The Creature from the Seventh Grade, Boy or Beast

The Creature from the Seventh Grade, Boy or Beast by Bob Balaban is about a boy that is in the seventh grade that gets bullied. He gets bullied because he is a short and skinny seventh grader. He doesn't do any sports so he gets made fun of then something happens. He becomes a dinosaur, everyone likes him and he is nice and might try a sport. 

I like the book because it is funny, cool and it is interesting. I connected with this book because I do not bully and I don't stand with bullying.

Reviewed by Jake the baseball god 

Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton

   Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton is about a girl named Mimi who is half Japanese and half black. She starts middle school in the middle of the year. She meets a girl who is one of the only students who will do stuff with her. But almost everywhere she goes people have to ask her what she is. That is the question she asks herself, What am I?  After a while at school, she wants to take shop instead of home economics. Then she meets a boy that lives next door and he lets her use his grandpa’s tools. But when her friend and she stand up to her principal, they get suspended. When they finally return, their whole grade stands up to the principal. The principal tells them he will think about letting girls take shop. Will the students finally they get their way?

    I chose this book because I think this could happen to a lot of people. I think it is really sad if someone whom I know is getting bullied. If you moved and got bullied, and no one wanted to hangout with you, what would you do? 

Review by #DanceForLife13

The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Perez

The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Perez is the 2018 Kids Read Across Rhode Island book. The book is about a girl named Maria Luisa, but she likes to be called Malu. Malu calls her mom SuperMexican, because she feels that her mother pushes her to speak Spanish and wants her to learn about her Mexican background. When Malu has to move away from her dad and live with her mother in Chicago for two years, she is not happy. Some of the kids at her new school are not nice and they call her a "coconut", brown on the outside, white on the inside. They make fun of her because her Spanish isn't fluent and she dresses like a punk rocker. Malu struggles to fit in at her new school and still follow the first rule of punk, "Be yourself."

Sprinkled throughout the book are references to Punk music, which Malu loves, and copies of her zines. Malu's zines are small books she creates with text, drawings, and pictures cut from magazines. Malu uses the zines to explain how she is feeling. I thought this book was very interesting. I think you will enjoy how tough and resilient Malu is as she fights to find her place in the world. It would make a great beginning of the year Read Aloud for teachers. I am sure many students will want to create their own zines about their family cultures as an extension activity.

Review by Mrs. Castro

Sticks and Stones by Abby Cooper

In Sticks and Stones by Abby Cooper, a girl named Elyse has a disorder that causes words that other people call her to come up on her skin in itchy rashes. They get worse depending on how bad the word is. This story takes place at her school. Another problem that Elyse faces is, she gets lost on a trip in a snowstorm.  Will she manage to make it back?

I think that having words appear on your skin  would be both embarrassing and painful. I think the story is saying to be more careful with your words. As we are not able to see the words, they still can still have a painful effect on others. This story is a big mix of emotions, sadness, happiness, stress, and even more. I definitely recommend this book to others, as it is very enjoyable to read.

Reviewed by HeWhoShallNotBeNamed

Big Nate Lives It Up by Lincoln Peirce

Big Nate Lives It Up by Lincoln Peirce is funny and it’s about friends in middle school. There’s a kid named Nate and he’s in middle school and he has two best friends. A new kid comes to school and the principal wants him to show the new kid around and wants Nate to be the new kid's friend. Nate also thinks the new kid is weird because he likes plants. Then Nate thinks he remembers him. He keeps on thinking he knows him from before but he’s not sure. At the end he remembers who he is. You can find out the rest in the book.  

I like this book because it’s in school and a situation can happen like this in real life. I relate to this book because I have friends and they’re funny. I also like art like he does. So I would recommend this book to my friends.

Reviewed by Derpy Squid

Big Nate Strikes Again by Lincoln Peirce

In Big Nate Strikes Again by Lincoln Peirce, Nate, Teddy, and Francis all got assigned a project in their class. They hope to be together, but only Teddy and Francis got paired up together. Nate got paired up with Gina who is his ¨archenemy¨. He gets in trouble and was forced to go to the library but the librarian made him work and he actually ended up doing his part of the the project.

I really liked this book because it was very funny and interesting. For instance, Nate thought a baby picture was his crush, but it turns out it was Gina. His friends were teasing him because he said he would know that face anywhere. In my life at school I always have to work with people I don't like or don’t work well with, but I just try my best and try to get along with them.

Reviewed by, 401.lilsavage


Big Nate Strikes Again is a book written by Lincoln Peirce. I thought it was an amazing book with funny conversations. It is about a boy named Nate that goes to a school with his best friends Francis, and Teddy. One day the Fleece Ball signup results were taped on the wall. When they looked at it they realized that they had a perfect team, but one specific player made Nate almost jump out of his skin. His school enemy…. Gina!!!!

This book reminds me of my life a bit because there’s always that one person that thinks they’re better just like Gina. So Nate reminds me of myself because I’m not the best when it comes  to school subjects like math, social studies, and ELA. Nate also reminds me of myself with the respect that he loves fun subjects like art.

What will Nate do to save his team? Find out by reading Big Nate Strikes Again!!!  

