The Adventures of Ruby Lu (Author: Gabriella)

Ruby Lu Empress of Everything
By :Lenore Look Reviewed by :Gabriella Laskey Ruby Lu is a story about a girl who’s cousin is a Chinese immigrant named Flying Duck. When she brings her cousin to school she is the queen of the playground. People simply can not stop asking what life’s about and how they do stuff in China.
Emma, one of Ruby Lu’s on and off friends, thinks that her cousin is an alien. This starts a whole commotion about Flying Duck. Ruby Lu is forced to take dramatic actions to protect her Chinese cousin.
Ruby Lu is a fun story that makes you happy. This is an easy read for most 3rd and 4th grade students. It is also a fun read when you are older and just looking for something light to pass the time. The author did a great job of using word choice to help you feel the action of the book and Ruby Lu’s adventures.
So if you are curious if Ruby Lu be the down cast of the school or rise to the top and prove her cousin innocent, go to the library and check this book out to find out what happens.

Dear Dumb Diary (Author: Kate)

Book Review
Dear Dumb Diary: Can Adults become Human?
By: Jim Benton
Reviewed by: Kate
Do you think your life is weird? Well you’re wrong because Jamie’s life is turned upside down in the book Dear Dumb Diary: Can Adults become Human? by Jim Benton. The book is weird, funny and exciting! The book is about a girl named Jamie and the bad and funny things that happen to her. For example her dog “Stinkers” makes a big fart in her room and she then can’t fall asleep and has to sleep down stairs on the couch. At school Jamie gets into trouble when she glues a picture to her friend Isabella’s hair and when she gets home her mom tells her that her aunt is coming to stay with them. Not only is her aunt coming to stay at her house but her aunt is going to be working at Jamie’s school! Later in the book something weird is going on with her aunt working at her school. You’re going to have to read what’s going to happen next.
I would give this book four out of five stars, because the pictures are a little hard to understand sometimes. Third – fifth graders can read this book because it has easy words to read. I thought it was an awesome book!

Dear Dumb Diary (Author: Shaelynn)

Shaelynn #22
10/27/10
Reading
I believe that some how, while she was pregnant the tiny, evil, infant Angelina spawn had totally sucked all the quality out of her moms hair.

This story is about a girl who just wants to be popular but a girl named Angelina is getting in her way. Then one day she gets a love letter. Signed by M.P. she thinks it’s a teacher called Mr. Prince that is writing them. But it turns out to be someone else!
I think it a really funny book. For example, one day I was cot practicing kissing my own arm. I think that’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard!!!
I think the author really puts his feeling in his writing for example he wants to other people to see that about his writing.
I think the mood or feeling is good for me because can relate to it sometimes. For example she says people don’t know who I really am she states. I feel like sometimes people think that I’m a real big girly girl but I’m not!
I recommend this book for 3rd – 5th graders because it’s to hard for 2nd graders. I give this story 5 stars!

Ark Angel (Author: Ethan)

Ark Angel Review

Ark Angel is an adventure book. This book is an action-packed, adventurous, and it has a good cliffhanger ending. Ark Angel is the fifth book in the Alex Rider series. While Alex was recuperating from a gunshot wound, he gets out put in the room right next to Paul Dreven. His dad is one of the few multi-billionaires in the world. One night a terrorist group called Force Three breaks in and tries to kidnap Paul Dreven because his dad is building a hotel in space. The hotel is very bad for the environment. The kidnappers mistake Alex for Paul, and eventually Alex saves Paul from the kidnappers. Nikoli Dreven, Paul’s father, thanks Alex for saving Paul and lets Alex come to his private island for a few weeks. Force Three has not stopped trying to destroy Ark Angel, the hotel in space.

Anthony Horwitz describes everything amazingly well. For example, he describes how Alex was struck by the colors of the earth while in space. He was seeing olive, white, green, and red. He could even see the different continents.

The vocabulary is very high level. For example, he uses words such as presumably, gantries, and irregularities.

I recommend this book for fifth thru eighth graders because this book has high-level vocabulary. Anyone younger might not understand or find it boring because it is too hard to read.

Dork Diaries (Author: Riley)

Dork Diaries (by Riley)

Dork Diaries is a very good book. It’s about a girl named Nikki who just moved to a new neighborhood., she is shy and not very confident in herself. Her only friends in her new school are Chloe and Zoe. The girl who is not her friend is McKenzie, she is a mean popular girl who hates Nikki. Nikki enters the art competition. Everyone says Nikki is a great artist but McKenzie enters too. Nikki has a little sister named Brianna. Brianna is afraid of the Tooth Fairy.
This book is good for fifth grade and up. I liked this book because it’s funny and it’s a great girl book. I recommend this book to fifth grade and up because it has humor that older kids will get but smaller kids will not understand. I give this book four out of five stars.

Eon: Dragoneye (Author: Paanya)

Eon Dragoneye Reborn (reviewed by Paanya)

Wow, the story Eon Dragoneye Reborn is awesome even though there are some hard vocabulary and hard words. It is fiction because it cannot happen in real life. This book is not recommended for fifth graders because of its length and plot. This book is recommended to eight graders because they would be able to understand advanced vocabulary and text.

This book is about a girl named Eona. She is a dragoneye. Dragoneyes are really powerful people. Eona is a mirror dragoneye and mirror dragoneyes are really rare because there wasn't a mirror dragoneye for ten years. There is a rabbit dragoneye, dog dragoneye, horse dragoneye, turkey dragoneye, rat dragonye, ox dragoneye, tiger dragoneye, pig dragoneye, rooster dragoneye, snake dragoneye, monkey dragoneye, goat dragoneye, and dragon dragoneye. The dragons give their power to the dragoneyes that is chosen. When a dragoneye dies the rat dragon picks a new dragoneye for that dragon. The rat dragon is in charge of the dragons and the mirror dragon is in charge of the dragoneyes. Females are forbidden to use dragon magic or become dragoneyes. Can Eona keep her secret or does she have to face death?

Some strengths in this book are first person point of view because it helped understand the character better. Another strength in this book is it is fantasy and it helped add dragons to make the story interesting and fun to read. A weakness in this book is the front cover only appeals to people that like horror and mystery because it has nails and a scary-looking eye. It limits the people that could read the book by its cover.

I do not recommend this book to fifth graders because of the hard vocabulary, complex plot, and text that are hard to understand. I recommend this book to eight graders because they could understand advanced vocabulary, plot and text. I give this book 2 out of 5 star because fifth graders cannot understand books that are that long because they might get confused, lost, and not understand the story.

Lightning Thief (Author: Caitlin)

The Lightning Thief reviewed by Caitlin Smyth.

Are you a half blooded? Percy Jackson is. Being a half blooded is dangerous. Monsters want to kill you so much. If you are a half blood you’d know what Percy is talking about. Being a half blood is special and dangerous. Not many people are half blooded.

The Lightning Thief is fantasy and adventure for example Percy Jackson vaporizes his pre algebra teacher. Vaporizing a pre algebra teacher probably won’t happen.

The main charters are Percy Jackson and his best friend Grover. This book is about Percy and Grover trying to stay safe from the monsters. So they have to go to a camp. A camp called half bloods. He has to stay there. But Percy doesn’t like the camp because these bullies’s tried to make Percy put his head in a toilet. So Percy needs to survive from the bully and the monsters.

There are no bad things about this book. But there are a lot of good things about this book, for example the author’s details were very good and there’s never a dull moment.

