Happy Friday!
Since summer's coming, today's theme is … theme parks. Of course, the best known theme park would have to be:
I've also been here, and it was awesome:
There's a movie I love that's set in a theme park: Adventureland. It stars Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg and I highly recommend it. Here's the blurb:
It's the summer of 1987, and James Brennan has just graduated from college. James is all set to embark on his dream tour of Europe when his parents suddenly announce that they won't be able to subsidize the trip. Now the only things James has to look forward to this summer are sugar-fueled children, belligerent dads, and an endless parade of giant stuffed animals. When James strikes up a relationship with captivating co-worker Em, suddenly the worst summer ever doesn't seem quite so bad.
My prize choices will be YA books set in theme parks! My winner can choose between these two:
Past Perfect by Leila Sales
Published 2011 by Simon Pulse
All Chelsea wants to do this summer is hang out with her best friend, hone her talents as an ice cream connoisseur, and finally get over Ezra, the boy who broke her heart. But when Chelsea shows up for her summer job at Essex Historical Colonial Village (yes, really), it turns out Ezra’s working there too. Maybe Chelsea should have known better than to think that a historical reenactment village could help her escape her past. But with Ezra all too present, and her new crush seeming all too off limits, all Chelsea knows is that she’s got a lot to figure out about love. Because those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it….
OR:
How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True
by Sarah Strohmeyer
To be published by Harper Teen
on April 23, 2013
When cousins Zoe and Jess land summer internships at the Fairyland Kingdom theme park, they are sure they've hit the jackpot. With perks like hot Abercrombie-like Prince Charmings and a chance to win the coveted $25,000 Dream & Do grant, what more could a girl want? Once Zoe arrives, however, she's assigned to serve "The Queen"-Fairyland's boss from hell. Soon backstabbing interns, a runaway Cinderella, and cutthroat competition make Zoe's job more like a nightmare than a fairy tale. What will happen when Zoe is forced to choose between serving The Queen and saving the prince of her dreams?
So, to recap, this is open internationally. The winner can choose either Past Perfect (a finished copy) or Zoe (an ARC with a different-and-not-quite-as-cute-way-more-tweenish-cover.) If winner is international, and the cost of mailing the book to their location is over $10, they can choose either a) a pre-order of Zoe, which comes out on April 23, or b) they can take Past Perfect instead.
To enter, just leave me a comment. Tell me about your favorite theme park, your favorite ride, tell me about another book or movie set in a theme park -- anything goes.
This Freebie Friday has ended, but please check back next week :)
LOVE theme parks! I hate living so far away from Disney World. I went when I was 6YO and then my mom took me and a friend the summer after I graduated HS. We had so much fun and I have so many fond memories. We also spent a couple days there on out honeymoon, as it was my hubby's first time. Cannot wait to take my kids someday when they are a little older. I'm pretty sure it will be some sort of big production because my mom insists that she is coming with us. lol I've been so dying to so to Universal since HP has been there.
ReplyDeleteI still need to see Adventureland and definitely need to read a book set in a theme park too. :)
Wizarding World of HP literally made me cry. It was just like stepping into the book!
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I have always loved theme parks. I can't believe I married someone who doesn't. Or at least won't ride roller coasters. Gah! We're planning to take Katie to Disney World and Harry Potter World, as she calls it, for her 7th bday. And my older sis, who's as big of a HP nerd as myself, is going to tag along because that's the only way she'll ever get to go since her hubby doesn't like amusement parks either. :P
ReplyDeleteNot a huge fan of Adventureland. KStew is still too twitchy, though I do love me some Jesse Eisenberg. Did you listen to White Cat, which he narrated? So. Awesome.
I don't know that I've read many books featuring theme parks, but the one that comes to mind is The Dead Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan. One of my favorite zombie series. Oh, I love Eisenberg in Zombieland -- Emma Stone makes a much better love interest for him, too -- which also features a theme park destination. :)
I will ride roller coasters with you! No one in my family likes them.
DeleteBoo -- you didn't like Adventureland? I read Forest of Hands and Teeth and had to stop there. Zombies really creep me out…
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I'm a Disney girl-I don't live too far from Disneyland so I try to make it there a couple times a year. I am very excited to read How Zoe Made... as I love stories set in theme parks.
ReplyDeleteAnother YA title I know of is Dream Factory by Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler-I thought it was set at something like Disney World but it looks like it is set at Disney World (I wasn't sure they'd be allowed to use the name and characters).
Ooh, haven't heard of Dream Factory -- thanks for the tip!
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I love theme parks! Someday I plan to go back to Disney World because I loved it so much. Harry Potter land (or whatever it's really called) is also a must on my list!
ReplyDeleteTheme parks are exhausting but also just so much fun!
DeleteAlton Towers! Best theme park in the UK! :)
ReplyDeleteI have never been there!
