Book Reviews by Kids
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The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain
Reviewed by Jason L., 6th grader
I read the Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, which is about young Tom Sawyer, a boy who goes on adventures and always manages to get himself into trouble. His troubles become worse when a murderer is on the loose… Tom is a very brave and heroic character. He managed to get himself and another character, Becky, out of a cave. He is also very smart and resourceful, as shown when he uses a kitestring to find their way out. Trouble strikes when Injun Joe murders a young doctor, and accuses Muff Potter. Tom and Huck saw everything, so Tom told everyone the truth, and Injun Joe fled. Later, Tom met the murderer in a cave… I really enjoyed this book even though it was very short. I also liked the storyline, because it makes you think and wonder what happens next. This was my first time reading a book by Mark Twain, and now I understand why he is famous for his books. The only reason you shouldn’t read this is if you can’t understand the language and slang people used back then. But other than that, I think the Adventures of Tom Sawyer was a great book!
Allergic, by Megan Wagner Lloyd
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 5th grader
Allergic is a really nice book! I absolutely enjoyed reading this graphic novel and I would definitely recommend it! This sweet story is about a 10-year-old named Maggie who really wants a dog. She has waited all her life, and finally she will get a dog for her birthday! There’s just one problem…. When her family goes to pick out a puppy, Maggie bursts into hives and rashes. She is severely allergic to any animal with fur or feathers!
Without a dog, Maggie starts to feel lonely. She just changed schools, doesn’t have friends, and feels left out of her family. Her twin brothers, Noah and Liam, don’t pay attention to her. And Maggie’s mom and dad are too occupied with getting ready for the new baby.
Maggie finally made a friend named Claire. But Claire wasn’t very thoughtful and adopted a dog, knowing that Maggie was very allergic. Now Maggie can’t go over to Claire’s house! Maggie was super mad. How could her best friend do this to her?
The theme of the story is to appreciate what you have and not be so jealous of other people. I give this book a thumbs up!
Apocalypse Taco, by Nathan Hale
Reviewed by Holden C., 5th grader
This is a graphic novel which features eleven-year-old twins named Ivan and Axl and a sixteen year old named Sid who take a break from their theater club to get food at Taco Bear. When there, weird things start happening and their food starts attacking them! Their world is turned upside down and they need to save it from destruction. This book is very creative and full of humor. I would recommend this to anyone. This book shows the danger of artificial life.
Around the World in 80 Days: Retold from the Jules Verne Original, Adapted by Deanna McFadden
Reviewed by Srisharan S., 5th grader
I really like this book because it is really interesting. It is about a man named Phileas Fogg and his new butler named Passpertout who wants to go around the world in 80 days so he can win a bet. In the first four days they went to Paris and Italy. They then went on a streamer called Mongolia. Also there was a detective named Fix and he thought Fogg was a robber. Next they went to Africa and sailed to Bombay. There they saw an elephant and took that elephant to Hong Kong. From Hong Kong they went to Japan and then to the Americas. They were almost finished; they just had one last stop in England and Fix was chasing them everywhere they went. When they went to England and Fix arrested him thinking he was the criminal but he wasn’t. James Strant was and Fogg was free to go and innocent. Also, while he was in England he thought he lost the bet but the butler’s watch and Fogg’s watch were not in the correct time so they were able to make it and Fogg won the bet. As you can see I really like this book because it is so interesting.
Aru Shah And The Tree Of Wishes, by Roshani Choksi
Reviewed by Vivaan G., 6th grader
his book is about a demigod girl named Aru Shah. She is in middle school. She and her friends are trying to stop her evil dad, the sleeper. He is trying to win against fate itself, because fate has made him a monster. Because of this, he is trying to seek out the legendary tree of wishes that will help him win the war against his daughter. Aru has seven different friends. First, she has a friend named Mini, whose godly father is named the Dharma Raja, and he is the god of the dead. She also has another friend named Brynne. Her godly father is named Vayu, and he is the god of the winds. She also has another friend named Aiden. He is the son of someone very famous in the god world. She has another friend named Rudy, and he is half snake. He is the prince of a very famous underwater kingdom. Finally, Aru has two other friends named Sheela and Nikita. They are also demigods. They are daughters of two twin gods named the Ashvin twins. These two gods are often associated with medicine. Overall I would rate this book a thumbs up.
The Baby-Sitters Club: Kristy’s Great Idea (Series Book 1); a graphic novel, by Raina Telgemeier
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 4th grader
The Baby-Sitters Club is an awesome series! This book is not the original, but it is still great! The Baby-Sitters Club is a club of four girls who are in 7th Grade. Their names are Kristy Thomas, Claudia Kishi, Mary Anne Spier, and Stacey McGill. They each have different personalities. For example, Claudia likes to paint and make crafts, and Stacey McGill is from New York City! Together, they form a club to baby-sit kids around the neighborhood. You can make one call and reach four experienced Baby-Sitters!
Throughout the book, it shows lots of funny but problem solving situations, like when Claudia had to babysit two boys and two girls who fought over toy trucks and Claudia had to calm them down by reading to the kids. There was a scary situation when Mary Anne babysat two kids who had a witch next door, and Mary Anne had to get their cat out of the witch’s garden. I think this book is an outstanding book and I would recommend it to anybody. This book makes you want to read the real series!
The Baby-Sitters Club: The Truth About Stacey (Series Book 2); a graphic novel, by Raina Telgemeier
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 5th grader
I enjoyed reading this awesome graphic novel! The story is like an adventure, and I think you will really like reading this book!
This story is about a girl, Stacey, who has diabetes and can’t eat sugar. She just moved here from New York, and because of her sickness, Stacey struggles to make new friends. But when she joins the Baby-Sitters club, she doesn’t tell her new friends about her diabetes. Stacey’s afraid her new friends, Kristy, Mary Anne, and Claudia won’t be her friend if they found out she was a “sick girl.”
The Baby-Sitters club is a club of baby-sitters who baby-sit kids in their neighborhood. Soon, the Baby-sitters club gets a flier for another baby-sitting club. It looks like a competition between the Baby-Sitters club and this new club! But the Baby-Sitters club has a secret weapon – friendship and teamwork!
The theme of this book is to be honest and not hide your secrets so your friends can help you. This is a really fun book and I would really recommend it!
The Baby-Sitters Club: Mary Anne Saves The Day (Series Book 3); a graphic novel, by Raina Telgemeier
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 5th grader
I loved reading Mary Anne Saves the day! It’s so funny and full of awesomeness!
This graphic novel is about a girl, Mary Anne, who is part of a club called The Baby-Sitters Club. She has three friends, Kristy, Stacey, and Claudia. Mary Anne’s mother died when she was a baby, and ever since her father has been overprotective. He makes her wear her hair in braids, wear clothes that look like they are for three-year-olds, and doesn’t let her redecorate her room!
One day, the BSC had a big fight. Mary Anne is now on her own, and she has to make new friends and sit by herself in the cafeteria. But during lunch, Mary Anne meets Dawn Schafer, a girl who recently moved there from California. They become fast friends, and Kristy feels left out. But when Mary Anne is baby-sitting for Jenny Prezzioso, she starts burning up and Mary Anne can’t call her friends for help. Can Mary Anne save The Baby-Sitters Club from breaking up?
The theme of this book is to be nice to your friends or it will backfire. I enjoyed reading this book and I think you would too!
The Baby-Sitters Club: Claudia and Mean Janine (Series Book 4); a graphic novel, by Raina Telgemeier
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 5th grader
I liked reading Claudia and Mean Janine by Raina Telgemeier! It’s very interesting and funny. You will love reading this graphic novel!
In this book, Claudia is part of a Club called The Baby-Sitters Club. She’s the vice president, and she has four friends in the club, Kristy, Mary Anne, Stacey, and Dawn. But Claudia also has a mean big sister, Janine. Janine is a genius. She always aces tests, and studies 24/7. Claudia, on the other hand, loves art, doesn’t pay much attention to school, and likes to babysit.
Claudia and Janine’s grandmother, Mimi, is a kind woman who always listens to everyone and treats both Claudia and Janine fairly. But Claudia and Janine don’t get along well. They always fight about math and babysitting.
One day Mimi is watching Claudia and Janine. Claudia and Janine are fighting, as usual. But then, something terrible happens to Mimi. Will Claudia and Janine figure out how to get along and help Mimi get better?
The theme of this book is you must learn to get along with your friends and family in order to help. I loved reading this book and I give it a thumbs up!
The Baby-Sitters Club: Dawn And The Impossible Three (Series Book 5); a graphic novel, by Gale Galligan
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 5th grader
I really enjoyed reading Dawn and The Impossible Three! I love this book because it is super funny and fun to read!
This book is about a girl, Dawn Schafer, who moved from California to Connecticut. She doesn’t have many friends, but soon she is invited to join the Baby-Sitters Club, and now she has four new friends, Mary Anne, Stacey, Claudia, and Kristy. But things aren’t going well after Dawn takes a baby-sitting job for the three Barrett kids. Since she’s the newest member of the Baby-Sitters Club, she’s very excited for this job. But the Barrett kids are too much to handle. Their house is always a big mess, the kids always misbehave, like when Buddy gave Mary Anne the “Bizzer Sign,” which is when you make the L sign with your fingers and say “Bzz,” and Mrs. Barrett never gives Dawn any rules or instructions. Dawn really wants to be a good part in the BSC, but she can’t figure out how to be compatible with Kristy. What can Dawn do?
The theme of this book is to speak up in order for things to change. I liked reading this graphic novel and I give it a thumbs up!
Bailey’s Story, by W. Bruce Cameron
Reviewed by Catherine E., 5th grader
I gave the book Bailey’s Story a thumbs up review because it was a great story about friendship between a dog and his boy. You will really like this book if you like dogs.
In the beginning, Ethan, the boy, gets a puppy named Bailey. They make a special bond with each other. Ethan plays with Bailey, walks him, and sleeps with him at night. After a while their bond is strong.