I recommend this book to 5^th -7^th grade because there are a lot of hard words. Also 4^th grade probably wouldn’t understand it or if they are pretty smart they would.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret (Author: Matt)

Matthew

5-V

What should we do with him?

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a boy trying to finish what his Father had started . So he thought .

There are three main characters. For example Hugo is the major main character. Another character is Isabelle who is Hugo's best friend. Then there is Papa Geores or movie sensation George Melies. At least he's considered a movie sensation in the book anyway.

One of the strengths of the book Hugo Cabret is the illustrations.The illustrations are strong and help describe the book better to me. Also, the book was written so I would want to keep reading. For example, I was never bored and it held my interest. Another strength of the book is that it was suspenseful. One part of the book that is a good example of a suspenseful moment is when there is a fire in the museum. One weaknesses of the book Hugo Cabret is that some of the sentences were confusing to me. Sometimes I would have to re-read a sentence to try to understand what the author was trying to say.

I recommend this book to anyone between the grades of 4-7. I would recommend those ages because sometimes it is hard to infer the pictures and understand all of the sentences. I would rate this book a nine out of ten. I would rate it a nine out of ten because I really enjoyed the book and I think that you would too.

Miranda (Author: Sania)

"I never knew who sent me these note, but I will find out soon."-Miranda

This book's genre is realistic fiction because all the events that happen in the book can happen in real life. A girl named Miranda receives notes from a person. Yet she didn't know who it is. The person gives clues to find out who it is. Miranda has lots of hobbies. For example, she gets a non-paying job at "Jimmy's." And her mom is entering a contest to win 25,000 dollars! And her friend Sal is not her friend anymore because he got punched in the stomach and Miranda didn't do anything about it.

One thing that was good about it was that it explained the opinion or statement. For example, instead of saying "woke up sleepily", the author said "woke up groggily".

Some things I didn't like about this book was that it had to short chapters. For example, each chapter was about 2-3 pages long. Also it skipped around to much. Because one chapter was about her mom training for the contest. And another started off at Jimmy's, the dentists office, or at Belles(which is a store in the book).

I'd recommend this book to be appropriate for grades 4th-6th because it isn't that easy to understand what the author sometimes says. I'd give this book 3 3/4 stars out of 5 stars.

Dead Man's Map (Author: Ben)

Ben’s book review

Dead Man’s Map

By M. Peschke

“Josh copied the design on the palm of his hand.”

This book dead mans map is about a boy who wants to save his family’s ranch farm. So he goes with his grandpa because he needs to get money to save his family’s ranch. He finds a map in a hat. The map is to a gold mine. He goes to find the gold, but he does not find it.

This book is really easy to read. For example, it only has 105 words on a page.

What I do not like about this book is that it does not make sense. For example, “That’s called hog-tied cousin”, said Cody.

Another thing I like about this book is that it is a mystery. I like mysteries.

I recommend this book to third to fifth graders because it may not make sense to students younger than third grade.

I’ll give this book 5 out of 6 stars.

Sea of Monsters (Author: Daniel)

Sea of Monsters Book Review

Daniel O. #16

Reading

10/31/10

“You shall sail the iron ship with warriors of bone, you shall find what you seek and make it your own, but despair your life entombed within stone, and fail without friends, then fly home alone.”

What does the Oracle mean? Find out in the continuing saga of Percy Jackson and the Olympians! This book is all about finding the item that can save Camp Half-Blood and Percy’s brother, Tyson. But if Percy wants to save Tyson and the camp he must bring Tyson along on his quest. Find out what happens in this second book of the trilogy.

I think this book is tremendous! It has everything you can imagine like monsters that are amazingly described! The author’s descriptions help the readers to have pictures in their minds. For example, when Percy and his friends are looking for a shelter and they find an old one, it describes exactly how it looks and how big it is. Plus, this book stands out from every other book because it can by enjoyed by anyone.

This author’s style of writing is perfect! He has funny and interesting chapter titles, like “Demon Pigeons Attack” and “Clarisse Blows up Everything”. That makes you want to keep on reading because you wonder what will happen next!

I would like to read this book until I memorized it word for word. I think 2^nd to 8^th graders could enjoy this book because it has words a little kid could understand but has words an 8^th grader would understand. I rate this book 5out of 5 stars because of its great vocabulary and descriptions.

Never Mind (Author: Jon)

Never mind book review

By Jonathan Gleason

“ it all came from trying to hard. That’s how I created this mess. And what a mess I made”. You just created a big mess. You told a popular girl that her brothers TALLER AND BETTER THEN YOU AND TOLD HER THAT HER BROTHER HAD A BAND AND PERFORM AT HER PARTY BUT ALL THOSE THINGS ARE LIES.

What should you do. Never mind. You will find out in the book never mind. MEG wants to be friends with Kimberly she is the popular girl but she probably wont be friends after the party. But if Edward went there things mite change.

I recommend this book 4 out of 5 ***** [ stars ]. I liked the book but the story is a little confusing. I think this book is for 5^th to 7^th graders.

The Titan's Curse (Author: Evan)

Evan

# 9

1030/10

Writing

The angels looked at each other and shrugged, “I could use a stretch”.

The Titans Curse is about four kids Thila, Percy, Zoë and Grover. They are trying to free a goddess named Artemis and their friend Anabeth

This book has many strengths and weaknesses that are found all throughout this book.

This book has great detail. For example, it said that two colored eyes gleaming wickedly standing behind us was “Dr. Thorn.” This book is filled with action. For example, it could have said it was hard to hang onto the god Nereus when he turned into a seal. Instead it said some people joked that it was hard to hang onto a greased pig. Really though, it was hard to hold onto a seal.

I recommend this book for readers from 4^th to 6^th grade because this book is too big and hard for 3^rdgraders. I give it 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Anne of Green Gables (Author: Sophie)

Anne of Green Gables

By: L.M. Montgomery

Interviewed by: Sophie Magill

“Matthew Cuthbert who’s that”? She ejaculated “where is the boy”?

This story is about an orphan girl who just wants to have a home for her whole life. Her name is Anne Shirley. The book title is “Anne of Green Gables”. Anne has been passed on by many people and now finds herself at Green Gables Matthew and Marilla are the owners of Green Gables. But Matthew and Marilia Cuthbert are expecting a boy not a girl.

This book is very well put and the author L.M. Montgomery. “Anne of Green Gables” has a lot of strengths and no weaknesses. One strength is that it has good vocabulary. For example it uses words like anxiety, sorrowful and buxom. Those are very big words that most kids wouldn’t understand. This story is one of the best stories I have ever read.

I recommend this book to 4^th – 8^th graders because it uses big words like buxom. Little kids wouldn’t understand these big words. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Frindle (Author: Praneeth)

Sunday, october 31 , 2010

FRINDLE ( Reviewed by Praneeth)

Discover the new things is the goal!!!!!

The genre of Frindle is realistic fiction book. It is about a boy named Nick. Nick had to do the word project and Nick chose the word “Frindle” for the word project. A teacher whose name is Mrs. Granger is trying to stop the word Frindle. Will Nick get the scholarship award? Read to find out.

The author’s words are very good. For example,” Nick turned Ms. Deaver’s room into a tropical island and Nick made a squeaking noise in a classroom which is in the blackbird discovery in fourth grade.

This story is very good and cool. Nick is the character who is the best but not Mrs. Granger because she is stopping the word “Frindle”. This story is the one that is my best favorite because it has a lot of curiosity ,humor and action.

I recommend this story for kids who like fiction the best and for grades 2-5 so they can mostly understand the story. Other grades understand this book but they are too old to read this book.

Dragonbreath (Author: Sai)

Dragonbreathe

By: Sairakshit Pula

10/30/10

“When I bent, my eyes got stuck on the book!”

This book’s genre is Fantasy and Fiction! Because a dragon’s cousin is a fish. This book is about two boys named Danny and Avast. This book is about Danny getting an F on his test. Because he didn’t know a lot about the sea.

This book only has strengths no weaknesses. I will list two strengths. For example, the author uses strong words to describe stuff. Like enthusiasm, and obnoxious.

I would recommend this book to grades 3^rd and 4^th. Because they would understand this book. I give this book 5/5 stars!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Austere Academy (Author: Abby)

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Austere Academy (Reviewed by Abby)

By: Lemony Snicket

Will Count Olaf get away?

I would say this book is fiction because you could have an evil madman chasing you or you could be sent away to boarding school. A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Austere Academy is a very lively book. There are three children, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire, who encounter a terrible man when their parents die in a fire. The man’s name is Count Olaf and he disguises himself as many things. When the Baudelaire Orphans go to boarding school they discover that their new gym teacher is Count Olaf.

I think this story is just like the others. For example Count Olaf finds the children, they try and tell somebody, and the people don’t believe them.

The author’s writing style is very good. For example when there is a part in the book that is exciting and something is about to happen he stops and explains everything. I like it when he does that because it makes you think even more.

Lemony Snicket is very descriptive. Especially when it comes to new characters. For example “If you were to give a gold medal to the least delightful person on earth, you would have to give that medal to a person named Carmelita Spats, and if you don’t give it to her, Carmelita Spats was the sort of person who would snatch it from your hands anyway. Carmelita Spats was rude, she was violent, and she was filthy, and it is a shame that I must describe her to you, because there are enough ghastly and distressing things in this story without even mentioning such an unpleasant person.”

I would recommend this book for 4^th and 5^th graders because I think they would understand it better. I would give this book 3 ½ out of 5 stars because all of the books are mostly the same.

Dragonbreath (Author: Josh)

DRAGONBREATH

Book review

Can Danny DRANGONBREATH’s adventures get any crazier? First, there was an insane sea adventure. What next, monkeys eating potato salad?

Dawng! That’s all I can say. DRAGONBREATH is about a boy named Danny. Somehow Danny pulls his friend Wendell into a massive adventure in the sea. They are fighting off sharks, whales and giant squids. For example, there was one part of the book where Danny and Wendell got chased into a cave and almost got eaten.

Let me give you my ups and downs on the book. One up is that they show you a good mix of pictures and text. A downer to the book is at some select parts it’s boring. Another up is the book is hilarious. Almost every part of the book is a make you squirt milk out of your nose funny. There really were only one thumb down and two thumbs up.

A major reason why Danny and Wendell went on this adventure is Danny wanted to see his cousin Edward. But mainly, Danny wanted to improve his grade on the paper for school about the sea that he got an F on. So what better way than to go under the sea to try to get an A.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I really liked it a lot. Not because of the pictures, but because it was an exciting book.

Warriors into the Wild (Author: Nate)

Book Report Nate

10/18/10

Do you believe in the Warrior Code? Warriors into the Wild, the first of 21 books in the epic Warriors series, is an amazing tale of cat characters that follow the Warrior Code when they fight for territory. The clans of cats fight, hunt, have adventures, and well, struggle to survive! For example, Yellowfang, elder she-cat of the ThunderClan, must fight against her own son so that one of their warring clans will eat.

If there were a Warriors movie, I’d definitely be in line for it! Erin Hunter is a great, one out of a million, writer. She often creates a light, cheery mood. For example, the cats are always cheerful when they’re talking to others in their clans.

Erin Hunter has some fantastic vocabulary. She uses words like mewed, apprentice, scrawny and two-legs. Scrawny is a good descriptive word meaning skinny. Two-legs is her funny word that the cats use for humans.

I would recommend this book series to fans of action and adventure because it has lots of fights and they wonder the lands a lot. In fact, I love this first book so much I’m looking forward to reading the next one! I hope the rest of the series is as good, if not better, than this exciting book.

The Mysterious Benedict Society (Reviewed by Anusha Bansal)

With open eyes now you may find
A place you must exit to enter.
Where one -

This book is fiction but a little realistic because this may happen in the future. The book is about a few kids who take tests for special oppertunities and get introduced to Mr. Benedict (good guy), then get sent to the ‘Instutute’ to be undercover agents. This book is great! read it!

There are alot of strengths in here but a couple weaknesses, such as that there are alot of downheartning moments. For example, when Milligan was captured. But there were alot of strengths in this book too, such as when everybody got a family. Another strength is that they found alot of vital info. For example, they discovered a secret room where there were news papers for the future. Another strngth is that there were alot of happy moments to make up for the sad ones. For examole, when they were having a snowball fight!

Hmmmm. I would reccomend this book to those who like adventure, mystery, action, and page turner books. This is a great book, so go read it...
NOW!!!!!


RATING: ***** = 5 star book!

The Kingdom of Fantasy (Reviewed by Demetrius)

The Kingdom of Fantasy
By:Scholastic

Wow this place is beautiful.

This book is realistic fiction.For example there are talking animals.
He works as a manager at a news paper shop.He finds a magical music box.
Where he goes thru allot of kingdoms like dragons,pixies,witches,Noam's,trolls,mermaids and fairy's.

This book only has strengths.For example I liked all the kingdoms he went thru exspecailly the dragons.
Another strength is when he went to the kingdom of the mermaids because she wanted to Maire him a mouse

I would recommend this book to any one who likes magic or magical places or things.This book should be only for kids.For example adults will not understand the magical things that happen in this book
Demetrius
4/19/10
#24
Reading

Drums Girls & Dangerous Pie (Reviewed by Katie)

Book Review
Katie
4-18-10

Writing


Drums Girls & Dangerous Pie
By: Jordan Sonnenblick


“He’s……really……sick”

This book, Drums Girls & Dangerous Pie is a realistic fiction. Drums Girls and Dangerous Pie is realistic fiction because the story could happen to anybody but it probably didn’t happen in real life. Steven is a normal thirteen year old. He plays drums in the all-star band. He also has a crush on the hottest girl in school, Renee Albert. But when his constantly annoying brother, Jeffery gets very sick, he can’t be a normal teenager.

This book is impeccable. One of the strengths is that the book is very funny. For example, the book made my sides hurt because it was so funny! Another strength is that the book is soooooo touching. For example, Steven before used to be very annoyed by Jeffery, but they soon create a nice brotherly bond. One of the weaknesses is that sometimes it’s a little sad in parts. For example, I felt terrible in some parts. But no matter what happened, I loved the book and you should still read it.

I recommend this book to……anybody who doesn’t mind some sadness but can still have a laugh with an absolute impeccable book. I also recommend this book to second and third graders because I know it was quite easy for me. If you like touching, fun books you will love this book! But no matter what you like in a book this would be a great book for you because it is just that beast. you should definitely at least consider reading this book even if it is easy to read and even if it is sad at parts but just trust me. READ IT!!!

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree (Reviewed by Anisha)

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out Of A Tree
Lauren Tarshis

“Mommy! She fell out of the tree! Emma-Jean Lazarus fell out of a tree!”
-Colleen
“Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell out Of a Tree” is a wonderful realistic fiction story because some of the events of the story can be real. When Emma –Jean discovers Colleen sobbing in the girls’ room at William Gladstone Middle School, she decides to help Colleen with her problem. Every February, the last weekend, Colleen goes with Kaitlin and her parents up to ski in Vermont. Colleen wants to go to the ski trip like she usually does every February but Laura plans to go this year. Laura is so powerful that she got Kaitlin to invite her instead of Colleen. So when Emma-Jean saw a flyer about the Boy’s Basketball Banquet, she writes a prank letter to Laura from the Boy’s Basketball Committee to have her dance on stage in front of the Boy’s Basketball Team. She knew Laura would give up the ski trip with Kaitlin and Colleen would be able to go. Emma-Jean’s life gets really messy, that’s for sure, just because she tries to help Colleen. What will happen if Laura finds out Emma-Jean wrote the letter?
This book has much strength. One strength is that the author gave a lot of details, such as details of the leprechaun dance. For example I could see a clear image in my mind of the girls, kicking their legs high in the air and shaking their shoulders and gyrating their hips. Another strength is that the author uses high vocabulary. For example she uses words like cellulite and nuptials. I believe that the author wrote a lot of details for the readers to understand the story much better.
This book is five out of five stars. I recommend this book to 4th graders and up because they would understand the book way better and the vocabulary. You’ll be amazed how Emma-Jean solves all the problems her friends face! You will totally love this book because I know I did!

Lost on a Mountain in Maine

Lost on a Mountain in Maine
Colin

“Will I ever see anyone ever again?” –Don
This book is nonfiction because the events and characters are real. Don Fendler lives with his mom and dad in Maine. One day Don goes hiking with some friends and his family. He decides to wander off. Unfortunately Don gets lost. So Don travels on a Mountain trying to find a camp or even stay alive. Does he make it out? Read to find out!
“Lost on a Mountain in Maine” was an amazing book. The author (Don) was very descriptive. For example he said the water was glistening and good enough to drink. Also it had a lot of suspense. I was biting my nails wondering if Don makes it out. Although the book’s really good the beginning was really long. For example nothing exciting happens, but it gets better.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes camping because hat happened to Don could happen to anyone who goes camping. Though I know everyone will love it.

Titan's Curse (Reviewed by Edward Hribal)

Edward
4-27-10
#13
Book Review
Writing
“One shall fall by a parent’s hand.”
The continuing saga of Percy Jackson and the Olympians keeps getting better! The third book, “Titan’s Curse”, is probably the best so far in the series with the most action and suspense than the first two. If elite can describe a book, this is truly an elite book.
This book is fantasy fiction because most of the things in here, for example: zombies, flying horses, and sea cows are not real and probably won’t exist. Percy Jackson wants to save Annabeth from the unknown people that hold her, but the people in the quest don’t want him to come and they don’t know where to go. He follows the four that are in the quest, then decides to try and help them when he learns some information about Annabeth.
This book is incredible! So incredible I can’t name any weaknesses. One strength is the name of the chapters. For example, after seeing at the top of the page for chapter two “The Vice Principal Gets a Missile Launcher”, you know you want to keep reading! Another thing is its relation to the past two books, so if you started reading the series on this book, then you would still know what they were talking about. For example, a new character was introduced at the very last page of the second book, and in this book they tell you who she is and how she became a character.
I recommend this book to grades between third and sixth because a second grader would probably find most of the words too hard. They won’t understand the long detailed scenes plus the book will probably be too long for them. I give this book five out of five stars.

Inkdeath (Reviewed by Bidisha)

Inkdeath
By Cornelia Funke
Bidisha


‘Piper, beware, your end is near, the Adder’s power dwindles. He writhes he goes in mortal fear, though nothing in his strength rekindles.'
Teenage Meggie Folchart is trapped in Inkheart with her family. She wants to go back home but two writers, Orpheus and Fenoglio, the only two people who can help her, won’t help her. So what will she do? Read the book to find out. This book is fantasy fiction, because it has events that can’t happen in real life.
The strength in this story is that there was a lot of suspense. For example, after every line that you read, you will be waiting for the next. Another strength is that there was strong vocabulary, like melancholy and optimistic. Some of the words were so tricky, that I looked in the dictionary. It helped.
I recommend this book to everyone. It’s sure to make them interested! The exciting plans in this book make people want to read more. It certainly put me under its inkspell. I encourage you to read this book if you like fantasy fiction. Also read the book Inkheart & Inkspell.

Twice Upon a Marigold (Reviewed by Angie)

Angie

Reading
Twice Upon A Marigold
Jean Ferris
Once she knew that the dogs hadn’t hurt Ed, she looked around and saw Christian (with relief), Swithbert (with affection), and Olympia-wait-Olympia?
-In the perspective of Marigold
The genre of this book is fantasy fiction because it includes dungeons, castles, treason, and many other “royal” types of things and these things only happen in fairytale world not the real world. King Christian and Queen Marigold want to continue enjoying their royal marriage life but horror arrives that Queen Olympia is back and she is as bossy and evil as before. The Zandelphia Palace and Beaurivage palace are all hoping it’s all a bad dream but dreams don’t exist when Olympia’s around. So, when everybody has had enough of her Queen Marigold and King Christian plot a rebellion to kick her off the throne. As this secretly goes on throughout the palace it’s finally the big day and…………you’ll have to read to find out!
One strength in this book is that it’s hilarious! The characters are funny or either act funny themselves! For example, Marigold is always trying to crack new knock-knock jokes (which are completely new in their world) and it’s funny because nobody gets when to say what or how it’s funny. Another strength in this book is how the author creates creative and crazy ideas and events. There are some things that make you think and try picturing them in your head because they’re so asinine. For example, there’s the Beaurivage Turret of Teeth and there’s when Olympia’s brain get’s turned around so that she’s totally transformed into this kind person named Angie. One weakness in this book is that the author stayed on one topic for a long time. For example, for at least three chapters there would be the same thing going on but the reader would sometimes want to get onto something new.
I recommend this book definitely to readers of Once Upon A Marigold; this sequel won’t let you down! This two thumbs up book will be enjoyed by anyone who’s a lover of fantasy, tragedy, and comedy. I would recommend this book mainly to girls who are in 4th grade and above because they will probably understand this book better. Anyway Twice Upon A Marigold should be on your summer reading list. BUT only read it after you’ve read Once Upon A Marigold.

Cicada Summer (Reviewed by James)

Cicada Summer


“I have been invisible ever since two years ago. Im invisible but everyone ignores me.”

Cicada Summer by Andrea Beaty is about a girl named Lily who wants to stay “invisible” but a girl named Tinny keeps talking to here and is annoying her so she starts to talk again.

This books has many strengths. Whenever the chapter ends you can’t stop thinking what is going to happen next. For example Pete’s door opens but then the chapter ends, I just couldn’t stop thinking about what is going to happen. This also has very good detail. For example when these old people bring a cake over instead of saying cake they say chocolate cake.

I have a high recommendation for this book. I recommend this book to grades 4-7, because events in this story wouldn’t make sense to younger children. Like when Lily pulls a wanted poster and it says wanted for armed robbery. They might think he robbed someone’s arm!!!!! I think you should read this book.

By,
James

Mr. Louie is Screwy (Reviewed by Vishwesh)

Mr. Louie is Screwy!
By: Dan Gutman

Have you read “Mr. Louie is Screwy!”? If you did then stop reading this review immediately, if you didn’t then you can continue reading this review. This book is radical.
This book is realistic fiction because the stuff in this book could happen in real life. In the book there was a kid named A.J. who hates school. Its Valentines Day, the crossing guard (Mr. Louie) is going overboard! He put love potion in the drinking fountain, arranged a huge Valentines Day party (called “Klutzshock”) and even more. His teacher is going to get married, will A.J. and his friends stop the wedding? Read to find out.
This book has two strengths (that I can think of). The 1st strength is that the book is funny. It tells “no bell prize” instead of “Nobel prize”, and calls it “a prize to give to people who don’t have a bell”. The book tells a lot of stuff as the first rule of being a kid. For example it tells “Anytime you want to win an argument say you did something before the other person was born. It’s the first rule of being a kid.” And there are even more funny things. The 2nd strength is that the book has pictures. It’s nice to have pictures because books without pictures are boring.
I recommend this book to 2nd and 3rd graders because it is easy to read. For example the hardest word in this book is “sabotage”. And older kids would think its to easy to read. Younger kids can’t read that well. I rate this book 5 star! That is all I got to say about “Mr. Louie is Screwy!”

Eldest (Reviewed by Bobby)

Eldest book review
Bobby
4-18-10
#21
reading
First off, this book is a great book because it has incredible feeling, some parts bring a tear to your eye, some are laugh out loud moments in the book, unthinkable places, radical events, and description that welcome’s you into the book.
Second off, this book is fiction because there is magic in the book like the word brisingr which summons fire. Also there are elves that live long. Another one is Dragons. Eragon wanted to stop Galbatorix from hurting the innocents. But he is powerful with a huge army. And there is no so yet.
Third off, this book is a great book because it has challenging words like blasphemy and heresy. So I had to use the dictionary a few times, but now I look smarter in my speech. Also there is great description like a river of tears instead of tears.
Finally, I would recommend this book to 10-13 year old children because there is advance vocabulary like saplings and genuinely which you might need to look up. Also there is violence that is not suitable for some children. Also this book is really long, and I love long books. That is why this book is a good read.

The Hunger Games (Reviewed by Mary)

THE HUNGER GAMES
SUZANNE COLLINS

By: Mary

How different can it be from killing an animal? Gale asks me…
In the act, it’s not different at all.
But the aftermath of killing a person is worse than the aftermath of killing an animal.

Katniss Everdeen is sixteen and has entered her name in District 12’s reaping forty-two times. Her best friend, Gale, is eighteen and has entered his name seventy-three times. Her sister, Primrose (Prim) Everdeen, is twelve and has entered her name once. A reaping is when each of the 12 districts of Panem picks two names from a ball. One girl and one boy. The tributes must compete in a fight to the death called the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games are a reminder to the country of Panem that they must obey the capitol and that if they rebel, there will be another Dark Days. The Dark Days was a time when the whole country of America began to rebel against each other. If you are poor and need food, you may enter your name extra times each year. Each time you put your name in, you get grains and salt. Katniss has to enter her name 42 times this year to pay off for all of the grain and salt. When you turn twelve, you have to enter your name until you’re eighteen. At the reaping, Prim’s name is pulled. Katniss hurries up to volunteer and take her sister’s place. The next tribute is Peeta Mellark. She’ll always be in debt to Peeta. One day he practically saved her family’s life by giving them bread. Now she might have to kill him in the arena. When she gives her last good-byes, her sister makes her promise to try to win. And because it’s a promise to Prim, Katniss has to keep it.

There were absolutely positively definitely no weaknesses at all in this story! Suzanne gave it a twist by having it in the future but in present-tense. It’s written in first person so you feel like you are Katniss Everdeen defending your little sister, poaching with Gale, and fighting for your life. It creates a very, very, very engrossing tale. Stephanie Meyer said that she took it to dinner and read under the table just so that she wouldn’t have to stop reading. I know what she means. It’s almost to engrossing to be a book! She also uses good vocabulary like spontaneous. It also creates the best mental images. For example, “tendrils rolled out, stretching and pulling the fog, the edges rolling and curling like fingers…” See? I can think of all these strengths, but not a single weakness!
I recommend this book to anyone from 5th grade and up. It’s a bit mature. It’s very dark and suspenseful. And, it’s high vocabulary might be confusing to anyone younger than 11. If you need something to hook you up back into reading, this book will have you begging and pleading for more! Then I recommend reading the second book, Catching Fire, and then waiting for the third book to come out this August. I think that you’ll be just like the Capitol after reading The Hunger Games. Hanging in the air, begging for more, and on edge of your seats waiting with anticipation for the next tragedy. That’s why I recommend The Hunger Games to all of the people out there that are 11+.
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Heat (Reviewed by Drew)

Heat
By: Mike Lupica
Drew
8
4-25-10
Writing

The reason this book is called Heat is because of Michael Arroyo’s arm. Michael is the main character of this story. He is a nice kid from Cuba and loves baseball. Michael is a pitcher and his arm is amazing. With him, his team the Clippers are unstoppable. Until a kid named Justin almost ruins his career. What will Michael do?
The genre of this book is realistic fiction because all of the story could possibly happen. This story is about a boy named Michael Arroyo. He loves baseball. Michael is on a team called the Clippers. Michael is the star of the team. He lives with his brother Carlos and his foster mom. Michael’s team is about to be champs until one game. On the other team was a kid named Justin. Who couldn’t hit the ball when Michael was pitching. So at the end of the game, Justin and his dad went to the Little League Commissioner and argued that Michael was not 12 years old, and couldn’t play. Michael’s dad and mom died, so Michael didn’t have a birth certificate for proof to play. As Michael meets new friends they all try to help him. Will Michael ever play again or will he suffer from being on the bench every day!
One Strength of the book was the story line because the topic was baseball, which I find interesting. Another strength was when Michael became 3rd coach. I liked it because the story turned to baseball. One weakness of the story was the description of the characters. I didn’t get a full understanding of who they were.
I recommend this story to 3rd graders and older. I think it is great for 3rd graders that are at the age where they start liking sports. It is also a great book for adults if they like exciting sports books. So if you’re a sports fan go and read this THRILLER!

The Lemonade War (Reviewed by Lauren)

The Lemonade War Lauren 4/25/10

By: Jacqueline Davies

“It might be hot, but this means war!”

The genre is realistic fiction because everyone can have a lemonade stand. One hot blazing summer afternoon Evan and Jessie’s air conditioner breaks. The guy from “Sears” has to come and install a new one. Evan runs to his friend Scott’s house to start a lemonade stand. Then Jessie is left alone. She goes to see to see if her friend Meghan can play. Then sooner or later the war begins. They were competing to see who can raise the most money.
I’d like to discuss a weakness of this book. For example the story line skipped around so it was difficult to get to know the characters. My strength is that at every chapter there’s a chapter heading including a definition. Like in Chapter 6 “Underselling”. The definition is “(v). Pricing the same goods for less than the competition.

I recommend this book to 4th-5th graders because they might be able to understand the book, but I didn’t. I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars because I couldn’t understand some parts. For example I thought that the plot was moving around in different directions. There wasn’t a good flow to the storyline.

Fire: Reviewed by Teddy

David is a 20 year old tenant living Liz Penny kettle’s house. Liz is a potter that makes clay dragons and sells them. Her daughter Lucy is obsessed with squirrels and asks David to catch one for her. Eventually strange things start happening like the fact that Liz doesn’t even use a kiln or that dragons keep moving. Whenever Lucy tries to say something, her mom cuts her off. What are those two hiding?
This story is fiction because clay dragons cannot come alive. David wants to know what the pennykettle’s are hiding. But they won’t tell him the truth. So he investigates the dragons and finds out that they are alive.
A strength of this story is that it has more than one plotline. For example, when I would get tired of one plotline, another would come up. A weakness of this story is that it gets really slow and would talk about every single day. For example, David would type a few paragraphs of his story, go do his laundry, and go out to lunch.
I recommend this book to people under 13 because it has a lot of little kid concept and jokes. I rate this book three stars.
*****
The Fire Within


Teddy 4-18-10 15 reading

Mr. Sunny is Funny (Reviewed by Danny)

Mr. Sunny is Funny

By:

Dan Gutman

‘Then I leaned over, and put my mouth over hers and blew air into it.’

This book is realistic fiction, because most of these events could happen in real life. This book is all about a boy named A. J.. When he is on his summer vacation, he thinks he’ll have fun at a beach house, however a girl he hates a lot (Andrea) is there too!?

This book has many strengths and weaknesses, but here are two strengths that are found everywhere throughout this book:

· This book is hilarious! For example: ‘maybe he kidnapped our real lifeguard, and is holding him captive!’ I think that was comic genius!

· B) Also this book has outrageous events. For example: ‘this giant human shaped creature pushed its way out of the sand.’ I think that was pretty crazy!

I recommend this book to 2nd and 3rd graders because it has easy words, and a lot of pictures. I rate it 5 stars!

Football Genius (Reviewed by Daniel.)

Football Genius

Tim Green

Football Genius is fantastic! Troy has a priceless talent…he can predict plays. And he can do it in seconds flat. But troy gets in trouble with his mom and security guards and it threatens to get his mom fired.

The Falcons aren’t winning and Troy is doing everything he can to help turn their season around. Football genius is realistic fiction because it’s made up and this possibly could have happened. If Troy keeps getting in trouble, his mom won’t have a job.

Once you pick up Football Genius you can’t put it down. There is a lot of excitement. For example there are constant problems and tons of heart pounding moments. I recommend this book to 3rd through 5th graders because you need to understand it and the vocabulary is not too hard; for example there are words like rubble or spattered. The book is like an unknown area and things just happen.

I would recommend Football Genius to anyone who likes football or sports. Football Genius was exciting because things keep getting worse like when his mom figured out Troy stole something. Football Genius is also very action-packed because one moment Troy is on the field and then next he’s being chased by security guards. Read Football Genius to see if the Falcons get better and if Troy’s mom gets fired or not!

Peyton and Eli Manning (Reviewed by Zack)

Peyton and Eli Manning

Matt Christopher

Ready, set, hut! Touchdown! The Manning brothers have now both won the Super Bowl.

Peyton and Eli Manning is a biography, which is a book written by someone else, about a famous persons life. It’s about a famous or different persons life. It’s about Peyton and Eli’s family that had so much experience with football. Like there dad, Archie Manning who played for the Saints, Peyton who plays for the Colts and Eli who plays for the Giants. It also tells how they got there and what they were like growing up.

There are two strength’s and one weakness. The first strength is the book tells you about stuff about the Manning’s that you would never guess to know. For example, did you know the Manning’s had another boy named Cooper? Cooper was a really good receiver but couldn’t play football anymore because he had a back problem. Also, it says what college they went to. Eli went to Ole Miss, Peyton went to Tennessee and Archie Manning went to Ole Miss. Another strength is that it takes you through a lot of their games and makes it sound so exciting! Like when Eli and the Giants one the Super Bowl. I thought the announcers were jumping up and down! Also, when Eli and Peyton faced each other in a NFL game, they took you through all the scoring and what seemed like every second of the game! Finally the one weakness is that most of the book is just stat’s and numbers. For example, when Peyton played his first game the next ten pages was like blah blah blah passing yards and all that. Also, probably 3 quarters of the book was stats. I almost abandoned it because of that.

I recommend this book to football addicts because all the story is pretty much football! I give this book two thumbs up.

Among the Hidden (Reviewed by Anisha

Among the Hidden

Margaret Peterson Haddix

“I will never be allowed outside again, maybe never again as long as I live.”

-Luke

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix is a fantastic fiction story because it can’t be real and families can have more than two children. Luke Garner lives in a world where families are only allowed two children. A third child is illegal and they must live in hiding and if they are discovered by the Population Police, they will die. Luke wants to stop Jen, a third child he had met, from taking a huge risk to come out of the shadows and be discovered by the Population Police but Jen won’t listen to him because she thinks that the Population Police won’t do anything to a crowd of thousand third children and Luke isn’t going to the rally. So anyway Jen goes to the rally. Will she be okay and what will happen to a crowd of thousand third children? Read the book to find out!

Among the Hidden has many strengths and weaknesses. A strength is that the author gave lots of details. The author gave lots of details of Jen’s house. For example, I could see a clear image in my head of how her house would look like. The author also gave lots of details of Luke’s room. For example, it was like a short movie in my head, whenever the author would give details of his room. A weakness is that the ending didn’t make that much sense. I hoped the author would elaborate more in the end. For example, I didn’t get the part how Jen’s dad explained why he typed something that was illegal. I wanted the author to write more about what happened. For example, I didn’t get the part why Luke was going to the Hendricks School for boys. I believe that the author should’ve wrote more in the end.

This book is five out of five stars. I highly recommend this book to 4th and 5th graders because they would understand the book better. You’ll be amazed how Jen and Luke take risks and get rid of their problems. You’ll totally love this book like when I did!

A Drowned Maiden’s Hair (Reviewed by Bidisha)

A Drowned Maiden’s Hair

Did you want to be adopted by a wealthy family? Did you also want to cheat people out of their money?...

11-year old Maud Flynn is adopted by the elderly Hawthorne sisters from the Barbary Asylum to the Hawthorne Grove, there she is a part of the seances that they hold. This is the way that the Hawthorne sisters cheat people out of their money. Two of the sisters, Judith and Victoria, do it to pay for their house mortgage. The 3rd sister, Hyacinth does it for herself. I think that this story is a mixture of realistic & fantasy fiction because it has characters that can exist in real life but places that might not exist.

A strength is that the story has a lot of suspense. For example, whenever a new chapter started, I wondered about the possibilities that could happen next. Another strength is that this story has strong vocabulary, like tress and immensely. Occasionally I looked in the dictionary. A weakness is that this story is sad. For example, in one chapter it stated that Maud’s family left without her.

I would recommend this to people in 3rd grade and people older than 3rd grade. If you are in 3rd grade the I recommend you to read it. Just try it. If you are older than a 3rd grader, then I already reccomended it to you. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. This book lost the 5th star because of the sadness. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try to read this book!

The Mysterious Benedict Soceity (Reviewed by Bobby)

“Are you a gifted juvenile seeking unique opportunities?” That was just a tiny tidbit of the Mysterious Benedict Society.” I do not want to force you to do this mission.” Welcome to the Mysterious Benedict Society.

Reynie wanted to stop Mr. Curtain from brainwashing everybody in the world. But Mr. Curtain’s allies attack Reynie. So he tricks the allies and destroys the Whisperer.

I thought this book was a good book because it gives a vivid in my mind like the thunder rumbling and wind moaning and rain beating on the roof. Another reason this book was a great book is that there was great vocabulary like evasively and exultant. That’s why the Mysterious Benedict Society was a great book.

I would recommend this book to eleven years of age and older because there is great vocabulary like meticulously and interminable. Also this book is long. For example there is four-hundred-eighty-five pages! I will see you next year… with a surprise!

Prophet of Yonwood (Reviewed by Katherine)

Book review of the Prophet of Yonwood



The Prophet of Yonwood by Jeanne DuPrau




Introduction:On a warm July afternoon in the town of Yonwood, a women named Althea Tower went to her back yard to fill her bird feeder. She opened her sack of sunflower seeds, lifted the lid and that was when, without warning the vision assailed her.......................

Genre and Summery: This book The Prophet of Yonwood is most likely fiction, the events in this book hopefully wouldn't happen in real life. The prophet of Yonwood is about 2 main people, Crystal, and Nicki. Nicki is an eleven year old girl. She and her aunt Crystal travel to a very small place called Yonwood. While Nicki is exploring the wonders of Yonwood everybody in the little town are trying to stay tuned with a women's mysterious utterances and trying to stay away from the dangers that may be coming soon. Will the dangers ever go away? Read to find out more.

Strengths and Weaknesses: This book has only 1 or 2 weaknesses. And a lot of strengths.The weakness is that the beginning didn't really show me that I would like the book. One of the strengths is that the book made me think a lot. I mean I would think, what if I lived in Yonwood? And also, what would I do? Another strength is that the book made me want to make a difference. Just like Nicki. It was also suspenseful. Because it had a lot of scary, exciting, amusing, weird parts. The book also makes you go crazy! For example, it made me scared and have a lot of feelings at once. I love this book because of it's strengths.

Recommendations: I would recommend this book to 4th-6th grades. I think fourth through sixth graders because they will get more interested than older kids or younger kids. I also recommend this book to people who like the strengths in this book. For example, if you like suspense, thinking and wanting to make a difference you will like this book. I hope I convinced you to read this awesome book.

Reviewed by Erin (Deep and Dark and Dangerous)

Erin

Deep and Dark and Dangerous

By Mary Downing Hahn

Introduction:

“This is something for me to know and you to find out!”

Genre and Summary:

This book is a mystery book because the main character has to figure out information about another character. This story is about a girl named Ali who stays with her cousin, Emma at a cottage. There is a lake near the cottage too. When they are at the lake swimming, Emma and Ali meet someone named Sissy. Sissy is the meanest thing Ali has ever met. She also has a secret. Could it have anything to do with why her mom and aunt act really weird when they talk about the lake? Ali does not have much time to figure it out. Will she solve the mystery or DIE?!?

Strengths and Weaknesses:

In this book you wouldn’t find any weaknesses. A strength is that the beginning of the book is very attention grabbing. For example, Ali finds an old photograph. One person in the photo is her mom, another is her aunt, and someone has been torn out of the picture. Who is it? Then the adults start having a fight. Who doesn’t want to hear a fight? Here is another strength. The story is a page-turner. For example, when Ali wasn’t really allowed to go to the lake, her mom and aunt were disagreeing about letting her go. You weren’t sure if she was going to go or not to the lake. I would like to tell you a lot more strengths, but I can’t because I have already mentioned 2 strengths.

Recommendation:

I would recommend this book to anyone who doesn’t get afraid easily because you might get really scared. I rate this book 5 stars out of 5 stars because it was one of the best books I have ever read! I really enjoyed this book and I hope you do too!

Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (Reviewed by James)

Why do my parents always ruin my vacation!


The story diary of wimpy kid dog days by Jeff Kiney is a realistic fiction book. Because it has settings and plots that could happen in real life. Greg Heffley wants to have a regular summer vacation but his mom always screws it up so he just has to deal with it.

There are many strengths in this book but I would like to zero in on the two main strengths. The author gets very detailed in his writing. For example, it says “The bike had a basket with flowers painted on it and the seat was huge.” Another strength of this book is that it is very funny. For example, he goes to a hair salon just to hear gossip.

I recommend this book to ages eight and up. Because there are some parts of the book that they might not make sense to younger children. I give this book five out of five stars, because I loved it. I think you should read this book.

Pandora Gets Jealous (Reviewed by Anusha)

Pandora Gets Jealous

'Dear Principal Diogenes.

I am very sorry I released evil into the world yesterday during the school project. My dad has grounded me for three moons, and I'll miss the Spring Bacchanalia. But I deserve it.

My mother won't be at my parent/master conference next week because Zeus turned her into a pile of ashes (again).

Please don't expel me.

If I had known any of this would happen, I would have brought my dad's liver

(again).

Sincerely,

Pandora,

daughter of prometheus of Athens

Maiden, Master Epeus's Class………………'

The genre of the story is Fantasy Fiction because the events and people aren't real……sort of (they are the mythical Greek Gods and characters). The story

is about Pandora and a box (which holds the evils that bring sorrow) and how she goes on a quest to find them and put back into the box. Its a very good book and I think you should read it!

I would say that this is a very good book and only has one weakness. It has a bit too much sadness in it. For example, some of the evils are so bad it makes people go insane. It is so sad. But on the bright side. Pandora is going to fix it! A strength is that it has a lot of Greek Mythology in it (which is great because it's a taste of another culture!). For example, the Greek Gods are in it such as: Posieden, Zeus, Athena,Artemis,Apollo, Hephestes; etc. Another strength is tithe events. They are just so exciting that your like 'Please! Just one more page!' For example, there was one part with the Harpies where you're like 'I'm scared to find out what happens next! Oh, but I HAVE to find out what happens next!' and you WILL DEFINITELY POSITIVELY turn the page. One more strength was that it was that it wasn't some boring greek mythology book. It was a a fun, exciting, great book! For example, I doubt that a boring greek mythology book would have Pandora go on a journey with two BFFs: a girl with three legs and a girl with wriggly spots on her skin!

READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!! :)

I'd recommend this book to a good reader, probably 3rd and up, because it's a bit long. Something that made this a great book to read was the adventure. For example, IT'S 1 BIG BOOK WITH BREATH-TAKING EVENTS!!!!!!!! Good enough for you? Good….now read the book!

Rating: *****= 5 STAR BOOK!

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Reviewed by Vishwesh)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

By J.K Rowling

Vishwesh


“ I belong in your world-Hogwarts “ said Harry. I am going to talk about Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. It is not that bad.

The genre of this book is fiction, because it has many things that can’t happen in real life. In this book there is a boy named Harry Potter, a house elf named Dobby (you will learn what that is if you read the book) told him to not go to school because dangerous things will happen there. What will happen? Read to find out.

This book has some strengths and some weaknesses. I can think of two weaknesses and a strength. First of all I will talk about the weakness that the book is too long for some people and too short for others. It was too long for me, for example it took e about a month to read it. It was too short for my brother, for example he reads books twice the size of this book. Second of all is a strength that is it is not too boring. I didn’t abandon it, because it wasn’t too bad. Third of all is the weakness that the movie is so popular you probably already watched it. I watched the movie before I read the book, it was popular. If you watched the movie it won’t be that exciting, that’s why this is a weakness.

I recommend this book to third, fourth, and fifth graders because it is too short for sixth grade and above and too long for second grade and below. Also second grades wouldn’t know words like timid and sympathetic. I also recommend this book to people who read the first book (Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone). That is all I got to say about Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Found (Reviewed by Amir)

Title: Found

By: Margaret Peterson Haddix

I was not abandoned, I was sent!

I give this book a thumbs up because it has very interesting story line. It has a particular idea, a hope to find the writer of the threatening notes that could lead them to their true identity. The characters, Jonah the smart one, and also the one who is has positive outlook. Katherine, Jonah's sister, she is always looking to find the right answers, and Chip is determined that he will find his birth parents one day.

This book is a mystery. The book is about a plane that lands at the airport, the workers have no idea why the plane landed there, and they sent a girl named Angela to investigate the plane. Once she gets into the plane she notices that every one including the pilot and the crewmembers are gone and each seat is filled with babies. Some year’s later two boys named Jonah and Chip, start getting threatening letters in the mail. Jonah, Chip and Katherine, Jonah's sister, believe that these letters could be related to Jonah and Chip's adaptation. FBI gets involved in solving this case and helps them with their investigation. Would they ever know, who wrote the notes? Who are their biological parents? Were they part of the baby shipment? You need to read this book and book after this to find out the answer.

Now for some strengths and weaknesses. At the end of the book still not clear how the story ends and it keeps you hanging and forces you to have to get the next book and read it. The book starts out fast by giving the problem in the prologue. This book has a great plot, finding the note writers, not knowing who your birth parents are; all together it makes it to a very interesting read. The story has a great storyline and many great suspenseful events.

I recommend this book to 5th - 7th graders because it is very suspenseful and has a complicated plot that might not be easy for younger readers to follow. I especially recommend this book to the boys because it's filled with action and mystery.

The Missing Mummy (Reviewed by Chris)

Christian

The missing mummy is about Dink, Josh and Ruth going to a tomb to see mummies. They are school students that enjoy things together like Mummy Mondays and Tytannosaurus Tuesdays.

The story of the Missing Mummy is about the kids going to a tomb to look for mummies, to out them back to the rightful resting place. A lady with long hair came in and took the kids out of the tomb. The genre of the book is mystery.

he weakness of the book is that the author does not talk about the other people in the book. He says the same words over and over and over again. The strength is that Dink, Josh and Ruth have different personalities. The story is all about what happens in the tomb.

I recommend this book for mummy lovers and mystery lovers as well. This book rocks! Grades 2nd through 5th would enjoy this book. Parents could read this book to their kids when it is time to for bed or at reading time. I think parents would get a good laugh out of reading this book. If I was a parent, I would get a good laugh out of too!

Holes (Reviewed by Colin)

Holes

“Every day you will dig a hole: five feet wide, five feet deep. When done go back to your cabin and wait for your cabin-mates. That is your day for the next 18 months.” -Commissioner

The genre of this book is realistic fiction because the setting and characters could be real. Stanley Yelnats has been accused of stealing athletes’ shoes. Instead of going to jail he went to Camp Green Lake. Although there really is no lake. Camp Green Lake isn’t fun. The beds are itchy, the food is disgusting and you dig a hole every day in blazing heat! Stanley just doesn’t want to go. He says he was walking home and sneakers fell from the sky. Sadly, no one believes him. The Counselors there know that the kids dig because they believe there is a treasure under the dried up lake. Will the campers find the treasure? And will Stanley try to convince the court and stay alive at Camp Green Lake?

This book was incredible! First I couldn’t stop reading. One night I stayed up until 10:30pm. Also the book goes by really fast. It took me like a week to read Holes. It really felt like two days! But the book has a slow beginning. It just describes Stanley.

Holes is one of my favorite books. It is a definite two thumbs ups. I recommend it to 4th through 6th graders because it is not confusing and not really short. If you read Holes you’ll think it’s one of your favorites to!

The Jacket (Reviewed by Michael)

Book Review Michael Hamalis #11 1-25-10 Reading

Imagine going to school and seeing someone wearing your brother’s jacket. Now imagine that you are a white kid and the person wearing the jacket was African-American. The book, The Jacket, is about a situation like this.

I believe this is a realistic fiction book because the characters of the story are not real people, but it could happen. In The Jacket, by Andrew Clements, a sixth grader named Phil sees another boy at school, Daniel, wearing his brother’s jacket. Phil accuses Daniel of stealing it. The boys argue back and forth and end up in the principal’s office. The rest of the book is about Phil wondering whether or not he is prejudiced because of how he acted with Daniel.

One strength of the book is how the author described the main characters’ feelings. For example, Phil felt really awkward when he learned that his family gave the jacket to Daniel’s family. Another strength of the book is that it makes the reader think about prejudices we may have about people different from us.

I would recommend this book to kids in grades 4-6 because learning about prejudices is important for all kids, but it might be difficult for younger kids to understand. I also think boys will like it more than girls because the main characters are boys. So if you’re looking for a fun book to read that will also make you think, read The Jacket by Andrew Clements.

The Lightening Thief (Reviewed by Edward)

Edward Hribal

The Lightning Thief is sort of similar to Harry Potter, except that Harry is a wizard. But the fact that both boys don’t know who they really are is the same.

This book is fantasy because Greek Mythology is not real and the Empire State building does not have a 600th floor. Percy Jackson wants to do something good for once by completing his quest but god and mythical creatures get in the way so he must defeat them with the help of his partners Annabeth and Grover.

One strength, about this story is it has incredible word choice. For example, there were at least five words I had to look up in the dictionary for this book. Another strength, is the author describes every scene great. For example, when the author describe Ares, they said he had a leather jacket on; black pants with black shoes; knives that went into a compartment attached to the jacket; and black sunglasses that you can barely see his eyes with.

This is absolutely a book worth reading! I recommend this from 4th to 7th grade because the word choice would be too hard for 3rd grade and below, and the book seems too short for an 8th grader or above. I give this book five stars.

Football Genius (Reviewed by Johnny)

Tim Green

Football Genious

"He's like a... a... football genious!" Whoever said this, I can't tell you, sure was right!

This book is realistic fiction because the events in the story very well could have happened, but didn't. Troy is a kid with a... special power. He can predict any play in football before it happens. He wants to use his power to help his favorite football team, the Atlanta Falcons, win. But one evil defensive cordinator stands in the way of that. So, Troy goes to extreme cases in order to utilize his ability.

This story has all stregths and no weaknesses. One the many stregths is the excitement you get while reading the story. Fo example, when a friend of Troy nearly dies out of no where, it shocked me and had me on the edge of my seat. Also, it has great football action because the author, Tim Green, is a former football player and so he knows how to describe it very well.

I give this book three thumbs up! OMG! It's so fantabulous! I especially reccomend this for boys any age, because it's all about football and typically boys like football more than girls. Way to go, Tim Green!

The Unfinished Angel (Reviewed by Lauren)

The Unfinished Angel

By: Sharon Creech

Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone had their own angel to talk to?

The genre of this book is fantasy because it has a lot of made up events and imagination. This story is about a girl who is able to communicate with an angel. The main thing Zola and the angel do is give lost orphan children shelter and food. But the kids who were lost were very poor and they didn’t attend school. They didn’t know anything except their names. Zola’s dad had opened a school months before but no kids wanted to attend. When he finds out he has poor lost kids in his house a light bulb goes off in his head, and he provides them an education.

The strength is that the author (Sharon Creech) put in so much detail you could form a mental image in your head. For example when the angel talks about her home, she says, “The casa is pink, like so many other casas, but the stone tower that rises three more stories above it is the color of its stone—how you call it? Tan? The color of straw in winter? Or coffee with very much milk? However, a weakness is that the author makes the angel speak in broken English. For example, “Me, I am an angel. I am supposed to be having all the words in all the languages, but I am not.” This made the story difficult to read at times.

I give this book 4 ½ stars. I would recommend this book to 4th-5th graders. It would be just right for high level kids in 4th or 5th grade. This book might have been hard at points because I had to figure out what the angel was saying. But it’s a good and easy book because most kids can make mental images while reading the story. It’s like a movie going on in your head. I loved this book.