Night Hoops by Carl Deuker

I recently read the book Night Hoops by Carl Deuker. I liked this book a lot because it was about basketball and how to work as team even if you don’t get along with someone. It’s about a kid named Nick Abbot he is a sophomore in high school and has an older brother Scott who is a basketball phenomenon, but would rather spend his time playing his instrument. The kid next door Trent shows more hustle than anyone in Nick’s school, but he’s also likely to start a fight faster than anyone Nick knows. Can Nick help Trent control himself so they can win a state championship???? You’ll have to read to find out. My favorite quote from the book is “It makes me sick to see him waste his talent” I like this quote because Nick’s Dad is totally right about his brother. The appropriate reading age is young adult. The book list says “Always in the shadow of his older brother, Scott, Nick begins to catch his father's attention when Scott gives up basketball to spend more time on his music, and Nick's basketball prowess develops. Nick's talent is further nurtured by nightly one-on-one games with a disturbing neighbor, Trent Dawson. A master at writing good basketball sequences, Deuker vividly depicts every fast break, every trap, but as with On the Devil's Court , he uses basketball as a device to tackle larger issues. This time, Deuker is writing about choices: Scott elects music instead of basketball and his father's approval; Trent seems to be choosing school (via basketball) instead of a life of crime; and Nick decides to support Trent despite his father's advice and his peers' disapproval. Complex characters make the story compelling. The basketball coach, Mr. O'Leary, is particularly endearing, gruff, and exacting but also willing to gamble on the kids when the moment seems right. Deuker offers no easy answers; he's honest enough to leave Trent's future unresolved. The conclusion isn't entirely realistic, but the story is satisfying and hopeful.”

Recommended by Nolan Kennedy

Stolen Children by Peg Kehret

The the book I’m doing my review on is Stolen Children by: Peg Kehret. I really like this book because it makes you keep wanting more. This book is about Amy who just lost her dad to a car accident. She wants to make up for it by babysitting this rich family’s daughter Kendra. The babysitting job is going just fine when she hears a car engine speed away. She goes to Kendra’s room and she’s not there. That’s when she hears the car engine again and someone comes in the house and takes Amy. The kidnappers are sending videos to both family’s. That’s when Amy decides to send messages in the videos. The family’s don’t get the messages at first but Amy’s best friends figures out the clues. My favorite quote from this book is “ It wasn’t luck. Amy got rescued because she used her brain.” The Kirkus Review says, “Fast-paced, plot driven... A sure hit.” Other books that Peg Kehret wrote are Abduction, The Ghost’s Grave, Earthquake Terror, and I’m Not Who You Think I Am.

Recommended by Collin Koerperich

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling

I read the book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. By J.K. Rowling. It is the first book in the Harry Potter series. Harry Potter is a first year at Hogwarts and he meets his new friends Ron Weasly and Hermoine Granger. It tells the mischief and adventures he has at his first year. He was living at the dreadful Dursleys house when he started receiving the letters. His Uncle Vernon would burn, rip and do whatever it took to get rid of the letters until the finally flooded his house and they left. Hagrid found them on an island and took Harry to take him to the Hogwarts train so he could finally attend the school of his dreams and reach his full potential as a wizard!

The recommended age is: 9-12

These books are in Hardcover and Paperback, also all of them have been or are going to be made into movies!

Kirkus review says, It's slanted toward action-oriented readers, who will find that Briticisms meld with all the other wonders of magic school.

A quote from the book is “ Difficult very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind either. There’s talent, oh my goodness, yes- and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that’s interesting... So where shall I put you? GRYFFINDOR!”

Recommended by Lisa Greenwood

The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

I’m doing my review on the book The Boy Who Dared by: Susan Campbell Bartoletti. If you like a quick and easy read this is a great book. I really liked this book because it made thankful for everything that I have. It also gave me information about World War two that I didn’t know. This book is about a young German boy who grows up and has big ideas. Helmuth is living in the time of Hitler. He has two brothers named Hans and Gerhard. Helmuth decides to join a group called the Hitler Youth. He doesn’t want to but his step dad Hugo tells him to because he has great leader skills. Hitler has created dumb laws and Helmuth wants to put an end to these dumb laws. So Helmuth created these leaflets that says who the laws need to be changed and that Hitler is lying to the German people. My favorite quote from this book is “Freedom has always been dangerous,” says Helmuth. “Come to my place tonight, and I’ll prove the Nazis are lying. But wait after nine, after my grandparents go to bed.” The suggested reading age is 9-12.

