Friday, May 11, 2012
Gym Candy by Carl Deuker
I’m going to do my book review on Gym Candy by: Carl Deuker. High School football star Mick Johnson is determined not to follow in his father’s footsteps and make the same mistakes his father made on the field. But after being tackled outside the end zone in a crucial game, Mick decides his current training plan isn’t working. It isn’t long before Mick finds himself purchasing and using “gym candy.” Mick gets the results he’s been looking for, and a lot more he didn’t have in mind, and he soon finds himself trapped. . . Will Mick ever stop using steroids? If so what will happen.
This book has not won any awards but I think it will in the future. The recommended reading age is 12 and up. Quotes from famous writers and reviewers are, “Kick of the football season with this riveting title.” Says The Bulletin. “Deuker. . . knows his stuff. . . This is a solid sports tale with a valuable message.” Says KLIATT. A quote I liked from this book is when Mick’s Dad tells him when he is little boy, “There’s no crying in football.” Other books by Carl Deuker are, Payback Time, Heart of A Champion, Night Hoops, and many more. I really liked this book and it kept me on the edge of my seat and I’m sure it will do the same for you.
Recommended by Noah Smith
Penny from Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm
Today I’ll be recommending the book Penny from Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm. It’s about an 11 year old girl, Penny, who is living in 1953. She has great ideas of what she wants to do to have fun in the summer, but it seems like her mother is saying no to all of them. Worst of all her mom starts dating the milkman. How will she make this summer more fun? Well her troublemaker cousin, Frankie will try to help.
Penny is a really great character who just wants to have fun, but will she have even less fun if she gets in trouble with Frankie? The recommended reading age is 10+. This book is most like Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson.
I think Jennifer Holm writes most like Wendy Mass (She wrote Jeremy Fink and The Meaning of Life.) because they both write in the perspective of kids that are 11 and 12 and make it believable.
My favorite part from this book is
“Nonny starts crying. “My Freddy good boy.”
“That’s right,” Uncle Paulie says, a fat tear running down his cheek.
“Regular party in here,” a voice says from the top of the stairs.”
I like this part because it just shows how funny the book is.
The author has also written Turtle in Paradise. This book has won a Newbery Honor and is a fast historical fiction read that will also count as award winning.
The School Library Journal said, “Penny and her world are clearly drawn and eminently believable, made up of seamlessly interwoven details from everyday life.”
So will Penny make this a great summer, or will her mother ruin it all?
Recommended by Laura Snyder
Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury
Have you ever known what you are doing is wrong, but you’re doing it anyway? Have you ever walked away from your past life to start a new one? Brad Cutler did just that. Brad’s life turned out amazing. He is getting married to the girl of his dreams, and has a job working for her dad. His high school girlfriend is the only one standing between him and his fairytale life ahead of him. I am recommending the book Shades of Blue by: Karen Kingsbury. It is about how a man walked away from everything he had in Holden Beach. One day, what he had done in his past years finally caught up with him. He goes back to reconcile, and ask forgiveness from his first love, Emma.
Shades of Blue was copyrighted in 2009. Karen Kingsbury has won many awards including, 2009 Extraordinary Woman of the Year award, and the 2007 Evangelical Book of the Year for her novel, Ever After. Her other books include, the Bailey Flanigan Series, the Red Gloves Collection, the Above the Line series, Ever After, the Redemption series, the Firstborn series, and many more. She is an amazing author for children and adults. I can not wait to see the movie Shades of Blue after reading the book.
It has 336 pages packed with faith filled messages, and mistakes not to be repeated. It is recommended for ages 18 and up, but I thought it was a good book for 14 and up also. “Karen Kingsbury's books have a way of grabbing your heart and refuse to let go until the last page is turned. I read this book in one sitting. I just couldn't wait to find out how the story would end.” says LMS on Amazon. “Powerful! I couldn't put it down, and the message still stays with me. Kingsbury tackled another difficult subject beautifully.” Tammy shared about the book.
My personal reaction to the book was, I loved it! It was the second best book I read this year after Catching Jordan. It not only has a powerful message, but it will bring out the emotions of anyone who reads it, guaranteed. Shades of Blue reminded me of the book Muted Grey. It was about the same topic, and both made me want to do something for the main characters. I thought this fit into many different genres such as Romance, Realistic Fiction, and Religious. I think it is geared more towards girls because it is emotional, and men don’t usually like to show their emotions. It was overall a really phenomenal book, that I hope you all read.
Recommended by Isabel Brehm
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
“ As a rule, Ginny Blackstone tried to go unnoticed-something that was more or less impossible with thirty pounds (she’d weighed it) of purple and green backpack hanging from her back.” This is my favorite quote from the book 13 Little Blue Envelopes Maureen Johnson. In this quote it shows the funny and witty side of Ginny. in this captivating novel Ginny goes on a self discovery. She gets a package telling her to get on a plane and go to London. When she arrives she can open the envelope in the package. The envelope leads to another and then another until the 13th envelope. All the envelopes lead her to do things she’s never done before and push her to the limit. Maureen Johnson has a writing style similar to Sarah Dessen. They both have very realistic writing styles. Some other novels Maureen Johnson has written are, The Name of the Star, Suite Scarlett, Scarlett Fever, Girl At Sea, and The Key To The Golden Firebird. Publisher’s weekly says, “Equal parts poignant, funny and inspiring, with a delicious fairytale ending.” I could not locate a review from an author for this 13 and up novel. This book had not won any awards. To get to the 13th envelope you’ll have experience every tear, laugh, and awkward exchange Ginny goes through to get to where she needs to be.
Recommended by Meg Stecklein
The Enemy by Charlie HIgson
How are you all doing now? In the final quarter of this lovely and educational year I read and recommend the book The Enemy by Charlie Higson.
"The Enemy grabs you by the throat...and bites off your ear. It's kids versus zombies and no one is playing nice. The action-and boy, is there action-takes us through a London transformed by the unexplained illness that has turned every adult into a shuffling, drooling, kid-crunching machine. Bonus: zombie royals." Is what Michael Grant said about it. Your first thought is probably awesome and a little scary. You are absolutely correct. It is about a post apocalyptic London. Everybody on Earth above the age of fourteen either died or worse turn into a zombie. Most of the kids of London went either to Waitrose or Morrisons, the supermarkets nearest to them. They stay alive by going out of the sanctuary of the store to search for food and kill dogs who have been infected. It starts out with Small Sam, a main character, getting kidnapped by zombies, another character getting killed by zombies, and Arran, another main character, getting bit by a zombie. Then there are two plots: one is about Small Sam, who was the kid who got taken, and him getting back to his group and the other is about the people in the supermarkets getting a visit from Jester, a kid in a patched coat, telling them to go to the Buckingham Palace where a bunch of kids are and life is much better. They go with the strange kid and make their way across London fighting “adults” AKA zombies, crazed monkeys, and more zombies. Will they get across London? Will Small Sam find his way back to his friends? Only way to know is to read this 448 page science fiction novel. Also a reason to read is that this book has a map. I really liked this book. It had a lot of action and adventure. The characters were very brave, or they were very manipulative and power hungry, both things characteristics make the book interesting to read.
Amazon said, “Full of unexpected twists and quick-thinking heroes, The Enemy is a fast-paced, white-knuckle tale of survival in the face of unimaginable horror.” I agree totally with that statement. Charlie Higson also wrote Happy Now, Full Whack, Getting Rid of Mister Kitchen, King of the Ants, Young Bond series, The Fear, The Dead, Monstroso. The Enemy have not won any awards. It is for people 14 years and up, and I would say not for the faint of heart.
A quote from this book is “Standing in the corridor was a large plastic bin on wheels. He looked inside. Empty tins of dog food. That explained the spaghetti with meat sauce. Oh well, he'd eaten worse.” I picked this quote from the book because it shows how bad they are and a bit of what they are going through. I would say this book is a lot like the Gone series by Michael Grant. In both the kids have to survive by themselves. Also both text has a great amount of gory details. I also think in this book Charlie Higson is a lot like Michael Grant. I think this because they usually have a lot of characters in their books. They both wrote books from a young adult perspective. This is a breathtaking story that will keep you reading until it is done. Hope you read it because I can’t say it enough it is a really awesome book. It is also okay if you read it just to look at the map.
Recommended by Carl Schneider
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
“May the odds be ever in your favor.” Effie Tinket repeats a lot in the book The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.This is a must read for all! A lot of people have read this but if you haven’t you need to. It is the best book I have read all year, and best movie I have watched in my entire life. The Hunger Games was a well-written fiction novel for young adults. It is a great mix of action and a romantic love story, that kept me reading during independent reading time. It all starts in North America as it is today has been destroyed and after the area is divided up into 12 districts. The region is controlled by a very rich and weird government that is called “The Capitol”. A 16-year-old girl named Katniss Everdeen chooses to take her little sister’s place to participate in the Hunger Games held at The Capitol every year; Katniss was one of 24 “tributes” that are chosen each year. The games were made to place children from 12 to 18 years old in a big, dangerous arena to fight until the death. The fight is not only highly publicized, but it is also televised around the country. Unfortunately for her, she must deal with deciding whether or not to kill strangers, or have a love connection between Katniss and another from District 12. You must read to find out what road she takes in her life. The reading age for this book is 12 and up. It is a 384 page turning book that kept me reading. This book hasn’t won any awards yet. But I think it should in the future. It was awesome. Suzanne Collins also wrote Catching Fire, and Mocking Jay. My favorite character in this book is Katniss, I like her because she is the best person ever. She is willing to help anybody. But she also has a nasty side to her, when it comes to the hunger games. I also went to the movie and found lots of difference so I suggest you all read the book and go to the movie.
“I was obsessed with this book. The Hunger Games is amazing.” A quote from the famous author Stephenie Meyer author of the twilight saga.”Brilliantly plotted and perfectly paced.” said John Green, The New York Times Book Review. My favorite quote from the book is “Here’s some advice. Stay alive,” this is said by Haymitch, Katniss and Peeta’s weird mentor, this was my favorite quote because it is kinda funny, and very good information for just going into the hunger games. It is funny because obviously that is the best advice you can get, and it is true because the statement is true. "One more time? For the audience?" read this awesome book to find out what this sentence means. I recommend this book to everybody!
Recommended by Megan Maahs
Batboy by Mike Lupica
The book that I am going to do my book review on is, Batboy. It is written by Mike Lupica.It is about a kid named Brian and how he wants to get his dream job, Being a Batboy! He tried to get it when he was fifteen and they said he had to wait a year. So, the next year he wrote a letter and got the job, with the Tigers. After he had been working with the Tigers for a while, his all-time favorite player got drafted to the team. Brian thinks he is a hero until he finds out the truth. Read to find out what happens with brian and how he figures this out.
This is a great book that is filled with twists and turns at every page. This book is probably more for boys than for girls. I liked this book because it is easy to relate to because Brian is my age. The recommended reading age is 10 and up.Other books by the same author are, Travel Team, Heat, Summer Ball, The Big Field and many more. He has been the New York times bestselling author, and has many bestselling books. People who bought this also bought, Two-Minute Drill (Comeback Kids), Travel Team, The Big Field, Heat, Hero, and Long Shot. A quote that I liked from the book was, “ Brian Felt like he was close enough to baseball that he could reach out and grab it.” I liked this because it shows how much Brian loves baseball. A quote from Kirkus reviews is, “This book is great who ever likes sports and sadness and action read this and you will not stop reading this book and you will love it.” Overall I thought this was a great book!
Recommended by Frank Brehm
Thursday, April 12, 2012
High Heat by Carl Deuker
The book I am recommending is High Heat by Carl Deuker. It is about a high school baseball player named Shane Hunter. Shane is a closer for his team, Shorelake. Everything seems to be going good for him until the middle of one of his games. During the game, two men come into the stands and arrest his dad. Shane is confused but soon finds out that his dad is accused of money laundering. His dad gets bailed out of jail, but he still isn’t innocent. While on bail, he commits suicide. Now Shane and his family are faced with the problems his dad left them. They don’t have very much money, so they need to sell their house and Shane and his sister have to transfer to a public school. They move into city housing and Shane gets into trouble with some other kids for stealing. Shane is let go, but he has to do community service at a local baseball field. He fixes up the field so it is ready to be played on. The manager at the field sees Shane’s love for baseball and convinces him to play for the team. During one game that Shane is closing, he goes up against the kid whose family moved into his old house. The kid’s name is Reese. Reese took Shane’s friends, his house, and his spot on his old team. Shane is angry at Reese so he throws the ball right at his head. Reese’s helmet shatters and he is critically injured. He slowly recovers but isn’t the same great hitter he was before the injury. Now Shane is left to deal with the choices and mistakes he made. He has a rough time pitching and gets benched. He finally is able to put the past behind him and focus on what he is doing. His team makes it to the playoffs and are on their way to the state championship.
This book is a excellent choice for any baseball player or fan. I really enjoyed it and consider it a very good read. In this 277-page book you will experience the everyday hardships that Shane faces during his high school years. High Heat has not received any awards, but I think it certainly deserves one. The recommended reading age is twelve and up. “Time and baseball work to ease a teenager’s hurt in this intense, narrowly focused novel....Enough taut sports action to satisfy the most avid fan” ALA booklist says. “Delivers baseball action along with a rich psychological portrait, told through a first-person narration,” says School Library Journal. If you liked The Big Field and The Batboy by Mike Lupica, you are sure to like High Heat. Some other books by Carl Deuker are Heart of a Champion, Payback Time, Gym Candy, and many more. A quote from the book is, “For a second his eyes met mine and locked. Blue friendly eyes, confident eyes....I reared back and fired the ball harder than any ball I’ve ever thrown in my life. Only I didn’t throw it outside. I threw it inside. Up and in. High heat.” Later in the book, a college coach notices Shane’s skills and considers offering him a scholarship. To earn it, he has to have a good season and do his best in school. Can he get the scholarship that he so badly needs? If he can, it will be a great help to his family. You have to read to find out the answer to this question and many more. I highly recommend reading High Heat and I’m sure you will enjoy this captivating novel as much as I did.
Recommended by an 8th Grader
This book is a excellent choice for any baseball player or fan. I really enjoyed it and consider it a very good read. In this 277-page book you will experience the everyday hardships that Shane faces during his high school years. High Heat has not received any awards, but I think it certainly deserves one. The recommended reading age is twelve and up. “Time and baseball work to ease a teenager’s hurt in this intense, narrowly focused novel....Enough taut sports action to satisfy the most avid fan” ALA booklist says. “Delivers baseball action along with a rich psychological portrait, told through a first-person narration,” says School Library Journal. If you liked The Big Field and The Batboy by Mike Lupica, you are sure to like High Heat. Some other books by Carl Deuker are Heart of a Champion, Payback Time, Gym Candy, and many more. A quote from the book is, “For a second his eyes met mine and locked. Blue friendly eyes, confident eyes....I reared back and fired the ball harder than any ball I’ve ever thrown in my life. Only I didn’t throw it outside. I threw it inside. Up and in. High heat.” Later in the book, a college coach notices Shane’s skills and considers offering him a scholarship. To earn it, he has to have a good season and do his best in school. Can he get the scholarship that he so badly needs? If he can, it will be a great help to his family. You have to read to find out the answer to this question and many more. I highly recommend reading High Heat and I’m sure you will enjoy this captivating novel as much as I did.
Recommended by an 8th Grader
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have cancer or have you ever lost someone from cancer? If you have you know it can be a very difficult time. Today I will be recommending the book My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult. Sixteen year old, Kate, has been fighting leukemia since her childhood. Just so happens Kate’s younger sister, Anna, was born to help Kate survive. Anna is thirteen and has had countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots just to lengthen Kate life. Anna and Kate’s parents are in the hospital twenty-four- seven with her. Anna feels not wanted and forgotten. Kate’s kidney needs to be replaced, now Anna is expected to donate one of hers. Anna has not had a choice to choose if she wanted to continue to help Kate. Anna will decide to do the unthinkable, even if it tears her family apart, and even end fatal for her sister. This inspiring novel will alter the way you make decisions. It is also a heart touching novel will leave you thinking about it days to follow.
