The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann

The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann is a terrific book.   The main character in the story is Alex, an Unwanted, who has a twin brother, Aaron, a Wanted.  Unwanteds are creative kids who are eliminated from a futuristic world where they live, named Quill.  Yes, eliminated, sent to die in a lake of boiling oil.  Alex is separated from his brother and sent away to meet his end.  Except that he and his friends don't die.  They are taken in by a wise magician who teaches them how to use their creativity and their magic to fight back against the Wanteds (the strong and intelligent people who are controlled by Quill's leaders).  Together the Unwanteds live in a secret, magical place called Artime.  Can Artime and its group of Unwanteds win against the stronger Quillens?  Can Alex recruit his twin brother, or will he have to fight against him?  Read and find out for yourself. I couldn't put this book down.  If you enjoyed reading The Hunger Games, you will be reminded of that series.  I'm hoping this will not be the last book about the Unwanteds.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

The Unwanteds was written by Lisa McMann. This book is now in my definite top five favorites. The Unwanteds is an amazing fantasy book that starts in the bland world of Quill under the reign of the evil High Priest Justine.  Every year there is a purge where kids with infractions are sent to their doom to be thrown in the lake of boiling oil. Alex has several infractions and is being sent to the death farm but he finds it's actually the magical world of Artime. This is an amazing book and I DEFINITLY recommend this book.  If you are reading or have already read this book, please tell me if you enjoyed it in the comment section below. 

This review was written by MidgetMayhem

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate is the 2013 Newbery winner.  I read it in just over two hours this morning.  It is a story told from the point of view of a gorilla named Ivan.  He lives in a cage in a mall, with an elephant friend Stella, and a small dog named Bob.  When a baby elephant, named Ruby is brought to the mall, Ivan makes a promise to Stella that he now must find a way to keep.  But how will he help Ruby to live with other elephants, so that she will not become a solitary elephant, the way he is the one and only Ivan?  Loosely based on true events in the life of Ivan, a real shopping mall gorilla, this book brought me to tears.  It would make a great read aloud for teachers and should be on all students' "must read" list.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate is a RICBA nominee of 2014. Ivan is a gorilla that used to live in the wild with his family. Now, he lives in a mall with other animals. There are some sad parts with his best friend Stella. Stella is an elephant. I loved the ending and I think you will too!

I liked the part when Ivan lives in a house with Mac and his wife. I liked this part because it is funny when a gorilla lives in a house. This book reminds me of animals I see locked in cages. Kids bother them by scaring the animals and hurting them. It also reminds me of when people play with animals. This is a great book I recommend it to animal lovers.

Reviewed by: #hashtag

The Genius Files: Mission Unstoppable by Dan Gutman

What better time to read then during a blizzard?  So, for the Blizzard of 2013, I cracked open Dan Gutman's, The Genius Files: Mission Unstoppable.  It's about a pair of twins, brother (Coke) and sister (Pepsi).  I know, funny names, right?  They are two really smart kids who are targeted by a dangerous group of adults who are trying to kill them.  Their parents are oblivious to the danger they are in, and set out on a cross country road trip.  Thinking they'll be safe once they leave their hometown, the kids have no idea that trouble will follow.  I personally enjoyed following the kids' road trip on the map, as they dodged danger in real places from West to East across the U.S.  Lots of adventure involved in this book and there is an ending that will make you want to read the next Genius Files book, because this is the first in a series.  We have a ton of Gutman books in the library, so if you like his style of writing, you'll enjoy this too.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

The Ghost of Captain Briggs by Mary Labatt

The Ghost of Captain Briggs by Mary Labatt is about a family who rents a beach house and there is a ghost haunting the house.  The main characters are Sam, Jennie and Beth.  The problem in this story is that the ghost is trying to get Jennie's family out of the house they rented.  Will they solve the problem by finding the ghost's treasure?  I liked the story because it has a scary feel to it.  I like scary mysteries because they are dark and this one tells an awesome story.  I think everyone should read this story, especially if you like scary mysteries.

Reviewed by Dance3900

The Popularity Papers The Rocky Road Trip by Amy Ignatow

The Popularity Papers The Rocky Road Trip by Amy Ignatow is an amazing book.  The story is about two girls, Lydia and her friend Julie.  Julie goes on a road trip across the U.S.A with her best friend and two dads.  What will happen when Lydia drops Julie off at their dads?  Read the book to find out how their summer goes.  This book is not available in the school library, yet!

Reviewed by Stefon12

Amulet: The Last Council by Kazu Kibuishi

 In the book Amulet: The Last Council by Kazu Kibuishi, the main characters are Emily and Navin Hayes.  This book is a graphic novel.  The main problem in the story is that Emily is tricked to go to a fake stone keeper school where she has to fight to the death.  Her friends are separated from her when they got to Cielis, (a city under earth).  She discovers that there are ghosts in the city who are arresting people for no reason.  I would recommend Amulet: The Last Council for people who like action books, because Amulet is an exciting adventurous book.  This book reminds me of The Hunger Games.  When Emily fights for her life, it reminds me of when Katniss also had to fight for her life.  Find out how the book ends by reading Amulet the Last Council by Kazu Kibuishi.