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I don't think I have been to a good theme park, yet. I'm more of a water park girl ;) But I'd love to go to the theme park in Stockholm, it has a huge roller-coaster and I have always wanted to drive in one :)
ReplyDeleteI liked the theme park in Hush Hush- it's big and under it once lived fallen angels. What's there not to like?! :D
Thank you for this giveaway, Jen ;)
Ooh, water parks kind of freak me out. I'm a good swimmer but I also fear things like those tidal wave pools and stuff.
DeleteForgot about the Hush Hush park -- that was really cool :)
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I really enjoyed Sea World in Orlando, FL.
ReplyDeleteI liked Sea World too -- a little more educational..
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I like the Toy Story Land in Hongkong! ;)
ReplyDeleteWell, I have been to Hong Kong but I missed Toy Story Land..
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I think I have to pick Cedar Point! They have THE BEST rollercoasters and I'm a junkie!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!!
xo
jaime
I used to be way more of a daredevil. I don't do upside down roller coasters anymore…
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I worked at a water park when I was 14. I had to wear a Hawaiian shirt. Man, theme parks were the best places for flirting when you couldn't drive. :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't get to have a job until I turned 16. I should have been onto this theme park scheme for flirting…
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I live in Switzerland and we don't really have theme parks here... the only one I've been to is Europa Park in Germany, 14 years ago. I'm too chicken-shit for most of the rides anyway, but I think I'd enjoy it as a book/film setting! And I'd loooove to see Harry Potter world! Thanks for the giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteThe Wizarding World is definitely worth a visit. I'm hoping they make it a little larger!
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Hershey Park. I grew up going to this park. I absolutely love it. Each year they add a new ride. I love roller coasters but their water rides are just as fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
I always wanted to go there, since I love chocolate SO much!
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With the exception of going to Disney Land when I was 4 I have only been to Six Flags over Texas. We usually go there every summer with our girls since it is only half our or so away.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have read a book with a theme park in it before...sounds interesting!
I liked Six Flags when I was a kid -- there's one somewhere near me, but I've never been…
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Ooh, theme parks are so much fun! I used to be absolutely terrified of roller coasters but on my last trip to Florida I finally got over it and rode rides at both Disney World and Sea World. While I have to say that Disney is my favourite overall park (because hello, it's Disney!), my favourite roller coaster was actually at Sea World. We were strapped in and then lifted up so we were parallel to the ground, lying on our stomachs, and then went through the coaster... it kind of felt like flying. I loved it :)
ReplyDeleteWow -- that sounds really fun. I was at Sea World about 8 years ago, and either that ride wasn't there, or I didn't try it….
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I just made a trip to Disneyland Hong kong and there was this one ride called Space Galaxy or something I think. It was a roller coaster, pretty scary for me but an experience I'm never gonna forget :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
I would love to go to Disney Hong Kong, Disney Paris, etc.
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I haven't been to a good theme park yet. I'm always going when it comes to our city, but in our country we don't have any stable ones( Maybe just The Horror House)
ReplyDeleteHorror House sounds pretty good :)
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There aren't any good theme parks where I live-I know I'm missing out big time. As for my favorite ride it would be the Ferris Wheel-It's just so awesome,not too scary and yet fun! I haven't really read a book that's set in a theme park but I vaguely remember that Paper Towns has a theme park scene.
ReplyDeleteHave to check out Adventureland soon! :)
I always love the ferris wheel!
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A book set in a theme park? I've never read one, but it sound like it would be kind of awesome! And my favorite theme park would definitely have to be Disneyland!! I don't so much enjoy the rides, more of the atmosphere and all of the things you can do.
ReplyDeleteDisney is just pretty fun -- even if you don't ride the rides. Which I do!
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Definitely Animal Kingdom!! I absolutely LOVE it:)) It really gives you the opportunity to learn more about animals in an environment that respects them and you get to learn about conservation efforts. Of course there are a ton of fun ride and trails to follow, so you get the entertainment aspect as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you:))
I liked Animal Kingdom too!
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I don't know if I have ever read a book set in a theme park. I have read ones with carnivals or fairs, but not an actual theme park. I liked Adventureland, I thought it was a pretty good movie. I love Disney World, I have been there a few times, and I need to go to The Wizarding World!! I have been to Universal once. I don't know if I have a favorite ride, but I do love Space Mountain and the Tower of Terror. How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True sounds like such a cute book!!
ReplyDeleteSpace Mountain has always been my favorite!
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gosh I went to Disney World when I was what...humm 18 maybe? My first time, but that was because I never been and it was still fun. I always wanted to go see the Harry Potter castle at Universals but never had the chance to yet.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely go when you have a chance!
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My favorite theme park is definitely ValleyFair in Minnesota. There aren't a ton of nearby theme parks when you live in Northern Minnesota, and so this was the only one I went to as a kid (it's still 4+ hours away from my house), as it's the only place that driveable for a day trip.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, this one time the line to Wild Thing (one of the roller coasters) was so short, that my family and I finished our ride, ran through the whole line and got back on for the next ride about 5 times in a row! It was such a blast.