The villain in the book was a boy named Todd. He was jealous of the friendship between Ethan and Bailey. Todd did many mean things to Ethan, for example in the winter they would race down the hill on a sled and Bailey would be so excited to play he would jump on Ethan’s sled. That caused the sled to be heavier and Ethan to win the race. Todd then started yelling at them and saying they were cheaters. This is one example of how Todd was mean to Bailey and Ethan. Bailey began not to like Todd, and the special thing about dogs is they can sense when someone isn’t nice!
The end is my favorite part of the book. Bailey caught someone setting the bushes on fire. He started biting this villain which left a blood trail to the house where he/she lives. He then starts barking to make his family aware that the house was on fire. In the end, Bailey was a real HERO!
Because of Mr. Terupt, by Rob Buyea
Reviewed by Holden C., 5th grader
This is the story of a group of 5th graders. This book is told from the perspective of seven of them. All of them have different personalities and don’t necessarily get along, but will Mr.Terupt be able to fix that? This is a heartwarming book and amazing writing. I would recommend this book to anyone. The theme of this story is you should take responsibility for your actions.
Because of Winn Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 5th grader
I really liked the book Because of Winn-Dixie! It is very inspiring! I liked how the author writes exactly how the main character, India Opal, thinks and feels about her stray dog, Winn-Dixie.
In this book, Opal (she likes to be called by her second name), discovers a stray dog in a supermarket called Winn-Dixie. She decides to adopt this dog and also name it Winn-Dixie. At first Opal’s father, nicknamed The Preacher, doesn’t think they should keep Winn-Dixie. But then he finds out Winn-Dixie is a stray and decides Opal can keep it. Together Opal and Winn-Dixie have many adventures. Opal has a father but not a mother. Her mama left her when she was three years old. She wishes her mama was with her on all her adventures and wants to learn more about her mama.
Opal does not like The Dewberry boys named Stevie and Dunlap because they always tease her. Opal calls them “Bald-headed babies.” The Dewberry boys don’t like Opal either. They always chase Opal and Winn-Dixie on their bicycles.
One day Winn-Dixie goes missing. Opal and her father search everywhere but Winn-Dixie is nowhere in sight. Opal is sad and continues to search even though her father wants to give up. Will Winn-Dixie be found? Read this wonderful book to find out!
Behind the Bedroom Wall, by Laura E. Williams
Reviewed by Valentina Sofia T., 6th grader
This book is about Korinna who is a part of a local Nazi youth camp. We see her realize that the world as she knew it was wrong. I liked this book because it showed how the youth camps influenced the kids from such a young age and how they were being brainwashed. I enjoyed reading it because of the different and diverse range of characters from the Jews to the overtly loyal Germans. It showed how people change and that you don’t realize the terror others endure until you see it for yourself. The book was written with the emotional roller coaster that Korinna goes through and conveys all the different emotions that she feels.
Belly Up, by Stuart Gibbs
Reviewed by Finn D., 6th grader
I recommend The FunJungle series by Stuart Gibbs because of the twists and surprises around every corner. It is also very funny and there are many characters to read about. The first book in the series is called Belly Up. In this book, Henry the Hippo is murdered and the main character, Teddy Fitzroy has to figure out on his own who committed the crime. He makes friends with Summer McCracken, who is the famous daughter of J.J. McCracken, who is the creator of FunJungle. Teddy is faced with dangerous situations, a snake let on the loose, tigers breaking out of their exhibit and the annoying security guard, Marge, who is always harassing Teddy. J.J. McCracken can’t be trusted even though he acts as though he is on Teddy and his friends’ side. Teddy has to investigate without people knowing, or else he could get in trouble. I recommend reading this book series if you get the chance and hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.
Beyond the Bright Sea, by Lauren Wolk
Reviewed by Nora T., 5th grader
Beyond the Bright Sea is a heartwarming story of a girl named Crow who was washed up as a baby on a remote island in the 1900s. As Crow grows older she wants to find out her real parents and if she is from Penikese. As she comes closer to finding out the truth things get thrown in the path.
The BFG, by Roald Dahl
Reviewed by Jason L., 6th grader
This spectacular novel, by Roald Dahl, is about Sophie, an orphan, and the BFG, a giant. Her life is pretty miserable, until the Big Friendly Giant comes into her life. She sees amazing things in Giant Country that no human has ever seen before, and learns about the other gruesome giants living there who gobble up human beings for supper, so she and the BFG embark on a journey to stop them once and for all. The BFG is a very kind-hearted giant, who, unlike the other man-eating giants, refuses to eat human beings, which makes him unpopular among the other giants. He is always willing to help humans, which is how he got his name, the Big Friendly Giant. I enjoyed reading this book because it was fascinating reading about a giant’s life. I also thought it was kind of funny, because a lot of the words the BFG says doesn’t make sense, and sometimes he gets his words jumbled up. Lastly, I like how the plot moves rapidly from one scene to another, where all of them are interesting, funny, and action-packed. To conclude, I think this was an awesome book, and I’m sure many others would agree.
Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson
Reviewed by Valentina Sofia T., 6th grader
Jesse has no friends at school and is even looked down upon by his parents. He is constantly looking for the approval of others until he meets Leslie. She helps him gain confidence in himself and gives him something he hasn’t had in a long time, a friend. I loved the book through its ups and downs. And I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good, interesting read. The book had happy moments and sad moments like any good book, you never know what the next thing would be. The book is enticing for you to read on and the conclusion was beautifully written. It was a heartfelt story and there were no parts in it I would change even if I had all the power in the world to. It can leave you in tears or cheers when it all has ended.
Also reviewed by Emma Y., 6th grader
Bridge to Terabithia is a realistic fiction book by Katherine Paterson. It is a story about a boy named Jess Aarons who lives with his parents and four sisters. However, despite his busy household, Jess feels alone. His dad is always at work, and his mom has to deal with his two older sisters, Ellie and Brenda. The two have one word to describe them: “obnoxious.” Joyce Ann is his younger sister, and is crying all the time. May Belle, his closest sister, is also younger than Jess, but is too young to accompany him everywhere. All this time he has allows him to practice running. Later, when the school year started, and the races started, he would be the fastest runner in fifth grade. However, after the first race, Jess sees something shocking.
Bridge to Terabithia is a really fascinating book that I enjoyed reading. I loved the friendship between Jess and his best friend, Leslie, the two are very imaginative because they created an imaginary world, Terabithia. I couldn’t put it down until I finished reading it, and I loved the ending. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an amazing book!
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 5th grader
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a sweet book! I give it a thumbs up! It is about a boy named Charlie Bucket who is sweet and kind and lives with his mom and dad and his four grandparents. Their names are Grandpa Joe, Grandma Josephine, Grandpa George, and Grandma Georgina. They live in a small wood house in a big city. They are very poor, and they don’t have much to eat, but they don’t starve.
Charlie LOVES chocolate, and he only gets to eat a single bar on his birthday. On the other days, he passes by a giant chocolate factory owned by Willy Wonka on his way to school. Grandpa Joe knows all Wonka’s candy secrets, and Charlie hopes he can visit his factory someday.
When Willy Wonka sends out five golden tickets to come and see his factory, the world goes in a candy-bar craze. Charlie longs to see Wonka’s chocolate factory but knows he doesn’t have a chance at finding a golden ticket. But when Charlie finds some money in the street and buys some candy bars, he gets an unexpected surprise. Charlie Bucket is about to go on one of the craziest events of his life!
Children of the Red King: Midnight for Charlie Bone (Series Book 1), by Jenny Nimmo
Reviewed by Holden C., 6th grader
If you like the Harry Potter series, this series is totally for you! When 10 year old Charlie Bone accidentally discovers he has magic powers when he looks at a photo of a missing baby, he realizes he can hear the voices of the people in the photograph. When his mean Grandma and her three evil sisters find out about his powers, they send him off to Bloor’s Academy where he is to learn to control his powers. He makes some friends but also makes some enemies too. This is a great, underrated book that will make you want to read the next one. I highly recommend this book. The theme of this book is that with great power comes great responsibility. Charlie must only use his powers when necessary.
Children of the Red King: Charlie Bone and the Time Twister (Series Book 2), by Jenny Nimmo
Reviewed by Holden C., 6th grader
When Charlie Bone’s ancestor, Henry Yewbeam, is sent forward in time by his evil cousin, Zeke, his great-great-nephew, Charlie Bone, must try to help him escape from Bloor’s Academy before it is too late. In addition, Charlie also has to prevent his evil Grandma and aunts from destroying the balance of the good and the evil. This is a gripping book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, eagerly flipping the pages to find out what happens next. The theme of this book is that friends are there to rely on and will help you along the way, as Charlie’s friends do for him.
Children of the Red King: Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy (Series Book 3), by Jenny Nimmo
Reviewed by Holden C., 6th grader
During the summer semester at Bloor Academy, Charlie keeps getting into more trouble. When a mysterious girl named Bella starts plotting against him, he must find ways to survive. In addition, he must find a strange invisible boy named Ollie Sparks who is in danger. Charlie and his friends plan to save his life. This is another amazing Charlie Bone book filled with action, suspense, and intrigue. The theme of this story is trust because many times during the story when Charlie didn’t know something, he had to trust other people. I would highly recommend this book.
Children of the Red King: Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors (Series Book 4), by Jenny Nimmo
Reviewed by Holden C., 6th grader
In this installment of the Charlie Bone series, Charlie once again has to deal with lots of problems! A new character is introduced, Joshua Tilpin. He enrolls at Bloor’s Academy and seems to have magnetic abilities. In addition, Billy Raven is promised new parents, but he gets the horrible de Greys for parents which is not good. This causes Charlie and his friends to try and rescue Billy from the de Greys but will they succeed? But more importantly, can Charlie trust Billy enough to tell him about his past? The theme of this book is that friends are needed to help get through the tough times.
