Friday, December 13, 2013

Chad and Mal by Stephen McCranie

Chad and Mal by Stephen McCranie is a book I like because it’s funny.  Mal has lots of inventions to make his life better. He made a weather cube to do his chores, so he wouldn’t have to do any work.  My favorite invention is the clock he made to pat him to wake up, but instead while he was working on it, the clock slapped him! Because  Mal wanted to be a scientist kids make fun of him and think he is a nerd, and call him names.  I think it’s a great book to read to people.


Reviewed by Mr.Swagger

Monday, December 9, 2013

The Big One-Oh by Dean Pitchford

The book The Big One-Oh by Dean Pitchford is a Realistic Fiction book about a kid named Charley Maplewood, who is having trouble planning his 10th  birthday. I would recommend this book to people who like stories with a mix of sad, funny, and exiting feelings. Charley and I have one thing in common; we’re both terrible at planning our birthday parties. The setting is in the present at school and at home. Will Charley be able to prepare for his birthday party before time runs out? Read the book and find out!


Reviewed by Green Giant                      

Black Beauty, retold from the original by Anna Sewell

Black Beauty, retold from the original by Anna Sewell.  I think this book was sad because it was about this guy that abused Black Beauty, who was a horse.  And after that they gave Black Beauty to another person and then he treated him nice and sweet.  What I think is that people should stop abusing animals and it’s wrong that they think that it’s cool.  I connected with this book because it was really sad, interesting and it was amazing.  And yes, I would recommend this book. 

Reviewed by WereWolf Lover 82

Comeback Kids: Two Minute Drill by Mike Lupica

Comeback Kids: Two Minute Drill was written by Mike Lupica.  He also wrote Heat. The book is about Chris Conlan and his football team. They are underdogs and they are working toward a championship. I will not tell you the end of the Comeback Kids.  One time my team was an underdog in baseball, and we won a championship game.


Review by HAM8  

Romeo and Juliet Code by Phoebe Stone

Romeo and Juliet Code by Phoebe Stone is truly breathtaking.  Some of the main characters are Felicity, or Flissy and Captain Derek.  Felicity is a young girl when her parents leave her in Maine with her uncle, aunt, and Gram.  Flissy is simply devastated.  When Flissy and Derek become close friends, Flissy falls in love with Derek.  When Derek and Flissy follow Uncle Gideon to a small light house on Peace Island, they see a shocking sight that has been happening the whole time…….  I personally love this book, and if you’re into adventurous, realistic fiction, then this is the book for you.   

Reviewed by Fluffy_PANDA101              

Penny From Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm

Penny From Heaven was written by Jennifer L. Holm. She also wrote the books, Our Only May Amelia, Trouble with May Amelia, and Turtle in Paradise. Two cousins, Penny and Frankie keep getting in trouble. They are always sneaking into people’s houses and looking for antiques. Then one day Penny and Frankie go to their Uncle Dominic’s meat shop and something terrible happens to Penny. If you want to find out what happened to Penny, read the book. Penny has to go to the hospital and has to stay there for a few weeks. Frankie was blaming himself about Penny’s accident. This book was really sad at the end. Then something good happens to Penny. Read the book to find out what happened to Penny. If you like happy endings, this is a good book for you. I truly loved this book. Penny was my favorite character because she is funny and adventurous. This book has to do with family and secrets. I would recommend this book for 5th and 6th graders.

Reviewed by: panda_bear_9

The Bell Bandit by Jacqueline Davies

The Bell Bandit by Jacqueline Davies is a story about two kids, Jessie and Evan.  They go to visit their grandma when they find out that she is in the hospital. So they take her home, then Evan meets this guy named Pete, who was fixing the house because the house was so messed up. In the story their grandma likes to take walks alone, so the kids have to go with her, but they keep losing her. Then the kids find out that someone has taken the New Year’s Eve bell. Where is the bell? Who do you think took the bell? Personally I think that this story is really good. If you like adventure and mystery, then I think this is the book for you. You should read this book to find out who took the New Year’s Eve bell.

Reviewed byUNICORN_madness24   

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Wonder by R.J. Palacio is about the difficulties of a boy with an abnormal face. Everyone keeps judging him and he finally starts going to school. See how he overcomes getting bullied by the people in his school.