Reviewed by TC_Chocolate_Chips

Paperboy by Vince Vawter

Paperboy by Vince Vawter is a special story.  It is about a boy who has a speech problem, he stutters.  The story is based in the southern United States during the time when African Americans and whites were segregated.  There are a lot of themes that the author focuses on, from race relations, to bullying, to family relationships.  But in the end, it really is a story about a boy who is struggling to understand the grownup world he is living in.

Although his stuttering is so bad he can't even tell people his name,Vince Vawter does an excellent job of giving a voice to the main character of the story.   I really wanted him to win out over his problems and was routing for him throughout the book.  There are many memorable characters in this story.  I loved the special relationship the main character had with his "Mam", the black woman who takes care of him and his family.  You can tell Mam would do anything for him, and he would do anything for her. Read this Newbery honor book to find out about their lives and the troubles they must face.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead

Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead is the third of Stead's books.  I've read the other two, Light, and the Newbery Medal winner, When You Reach Me.  I enjoyed both, but I think Liar and Spy may have just become my favorite.  Stead does a great job creating a cast of very quirky characters.  They instantly become very real to the reader and you care about their struggles.  The story takes place in Brooklyn, NY and alternates between a school setting and an apartment building.  The main character, Georges, has just moved from the home he grew up in, to an apartment nearby because his father was laid off from his job.  As Georges struggles with the bullies in school, his loner status, and his mother's absence, he is distracted by his funny new neighbor Safer.  They start a Spy Club together and begin to keep an eye on one of the mysterious tenants in the apartment building where they live.

I truly loved the characters in this book and Stead does such a masterful job at creating a story line steeped in mystery, that I hesitate to say much about the plot.  I'll just say that there is mystery, danger, friendship, spies, humor and sadness all rolled together in a great story.  Liar and Spy is one of the 2014 RICBA Award Nominees.  You still have time to read it and see if it would get your vote!

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

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 5^th 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

iFunny by James Patterson

iFunny is a story written by James Patterson.   Another book that James has written is called Treasure Hunters.  This book will make you laugh your pants off.  If you’re funny, you’ll probably love this book. Some of the main characters are Jamie, Gaynor, Pierce, Stevie and Uncle Frankie.  Stevie always bullies Jamie, but Jamie gets away by telling jokes.  Then one day after school, Uncle Frankie tells Jamie to enter a contest for telling jokes.  Will Jamie enter the contest?  If he does, will he win?  Read the book to find out more!

Reviewed by SpaZ  Potato    

I Funny is written by James Patterson.  This book is about a kid in a wheelchair and he wants to be a comedian.  So he takes lessons.  At school he tried  to make people laugh.  They like his jokes.  One of his friends says, "You should join the world’s funniest kid in the world".  The only problem is, he was not that funny.  He practiced for weeks and made up new jokes. Then the day came.  He rushed there, it was starting in a half hour.  He felt sad because none of his friends came to cheer him on.  He still had to go up on stage.  Then it started.  He was the third person up.  Then his turn came…
Reviewed by Demon boy123

I funny is by James Patterson.  You should read this book because it is about a kid and his name is Jamie Grimm.  He is in junior high school and he is in a wheelchair.  He loves to tell jokes, so he enters a joke competition.  Read to find out if he wins.  I think the author's message is that you shouldn't judge people by their looks.

Reviewed By Skullster

I Funny, by James Patterson, is a great realistic fiction book. I funny, is about a boy named Jamie Grimm, and he is hilarious! He tells jokes at school, his uncle’s diner, and even at the boardwalk. Then one day at his Uncle's diner, he sees an ad in the paper about a comedy contest in Long Beach. Everyone is trying to persuade him to enter it, but he just won’t. This book is very humorous and has a little bit of romance. I would DEFINITELY recommend this book if you’re in for a good laugh!

Reviewed by -Stop_Hurting_My_Feelings 

Because Of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

Because Of Mr. Terupt was written by Rob Buyea, who also wrote the story Mr. Terupt Falls Again. This is the first of Rob Buyea’s books. I would suggest this book for anyone who enjoys a happy ending. This book starts with the kids hating the fact that they have to get a new 5th grade teacher. But then they start to realize that Mr. Terupt isn't such a bad teacher after all. When tragedy hits it leaves the kids worried, but I don’t want to give away too much.  Will Mr. Terupt survive?  You will have to wait and see J J . 

Reviewed by bowties305

Bowties305 did a great job with their post on this book.  I just finished Because of Mr. Terupt and it really is a very good book.  I like how the story is told from the characters' different points of view.  This story would make a great read aloud for teachers who want to start a discussion on classroom bullying. 

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Did Mr.Terupt change the whole fifth grade class?  Read,  Because of Mr.Terupt, by Rob Buyea to see how sad the kids were.  But don’t blame Peter, he meant to hit Luke when he threw the snowball.  As you begin to read, you find out Mr.Terupt  did a lot of wrestling while growing up and in college.  He gave these up because he suffered several concussions.   To see if Mr.Terupt survives, read this book.  Just because he is a new teacher, doesn't mean he’s a bad one.  You should give people chances.

Reviewed by  I’mAnonymous