Danger Down the Nile: Treasure Hunters (Series Book 2), by James Patterson
Reviewed by Bharath K. R., 6th grader
In their second adventure, Tommy (Thomas), Storm (Stephanie), Bick (Bickford), and Beck (Rebecca) Kidd had no parents. Their mom was in Cyprus, being held. Their dad had mysteriously disappeared in a storm in the middle of the sea (first book).Now the Kidd children were on a submarine, looking for the pair of sunken Spanish Galleons off the coast of Florida. Bick is the one writing the book while Beck draws the pictures. The Kidd’s are always having adventures. They went from the US to Egypt to Zambia to the coast of Kenya to China.They were on a quest for the legendary Mines of King Solomon. From exotic Cairo to the perilous jungles beyond, they have to use all their survival instincts to make it through alive. They might even be able to find their parents. But they ran into people that tried to stop them from continuing on their quests, such as their number 1 enemy, Nathan Collier. I read the book and it makes me want to read more of their exciting adventures. I highly recommend reading this book.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 5th grader
Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a great and humorous book! I would give it a thumbs-up!
This book is about a middle schooler named Greg who lives with his mom, dad, older brother Rodrick, and little brother Manny. He has a friend named Rowley who Greg thinks isn’t a normal middle school kid. Rowley has velcro shoes and sleeps in his parents’ bed and likes this pop singer named Joshie.
One day the school makes an announcement. They are looking for a new cartoonist for the school newspaper. When Greg and Rowley hear this, they decide to make the best comic ever. They came up with this comic called Zoo-Wee Mama. But after a while, Greg thought the comic wasn’t good anymore. Greg came up with a new idea and showed it to Rowley. But Rowley thought it was a terrible idea and continued to make Zoo-Wee Mama comics without Greg.
When Rowley becomes the new cartoonist, Greg gets really mad. They had a big fight in front of the whole school, but then some teens spotted them and made them do something really bad that involved moldy cheese. What did they do to Rowley and Greg? Read one of my favorite books to find out!
Double Fudge, by Judy Blume
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 4th grader
Double Fudge is an awesome book! I really liked reading it and recommend it to you. Double Fudge is about a boy named Peter who has a little brother named Fudge and a little sister named Tootsie. Fudge is obsessed with money. He creates his own money called “Fudge bucks”. He plans to make a lot of money and use them to buy the entire world! One day, Grandma takes the boys to The Bureau of Printing and Engraving, and they accidentally run into their long-lost cousins, The Howie Hatchers, two perfect twins named Flora and Fauna and a weird younger cousin, also named Farley Drexel Hatcher, just like Fudge! When they move into Peter and Fudge’s apartment, the six kids get into a lot of funny situations! Read the book to find out what the Panda Poop Club is! This book is an amazing book and it made me laugh a lot!
El Deafo, by Cece Bell
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 5th grader
El Deafo is a super funny and interesting book! I really enjoyed reading this graphic novel and I totally recommend it!
This book is about a girl Cece who one day gets really sick. After spending a few days in the hospital, Cece is glad to be home. But something doesn’t seem right. Cece can’t hear anything!
After a few weeks, Cece goes to the doctor to get her hearing checked. She has to get a hearing aid that she must wear on her ears and chest. The hearing aid does help but everything sounds weird.
In first grade, Cece gets a bigger hearing aid that comes with a microphone called the Phonic Ear. For the first few days, she struggles to make new friends. But then Cece realized something incredible. With the Phonic Ear, she can hear her teacher in the classroom, the hallway, and even in the bathroom! Cece has amazing power. Maybe even a superpower! Make way for El Deafo, Listener for All! Will Cece use her powers to find a true friend?
The theme of this book is to not judge yourself on the outside, but on the inside. I really liked this book and I give it a thumbs up!
Fourth Grade Rats, by Jerry Spinelli
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 5th grader
I really liked the book Fourth Grade Rats! I think it is so funny and charming and entertaining. Even
though I am in fifth grade I still love reading this book. It is nice to remember those old days.
This book is about a boy named Suds Morton and he is in fourth grade. He has a friend named Joey. In their school there is a chant that says fourth graders are rats. Suds doesn’t really like that but Joey says he has waited years to become a rat.
Joey starts telling Suds about how to become a man, from eating meat, to touching spiders, to even saying no to his mom! Suds tries but can’t seem to get the hang of it.
Is Suds going to be able to become a rat? Or will he run crying to his momma?
Freak the Mighty, by Rodman Philbrick (eBook)
Reviewed by Jack L., 6th grader
Max is very tall and bigger than most kids. He also isn’t that smart either, and is bullied. One day, a new kid named Kevin shows up. He is really smart but extremely small. They become friends quickly, go on adventures, and call themselves Freak the Mighty. Read to hear about their adventures. This book is heartwarming and full of adventure. The theme of this book is that it doesn’t matter what you look like because even though Kevin and Max look different, they are both great people.
Also reviewed by Mingi K., 6th grader
The book, Freak the Mighty, by Rodman Philbrick, talks about two main characters named Kevin Dillon and Maxwell Kane – who are also known as Freak the Mighty. Although they have many differences, they get along with one another. They go on quests and meet danger but they always manage to escape by guiding each other. Every day they had fun until 2 tragic events happened. First of all Killer Kane, Maxwell’s father, escapes from prison, and secondly, something goes wrong while Kevin gets surgery, and coincidentally it was on the first birthday of Freak The Mighty’s birthday. Read more to find out what happens next! I recommend this book to those who like heartwarming stories and books about adventure.
Front Desk, by Kelly Yang
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 5th grader
I loved reading Front Desk! It’s the best book in the whole world!
This great story is about a girl named Mia Tang. They are immigrants from China, and Mia is curious about what will happen in America.
Her parents search for a job, and soon, Mia’s parents are asked to be managers of the Calivista Motel, run by a mean and horrible man, Mr. Yao. Her parents are desperate for a job, so they sign up. They realize they will get paid $150 a day and get free rent living at the motel! They’re all for it.
But once they start working at the motel, things are going the way they were expecting. It started when Mr. Yao changed the deal. Now Mia’s parents make only $750 a month! Fortunately, the weeklies, customers who stay at the motel frequently, are very kind and understanding. What can Mia do to become more successful? Read this great book to find out more about all the funny things that happen at the Calivista Motel!
The theme of this book is to work hard for your dream and it will come true. I loved reading Front Desk and I think you will too!
Fudge-a-Mania, by Judy Blume
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 5th grader
Fudge-a-Mania is a fantastic book! It is so silly and funny and I would totally recommend it! It is about a boy named Peter who lives in New York City with his five year old brother Fudge and his one year old sister Tootsie. Peter has a dog named turtle and Fudge has a myna bird named Uncle Feather.
One day Fudge tells Peter some news. He says he’s going to marry Peter’s enemy Shelia Tubman. That news is bad enough, but apparently Peter’s parents have news for him too. They say their family and Peter’s grandma are going to stay at a house in Maine next to Shelia Tubman! Peter is going to stay with Fudge and Shelia for three weeks! What is Peter going to do?
Read one of my favorite books from Judy Blume to see all the crazy stuff Fudge and Peter did on their trip to Maine!
George’s Marvelous Medicine, by Roald Dahl
Reviewed by Reviewed By Caitlyn C., 4th grader
George’s Marvelous Medicine really is a marvelous book! It is about a boy named George who has regular parents but an awful Grandma. She is lazy, selfish and cruel. She is always telling George to get her tea and medicine, and tells him silly stories about not growing up.
One day George just decides to get rid of Grandma once and for all. He whips up a medicine to replace the old one, in an attempt to cure her wickedness. George mixes in normal stuff, like sugar and vanilla, but then he gets a little creative. George adds toothpaste, shaving cream, lipstick, and nail varnish. George runs into the stable and dumps in animal pills, for sick animals. He boils it all up and voila! George’s Marvelous Medicine is born.
When George gives his Grandma the medicine, she turns red-hot and starts to grow! She busts through the house and out the street! George and his family are all in shock, especially his dad. After that crazy experience, George and his dad try to re-create George’s Marvelous Medicine so they can sell it, but every time they mix, they never seem to get it right.
When one medicine makes something small, an idea sparks. What will it be? Read this marvelous book to find out! I really like this book because I like how they experiment with ideas to make a medicine. I would recommend it to you!
The Girl Who Drank the Moon, by Kelly Barnhill
Reviewed by Jack L., 6th grader
The story The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill, starts at a witch’s house called Xan. Every year in the woods near the protectorate, the people of the protectorate sacrifice a child and leave it at the edge of the woods. The council of elders says that to keep the Witch in the woods happy they must sacrifice the last born child of the year. Xan saves the baby every year and brings it to the cities on the other side of the woods known as the free cities. Usually, Xan feeds the baby starlight. But one day the moon is hanging low and she accidentally grabs some moonlight and feeds it to the baby. Moonlight enmagics the baby and Xan has to take it in. She named the baby Luna , but Luna is slowly siphoning magic out of Xan slowly making Xan weaker. In the protectorate, one of the highest members of the council named sister Ignatia is a sorrow eater who needs sorrow, so she says that they have to sacrifice a child every year. This leaves the protectorate being controlled by sister Ignatia and the other superiors.
Gulliver’s Travels, by Jonathan Swift
Reviewed by Olivia P., 5th grader
In this book Dr. Lemuel Gulliver tells us about his adventures. He tells us that after a couple years on land he feels an urge to go to sea. So, he packs up and boards the Antelope, a ship heading to the south seas. A terrible storm comes, and Dr. Gulliver becomes shipwrecked. He has adventures when meeting the Lilliputians on this island, but he soon finds a canoe and heads back to England. But he finds himself longing for the sea, so he sets sail once again. This time his ship went ashore to explore the land but soon turns back because of danger, but they forgot Dr. Gulliver! He explores and soon finds himself once again on an adventure when he encounters the Brobdingnagians. When he finally arrives back in England, he has stories to tell. When reading this adventuresome book, I found Dr. Gulliver looking in different points of view on each island. It is a very important moral to learn to have a different perspective. I suggest reading this book because it makes you wonder what will happen next.
Guts, by Raina Telgemeier
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 5th grader
I really enjoyed reading Guts by Raina Telgemeier! It is really funny and interesting and I would really recommend it! This graphic novel is about a 4th grader who one day wakes up with the stomach flu. But after a few days, she is okay. However, her troubles aren’t over. She goes to school and has to deal with friends, food, and therapy.