The book gives a few life lessons that I really liked. This reminds me of the difficulties of school and how I'm pulling through. One of the life lessons is to be kind to others and people will be kind to you. In other words, treat people the way you want to be treated. Sometimes I get bullied in school by a person that shall not be named, but I have my friends to help me, just like the protagonist in this book.


Review By: robloxjb0007


In this book Wonder by R.J. Palacio, which is a #1 New York Times Bestseller, there is a boy who has a deformed face. He goes to school for the first time and he has to face all the struggles of school and bullies because he is different. It is very difficult for him in the beginning since people at public school aren't used to having someone as different as him there. Read the story to find out more and get a touching feeling in your heart. I really like this book because it is a touching story and really hits a soft part of your heart. It is so meaningful and you should truly read it. Wonder is emotional and is such a great story with great details you just want to keep reading.
Review by Cherryshell


Wonder by R.J. Palacio. is a pretty cool and nice book to read in class or at home for some calm time. I read this book in 4th grade and thought it was very touching and a very calming story. Auggie is a boy who has a not so normal face. His face looks a little weird. but other than that he has some good friends and keeps his Friendships! Wonder was a good book to read. I really think this was really helpful for friendship and bullying. I really think people should read for help on bullying and to not judge people on the way they look on the outside, but what they are like on the inside.
Review By theminecrafter



The book Wonder by R.J. Palacio, is about a boy named Auggie who was born with a deformed face. He starts the fifth grade in a public school for the first time. Auggie faces many challenges along the way, such as bullies, friends, and family. As the school year goes on, Auggie makes some great friends too. Will Auggie continue going to a public school or will he have his mom homeschool him again?


I like this story because it gives me many different feeling as I read it. It made me feel happy, sad, confused, angry, and excited.  I can relate to Via, the older sister because my brother just started school too. He’s in kindergarten but he doesn’t have a facial deformity. Because he just started school, we tend to focus on him more. This doesn’t really bother me as much as it bothers Via though. My family still focuses on me a lot too, just a little less than before, but I’m fine with it.
Reviewed by- #1wonderfan


In the story Wonder, by R.J. Palacio, there is a boy named Auggie. The problem is that Auggie is different than most of the other kids. He has to try to fit in at his new school. It was his first year in a school after being home schooled for his first five years of school. The cause of this problem is that Auggie’s face is deformed. Will he survive middle school?
I thought that the book was very good and had a lot of detail. The author gave me a very vivid picture of the characters and the situations. It was very sad when Auggie had to try and fit in and the other kids wouldn’t accept him.


When I was new at this school, I didn’t know many people. I had to make new friends even though it was a challenge. This made me feel a connection to Auggie.  My first friends were Jack and Will, and one of Auggie’s first friends was Jack Will.


Reviewed by TB12


The book Wonder is by R.J. Palacio. It is about a kid that gets picked on because he has a deformed face. Auggie Pullman had been home schooled until the 5th grade. This kid named Julien is a jerk to Auggie because he is deformed. Auggie made a friend named Jack Will. They also did a project together and got first place. How do you think Auggie is going to end up with the rest of the 5th graders.
I love this book. It  is a really good book that makes you want to read on. I really recommend this book for you. This book reminds me of a kid that does not care what people think of him. It is not right for people to judge you on how you look or feel.  


Review bye Hankdatank25


In Wonder by R.J. Palacio, there's a kid named August with a deformed face. He's been homeschooled all his life because of all his surgeries. His doctor says he doesn't need anymore surgeries for a couple years. His mother is making him go to school this year. He likes the school but there are some issues along the way. Read more to learn about how August survives his new school!
I enjoyed this book because of how it grabbed me and I just couldn't let it go. The story was told by different points of view. I liked August's point of view the most. August is a really nice kid. This book is kind of like the movie A Girl Like You because she gets bullied but keeps it inside. August gets bullied and doesn't tell anyone.
Panda*


Wonder by R.J. Palacio is a fantastic book!  I would go so far as to say it should be required reading for every sixth grade student in both of my schools.  I'm hoping that many of my faculty members will put this book on a list as their next read aloud for their classes.  R.J. Palacio writes from the point of view of different children throughout the book and manages to accurately capture each person's feelings and voice.

