Monday, October 22, 2012

Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix

This book is sort of a mystery theme, as well as sci-fi. The main characters are in constant danger, making this action-packed story a very interesting read. There are currently four books in the Missing series. I recommend this book and its series of books to anyone who loves mystery and time travel and who is from 10 to 15 years old.

Kendrick, grade 8

Extra Credit by Andrew Clements

A girl named Abby, who loves the outdoors and rock climbing, writes to a boy named Sadeed in Afghanistan for extra credit because she is falling very behind in school.

Lauren S., grade 7

The Lost Stories by John Flanagan

The ten-book series "Ranger's Apprentice" is about the adventures of Ranger Will and his mentor Halt. However, the lost stories explains what happened to those who traveled alongside Will and Halt. For curious readers that want to go more deep into the series.

Daniel C., grade 7

I Am the Great Horse by Katherine Roberts

This book talks about Alexander the Great's horse Bucephalas and their journey to conquer the world. But trouble comes and Bucephalas's groom, Chamides or Charm is kidnapped  Read this to solve this adventure. This book is better when you know who Alexander the Great is!

Subashni R., grade 7

The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

This book is about an adventure between two kids, Max (Ernest) and Cassandra (Cass). They investigate the scene of the Death of Pietro Bergamo and the Midnight Sun Spa. This is a great book and its fun to read. I can't wait to finish the series containing five books.

Kate R., grade 6

Snail Tale by Avi

In this comedy genre book, Avon a snail, and Edward an ant like no other, have set out on an adventure of a lifetime. When it comes to adventure, Avon doesn't know much, but his friend Edward is sure to guide him through battles, castles, caterpillars and more. I recommend this light-hearted book to readers of all ages.

Simon S., grade 7

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Chew on This by Eric Schlosser

This book is all about food and the companies behind them. It is filled with facts that will have you thinking before you buy another big mac. I strongly recommend this book for ages 12 and up!!

Simon S., grade 7

The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John

In the White Giraffe journey to South Africa with Martine, where her tale begins. There is a legend about a white giraffe, but nobody has really seen the animal. Martine's grandmother denies its existence, but one rainy night, Martine sees it! Why is everybody keeping the white giraffe a secret? Will Martine be able to find out and keep it from harms way?

Valeriya S., grade 7

Among the Free by Margaret Peterson Haddix

This book is a slow-paced story of a child in a country with a "population law", a law that limits the amount of children per family. There is a little action and lots of deceit and cruelty, making this book very interesting. I recommend this book to readers who like a dysfunctional government and cruelty. The age range is from 8 to 12 years old.

Kendrick, grade 8

Swear to Howdy by Wendelin Van Draanen

Rusty meets his new friend Joey and has lots of fun but when they're up to pranks, the story takes a twist.

Scott, grade 6

The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies

A boy named Evan is people smarts and his little sister Jessie is math smart. She gets moved up into Evan's grade. Evan and Jessie fight a lot and Evan and Jessie both make their own lemonade stand with a friend. They fight to see who could get the most money.

Lauren S., grade 7

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

No Talking by Andrew Clements

This book is about a competition between 5th grade boys and girls. They challenge each other to see who can go longer without talking. This book shows that communication comes in many different forms- like verbal, and nonverbal. I'd recommend this book for ages 9 and up, girls and boys. The black and white drawings add to the story.

Kate R., grade 6

Lily B on the Brink of Cool by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

This book is about a girl named Lily B. and how she loves her cousin that she met at her aunt Delia's wedding. Yet, something suspicious occurs when Lily's parents don't want their child with the LeBlancs company. Find out!

Subashni R., grade 7

Skeleton Man by Joseph Bruchac

Molly's parents have gone missing and now she's been taken in by her "so-called" uncle. But why does he hide his face and hands form her or lock her in her room at night? And what are her dreams of skeleton man trying to tell her? She'd better find some answers before it's too late. I recommend!

Meghana S., grade 6

Tuesday, October 09, 2012

Divergent by Veronica Roth

This book is about a teenage girl named Beatrice. Beatrice's community tests every child and gives them a choice of two factions, but Beatrice is given the choice of three! This book is very creative and the ending has a twist. This book is for 4th through 8th graders.