Raina has to put up with a classmate Nicole who teases her about her tummy aches and another girl, Michelle, who calls Raina a Pooper Diaper Baby! Luckily, she has one good friend named Jane who also likes to eat sushi and also loves writing stories.
Raina is always getting stomach aches. She avoids many foods because she believes it will make her sick. But if Raina doesn’t eat, she will get sick. Good thing she starts going to therapy. Her therapy makes her feel better, but now Raina is scared her friends won’t like her if they find out she goes to therapy.
The theme is to not worry so much and enjoy your life. I thought this was a great book and I give it a thumbs up!
Guns for General Washington, by Seymour Reit
Reviewed by Olivia P., 5th grader
The American Revolution has taken many tolls on both sides. The Patriots are struggling from lack of gun powder, artillery, food, firewood, proper shelters, and clothes. The treacherous war was making everyone miserable. Then Henry Knox came up with a plan that would definitely save Boston. He would travel up to Fort Ticonderoga, then he would take some of the guns, cannons, building supplies and a lot of gun powder. It is a very difficult, long, and perilous journey to get to Fort Ticonderoga. While Henry and Will Knox travel up to the fort and back to Cambridge, Massachusetts they face many difficult challenges. General Howe is unaware of this plan against him. He is just waiting for a fresh batch of soldiers to arrive. George Washington is anxious to see if Henry and Will Knox are able to bring back the much-needed supplies. The very fate of the colonies hopes to win the war and the captured city of Boston lies on Henry’s plan. Read this wonderful historical fiction novel to find out if Henry and Will succeed on saving Boston.
The Heroes of Olympus : The Lost Hero (Series Book 1), by Rick Riordan
Reviewed by Holden C., 5th grader
The Lost Hero is the first book in the thrilling Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan, which focuses on Greek and Roman mythology. When Jason wakes up on a school bus, he remembers nothing. Two people claim to be his best friend, but he doesn’t know them. Leo who is kind of like a class clown, likes machines and engineering. Piper doesn’t like to be popular, but is very kind and caring. When the school bus arrives at the Grand Canyon, wind spirits attack and it causes something big. This book has tons of shock, thrill, and humor. I would recommend it to anyone and I would recommend them to read the Percy Jackson series first to get some background. This is one of my favorite books and has amazing story telling. I think the theme of this story is teamwork can accomplish anything. When they are separated, they always find a way to work together to solve problems.
The Heroes of Olympus: The Son of Neptune (Series Book 2) by Rick Riordan
Reviewed by Holden C., 5th grader
The Son of Neptune is the second book in the Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan. When Percy wakes up, he doesn’t know what happened. He has no memory of anything. He is forced to fight off Gorgons for days and days, but no matter how many times he kills them, they come back and he is getting tired. For some reason they can’t kill him. He is low on food, but water heals him and rejuvenates him. When he is about to give up, an old lady appears on the side of the road. She gives him a choice: live in the water peacefully by himself, or go on a dangerous path where there is hardship, sadness and pain, but it could save the world. Read to find out what he chooses. The theme of this story is acceptance. The people who accepted him became stronger and better and they also helped Percy along the way.
The Heroes of Olympus: The Mark of Athena (Series Book 3), by Rick Riordan
Reviewed by Holden C., 5th grader
The Mark of Athena is the third book in the Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan. This book continues the quest of the chosen demigods. When Annabeth’s mother, Athena, visits her, she gives her the worst present of her life: the mark of Athena. To save the world, they must find the statue of Athena to unite the two camps. If they don’t succeed, the two camps will destroy the world before Gaia and her giants can. To get the statue of Athena they must face their most difficult challenge yet. The theme of this book is trust. Reyna needs to trust that Jason, Percy, and their friends didn’t attack the camp on purpose and that their ultimate goal was to help.
The Homework Machine, by Dan Gutman
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 4th grader
The Homework Machine is a very interesting book. I really like it and I would recommend it. It is about five kids who are in fifth grade and are very different. Sam Dawkins, also nicknamed Snikwad, moved to Arizona from Oregon because his father was in the air force. Kelsey Donnelly does her homework but she hates it. Judy Douglas likes homework because she and her friends would always go to each other’s houses and do their homework. And Brenton Damagatchi, well, he’s not like any other kid. He doesn’t like watching TV or playing with other children, he likes to play chess with himself. Together they are the D squad, because their last names all start with D.
When Brenton shows Sam, Kelsey, and Judy the Homework Machine, everything changes. The HW machine could do your homework in one second instead of spending hours on it. They even nicknamed it, “Belch”. Every day the D squad comes over to Brenton’s house to watch Belch do their homework. Things go great until the police catch them. Brenton tries to erase all the evidence, but Belch starts to become smarter.
Will the D squad be able to destroy Belch in time? Read this book to find out!
In Your Shoes, by Donna Gephart
Reviewed by Emma Y., 6th grader
In Your Shoes is a story about a boy, Miles Spagoski, and a girl, Amy Silverman. Miles is a boy who is always worried and is good at bowling. He loves his family bowling center, and goes there every day before school with his best friend Randall Fleming. Amy just moved from Chicago to Pennsylvania, is new at school, and lives above her uncle’s funeral home, a place she dislikes. She loves writing, writes stories based on her life, and hopes her stories come true, so she can have a happily-ever-after, just like her story.
In Your Shoes is a wonderful story told from two perspectives. The author teaches us that life consists of many ups and downs. Something may be terrific one moment, and then terrible the next. Or it could be the complete opposite. We can also learn that life sometimes doesn’t give us second chances. The beginning starts out a little slow, but if you keep reading, I think you’ll like this book. The ending completely blew my mind. It was so sweet and I loved it. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a sweet, fantastic page-turner!
Inkling, by Kenneth Oppel
Reviewed by Emma Y., 6th grader
Inkling is a story about a boy named Ethan Rylance who meets an ink blot, which he becomes best friends with soon after. Ethan names his new best friend “Inkling,” and Inkling can be anything he wants to be, because he’s entirely made of ink. From the moment Inkling comes to life from the pages of an artist’s sketchbook, he is on a mission to unblock the Rylance family. Mr. Rylance can’t think of a new idea for a comic book. Ethan promised to illustrate for a group project in school, but he can’t draw. In school, a girl from another group named Vika was the best artist in their grade, and she knows that Ethan can’t draw. So when she sees his drawings, she doesn’t believe that Ethan drew them. Her guesses are confirmed when she sees what’s inside Ethan’s room.
Inkling is a really interesting book that I enjoyed reading. Inkling is a really funny and bubbly character in the book. There are a few pictures in the book that make the book more enjoyable to read, and I loved the ending. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an awesome book!
Island War, by Patricia Reilly Giff
Reviewed by Olivia P., 5th grader
This book is about two kids from Long Island who move to an island very far west in the Aleutian island chain. The beautiful island is filled with lots of birds. The two kids live there peacefully along with fifteen other residents until Pearl Harbor is bombed. The islanders believe one thing, that the war won’t hit their island. They think if it did hit the peaceful island that the American army would evacuate them first. When a ship appears on a foggy day the girl from Long Island believes it is the American army there to evacuate them but during church a terrible thing happens, and she realizes that the ship wasn’t what she thought it was. Read this amazing book to find out if it was the American Army or the enemy.
Jacky Ha-Ha: My Life Is a Joke, by James Patterson
Reviewed by Addison S., 5th grader
Jacky Hart is back and better than ever! In this book Jacky’s parents ruin her summer by making her get a summer job. She thinks it is going to be dull, but she is so wrong! This summer she has to deal with 2 boys, babysitting her little sister, running the best booth on the boardwalk and attending rehearsals. Jacky soon figures out that multitasking is not her kind of thing. Everything comes to a halting stop when she makes a huge mistake. This could cost her a fortune. I think the theme of the book is, don’t assume until you have proof. I would definitely give this book a thumbs up! Get cozy and warm up with this funny, engaging and hectic book!
James and the Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 4th grader
I love James and the Giant Peach! It is about a boy named James Henry Trotter who, until he was four, had a very happy life. He had two loving and kind parents. They all lived peacefully in a house beside the sea.
Then one day James’s parents went shopping in London, and something very unexpected happened. They both got eaten by an angry rhinoceros! Life from that point on wasn’t very fun. Poor little James had to live with his two terrible aunts, Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker, and work for them. Aunt Sponge was very fat, while Aunt Spiker is as thin as a wire. They are both equally mean, lazy and cruel.
Then one day James meets an old man who knows everything James has been experiencing. He gives James a bag of magical crocodile tongues and whispers some special directions. If James dropped them, the tongues would use their magic on someone else. But when James hurries to the house to follow the instructions, he trips! The crocodile tongues go into the soil, giving an old peach tree the power to sprout a giant peach! James decides he’s going to live there, and goes off on an adventure!
On the way, he meets many magical creatures who guide them to NYC and help him survive. James is finally happy to get his life back! I love this book because it is full of adventure and mystery, and really funny! I would really recommend it to you!
Judy Moody: Mood Martian, by Megan McDonald
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., Fourth grader
Judy Moody is an awesome book! In this book, Judy Moody is trying to stay in a good mood for a whole week! She will need help, so she goes over to her friend’s house to get some advice. But it isn’t really helping. The only thing that puts Judy in a good mood is finger knitting. She knits and knits and knits onto her long chain until her house can’t even fit the amount of yarn she has knitted! But when her mom says she has to stop knitting, Judy starts to struggle in keeping her good-mood streak. Will Judy be able to keep her good mood going? Read the book to find out!
The Kane Chronicles: The Red Pyramid (Series Book 1), by Rick Riordan
Reviewed by Holden C., 5th grader
Sadie, Carter, and their dad, who is an Egyptologist, go on a trip to the British Museum. It turns out, their dad blows up the Rosetta Stone unleashing 5 ancient Egyptian gods and it becomes Sadie and Carter’s job to save the world. This is a very thrilling book full of adventure and will keep the reader at the edge of their seat. I would recommend this to anyone, especially people who like Rick Riordan’s writing, as he is the author. Sadie and Carter have a lot of troubles on their journey, but the theme of this book is to not doubt your abilities.
Katt vs. Gogg, by James Patterson
Reviewed by Holden C., 5th grader
When the Dogg family and the Katt family go on vacation, they are sworn enemies, but when their children get lost in the woods, they must work together to escape the woods. This book is fun and I loved reading it. I would recommend it to anyone. The theme of this book is that even though you are different, it doesn’t mean you can’t become friends.
The Land of Stories : The Wishing Spell (Series Book 1), by Chris Colfer
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 4th grader
The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer is a great book. It is about a boy named Conner and a girl named Alex, who get stuck in a fairy tale world called “The Land of Stories” inside an actual book. They have to find a way out using the Wishing Spell. The Wishing Spell is a spell that will grant one wish to the people who collect the items needed for the spell. Along the way, Conner and Alex meet many familiar characters from fairy tales, such as Cinderella, Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood. These characters have interesting stories to tell and it’s not what you remember from the fairy tales you read before. The characters help Conner and Alex search for the items for the spell, like Cinderella’s glass slipper and a strand of Rapunzel’s hair. Conner and Alex have many adventures to race against an evil witch who also wants to cast the spell. They meet many monsters and goblins on the way. The book is full of adventure and mystery and it’s just fun to read. This book is one of my favorites and I would recommend it to everyone.
Also reviewed by Caitlyn C., 4th grader
The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer is a great book. It is about a boy named Conner and a girl named Alex, who get stuck in a fairy tale world called “The Land of Stories” inside an actual book. They have to find a way out using the Wishing Spell. The Wishing Spell is a spell that will grant one wish to the people who collect the items needed for the spell. Along the way, Conner and Alex meet many familiar characters from fairy tales, such as Cinderella, Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood. These characters have interesting stories to tell and it’s not what you remember from the fairy tales you read before. The characters help Conner and Alex search for the items for the spell, like Cinderella’s glass slipper and a strand of Rapunzel’s hair. Conner and Alex have many adventures to race against an evil witch who also wants to cast the spell. They meet many monsters and goblins on the way. The book is full of adventure and mystery and it’s just fun to read. This book is one of my favorites and I would recommend it to everyone.
The Land of Stories: The Enchantress Returns, by Chris Colfer
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 5th grader
The Land of Stories is an awesome series! I would definitely recommend this book! In book two, Alex and Conner are visiting the land of stories again. Alex and Conner are thirteen years old and are twins. Alex is a girl who really likes fairies and magic and The Land of Stories. She has blond hair pulled back by a headband. Conner is a boy who likes visiting The Land of Stories and often dozes off in class.
One day Alex and Conner are teleported into The Land of Stories to find out the Enchantress has returned! The Enchantress is the one who cursed Sleeping Beauty a long time ago. She is also known as Ezmia. Ezmia has been attacking kingdoms and mastering the seven deadly sins to make a portal to the Otherworld (the world we live in). When Alex and Conner hear about this, they embark on a mission to find the most prized possessions of the six most hated people in the world to create the Wand of Wonderment. Whoever holds the wand is invincible. Can the twins, their mom, their mom’s boyfriend Bob, and all their friends collect the items and destroy the Enchantress? Read this awesome book to find out!
Liar & Spy, by Rebecca Stead
Reviewed by Valentina Sofia T., 6th grader
Georges (silent s) just moved out of his home because his parents are tight on money and he is being bullied at school. He joins a spy club and makes a new friend, Safer, from here on his life gets a lot more interesting. I would recommend this book if you like books with unexpected twists and turns. If you like books like Percy Jackson you would likely like this book because they are similar since they have unexpected betrayals but in different ways. If you enjoy books with adventures but also mysteries this is the book for you.
Lost in the Sun, by Lisa Graff
Reviewed by Valentina Sofia T., 6th grader
Lost in the Sun is about a boy who is trying to recover from the past. Trent had caused the death of a boy and is often anxious, he learns to forgive himself and others. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a good read. I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes realistic fiction or anything of the sort. I loved it through the happy moments and sad moments. The author showed all the ups and downs to being human within each character and was able to humanize the characters. None of the characters were put on a pedestal or were said to be the worst.
The Magic Finger, by Roald Dahl
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 4th grader
The Magic Finger is my favorite Roald Dahl book! It is about a girl who has these neighbors, William and Philip Gregg. The girl likes to play with William and Philip. Her life is pretty ordinary.
One thing NOT ordinary about her is the Magic finger. She tries not to use it on anyone, but sometimes she gets out of control. It happened to her teacher, Mrs. Winter. The teacher told the girl to spell CAT and the girl failed. The girl accidentally uses the Magic finger on Mrs. Winter and turns her into a cat!
Now, one thing the Gregg boys like to do more than anything is to go hunting. Every Saturday they take their guns and look for things to shoot. The little girl can’t stand hunting. And when she finds the boys shooting some ducks, well, she just kind of lost it. She uses her Magic finger on them and turns the Gregg family into birds! From then on, the Gregg family must build a nest, find things to eat, and survive as life as a bird.
Will the Gregg family be able to get back to their human form? Read this great book to find out! I give this book a big thumbs-up because this book is really funny and I like how the author describes life as a bird. I’ve always wanted to be a bird! So read this book! You’ll really like it!
Maniac Magee, by Jerry Spinelli
Reviewed by Holden C., 6th grader
After Jeffrey Lionel Magee’s parents are killed when the trolley they were riding on was hit by a drunk driver and plunged into a river, he was left with his aunt and uncle who don’t get along or love him. At three years old, he ran and ran and ran until he found a town called Two Mills, Pennsylvania. There, he found that the town was divided into two sections which were the white section and the black section. Maniac starts exploring and making friends in both sections, but can he bring the two sections together and make them live in harmony? This is a good book with a great lesson and I would recommend it. The theme of this book is that it doesn’t matter how you look, it’s what is on the inside that matters.
Mary Poppins, by P.L. Travers
Reviewed by Olivia P., 5th grader
This book is about the Banks children, Jane, Michael, John, Barbara and their new nanny, Mary Poppins. Mary Poppins flew in with the wind when Mrs. and Mr. Banks advertised that they needed a nanny. She told them she would stay ‘til the wind changes. And she stayed true to her word. Mary Poppins is very vain, selfish, secretive, and rude. She takes the Banks children on wild adventures but after they are done, she acts like they never happened. I read the book then watched the movie and I definitely like the movie better. The movie and book are very different. I thought in the book Mary Poppins would be a kind nanny, but she wasn’t. I don’t suggest reading the book.
It sounds like Mary Poppins’ character is very different in the book than in the movie. Would you agree? Do you think you would like Mary Poppins? As they say, “To each their own.” This means everyone has the right to their own opinion. If you read this book, send us a review and give us your opinion.
~ Emma S. Clark Library
Measuring Up, by Lily LaMotte
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 5th grader
Measuring up is such an amazing and inspiring book! I really liked it and I would definitely recommend it! Measuring Up is about a girl named Cici who moved from Taiwan to Seattle and loves to cook. She used to do everything with her A-Ma (grandmother) but when she moved she couldn’t take A-Ma with her. As Cici starts a new school and keeps cooking, she longs for A-Ma to come to Seattle.
Soon Cici makes new friends. As she adapts to America, Cici realizes American people think Taiwanese food is weird.
But one day she sees a poster for a cooking contest. The prize money is enough to buy a plane ticket for A-Ma! Cici decides to sign up and starts practicing.
As she crushes all the other contestants in the cooking contest and makes it to the finals, Cici must cook up the winning dish to bring A-Ma back.
This story is about courage and practicing. The theme is to believe in yourself and practice and you will succeed. I totally recommend it because it is so funny and inspiring.
Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James, by Ashley Herring Blake
Reviewed by Nora T., 5th grader
This is the perfect book for you if you love romance, happy endings and feeling good. The main character is a girl named Sunny St. James and she is a heart transplantee. Her mother and father left her as a baby for their best friend Kate, but now her mother wants them to be reunited again. While juggling all of this she meets Quinn, and the kissing quest begins.
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, by Kate DiCamillo
Reviewed by Holden C., 5th grader
In a house on Egypt Street, there lived a rabbit. He was an arrogant, overdressed, china rabbit doll who was loved by his owner, Abilene Tulane. She loved and took care of him everyday, but when he was lost, Edward Tulane’s adventure began traveling from home to home, place to place. Follow him on the thrilling journey to see where he finally ends up. This book is amazingly good and will make you care about it. The theme of this story is, as it states in the book, “If you have no intention of loving or being loved, then the whole journey is pointless.” This shows everyone needs to be loved.
Monstrous Devices, by Damien Love
Reviewed by Holden C., 5th grader
One day, a twelve year old boy named Alex receives a mysterious package in the mail. Inside is a small tin robot from his grandfather. There was also a note saying, “This one is special.” He thinks nothing of it but then weird events start happening. Toy robots start coming to life and a crew of dangerous people come after him and his grandfather. This book has an amazing storyline, but I think the story was extremely slow. The theme of this book is that trust is needed in relationships. If you want, you can still read this book, but I wouldn’t really recommend it. I didn’t enjoy the book that much.
Not every book is for everyone. Maybe you would feel differently. If you read this book, send us a review and let us know what YOU think.
~ Emma S. Clark Library
Mossflower: Redwall, by Brian Jacques
Reviewed by Olivia P., 5th grader
When Tsarmina takes over Mossflower after her father’s death she makes the lives of the woodlanders miserable. She eventually declares war on the woodlanders. Bella of Brockhall knows they have no chance defeating the powerful Queen Tsarmina, so she sends Martin, Gonff, and Young Dinny to go to Salamandastron to get her father Boar the Fighter so he could kill Tsarmina. The travelers face many challenges along the way, but they reach Salamandastron and Boar. While all of this is happening Tsarmina is plotting a horrible plan to bring death to all the woodlanders and has gotten herself a partner after her old one died. The woodlanders have come up with their own plan to flood Tsarmina’s castle, Kotir. Will the travelers come back with Boar? And who will win the war? Read this very intense book to find out all the answers to these questions and more!