Okay, by now you probably want to know what this book is about...  Wonder is a book about a boy who is born with a genetic abnormality that causes his face to be deformed.  His name is August, and through his voice we get to see the world from his point of view.  We learn about how he ignores the staring looks of strangers and the way they avoid touching him.  But we also learn how August has a kindness in him that lets him understand and forgive people.  Read this book and put yourself in the shoes of each of the unforgettable characters in the story.  You will learn some things about them, and about yourself in the process.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro


Have you wanted to read a book that is sad and funny?  Well then read this description of the book Wonder by R.J Palico, and you will surely want to read the whole book. 

The main characters in the book are Auggie and Via.  Via is Auggies sister.  Auggie is in fifth grade and Via is In high school.  In the story Auggie has some trouble, because he is going to public school for the first time.  I know that this sounds weird but there is more.  Auggie has facial deformities and he is scared he will be made fun of.  I know that I would be scared too.  Would you be scared?  Via is in high school and she is also having some difficulties, and that is making friends and losing friends.  Just like Via, in fifth grade I had some trouble, because some of my friends were not so nice to me.  I made new friends and that is what counts.

This story is phenomenal because of its details and how the author explains the story almost as if it is real.  I really hope that you choose this book because it is just so good!   

Reviewed by MADFOOTBALL

The book Wonder is a tremendous and astonishing book for kids! This book is realistic fiction. The main characters are August, Julian, Summer, and Jack Will. August has facial disabilities and he has been home schooled and now he is starting a real school as a 5th grader. Read to see what happens to August. I think the message is “treat people the way you want to be treated”! The book can be sad and informational at the same time. I would highly recommend this book!

Reviewed by bigpapi20  


Wonder by R.J Palacio is an amazing book. The book helps you understand why you shouldn’t judge people by their looks. It has so many funny moments and also a lot of it is really sad. If you want to know more, READ IT!
           
This book is a connection to my life because my friend in North Carolina named Garret, has a different face but he still goes to school and a lot of bad things happen to him. He gets bullied. I feel like I am like the character Summer, because I stand up for him.
         
Wonder is a very good book for the 5th graders, because they would understand the meaning of this book. I hope you get to this read book, because it’s an amazing book!

Reviewed by #supercupcake16


Wonder  by RJ. Palacio is a very good book. It’s about a little kid named August. He has a cleft palate. Ok this year is August’s first year of school. He was homeschooled his whole life. In the hallway everyone stares at him all the time. One day the 5th grade boys were making fun of August, so his older sister Via screamed at the kids. But just because someone looks different doesn't mean that they are different. Everyone should be treated the same.


Wonder is a very good book. August’s big sister Via always sticks up for him. You should read this book because it is awesome. August is a regular kid. He plays games, sports, and eats ice cream. If you think about it, everyone is the same, no one is different.

Reviewed by Paw Patrol

Friday, December 6, 2013

Almost Starring Skinny-bones by Barbara Park

This year I read a book titled Almost Starring Skinny-bones.  The book was written by Barbara Park. Barbara Park has written other great funny books. For example, the first Skinny-bones.  This book is very interesting and funny.  It’s about a boy who is named Alex Frankovitch, but some people call him “Skinnybones.” He goes to New York and makes a commercial.  The commercial is about cat food.  He is so exited about it but when he comes back, people laugh at him.  You’ll have to read the book to find out why they are laughing.  I highly recommend it  because it will give you a good laugh. 

Reviewed by soccerboy100

Wayside School is Falling Down by Louis Sacher

Wayside School is Falling Down by Louis Sacher is the book I read.  I have a teacher in my 6th grade class and I laugh at all her jokes.  My favorite thing my school teacher does is when she yells in people’s faces unexpectedly.  If you had her you would know.  In the book, what I thought was funny was when Mrs.Gorf was turning the class into apples!  What is your favorite part in the book?  I think maybe Louis the art teacher is the author, Louis Sacher....?

by swagchick07

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Amulet: Prince of the Elves by Kuzu Kibuishi

You should read the graphic novel Amulet: Prince of the Elves by Kuzu Kibuishi, because this book will blow your mind.  And if you like action books, this book is for you.  The main characters are Emily, Max, the council and her brother and sister.  The author is Kazu Kibuishi .  You should read this book if you want to know if Emily beats Max at war.  
Reviewed by shadow360

