Blogsdotcom

One of my favorite things about working at Six Apart is that it's a company founded by bloggers, for bloggers. As a result, not only do we want to provide bloggers with the best tools (like Vox, TypePad and Movable Type), we're also committed to helping bloggers find a broader audience, and helping readers find the blogs that matter to them. And with over 175,000 new blogs created every single day, this is no easy feat.

Luckily, with the launch of Blogs.com, Six Apart is making it easy for you to find the best blogs on the web. Hand-picked by a team of passionate editors, and organized by the topics that interest you, Blogs.com will help you find blogs on a variety of topics from Life, to Entertainment, to seasonal topics like Student Life. You can also catch up on the latest buzz on the web by reading featured editorials or checking out the top ten lists.

Wondering how you can submit your blog to the Blogs.com editors for consideration? It's easy -- Just fill out this quick form. In the meantime, check out Blogs.com and let us know what you think in the comments.

Thanks for reading!

-daisy

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Hawksong: The Kiesha'ra: Volume One (Kiesha'ra)

Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Hawksong, by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes.  2003.  * * * *  finished 03/06/2008

Summary: In a land that has been at war so long that no one remembers the reason for fighting, the shapeshifters who rule the two factions agree to marry in the hope of bringing peace, despite deep-seated fear and distrust of each other.

[http://www.amazon.com/Hawksong-Kieshara-One-Amelia-Atwater-Rhodes/dp/0385734921/]

243 pgs.  2003.  Fiction: Fantasy fiction.

Audience: grades 7-10

Review: In this fantasy novel, the romance of star-crossed lovers gets a new twist.  The daughter of the avian monarch and the son of the serpent queen meet with a counselor to try to boach peace between their nations.  The advice?  The two should marry, with the political marriage a way of uniting their peoples.

Of course, such a marriage comes with problems, such as former girlfriends, suspicious bodyguards, narrow-minded family members, and cultural differences.  Atwater-Rhodes does a marvelous job showing how different the aloof avian society and the bold serpent people are just by showing the differences in how they look at each other and touch (or don't touch) others of their own kind.

There's a lot to offer here.  Not just a romance, but also political intrigue and a good deal of suspense as readers try to figure out whether the main characters will make it through the book alive.

Awards: Abe Nominee, 2009.

Series: This is the first book in the Kiesha'ra series.

Similar: The Bonemender, by Holly Bennett; Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare (high school).

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The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Brian Selznick

The Invention of Hugo Cabret : a Novel in Words and Pictures, by Brian Selznick.  * * * * *  finished 02/24/2008

[http://www.amazon.com/Invention-Hugo-Cabret-Brian-Selznick/dp/0439813786/]

544 pgs.  2007.  Fiction: Historical fiction.

Audience: grades 4-8

Summary: When twelve-year-old Hugo, an orphan living and repairing clocks within the walls of a Paris train station in 1931, meets a mysterious toyseller and his goddaughter, his undercover life and his biggest secret are jeopardized.

Review: This was a simply beautiful book.  Selznick uses hundreds of illustrations to tell the story of Hugo.  It's one of the closest things to a graphic novel without the requisite word bubbles-- it's certainly sequential art, as Selznick uses the artwork to move large portions of the narrative forward.

It's obvious that Selznick is a fan of early cinema and automatons; the care with which he covers both topics makes this clear.  He is also a fan of simple, clean storytelling.  The result is a beautiful book that compels you to return to the illustrations again and again, looking for details that you missed the first time around.

Awards: Caudill Nominee, 2009; Caldecott Medal, 2008; National Book Award finalist, 2007; Wilson's Children 10/01/07.

Similar: There really isn't anything similar to this one. If you like the pictures, try The Arrival by Shaun Tan.  If you like the mystery, maybe Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach.