Jael, grade 6

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

When Abe Lincoln finds out that his mother's death was the doings of a vampire, he sets out on a path of vengeance that will lead him all the way to the White House. This story is amazing because it mixes fact and fantasy to make it very interesting. In some parts it is a little slow. I recommend this to people ages 13 or older to read this.

Cade O., grade 7

Wednesday, October 03, 2012

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Eight people were invited to the Indian Island by a mysterious couple called the Owens. As the evening sets in, a young gentleman is killed of strong acid in hes drink. Horror sets in as a mysterious voice states the guests' past crimes that are to be punished. Why were they invited to the Island? Who is the next victim that will suffer? Find out by reading the book!

Joseph O., grade 8

Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard by David Petersen

Legends of the Guard is a graphic novel filled with stories and legends such as Oleg the Wise, the Ballad of Nettledown, the Mousehawed Fox, and the Raven. The different art for every story or legend makes it a great mix. Recommended for ages 11 to 13.

Jared L., grade 7

Game Over (Daniel X series) by James Patterson

Daniel X: Game Over is the last book of the Daniel X series. Daniel X is about a boy who is an alien hunter. Daniel has a special list that tells him which aliens are super bad or not as much. Daniel has to fight two of the strangest aliens on the planet. I recommend this book for 10 to 13 year olds.

Jaden M., grade 6

Tuesday, October 02, 2012

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

Thirteen-year-old Salamanca was traveling from Ohio to Idaho with her grandparents because her mother left but did not return. During the trip, she told her grandparents a story about her friend "Phoebe's" mother" missing and the "lunatic" she met. During the trip to Idaho wither her grandparents, Salamanca felt an urgency to make it to Idaho on time for her mother's birthday. This superb novel has a wonderful plot with mysterious  sad, and hilarious scenes.

Jean L., grade 6

Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports (Maximum Ride series) by James Patterson

Six extraordinary kids who can fly are out to save the world. They are the only people who can stop having the world eliminated by half the population. Fight for man-kind and stop having half the world die.

Connor L., grade 6

Noodle Pie by Ruth Stark

Andy, a Vietnamese immigrant's son is going on a trip to Vietnam. Je discovers shocking secrets, his dad has been keeping from him. He also notices their family's "popular" restaurant isn't like what he expected. On his trip to Vietnam, he learns many interesting things about their culture and lifestyle. He knows his family in Vietnam isn't doing so well, so he has a plan. With the right cousins, his plan just might work. People who like reading about different people's cultures and lifestyles would love this book.

Sarah S., grade 6

The Alchemyst: the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott

This story is about two kids, Josh and Sophie Newman, and the immortal Nicholas Flamel. Dr. John Dee is trying to steal an ancient book which holds the secret to immortality. It is up to Josh and Sophie Newman to save the world. I recommend this book to people who have enjoyed the Harry Potter stories.

Jacob W., grade 6

H.I.V.E. by Mark Walden

H.I.V.E. (a school for young villains) kidnaps kids that have committed remarkable crimes. Otto wakes up one day in the school and with the help of his new friends, hopes to escape. Will they be able to manage it? The chances are unlikely even though Otto is a genius, Laura is an extraordinary hacker, Wing knows Karate and Shelby is the best thief in the world. I would recommend this book to 6th through 8th graders.

Ava, grade 7

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

I could honestly say that this book is one of the best I have ever read. New technology has made up something horrible, the Iron Fey. It is destroying Nevernever, the homeland to the faeries. Only Meghan Chase  half human daughter of the Summer King, can stop them. I recommend this book to 6th graders plus. It's a must read book. :)

Susan Y., grade 7

Monday, October 01, 2012

The Roar by Emma Clayton

The Roar is about a boy and his twin sister who live behind a wall eating mold to be safe from the animal plague or that's what they've been told. After his sister goes missing and the government trains kids to fly fighter jets, he starts to look for his sister and what really is the truth.

Hwan K., grade 7

No Passengers Beyond This Point by Gennifer Choldenko

One day when three kids (India, Mouse and Finn Thompkins) have a normal life until their mom, who has to do everything because of the death of their dad, goes bankrupt and Mrs. Thompkins now has to leave her kids at their uncles while she has to finish a semester and all of the sudden the kids now are in for an adventure when they turn up somewhere else.