     

 Reviewed by MarioWarfare

Kingdom Keepers III: Disney in Shadow by Ridley Pearson

The title of this book is Kingdom Keepers III: Disney in Shadow by Ridley Pearson.  This book takes place in Epcot and the main characters have to try and find their friend Wayne.  While they were trying to find their friend, they have to deal with CTD`s (Crash Test Dummies) on segways.  But that isn’t the worst thing out there, she is, Maleficent.  She tries to kill the keepers while they search for Wayne.  Using the futuristic dreams of Jess can they find Wayne and stop the evil overtakers?  This book is not yet in the school library, but hopefully soon!

Reviewed by Disney123

Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter

The book Warriors: into the Wild is about a cat named Rusty that leaves the life of a kittypet, or a pet cat and goes into the forest.  He learns that there are four clans called: Thunderclan, Shadowclan, Riverclan, and windclan.  I like this book because it is from a cat’s point of view.  In most stories with an animal’s point of view, the animals act like humans.  In this book the cats act like cats.  This book is very suspenseful too.  This book is the first in the huge series of Warriors.  I think everyone should read the Warriors series.   

Reviewed by Guy5000

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney is a good book. Gregg writes in a diary because his mom did not get him the one that said journal. Instead, she got the one with “diary” on it. In Middle school Gregg has to sit next to morons.

I think this book is so funny, because Gregg’s brother pranks him a lot. Roddrick wakes his brother at midnight and gets in trouble. Even his dad scares him in the kitchen. That's why you should read this book.


Review by PIZZA MASTER



As generic as it is, my book is Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney. It is a book about a middle school kid named Greg Heffley. Greg has troubles with his parents and brothers, Rodrick, and Manny, mostly being Rodrick messing around with Greg. His best friend is Rowley Jefferson. Together they get into all sorts of trouble through the many books in the series.

I think this book is pretty good, It's just enjoyable to read, unlike other books I've read. Right now, it's just that one book that every kid loves. And again, something about it makes it really fun to read, It could just be that it's a good book. ANYWAY, in a nutshell this is a good casual book to read for fun in your free time - (In my opinion at least).

Review by: MemeLord

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a funny and interesting book.  This story is about three brothers and their lives. It is mainly about the middle brother Greg.  Greg asked his mom for a journal and she came back with a diary.  That’s how the book gets the title, diary of a wimpy kid.  Greg’s best friend Rowley is not up to fashion and Greg wants to be cool so he tries to change him.  I hope you read to find out how Greg’s life turns out.    

Reviewed by Meatball23 

When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt

When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt is a wonderful book. Toby (the main character) lives in a small town in Texas and nothing really goes on there.  Until one day, a trailer drives up and inside is the fattest boy in the world!  That person is Zachary Beaver.  As Toby and his friend Cal discover his trailer, the mystery that is Zachary Beaver begins to unfold.  I personally recommend this book.  If you like a good mystery book, this book is for you.

Reviewed by kitty0102

The Ugly Truth by Jeff Kinney

Diary of a  Wimpy Kid, The Ugly Truth by Jeff Kinney is funny, weird, and crazy. You should read this because it is about a kid named Greg Heffley and his friend Rowley. It is funny because he was thinking about when he was old and having kids.             

The book is mainly about Greg, Rodrick, Rowley, and the rest of his friends and family. I relate to this book because it is a stupid-funny book. It’s funny because there are scenes that say things like, "Your underwear goes UNDERNEATH your clothes,dad!” then old Greg says, ”eh?” Sometimes, I’m like that. I love this book, and you should like it too.

Reviewed by NinjaHyperx                                                                             


Do you like Diary of a Wimpy Kid books?  If so, you should read The Ugly Truth.  If you haven’t read it yet, go ahead because it is a funny book.  In the book, their mother has to go to work so Rodrick has to make Greg's and Manny's lunch.  So on Greg's bag Rodrick wrote, "Don’t forget to change your diaper".  What will Greg do with his lunch when he gets to school.  I would recommend this book to people who like funny books.

Reviewed by Basketball15

In Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth, Greg is trying to get into a huge party for this guy named Jordan Jury.  But Greg finds out that they were only invited to serve Jordan and the other teens.  I like Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth because it is funny and exciting.  Who knows what will happen next!

Reviewed by footballman62

The Sixth Grade Nickname Game by Gordon Korman

The Sixth Grade Nickname Game by Gordon Korman is a great book.  The main characters are Jeff, Wiley, Cassandra, and Mr. Hughes.  The story is about two boys named Wiley and Jeff who give everybody nicknames.  Then they make a bet with a boy named Charles, whose nickname is “Snoopy”, to nickname the new girl Cassandra.  But Wiley and Jeff take a long time to nickname Cassandra, and they get into a fight.  Who will win the bet, Wiley and Jeff, or Charles?  Will Wiley and Jeff stop fighting?  What will they nickname Cassandra?

Reviewed by dancelover

Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs

Belly Up is more of young adult book, so I wouldn’t expect to find it in your elementary school library. But either way, the author Stuart Gibbs has written an amazingly interesting book.  Belly up is about Teddy Fizroy, a boy who lived in Africa.  Teddy has moved to Texas so his parents can be zookeepers at FunJungle, America’s newest theme park.  But when FunJungle mascot Henry the hippo goes belly up, suspicion rises.  Who did it?  Strange things have start to happen.  You won’t believe who did it. Belly Up is a very interesting book and exciting.  To me this is book is very different than anything I’ve ever read before.  I bet if you asked Teddy what the book's message is, he would say have many adventures.  I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good mystery book.       

Reviewed by smoshyturtle118