This is 448 page book is recommended to young adults. This is #1 New York Bestseller, but has not won any awards. It also received a four in a half star rating from Barnes and Noble. Some other books by Jodi Picoult are Plain Truth, Keeping Faith, and Nineteen Minutes. My Sister’s Keeper ties in with the book Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick. Both of the main characters have leukemia. The main characters describe their long journey of pain, suffering, and survival. So will the sick kids get cured? This question and many more will remain until the end!
Daily News declared, “Has the emotional tenacity to fuel tears and talk!” Once you read this book you will agree with me of this statement by Susan H. Woodcock, “This is a real page-turner and frighteningly thought-provoking. The story shows evidence of thorough research and the unexpected twist at the end will surprise almost everyone. The novel does not answer many questions, but it sure raises some and will have teens thinking about possible answers long after they have finished the book.” I couldn’t have described this book any better. A quote from the book I found was, “When they gently turn Kate’s face to the other side, the tissue paper beneath her cheek is damp. I learn from my own daughter that you don’t have to be awake to cry.” I found this quote very true. When you have a hopeless time in your life, you think about it always, even when you are sleeping. This quote really made relate to when my grandpa was fight a brain tumor, it was really hard to not think about. I cried a lot during those hard six months. It must be even harder to be the one in pain physically. This quote goes to show that cancer is not an easy obstacle for anyone.
The minute you pick this book up, you will not want to put it down! This novel will make you have so many predictions, but they will all end in a twist! This breathtaking novel will have tears running down your face multiple times! Will Kate be free of cancer? Read to find out!
Recommended by Morgan Olsem
This is 448 page book is recommended to young adults. This is #1 New York Bestseller, but has not won any awards. It also received a four in a half star rating from Barnes and Noble. Some other books by Jodi Picoult are Plain Truth, Keeping Faith, and Nineteen Minutes. My Sister’s Keeper ties in with the book Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick. Both of the main characters have leukemia. The main characters describe their long journey of pain, suffering, and survival. So will the sick kids get cured? This question and many more will remain until the end!
Daily News declared, “Has the emotional tenacity to fuel tears and talk!” Once you read this book you will agree with me of this statement by Susan H. Woodcock, “This is a real page-turner and frighteningly thought-provoking. The story shows evidence of thorough research and the unexpected twist at the end will surprise almost everyone. The novel does not answer many questions, but it sure raises some and will have teens thinking about possible answers long after they have finished the book.” I couldn’t have described this book any better. A quote from the book I found was, “When they gently turn Kate’s face to the other side, the tissue paper beneath her cheek is damp. I learn from my own daughter that you don’t have to be awake to cry.” I found this quote very true. When you have a hopeless time in your life, you think about it always, even when you are sleeping. This quote really made relate to when my grandpa was fight a brain tumor, it was really hard to not think about. I cried a lot during those hard six months. It must be even harder to be the one in pain physically. This quote goes to show that cancer is not an easy obstacle for anyone.
The minute you pick this book up, you will not want to put it down! This novel will make you have so many predictions, but they will all end in a twist! This breathtaking novel will have tears running down your face multiple times! Will Kate be free of cancer? Read to find out!
Recommended by Morgan Olsem
Thursday, March 29, 2012
A Heartbeat by Loretta Ellsworth
I am going to be doing my book review on In A Heartbeat,
by: Loretta Ellsworth. Amelia lived because Eagan died, but Eagan
isn’t gone completely! This heart-touching novel is about two
different girls. The first girl Eagan, was an amazing ice skater. One
competiton Eagan did a jump, fell and it her head. Eagan’s life was
gone that day.The second girl Amelia, is very sick and needs a heart
transplant. Amelia takes Eagan’s heart, but after Amelia wakes up
she’s developing different feelings about things. For example: she
wants to run more, and she even wants to ice skate. Both things she
didn’t want to do before the heart transplant. Also Eagan is trying to
tell her something, but what could she want to say? Read to find out!
My favorite quote from the book is. “ My eyelids fluttered as I
heard Mom’s voice carry to the backseat. I can’t believe the nerve of
that reporter at the press conference. He asked me if we’d known all
the problems in store for Amelia, would we still have gone through
with the transplant. What did you say dad asked. But it was me who
answered him, In a heartbeat!” I liked this quoted because it shows
how much confidence Amelia had! Publisher weekly says, “Readers will
likely come away teary eyed and inspired to become organ donors
themselves.”
In this book each chapter is someone else speaking. I really enjoy
when books do that. Because whenever you don’t know who’s speaking you
can look back and it tells you who! My favorite character in this book
would have to be Eagan. Because when she got her license she said she
wanted to be a donor when she died. I don’t thing I would ever do
that, not even after reading this book.
The recommended reading age for this book is 12 and up. This book
has not won any awards, although I thing it should have! Loretta
Ellsworth did win an award in another book, In Search Of Mockingbird.
Other books by this author are, In Search Of Mockingbird, The
Shrouding Women.
Recommended by Lisa Schroeder
by: Loretta Ellsworth. Amelia lived because Eagan died, but Eagan
isn’t gone completely! This heart-touching novel is about two
different girls. The first girl Eagan, was an amazing ice skater. One
competiton Eagan did a jump, fell and it her head. Eagan’s life was
gone that day.The second girl Amelia, is very sick and needs a heart
transplant. Amelia takes Eagan’s heart, but after Amelia wakes up
she’s developing different feelings about things. For example: she
wants to run more, and she even wants to ice skate. Both things she
didn’t want to do before the heart transplant. Also Eagan is trying to
tell her something, but what could she want to say? Read to find out!
My favorite quote from the book is. “ My eyelids fluttered as I
heard Mom’s voice carry to the backseat. I can’t believe the nerve of
that reporter at the press conference. He asked me if we’d known all
the problems in store for Amelia, would we still have gone through
with the transplant. What did you say dad asked. But it was me who
answered him, In a heartbeat!” I liked this quoted because it shows
how much confidence Amelia had! Publisher weekly says, “Readers will
likely come away teary eyed and inspired to become organ donors
themselves.”
In this book each chapter is someone else speaking. I really enjoy
when books do that. Because whenever you don’t know who’s speaking you
can look back and it tells you who! My favorite character in this book
would have to be Eagan. Because when she got her license she said she
wanted to be a donor when she died. I don’t thing I would ever do
that, not even after reading this book.
The recommended reading age for this book is 12 and up. This book
has not won any awards, although I thing it should have! Loretta
Ellsworth did win an award in another book, In Search Of Mockingbird.
Other books by this author are, In Search Of Mockingbird, The
Shrouding Women.
Recommended by Lisa Schroeder
What Jamie Saw by Carolyn Coman
I read the book What Jamie Saw by Carolyn Coman. The recommended reading age is young adult. It is about a boy named Jamie who wakes up in the morning and sees Van throw his little sister Nin. They go and get all of there things into the car and drive off without Van. They needed to get away from him because he has behavior problems. They go to a guy named Earl’s house and get some food and rest. Then two days later Earl takes them to his trailer in the middle of nowhere. They won’t be bothered or found. Until one day when Jamie’s teacher comes by to talk to Jamie’s mom. They ask Jamie to go outside so they can talk. They made a plan to keep Jamie at school after classes are over to be in a better place then something happens. Read this 128 page quick novel to find out what happens next. The author uses great detail to make sure you know what is going on at all times.
My favorite quote from the book is Just who did Jamie think was going to open that door? I like this because it is a huge part of the story and it is a cliffhanger sentence.
Kirkus Reviews says: It's a profound characterization and a remarkable achievement in a book about ordinary people trying to put their lives in order.
Publishers Weekly says: "This work seems to spring directly from Coman's heart into the reader's own."
Recommended by Beau Kramer
My favorite quote from the book is Just who did Jamie think was going to open that door? I like this because it is a huge part of the story and it is a cliffhanger sentence.
Kirkus Reviews says: It's a profound characterization and a remarkable achievement in a book about ordinary people trying to put their lives in order.
Publishers Weekly says: "This work seems to spring directly from Coman's heart into the reader's own."
Recommended by Beau Kramer
After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick
The book that I recommend all of you should read is After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick. It has not won any awards even though it should and the recommended reading age is 12 years old and up. It is the sequel to Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie. It is about Jeffery, a teen in remission, and his friend Tad, another teen in remission and their life. Jeffery and Tad are a little different because of the fact that they both had cancer. Some people don’t realize what they’ve been through and why they do things certain ways. Tad doesn’t have strong enough legs to walk, so he is in a wheelchair and Jeffery’s brain doesn’t work the best. They make a promise to each other. Tad promises he will walk at graduation and Jeffery promises to study hard enough to pass the test all 8th graders must pass. There are lots of ups and downs throughout the process of achieving each of their goal, but something major changes everything. You will have to read to see if your everyday problems can even compare to what happens with Tad and Jeffery.
This book has sad parts, but it’s hilarious. One of the funniest part is when the gym teacher gives the kids a lecture about why fitness is important. He says, “We were all born with two things: a body, and a brain. The problem is that you all sit in school all day on your big, old, cushy hineys working on the brain part. Then you go home and what do you do? You sit around some more. And let me tell you, when I was a kid, we didn’t have any of the Nitendo, Sega Genesis, Wii, three-D GameCube stuff. Our three-D game platform was called a park. Our Nitendo virtual reality war game was called hide-and-seek. And Wii was the sound we made when we jumped fifteen feet from a tire swing.” Jordan Sonneblick has also wrote other books including: Notes from the Midnight Driver and Zen and the Art of Faking it.
Kirkis reviews says, “In this companion novel to Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie (2005), Steven’s little brother Jeffrey, now in eighth grade and in full remission from leukemia, discovers that happily ever after isn’t quite what he expected. First of all, his hero big brother abandons him to take a year off from college to play drums in Africa. Then he finds out that to get into high school, he’ll have to pass a statewide standardized test in math, his worst subject. Finally, he is stricken by the news that his best friend Tad, also a cancer survivor, is back in treatment. The only bright spot is that cute new girl Lindsey is showing an interest in him. Now if he could just figure out how to talk to her! Told with Sonnenblick’s trademark self-deprecating humor, this stand-alone tween narrative slots neatly into the space between the author’s YA and J titles, sensitively dealing with issues of family, friendship and death in a way that will appeal to middle-grade students. Recommended for fans and new readers alike.”
Recommended by Becca Kennedy
This book has sad parts, but it’s hilarious. One of the funniest part is when the gym teacher gives the kids a lecture about why fitness is important. He says, “We were all born with two things: a body, and a brain. The problem is that you all sit in school all day on your big, old, cushy hineys working on the brain part. Then you go home and what do you do? You sit around some more. And let me tell you, when I was a kid, we didn’t have any of the Nitendo, Sega Genesis, Wii, three-D GameCube stuff. Our three-D game platform was called a park. Our Nitendo virtual reality war game was called hide-and-seek. And Wii was the sound we made when we jumped fifteen feet from a tire swing.” Jordan Sonneblick has also wrote other books including: Notes from the Midnight Driver and Zen and the Art of Faking it.
Kirkis reviews says, “In this companion novel to Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie (2005), Steven’s little brother Jeffrey, now in eighth grade and in full remission from leukemia, discovers that happily ever after isn’t quite what he expected. First of all, his hero big brother abandons him to take a year off from college to play drums in Africa. Then he finds out that to get into high school, he’ll have to pass a statewide standardized test in math, his worst subject. Finally, he is stricken by the news that his best friend Tad, also a cancer survivor, is back in treatment. The only bright spot is that cute new girl Lindsey is showing an interest in him. Now if he could just figure out how to talk to her! Told with Sonnenblick’s trademark self-deprecating humor, this stand-alone tween narrative slots neatly into the space between the author’s YA and J titles, sensitively dealing with issues of family, friendship and death in a way that will appeal to middle-grade students. Recommended for fans and new readers alike.”
Recommended by Becca Kennedy
Notes to Self by Avery Sawyer
Today the book I will be recommending to the class is Notes to Self, by Avery Sawyer. This suspenseful novel is about Robin, and her best friend Emily. One night at midnight, they have a tragic fall, they are both in a coma. Robin wakes up and can’t remember a single thing, but she thinks she owes it to Emily to find out what has happened that night. Everything that Robin remembers she writes it down on a sticky note, so she has a bunch of notes to herself. Throughout the notes she will uncover who is really close to her. Also she will uncover some of her family secrets that she would have never expected. Why did Robin and Emily fall? How did they fall? Why did she leave her house at midnight? These are all questions that Robin and the reader, are trying to figure out all the way to the end of the book.
This book reminds me of the book If I Stay by Gayle Formann, because they both are injured, and both have to uncover the truth about what happened. My favorite quote from this book is “I made it Notes official: I like to sing. Maybe I’ll do it in front of other people someday.”
I like this because it shows how much Robin relies on her notes. I probably really helps her. The recommended reading age is grades 8-12.
Amazon had a great review about this book: “When things get out of control, Robin wakes up in a hospital bed and Emily doesn't wake up at all. Just getting dressed becomes an ordeal as Robin tries to heal and piece together the details of that terrible night. Racing to remember everything in the hopes of saving Emily, Robin writes a series of notes to herself to discover the truth.”
I was unable to find a author review for this book.
This book has not won any awards yet, but I think it should in the near future.
People who bought Notes to Self also bought:
Forever Is Over by Calvin Wade and
If I Stay by Gayle Formann
Avery Sawyer is a pen name, the real authors name is Laura Schaefer, she has also written; The Teashop Girls and The Secret Ingredient.
I hope you guys enjoy this book as much as I did.
Recommended by Quinn Herbst
This book reminds me of the book If I Stay by Gayle Formann, because they both are injured, and both have to uncover the truth about what happened. My favorite quote from this book is “I made it Notes official: I like to sing. Maybe I’ll do it in front of other people someday.”
I like this because it shows how much Robin relies on her notes. I probably really helps her. The recommended reading age is grades 8-12.
Amazon had a great review about this book: “When things get out of control, Robin wakes up in a hospital bed and Emily doesn't wake up at all. Just getting dressed becomes an ordeal as Robin tries to heal and piece together the details of that terrible night. Racing to remember everything in the hopes of saving Emily, Robin writes a series of notes to herself to discover the truth.”
I was unable to find a author review for this book.
This book has not won any awards yet, but I think it should in the near future.
People who bought Notes to Self also bought:
Forever Is Over by Calvin Wade and
If I Stay by Gayle Formann
Avery Sawyer is a pen name, the real authors name is Laura Schaefer, she has also written; The Teashop Girls and The Secret Ingredient.
I hope you guys enjoy this book as much as I did.
Recommended by Quinn Herbst
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom by Louis Sacher
I just read There’s a Boy In the Girl’s Bathroom by Louis Sacher it was about a boy named Bradley who is in the fifth grade and doesn’t have very many friends and doesn’t really try at school. School is a very rough place for Bradley until Jeff comes a long, a kid from Washington D.C. Carla is another friend of Bradley’s and she is the counselor. Jeff does not actually like Bradley but they are both hard up for friends. Later Jeff starts to hang out with the cool people and the girls. Colleen a girl is having a birthday soon. My favorite quote in this book was “Give me a dollar or I’ll spit on you.” I liked that quote because it shows how Bradley is kind of a bully too. It’s the winner of 19 Children’s choice awards. It deserved every award too. I could not find any quotes form people about the book. Read to find out if Bradley is still friends with Jeff or if Bradley goes to the birthday party!
Recommended by Ethan Kluesner
Recommended by Ethan Kluesner
Monday, March 26, 2012
6th Target by James Patterson
What if you were working in a foreign country as a nanny, and you were just taking your child to the park, and you got abducted? What would you do if the killer pointed a gun in your face? The child’s? That is just the questions that are posed in James Patterson’s 390 page book, 6th Target.
This book has not won any awards. The recommended reading age is young adult to adult. James Patterson has written at least ten other books including Double Cross. To compare James Patterson to another author that most people have read would be Peg Kehart.
My favorite quote from the book is the first four words “A killer in waiting,” it tells you a lot about the way James Patterson writes and makes a lot of suspense happen right away. I loved this book and this author and I am looking forward to reading the rest of his books. The characters make a lot of developments and are fun and easy to follow.
As Time Magazine says “The man who can’t miss,” I believe that James Patterson is an amazing writer and “can’t miss”
Recommended by Anna Luber
This book has not won any awards. The recommended reading age is young adult to adult. James Patterson has written at least ten other books including Double Cross. To compare James Patterson to another author that most people have read would be Peg Kehart.