Heejun K., grade 7

Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordian

The Sea of Monsters is about a half-blooded kid named Percy Jackson who is going on an adventure to find the missing items of gods and goddesses. Percy and his half blood friend, Annabeth, go looking for the Golden Fleece. They need the fleece to save a camp for half bloods. While on this adventure he has to kill monsters that are trying to kill him.

Hannah, grade 6

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor

This book is a truly poignant book that depicts racism, injustice yet at the same time, pride, strength, and honesty through the life of a particular African-American family. Through a series of events, the members of this family are looked down upon, and treated with pure malice.

Grace K., grade 8

Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes

A boy named Jerry earns a dollar by dusting pews. He uses the dollar to get a puppy. One day, the puppy disappears. Jerry looks everywhere to find Ginger Pye, the puppy. About 5 months later, Ginger was found but Jerry didn't find him, his 2 year old uncle, Bennie finds him. How? Read the book to find out. I like how the author puts in a mystery to the adventure to get a really good story. I recommend this book to 10 to 11 year-old kids and if you like adventure with mystery. :)

Ben K., grade 6

Guantanamo Boy by Anna Perera

This book is about a boy whose name is Khalid. For Easter break,  Khalid goes to Karachi to spend time at his aunt's house. While he is there, he gets kidnapped and is sent to a prison camp in Afghanistan.  Khalid is kept there and then is moved to Guantanamo Bay, the largest prison camp in the world. The theme is you are only innocent until proven guilty. I think people who like action books should read this.

Julian K., grade 6

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

This book is about a boy that was alone in the woods of Canada for 8 weeks surviving off of berries and hunting skills. This book makes the story real and is vivid in details. As a fan of Gary Paulsen, I recommend this book to any adventure lovers. However for young readers (1st through 3rd grade) this might scare you a little bit.

Jason K., grade 8

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Along for the Ride is a book about a teenage girl named Auden. Auden spends her high school years missing out on the experience of being a teen. When she gets the opportunity to go visit her dad, step-mom, and her new baby sister Thisbe, Auden packs her bags right away. She goes looking for a fun summer but ends up spending half of her time taking care of Thisbe. When her dad and step-mom start fighting, the only person there to help her is her new friend, Eli.

Uma H., grade 6

Odysseus and the Serpent Maze by Jane Yolen and Robert Harris

Odysseus, prince of Ithaca, has always been very bored. The age of heroes has passed. All the monsters have been killed. Are there any adventures left for a boy who wants to be a hero? His time comes when he, his best friend, and two girls are captured by pirates. It leads them to an island where he must face the secrets of the Labyrinth. Will Odysseus and his friend live to tell the tale?

Jack G., grade 6

Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon

The main idea is how Christopher Boone, a troubled 15-year-old boy, struggles to cope with his life. His world becomes even more complicated after the dog Wellington is killed with a garden fork. A positive element of the book is that one can experience the thoughts and feelings of someone who is completely different  I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading an entertaining and unique story.


Christina C.

Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Liam is a very unusual 12 year old boy. For one thing, he looks like an adult. Everyone thinks he's an adult so he ends up pretending to be a teacher, and almost drives a car. Then, he enters himself in a contest with a classmate pretending t be his daughter hwre he learns how much his actual dad cares about him. I liked this book becasue it was funny and exciting. Recommended for middle school.

Bad Island by Doug Tennapel

This book is about a family who gets stranded on an unknown island on their way to vacation. The island is full of strange and dangerous things and they have to work as a family to get off. I would recommend this for the ages of 8 to 14 who enjoy a good adventure.

Cole E., grade 7

The Ruins of Gorlin by John Flanagan

In the book The Ruins of Gorlin, young Will is selected for Ranger training. This book is about Will and his journey as a ranger's apprentice that all lead up to the climax. An epic battle between Will and the legendary beasts occurs.

Harrison C., grade 6

The Somebodies by N.E. Bode

The main idea of this book is to not lose hope. In this book, Fern faces many challenges and has to overcome them. Sometimes she feels that there is no way to accomplish these asks but by thinking hard and not losing hope she overcomes them. I really enjoyed this book because it was well written and had a lot of action. I would recommend this book to 5th and 6th graders.

Emily D., grade 7