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The Happy Couple

"When was the last time you were at a wedding that had a death defying hike, rogue waves, a luau, ultimate fighting, a presidential candidate and a budding bromance?" asks Papi Chulo. For most of us, the answer is never, but luckily, Papi Chulo and Secret Agent Scotch took the time to Vox all the amazing moments during their unforgettable Hawaiian wedding on 08.08.08 so we could all take part in the festivities.

The story began last February, when Papi Chulo popped the question and  Secret Agent Scotch said yes! Since then, they've kept us in the loop about all the details, from the bride's veil to the wedding song to the final To-Do List. And throughout it all, they inspired us with their love for each other. (I'm pretty sure it doesn't get any better than knowing your future husband thinks you are The Perfect Girl.)

It's an amazing love story and we are thrilled they shared it with us. Watch the video of the ceremony and please join us in wishing Papi Chulo and Secret Agent Scotch the fairytale ending they deserve.

And What's a Team Vox Post without New Themes?

Spice up your Vox blog with one of our latest themes (found in the design area under "New") or any of our hundreds of themes. From shopping to sushi, comics to cycling, there's something for everyone.

Vox Themes August 08

Can't get enough of the wedding? A few lucky Voxers - Krissy, djchall, and Beau Smith - made the trip to Hawaii to take part in the celebration. Check out their Vox blogs for more pictures and stories.

Congratulations again to Secret Agent Scotch and Papi Chulo! Enjoy the Honeymoon!

~daisy 

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At Vox, we believe that change is a good thing. After all, you wouldn't wear the same t-shirt day in and day out, so why should your blog have to suffer the same fate? Give your blog a new look with one of our latest themes (found under "New"), or pick from any of our hundreds of themes designed with your passions and personality in mind.

Vox Themes July 08

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Facebook

Gimme a V! Gimme an O! Gimme an X! What's that spell? VOX!

What better way to tell the world how much you love Vox than to announce it on Facebook? That's right: Vox now has an official Facebook page! Become a fan of Vox.com on Facebook and let your friends know what you really care about: staying connected with friends and family through blog posts, photos, videos and comments.

Once you're a fan, you can also add photos and videos to the page, write on the wall, and connect with other Voxers in ways you may not have previously. Plus, it's a great opportunity to let people know about your Vox blog, or start discussion topics. To become a fan, just visit the official Vox.com Facebook page and click the "Become a Fan" button in the upper right hand corner.

Once you've joined, why not post a response to the current discussion topic? Just post a link (and a brief description, if you'd like) to what you consider one of your all-time best Vox posts.

What are you waiting for? Become a Vox.com fan on Facebook today!

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Summer Road Trip '08

Although we typically post on Team Vox to let you know about things that are going on with Vox (to, uh, state the obvious), once in a while, we like to let you know about other cool things that are happening around the blogosphere. And we think the idea of four hilarious mommy bloggers traveling across the U.S. on their way to the BlogHer '08 conference - all the while blogging and video blogging the journey - is one trip you will not want to miss.

Four adventurous bloggers from the Silicon Valley Moms Group were selected to participate in the Summer Road Trip '08 and blog about their travels, hotel stays, media appearances, time away from their families, and life on the road. Six Apart helped them partner up with General Motors, who provided the blogging mommies with a Chevy Tahoe Hybrid SUV to help make their journey comfy, safe, and a little more green.

In case you're not familiar with them, SV Moms is a group of over 200 bloggers who showcase the ups, downs, outrages, struggles, victories, and everyday humor of motherhood. There are currently nine regional and demographically tailored sites that give mothers from D.C., New Jersey, the Deep South, Rocky Mountains, L.A., and Silicon Valley a powerful voice and sense of camaraderie across the country. Whether you're a mother, a child, or just a person who enjoys a good blog, you'll really love reading the words of these amazing women.

Packed and Ready!

The moms buckled into their Chevy Tahoe Hybrid SUV on July 11th and even got an encouraging message from Katie Couric to kick things off! They are currently somewhere in the middle of America making their way to San Francisco where they'll attend an SV Moms Group Party, as well as BlogHer '08.