My favorite quote from the book is the first four words “A killer in waiting,” it tells you a lot about the way James Patterson writes and makes a lot of suspense happen right away. I loved this book and this author and I am looking forward to reading the rest of his books. The characters make a lot of developments and are fun and easy to follow.
As Time Magazine says “The man who can’t miss,” I believe that James Patterson is an amazing writer and “can’t miss”
Recommended by Anna Luber
Catching Jordan by Miranda Kinneally
A girl quarterback? Yes. Is she crazy? Not most of the time. In the book Catching Jordan by Miranda Kinneally, Jordan Woods is the starting quarterback for Hundred Oaks High School in Tennessee. She is also the team captain who gets lots of respect from the guys on her team. All is well until Tyler Green, who is an awesome quarterback, moves to town from Texas because his parents got in a car accident and he needs help taking care of his mother and sister. Ty is not only amazing at football, but he's hot too and the look of him takes Jordan out of her "zone." Jordan and Sam Henry have been best friends since they were seven years old. When Jordan and Ty become close, Henry gets really jealous, and even more when Jordan and Ty start dating. Henry goes without talking to Jordan for many days, until someone tells her that Henry has always wanted to be more that best friends with her. Jordan wonders why she never noticed that Henry liked her for more than a friend. Jordan has always wanted to play football for the University of Alabama, but when she goes for a visit, she realizes they're a bunch of jerks and has second thoughts about her dream.
All of a sudden, her life feels like a mess. Just a few months ago everything was going great. Jordan now has many decisions to make. Will she keep the position of starting QB or will Ty take her place? Will she choose to stay with Ty or fall for her best friend, Henry? Lastly, will she go to the college of her dreams or decide to go somewhere else?
This is by far the BEST book I've read all year!! If I had to rate this book from one to ten, I would definately rate it at a ten! I could not put this down and it takes a lot for me to say that about a book! In this book, you will read about teenage relationships, football, and of course drama. For anyone who liked the Dairy Queen series by Catherine Gilbert Murdock, you will love this! Murdock and Kinneally both have similar writing styles and they both write about girls playing football and falling in love. This book hasn't won any awards, but I really think it should! This is also Miranda Kinneally's first and only book as of right now. The recommended reading age for this book is ages 13 and up.
My favorite quote from the book is, "Later that night, I'm sitting on the dock, writing in my journal while watching the moon shining down on the algae-covered Lake Jordan. When I got home, I stripped out of that stupid grey dress and hurled it into the closet, where I found Henry's blue Converses nestled against a pair of my cleats. And then I noticed his Super Mario Bros. T-shirt, so I sat down in the closet and cried into Luigi's face. And then I realized how psycho that was, so I ran out to the lake. (After putting clothes on, of course.) As soon as my back was to the house, I started bawling. I don't know what's worse: me screwing up on the field and letting my team down, or knowing that Alabama never wanted me to play in the first place. Now, I keep opening and closing my cell phone. I want to call Henry so much. But why bother?" This tells about how Jordan is missing Henry so badly and that she is angry that Alabama never really wanted her to play for them.
A quote from a famous author about the book is, "Whoever said football and girls don't mix hasn't read Catching Jordan. I couldn't put it down!"
— Simone Elkeles, New York Times bestselling author of the Perfect Chemistry series
A quote about the book from a review source,"Catching Jordan is the chocolate cake you eat after a very fulfilling meal. I couldn't get enough of it and it ended way too soon. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone, because when you get right down to it, this book can be summed up in one word: AWESOMENESS!!!" -- A Cozy Reading Corner
Overall I think this is a fantastic book and you all should read it!
Recommended by Sarah Kluesner
All of a sudden, her life feels like a mess. Just a few months ago everything was going great. Jordan now has many decisions to make. Will she keep the position of starting QB or will Ty take her place? Will she choose to stay with Ty or fall for her best friend, Henry? Lastly, will she go to the college of her dreams or decide to go somewhere else?
This is by far the BEST book I've read all year!! If I had to rate this book from one to ten, I would definately rate it at a ten! I could not put this down and it takes a lot for me to say that about a book! In this book, you will read about teenage relationships, football, and of course drama. For anyone who liked the Dairy Queen series by Catherine Gilbert Murdock, you will love this! Murdock and Kinneally both have similar writing styles and they both write about girls playing football and falling in love. This book hasn't won any awards, but I really think it should! This is also Miranda Kinneally's first and only book as of right now. The recommended reading age for this book is ages 13 and up.
My favorite quote from the book is, "Later that night, I'm sitting on the dock, writing in my journal while watching the moon shining down on the algae-covered Lake Jordan. When I got home, I stripped out of that stupid grey dress and hurled it into the closet, where I found Henry's blue Converses nestled against a pair of my cleats. And then I noticed his Super Mario Bros. T-shirt, so I sat down in the closet and cried into Luigi's face. And then I realized how psycho that was, so I ran out to the lake. (After putting clothes on, of course.) As soon as my back was to the house, I started bawling. I don't know what's worse: me screwing up on the field and letting my team down, or knowing that Alabama never wanted me to play in the first place. Now, I keep opening and closing my cell phone. I want to call Henry so much. But why bother?" This tells about how Jordan is missing Henry so badly and that she is angry that Alabama never really wanted her to play for them.
A quote from a famous author about the book is, "Whoever said football and girls don't mix hasn't read Catching Jordan. I couldn't put it down!"
— Simone Elkeles, New York Times bestselling author of the Perfect Chemistry series
A quote about the book from a review source,"Catching Jordan is the chocolate cake you eat after a very fulfilling meal. I couldn't get enough of it and it ended way too soon. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone, because when you get right down to it, this book can be summed up in one word: AWESOMENESS!!!" -- A Cozy Reading Corner
Overall I think this is a fantastic book and you all should read it!
Recommended by Sarah Kluesner
Guts by Gary Paulsen
The book I am reviewing is Guts by Gary Paulsen. It is an autobiography. It is about how many of the challenges Brian faces in many of Gary Paulsen’s other books such as Hatchet, Brian’s Winter, Brian’s Hunt and many more, have actually happened to him,and how he survived through these dangerous survival situations. I really liked this book and I also learned a lot of new things about survival.
One of my favorite quotes from this book is “I am living now on a sailboat in the Pacific Ocean and it is grand and beautiful and challenging, and full of mystery and, sometimes, deadly.” Kirkus Reviews says “It’s a patchwork, but an entertaining one, and as likely to win him new fans as to answer questions from his old ones.” The recommended reading age is 10-13,and this book has not won any awards. I think anyone who has read any of Gary Paulsens books should read this book to find out about this fascinating old author.
Recommended by Ross Wedewer
One of my favorite quotes from this book is “I am living now on a sailboat in the Pacific Ocean and it is grand and beautiful and challenging, and full of mystery and, sometimes, deadly.” Kirkus Reviews says “It’s a patchwork, but an entertaining one, and as likely to win him new fans as to answer questions from his old ones.” The recommended reading age is 10-13,and this book has not won any awards. I think anyone who has read any of Gary Paulsens books should read this book to find out about this fascinating old author.
Recommended by Ross Wedewer
Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen
The book I am doing my review on is Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen. Sadly this book has not won any awards. It is about a Brave young lad named Samuel, and he is raised in a small village in the woods. One day while hunting in the woods he saw smoke in the direction of the village. He went back home and when he arrived everything was destroyed. People were dead and homes were burned to the ground, but he couldn’t find the bodies of his parents. Are they alive? What does Samuel do without his family? Read this exhilarating novel to find out.
This is one of my new favorite books. It kept me on the edge of my seat wanting more! Gary Paulsen never disappoints me with his great books such as, Hatchet, Lawn boy, Brians hunt, Dogsong and many, many more. Kirkus reviews says "A superb reflection on the nature of war." This book is unlike anything Gary Paulsen has ever written before. It magically ties the revolutionary war into a story about a boy who belongs in the woods, trying to find his parents. Normally Gary Paulsen doesn’t write about war, but in this case change is good. I’d recommend this for people ages 12 and up.
Recommended by Ross Wedewer
This is one of my new favorite books. It kept me on the edge of my seat wanting more! Gary Paulsen never disappoints me with his great books such as, Hatchet, Lawn boy, Brians hunt, Dogsong and many, many more. Kirkus reviews says "A superb reflection on the nature of war." This book is unlike anything Gary Paulsen has ever written before. It magically ties the revolutionary war into a story about a boy who belongs in the woods, trying to find his parents. Normally Gary Paulsen doesn’t write about war, but in this case change is good. I’d recommend this for people ages 12 and up.
Recommended by Ross Wedewer
Double or Die by Charlie Higson
This quarter I read the book Double or Die by Charlie Higson, and it was amazing. It is about
James Bond when he was 13 year old in 1930’s. This is the third book in the series. It starts with James
Bond and his friend in their dorm room in Eton, a fancy school in London. James’ friend gets a letter
from Prof. Fairburn, who is in charge of a crossword club, and the letter is odd because there are a lot of
mistakes. Together, and with the help of a few other people they meet, they try to put clues together from
the errors in the letter. They have to try to find Prof. Fairburn soon before too late. While searching for
the professor James goes to the Royal College of Surgeons and sees some disgusting medical anomalies.
He also gambles, meets a tramp named Theo, maims a man horribly, and gets drunk forcibly. Will James
find Professor Fairburn? Or will he lose everything?
My favorite part of this 382 page book is when James finds himself in an illegal casino
and he has to lay a bet while playing roulette.
“The croupier prepared to spin the wheel, and at the last moment
James leaned over and slid his chips along the table to number seven.
His own lucky number.
The wheel spun, the ball was rolled, it whizzed around the rim, dropping slowly, ever so slowly,
then it caught the slots and bounced across, rattling and jumping in all directions. It seemed to rest for a
moment in one slot only to jump out again a moment later and hop across the wheel to another.
James was sweating. He was aware of nothing else in the except this one tiny object the silver
ball as it danced around the wheel.
He had no idea if the band was still playing, even if there was anyone else in the casino. It was
just him and the roulette wheel.
He could bear it no more. He closed his eyes, just as the ball stopped making any sound. There
was a brief hush then a cheer went up, and James opened his eyes.
The ball was nestling snugly in the number seven slot.” I like this part because it kind of gives
background to why James Bond gambles and he is 007. It is also very intense. VOYA said, “The mystery
turns to high action-adventure with danger at every corner...” Charlie Higson has five books in the Young
Bond series, as well as Enemy series. He has also written King of the Ants, Happy Now, Full Whack,
Getting Rid of Mister Kitchen, and Monstroso. The only one of his books that won any awards is Blood
Fever, which won the Blue Peter Book Award, but I think Double or Die should have won the awesome
award. I think this book is a lot like any of the Alex Rider books because it is in London. There is also a
bad guy, which James has to fight. Charlie Higson is like Anthony Horowitz because he writes teenage
spy books and that is pretty close to what this book is. I loved every part of this book. This book is for 13-
17 year old. I like how they show James Bond as smart, adventurous, and brave, instead of strong and
having gadgets. I couldn’t find any quotes from a famous author about this book. This book is stupendous
and if you don’t read it you are missing out.
Recommended by Carl Schneider
James Bond when he was 13 year old in 1930’s. This is the third book in the series. It starts with James
Bond and his friend in their dorm room in Eton, a fancy school in London. James’ friend gets a letter
from Prof. Fairburn, who is in charge of a crossword club, and the letter is odd because there are a lot of
mistakes. Together, and with the help of a few other people they meet, they try to put clues together from
the errors in the letter. They have to try to find Prof. Fairburn soon before too late. While searching for
the professor James goes to the Royal College of Surgeons and sees some disgusting medical anomalies.
He also gambles, meets a tramp named Theo, maims a man horribly, and gets drunk forcibly. Will James
find Professor Fairburn? Or will he lose everything?
My favorite part of this 382 page book is when James finds himself in an illegal casino
and he has to lay a bet while playing roulette.
“The croupier prepared to spin the wheel, and at the last moment
James leaned over and slid his chips along the table to number seven.
His own lucky number.
The wheel spun, the ball was rolled, it whizzed around the rim, dropping slowly, ever so slowly,
then it caught the slots and bounced across, rattling and jumping in all directions. It seemed to rest for a
moment in one slot only to jump out again a moment later and hop across the wheel to another.
James was sweating. He was aware of nothing else in the except this one tiny object the silver
ball as it danced around the wheel.
He had no idea if the band was still playing, even if there was anyone else in the casino. It was
just him and the roulette wheel.
He could bear it no more. He closed his eyes, just as the ball stopped making any sound. There
was a brief hush then a cheer went up, and James opened his eyes.
The ball was nestling snugly in the number seven slot.” I like this part because it kind of gives
background to why James Bond gambles and he is 007. It is also very intense. VOYA said, “The mystery
turns to high action-adventure with danger at every corner...” Charlie Higson has five books in the Young
Bond series, as well as Enemy series. He has also written King of the Ants, Happy Now, Full Whack,
Getting Rid of Mister Kitchen, and Monstroso. The only one of his books that won any awards is Blood
Fever, which won the Blue Peter Book Award, but I think Double or Die should have won the awesome
award. I think this book is a lot like any of the Alex Rider books because it is in London. There is also a
bad guy, which James has to fight. Charlie Higson is like Anthony Horowitz because he writes teenage
spy books and that is pretty close to what this book is. I loved every part of this book. This book is for 13-
17 year old. I like how they show James Bond as smart, adventurous, and brave, instead of strong and
having gadgets. I couldn’t find any quotes from a famous author about this book. This book is stupendous
and if you don’t read it you are missing out.
Recommended by Carl Schneider
13 Gifts by Wendy Mass
Hi classmates. I chose to do my book review on the book 13 Gifts, by Wendy Mass. It's a sequel to 11 Birthdays, and Finally. I loved this book! I think you should read it, but I'd suggest reading the first two, first. You don't have to, but you might understand some of the characters a little better. Tara has to go live with her aunt, uncle, and cousin Emily for the summer, while her parents go on a trip to Madagascar. They say it's a punishment, but is that really why she ended up in such a mysterious town? She meets a strange old lady who is holding a big secret inside. Read this page-turning book to find out the real reason why Tara has to miss out on the trip to Madagascar. I liked this book because it had funny parts, mysterious parts, and a few weird parts. There were a couple times while I was reading it that the main character, Tara, would get mad, and I would too. You can get so into this book, almost like you're right there with them.
The reccomended reading age is young adult. This book has not won any awards, but Wendy has gotten an award on a different book. A quote from this book is "Like all big mistakes, mine started with a goat."
Wendy has also written the award-winning books A MANGO-SHAPED SPACE, LEAP DAY, JEREMY FINK AND THE MEANING OF LIFE, HEAVEN LOOKS A LOT LIKE THE MALL, and many more.
“A fresh twist on the familiar themes of middle-grade family and school dynamics.” Booklist said.
I highly reccomend this book!
Recommended by Alexis Mescher
The reccomended reading age is young adult. This book has not won any awards, but Wendy has gotten an award on a different book. A quote from this book is "Like all big mistakes, mine started with a goat."
Wendy has also written the award-winning books A MANGO-SHAPED SPACE, LEAP DAY, JEREMY FINK AND THE MEANING OF LIFE, HEAVEN LOOKS A LOT LIKE THE MALL, and many more.
“A fresh twist on the familiar themes of middle-grade family and school dynamics.” Booklist said.
I highly reccomend this book!
Recommended by Alexis Mescher
The Truth About Truman School by Dori Hillestad Butler
What would you do if everyone from your school had access to a website that
posted all mean stuff about you and it suddenly got way too out of hand? Would you go
to school acting like nothing happened? Would you confront an adult? Or would you run
away to a place where nobody would find you?
In The Truth About Truman School by Dori Hillestad Butler, Zebby and Amr set
up a website that is meant to be for a school newspaper. Its all good until someone with
the user name of milkandhoney starts putting nasty stuff about Lilly for all to see. Lilly
sees all of this cruel stuff about her and is so embarrassed she doesn’t know what to
do. Her mother sees her acting strange lately and frequently asks her whats wrong, but
Lilly just keeps it to herself. One day Lilly decides that she is completely done with this
nonsense so when her mom thinks shes at school.....She runs away. The search is on
to find Lilly. Where did she go? Read this fantastic book to find out if they find her at all
or if the search is still on to find Lilly at the end of the book.
The recommended reading age is recommended for grades 5th through 8th. This
book has not won any awards, although it should have! Another book by Dori Hillestad
Butler is Trading Places with Tank Talbott. If you have read Do you know the Monkey
Man, I’m sure that you will love this book because they both have the same author!
Dori Hillestad Butler is a great author. What I really like about her is that she
always left me sitting at the end of my seat. This books chapters were organized by
characters. I usually get confused with book like this, but this author did a great job of
making each character change clear to me. My favorite character in this book was Lilly.
She had to put up with a lot of stuff that she shouldn’t have had to put up with. She was
really brave throughout the book dealing with all of the bullying.
A quote from the book that I really liked was when Lilly’s mom called Zebby and
panicking asked, “Have you seen Lilly today.” I liked this because it shows how much
her mom cares for her. Booklist says, “Particularly timely and relevant.” Kirkus Reviews
says, “A realistic portrayal of the negative influence of bullying, cliques, and peer
pressure as they might affect tweens inside and outside the online world.” This thought-
provoking read is sure to initiate discussion.—Bethany A. Lafferty, Las Vegas-Clark
County Library, NV
I recommend this book to everyone because it comes from the views of both boys and
girls!
Recommended by Brooke Kluesner
posted all mean stuff about you and it suddenly got way too out of hand? Would you go
to school acting like nothing happened? Would you confront an adult? Or would you run
away to a place where nobody would find you?
In The Truth About Truman School by Dori Hillestad Butler, Zebby and Amr set
up a website that is meant to be for a school newspaper. Its all good until someone with
the user name of milkandhoney starts putting nasty stuff about Lilly for all to see. Lilly
sees all of this cruel stuff about her and is so embarrassed she doesn’t know what to
do. Her mother sees her acting strange lately and frequently asks her whats wrong, but
Lilly just keeps it to herself. One day Lilly decides that she is completely done with this
nonsense so when her mom thinks shes at school.....She runs away. The search is on
to find Lilly. Where did she go? Read this fantastic book to find out if they find her at all
or if the search is still on to find Lilly at the end of the book.
The recommended reading age is recommended for grades 5th through 8th. This
book has not won any awards, although it should have! Another book by Dori Hillestad
Butler is Trading Places with Tank Talbott. If you have read Do you know the Monkey
Man, I’m sure that you will love this book because they both have the same author!
Dori Hillestad Butler is a great author. What I really like about her is that she
always left me sitting at the end of my seat. This books chapters were organized by
characters. I usually get confused with book like this, but this author did a great job of
making each character change clear to me. My favorite character in this book was Lilly.
She had to put up with a lot of stuff that she shouldn’t have had to put up with. She was
really brave throughout the book dealing with all of the bullying.
A quote from the book that I really liked was when Lilly’s mom called Zebby and
panicking asked, “Have you seen Lilly today.” I liked this because it shows how much
her mom cares for her. Booklist says, “Particularly timely and relevant.” Kirkus Reviews
says, “A realistic portrayal of the negative influence of bullying, cliques, and peer
pressure as they might affect tweens inside and outside the online world.” This thought-
provoking read is sure to initiate discussion.—Bethany A. Lafferty, Las Vegas-Clark
County Library, NV
I recommend this book to everyone because it comes from the views of both boys and
girls!
Recommended by Brooke Kluesner
Love, Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur
What would you do it you were eleven years old and your mom left you
home along for weeks? Would you call someone to let then know that
your mother left you? I know that I would but in in the book Love, Aubrey
by Suzanne LaFleur, Aubrey a eleven year old girl gets abandoned
by her mother one morning. Her mother leaves while she is sleeping
so Aubrey has no idea where she went or why she went. Aubrey
does not call or tell anyone that she is staying home alone. Then, her
grandmother unexpectedly comes to Aubrey’s house to see Aubrey
and her mom. When Aubrey’s grandmother finds out that Aubrey’s
mother isn’t there, she calls the police to look for her and she takes
Aubrey home to live with her. Read this book to find out if they ever find
Aubrey’s mom. If they find her....Where did she go? Why did she go?
Love, Aubrey has not won any awards. The recommended reading
age is for ages 9 and up. Another book that LaFleur wrote is Eight
Keys. If you read the book 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass, you will love
this book. A quote that I really like was part of the beginning. It said, “I
made all of my own meals. Crackers and cheese three times a day. I
watched whatever I wanted on TV all day.” Sarah Weeks, author of So
B. It, said, “LaFleur has a rare gift- an authentic middle grade voice.
Aubrey’s story is told with emotion, humor and best of all, love!” Booklist
said, “LaFleur proved she is an author to watch in this debut novel.” I
recommend this book to everyone!
Recommended by Brooke Kluesner
home along for weeks? Would you call someone to let then know that
your mother left you? I know that I would but in in the book Love, Aubrey
by Suzanne LaFleur, Aubrey a eleven year old girl gets abandoned
by her mother one morning. Her mother leaves while she is sleeping
so Aubrey has no idea where she went or why she went. Aubrey
does not call or tell anyone that she is staying home alone. Then, her
grandmother unexpectedly comes to Aubrey’s house to see Aubrey
and her mom. When Aubrey’s grandmother finds out that Aubrey’s
mother isn’t there, she calls the police to look for her and she takes
Aubrey home to live with her. Read this book to find out if they ever find
Aubrey’s mom. If they find her....Where did she go? Why did she go?
Love, Aubrey has not won any awards. The recommended reading
age is for ages 9 and up. Another book that LaFleur wrote is Eight
Keys. If you read the book 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass, you will love
this book. A quote that I really like was part of the beginning. It said, “I
made all of my own meals. Crackers and cheese three times a day. I
watched whatever I wanted on TV all day.” Sarah Weeks, author of So
B. It, said, “LaFleur has a rare gift- an authentic middle grade voice.
Aubrey’s story is told with emotion, humor and best of all, love!” Booklist
said, “LaFleur proved she is an author to watch in this debut novel.” I
recommend this book to everyone!
Recommended by Brooke Kluesner
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Middle School, the WORST Years of my Life by James Peterson
I finished the book, Middle School, The WORST Years f my Life. This book was copywrited in 2011 and is a very funny tale about a boy who decided that his book of rules was going to be he’s best friend this year. And not in a good way.
Rafe Khatchadorian, was 6th grader that was tired of all the rules. As he’s best friend draws a picture of a guy breaking all the rules. During a school assembly, Rafe hatches an idea. And he decides to get started on it right away. He goes own to he’s teacher and asks to go to the restroom. On he’s way though, he makes a stop to the fire alarm.. and you can only imagine what happens next! My favorite quote from the book was, when he was talking himself into pulling the fire alarm.
“ Still was I crazy? Was completely nuts for thinking I could pull this off? Yes, I told myself. You are. Okay, I thought. Just checking. And pulled the alarm.”
The reading age of this book is around 10-13 year olds. This was a very quick read, that I read in a day.
"Incredibly detailed and imaginative illustrations... add depth and humor.... an enjoyable story that even the most reluctant readers should enjoy,” says Library Media Connection, on Amazon.com. James Peterson has also wrote the books, Kill me if you can, I, Alex Cross, and When the Wind Blows.
Recommended by Lyvia Clasen
Rafe Khatchadorian, was 6th grader that was tired of all the rules. As he’s best friend draws a picture of a guy breaking all the rules. During a school assembly, Rafe hatches an idea. And he decides to get started on it right away. He goes own to he’s teacher and asks to go to the restroom. On he’s way though, he makes a stop to the fire alarm.. and you can only imagine what happens next! My favorite quote from the book was, when he was talking himself into pulling the fire alarm.
“ Still was I crazy? Was completely nuts for thinking I could pull this off? Yes, I told myself. You are. Okay, I thought. Just checking. And pulled the alarm.”
The reading age of this book is around 10-13 year olds. This was a very quick read, that I read in a day.
"Incredibly detailed and imaginative illustrations... add depth and humor.... an enjoyable story that even the most reluctant readers should enjoy,” says Library Media Connection, on Amazon.com. James Peterson has also wrote the books, Kill me if you can, I, Alex Cross, and When the Wind Blows.
Recommended by Lyvia Clasen
Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff
I read the book Umbrella Summer, by Lisa Graff. This was a very quick read. It was about a little girl, named Annie. Her brother died, not too long ago. She is now scared to do a lot of the things she use to have tons of fun doing. Throughout the book it tells about how she can’t do things because you never know if you could die from it. The sad part is she thinks you could really die from scrapped knees or if you feel hot. Then a older lady moves in across the street and shows Annie that life isn’t all about avoiding illness and injury, and that sometimes you just need to have some fun. It was a quick book but liked it a lot because it got right into the problem. Which it why I was always wanting to read.
“Umbrella Summer is a radiant book.” says Kirby Larson, Newbery Honor author of Hattie Big Sky. The reading ages are from 9-12 years old. Kirkus Reviews states, “An appealing and moving choice for readers seeking a dose of feel-good reality fiction.” This book has not won any awards, though I think it should. Other books that Lisa wrote are Sophie Simon Solves Them All, The Thing About Georgie, and The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower.
My favorite quote from this book was "Maybe it only took one person to open an umbrella and stick it up in the air to block out the rain, but it took a whole lot of people to close it. And even though I was pretty sure I still had a few more inches to go, I knew that once my umbrella was all the way closed, I was going to keep it that way for a long time. Because it turns out, I like the sunshine.” This was the last line of the book, but it will be your decision if you think that Annie will ever close her umbrella all the way down, and the only way to find out is to read this fantastic book.
Recommended by Lyvia Clasen
“Umbrella Summer is a radiant book.” says Kirby Larson, Newbery Honor author of Hattie Big Sky. The reading ages are from 9-12 years old. Kirkus Reviews states, “An appealing and moving choice for readers seeking a dose of feel-good reality fiction.” This book has not won any awards, though I think it should. Other books that Lisa wrote are Sophie Simon Solves Them All, The Thing About Georgie, and The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower.
My favorite quote from this book was "Maybe it only took one person to open an umbrella and stick it up in the air to block out the rain, but it took a whole lot of people to close it. And even though I was pretty sure I still had a few more inches to go, I knew that once my umbrella was all the way closed, I was going to keep it that way for a long time. Because it turns out, I like the sunshine.” This was the last line of the book, but it will be your decision if you think that Annie will ever close her umbrella all the way down, and the only way to find out is to read this fantastic book.
Recommended by Lyvia Clasen
Hero by Mike Lupica
Hello, I’m going to do my review on the book Hero by: Mike Lupica. Zach Harriman knew that his dad was something of a hero, a man trusted by the president to solve international crises at a moment's notice. Suddenly people are telling him he has powers - people who know much more about his father than Zach ever did. But there are the Bads, who appear out of nowhere and attack him and his best friend. One thing is clear: he can do things ordinary people cannot. Like fend off grown men as though he possesses the strength of a hundred. Like sense when evil is about to strike. And evil is about to strike in a very big way. Zach Harriman is his father's son. And he, too, is a hero.
Some famous quotes are, “Nothing Mike Lupica has written will thrill you like this.” Says William Goldman. some more books by Mike Lupica are, The Underdogs, Million Dollar Throw, Heat, and many more. This book is recommended for ages 9-12. Will Zach ever know the truth about his Father? Read this 304 page book and find out.
Recommended by Noah Smith
Some famous quotes are, “Nothing Mike Lupica has written will thrill you like this.” Says William Goldman. some more books by Mike Lupica are, The Underdogs, Million Dollar Throw, Heat, and many more. This book is recommended for ages 9-12. Will Zach ever know the truth about his Father? Read this 304 page book and find out.
Recommended by Noah Smith
Sweet Little Lies by Lauren Conrad
Have you ever felt like you being were stabbed in the back? Well in the book Sweet Little Lies by Lauren Conrad, Jane sure does. When Jane is photographed cheating on her boyfriend, her new best friend Madison, is right by her side to help her through all of the tough times. Jane doesn’t have a clue, but Madison was the one who took the photos and leaked them to the biggest tabloid magazine in L.A. Scarlett, who has been Jane’s best friend since Kindergarten has told her many, many times to not trust Madison. Jane thinks Madison is a great friend and won’t listen when Scar tells her that Madison was the one who did it all along, but when a good friend of Jane’s gives her evidence that Madison was the one that did it, what will Jane do? Where will she live? Who can she trust? Mostly, will she get over her guy problems?
This was a really good book. I finished it in a really short time because Lauren always left you hanging and making you want to read more. The recommended reading age for this book is ages 14 and up. This book is the second in the L.A. Candy series. Lauren Conrad has also written, L.A. Candy, Sugar and Spice, and Style. The Fame Game which comes out in April, is her latest book that starts a new series. Sweet Little Lies has not won any awards, but I think it should have. Lauren Conrad is a really talented author who makes the books suspenseful and leaves you sitting at the edge of your chair not wanting to stop reading. This book kind of reminded me of the Hunger Games. They both always let you want to read more. They both require strong friendship and trust in the characters even though they do screw up sometimes. They both have their share of romance and learning from your mistakes moments.
My favorite quote from the book is, “As Jane sat there on the beach so far away from everything, she wished she could go back in time to that August night and say, Thanks, but no, thanks. Although it’s not like she could’ve predicted what was about to happen to her. She and Scar had figured the show would flop but they’d get some fun nights from it. Of course, the show ended up being a hit, and soon after the series premiere in October, Jane found herself unable to walk into a restaurant or down the street without someone recognizing her. Magazines called her ‘America’s sweetheart.’ Blogs called her... well, other things. Her face was everywhere.” Amazon says “Praise for ‘Sweet Little Lies’: “Highly entertaining.” I could not find a quote about the book from a famous author. Overall this book is directed more toward girls. It is a really good book and I hope you all read it!
Recommended by Sarah Kluesner
This was a really good book. I finished it in a really short time because Lauren always left you hanging and making you want to read more. The recommended reading age for this book is ages 14 and up. This book is the second in the L.A. Candy series. Lauren Conrad has also written, L.A. Candy, Sugar and Spice, and Style. The Fame Game which comes out in April, is her latest book that starts a new series. Sweet Little Lies has not won any awards, but I think it should have. Lauren Conrad is a really talented author who makes the books suspenseful and leaves you sitting at the edge of your chair not wanting to stop reading. This book kind of reminded me of the Hunger Games. They both always let you want to read more. They both require strong friendship and trust in the characters even though they do screw up sometimes. They both have their share of romance and learning from your mistakes moments.
My favorite quote from the book is, “As Jane sat there on the beach so far away from everything, she wished she could go back in time to that August night and say, Thanks, but no, thanks. Although it’s not like she could’ve predicted what was about to happen to her. She and Scar had figured the show would flop but they’d get some fun nights from it. Of course, the show ended up being a hit, and soon after the series premiere in October, Jane found herself unable to walk into a restaurant or down the street without someone recognizing her. Magazines called her ‘America’s sweetheart.’ Blogs called her... well, other things. Her face was everywhere.” Amazon says “Praise for ‘Sweet Little Lies’: “Highly entertaining.” I could not find a quote about the book from a famous author. Overall this book is directed more toward girls. It is a really good book and I hope you all read it!
Recommended by Sarah Kluesner
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Heart of a Champion by Carl Dueker
Hello Classmates. Today I will talk to you about a very interesting book I read titled Heart of a Champion by Carl Dueker. This is a very dramatic intense Sports book that deals with the everyday problems of high school athletes. The recommended reading age for this book is young adult. This book really kept me on the edge of my seat. While I was reading this book the last thing I wanted to hear was Ms. Steffen voice saying, “Alright you can finish the sentence or paragraph you are on and we’ll head to our seats for writing time.”
This book is about a pair of boys named Jimmy Winter and Seth Barham. They both grew up together practicing baseball in the local park. Though both boys had about the same amout of practice time, Jimmy was just born with more talent. Every day they would go out and throw the ball around and have Jimmy’s dad hit a few grounders. When high school comes around both boys really hope to be on the same baseball team together and to play and practice together. When Seth doesn’t make the A-team he is devastated, but he doesn’t stop getting better and better to move up a team. Sadly that isn’t Seth’s only trouble. Their coach has a system for all the players and their behavior. If one boy goes out and does something he should,’t thenn the coach has him sit out a game. If the same kid messes up again then he has to sit out two games. If the kid then does a third thing wrong then they get suspended from the team. Read this book to figure out how each boy does against the pressures and problems they have to deal with.
When I finished this book I was sad because I felt like I had lived Seth’s life and then all of the sudden I was done. This book does a great job of putting you in the scene like you are seeing it firsthand. I would compare this book to Payback Time also by Carl Dueker because both books only talk a little bit about sports and more about everyday life in high school. I think Carl Dueker is an amazing sports author because his books appeal to many different types of audiences and that he is so good at putting you right in the scene with his rich details and stunning word choice.
My favorite qoute from this book is,” People say I look like my father, and I guess I do a little. From old photos I can tell he was tall thin and had brown hair, like me. But his face was broad and fleshy, and mine was all angles and bones.” Publishers Weekly said, “Hit's a home run...action worthy of the sports page.” "A fine edition to sports fiction" -- --School Library Journal(Starred Reviews)
This book has won awards for: An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
An ALA Best Book for Reluctant Readers
A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Book of the Year
Carl Dueker has also written Gym Candy, High Heat, Runner, and Payback Time.
If you are smart and decide to give this book a try, I guarentee you will fly through its 192 pages filled with action, suspense, and day to day drama.
Recommended by Alex Merten
This book is about a pair of boys named Jimmy Winter and Seth Barham. They both grew up together practicing baseball in the local park. Though both boys had about the same amout of practice time, Jimmy was just born with more talent. Every day they would go out and throw the ball around and have Jimmy’s dad hit a few grounders. When high school comes around both boys really hope to be on the same baseball team together and to play and practice together. When Seth doesn’t make the A-team he is devastated, but he doesn’t stop getting better and better to move up a team. Sadly that isn’t Seth’s only trouble. Their coach has a system for all the players and their behavior. If one boy goes out and does something he should,’t thenn the coach has him sit out a game. If the same kid messes up again then he has to sit out two games. If the kid then does a third thing wrong then they get suspended from the team. Read this book to figure out how each boy does against the pressures and problems they have to deal with.
When I finished this book I was sad because I felt like I had lived Seth’s life and then all of the sudden I was done. This book does a great job of putting you in the scene like you are seeing it firsthand. I would compare this book to Payback Time also by Carl Dueker because both books only talk a little bit about sports and more about everyday life in high school. I think Carl Dueker is an amazing sports author because his books appeal to many different types of audiences and that he is so good at putting you right in the scene with his rich details and stunning word choice.
My favorite qoute from this book is,” People say I look like my father, and I guess I do a little. From old photos I can tell he was tall thin and had brown hair, like me. But his face was broad and fleshy, and mine was all angles and bones.” Publishers Weekly said, “Hit's a home run...action worthy of the sports page.” "A fine edition to sports fiction" -- --School Library Journal(Starred Reviews)
This book has won awards for: An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
An ALA Best Book for Reluctant Readers
A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Book of the Year
Carl Dueker has also written Gym Candy, High Heat, Runner, and Payback Time.
If you are smart and decide to give this book a try, I guarentee you will fly through its 192 pages filled with action, suspense, and day to day drama.
Recommended by Alex Merten
Operation Yes by Sara Lewis Holmes
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a parent in the Army? In Operation Yes by Sara Lewis Holmes, both Bo and Gari have a parent that is. Gari’s mom is an Army nurse who is suddenly deployed. With three weeks until her mom must leave, Gari is sent to live in North Carolina where her uncle, Bo’s dad, is in charge of a base. Gari does NOT want to go, but is sent anyway.
When Gari arrives in North Carolina, she is put in Bo’s classroom. Her new teacher is Ms. Loupe. She is quirky, fun, and she has a tattoo. Everyone in Room 208 LOVES The Taped Space, a rectangular box surrounding the entire front of the classroom. The Taped Space is a place where anyone can be anything: a prisoner of war, a diver in shark infested waters, or a rock star. Everything is perfect...until something happens to Ms. Loupe’s brother Mark who is stationed in Afghanistan. That thing changes everything in Room 208. No more improv in The Taped Space, which means school is just normal...school. The kids have to get Ms. Loupe back, but how? This process can only be described as Operation Yes.
Sara Lewis Holmes has only written one other book: Letters to Juliet which has won the Ursula Nordstrom Fiction Contest. The recommended reading age for Operation Yes is Young Adult. This book is unlike any other book that I’ve read. I can’t compare it to anything and I loved it! Sara Lewis Holmes’ writing style is like Mellissa De La Cruz’s style because the book goes from one main charecter to another without being confusing.
My favorite quote from this book is “Be careful what you say to others because everyone is fighting a great battle.” I like this quote because it is inspirational, and it has a lot of truth to it. American Library Association's Booklist says "...the entire tale is purest stagecraft: quick, funny, sad, full of heart, and irresistibly absorbing." Sara Stiles says, “I don’t know what i expected form this book, but I definitely loved it!”
I hope you all read this book and love it as much as I did!
Recommended by Theresa Brehm
When Gari arrives in North Carolina, she is put in Bo’s classroom. Her new teacher is Ms. Loupe. She is quirky, fun, and she has a tattoo. Everyone in Room 208 LOVES The Taped Space, a rectangular box surrounding the entire front of the classroom. The Taped Space is a place where anyone can be anything: a prisoner of war, a diver in shark infested waters, or a rock star. Everything is perfect...until something happens to Ms. Loupe’s brother Mark who is stationed in Afghanistan. That thing changes everything in Room 208. No more improv in The Taped Space, which means school is just normal...school. The kids have to get Ms. Loupe back, but how? This process can only be described as Operation Yes.
Sara Lewis Holmes has only written one other book: Letters to Juliet which has won the Ursula Nordstrom Fiction Contest. The recommended reading age for Operation Yes is Young Adult. This book is unlike any other book that I’ve read. I can’t compare it to anything and I loved it! Sara Lewis Holmes’ writing style is like Mellissa De La Cruz’s style because the book goes from one main charecter to another without being confusing.
My favorite quote from this book is “Be careful what you say to others because everyone is fighting a great battle.” I like this quote because it is inspirational, and it has a lot of truth to it. American Library Association's Booklist says "...the entire tale is purest stagecraft: quick, funny, sad, full of heart, and irresistibly absorbing." Sara Stiles says, “I don’t know what i expected form this book, but I definitely loved it!”
I hope you all read this book and love it as much as I did!
Recommended by Theresa Brehm
Beauty Shop for Rental Fully Equipped, Inquire Within by Laura Bowers
Hi, I’ll be doing my book review on Beauty Shop for Rent by Laura Bowers. She writes most like Lynne Perkins (in my opinion). It’s about a girl named Abbey that wants to be a millionaire by the time she’s 35 because her great grandma, grandma, and mom all got pregnant and went into debt very young. She wants to end this chain right now because her mom had to drop her off at Abbey’s great grandma’s when Abbey was very young. Abbey is my favorite character because she is really grown up for her age and handles situations very well even though she’s only a sophmore.
That’s not all the book is about though. One day a woman named Gena walks into the shop because she’s looking into buying a beauty parlor. Not only was she interested in any beauty parlor though. She wanted that one. That surprised me! There was a sign that had been outside for 2 whole years, and now someone was actually interested in renting it! It said “Beauty Shop for Rent, fully equipped, inquire within.”
This 328 page book is most bought with The Gospel According to Larry. Beauty Shop for Rent’s recommended reading age is 12+.
E. Lockhart said Beauty Shop for Rent, is, “As homey, gossipy, and charming as a small-town beauty shop, Laura Bowers’s first novel will soothe your mind, cleanse your pores, and make your hair curl with laughter.”
Laura Bowers also wrote the book Just Flirt. She is yet to write more.
This book has not won any awards but should in my opinion.
My favorite quote in this book is, “I forgot to bring in the portable (phone). It’s probably Granny Po, and if I don’t answer, she’ll think someone kidnapped me, or something.” I like this quote because it reminds me so much of my mom.
Will Abbey be a millionaire when she’s 35, or will she have a baby very young and be in debt?
Recommended by Laura Snyder
That’s not all the book is about though. One day a woman named Gena walks into the shop because she’s looking into buying a beauty parlor. Not only was she interested in any beauty parlor though. She wanted that one. That surprised me! There was a sign that had been outside for 2 whole years, and now someone was actually interested in renting it! It said “Beauty Shop for Rent, fully equipped, inquire within.”
This 328 page book is most bought with The Gospel According to Larry. Beauty Shop for Rent’s recommended reading age is 12+.
E. Lockhart said Beauty Shop for Rent, is, “As homey, gossipy, and charming as a small-town beauty shop, Laura Bowers’s first novel will soothe your mind, cleanse your pores, and make your hair curl with laughter.”
Laura Bowers also wrote the book Just Flirt. She is yet to write more.
This book has not won any awards but should in my opinion.
My favorite quote in this book is, “I forgot to bring in the portable (phone). It’s probably Granny Po, and if I don’t answer, she’ll think someone kidnapped me, or something.” I like this quote because it reminds me so much of my mom.
Will Abbey be a millionaire when she’s 35, or will she have a baby very young and be in debt?
Recommended by Laura Snyder
For Now & Always by Sarah Bates
I read the book For Now & Always, by Sarah Bates. This is definitely one of my all time favorite books. Ana comes back home from college for Christmas break, and decides she doesn't want to leave again. Over time, she develops a relationship with her divorced friend Caleb, who has a son. Can the divorce ruin their relationship, or will they be able maintain a healthy relationship? I'd reccomend this book to girls, because it's about relationships. I don't think most boys would like it. When I read this book, I couldn't put it down! It definitely keeps you hooked. It's reccomended for young adults, or teens.
This book reminds me of The Boyfriend Thief, because there's moments when you'll just smile and want to keep reading. I didn't want either of these books to end!
A quote from this book is "Someone once told me that cleaning works well as an avoidance quirk. She was right, of course. She usually is, but after a while, there's only so much that can be cleaned, and then you have to face what you worked so hard to avoid." This was said by Caleb Stevens.
Sarah Bates has also written the books; Always & Forever, Choices, A Friendly Arrangement, and more! I really liked this book, and I think that anyone else who reads it will, too! :)
Recommended by Alexis Mescher
This book reminds me of The Boyfriend Thief, because there's moments when you'll just smile and want to keep reading. I didn't want either of these books to end!
A quote from this book is "Someone once told me that cleaning works well as an avoidance quirk. She was right, of course. She usually is, but after a while, there's only so much that can be cleaned, and then you have to face what you worked so hard to avoid." This was said by Caleb Stevens.
Sarah Bates has also written the books; Always & Forever, Choices, A Friendly Arrangement, and more! I really liked this book, and I think that anyone else who reads it will, too! :)
Recommended by Alexis Mescher
Empty by Suzanne Weyn
Hello, I’m recommending the book: EMPTY by Suzanne Weyn. Have you ever wondered what the world will be like 10 years from now? Because this book is about our world supposedly 10 years from now.
The world has no, oil, or gases, two of the most important things in world. Gone. Without these there is no driving or heating because of this the supermarkets and malls are all empty. Nobody in the small town of Sage Valley expected the outage so fast. Especially not Gwen, Niki, and Tom. They are 3 normal high school students at the local school. They were at the local bonfire when something bad happened and Gwen ran and didn’t look back. 5 minutes after she ran the worst possible thing happened. OscPearl the superhurricane hit because of global warming. Then Gwen stumbles across the thing that can save the whole town.
“Gwen Jones squeezed out of her bedroom window onto the sizzling roof below” I like this quote because it shows how much detail this great 183 page book young adult book has. This book has won now awards. Another book by this author is Distant Waves. “A likely scenario driving this eco-disaster doesn't quite compensate for a heavy agenda and a wonderfully convenient plot twist” says Kirkus Reviews.
Recommended by Owen Murphy
The world has no, oil, or gases, two of the most important things in world. Gone. Without these there is no driving or heating because of this the supermarkets and malls are all empty. Nobody in the small town of Sage Valley expected the outage so fast. Especially not Gwen, Niki, and Tom. They are 3 normal high school students at the local school. They were at the local bonfire when something bad happened and Gwen ran and didn’t look back. 5 minutes after she ran the worst possible thing happened. OscPearl the superhurricane hit because of global warming. Then Gwen stumbles across the thing that can save the whole town.
“Gwen Jones squeezed out of her bedroom window onto the sizzling roof below” I like this quote because it shows how much detail this great 183 page book young adult book has. This book has won now awards. Another book by this author is Distant Waves. “A likely scenario driving this eco-disaster doesn't quite compensate for a heavy agenda and a wonderfully convenient plot twist” says Kirkus Reviews.
Recommended by Owen Murphy
The Dreamwalker's Child by Steve Voake
Hi, this quarter I read an amazing book called The Dreamwalker’s Child by Steve Voake. It is about a lonely kid named Sam Palmer, who is obsessed with bugs. One day he sees a swarm of wasps and can not help himself and follows them. All of sudden he feels a stinging sensation on his neck and everything goes black. When he wakes up he finds himself in some kind of marshland getting chased by strange dogs. Soon he gets picked up by some people and they take him and put him in prison. In prison he meets Skipper, a small-yet-spunky female pilot who is trying to save Sam and she shows him he is in a strange world called Aurobon. The people of Aurobon actually take care of Earth on insects, that to them are the size of airplanes, that they can drive and when they get to Earth and kill flies, heal fish, and take care of the planet in many other ways. The two nations of Aurobon, Vermia and Vahlzi, are close to war again after ten years from the last war. Vermia wants to take over Earth by using a horrible virus transmitted by mosquitoes and the Vahlzi are trying to stop them. The Vermia heard a prophecy that said when the Dreamwalker’s Child walks in the Aurobon the East, which is Vermia, shall rise and a plague shall descend on the Earth, but the Dreamwalker’s Child shall rise up against the Darkness. Sam Palmer’s mother is the Dreamwalker, so Vermia has taken Sam and is going to win, unless Sam and Skipper stop them. You will have to see what happens in this exciting 320 page fantasy thriller. Will Sam and Skipper stop the Vermia from killing everyone on Earth?
I really like all the characters. Sam throughout the book has decide where he belongs and if he can be brave enough save Earth. I like Skipper because she is a fearless, funny, and nothing gets in her way. I really love everything in this book. Everything includes the description of the tiniest details to that Steve Voake explains how when you see a bug doing military missions and is controlled by some one inside it. I also love a book that has a map in it because it gives you a sense of where the character is. This book has a map so I enjoyed it all the more.
VOYA says that “...Sam and Skipper are boy and girl protagonists with whom all young teens can identify and cheer on.” I agree with that and I would like to say that it is for any reader who likes action and adventure with a bit of humor will love this book. The recommended reading age for this book is 12 years and up.
“Ingenious premise, relentless pace and a sprinkling of thought-provoking philosophy – I loved it.” said Herbie Brennan, author of Faerie Wars. I have read Faerie Wars and I think it is a lot like this book. I think this because it has people from one world going to Earth and when they get to Earth they shrink. It is also has war in the non-Earth world. It is an okay book, but no where near as good as The Dreamwalker’s Child. I think Steve Voake is like Eoin Colfer because he puts a bit action, a dash of humor, a flick of fantasy, and makes a great book with a lot of different characters that everyone will like.
“Relax. They're not going to kill us. They're going to TRY and kill us. And that is a very different thing.” Skipper is saying this after she and Sam are up against hundreds of enemies. I like this quote from the book because it shows a little bit of humor and how in this book they always up against unlikely odds. This book has been shortlisted for Stockton Children's Book of the Year Award and Concorde Book Award. Others books by Steve Voake are The Web of Fire (The School Library Association included The Web of Fire in its list of "Top books for boys"), The Starlight Conspiracy, shortlisted for Concorde Book Award, Blood Hunters (selected for National 'Booked Up' Scheme 2009, Shortlisted for Manchester Book Award, Shortlisted for Leeds Book Award, shortlisted for Cheshire Schools Book Award), Fightback, Won the Bolton book Award, Dark Woods, Insect Detective, Daisy Dawson series for young children, and Hooey Higgins also for young children. I hope you all choose to read this book and find out if Sam and Skipper can save the Earth and humankind!
Recommended by Carl Schneider
I really like all the characters. Sam throughout the book has decide where he belongs and if he can be brave enough save Earth. I like Skipper because she is a fearless, funny, and nothing gets in her way. I really love everything in this book. Everything includes the description of the tiniest details to that Steve Voake explains how when you see a bug doing military missions and is controlled by some one inside it. I also love a book that has a map in it because it gives you a sense of where the character is. This book has a map so I enjoyed it all the more.
VOYA says that “...Sam and Skipper are boy and girl protagonists with whom all young teens can identify and cheer on.” I agree with that and I would like to say that it is for any reader who likes action and adventure with a bit of humor will love this book. The recommended reading age for this book is 12 years and up.
“Ingenious premise, relentless pace and a sprinkling of thought-provoking philosophy – I loved it.” said Herbie Brennan, author of Faerie Wars. I have read Faerie Wars and I think it is a lot like this book. I think this because it has people from one world going to Earth and when they get to Earth they shrink. It is also has war in the non-Earth world. It is an okay book, but no where near as good as The Dreamwalker’s Child. I think Steve Voake is like Eoin Colfer because he puts a bit action, a dash of humor, a flick of fantasy, and makes a great book with a lot of different characters that everyone will like.
“Relax. They're not going to kill us. They're going to TRY and kill us. And that is a very different thing.” Skipper is saying this after she and Sam are up against hundreds of enemies. I like this quote from the book because it shows a little bit of humor and how in this book they always up against unlikely odds. This book has been shortlisted for Stockton Children's Book of the Year Award and Concorde Book Award. Others books by Steve Voake are The Web of Fire (The School Library Association included The Web of Fire in its list of "Top books for boys"), The Starlight Conspiracy, shortlisted for Concorde Book Award, Blood Hunters (selected for National 'Booked Up' Scheme 2009, Shortlisted for Manchester Book Award, Shortlisted for Leeds Book Award, shortlisted for Cheshire Schools Book Award), Fightback, Won the Bolton book Award, Dark Woods, Insect Detective, Daisy Dawson series for young children, and Hooey Higgins also for young children. I hope you all choose to read this book and find out if Sam and Skipper can save the Earth and humankind!
Recommended by Carl Schneider
Friday, March 9, 2012
Scars by Cheryl Rainfield
Hello Classmates! Today I would like to recommend the book Scars by Cheryl Rainfield. This is a non-fiction page turning book! The recommend reading age is 14 and up. This is a very mature read. This book hasn’t won any awards. But this was a very good book. She has also wrote the book Haunted. I hope to read this book sometime this semester. My favorite character in this book is the main character Kendra. I liked her because she is a very strong teenager for what she went through in her younger days. Read this book to find out what happened. This book kinda remained me about A Piece of Cake I abandoned this book because it just got to long. But this book was better. The reason it remained me about it is because they both had a rough young life.
Kendra has a problem with cutting her wrist because of what happened when she was younger. Kendra meets a lot of new friends along her hard journey. I think everybody should read this book to see how sad some kids life’s are. This book really makes you think about everybody’s life and to respect everybody else. So read this book if you are looking for a hard book to put down and a quick read.
A quote from the School Library Journal is “Whatever their life experience is, teens will be on the edge of their seats...This is one heck of a good book!” Gail Giles also had a quote about this book is “Scars is the most read book for any teen, I couldn’t put it down.” I liked this quote the best because it is a very good read that I couldn’t put down. My favorite quote from this book is “The memories are so strong, all I have to do is close my eyes and reach for them and they come. I’m the one who keeps trying to hold them back. I’m the one who wants to run screaming from my own head.” This quote made me want to read on and on and on. I hope you all get your hands on this book and read it.
Recommended by Megan Maahs
Kendra has a problem with cutting her wrist because of what happened when she was younger. Kendra meets a lot of new friends along her hard journey. I think everybody should read this book to see how sad some kids life’s are. This book really makes you think about everybody’s life and to respect everybody else. So read this book if you are looking for a hard book to put down and a quick read.
A quote from the School Library Journal is “Whatever their life experience is, teens will be on the edge of their seats...This is one heck of a good book!” Gail Giles also had a quote about this book is “Scars is the most read book for any teen, I couldn’t put it down.” I liked this quote the best because it is a very good read that I couldn’t put down. My favorite quote from this book is “The memories are so strong, all I have to do is close my eyes and reach for them and they come. I’m the one who keeps trying to hold them back. I’m the one who wants to run screaming from my own head.” This quote made me want to read on and on and on. I hope you all get your hands on this book and read it.
Recommended by Megan Maahs
Mudshark by Gary Paulsen
Hello, today I am doing my book review on the book Mudshark. It was written by Gary Paulsen. He is definately my favorite author. This book is very short and a quick read. By looking at the title of this book you might think that this is an outdoor book. But that guess is way off. It is actually about a boy named Lyle Williams. He is a twelve year old boy that loves to play Death Ball. Death Ball is a combination of soccer, football, wrestling, rugby and mud fighting. When he trips and lands flat on his back, a kid on the other team runs by him with the ball. Lyle stretches out his arm, grabs the kid and stops him from scoring. Then Billy Crisper, a kid that always watches the animal channel says that Lyle moved as fast as a mudshark. From then on Lyle was nicknamed Mudshark. This book mainly takes place at Mudsharks school. Mudshark has an absolutely insane memory. When people lose things they ask Mudshark where it is and he will know exactly where it is even he hadn’t been there when they dropped it or left it behind.
Later on his librarian buys a parrot that sits in there library all day and doesn’t move. It only speaks when someone asks it where something of there’s is. The parrot will answer even before Mudshark is able to answer. Kirkus Reviews says, “Paulsen's peppy, lightweight new classroom comedy about a super-sharp kid is meant to amuse, and it does.” This book is often bought with Lawn Boy and Masters of Disaster. Both are also Gary Paulsen Books. Overall I thought that this was a great book! Definately living up to Gary Paulsen’s reputation. My favorite quote from the book is “He seemed to move as a part of the hall. He’d suddenly appear out of nowhere, as if he’d always been there.” The recommended reading age is young adult. This book sadly has not won any awards yet but my guess is that it will later on down the road. Read this book to find out how the parrot and Mudshark team up and try to find Mudshark’s friend’s dad’s car. If they do find it where will it be? Going to have to read to find out.
Recommended by Spencer McDermott
Later on his librarian buys a parrot that sits in there library all day and doesn’t move. It only speaks when someone asks it where something of there’s is. The parrot will answer even before Mudshark is able to answer. Kirkus Reviews says, “Paulsen's peppy, lightweight new classroom comedy about a super-sharp kid is meant to amuse, and it does.” This book is often bought with Lawn Boy and Masters of Disaster. Both are also Gary Paulsen Books. Overall I thought that this was a great book! Definately living up to Gary Paulsen’s reputation. My favorite quote from the book is “He seemed to move as a part of the hall. He’d suddenly appear out of nowhere, as if he’d always been there.” The recommended reading age is young adult. This book sadly has not won any awards yet but my guess is that it will later on down the road. Read this book to find out how the parrot and Mudshark team up and try to find Mudshark’s friend’s dad’s car. If they do find it where will it be? Going to have to read to find out.
Recommended by Spencer McDermott
Thursday, March 8, 2012
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games were just another game to the people of Panem. Until they weren’t anymore. At least not to everyone. One day Katniss Everdeen was out hunting with her best friend Gale, and the next minute she was getting ready for the 74th annual Hunger Games. She was debating whether or not her name was going to be called, when hers wasn’t, but someone she loved most dearly was. Her beloved sister Prim’s name, one out of thousands, was picked. What would Katniss do without her sister. What is there to do but take her place in the reaping. She promised her sister that she would be the last one standing, to win the Games, but would she? Or would she just perish like all the other contestants in the game.
There are many big characters in these books. Katniss, is a 16 year old girl willing to lose her life, to keep her sister, and mother alive. Peeta, a bakers son, never expects to be picked for the games, but he is. Gale, Katniss’ hunting partner, and lifelong friend. He is kind of in love with her, but can’t tell her. Haymitch is the only survivor of the 50th Hunger Games. He is also the only surviving tribute, from District 12.
The age recommendation for this book is 12 and up. It has three hundred eighty four pages packed with details, and gore, and love. I would recommend it to both boys and girls. It is really a page turning thriller, filled with magic, romance, and war.
My favorite part in the book is when Peeta says "Only I keep wishing I could think of a way to... to show the Capitol they don't own me. That I'm more than just a piece in their games." He wants to show the capitol that they don’t own him, and that he is not just part of their games. He is a human being, and killing them for entertainment is wrong. Kirkus reviews says “Impressive world-building, breathtaking action and clear philosophical concerns make this volume, the beginning of a planned trilogy, as good as The Giver and more exciting.” Publishers Weekly says “Readers will wait eagerly to learn more.”
Awards and honors received by this book are,
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
#1 USA TODAY BESTSELLER
WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BESTSELLER
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY'S BEST BOOKS OF 2008:
CHILDREN'S FICTION
NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK OF 2008
AN AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
TOP TEN BEST BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS SELECTION
AN ALA NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK
2009 ALA AMELIA BLOOMER PROJECT LIST
#1 ON WINTER '08/'09 CHILDREN'S INDIE NEXT LIST
INDIES CHOICE--BEST INDIE YOUNG ADULT BUZZ BOOK HONOR
2008 CYBIL AWARD--FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION
2009 CHILDREN'S CHOICE BOOK AWARD
TEEN CHOICE BOOK OF THE YEAR FINALIST
YALSA'S TEENS' TOP TEN, 2009
NYPL “STUFF FOR THE TEEN AGE” LIST, 2009
CCBC CHOICES 2009
A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS' CHOICE
A KIRKUS BEST BOOK OF 2008
A HORN BOOK FANFARE
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOKS Of 2008
A BOOKLIST EDITORS' CHOICE, 2008
LA TIMES FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOKS, 2008
BARNES & NOBLE BEST BOOKS OF 2008 FOR TEENS AND KIDS,
BORDERS BEST BOOKS OF 2008: TEENS,
AMAZON BEST BOOKS OF 2008:TOP 100 EDITORS' PICK,
TOP 10 BOOKS: TEENS
"[The Hunger Games] is a violent, jarring, speed-rap of a novel that generates nearly constant suspense...I couldn't stop reading." says Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly Review. Suzanne Collins has also written, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay to go with this series, and the Gregor The Overlander Underland Chronicles series.
Recommended by Isabel Brehm
There are many big characters in these books. Katniss, is a 16 year old girl willing to lose her life, to keep her sister, and mother alive. Peeta, a bakers son, never expects to be picked for the games, but he is. Gale, Katniss’ hunting partner, and lifelong friend. He is kind of in love with her, but can’t tell her. Haymitch is the only survivor of the 50th Hunger Games. He is also the only surviving tribute, from District 12.
The age recommendation for this book is 12 and up. It has three hundred eighty four pages packed with details, and gore, and love. I would recommend it to both boys and girls. It is really a page turning thriller, filled with magic, romance, and war.
My favorite part in the book is when Peeta says "Only I keep wishing I could think of a way to... to show the Capitol they don't own me. That I'm more than just a piece in their games." He wants to show the capitol that they don’t own him, and that he is not just part of their games. He is a human being, and killing them for entertainment is wrong. Kirkus reviews says “Impressive world-building, breathtaking action and clear philosophical concerns make this volume, the beginning of a planned trilogy, as good as The Giver and more exciting.” Publishers Weekly says “Readers will wait eagerly to learn more.”
Awards and honors received by this book are,
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
#1 USA TODAY BESTSELLER
WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BESTSELLER
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY'S BEST BOOKS OF 2008:
CHILDREN'S FICTION
NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK OF 2008
AN AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
TOP TEN BEST BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS SELECTION
AN ALA NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK
2009 ALA AMELIA BLOOMER PROJECT LIST
#1 ON WINTER '08/'09 CHILDREN'S INDIE NEXT LIST
INDIES CHOICE--BEST INDIE YOUNG ADULT BUZZ BOOK HONOR
2008 CYBIL AWARD--FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION
2009 CHILDREN'S CHOICE BOOK AWARD
TEEN CHOICE BOOK OF THE YEAR FINALIST
YALSA'S TEENS' TOP TEN, 2009
NYPL “STUFF FOR THE TEEN AGE” LIST, 2009
CCBC CHOICES 2009
A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS' CHOICE
A KIRKUS BEST BOOK OF 2008
A HORN BOOK FANFARE
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOKS Of 2008
A BOOKLIST EDITORS' CHOICE, 2008
LA TIMES FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOKS, 2008
BARNES & NOBLE BEST BOOKS OF 2008 FOR TEENS AND KIDS,
BORDERS BEST BOOKS OF 2008: TEENS,
AMAZON BEST BOOKS OF 2008:TOP 100 EDITORS' PICK,
TOP 10 BOOKS: TEENS
"[The Hunger Games] is a violent, jarring, speed-rap of a novel that generates nearly constant suspense...I couldn't stop reading." says Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly Review. Suzanne Collins has also written, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay to go with this series, and the Gregor The Overlander Underland Chronicles series.
Recommended by Isabel Brehm
Sweet Sixteen by Kate Brian
The book, Sweet 16, by Kate Brian is a hilarious, engrossing book that will have you wondering if having it all is really all that it seems.
Everyone dreams of their Sweet 16 Party. Everyone including Teagan Phillips who has it all, the Vera Wang dress with the matching Jimmy Choos, an elite guest list, and a charming boyfriend. Other parties are cool but no one at Rosewood Prep will be able to match their party to what Teagan will host. She will have the most extravagant, expensive, and over the top sweet 16 party. She also is the most bratty and obnoxious person, but that doesn’t stop anyone from trying to get in to her party! On the big night she stumbles over some stairs and tumbles down into the county club wine cellar and blacks out. When Teagan comes back, she opens her eyes to a strange woman standing in front of her. This woman takes Teagan on a ride back in time to show her how she has made some people miserable and how she can change her life for the better. And if Teagan is lucky, this woman might be able to put the sweet back into sixteen.
This book is for girls ages 12 and up. I really enjoyed this book and so did many others. “An amazing novel that will truly give readers a better outlook on life - and how they are viewed by others,” stated Erika Sorocco. Kids Review commented, “It was a nice read and I recommend it to teenagers that would love to read a likable book that would give you a great moral.” Kate Brian is a New York Times Bestselling author. She has written many books including, Fake Boyfriend, The Private Series, and many others. This book has not won any awards but I think it is award worthy. I think that this book is similar to The Christmas Carol because Teagan is a really mean brat like Mr. Scrooge. They both see their not so bright futures and decide to change it. An excerpt from the book is, “Teagan looked up at the balloons. They really were kind of pretty. When she was little, balloons had been her favorite part of any birthday party. Her mother had always ordered so many helium balloons they crowded out the ceiling.” “The school is just fishing for another donation,” she said. This quote expresses her true feelings about some things. She is just too cool to say them! This book teaches a great moral that everyone should learn. Read to find out if spoiled and bratty Teagan Phillips can be changed for the better!
Recommended by Jenna Willer
Everyone dreams of their Sweet 16 Party. Everyone including Teagan Phillips who has it all, the Vera Wang dress with the matching Jimmy Choos, an elite guest list, and a charming boyfriend. Other parties are cool but no one at Rosewood Prep will be able to match their party to what Teagan will host. She will have the most extravagant, expensive, and over the top sweet 16 party. She also is the most bratty and obnoxious person, but that doesn’t stop anyone from trying to get in to her party! On the big night she stumbles over some stairs and tumbles down into the county club wine cellar and blacks out. When Teagan comes back, she opens her eyes to a strange woman standing in front of her. This woman takes Teagan on a ride back in time to show her how she has made some people miserable and how she can change her life for the better. And if Teagan is lucky, this woman might be able to put the sweet back into sixteen.