I've never been there but I have gone on the rides at the Mall of America in Minneapolis. That was an amazing place!
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In Australia theme parks are pretty limited. I love Sea World on the Gold Coast, which has gorgeous sea lions and dolphins. But I have a soft spot for a random park somewhere near Sydney that I visited with the family as a young teen.
ReplyDeleteIt's now closed, which makes sense, because with hindsight it was a rickety, run down park called Wonderland or something like that. We went on all the rides, at the time it was magical! It's only as an adult that I realised that my parents were borderline actually worried for us, not just concerned about the scariness of the rides!
The Australian Gold Coast is so beautiful that you don't need theme parks there!
DeleteAnd LOL -- I have those thoughts about rides breaking now that I'm an adult.
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Ummmm....Harry Potter world!!!!! Seriously, the best :D
ReplyDeleteWasn't it????
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I thought Past Perfect was super cute. :) I also really liked the Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder; though it's not really set in a theme park, the main character is working at Disney World at the beginning and there is a part of the book that takes place there as well. Lots of fun! Especially since I don't really remember my trip to Disney World back when I was five. Such a shame...now I have to go back!
ReplyDeleteYes -- go back!!!
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My favourite them park is LUNA PARK in Sydney. I haven't been for a while, but it's always so much fun.
ReplyDeleteI think I have actually been there!!
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I love Disney World! My favorite parks within Disney are Epcot and Animal Kingdom. I love all of the cultural things in Epcot as well as the scientific attractions. I love the Ellen DeGeneres ride... so funny! I love the 'Honey, I Shrunk the Audience' attraction. In the Animal Kingdom, I LOVE the safari and 'It's a Bug's Life' in the tree of life. I just love Disney!
ReplyDeletemestith at gmail dot com
Disney is just all kinds of fun!
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I also love theme parks. My favorite is Disneyland :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a happy place!
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Well, I am just going to say how Disneyworld is awesome, especially when you bring along your best friend! The trip was a Christmas present last year, and I loved it! You can't help but be happy at the magical place for all ages :)
ReplyDeleteI was there at Christmas time too, and it was really so much fun!
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So one time, I went to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure with my dad, sister, and brother. I was like 12 or 13 or something. I remember a lot of walking around, hah. And neither me nor my dad enjoy roller coasters or heights or anything so while my siblings went on The Hulk ride, I made my dad ride the Spider Man ride with me over and over and over.
ReplyDeleteI also used to go to Disney every year for my birthday (the beauties of living in Florida). I don't remember much because I was a wee little lassie back then, but I do remember Popeye kissing my hand and Olive Oil getting "offended" because I didn't know who she was.
LOL, my kids have no idea who Popeye and Olive Oyl are. Maybe their grandparents remember!
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I haven't been to a lot of theme parks. I've been to Disneyland with my husband and without kids and had a blast, but I was pregnant, so I didn't do any of the big rides. I'm not really a roller coaster kind of gal, so I didn't mind my husband going without me. :)
ReplyDeleteWe went to Legoland and SeaWorld last month with the whole family and there were some little/fun rides there. We found out that the two boys liked the rides the first time, but not after that, but my 6-year-old daughter LOVES roller coasters. She giggled non-stop the entire ride and then would beg to go again. So fun! She is such a sweetheart too, so it was a little surprising.
LegoLand is SO much fun. The rides are a little tamer and it's just less overwhelming. I'm a big fan!
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Oh my gosh Disneyland is amazing! It's my favorite theme park ever! I love everything about it! The rides and meeting the princesses! It's just such a magical place and I love it!!!
ReplyDeleteI love it too!
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My mom took us to Disneyland when we were pretty little but I can't wait to take my kids and I want them to be old enough where we can all go a little crazy on the rides! I've been to Silverwood and Six Flags and had a lot of fun at both of those places. I can really only thing of one book I've read that featured an amusement park. It was by Jennifer Cruise, Wild Ride, I think was the name. It was a collaboration she wrote with another author and I was really disappointed and didn't like the book. Didn't feel like one of her regular books
ReplyDeleteWell, I am a big fan of Jennifer Crusie, but I guess I'll skip that one ;)
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So my classic fave ride at Disney World is, of course, Space Mountain, and my NEW favorite ride at Disney is Soarin':) And I want that copy of Past Perfect so cross your fingers for me:)
ReplyDeleteSoarin' is AWESOME. Fingers crossed. If I had a copy I would lend it to you ;)
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My fave theme park is Star City in the Philippines. I went there last year and I probably rode the Wild River the most times. There is also the 4D Max RIder that I am beginning to love. Thanks for this giveaway. Much love... :)
ReplyDeleteanubsnicome(at)yahoo(dot)com
Never heard of that one but I'm going to Google it. I love hearing about these parks all over the world!
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NO COMMENTS AFTER THIS WILL BE ENTERED IN THE DRAWING, BUT YOU ARE WELCOME TO LEAVE ONE!
ReplyDeleteLove theme park books! There always so fun to read. YAY. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDelete