Wednesday, April 28, 2010

The Doll People by Ann M. Martin

All Annabell Doll wants is adventure and excitement because for over a hundred years, she just stayed in the dollhouse and had a boring life. But her parents wouldn't let her becasue it would be really dangerous and she had no reason to leave the house. Then she met the fun crafts and everything changed.

Sarah G., grade 6

The Giver by Lois Lowry

This book is about a boy named Jonas in a utopia community when he gets chosen as the Receiver and receives memories from the Giver, he has some doubts about his perfect community. This book is good for 6th through 8th graders. It has elaborate vocabulary but is hard to understand for younger readers.

Alex K., grade 7

Bone by Jeff Smith

Fone Bone is a little creature with a big nose and a big heart. After being banished from Boneville, he and his two cousins get lost and separated in the desert. Fone Bone makes his way to the valley where he meets Ted the bug, a girl named Thorn who he falls in love with, Thorn's grandma, who everyone calls Grandma Ben, and his cousins. They are about to return to Boneville when they're attacked by rat creatures. The Bone cousins must help Grandma Ben, who's really the queen and Thorn. The princess wins the war against the Lord of Locusts to restore peace to the valley.

Lexie S., grade 7

Tangerine by Edward Bloore

Paul Fishers and his sfamily just moved into Tangerine, Florida. His brother Erik Fisher plays high school football while Paul's game is soccer. He gets new friends and finds new things. Paul always wondered about his eye injury. With his new friends, he unlocks secrets. Secrets of his past and his brothers. This book is mysterious and suspensful. If you like books that are mysteriou, read it! This is for 6th to 8th grade kids.

Sophia L., grade 8

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

Kristina is a nice girl in high school. She went to visit her dad over the summer and meets the monster that changed her life. I think ages 13 and up can read this book.

Mileena M., grade 8

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

This book is about a boy named Nobody Owens who lives in a graveyard. When he was a baby, he accidentally ran away to the graveyard, which saved his life. At the graveyard, he was protected by the spirit occupants. The suspense magnetizes you to the book so you don't stop until the book is done. Nobody's eagerness to meet people, gives a wonderful, adventurous feeling the the book. Nobody's heritage glues a mysterious touch to the book. I would recommend this book to advanced readers and those who love a slight mystery.

Projit B., grade 6

Loser by Jerry Spinelli

Loser is the story about a boy named Daniel Zinkoff. He is not very good at anything and finds great pleasure in simple things. Some of the things he enjoys doing include pretending to deliver the mail with his father and watching the waiting man.

People who read this story will be amazed at Zinkoff's unrelenting joy, energy, and how hard he tries at everything he does. Be careful though, the book has a slow start that may lose your attention, but after you get going it is an amazing book.

Alison F., grade 6

Public Enemy Number Two by Anthony Horowitz

Nick Diamond is an ordinary kid but is framed for a jewel theft. Only shape and Boyle know he's innocent but they're dead. This book is perfect for those who are adventurous and love to laugh. This book might appeal to ages of 10 or up. 5 stars!

Fiona B., grade 6

Call of the Wild by Jack London

Buck was a very happy dog when he was stolen from his master and made into a sled dog. After learning important rules for survival among the dogs, Buck mastered the pack's leader and became leader himself. After the master he loved was killed by Indians, Buck answers the call of the wild and joins a wolf pack. This book was amazing and overall just wonderful. Ages 12-18.

Adam S., grade 7

Wednesday, April 07, 2010

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Secret Garden is a fantastic book. Mary, the main character, moves into the house of her rich uncle and finds the key to his secret garden. Then, she finds friends around the house. After that, she finds her sickly cousin. He only thinks of dying, but Mary finds a way to stop it. I think young girls age 8 to 10 should read the book.

Naomi G., grade 6

Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

I really enjoyed this book. IT gave a funny twist to the hard times of the Vietnamese War. If I was living in that time, I would have related to the characters. I would recommend this book to people who like realistic fiction which is funny. I would recommend it to ages 10-12.

Deepti, grade 6

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

A Wrinkle in Time talks about three kids and three magical creatures who go on an exciting adventure to save two of the kids' dad. They go on an adventure that is dangerous and cool. The kids rescue the dad that has been captured on a place called Camazotz. On Camazotz, people controlled by the IT who is a brain. I like the book becasue of the creativeness and characters. I also don't like the book becasue it doesn't have enough action. I recommend this book for readers ages 11 and up.

Matthew N., grade 6

Snitch by Allison Van Diepen

A girl named Julia DiVino goes to South Bay High School and at that school there are a lot of gangs. She does want to get involved, but her life changed after she met Eric Valiente.

This book should be for kids 13 and up.

Mileen M., grade 8

Kaya's Escape: A Survival Story by Janet Shaw

Kaya is an Indian girl and was taken captive by her enemies, the raiders. She became a slave and became friends with another. Then they escape on a long journey back home. The story was too predictable but it had a lot of details. I think young girls age 8 and up should read this book.

Naomi G., grade 6

Monday, April 05, 2010

In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce

The book is the sequel to "Alanna: the first Adventure" in the Song of the Lioness quartet. In this book, Alanna becomes squire to the prince of Tortall. When the evil sorcerer Duke Rodger threatens the prince's life, Alanna must use all her strength, skill, and magic to protect her Prince. Alanna is truthful and fair because, instead of saying what she thought without any proof, she first finds proof.

I recommend this book to girls age 10 to 13 who enjoy reading books that have an adventurous heroine as the main character.

Maaike W., grade 6

Fairy Realm: The Water Sprites by Emily Rodda

The water sprites are upset since they think the Lirralle people stole their precious moonstone. I think people should read this book because its fun.

Emily, grade 6

The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Ninth Grade Slays by Heather Brewer

The book is about a ninth grader vampire who finds out that his best friend's cousin, who is staying there for about nine months, is a vampire slayer. Later, he also finds out that there are two other vampires who are after him as well!

I would recommend this book to middle school students who like action, blood, and vampires.

Davis G., grade 8

Gilda Joyce: The Ladies of the Lake by Jennifer Allison

Gilda is a psychic that finds a school supposedly haunted by a girl that died in the lake 3 years ago. This is a great mystery that is an amazing page turner. You will never suspect the ending! Anyone could read this and be intrigued by the detailed story. This book is great for all ages! From 8 to 108! Will Gilda find out what happened?

Jenna, grade 6

Ghost Horses by Gloria Skurzynskiand

When Ethan and Summer are put in the London's foster care, everything goes wrong. After Ethan teches Jack and Ashley the Ghost Dance, an avalanche occurs and then a flood. Is this a connection with the rumors of Ghost Horses? Read this adventurous book to find out!

Fiona B., grade 6