The book I’m reviewing is Amulet Book 5: Prince of the Elves by Kazu Kibuishi. It’s a graphic novel. The main characters are Emily, Trellis, and Max Griffin. I don’t like Max because he’s a bad guy. The main problem in the story is that Emily, Navin, Trellis, Cogsley, and the others fight Chronos, the mountain giant, and Max. Also Trellis and Emily go back in time. This book has an exciting but kind of scary mood to it.  If I had to pick which Amulet I like the best in order it would be the 5th, 4th, 1st, 3rd, 2nd.  I would definitely recommend this book to people who like adventure, and graphic novels.
Reviewed by: BMX_Shoes_8 


I love this book.  It has lots of action.  It’s about this girl, named Emily, who has to face an army of dark elves to save the world.  A few of the elves, including a prince elf, have changed sides to help Emily.  Emily also has a curse or a blessing of the stone.  Emily is a stonekeeper and one of the last. So if you like fantasy and magical wars with good versus evil, this is the book for you. 

Reviewed by HockeySwagg100

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard is a mystery story. When Ali goes missing, the four liars Aria, Hannah, Spencer, and Emily get texts from a mysterious person named "A".  "A" knows every secret about the liars. If the right people know their secrets they could be in a lot of trouble.  The liars need to know who "A" is.  Could this be Ali?  Read the books to find out. This is the first book in the Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard. I would recommend this book to a lot of people. I personally loved this book! You will not find this book in our school library.


Reviewed by- pinkbows4ever 

Judy Moody gets famous by Megan McDonald

Judy Moody gets famous is by Megan McDonald.  The main characters are Judy, Jessica, Frank, and Stink. The main idea is Judy wants to become famous. It takes place in school and out of school. The book is excellent because you don’t know if she becomes famous. Did she become famous? I would like to be famous. Would you like to be famous? I would recommend this book because it’s interesting.  If you like what I wrote then read the book to find out what happens!


Reviewed by littledog2008

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

If you like action books, I might have the book for you. Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan is full of action. The main charters (Percy and Tyson Jackson, Annabeth Chase, Grover Underwood, and Luke) travel all over the United States of America and in the Bermuda Triangle. They live and train at Camp Half Blood on the East Coast (Long Island) of New York. This book is so exciting because it has a lot of action and the author did a good job entertaining me. The author (Rick Riordan) has three book series (Percy Jackson & the Olympians, The Heroes of Olympus, and The Kane Chronicles). They made movies for the first two books. I would recommend this book because it has a lot of action and if you like action books, this book is perfect. 


Reviewed by Wolf 8325

Have you ever wanted an adventure fantasy book?  If you have, The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan is a great book for you!  In The Sea of Monsters, the demi-gods Percy Jackson, Annabeth and Tyson find out that Thalia’s tree has been poisoned and they need to find a way to heal it. They have adventures on the Sea of Monsters and in camp Half-Blood.  This book is very funny and exciting.  I think the author’s message is to never give up.  I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend this book to people who love adventurous, fantasy books!  How do you think they will save Thalia’s tree?

Review by Bobbob745

Amulet: The Cloud Searchers by Kazu Kibuishi

In Amulet: The Cloud Searchers by Kazu Kibuishi, Emily, Navin and their crew of resistance fighters set off to search the lost city of Celis. They want to find the great council stone keepers. The elf king is searching for Emily and Navin. It's a mission that Alledia's survival depends on. Will Emily find Celis before the Elf king finds her? Read the book and find out.


I like Amulet because it has a lot of action and the story of all the books connects together. The action scenes in the book are like a movie and I like that a lot about the book. I’ve read some of the books and I really enjoy them. It's almost like when I write my own stories at home. I give the book a 9/10 just because some of the parts are very mixed up, but I definitely recommend it to everyone.

Review by Flash 100 yard dash

Amulet: The Cloud Searchers by Kazu Kibuishi is about the story of the cloud searchers and a city.  It is a good book to read.  Emily, Navin and the resistance fighters search for a mythical city in the clouds and try to figure out if the elf king’s son is an ally or an enemy.  It is a graphic novel.  That’s why l love the book. I love graphic novels! Do you?                                                          

Reviewed by loveblog102

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Apes and Other Hairy Primates by Richard Platt

My book is Apes and Other Hairy Primates by Richard Platt.  It is about primates, like orangutans, apes, or baboons.  This book is mainly about the world of apes and other monkeys and their habitats, what they eat, and what they do all day.  You should know that this book is informational, so you would love this book especially if you like learning about monkeys.  I should know because I love monkeys!  I found this book very interesting. One interesting fact I read in this book is that gorillas are more scared of us than we are of them. You should read this interesting book about monkeys.  

