My daughter would love this. I wouldn't mind reading it myself. :)

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  33. Lenny LeeAugust 29, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    hi miss elana! yippee! im just happy your joining up with the mmgmers! i been going at all those blogs since miss shannon got it started and i got lots of cool books for just my age read cause of it. for sure janitors sounds way cool and i love that neat cover. cleaning up stuffs not my most favorite thing to do. ha ha. i got my fingers all crossed that i could be the winner of that cool book.
    ...hugs from lenny

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  34. Nicole ZoltackAugust 29, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    That is an awesome cover! Sounds like a great read.

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  35. Jill CampbellAugust 29, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    In elementary school the janitor was Mr. Beck but he preferred to be called a custodian and he was big and scarey and mean and there were rumors that he had taken some kids to the school basement (very deliciously creepy) but that was one place you definitely did not want to go, at least with Mr. Beck bwa hahahaha.

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  36. AnonymousAugust 29, 2011 at 1:31 PM

    This sounds like it will be a great book to read. I never fell asleep in school, but my son had told me a few stories about falling asleep in class. He'd have liked to have used this book to explain it away, LOL. Thanks for sharing about it. Another one to add to my never ending TBR book list.

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  37. Natalie AguirreAugust 29, 2011 at 2:01 PM

    This sounds so good. And I'm glad you're starting to spotlight middle grade. I do when I can.

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  38. Andrea MackAugust 29, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    This sounds like such a fun book!

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  39. VivienAugust 29, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    I always fell asleep in class....

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

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  40. Kerri CuevAugust 29, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    Late night homework=snoozing in math, lol. The book sounds fun!

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  41. MarnyAugust 29, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    I think my boys would love this book!

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  42. Emily V.August 29, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    Looks awesome! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  43. Donna K. WeaverAugust 29, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    I've wanted to read this book since I heard about it!

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  44. Christine FonsecaAugust 29, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    This sounds great. Love it!

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  45. ikmarAugust 30, 2011 at 6:34 AM

    And I always thought Janitors were nice ;)

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  46. Michael G-GAugust 30, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    Welcome to MMGM, Elana!

    "It's a story of great teamwork, a little ice cream, a bit of vacuum dust, and pure middle grade magic."

    Ya sold me right there!! Onto the TBR pile it goes. (The TBR pile is getting ready to topple, I'm afraid.)

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  47. Ishta MercurioAugust 30, 2011 at 11:03 PM

    Oh, so cool! This sounds fun. Thanks for the giveaway, Elana!

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  48. CharlotteAugust 31, 2011 at 4:28 AM

    This does sound like fun! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  49. Liesl ShurtliffAugust 31, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    Ooh! I've been wanting to read this! This sounds like so much fun!

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