Legends of Lotus Island: The Guardian Test by Christina Soontornvat

Legends of Lotus Island: The Guardian Test by Christina Soontornvat is a Rhode Island Children's Book Nominee. It is the start of a series of stories about Lotus Island, where magical children learn to access their powers. The story begins with Plum talking to the plants and animals in her grandparents vegetable garden. Even the worms seem to listen to her. When she is invited to Lotus Island to train as a Guardian, she reluctantly leaves her grandparents. Plum struggles to find her inner animal and wonders if she really is destined to be a protector of the wild animals of the world.

I enjoyed this book, but definitely wish it would have continued. It is a taste of this magical world, that you don't want to end. I guess I will have to buy the next book in the series!

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro
 

Sejal Sinha Battles Superstorms by Maya Prasad

Sejal Sinha Battles Superstorms by Maya Prasad is a RICBA nominee. Sejal is getting ready to celebrate Diwali with her family and her cousin Mira. But this year everything seems to be ruined. First, her cousin makes fun of her for playing an imaginative game. Then, a super storm knocks out the power and ruins some of their Diwali traditions. Hopefully a trip into the eye of the storm will stop the hurricane and save Diwali. 

This fun adventure story will teach you about hurricanes through the science Sejal learns and shares with her family. I can remember playing games of imagination with the kids in my neighborhood when I was a child. Imagination fuels the books, movies and games we play, even when we are adults. Hold on to the delight of using your imagination.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

 

Shermy & Shake: The Not-So-Nice Neighbor by Kirby Larson

Shermy & Shake: The Not-So-Nice Neighbor by Kirby Larson is a RICBA nominee. It is about a boy named Shermy who has to deal with the grandson of his neighbor moving in for the summer. His name is Shake and he really bugs Shermy. Shake is always at his house, eating his food, and playing with his games. Thank goodness Shake will be leaving at the end of the summer. Right?!

This is a cute little book about friendship and how it can sometimes sneak up on you. It also helps kids reflect on their feelings about family differences. A quick read, check it out!

By Mrs. Castro
 

Finch House by Ciera Burch

 

Finch House by Ciera Burch is a spooky read that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is one of the 2025 RICBA nominees. Much of the action in the book takes place inside of Finch house, which was an abandoned run down house in the neighborhood. It has the reputation of children going inside and never coming out again. When new owners move in and fix up the house, Micah who lives nearby is curious about the house that her grandfather has warned her to stay away from. Then, Micah's grandfather goes missing. Micah must find him, but it is going to involve going inside Finch house!

Wow, this book is a page turner. Fast action and spooky details will definitely grab the reader. There is also an underlying theme that emerges as Micah deals with anxiety about her move to a new home, and her nervousness about leaving her grandfather behind. I believe 5th graders will love getting caught up in this ghost story.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Home Away From Home by Cynthia Lord

 

Home Away From Home by Cynthia Lord was a fantastic read! Cynthia Lord won a Newbery award for her book, Rules, and I predict this book will win its own awards. It is about a young girl named Mia who stays in Maine with her grandmother while her mother and new stepfather try to sell the family home. Mia is not comfortable with how much change is happening in her life, but she thinks a summer with her grandmother is just what she needs.

From the moment Mia arrives, she finds things have changed here too. There is a new neighbor boy hanging around with her grandmother, and when she goes to see the yearly eagle's nest on the point, there is a strange white bird bothering the eaglets. Nothing stays the same!

The characters in this book come alive to the reader. Mia has struggles with social media and limiting her phone time. She is jealous of Cayman the new boy who seems to be very good friends with her grandmother. She worries about having to leave her childhood home behind and about how she will fit into the new living arrangements that her mom is making without her. Pick up this Rhode Island Children's Book Nominee and enjoy reading along as Mia faces each new challenge.

By Mrs. Castro

Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango

Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango is a touching story about a 12 year old girl who has been separated from her parents by child services. It is also a Rhode Island Children's Book Nominee. As Laura tries to get used to living with her Aunt, we read along in simple verse structure about how lonely and sad she feels. 

Fortunately she makes a few friends that help her. She finds a puppy and brings him home with her. Will her aunt let her keep him? It's obvious that he needs love and Laura might be the perfect person to care for him. Sometimes caring for an animal helps us deal with our own overwhelming feelings.

By Mrs. Castro

The Eyes & the Impossible by Dave Eggers

The 2024 Newbery winner is The Eyes & the Impossible by Dave Eggers. I just finished reading it and it made me laugh out loud several times. If you like books about animals who converse like humans, you might enjoy reading this out loud to your class.