Reviewed by reviewed by monkey pancakes         

Monday, December 2, 2013

Weather by Jonathan D. W. Kahl

The National Audubon Society First Field Guide: Weather is by Jonathan D. W. Kahl.  This book is very informative about the type of weather that happens in the world, including cyclones, clouds, and tornadoes.  It has plenty to see and it tells if they’re dangerous or not.  Other books in the series, like Insects, showed if the insects bit or were poisonous.  Weather, Minerals, Wildflowers, Insects, Mammals, and Reptiles are all titles in the series.  I can’t tell you too much, but I can advise you to read the series.  The books are awesome to read.  Different types of weather are important to know because some can be really dangerous, like tornadoes.

Reviewed by Mysterious P1E 

Star Wars Jedi Quest the Way of the Apprentice by Jude Watson

Star Wars Jedi Quest the Way of the Apprentice by Jude Watson, is the start to the series and is action packed into a book that is 160 pages long and it is a great read. Anakin and Obi-WanKenobie, are master and padawan. In this book they are trapped on Randor with a toxic gas that can kill you. There are many more books to come. I am currently reading the third book, Star Wars Jedi Quest Dangerous Games. I also recommend this book to any Star Wars Fan and anybody that likes adventure.  What will happen to Anakin and his friends? Read the book to find out.


Reviewed by Miles Tails Powers     

Sidekicks by Jack D. Ferraiolo

This book is Sidekicks by Jack D. Ferraiolo. If you like superheroes, then you’re in for a big surprise.  In this book a kid named Scott finds out how some superheroes can be evil and super-villains can be good.  This book is filled with a lot of action, a little bit of mystery, and some comedy.  I highly recommend this book if you are into superheroes, action, mystery, and comedy combined.  Also be aware this book is a mature one.


Reviewed by Qu0bon

Roof Toppers by Katherine Rundell

The book I’m reviewing is Roof Toppers by Katherine Rundell.  The main characters in the story are Sophie and Charles.  They are looking for Sophie’s mom because Sophie was found in a shipwreck and she wants to know where her mother is.  Charles is her Guardian, throughout the storyhe is helping Sophie.  Also there is one last character, and it’s the Child Services Organization.  They are the big meanies.  They are trying to take Sophie away because she isn’t supposed to be raised like a “little boy”. They say this because she prefers jeans over skirts and they say a girl in Britain shouldn’t be raised like that.  While Sophie is being taken away from the Child Services Organization she is not giving up on finding her mother.  When I read that the Child Services Organization was going to take Sophie away from Charles, I started to cry because it reminds me of when my best friend moved to a different state.  This story plays with your emotions.  Also the story tells you to never give up.  I recommend this book to people who like adventure and Realistic Fiction.  I would also recommend it because it’s unique and the family has a strong bond.

Reviewed by Sillymonkey1121

Too Hot to Handle by Matt Christopher

Too Hot to Handle by Matt Christopher is a realistic fiction book. The main characters are David and Don.  I like them because they are funny, humorous and amusing. The main thing that happens in this book is that Don was an all star baseball player but then he got hurt in one of his games, so his little brother David had to go in for him. I think the author’s message is that you should never give up. I would recommend this book if you like baseball.

Reviewed by AreYouMyFriend?



Flat Broke by Gary Paulsen

I am going to tell you why you should read Flat Broke by Gary Paulsen. The main character in the story is Kevin.  I really enjoyed reading about him because he is the kind of guy that is always coming up with ideas, but never thinks them through.  The main things that happen in the story are how Kevin tries to get money to impress the girl he likes.  The setting in the story is in modern day and in modern places.  The author’s message in the story is that you shouldn’t take advantage of people.  The mood throughout the story is funny.  I made a text to text connection to the first book in the series Liar, Liar. They are similar so if you like the first book you will love this one.  I highly recommend this to anyone who likes a funny, entertaining, realistic fiction book. 

Reviewed by Patriots_man