This book is for girls ages 12 and up. I really enjoyed this book and so did many others. “An amazing novel that will truly give readers a better outlook on life - and how they are viewed by others,” stated Erika Sorocco. Kids Review commented, “It was a nice read and I recommend it to teenagers that would love to read a likable book that would give you a great moral.” Kate Brian is a New York Times Bestselling author. She has written many books including, Fake Boyfriend, The Private Series, and many others. This book has not won any awards but I think it is award worthy. I think that this book is similar to The Christmas Carol because Teagan is a really mean brat like Mr. Scrooge. They both see their not so bright futures and decide to change it. An excerpt from the book is, “Teagan looked up at the balloons. They really were kind of pretty. When she was little, balloons had been her favorite part of any birthday party. Her mother had always ordered so many helium balloons they crowded out the ceiling.” “The school is just fishing for another donation,” she said. This quote expresses her true feelings about some things. She is just too cool to say them! This book teaches a great moral that everyone should learn. Read to find out if spoiled and bratty Teagan Phillips can be changed for the better!
Recommended by Jenna Willer
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Someone's Watching by Sharon Potts
Hello, I am doing my book review on Someone’s Watching, by: Sharon
Potts. Kate and Joanne go to South Beach for spring break. While
they’re there someone takes them. Who could it be? Kate’s dad comes to
Miami not just to look for Kate, but to see Robbie, his daughter that
he has never seen in a while, and to tell her that Kate is her step
sister. Robbie is not so happy to see her father, but that doesn’t
stop her. Robbie searches everywhere for Kate, and even notifys a
detective, but they still can’t find her. Robbie has a list of people
in mind, but could they really have taken her? Robbie may have to
choose between saving her step sister or saving herself. You’ll have
to read to find out who really took Kate, and if it’s not too late to
get Kate back!
A quote from the book that I really enjoyed was, “You’re my
Pocahontas.” He said, when he tucked her into bed. “You’re my little
Pocahontas.” Publisher Weekly states, “Potts's shiver-rich follow-up
to In their blood takes a hard look at Miami's intense South Beach
club scene.”
The recommended reading age for the novel is, 14 and up. This book
has not won any awards. Another book by this author is, South Beach
Cinderella. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!
Recommended by Lisa Schroeder
Potts. Kate and Joanne go to South Beach for spring break. While
they’re there someone takes them. Who could it be? Kate’s dad comes to
Miami not just to look for Kate, but to see Robbie, his daughter that
he has never seen in a while, and to tell her that Kate is her step
sister. Robbie is not so happy to see her father, but that doesn’t
stop her. Robbie searches everywhere for Kate, and even notifys a
detective, but they still can’t find her. Robbie has a list of people
in mind, but could they really have taken her? Robbie may have to
choose between saving her step sister or saving herself. You’ll have
to read to find out who really took Kate, and if it’s not too late to
get Kate back!
A quote from the book that I really enjoyed was, “You’re my
Pocahontas.” He said, when he tucked her into bed. “You’re my little
Pocahontas.” Publisher Weekly states, “Potts's shiver-rich follow-up
to In their blood takes a hard look at Miami's intense South Beach
club scene.”
The recommended reading age for the novel is, 14 and up. This book
has not won any awards. Another book by this author is, South Beach
Cinderella. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!
Recommended by Lisa Schroeder
My Beating Teenage Heart by C.K. Kelley Martin
Hello classmates! Today I will be talking to you about the book My Beating Teenage Heart by C.K. Kelley Martin. This book is about a boy, Breckon Cody and a girl Ashlyn Baptiste. It is from both points of views. Ashlyn doesn’t know what happened to herself or what her story is all that she can do is watch Breckon struggle with his problems. Breckon just had his sister die and he thinks that is his fault and is talking it really hard. Ashlyn doesn’t know why but she can hear the pain in Breckon’s breath and how he is struggling and no one else knows. As his life spirals downward she promises to herself that she won’t let him hurt himself anymore than he all ready is. This book really draws you in to want to see what Ashlyn will do to happen and to see if Breckon can make it. This is my absolute quote from the beginning because the author uses such great descriptive words, “And then, just as my mind begins to expand with questions
-who am I?
-where is this?
-how am I...
I’m falling, plummeting through the glittering darkness at a speed that would normally make your stomach drop. Instinct kicks in and makes me throw out my hands to break my fall. Only, I don’t have any- no hands and no stomach either.
The fear of falling exists in my consciousness and nowhere else. There’s nothing I can do to stop my descent. Beneath me continents of lights beam their brightness as I speed towards them.
Catch me, stars. Help me.”
Amazon agrees with me too. They named this the book of the month in October of 2011. Here’s what they had to say about it, Ashlyn Baptise doesn’t know where she is. Now somehow without a body she still exists in consciousness, and she finds herself drawn to a stranger. Brecken Cody is out of sorts, too. Having recently lost his sister, for which he feels partly to blame, Brecken is in the throes of grief. It is hard to talk about this novel without giving away a pivotal plot point but that the way in which Martin reveals how Brecken and Ashlyn are intertwined was unexpected—and amazing. Voice really drives the novel, making it impossible not to root for both characters as they try to navigate new emotional (and in Ashlyn’s case, physical, too) experiences. In the vein Gayle Forman’s If I Stay and Jenny Downham’s Before I Die, My Beating Teenage Heart is the type of novel that will remain with you long after you’ve read the last page. --Jessica Schein
The recommended reading age is 14 plus. This author has not won any awards, but I am confident she will in the future. She has also written four other books; The Lighter Side of Life and Death, One Lonely Degree, Yesterday, and I Know It’s Over. You will have to read to find out what happens to Ashlyn and Breckon! This book reminds me of the book Where She Went by Gayle Forman because of the very dramatic plot line.
Recommended by Meg Stecklein
-who am I?
-where is this?
-how am I...
I’m falling, plummeting through the glittering darkness at a speed that would normally make your stomach drop. Instinct kicks in and makes me throw out my hands to break my fall. Only, I don’t have any- no hands and no stomach either.
The fear of falling exists in my consciousness and nowhere else. There’s nothing I can do to stop my descent. Beneath me continents of lights beam their brightness as I speed towards them.
Catch me, stars. Help me.”
Amazon agrees with me too. They named this the book of the month in October of 2011. Here’s what they had to say about it, Ashlyn Baptise doesn’t know where she is. Now somehow without a body she still exists in consciousness, and she finds herself drawn to a stranger. Brecken Cody is out of sorts, too. Having recently lost his sister, for which he feels partly to blame, Brecken is in the throes of grief. It is hard to talk about this novel without giving away a pivotal plot point but that the way in which Martin reveals how Brecken and Ashlyn are intertwined was unexpected—and amazing. Voice really drives the novel, making it impossible not to root for both characters as they try to navigate new emotional (and in Ashlyn’s case, physical, too) experiences. In the vein Gayle Forman’s If I Stay and Jenny Downham’s Before I Die, My Beating Teenage Heart is the type of novel that will remain with you long after you’ve read the last page. --Jessica Schein
The recommended reading age is 14 plus. This author has not won any awards, but I am confident she will in the future. She has also written four other books; The Lighter Side of Life and Death, One Lonely Degree, Yesterday, and I Know It’s Over. You will have to read to find out what happens to Ashlyn and Breckon! This book reminds me of the book Where She Went by Gayle Forman because of the very dramatic plot line.
Recommended by Meg Stecklein
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Tentacles by Roland Smith
Did you know that a giant squid's eye is about the size of a large pizza? Welling the book Tentacles by Roland Smith you can learn this, plus tons of other cool things about crypts! Tentacles is a great science fiction mystery book but I suggest it to all, even if you're not a big fan of this genre!
Since Tentacles has too many important characters to describe I will just tell you the very basics. First, Marty is the main boy. He and Grace have been on the ship before so they know what goes on. Grace is Marty's first cousin and is like a sister to him. Luther is a really great friend of both Marty and Grace all three of them are on a ship owned by a company called eWolfe. This company has three main goals, number one is to keep Grace safe on a ship where A spy is trying to capture her. Number two is to protect two dinosaur eggs that they discovered on an island, and lastly number three is to capture a giant squid! As in any great book wherever there is good there is also evil. The evil in this book is named Noah Blackwood. Like eWolfe, Noah also has three goals. Number one is to steal Grace, who is also Noah's granddaughter. Number two is to steal the dinosaur eggs, and number three is to steal the giant squid. So as you can see there is a bit of corruption on the ship!
I really like to book Tentacles but I am not the only one who thinks it's good! School Library Journal says "A high-octane page-turner that will reel readers in and keep them riveted." I really agree with that statement!
My favorite part of this outstanding book is "Marty reached the deck and took in a deep breath of fresh sea air, which smelled like perfume compared to the greasy galley. The dark sky was moonless, lit by millions of stars. The Coelacanth was anchored. He walked over to the rail and looked down at the water. Somewhere beneath the dark water a giant squid awaited." I like how the author uses such great words and it describes the senses, so you feel like you're really there!
In conclusion I would like you to know that Tentacles may be hard to get into at first, but once you get into into it you can't put it down! Enjoy!
Recommended by Emily Koetz
Since Tentacles has too many important characters to describe I will just tell you the very basics. First, Marty is the main boy. He and Grace have been on the ship before so they know what goes on. Grace is Marty's first cousin and is like a sister to him. Luther is a really great friend of both Marty and Grace all three of them are on a ship owned by a company called eWolfe. This company has three main goals, number one is to keep Grace safe on a ship where A spy is trying to capture her. Number two is to protect two dinosaur eggs that they discovered on an island, and lastly number three is to capture a giant squid! As in any great book wherever there is good there is also evil. The evil in this book is named Noah Blackwood. Like eWolfe, Noah also has three goals. Number one is to steal Grace, who is also Noah's granddaughter. Number two is to steal the dinosaur eggs, and number three is to steal the giant squid. So as you can see there is a bit of corruption on the ship!
I really like to book Tentacles but I am not the only one who thinks it's good! School Library Journal says "A high-octane page-turner that will reel readers in and keep them riveted." I really agree with that statement!
My favorite part of this outstanding book is "Marty reached the deck and took in a deep breath of fresh sea air, which smelled like perfume compared to the greasy galley. The dark sky was moonless, lit by millions of stars. The Coelacanth was anchored. He walked over to the rail and looked down at the water. Somewhere beneath the dark water a giant squid awaited." I like how the author uses such great words and it describes the senses, so you feel like you're really there!
In conclusion I would like you to know that Tentacles may be hard to get into at first, but once you get into into it you can't put it down! Enjoy!
Recommended by Emily Koetz
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Knights of Hill Country by Tim Tharp
The book that I am recommending is Knights of the Hill Country. This is written by Tim Tharp. It is about a kid named Hampton Green.He is the Knights allstar linebacker. He is in on just about evey play on defense. He feels like he can stop time. Him and his team are working on their fifth straight winning season. If they finish the season off without getting beat they will be legends. They are facing many challenges along the way including great football teams and other personal conflicts. Read to find out if they become legends or if they fall short.
I liked this book because it gave good detail and kept me wanting to read more. A quote that stuck out to me was, “Dirty gets dirty back.” I liked this quote because in football even though you think you got away with it, you might not see the next one coming. A quote from Kirkus review was, “This intriguing work demands an audience.” A quote from the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s book said,”Hamp musters the sense and confidence to muddle his way through, and for that the readers can raise a cheer.” The recomended reading age is 12 and up. Peope who bought this book also bought, Payback Time, Crackback, Heart of a Champion, and many others.
Recommended by Frank Brehm
I liked this book because it gave good detail and kept me wanting to read more. A quote that stuck out to me was, “Dirty gets dirty back.” I liked this quote because in football even though you think you got away with it, you might not see the next one coming. A quote from Kirkus review was, “This intriguing work demands an audience.” A quote from the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s book said,”Hamp musters the sense and confidence to muddle his way through, and for that the readers can raise a cheer.” The recomended reading age is 12 and up. Peope who bought this book also bought, Payback Time, Crackback, Heart of a Champion, and many others.
Recommended by Frank Brehm
Trash by Andy Mulligan
Trash by Andy Mulligan transports you to an unknown city in Latin America, deep in the heart of political turmoil. Although none of the students in my class have ever lived a glamour lifestyle, the simple blessings we have in our every day life were made glaringly clear after reading the first chapter and being introduced to the main characters and their home built on a dumpsite. Raphael, Gardo and Rat’s daily lifestyle includes sifting through trash in hopes of finding something worth money that can help their family buy food. They encounter a multitude of challenges after finding a mysterious item in the trash that the police are eager to recover. What follows is a fast paced, engaging story involving stolen money, brutal violence, police and government corruption, as well as many more obstacles that arise as the boys try to solve the mystery. Although I would highly recommend this book, it is not light reading. There are many heavy topics that surface; I was constantly uncomfortable while reading the book, imagining the different scenarios these young boys were thrust into in order to survive.
The School Library Journal states, “Reminiscent of Slumdog Millionaire, this unique adventure seamlessly incorporates secret codes, breathless getaways, corrupt bureaucrats, and a subtle moral about kids growing up in a town made of trash but deserving much better.” Trash is recommended for ages twelve to fifteen, but I think that many adults would have an eye opening experience reading this account of life in a Third World country. All too often we turn a blind eye to the injustices that are happening in the world. This novel challenges you not to look away, not to take for granted what you have in your life. Another novel written by Andy Mulligan is Return to Ribblestrop. A compelling quote from a letter in the novel is “I am writing this knowing that if it is in another man’s hands, then I am dead or soon to die. I took this money hoping that I would be the one to return it where it belongs, and I had my schemes for doing that. But I write as a dead man, I think: for they will not take me and let me live.” Who wrote this letter? Read this novel to discover the answer to that and many other questions brought about in the first chapter.
Recommended by Ms. Steffen
The School Library Journal states, “Reminiscent of Slumdog Millionaire, this unique adventure seamlessly incorporates secret codes, breathless getaways, corrupt bureaucrats, and a subtle moral about kids growing up in a town made of trash but deserving much better.” Trash is recommended for ages twelve to fifteen, but I think that many adults would have an eye opening experience reading this account of life in a Third World country. All too often we turn a blind eye to the injustices that are happening in the world. This novel challenges you not to look away, not to take for granted what you have in your life. Another novel written by Andy Mulligan is Return to Ribblestrop. A compelling quote from a letter in the novel is “I am writing this knowing that if it is in another man’s hands, then I am dead or soon to die. I took this money hoping that I would be the one to return it where it belongs, and I had my schemes for doing that. But I write as a dead man, I think: for they will not take me and let me live.” Who wrote this letter? Read this novel to discover the answer to that and many other questions brought about in the first chapter.
Recommended by Ms. Steffen
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
“He began his new life standing up, surrounded by cold darkness and stale, dusty air.” This how my favorite book, The Maze Runner, by James Dashner begins, with a boy waking up in a elevator with no memories with faces or times. He just knows his name, Thomas.
Kirkus Reviews says “Dashner knows how to spin a tale and make the unbelievable realistic. Hard to put down, this is clearly just a first installment, and it will leave readers dying to find out what comes next.”
I am in a definite agreement with this statement. I stayed up until midnight reading this one. Each chapter, I would say to myself just one more chapter, but every chapter ended with me wanting more so I coudn’t stop. Then I finished the book. I still wanted more. It was amazing! This author and the book have not won any awards, yet. This author has not written any other books, besides the series (The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trails, and The Death Cure.) The recommended reading age is young adult.
I think this book is a lot like the Hunger Games. They are not being pitted against each other to fight to the death. In both of the books they are trapped in an “arena” and can’t get out.
I really liked this book and I hope you do to!
Recommended by Anna Luber
Kirkus Reviews says “Dashner knows how to spin a tale and make the unbelievable realistic. Hard to put down, this is clearly just a first installment, and it will leave readers dying to find out what comes next.”
I am in a definite agreement with this statement. I stayed up until midnight reading this one. Each chapter, I would say to myself just one more chapter, but every chapter ended with me wanting more so I coudn’t stop. Then I finished the book. I still wanted more. It was amazing! This author and the book have not won any awards, yet. This author has not written any other books, besides the series (The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trails, and The Death Cure.) The recommended reading age is young adult.
I think this book is a lot like the Hunger Games. They are not being pitted against each other to fight to the death. In both of the books they are trapped in an “arena” and can’t get out.
I really liked this book and I hope you do to!