It's about an art loving dog and a bunch of his animal friends who live in a park. They have all kinds of adventures, but the main theme is that they need each other to work together and solve their problems. One scene has a group of raccoons trying to create a diversion as part of their plan. They attack one of the park ranger's vehicles and are jumping up and down on it to set the alarm off, and then urinating on it while standing on the roof. All while the humans are running around the car saying, "Oh my God!, Oh My God!, OH MY GOD! The raccoons have gone nuts!"

Also as a little perk, all "the illustrations are classical paintings by artists long departed".

By Mrs. Castro

The Adventure is Now by Jess Redmen

The Adventure is Now by Jess Redmen is a 2023 RICBA nominee. Milton is off for an adventure on Lone Island with his uncle, in order to give his parents some time to figure out their problems. But Lone Island has some surprises in store, magical creatures, fantastical flora, if only Milton and his new friends can find them. They have to, because the island is in danger if they don't.

I love fantasy stories! In the story a group of kids have to follow clues left behind in a field guide. I loved the way the characters had to work together as a team to solve the puzzles. It reminded me of the levels in a video game or coding! I think this book would make a great movie.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro
 

Unsettled by Reem Faruqi

Unsettled by Reem Faruqi is a 2023 RICBA nominee. Unsettled is about a young girl named Nurah. She moves to the United States from Pakistan and is a Muslim. It is hard for her to feel like she fits in in Georgia, where there are very few people who look like her. But in the water, on the swim team, she hopes to be the best. She admires her big brother, who is a star swimmer. Until... something happens that throws both Nurah and her brother into the deep end of trouble.

This story deals with some difficult issues, such as bullying, sibling rivalry and betrayal. Everyone can relate to feeling different, alone, and unsettled. The story is told through simple, heart breaking poems.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro
 

Willodeen by Katherine Applegate

 

Willodeen by Katherine Applegate is a 2023 RICBA nominee. Willodeen loves nature, all of nature. But she especially has a soft spot for screechers. Screechers are creatures that smell so bad, other people hate them. The people of Perchance, where Willodeen lives, instead love hummingbears. They are small flying bears that attract a lot of tourists that want to see the beautiful bubble nests they build in the trees. The town has a problem though, every year it is harder to find any hummingbears. What could be wrong? Will anyone listen to Willodeen's ideas in a town that shuns her because she is different?

I too love nature and know that it is a delicate balance. Every tiny bug is important. If you are a nature lover, and a lover of fantasy fiction, this may be the book for you! You may have read some of the other stories by Applegate.... like The One and Only Ivan, or The One and Only Bob.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Playing the Cards You're Dealt by Varian Johnson

Playing the Cards You're Dealt by Varian Johnson is a 2023 RICBA nominee. Have you ever played the card game spades? I haven't either, but that doesn't matter. You'll still get into the excitement of the tournament. Anthony, (Ant), Joplin has a reputation to live up to. His family members are all great spade players and he has to be ready to win. But life seems to be conspiring against him as problems crop up with the new girl at school, his old tournament partner, and family secrets that threaten to unravel the whole thing.

I have had many students who really enjoyed this book. It is very dramatic and deals with some tough family problems. But it's also sweet. I really liked the way Ant and Shirley, the new girl, form a friendship. Pick this up and you won't want to put it down!

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro
 

Bea is for Blended by Lindsey Stoddard

Bea is for Blended by Lindsey Stoddard is a 2023 RICBA nominee. Bea is new in the neighborhood and new in the school. She has a new family too! A new dad and 3 new brothers. That is a lot to deal with, but hopefully she can continue to be a soccer star and hang on to something from her old life. Except, her new school doesn't have a girls' soccer team. What?! Hopefully Bea can advocate for change... with some help from new friends.

I love this story. It has so much heart! Bea is tough and courageous and speaks up for herself, just like we want all our children to be able to do for themselves. This is a great story to inspire and encourage sports minded students, and teaches all students to be good sports.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

 

Simon B. Rhymin' by Dwayne Reed

Simon B. Rhymin' by Dwayne Reed is a 2023 RICBA Nominee. Written by a Chicago teacher it is a story about Simon, who is small and shy. But Simon has a big heart and something to say. He loves to rhyme and wants to be a famous rapper one day, but if he can't even speak in front of his class, how will he achieve his goal?

