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
 

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

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
 

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

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

 

Kristy’s Great Idea by Raina Telgemeier

Kristy’s Great Idea by Raina Telgemeier is a graphic novel based on the novel by Ann M. Martin, and part of The Baby-sitters Club series. The character in the book that is my favorite is Kristy. My favorite scene is when Kristy wants to start a babysitters club. Kristy has some friends, their names are Claudia, Mary, and Stacey . The plot of the book is the story starts in the beginning of 7th grade and at Claudia's house. The B.S.C. (or Baby Sitter Club) meetings  are in Claudia's room. 

The reason I like this book is because there's a lot of friendship and babysitting. There is a show on Netflix with two seasons called The Baby - sitters club. The show is as good as the books. I think you should read the book, then watch the show. 

Review By: Dance Queen!!

The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier

   The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier is about Jack Sullivan is a 13-year-old kid that is going through a monster apocalypse. Jack thinks he’s the last of his kind and everyone becomes zombies. Jack tries to save the world, but his first move is to save his friends by thinking he is in a hero movie. 

      My favorite character is Jack because he loves movies and soda just like I do! My favorite scene in the book is when Jack has to sneak by Blarg to get a super small screwdriver to fix his walkie-talkie to talk to Quint. In the book there are people and middle-schools briefly in the book, but if it was real it would have it for a longer time. 

Review by: I.Eat.Brainz.For.fun

The rainbow fish by Marcus Pfister

The rainbow fish by Marcus Pfister is great for all ages but I recommend it for grades k-3.  The rainbow fish has a great moral for children to learn. The fish started it off as a show-off, but then became a lonely fish and had nothing to show off to people because no one was there. Read the book to find out more.

     I think this book is one of my favorite childhood books. I found this book fascinating when the fish was praised by all because of its rainbow scales, but was rude so everybody wanted to stay away from him. I really recommend it for little kids to learn how to treat others in a kind way and not to be rude. 

                                                         By coolkami

                                                    

 

A Dog’s Life by Ann Martin

The book I will review for the blog is A Dog’s Life by Ann Martin. This book tells the story from the dog’s point of view. Here is an example of a dog's point of view. In the story I lost Bone my brother and I was alone, then I found a dog named Moon and we became friends. We went to the junkyard together and we lived together and we were super best friends.

I love this story because I relate to it. I have my own dogs and I love them. I found this story and started reading it. It was so good I kept reading it and than before I knew it, I was on page 60. So I think you should read this book if you’re into this kind of story. It’s a great story by the way.                             

Review by kwezzyy_twitch

Phoebe and Her Unicorn by Dana Simpson

In Phoebe and Her Unicorn by Dana Simpson, Phoebe and her unicorn were best friends. Phoebe was the one to find the unicorn first. She found her in the forest. Phoebe thought people would like her better if she brought Marigold the unicorn to school, but people thought it was boring and that’s because of the shield of boringness. Now deeper in the story the unicorn meets Phoebe’s parents and they have a pajama party. In the middle of the story it’s fall and they go out for trick or treating and they only went to one house where the candy dragon is. You say something to wake it up, then it wakes up and gives you a lot of candy. Will Phoebe and Marigold become best friends forever and always?

I really enjoyed this book because every girl likes Unicorns. I mean, you can’t blame me. This book reminds me of my friends. When I was little we all loved unicorns! This book is amazing and I’m probably going to read more of Dana Simpson’s books. If you want to read one of her books, then I have included her website. I hope you read this book because it’s a really good book.
 
Reviewed by:shadowthecat123

Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John

The Terrible Two by Jory John and Mac Barnett is about a boy named Miles who moves to a new town called Yawnee Valley. It begins as a normal story but then it tells us about his old school and how he was the school's big prankster. It also tells about how miserable Miles was to move to a new town. 

My most favorite character in this book is principal Barkin. He is my favorite because he is an angry man who always has something crazy he gets himself into. I also like the part where the principal parked on the stairs and made all the students go into the school through his car to get in.

This book reminds me of the times I had to move and it was hard because I had so many memories from there. The hardest part was not being able to see my friends because we were in different cities. I would always be very silent and shy. Then I got used to the school and I'm not as shy as I was before and now have a lot of friends who I can relate to, which makes me more comfortable.

Review by Aaliyah

Terrible Two by Mac Barnett  is about a boy named Miles. In his old school, he was known as a pranking legend. Now that he’s moving to boring Yawnee Valley, he hopes to be his new school’s prankster there. But there’s already a prankster, and he’s REALLY good.

I can really relate to Miles in this book. I LOVE to prank my sister, and…. I sometimes get pranked myself. I hope you will like the book.

Review by Wakanda4ever

BabyMouse Queen of the World by Jennifer L. Holm

BabyMouse Queen of the World by Jennifer L. Holm is the perfect book if you don’t like to read a lot. The book is so fun,and easy to read because it’s also a comic book!  BabyMouse is a good character to read about because she is very relatable and funny. By reading the book it can turn a very bad day into a great day, but the best part is, it is very short, so it’s fast to read. Baby Mouse's enemy is Felicia Furrypaws. They have a lot of wars with each other.

