“Who could love a girl named Beezus?” Selena Gomez poses this question in the movie Ramona and Beezus, which opened last weekend. And here’s our answer: WE could — and we do!

Both Karen and Nancy left the theater with huge grins on their faces, and much love for both Quimby sisters — but especially Joey King as the irrepressible Ramona. Why? Well, you’ll have to tune into our video review to find out:

(PS – If you’re like Ramona and would rather use your imagination, feel free to skip the visuals and download the audio.)

Have you seen the movie? Leave a comment with YOUR review! How do you think it compared to the books?

A cat that devours broccoli. A kitten that wears socks. A female feline with a guy’s name. And a cat clan ready to battle. These are just a few of the felines featured in our latest podcast, all about cat books!

Part 1: A stitch in time saves nine (lives) — our mystery book revealed

  (6:32)
Download the MP3 (3 MB)

Part 2: Our favorite kidlit kitties — plus a review by YOU (The Broccoli Tapes, Socks, and the Warriors series)

  (4:49)
Download the MP3 (2.2 MB)

Also, don’t forget: our new theme is beach reads — meaning fun, light books! So send us a review of your favorite beach read and check out our picks for easy breezy beach reads.

Till next time, have some fun in the sun!

— Karen and Nancy

Bobby Ellis-Chan. Henry Huggins. Alex Rider. Peak Marcello. A bunch of random names? Hardly! These guys’ monikers are all featured in book titles! And, of course, they’re all featured in our latest podcast, all about books with boys’ names in the titles:

Part 1: Call Nancy “Nate,” call Karen “Beck,” and call Alex Rider when you need a teen spy
  (6:27)
Download the MP3 (3 MB)

Part 2: Boy vs. girl, boy vs. guppies, and boy vs. mountain — aka our Boy’s Name picks, plus one from YOU (Bobby vs. Girls [Accidentally], Henry Huggins, and Peak)
  (6:44)
Download the MP3 (3.1 MB)

Also, don’t forget: our new theme is author memoirs and autobiographies! So send us a review of your favorite author memoir and check out these awesome author memoirs and autobiographies.

— Nancy and Karen

Guess what happens when I have a lot of spare index cards, markers, and a circular stencil? That’s right, folks! I’ll be continuing my crazed overlapping circle drawings today:

Fun Owl Fact: Their eyeballs are fixed in their sockets, which is why they've evolved to be able to turn their heads all the way around.

I probably thought of this because of D (above). *Hooo... Hoooo...*

It's not just the difference in species of bird (swans and pheasants)... Pick up the books and find out!

And magic, of course. Hagrid is also much less delicate with his pink umbrella.

The main characters being Bone and Squirrel -- not to be confused with an actual bone and squirrel. Hey! Bone and RIBsy... Darn, I wish I caught that earlier.

Submit your book Venn diagram in the comments!

— Nancy

Blackmail, unrequited love, lying to authority, mortal enemies, and sibling conflict — sounds like the makings of a soap opera, right? Nope, just another day at school!

AND it’s all in our latest podcast, dedicated to our favorite school stories. Plus a little insight into Nancy’s traumatic childhood (so that’s how she turned out like that…)!

Part 1: Flying meatloaf and a girl named after a man — a Mystery Book Theater not to be missed!
  (7:01)
Download the MP3 (4.9 MB)

Part 2: Our A+ school story recommendations
  (4:30)
Download the MP3 (3.1 MB)

And when you’re done listening, don’t forget: our next theme is fantasy seriesl! So watch our latest Mystery Book Theater video and check out these great fantasy series.

— Nancy and Karen