Create Your Own Familiar

We've been traveling around the country visiting schools and at each one the students have created their own Familiar Story.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Tournament of Heroes - Day Six

The votes from the Middle Earth Bracket are in... Harry Potter, Iron Man, Princess Leia, Spock, John McClane, Sarah Connor, Wonder Woman, and James Bond are moving on. 

Now for the final first round match-ups, we go to the Hogwarts Bracket!

Batman vs. Lassie





It's the Caped Crusader versus your grandma's favorite Rough Collie in what can only be described as one of the most lop-sided match-ups in the Tournament's entire first round.

Winner: Batman

Hermione Granger vs. Sawyer from Lost








She's Hogwarts precocious Muggle-born wizard. He's the Island's resident bad boy and con man. Can smoldering good looks defeat adorkable magic?

Winner: Hermione Granger

Neo vs. He-Man


 


Will it be The One or the Master of the Universe in this epic showdown? By the power of Grayskull, your vote decides!

Winner: Neo

King Arthur vs. Ben-Hur


 


One wields the mythic sword in the stone. The other is a heck of a Roman chariot racer. It's a duel for the Ages.

Winner: King Arthur

Zorro vs. Rocky Balboa


 





The dashing black-clad masked outlaw steps in the ring with the linguistically challenged Italion Stallion. Who will get the knockout?

Winner: Rocky

Lisbeth Salander vs. Daredevil


 


It's the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and the blind, red-suited Man with no Fear. Super hacker versus Super hero.

Winner: Lisbeth Salander

Jack Sparrow vs. MacGuyver


 






The legendary pirate of the Black Pearl goes up against the crafty secret agent in this first round hero smackdown. Will Mac's duct tape and Swiss Army knife be enough to stop Captain Jack?

Winner: Jack Sparrow

Indiana Jones vs. Eowyn


 


The archaelogist with the bullwhip (that doesn't sound nearly as cool as Indy deserves) takes on the Lord of the Rings shield-maiden.

Winner: Indiana Jones

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Tournament of Heroes - Day Five

Yesterday's votes are in! Moving on to round 2 are... 

Gandalf
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Scooby Doo
Han Solo

We're moving on to the Middle Earth Bracket with more first round match-ups. 

Harry Potter vs. Scully

It's boy wizard versus FBI special agent. She's skeptical of the paranormal, but Harry's got the magic to make her a believer. Who gets your vote?

   

Winner: Harry Potter

Iron Man vs. Duke (GI Joe)

It's real American superhero and real American hero. The man in the iron suit dukes it out with the man in army fatigues. 

     

Winner: Iron Man

Princess Leia vs. Tarzan
A Rebel Alliance spy takes on the boy raised by apes. Both have gone on heroic adventures, but only one dressed in a loincloth while doing it. 

  

Winner: Princess Leia

Hercules vs. Spock
The son of Zeus meets the son of a Vulcan in this timeless duel. Will it be Roman God or ambassador to the Romulan Empire moving on? 
  

Winner: Spock


John McClane vs. Doctor Who
The smirking NYPD detective tries to handcuff the eccentric time traveling alien. It's yippie kay yay to one of these mother you-know-what'ers.
  

Winner: John McClane


Optimus Prime vs. Sarah Connor
It's the leader of the Autobots battling the savior of the human race. She knows a thing or two about big, angry metal things trying to kill her, so look out Optimus.
   

Winner: Sarah Connor

Wonder Woman vs. Buck Rogers

She's a warrior princess from the Amazon. He's a futuristic space pilot. Can the buxom superheroine lasso a first round win? Your vote decides. 
      


Winner: Wonder Woman

James Bond vs. Blade

It's spy versus vampire hunter as 007 tries to stir up the competition. But only one can survive the Tournament of Heroes!



Winner: James Bond

Monday, August 27, 2012

Tournament of Heroes - Day Four

First, last week's winners: Superman, Mario, Obi Wan, and Captain America.

Now onto the remaining first round match-ups in the Galaxy Far, Far Away Bracket.

Gandalf  vs. Starbuck 

It's the wizard with the Santa Claus beard against Battlestar Galactica's hottie hothead. Who's the hero you want to see move on?

  

Winner: Gandalf

Buffy the Vampire Slayer  vs. Link

Two easy-on-the-eyes blondes battle it out. Sunnydale's resident teen monster fighter takes on the Legend of Zelda's vanquisher of evil. Only one can survive.

   

Winner: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Aragorn vs. Scooby Doo

The Fellowship's mighty warrior battles the Scooby gang's hapless mutt. It's man versus dog. Who's got the more heroic bite?

  

Winner: Scooby Doo

Han Solo  vs. d'Artagnan

A loner who goes by the subtle name Solo faces off against the fourth Musketeer. Your vote decides the winner.
  

Winner: Han Solo

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Penny's Request for Art

Today, my five and a half year old daughter drew her first pictures of The Familiars. I told her that I would post them on the blog and she had a request to go along with it.

"Hi. My name is Penny. Could you send me a picture of the Familiars that you made? Bye."

Email the pictures to thefamiliarsbook@gmail.com. I think Penny would really appreciate it.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Tournament of Heroes - Day Three

First the winners from our second day of Krypton Bracket match-ups: Percy Jackson, Lara Croft, Wolverine, and Katniss Everdeen.

Today we move into the Galaxy Far, Far Away Bracket.

Superman vs. Mace Windu

It's the man of steel against the purple light saber weilding jedi in a galactic smackdown. Will Mace prove to be Superman's kryptonite? Only your votes will decide.

Winner: Superman

Mario vs. Jason of the Argonauts

Plumber or sailor... who will take home the crown in this mash up. There will be no power-ups to rescue Mario today and Jason will have to wield his sword without his companions' aid. The Gods can favor only one. 

  

Winner: Mario

Obi-Wan Kenobi vs. Aquaman

Will Obi-Wan sleep with the fishes? Or will Aquaman feel the power of the force?


   

Winner: Obi Wan

Captain America vs. Snake Eyes

Both fight for America. But only one can stand. Who will come out bearing the flag? Knowing is half the battle.

  


Winner: Captain America

Friday, August 17, 2012

Tournament of Heroes - Day Two

Welcome back for Day Two of the Tournament of Heroes. The results of Day One are in. Moving on the second round are Luke Skywalker, Odysseus, Frodo, and Thor.

Today we have the remaining four match-ups in the Krypton Bracket.

Percy Jackson vs. Ellen Ripley

The boy descended from Mount Olympus faces off with every alien's worst nightmare. Will the strength of the Gods be enough to stop one very determined woman?

   


Winner: Percy Jackson


Robin Hood vs. Lara Croft

This video game action heroine goes searching the world for rare archaelogical treasures. Her opponent steals his treasures from King John's coffers. Only one will enjoy the spoils of this fight.

  


Winner: Lara Croft


Wolverine vs. Commander Shepard

With his adamantium claws, this Marvel superhero will slice and dice his way through any villains. But how will he stand up against Mass Effect's commander of the Normandy?

  



Winner: Wolverine

Katniss Everdeen vs. Jack Bauer

This Hunger Games tribute is used to fighting for life. But she's never met a match like Jack Bauer. Especially when she's only got 24 hours to tally more votes.

  



Winner: Katniss Everdeen