 I love this book and I really love animals! It is a great book for people who like graphic novels without a lot of words. I liked and chose this book because it is very interesting and fun to read. I could read a whole series in one day, it is that good. I couldn’t read another book that is so funny and relatable. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to choose between hanging with the popular kids or with your best friend? Then this is the right book for you! Baby Mouse is just like regular people, that’s why I fell in love with her from the first book.

Review by Chairperson

Auggie and Me by R.J. Palacio

I like Auggie and Me by R.J. Palacio very much for certain reasons. This book makes me feel like a better person just from reading it. Just treat people the way you want to be treated. In this book, this child named Julian is a very mean child and he bullied a child named Auggie. Auggie had disabilities and did not look like other children, but he was a very kind person. This book reminds me of a movie named a Wrinkle in Time because in the movie this person bullies another person for no reason, just like the book Auggie and Me. You should not do something bad, especially if there is no reason to do it.

Auggie and Me has things that will hurt other kids feelings but there is a lesson to learn. I think that you should treat people the way you would like to be treated. When I read this book it makes me feel like a better person. This book talks about very important things that maybe you will like to learn about to. This book shows hard feelings and maybe will hurt other feelings but is a good lesson to learn, this book is very good and I think that you should read it too.

Reviewed by rainbow

The Baby Sitters Club Kristy Ann Saves The Day by Raina Telgemeier

The Baby Sitters Club: Kristy Ann Saves The Day by Raina Telgemeier based on the novel by Ann M. Martin, is about a babysitters club who were all best friends and then got into a fight. It takes place in a school, and in a bunch of different houses. When they got in a fight they didn't speak for a very long time but they didn't want anybody to think anything was suspicious, so they acted like they were not in a fight. At the end they ended up adding a new member to the group named Dawn. She was a very nice girl who loved kids.

 I like this book because it is interesting and a very good book, I really enjoyed reading this book. My favorite part of the book was when they got back to being best friends. I think in conclusion that this is an amazing graphic novel and is one of a series of books.

Reviewed by smiles123

Paper Chains by Elaine Vickers

 Do you like heartwarming books? If so Paper Chains is the book for you! Paper Chains by Elaine Vickers is about these two middle school girls Kate and Ana. Kate has to keep her secret that she's adopted and also has issues with her heart.  She has to keep these secret because she thinks it will ruin their friendship, also she thinks it might even ruin their family. On the other hand,  Ana’s father has left their family and there’s suspicion that he is not coming back. In this story their actions create more problems because of their secrets. This books appeals to me because of how different the characters are. Will the girls tell each other their secrets? Or will they find out from somebody else?

      Personally, this is one of my favorite books . Paper chains isn’t just like any other book. The author, Elaine Vickers makes and adds and builds this book so that it is organized magnificently.  The characters are so different,  but still they manage to become friends. This book reminded me of one of my best friends. This book talks about the hardships that friends can face, also what they can overcome. Just remember, friends and family are worth fighting for.  How will  Kate and Ana  resolve their problems?

Review by Potato_Girl

Dork Diaries; tales from a not-so happily ever after

Tales from a Not-So-Happily Ever After by: Rachel Renee Russell is the eighth book in the Dork Diaries series. This book is about a girl named Nikki who has an injury and when she wakes up, she's in a magical fairy tale world! She finds that all her friends have turned into fairy tale characters, including herself. Nikki and her friends go through a long journey to get out of the fairy tale world. But a witch is angry with Nikki for a reason I don’t want to spoil. Nikki goes to a castle to find out how to go back to her world. At the castle she finds her mega crush, Brandon. Read this book to find out what happens next.

I love the Dork Diaries series, but this book is my favorite. I think it would be kind of cool to become a character from a fairy tale. I also love how the author put all of the cool fairy tales into one book! The end is my favorite part because this book is like a fairy tale with all fairy tales inside so at the end, HAPPILY EVER AFTER!

Reviewed by CraftyCoffee

Fantasy books are THE BEST!!!  Dork Diaries; tales from a not-so happily ever after by Rachel Renee Russell, is a book of fantasy fairy-tales that Nicki Maxwell goes through.  But, with their own twists! She passed out during gym, and now, she is in a world of fantasy. There are these fairy tale characters combined from all different stories, but why do they look like Nicki's friends?  Find out in Dork Diaries, Tales from a Not-So-Happily ever after.

This book reminds me of a book series, (That I absolutely LOVE). The name of the series is called Pegasus. It's a fantasy book about Roman and Greek myths. The fantasy part is that a girl named Emily actually MEETS Pegasus.  There is also all different places they visit, like Earth and Olympus! Both the books are very interesting to read. I feel they both have lots of details, so I can imagine lots of things. Even though Pegasus has no pictures, and Dork Diaries has many pictures, I think they are both super fun to read!

Review by Puppy_Girl_101