Mr. Terupt Falls Again, by Rob Buyea
Reviewed by Holden C., 6th grader
The kids in Mr.Terrupts fifth grade class get the opportunity to loop with him for one more year, their last of elementary school. They are excited to start school again, but in the new year, there are new problems for everyone. In the beginning of the school year, Mr.Terupt gives them surprising news. Their school has to pull off a very special project. As each student deals with personal problems and challenges, the reader wonders if happiness and success are possible. The theme of this book is to not give up and to believe in yourself.
Nancy Drew Clue Book: Last Lemonade Standing (Series Book 2), by Carolyn Keene
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 4th grader
The Nancy Drew Clue Book Series is the best! My favorite one in the series is book #2, Last Lemonade Standing. It is about three girls named Nancy, Bess and George. Together they are the Clue Crew! In the Clue Crew, the three girls solve mysteries around the neighborhood. Nancy has a book she calls the clue book, where she writes down all the clues to help solve the mystery.
In this book, Nancy, Bess and George are selling lemonade to save up money for tickets to a concert. Their favorite singer, Katy Sloan, was playing in the neighborhood. When they get jealous of their neighbor Lily’s lemonade stand, they decide to get the recipe from Hannah, Nancy’s housekeeper, top-secret lemonade recipe. But when they set up the stand to sell more lemonade, their lemonade recipe goes missing!
Will the Clue Crew be able to find the recipe, and make it to Katy Sloan’s concert? Read the book to find out!
Ninja Kid: Flying Ninja (Series Book 2), by Anh Do
Reviewed by Srisharan S., 5th grader
I really like this story. My favorite character in this story is Ninja Kid. I like Ninja Kid because he is a smart ninja kid. I like this story because it is a cool story. In this book a man named Andrew wants to get a powerful rare purple stone. Ninja Kid wants him to stop. Then Ninja Kid and his grandma practice with a jetpack with his friend Kenny. Then they went to the dentist and Ninja Kid saw objects moving around but the dentist did not notice it. Then while they were heading home the roads were flooding. Then they went to school and the whole classroom had objects flying everywhere. After school, they went home and practiced more things on the jetpack. The next day they went to the zoo and all the animals were acting crazy but Ninja Kid and Kenny helped calm the animals down and got rid of Andrew using their tools. Ninja Kid and Kenny had a successful mission. My favorite part in this book is the part where Ninja Kid and Kenny get jetpacks. As you can see, I really like this book because it is so cool.
Nutcracker Mice, by Kristin Kladstrup
Reviewed by Olivia P., 5th grader
The mice at the Mariinsky Ballet Theatre in Russia are struggling to keep the audience. Esmerelda knows The Nutcracker ballet has to be a success, but it can’t be because the mice are the villains. The theater is in huge trouble if no one likes the performance because audience members pay admission with food. A small audience means little food for the mice at the theater. When Esmerelda meets another mouse who always goes to the mice performances, she knows she has to change the storyline of the dance and the way she dances. She goes to her brother to have him change the storyline, so the Nutcracker is evil, and the mice are good. When Esmerelda finds out the head custodian’s daughter has a doll with dresses that are mouse sized, she steals the dresses and some paintings from the producer’s office to help the ballet be a success. Will Esmerelda succeed? Will the head custodian lose his job because the mice keep outsmarting him? Read this amazing book to find out.
Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, by Judy Blume
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 5th grader
Otherwise Known As Shelia The Great is a really good book! I liked it a lot and would totally recommend it! It is about a girl named Sheila and she is 10 years old and lives in New York City with her mom, dad, and older sister Libby. Sheila is scared of swimming, spiders, and dogs.
One day Sheila’s parents make an announcement. They are going to move to Tarrytown for the whole summer! They will stay at a house owned by Professor Egran and his three sons. When Sheila hears this she says it is a bad idea and that they should go to Disneyland instead. But her mood turned around when her father said she can have her own bedroom. Sheila and Libby share a bedroom in the city.
As the summer goes on, Sheila makes friends and goes to day camp and has sleepovers. But she also deals with scary spiders and swimming lessons and a dog that comes with the house! Will Sheila survive it all? Read the book to find out!
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (Series Book 1), by Rick Riordan
Reviewed by Holden C., 5th grader
I would recommend this book for many reasons. It intrigued me with its fast paced adventure, amazing plot, and humor throughout. Once I picked up this book, I couldn’t put it down. This is in my top three books of all time.
Percy Jackson is a twelve year old kid who has ADHD and dyslexia. During summer break, Percy and his friend Grover go home. Percy and his mom decide to go to their small family cabin. Once there, Grover slammed open the door and whispered something to Percy’s mom. She then told Percy to get in the car. As they were driving, all chaos broke loose and the underworld was summoned. Percy and his friends must battle to stay alive. The theme of the book is to stick together because Annabeth, Grover and Percy have to stick together to survive.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Sea of Monsters (Series Book 2), by Rick Riordan
Reviewed by Holden C., 5th grader
I would highly recommend this book. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat and will deliver with humor. You will feel like you are in the book with the characters and that you are right next to them.
Now that Percy is starting to understand his powers, more monsters are trying to track him down. He is going to a new middle school with a friend who he met named Tyson. Tyson is over six foot five and extremely strong, but has a very soft heart and doesn’t like fighting. When something happens at Camp Half Blood, Clarrise is chosen for the quest. Because Percy and his friends don’t trust Clarrise, Percy and Annabeth set out to help Camp Half Blood, and to save Grover. The theme that I think this book has is to persevere. Annabeth and Percy showed great determination and didn’t give up.
Poached, by Stuart Gibbs
Review by Finn D., 6th grader
The second book in The FunJungle series by Stuart Gibbs is called Poached. It is about Teddy Fitzroy and his friends. A koala was stolen and replaced with a stuffed animal in KoalaVille, and Teddy is the main suspect when security cams show him leaving KoalaVille at closing time with his school backpack, which is big enough to fit a koala. Since Teddy was framed, the pressure is twice as heavy as the last case. He has to investigate who stole the koala while hiding out from security. All the evidence points to Teddy, and of course his friends don’t believe Teddy stole the koala since the one that’s running the show is Large Marge, a security guard driven by revenge since Teddy has played so many pranks on her. And also because Teddy’s friends and parents know Teddy is a troublemaker, but he wouldn’t go that far. This book always keeps you going, if you know what I mean. There are twists and turns and reveals and suspense and action. I really recommend reading this book if you get the chance.
Saving Mr. Terupt, by Rob Buyea
Reviewed by Holden C., 6th grader
When Mr.Terrupts’ sixth grade class moved on to seventh grade, his students from the past two years were separated. They each went their different ways and started adjusting to middle school, each of them having their own problems to deal with. Without Mr.Terupt, school was very different for them all. One day, an incident threatened to destroy their friendship and they went to Mr.Terupt for help, but found out he needs help more than they do. The theme of this story is, as it says in the book, “Hard times like these make you better…as long as you have the right attitude about things,” and I would add that the support and friendship of others helps.
A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning; (Series Book 1), by Lemony Snicket
Reviewed by Holden C., 5th grader
“If you are interested in stories with happy endings, you would be better off reading some other book.” This chilling first line really sets the scene for the whole series to come. In this book, we are introduced to the Baudelaire children. The oldest is Violet who is fourteen and loves inventing things. Klaus is twelve and reads any books he can get his hands on and retains all the knowledge he learns. Finally, the youngest child, Sunny, likes to bite things. She is no bigger than a boot, but makes up for it with her four, sharp front teeth. This saddening story begins at Briny Beach where they are informed that their house had burned down taking their parents with it. Understandably, they were devastated, but this was just the start in their miserable life as they have to run from a villain who wants to steal their families fortune. This book is very clever and a must read for anyone. The theme of this story is that no matter how unfortunate the circumstances, people can do brilliant things.
A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Reptile Room (Series Book 2), by Lemony Snicket
Reviewed by Holden C., 6th grader
After fleeing their despicable uncle who is still following them, the Baudelaire children are put in the care of their uncle Montgomery Montgomery, or Monty for short. He is an herpetologist and has a lifelong interest in snakes and reptiles. He keeps some in his house in a room called the Reptile Room. He treats the Baudelaires well. The Baudelaire’s are in constant fear of Count Olaf and when he shows up, will they be able to save Montgomery or will they all be too late to stop anything? This is a thrilling book that has ingenious writing and an ingenious plot that will keep anyone engrossed for days. This book is so amazing it will give you chills. I would highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone. The theme of this book is teamwork because the Baudelaires have to work together to stop Count Olaf from killing them, their uncle, and stealing their families fortune.
A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Wide Window (Series Book 3), by Lemony Snicket
Reviewed by Holden C., 6th grader
Once again on the run from their uncle, the Baudelaires are in despair as their feeling of a safe home was cruelly shattered by Count Olaf when he murdered their Uncle Monty who loved them very much. After their Uncle’s death, they were sent to their new guardian, their paranoid Aunt Josephine. She is scared of practically everything even though her rickety old house is precariously balanced hundreds of feet above a cliff with harsh rough water below. As the Baudelaires start adjusting to their new life and the illusion of safety, Count Olaf finds his way into it. This is an awesome book and I would one hundred percent recommend it to anyone. The theme of this story is that you can’t always rely on other people to help you.
Sisters, by Raina Telgemeier
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 5th grader
I think Sisters is an outstanding book! It is a graphic novel and I would totally recommend it if you love graphic novels! It’s about a girl named Raina and she is going on a trip to Colorado to visit her cousins. She is going to drive there with her mom, her sister Amara, and her younger brother Will.
Amara and Raina don’t get along too well, and during the car trip, they fight a lot and drive their mom nuts. The girls fight over colored pencils and the Walkman, which is a device to listen to music using cassette tapes. So they kick the seat and scream at each other during the car ride. Will also chants and sings loudly in the car and annoys everybody, which doesn’t help.