Recommended by Collin Koerperich

Trapped by Michael Northrup

I recently read the book Trapped by Michael Northrup. I liked this book because of the connections I can make with the characters. It’s about Scotty Weems and 6 other kids that are snowed in at their school. They all are waiting for their rides when a horrible blizzard sweeps New England. They’re not scared at first but as the hours pass and the snow gets higher they all are wondering when the snow will stop and when they’ll be rescued. Will the live or perish in the sheer cold, you’ll have to read to find out!!!! My favorite quote from the book is “School, practice, homework, whatever. Excuse me for not watching the stupid Weather Channel”, I like this quote because my friends always wonder why I don’t watch the news. The appropriate reading age is young adult. The Booklist says “It’s a setup just plausible enough to give you chills. A nor’easter, which will ultimately be known as the worst blizzard in U.S. history, sweeps into a rural New England community, trapping seven kids inside their high school for days. Northrop begins with some dark foreshadowing—“Not all of us made it”—which makes the students’ gradual realization of their predicament all the more frightening. First the snow piles up past the windows; then the water pipes freeze; then the roof starts making ominous noises. What begins as a sort of life-or-death The Breakfast Club (there’s the delinquent, the pretty girl, the athlete, and so on) quickly turns into a battle for survival. The book is too short; in many ways, that’s a compliment. Northrop establishes so many juicy conflicts and potential disasters that you long to see them carried out to their full, gruesome potential. Instead, the book ends right when it’s hitting its stride—but there’s no denying that the pages turn like wildfire.”

Recommended by Nolan Kennedy

Clique by Lisi Harrison

I read the Clique by Lisi Harrison. It’s about a girl, Massie Block and her 3 best friends, Alicia Rivera, Dylan Marvil, Kristen Greogry. They are the most powerful clique in the school and nothing can break them apart. They are also the most exclusive and don’t let anyone in. Or so they think. Claire Lyons is your average all american girl. Blond hair and blue eyes. Just a girl who still dresses like a 10 year old in oversized t-shirts and overalls. Except she lives on Massies lawn, in their guest house. So no matter where Massie goes, Claire comes along. All Claire wants is to be “In.” She gets smoked salmon at her, she gets publicly humiliated, and Massie tells her, her crush is all wrong for her. It’s her determination that keeps her going. So will she finally get excepted?

~It is targeted for pre-teens to young adults.

~Amazon.com gives the book a 4 out of 5 star review!

~Amazon.com also says, “If you like the Mean Girls, you’ll like this book!”

~It’s a 10 piece series with more to come!

Some of my favorite quotes are, “Kuh-laire. Stop taking pictures like your a disneyworld tourist.”

and “I can’t believe you guys think she is wearing some designer swimsuit. Ehmagawd guys, it’s from target.”

Recommended by Lisa Greenwood

Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor

Waiting For Normal, by Leslie Connor, is action packed book filled with happiness, sorrow, and love! Addie’s life is not what you nor I would call normal, but to her this is a daily process. This book will teach you life is NEVER what it appears. Just keep on going and you will succeed. Waiting for Normal is recommended for people ages 10 and up. No matter how old you are books like this one can be an inspiration.

--- KLIATT {Starred Review} Says “[Waiting for Normal] persuades that good people and delightful possibilities are all around, even in the most unpromising circumstances.” This means no matter who you are, or where you come from, good things will happen to you even if you have giving up.

My favorite quote from this book is “All or Nothing.” I think the world is always an “All or Nothing” situation. My reasoning is either something great or horrible, whether you admit it or not.

Everyone who reads this book will enjoy it!

Recommended by Deann Ostwinkle