Recommended by Anna Luber
I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler
The book I would like to recommend is I’m Not Her by Janet Gurtler. This is a must read for anyone who has or wishes they had a sister. This book is all about two exact opposite girls that are sisters. Kristina is the older, prettier, more athletic and popular sister while Tess on the other hand is quiet and smart. Tess is always being compared to Kristina and she hates it, especially when it comes from her mother. When all of a sudden Kristina is faced with life changing news. Now Tess becomes the center of attention and all the seniors wonder what’s up with Kristina. When their parents choose to ignore everything that’s going on, Tess much step in with some support. Read this book to find out the life-changing news and all of the other dramatic events that go on in Kristina and Tess’s life.
“I want to tell her that she’s brave and I love her. But I don’t know how to say it. Talking about things is not what I do.” This is one of my favorite quotes from this book. It shows how much Tess really does care about Kristina. “We’re going to need to to be strong, Tessie. Our Rock.” This is what Tess and Kristina’s dad tells Tess. Tess was my favorite character in this book because she was always putting everyone else before herself and she stayed strong the whole time.
The recommended reading age for this book is young adult. Some other books by Janet Gurtler are If I Tell and Who I Kissed. This author has not won any awards. “I devoured it...this story isn't about the girl in the spotlight. It's about the girl in the shadows, the one who's forced to find her way into the light to keep her family from totally self-destructing. As much as it brought me to tears, I loved watching Tess struggle with her own questions, doubt, frustrations with her parents and their inability to accept and deal with this tragedy, the equal parts love/resentment/fear she feels toward her sister, and her tenuous but unwanted place in the spotlight at school. I'M NOT HER is, quite simply, a downright real story.” said The Contemps.
Recommended by Becca Kennedy
“I want to tell her that she’s brave and I love her. But I don’t know how to say it. Talking about things is not what I do.” This is one of my favorite quotes from this book. It shows how much Tess really does care about Kristina. “We’re going to need to to be strong, Tessie. Our Rock.” This is what Tess and Kristina’s dad tells Tess. Tess was my favorite character in this book because she was always putting everyone else before herself and she stayed strong the whole time.
The recommended reading age for this book is young adult. Some other books by Janet Gurtler are If I Tell and Who I Kissed. This author has not won any awards. “I devoured it...this story isn't about the girl in the spotlight. It's about the girl in the shadows, the one who's forced to find her way into the light to keep her family from totally self-destructing. As much as it brought me to tears, I loved watching Tess struggle with her own questions, doubt, frustrations with her parents and their inability to accept and deal with this tragedy, the equal parts love/resentment/fear she feels toward her sister, and her tenuous but unwanted place in the spotlight at school. I'M NOT HER is, quite simply, a downright real story.” said The Contemps.
Recommended by Becca Kennedy
Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Recently, over Christmas break actually, I read a book about Peter Pan and how he came to be. In the book Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, Peter is an orphan boy living at St. Norbert’s Home for Wayward Boys. Peter is the oldest of all of the boys living there, and is among the number of boys that are being shipped off to be servants to King Zarboff the Third. But strange things happen on the ship on their way to the country of Rundoon, where King Zarboff the Third rules. Before the ship casts away, two sailors carry aboard a large, mysterious chest. Whenever anyone touches the box itself, they are extremely happy, relaxed and pain free. First, he felt it: a warmth, starting in his hands, but moving quickly up his arms and down his back and into his legs, and everywhere that warmth went, it was…wonderful. Like stepping into a bath. In an instant the pain in his bent old spine, the throbbing pain he had lived with since almost his first day at the dock, was gone. So was the aching weariness in his legs. Gone!
But there was more. There was a…smell. It was flowers. New grass in a meadow right after a spring rain. A fresh orange being peeled. It was cinnamon and honey, and bread just baked and pulled from the oven. And another smell even more wonderful than the others, though Alf couldn’t place it. Like nighttime, he thought. Why did the box make Alf feel so amazing? Was it something in the box, or the box itself?
My favorite characters in Peter and the Starcatchers are Peter and Molly. They are both fearless and have big secrets they are trying to keep from everyone else. They also have big plans, though their plans become compromised and they must find their way out of a horrible situation that their secrets got them into.
This book is amazingly well written and illustrated. It has a vivid plot and hilarious dialogue. Peter and the Starcatchers is one of my all time favorite books. Kirkus Reviews says, “A compulsively readable prequel to Peter Pan. Readers will come away satisfied.”
This book has not received any awards. Other books that Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson co-authored are: Peter and the Shadow Thieves Peter and the Secret of Roondun and Peter and the Sword of Mercy. The recommended reading level for this book is Young Adults.
In my opinion, this book is similar to Peter Pan, though Peter and the Starcatchers more of a prequel to that particular book. I feel that Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s writing styles are similar to James Patterson’s writing style. The books by all three authors come, not only from the points of view of the main character, but rather from the point of view of whomever may be able to tell the story best at that point in time.
I hope that you all read this book and that you enjoy it as mush as I did!
Recommended by Theresa Brehm
But there was more. There was a…smell. It was flowers. New grass in a meadow right after a spring rain. A fresh orange being peeled. It was cinnamon and honey, and bread just baked and pulled from the oven. And another smell even more wonderful than the others, though Alf couldn’t place it. Like nighttime, he thought. Why did the box make Alf feel so amazing? Was it something in the box, or the box itself?
My favorite characters in Peter and the Starcatchers are Peter and Molly. They are both fearless and have big secrets they are trying to keep from everyone else. They also have big plans, though their plans become compromised and they must find their way out of a horrible situation that their secrets got them into.
This book is amazingly well written and illustrated. It has a vivid plot and hilarious dialogue. Peter and the Starcatchers is one of my all time favorite books. Kirkus Reviews says, “A compulsively readable prequel to Peter Pan. Readers will come away satisfied.”
This book has not received any awards. Other books that Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson co-authored are: Peter and the Shadow Thieves Peter and the Secret of Roondun and Peter and the Sword of Mercy. The recommended reading level for this book is Young Adults.
In my opinion, this book is similar to Peter Pan, though Peter and the Starcatchers more of a prequel to that particular book. I feel that Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s writing styles are similar to James Patterson’s writing style. The books by all three authors come, not only from the points of view of the main character, but rather from the point of view of whomever may be able to tell the story best at that point in time.
I hope that you all read this book and that you enjoy it as mush as I did!
Recommended by Theresa Brehm
Football Champ by Tim Green
A book that I have read this year is Football Champ. It is written by Tim Green. This is a Footbal genius novel. This is also a book fo 8-12 year olds.This is about a kid named Troy. He is on the field and is calling all the right plays.The Falcons win again! After the game a reporter is following him around because he knows something is up. Soon he finds out that Troy is telling Seth the plays. Slowly the reporter is making a bigger and bigger story. Now that the story is broke lose, Seth and Troy’s jobs a on the line. Read to find out if they find a way to prove the reporter wrong or if they both lose their jobs. This is a suspensful book that will keep you reading until all 280 pages are done. I think this is a great book and is geared more toward boy but some girls might like too. I liked this because it is about football and relates to the NFL. The character also relates to my life because he is my age.
This book and author haven’t won any awards yet, but it is a New York Times bestselling author. A quotes from the book that Iliked was, “the noise washed over Troy, crashing from one end of the stadium to the other. I liked this part because it is telling the part were Troy throws a touch down pass. Some famous qoutes are,” Tim Green delivers another thriller with an insiders view of top sports action in this new adventure to Troy.” New York Times.”An engaging page-turner that’s full of play- by-play action.” Kirkus reviews “ A fast-paced read.” Time for kids
Recommended by Frank Brehm
This book and author haven’t won any awards yet, but it is a New York Times bestselling author. A quotes from the book that Iliked was, “the noise washed over Troy, crashing from one end of the stadium to the other. I liked this part because it is telling the part were Troy throws a touch down pass. Some famous qoutes are,” Tim Green delivers another thriller with an insiders view of top sports action in this new adventure to Troy.” New York Times.”An engaging page-turner that’s full of play- by-play action.” Kirkus reviews “ A fast-paced read.” Time for kids
Recommended by Frank Brehm
Ever After Ever by Jordan Sonnenblick
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to have cancer? Well, a must-read novel that I am going to recommend to you is After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick. This page-turning book is about a boy named Jeffrey who is a cancer survivor, but still has worries that it will return. His brother, Steven, whom he can usually look to for advice, has moved away to Africa to join a drumming club for a little while. Before Steven left thought, Jeffrey couldn’t help but hear him talking to his parents about why he is going away to Africa; basically to get away from Jeffrey. Jeffrey has a friend named Tad, who he has a lot in common with. Tad also had cancer, but it caused him to have to sit in a wheelchair. Throughout this book, Tad has to overcome many big obstacles in his life. On the start of his eighth grade year, Jeffrey, along with his whole school, was informed that they would have to pass this big test at the end of the year in order to complete and pass eighth grade. Everyone, including Jeffrey’s parents thought that it would be impossible for Jeffrey to pass this test because he is not very smart. So, Jeffrey and his best friend Tad make a plan. Their plan is that if Tad tutored Jeffrey so that he could pass the test, Jeffrey would train Tad to be able to walk again so that he could walk across the stage during eighth grade graduation. The two of them are determined to reach their goals, so you will have to read this awesome book to find out if they will be able to or not.
The recommended reading age for this book is young adult. Some other books by the same author is, “Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie,” which is the first one in this series. This book has not received any rewards. “I’m in fourth grade. One day, I’m sitting in my seat in class, minding my own business. I’m kind of quiet, but everyone knows exactly who I am: Jeffrey Alper, The Boy Who Had Cancer.” That is how Jeffrey describes himself. “A brave book... Jordan Sonnenblick carries it off with such charm and élan, you forget for a moment your heart is breaking.” Frank McCourt, author of Angela’s Ashes states. “Real and raw and heartrending... hysterically funny as well.” Kirkus Reviews said.
Recommended by Maria Morrison
The recommended reading age for this book is young adult. Some other books by the same author is, “Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie,” which is the first one in this series. This book has not received any rewards. “I’m in fourth grade. One day, I’m sitting in my seat in class, minding my own business. I’m kind of quiet, but everyone knows exactly who I am: Jeffrey Alper, The Boy Who Had Cancer.” That is how Jeffrey describes himself. “A brave book... Jordan Sonnenblick carries it off with such charm and élan, you forget for a moment your heart is breaking.” Frank McCourt, author of Angela’s Ashes states. “Real and raw and heartrending... hysterically funny as well.” Kirkus Reviews said.
Recommended by Maria Morrison
Payback Time by Carl Deuker
Hello. Today I’m here to talk to you about the book Payback Time by Carl Deuker. It is a phenomenal suspenseful mystery/sports novel. This is by far my favorite book by Carl Dueker. It might even be my favorite sports novel of all time!
This book is about a young reporter named Mitch True. Mitch is the reporter for the sports section in his high school newspaper. Mitch isn’t thrilled about his new job because he doesn’t know that much about sports. That all ends when he figures out that the photographer for the sports is Kimi Yon, one of the most popular kids at school. When Mitch and Kimi arrive at the first football practice they notice something a little strange. They see a kid who throws like a champ, but when asked to show his skills to the coach, he goes flat. Mitch and Kimi look into this kid, and realized that they might have one of the biggest cases Lincoln High will ever witness.
When I finished this book I was really sad because it was over. I kept turning and turning the pages till there where no more left to turn. I loved how this book mixed sports action with mystery and suspense. I was constantly on the edge of my seat.
My favorite quote from this book was, “ When I was little my dad took me to see All The President’s Men at a theatre that shows old movies. I didn’t follow politics about Nixon and Watergate, but as I watched I knew I wanted to be a reporter.” I liked this quote because it shows how much Mitch wants to and how determined Mitch is to be a reporter.
"Told in the first person, the story is initially funny, but the humor is soon eclipsed by the suspenseful plot and the copious play-by-play football action. These elements work together to create a rousing climax, which is then followed by a softer and more reflective denouement. Nicely played. " Says Kirkus Reviews. The Bulletin raves "It's a solid Cooneyesque mystery/thriller, though, with enough straight-up gridiron action to draw a crowd, and it won't take much booktalking to sell middle-schoolers on this title."
Deuker (Gym Candy, 2003) really cranks up the suspense in his newest pageturner, combining a Seattle high-school football team’s march toward the state championship game with a school reporter’s investigation of an apparent ringer that the coach has slipped in to bolster the defense. Mitch doesn’t think much of his new assignment as sports reporter, but when he sees how Coach McNulty keeps Angel—a reclusive new student who shows star-quality abilities in practice—benched until late in each hard-fought game his suspicions are aroused. Thrilled to think that he has caught wind of an actual cheating scandal, Mitch digs into Angel’s past. What he discovers stirs up far more trouble than he has bargained for, and pitches him into a series of terrifying situations. The game action alone is riveting even for readers who don’t know a naked bootleg from a hook-and-ladder play, but Deuker enriches the tale with several well-tuned subplots and a memorable narrator/protagonist who turns a corner on his own self-image while weathering brutal tests of his courage and determination. Definitely one for the top shelf. Grades 7-10. --John Peters
Carl Deuker has also written Gym Candy, Runner, and High Heat, just to name a few. This amazing author has won many awards for several of his books such as the 2010 Popular Paperback for Young Adults, and the YA Book of the Year in five different states. Payback Time unfortunately not won any awards. The recommended reading age for this book is ages twelve and up. The copyright date for this book is 2010, so it is a rather new book. I would recommend this book to boys because it involves a lot of football and the book is seen from a boy’s point of view.
If you read this book I guarantee you will read right through the 294 pages it contains. So go ahead, give this awesome novel a try.
Recommended by Alex Merten
This book is about a young reporter named Mitch True. Mitch is the reporter for the sports section in his high school newspaper. Mitch isn’t thrilled about his new job because he doesn’t know that much about sports. That all ends when he figures out that the photographer for the sports is Kimi Yon, one of the most popular kids at school. When Mitch and Kimi arrive at the first football practice they notice something a little strange. They see a kid who throws like a champ, but when asked to show his skills to the coach, he goes flat. Mitch and Kimi look into this kid, and realized that they might have one of the biggest cases Lincoln High will ever witness.
When I finished this book I was really sad because it was over. I kept turning and turning the pages till there where no more left to turn. I loved how this book mixed sports action with mystery and suspense. I was constantly on the edge of my seat.
My favorite quote from this book was, “ When I was little my dad took me to see All The President’s Men at a theatre that shows old movies. I didn’t follow politics about Nixon and Watergate, but as I watched I knew I wanted to be a reporter.” I liked this quote because it shows how much Mitch wants to and how determined Mitch is to be a reporter.
"Told in the first person, the story is initially funny, but the humor is soon eclipsed by the suspenseful plot and the copious play-by-play football action. These elements work together to create a rousing climax, which is then followed by a softer and more reflective denouement. Nicely played. " Says Kirkus Reviews. The Bulletin raves "It's a solid Cooneyesque mystery/thriller, though, with enough straight-up gridiron action to draw a crowd, and it won't take much booktalking to sell middle-schoolers on this title."
Deuker (Gym Candy, 2003) really cranks up the suspense in his newest pageturner, combining a Seattle high-school football team’s march toward the state championship game with a school reporter’s investigation of an apparent ringer that the coach has slipped in to bolster the defense. Mitch doesn’t think much of his new assignment as sports reporter, but when he sees how Coach McNulty keeps Angel—a reclusive new student who shows star-quality abilities in practice—benched until late in each hard-fought game his suspicions are aroused. Thrilled to think that he has caught wind of an actual cheating scandal, Mitch digs into Angel’s past. What he discovers stirs up far more trouble than he has bargained for, and pitches him into a series of terrifying situations. The game action alone is riveting even for readers who don’t know a naked bootleg from a hook-and-ladder play, but Deuker enriches the tale with several well-tuned subplots and a memorable narrator/protagonist who turns a corner on his own self-image while weathering brutal tests of his courage and determination. Definitely one for the top shelf. Grades 7-10. --John Peters
Carl Deuker has also written Gym Candy, Runner, and High Heat, just to name a few. This amazing author has won many awards for several of his books such as the 2010 Popular Paperback for Young Adults, and the YA Book of the Year in five different states. Payback Time unfortunately not won any awards. The recommended reading age for this book is ages twelve and up. The copyright date for this book is 2010, so it is a rather new book. I would recommend this book to boys because it involves a lot of football and the book is seen from a boy’s point of view.
If you read this book I guarantee you will read right through the 294 pages it contains. So go ahead, give this awesome novel a try.
Recommended by Alex Merten
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