You do not want to miss these entertaining and irreverent bloggers -- or their spontaneous contest giveaways! -- as they blog from the road. Experience the journey at MomRoadTrip.com.

And let us know about your summer road trip - or plane/boat/bus trip - in the comments! (I like to live vicariously.)

~daisy

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Gossamer

Lois Lowry

Gossamer, by Lois Lowry. * * * * * 02/17/2008

[http://www.amazon.com/Gossamer-Lois-Lowry/dp/0618685502/]

144 pgs. 2006. Fiction: Fantasy fiction.

Audience: grades 4-8

Summary: While learning to bestow dreams, a young dream giver tries to save an eight-year-old boy from the effects of both his abusive past and the nightmares inflicted on him by the frightening Sinisteeds.

Review: This was a very delicate, very sweet book. Yes, the foster home woman and the boy and the boy's mother are all very generic stock characters. The thing is, the book isn't completely about them. The book is about Littlest One, who is learning how to be a dream giver. While the journey of the boy and his mother is important, it's equally important that Littlest One learns her task and discovers new and different ways to achieve her goals.

Awards: Caudill Nominee, 2009; Wilson's Children 10/01/06; Wilson's Junior High School 08/01/07.

Similar: The Giver, by Lois Lowry; The Great Gilly Hopkins, by Katherine Paterson; Pictures of Hollis Woods, by Patricia Reilly Giff; The Pinballs, by Betsy Byars.

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Do you live in or around Cincinnati, Ohio? If so, you're in luck because Scott and the Queen City Voxers Group have organized a Vox user meetup!

Ault Park Map

If you do attend the meetup, have a great time and please take lots of pictures and send them to me so I can post them in Team Vox for everyone to see!

Thank you so much to Scott for organizing this meetup. Wish I could be there!

~daisy

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November Blues

Sharon M. Draper

November Blues, by Sharon M. Draper.  * * * *  finished 02/11/2008

[http://www.amazon.com/November-Blues-Sharon-M-Draper/dp/1416906983/]

316 pgs.  2007.  Fiction: Realistic fiction.

Audience: grades 7-12

Summary: November Nelson learns she is pregnant from her first time with Josh, and fears she has no one to turn to, until she finds solace in the arms of Josh's cousin Jericho.

Review: November is a smart, intelligent girl who plans to go to college. When she becomes pregnant, her life of skinny jeans and college plans is suddenly thrown upside-down.  Unlike some books about teen pregnancy, this one completely catalogs the physical drawbacks of pregnancy-- the swollen feet, the digestive issues, the nausea, and everything else that happens when one's body changes. 

Instead of just focusing on November's physical pregnancy, Draper also focuses on the pettiness of high school interactions and the solid friendships that can be formed between social outcasts.  In a parallel plot, Draper focuses on November's friend Jericho, who is dealing with issues of anger regarding his cousin Josh.  Jericho becomes a true friend to November just when she needs it the most.

Unlike many YA novels, November isn't left to deal with these issues on her own; her mother is a constant force in the book, being both angry and supportive of her daughter's various choices.  She helps November to negotiate a difficult offer that is presented by Josh's parents, one that will change her life whether she takes it or dismisses it.

Draper's characters are nicely rounded and fleshed out, and their emotions and reactions are real and true.  The dialogue-- whether playful banter or cutting insults-- is similar to that you'd find between teenagers, though Draper has left out the curse words that would likely appear when real-life, petty high school girls have a showdown.  November's emotional state is delicately and precicely drawn, and Draper does an excellent job of showing the impact that one girl's pregnancy can make on her life and the lives of everyone around her.  A must-read for high school girls, and definitely a book for older middle-school girls to consider.

Awards: King Honor Book, 2008.  Expect this one to be an Abe Nominee soon.

Similar: The Battle of Jericho is the prequel to this book; you may wish to read it first.  Other similar titles include The First Part Last, by Angela Johnson; Make Lemonade, by Virginia Euwer Wolff; and Hanging on to Max, by Margaret Bechard.

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