Raina has always wanted a sister, but maybe a sister isn’t what she asked for. When their parent’s relationship starts to get a little shaky, they must learn to get along together. The theme of this book is when you set aside your differences and get along, you will see the light. I really enjoyed reading this book. I give it a thumbs up!
Smile, by Raina Telgemeier
Reviewed by Samantha M., 6th grader
I liked this book and would recommend it to anyone 10-13 years old, that may need braces, or is just looking for a humorous read. This is a graphic novel set in the 90s. In the book “Smile,” Raina Telgemeier was having a normal day when she had a terrible accident after a Girl Scout meeting. Because of this accident, she did serious damage to her front teeth, she even had to get fake front teeth to replace them.
I liked this book as it is a good representation of how braces can improve your self-esteem if someone didn’t have good teeth. This shows people who are about to get braces and the side effects to them. It’s written in a funny way, so you can see the point of how someone may not be happy about getting them.
It’s a touching book, and it goes through how sometimes friends change as you get older, bullying, and just the general daily routines of middle school kids. Since this is a graphic novel, the pictures are showing you her daily routines and struggles. I was happy when Raina meets her new friend Theresa and got her braces off.
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 5th grader
Smile by Raina Telgemeier really did make me smile! This great graphic novel is about a teenager named Raina who one day after a Girl Scouts meeting falls and injures her two front teeth. Raina was about to get braces already. But before she gets braces, the orthodontist has to try many times to fix her two front teeth. Getting braces is hard enough, and Raina still has more to deal with. Friends, boys, and family are all a frustrating part in Raina’s dental journey.
Raina’s “friends” weren’t very supportive about her having braces. They teased her many times and said she had “dog breath!” They also gave her a makeover as a joke because they thought she didn’t look good with braces. Don’t you wonder how she deals with her not-so-friendly friends? Read the book to see!
The theme of this book is to not take it too hard on yourself and enjoy yourself. Will Raina gain enough confidence to talk to the boy she likes? Will she forgive her little sister for being mean to her? Will Raina finally smile? Check out one of my favorite books to find out!
Spy School Revolution, by Stuart Gibbs
Reviewed by Finn D., 6th grader
Spy School Revolution by Stuart Gibbs is a great book to read, that is, once you’ve read every other Spy School book in the series. Nevertheless, this is a good read for people who like to occupy their time by reading action-packed suspenseful books. Ben finds himself being attacked by one of his fellow spies who supposedly turned to the dark side. Ben knew Erica would never do that, so he followed the clues that Erica left behind for him to find her, and when he does, Erica tells him that she only attacked because she was forced by an evil Spanish terrorist organization named the Croatan. The Croatan then threatened Erica and told her that if she didn’t attempt to kill Ben, then they would kill her sister, Trixie. All in all, Ben is mixed up in a crazy adventure of loyalty and suspense.
Stick Dog: Stick Dog Gets the Tacos (Series Book 9), by Tom Watson
Reviewed by Srisharan S., 5th grader
I really like this story. I like this story because it has funny parts in the book. The book is about Stick Dog seeing Karen and she tells that a group of people were hitting a dog. Stick dog was angry so he and his friends went to the place and saw that the dog was a toy unicorn or something. Next, they thought the humans were hitting live birdies but it was a badminton birdie. Then the humans were playing games. Stick Dog and his friends all went to eat some guacamole. Then there was a knock on the door and the human took out chips and tacos. Stick Dog and his friends found the chips and made a plan to get them. They got the chips. They then tried chips and guacamole together and said it was yummy. Then Stick Dog found the taco bag and every one of the dogs had finished all the tacos and they wrapped pinecones in the taco aluminum foil. When the male human opened the taco bag, he saw the pine cone but his daughter called and he put the taco back inside. The humans were playing a game and the dogs broke the unicorn and took the candy and ran away. My favorite scene in this book is when the dogs wrapped pinecones in the foil that the tacos came with. As you can see I like this book.
The Stolen Sapphire: A Samantha Mystery, by Sarah Masters Buckey
Reviewed by Olivia Anne P., 5th grader
In this book Samantha Parkington and Nellie, her adopted sister, are invited to go to Europe with Grandmary and the Admiral Beemis. Nellie and Samantha meet all the passengers on the old-fashioned ship they are taking, but some aren’t as nice as they seem. One of the passengers found a mysterious gem called the Blue Star that brings bad luck to all who have it. When all the first-class passengers are dining the lights go out and when they turn back on the gem is gone! As Samantha and Nellie investigate, their French tutor is accused of stealing the gem. They have to find the gem in a couple of days before they dock in Ireland. Will they find the gem, or will the thief get away? Read this thrilling mystery tale that comes right before the other Samantha mystery “Danger in Paris.”
The Swiss Family Robinson, by Johann Wyss
Reviewed by Olivia Anne P., 5th grader
The Robinson family has gotten themselves shipwrecked on an unknown island when sailing from Switzerland. As the remaining survivors of the shipwreck they start out on an adventure. They face many perils once they reach land. The boys encounter many strange but wonderful animals. Father, Fritz, Ernest, and Jack create a vast number of creative houses. Also, Father creates many inventions that help them when living on the island. The four children tame many wild animals and love to race them while father, who is very knowledgeable, goes out on adventures and finds many edible foods and stupendous sites. This classic book is very amazing and draws the reader into the adventure like they are one of the characters themselves. Enjoy reading this book.
Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli
Reviewed by Julianna B., 6th grader
“Stargirl” by Jerry Spinelli is a novel that is about a boy named Leo and a girl named Stargirl. Stargirl gets bullied for being different, while Leo doesn’t mind it, later catching feelings for her. The theme of this book is fitting in. I would rate this book a thumbs up, and would recommend for the person reading this book review to try it out.
The Tale of Despereaux, by Kate Dicamillo
Reviewed by Holden C., 5th grader
Inside the walls of a castle, a mouse is born. He was the only one to survive the litter. He looked different and people said his ears were too big, or that he was born with his eyes open. He was expected to die, but he didn’t. He liked to explore and go into the castle which was restricted, and when he talked to a human, he was banished to the dungeons for betraying the opinions and ideas of the other mice. This is when his adventure started. This book is fast paced and will always keep you entertained. I would highly recommend this to anyone. The theme of this book is that sometimes the impossible is possible.
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, by Judy Blume
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 4th grader
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing is a fantastic book! I would recommend the book Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing because it is very funny and full of excitement and mystery. The book is about a boy named Peter and his younger brother, Farley Drexel Hatcher, who everyone calls Fudge. Everyone thinks Fudge is adorable, but Peter knows the truth. Peter thinks his younger brother is a big troublemaker and super annoying! The brothers have many silly adventures everywhere they go. Fudge is always getting in big trouble, and makes a mess wherever they go! When Peter gets a new pet turtle, named Dribble, Fudge is of course causing mischief again! Read the book to find out what happens when Fudge swallows Dribble, and Peter is stuck with no pet. There was another time when Fudge had a tantrum at the shoe store because he wanted to wear the same shoes as Peter but they didn’t have them in his size. But no matter how annoying Fudge is to Peter, the two brothers always love each other! This book will make you laugh out loud and is another one of my favorites.
Tenney, by Kellen Hertz
Reviewed by Catherine Emmerich, 5th grader
I gave the book Tenney a thumbs up review because it was about a girl who loved music and worked hard to achieve her goals. In the end though she didn’t get everything she hoped for, a record deal, and had to learn to deal with the disappointment.
Tenney signed up to play guitar at the Jamboree. She got paired with a senior citizen and they had to learn to work together to be able to perform at the Jamboree. In between signing up for the Jamboree and performing with the senior citizen Tenney had the chance to play at the famous Blue Bird Café. That performance did not go well. Then, Tenney decided she didn’t want to perform anymore. But, the senior citizen she was assigned to work with convinced her to get back on stage. Tenney did perform with her senior citizen by her side and they performed really well.
At the Blue Bird Café, there was a person representing a music label. When she didn’t do well, she thought her chances were gone forever. What Tenney didn’t know was that the senior citizen she was partnered with for the Jamboree was a famous musician. The same record label person came and saw them both perform and even though she didn’t get a record deal, she was able to get a mentor to help her learn to be better. The lesson that Tenney took away was always try your best and never give up on your dreams!
Timmy Failure: Zero to Hero (Series Book 0), by Stephan Pastis
Reviewed by Bharath K.R., 6th grader
A boy named Timmy Failure, is a detective. He is famous (or so he says) that there are seven books written about his life. This book is about how he became a detective. His best friend Charles “Rollo ” Tookus writes the book. It’s a really funny book. He says a bowling ball is a bomb disguised as a bowling ball. He solves two “worldwide” cases. One for his missing shirt and another for the books he lost. Soon after he lost the books, he found a polar bear named Total in Becky’s Hair and Nail Salon. Timmy calls it an Intelligence Gathering Site. He thought a hair dryer was a highly classified listening chamber. He has an “enemy” to defeat. Her name is Corrina Corrina. Before she became Timmy’s enemy, Timmy invited her to join his detective agency, Failure Inc. Then Corrina Corrina moves into Timmy’s school and starts her own detective agency, Corrina Corrina Intelligence Agency. Timmy thinks Corrina Corrina is trying to stop his agency from growing. Timmy invites Total into the agency, which was soon named Total Failure Inc. I highly recommend reading this book.
Timmy Failure: It’s the End When I Say It’s the End (Series Book 7), by Stephan Pastis
Reviewed by Bharath K.R., 6th grader
Now Timmy has solved many notorious crimes and wishes to enjoy his retirement, his “fans” have begged him to turn his memoirs into a movie, an ode to his greatness. However, he is beset by his “enemies”, the worst of whom is Tom John John, the “buffoonish” (as he says) movie director. Timmy’s father is in town, working at a bar, which is obviously just a cover for his father-son crime-fighting partnership (It’s not true. That’s what Timmy thinks). He comes to see his father everyday at the bar. He gave his movie script to his dad but when Timmy asked for it back, his father couldn’t find it. That led him to another detective case, in which Corrina Corrina and Molly Moskins helped him. His dim-witted partner, Total, wants to reunite with his little brother. Timmy helped him search for him. First, Total asked Timmy to draw him out. Timmy found a fax machine. He helped Total work the machine. Soon Total found someone, but Timmy figured out that he was not Total’s brother. They kept on searching. I highly recommend you read this book.
