A look inside Arthur's brain...
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Modern badminton was "discovered" in the 19th century by British officers in India who watched locals play a game called Poona. In England it became known as "Hit and Scream." But in 1873, at the Badminton House in Gloucestershire, the British version of the game was officially launched and henceforth known as badminton.
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Here's a clipping of the Hunchback Assignments being featured in the HarperCollins Canada catalogue. I always enjoy seeing the catalogue because then I can finally go, "whew, they weren't kidding, they are going to publish it." You never know--it might be an elaborate joke, right? Right? Or is the catalogue part of the joke? 
If it is a joke they really have done their homework. That's the main page up there. It looks real, doesn't it? I mean there's even an ISBN number and a blurb. Then again...did people land on the moon? Does anyone know for sure...
There are lots of other authors in the catalogue. Including these.
Oh, these look great. Of course I'm a big fan of Susan Juby and of Kenneth Oppel (though they no longer let me in their houses, no matter how long I lurk). And isn't that a lovely cover for John Marsden's new book? How about Barb Haworth-Attard's Haunted? Now that cover creeps me out...in a good way. And Rachna Gilmore's cover makes me crave dilly bars, but like I always crave dilly bars. Mmmm. I'm going to devour that book. And there's also Tish Cohen's new book. Little Black Lies. Intriguing title. It makes me wonder...hmmm...is this really a catalogue? Or are they all in on the prank. Are they laughing now?
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The Hunchback Assignments is officially a Junior Library Guild selection. This is so cool! And I was only hoping for Lollipop Guild membership! : ) It's especially pleasing to have a book that features the nefarious Clockwork Guild and the suspicious Permanent Association being recognized by a real guild in the real world.
The Junior Library Guild reads about 3000 books and selects 336 to be recommended to various libraries. Read more about the selection process (and see some cool graphics, too) here.
It's a great kick off to the series!
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>Isn't it funny the things an author gets excited about?
This is what the dump bins (that is the bins that are used to sell books in book stores) will look like in Australia. Very cool! It's like Modo is going to leap out at you if you don't buy the book. Finally, he's in 3D. I am disappointed that no one is going for my idea of a steam-powered, mechanical giant that picks up the customers, shakes out all their money and slides a book into their pocket. Apparently it's tooooo expensive!