This story will inspire students to try and make a difference in their communities. Simon has a friend who is homeless, and through interviews for a class project he learns how serious and difficult a problem homelessness is. Can he open up the hearts of his classmates and help them understand?

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

The Lion of Mars by Jennifer L. Holm

The Lion of Mars by Jennifer L. Holm is a great Science Fiction story about a colony of scientists on Mars. It is also a 2023 RICBA nominee. When the adults all start to get sick, the kids have to step up and solve the problem. This is a great adventure story and is very exciting as the kids race against time and have to make friends with their enemies.

I love science fiction stories and really enjoyed this book. There is a cute cat that is friends with Bell, the main character. It is fun to imagine living on Mars, but also eye opening to think about all of the problems a colony would face. 

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

 

Maya and the Robot is by Eve L. Ewing

Maya and the Robot is by Eve L. Ewing and was a 2023 RICBA nominee. It is about a young girl named Maya and opens with a great scene where her robot is flinging mashed potatoes and other food all over the cafeteria! It's a new school year and Maya is in a class without all of her friends from last year. She is feeling quite lonely, until she discovers a partially completed robot in the back of her neighborhood store. 

I really enjoyed this story. There are some very touching scenes where Maya is coming to terms with loss and change in her life and the lives of some of her friends. It's also a great book to promote science, girls in science and robotics. 

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Stacey’s Mistake By Ann M. Martin

The Baby-Sitters Club Stacey’s Mistake By Ann M. Martin is a great book. This is a book about a girl named Stacey Mcgill who lives in New York City. She used to live in Stoneybrook Connecticut, which is where her friends live, Kristy, Mary Ann, Claudia, and Dawn. She misses her friends very much, so she invites them to New York City. That was a big mistake because Mary Ann is being really annoying. Kristy can’t keep her mouth shut. Claudia hates Stacey's friends and Dawn is afraid of the big city. Stacy wishes she didn’t invite them.

   

I like this book because it’s interesting. In this series, there are 94 books. I think this is the best series that you should read. I can’t decide which is my favorite part in the book though.   

Review by - Madds

 

Death on Naboo by Jude Watson

Death on Naboo by Jude Watson is from The Last Of The Jedi, Star Wars series. It is about some Jedis attacking the villain named Malorum. Will Ferus Olin and his friends be able to defeat Malourum? What will the emperor do?

Overall the book is really good and I think you should read it. I really like this series. The book has cool characters and Jude Watson did a good job with it. I love Star Wars and if you do too, read this book. Also this book is the 4th book in the Star Wars: Last of the Jedi series.

Review by Cpt.Rex

 

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

In the book Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, Nora Grey's life is far from perfect. Nora had an attempt on her life yet survived which wasn’t a pleasant thing to go through. She had gained a guardian angel, but sadly her guardian angel was far from angelic, matter of fact quite devil-ish. The guardian angel named Patch had been given a second chance with life, while still not being human or being able to be seen. I personally believe that this book is good for most ages above 9-10 while it all depends on your mental age and how well you can take 18+ themes or themes of violence. Other than that, it’s truly an amazing book. 

I can relate with the character Nora Grey, as I believe she would be a great friend who wouldn’t talk about someone behind their back unless given a good reason, which I believe is outstanding friend material. This book would be the romance and horror category of books, although it rarely states anything truly in the horror category, even though there is gore and topics of such. Some parts of the book remind me of a few of the goosebumps series.

Review by Em0RaInB0w

 

The One And Only Bob by Katharine Applegate

I like The One And Only Bob by Katharine Applegate because it shows me that different animals can like animals that are not the same species as them. It can also means that animals can talk to species they have never met before. 

In the story Bob, Ivan, and Ruby all like talking to each other with the different sounds they make. Ivan is a gorilla, Bob is a chihuahua, and Ruby is an elephant! They love going on adventures with each other and going through good times and bad times. It can get so hard that they lose each other sometimes.

Review by Abigail

 

Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Happy Birthday by Rachel Renee Russell

Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Happy Birthday by Rachel Renee Russell. This book is about these 3 girls, Zoey, Chloe and Nikki. Nikki  is the main character. Nikki is going to have a luau party but there is a problem. The party is going to be canceled because her mom is ruining her party and she is very stressed. Later in the story Chloe has the invitations she made for the party and while she is gone the invitations are gone. 

My favorite character is Nikki's little sister Brianna. She is very funny and adorable and I love how she tries to make things for her sister. I can relate to this story because once I had a birthday party. 

Review by Isabella