Trapped in a Video Game, by Dustin Brady (eBook)
Reviewed by Holden C., 5th grader
When Jesse Rigsby and his friend Eric get stuck in the video game Full Blast, they have to get out quickly; before they will be stuck in it forever. This is a good book that keeps you excited the entire way. The theme of this story is two different people can still get along. Jesse and Eric are completely different and like different things, but they are still friends.
The Trials of Apollo: The Hidden Oracle (Series Book 1), by Rick Riordan
Reviewed by Holden C., 5th grader
This book takes place after the events of the Heroes Of Olympus series. This is another thrilling and humorous book by the amazing author, Rick Riordan, continuing the adventures of the Greek and Roman Mythology book series. This book starts off with the god Apollo falling from the sky as a mortal (with acne) into a dumpster. He meets a twelve year old girl named Meg in the alley where he lands and their adventure together begins to return himself to his throne on Mount Olympus. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Rick Roirdan’s work because it is as amazing as his other books. This book’s theme is to not just rely on yourself – accept that sometimes you need other people to help you along the way, as Meg does for Apollo.
The Trials of Apollo: The Dark Prophecy (Series Book 2), by Rick Riordan
Reviewed by Holden C., 5th grader
This book comes after the Trials of Apollo book the Hidden Oracle. Now that Apollo knows he has to free the five oracles and he has freed the Grove of Diana at Camp Half Blood, he must continue on his journey alone because Meg had left him. On his journey, he must also push on to kill the three emperors who are trying to become gods. This book shows how Apollo is changing. This book is humorous, riveting, gripping, and will keep you on the edge of your seat making you not want to put down the book and keep flipping the pages. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mythology and adventure because this is an amazing combination of both. The theme of this book is empathy because Apollo is starting to realize that his ways of thinking of morals as disposable is wrong and is starting to change his ways and feel empathy.
The Trials of Apollo: The Burning Maze (Series Book 3) by Rick Riordan
Reviewed by Holden C., 5th grader
This book takes place after the book Trials of Apollo – The Dark Prophecy. Apollo, Grover, and Meg are forced to travel through the Labyrinth as the Dark Prophecy had said to “travel through the magical maze.” They must fend off monsters and survive the Labyrinth at the same time, and see where the Labyrinth would take them and what their quest would be like fully. Read to find out. This book is amazing and one of my favorites. I would recommend it to anyone one who enjoys Rick Riordan’s work. The theme is that loss is a part of life because Apollo is feeling loss for the deaths of people around him. This is unlike him as a god because he never felt loss because he thought of humans as inferior and didn’t worry of losing himself, as he was immortal.
The Trials of Apollo: The Tyrant’s Tomb (Series Book 4) by Rick Riordan
Reviewed by Holden C., 5th grader
This book comes after the Trials of Apollo – The Burning Maze. After Jason’s death by Caligula on the cruise ship, they are taking his body to Camp Jupiter for a proper funeral which leads them to discover the unofficial “fourth emperor.” Will they be able to survive this new challenge? Read to find out what happens. This is an amazing book with amazing writing. I would recommend this book to anyone. The theme of this book is that no one is powerless and everyone has the power to make a change because Apollo feels powerless against the oracle but must gain his courage to make a change.
The Trials of Apollo: The Tower of Nero (Series Book 5) by Rick Riordan
Reviewed by Holden C., 5th grader
This book takes place after the events in the book of The Trials of Apollo – The Tyrants Tomb. Now that Caligula and Commundus have both been killed by Frank and Apollo, they must now kill the last surviving emperor, Nero, and Meg’s stepfather. If Apollo survives he must face his strongest and oldest enemy – the Python who he had to use all his godly strength to defeat the first time. This is the final book and you should read to the end to find out how this amazing series comes to a close. This book really shows Apollo’s progress. This is an awesome book that shows all of Rick Riordan’s writing talent. I would recommend this amazing book to anyone. The theme of this book is that you need courage because Apollo needs courage to fight his mortal enemy and try to beat him.
Turtle in Paradise, by Jennifer L. Holm
Valentina Sofia T., 6th grader
It is about a girl named Turtle who has to move in with her aunt in Key West. It is a story about change, growth, and realization. It had well-rounded characters that were well constructed and were made to be human, not perfect. The characters are only one part of the book, another part that I loved was the plot. The plot was well-written and felt as though Turtle really wrote and her perspective was shown wonderfully. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves realistic fiction or plot twists. Turtle changes and realizes that she’s found her paradise, like in all the movies and shows she has seen.
What Was the Age of the Dinosaurs?, by Megan Stine
Reviewed by Catherine Emmerich, 5th grader
I gave the book, The Age of the Dinosaurs by Megan Stine, a thumbs up because it is a great resource if you want to learn about dinosaurs. It is broken up into the different periods in which Dinosaurs lived. In the beginning dinosaurs were not very big. Over time they began to evolve. For example, instead of just having plant eating animals or small meat eating animals, the meat eaters began to grow and become very large! The plant eaters adapted to their environment by growing taller to reach more vegetation to eat. Then the book discussed how after some time, we didn’t just have herbivores and carnivores, we started getting dinosaurs that ate both meat and plants, which were called omnivores!
Another interesting fact that the books talked about was how the body of the dinosaurs changed. They began growing spikes on their backs and horns on their head as they evolved over time. They also talked about how meat eaters had sharp pointy teeth and plant eaters had very flat teeth.
Scientists believe that all the dinosaurs were wiped out because of a HUGE meteor that hit the earth. Today, they learn about the dinosaurs because of the fossils and bones left on the earth’s surface. The book discusses the markings on the bones that help tell a story about the life of the dinosaur.
At the end, they explain that the closest living animal to the dinosaur is a BIRD!
When Mischief Came to Town, by Katrina Nannestad
Reviewed by Emma Y., 6th grader
When Mischief Came to Town is a story about a girl named Inge Maria Jensen who is sent to the island of Bornholm, Denmark, after the recent death of her mom. Inge Maria’s grandmother is very strict, the people in Bornholm are strange, and the children are supposed to be seen and not heard. During recess, girls are not allowed to run around on the grass, while the boys can. Instead, the girls have to sit quietly on the benches by the schoolhouse. Even though Inge Maria tries really hard to be good, mischief always finds her in the end. However, mischief isn’t always necessarily bad.
When Mischief Came to Town is a really interesting book that I enjoyed reading. I loved how Inge Maria and her grandmother’s relationship became closer and closer throughout the book. Inge Maria’s mischief leads to many funny parts of the book, and I couldn’t put the book down because I wanted to see what Inge Maria would do next. Inge Maria filled her grandmother’s life with her energy, mischief, laughter, and joy, and I loved the ending. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an awesome book!
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, by Grace Lin
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 4th grader
Where The Mountain Meets The Moon is an amazing book! It is about a girl named Minli who lives in the Valley of Fruitless Mountain with her mom and dad. They don’t have much money except for two coins in a blue rice bowl with a rabbit painted on it. Every day Minli and her family work hard in the rice fields, and that rice is one of the only meals Minli and her family can afford. Minli loves hearing stories that her father tells. She especially loves hearing the legends of The Old Man Of The Moon, who had The Book Of Fortune that held the answers to everything. One day Minli decides to take a trip to Never-Ending Mountain to visit The Old Man Of The Moon to ask him why their family is so poor. On the way, she meets many magical creatures that help her on her journey. That includes a talking fish, a mighty king, and a dragon who can’t fly! Will Minli reach The Old Man Of The Moon there and back safely? Or will Minli be in terrible danger? Read the book to find out!
Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy (Series Book 1), by Tui T. Sutherland
Reviewed by Allie H., 6th grader
I definitely give this book a thumbs up. In The Dragonet Prophecy, the first book in the series, Clay and four other young dragons are destined to play a big role in a prophecy. A war was being fought for a long time across all of Pyrrhia, and the five dragonets named Sunny, Tsunami, Starflight, Glory, and Clay need to stop it. The prophecy says that the war will last twenty years. Until then, the five dragonets were ‘prisoners,’ and were kept in a cave so that they will be safe.They want to escape, and fulfill the prophecy now. It is a daunting task, and all of Pyrrhia depends on them. Will their endeavors succeed? This book is filled with excitement and adventure. As the characters face challenges, they help and rely on each other. I would recommend this book for people ages 9-11 years old.
Reviewed by Caitlyn C., 5th grader
Wings of Fire is a cool series! I liked book One, The Dragonet Prophecy. It is so cool! I would definitely recommend it. The Dragonet Prophecy is about five dragonets who live under a mountain and are protected by the Talons of Peace, a group of dragons that swore to protect the dragonets for the prophecy. The dragonets are Clay, Tsunami, Sunny, Starflight, and Glory.
The Dragonet Prophecy is a prophecy told by a dragon named Morrowseer that said five dragonets would hatch and end the war between the tribes for the SandWing throne. SandWings are a type of dragon.
One day, the dragonets get sick of living under the mountain and decide to escape. But when they get out of the mountain, they are attacked by a group of dragons! They take the dragonets to the Sky Kingdom to fight in the SkyWing palace. Will the dragonets find a way to escape and find their destiny? Read this awesome book to find out!
Wonder, by R. J. Palacio
Reviewed by Addison S., 5th grader
August (Auggie) Pullman is different from most kids. When people see him, sometimes they get scared. Auggie isn’t that different though. He does ordinary things. He eats ice cream, he rides his bike and he does so many things that are ordinary. Auggie is starting middle school at Beecher Prep for the first time. He has been homeschooled for all his life, until now!!!! When he gets there he notices there are many,many bullies but also friends. Auggie works through all his tough times. Friends are always there for him! I would give this book a thumbs up and I would definitely recommend it! This book has a mixture of feelings in it!
So get to it, read WONDER!!!
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